2013 Diocesan Convention Schedule – Stirrings of the Spirit!
The Episcopal Church in Vermont
Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Burlington, VT – November 8-9, 2013
Friday November 8th
9:00 – 3:30 Registration
10:00 – Session #1: Stirrings of the what?! Is this spaghetti sauce or Spirit that we’re sensing?
Have you ever wondered how we are to discern in community what God might be up to? What do we do with what we think are stirrings? How might the Diocese of Vermont be leading the way for a new Episcopal Church? Come join Ana Hernandez and Tom Brackett for an interactive and multi-sensory exploration. We will ask crazy questions (like, “How do you train a whole diocese to start smelling God at work?”) and sensible questions (like, “How do you fund new ventures like those we think the Spirit is asking of us?” and, “How do we partner with God to take the good idea and make it known to the world?”
11:45 Worship
12:00 – Lunch (people can bring a bag lunch, or purchase lunch for $10, by placing an order before 10:00 AM when you register for Convention)
Gatherings during lunch:
- Workshop: What’s Emerging in the Emerging Church?
Please join Sean Lanigan, a Candidate for Holy Orders from the Diocese of Vermont, for an exploration of the emerging young adult ministry he’s developing in Long Beach, California. (www.beachprogressives.org). We’ll explore the challenges and joys of beginning a brand new ministry, focusing on the value of a relational style of leadership that is transferrable to any ministry context.
- “Convention 101” Orientation session (especially for 1st time delegates)
- Deacons gathering
1:15—3:15 Session #2: “Don’t step on that new life emerging!”
Sometimes we are so good at measuring the past that we forget to notice the new life emerging right beneath our feet. This session is devoted to the local community practices of engaging emergence. Did you know that discerning in community oftentimes asks us to try our ideas that don’t give us the results we expected?” This interactive session will feel like a bootcamp for innovators! Ana Hernandez and Tom Brackett will lead us through the disciplines of learning from failure and the practices of being the “Beloved community” in the presence of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and making peace with uncertainty.
3:30 – Convention Opens: We will organize ourselves for the legislative component of Convention, receive a welcome from our Cathedral and hear from our Bishop.
Convention Called to Order/Organized for Business
Singing
Cathedral Welcome
Bishop’s Address
5:15 – Worship: A contemplative Evening Prayer with familiar evening hymns and prayers
6:00 PM—Social Time/FOB meeting at the Hilton Hotel: We will move from the Cathedral to the Hilton Hotel for our evening festivities.
6:45 PM Dinner
Tom Brackett, stories: Getting to the bottom of “hearing from God.”
Most of us have been raised on a steady diet of the “scientific method.” We prefer proof and evidence and sound judgment over those voices that wake us in the night. Many of us are so out of touch with our own longings that it’s just too much work to get back to the stuff that makes our heart sing. This offering is a trek back to the headwaters of our partnership with God. This is an invitation to explore your giftedness and a time to remember those moments when you realized just how “beloved” you really are. We will focus our time together on the basics of giftedness, belovedness and the creativity that the world is waiting for you to offer in our times.
Ana Hernandez leads us in singing to end the night
8:45 Adjourn for the evening
Saturday November 9th
8:00 AM Registration
8:30 AM Worship/Convention Business Session: This day will be structured around the Eucharist, during which we will conduct our Convention Business.
Liturgy of the Word: Tom Brackett preaching: “What is that one thing you have desired of me?”
Ana Hernandez leads us in singing twice more during the morning session
12:00 Worship – Renewal of Baptismal Covenant, Ordination Vows, Prayers and Peace
12:30 Lunch w/Mission District Caucus meetings
1:15 Reconvene— Business
Ana Hernandez leads us in singing twice during the afternoon session
3:00 Worship/Table: We share in the Great Thanksgiving gathered around God’s table to receive our spiritual food for the journey and bless Holy Oils for Baptism and Healing ministries.
…we end the day and are sent forth to participate in God’s reconciling mission by 3:30 (or so)