1) The following congregations are in some phase of transition (mostly with respect to calling new clergy leadership): St. James, Arlington, currently served by Supply Clergy; St. Thomas & Grace, Brandon, Interim Team, with the Rev. Paul Gratz as Team Leader; St. Paul’s Burlington, the Rev. Laura Bryant, Interim Rector; St. Andrew’s, Colchester, the Rev. Robert Leopold, Interim; St. Luke’s, Fair Haven, Local Ministry Support Team in Formation, the Rev. Richard Brewer, Regular Supply; Christ Church, Island Pond: Supply Clergy; St. Peter’s, Lyndonville: Supply Clergy; Saint Stephen’s, Middlebury, Interim Ministry Team in place with the Rev. Carole Wageman as Team Leader; Saint Mark’s, Newport: The Rev. Jane Butterfield, Interim; Gethsemane, Proctorsville: Supply Clergy; Saint John’s, Randolph: The Rev. Angela Emerson, Interim; Saint Luke’s, St. Albans: Supply Clergy, with some regular support from the Rev. Craig Smith; Saint Andrew’s, St. Johnsbury: Supply Clergy; St. Mark’s, Springfield: The Rev. Martha Dyner and others as regular Supply Clergy; Calvary, Underhill: Supply Clergy, with new P.I.P. call soon TBA; St. Paul’s Windsor, Supply Clergy; St. Mary’s, Wilmington: The Rev. Nicholas Porter, Interim; Saint James, Woodstock: the Rev. Lisa Ransom, Interim.
2) I attended the House of Bishops Meeting at Kanuga Center in Hendersonville, NC from March 11-16, where my resignation as Bishop Diocesan was accepted, effected September 28, 2019, following the Consecration of the next Bishop Diocesan of Vermont. Here is a link to the Mind of the House resolution from that meeting regarding the Lambeth Conference: https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/03/15/episcopal-house-of-bishops-march-2019-the-bishops-mind-of-the-house-resolution-on-lambeth-and-a-statement-from-the-bishops-spouses-planning-group/
3) I attended a meeting of the General Convention Task Force on Communion Across Difference in Chicago from March 19-21 in Chicago. Here is a link to an ENS article about that meeting: https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/03/21/communion-across-difference-group-continues-churchs-on-going-lgbtq-inclusion-conversation/
4) I offered testimony at the State Legislature on S.169 An Act Relating to Firearms Protection. Here is a link to my testimony, along with testimony from the Rev. David Hamilton and the Rev. Stephen Reynes: https://diovermont.org/2019/04/02/episcopal-clergy-offer-testimony-before-house-committee-on-judiciary-regarding-s-l69-an-act-relating-to-firearms-procedures/
5) I met with the Deacons of our Diocese on Saturday April 6. I remain ever grateful for the witness of these icons of the call to servant ministry that is the call of all the baptized.
6) I will participate in Holy Week and Easter Services at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, beginning Monday evening at 7 PM with the Taizé liturgy. The Most Reverend Christopher Coyne, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington will co-officiate with me again this year. On Palm Sunday, I will be with the community of Saint Matthew’s, Enosburg Falls.
7) On April 24, I will participate in an event in Portland, Maine, honoring Bishop Stephen Lane, of Maine, who is also retiring this year. The Forum titled the Stephen T. Lane Legacy Lecture Series will focus on faith voices and the public square, in which Bishop Lane has been engaged. I will speak about the work of Bishops United Against Gun Violence.
8) On my way to Maine, I will stop at the Vermont State House and offer Devotions in the State House of Representatives on April 24th.
9) Visitations since our last Council meeting included Sunday visitations with Christ Church, Montpelier on March 10 and Trinity Church, Rutland on March 31.
10) I was selected for Jury Duty for the first time in my life! I will sit on a Jury in a Civil case May 9-10, unless it gets settled before then, for which I am praying.
11) Ann and I very much enjoyed our week of vacation March 22-29.
12) We look forward to the company of our daughter Jennifer and our granddaughter, Madelyn during Holy Week and Easter.
Faithfully,
