The following information is intended to provide a set of guidelines and expectations for participating in the four Walkabouts in Vermont that will be held from April 28-30. The intent of a walkabout is to provide both the candidates and the people of Vermont a chance to meet in person, to ask questions and to listen. The locations and times are set to make it as easy as possible for the greatest number of people to attend. These Walkabouts are not solely for delegates to the special convention to elect the next bishop of Vermont. Nor are the Walkabouts just for Episcopalians in Vermont. These are open events and are meant for anyone interested in the future leadership of the Episcopal Church of Vermont. As always, all are welcome in the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement.
Specifically, Walkabouts will be held on the following dates and times at the locations listed below. Please use this form to indicate which event(s) you plan to attend. Registration is not required but your response will help us with planning. Light refreshments will be provided.
| Date and Start Time | Town/City | Specific Location | Contact Information |
| Sunday, April 28, 2019 Arrival 5:30 PM Start 6:00 PM Reception 8:00 PM | Springfield, VT | St. Mark’s Church 33 Fairground Rd. Springfield, VT 05156 | Mr. Robert Barton 802-263-5719 rbarton88@outlook.com |
| Monday, April 29, 2019 Arrival 9:30 AM Start 10:00 AM Reception 12:00 PM | Manchester, VT | Zion Church 5167 Main St. Manchester Center, VT 05255 | Ms. Elizabeth McEwen 802-464-3979 ecmcewen@gmail.com |
| Monday, April 29, 2019 Arrival 5:30 PM Start 6:00 PM Reception 8:00 PM | Burlington, VT | Cathedral Church of St. Paul 2 Cherry St. Burlington, VT 05401 | The Rev. Angela Emmerson 802-299-5866 angemerson6@gmail.com |
| Tuesday, April 30, 2019 Arrival 5:30 PM Start 6:00 PM Reception 8:00 PM | Newport, VT | United Church of Newport 63 Third St. Newport, VT 05855 | The Rev. Bob Wilson 802 825-1530 bobwilson55@mac.com |
Each walkabout will begin promptly at the start times indicated above with the expectation that folks will be settled into their chairs and ready to begin. Please see the suggested arrival times above.
As much as possible this is what you can expect at each walkabout site:
- You will be greeted, given an information sheet and an index card for your questions. The greeters will direct you to one of three rooms. All rooms will have a parallel experience.
- Use the index card to submit your question(s) to the moderator in the room. Additional cards will be available as needed.
- Each of the three candidates will visit your room, one at a time, for approximately 30 minutes.
- A moderator and timekeeper will be assigned to each room. The moderator’s job is to provide oversight to the process and pastoral care to all those present – candidates and attendees. The moderator will begin by introducing the candidate who will give a short description of herself. The moderator will then ask a series of questions, integrating the questions from the cards with a set of questions prepared with input from the Transition Committee. Finally, a portion of time at the end will be open for the candidates to learn specifics about you and your local issues and situations if they choose to ask. All questions must be submitted through the moderator using the cards. The moderators will do their best to include a wide variety of questions and get through as many as possible. Questions already answered in the materials provided on the website are unlikely to be included so please be sure to read the materials before attending. It might not be possible to get to all questions during the time allotted.
- There will be a limited time for each answer. The timekeeper will help the candidates to keep on schedule so as much ground can be covered as is reasonable.
- The conversation in one room at each event will be recorded and posted at https://bishopsearchvt.org. If you do not want to be recorded, please tell the greeter and you will be directed to an appropriate room.
- Once you are in a room, please stay there for the duration to meet and listen to the candidates – they will be the ones to move from room to room.
- There will not be specific breaks in the sessions but feel free use the facilities as needed – in particular during the movement of candidates from room to room. There will be signs to the restrooms displayed prominently at each location.
- Following the last session at each location, there will be a short reception limited to about half an hour for light refreshments and to talk personally with the candidates. Please be brief and let as many folks meet the candidates as possible.
Please encourage everyone in your parish to attend or watch the videos and communicate among yourselves about the questions and issues that you find pertinent to the selection of our next bishop. General questions about the Walkabouts can be directed to TC@diovermont.org.
These Walkabouts are not solely for delegates to the special convention to elect the next bishop of Vermont. Nor are the Walkabouts just for Episcopalians in Vermont. These are open events and are meant for anyone interested in the future leadership of the Episcopal Church of Vermont.
