Health and Dental Insurance
The information on the recommended insurance plans for 2026 is available in the Clergy Compensation Guide.
Questions regarding health and dental insurance provided by the Church Pension Group may now be directed to the Rev. Canon Linda Grenz at transition@diovermont.org or to Margaret Schotto, manager for operations, at mschotto@diovermont.org.
Letter of Transfer
It is customary in the Episcopal Church that when you move from one parish to another, you so do by Letter of Transfer. This can be accomplished by the Parish Secretary requesting a Letter of Transfer from your former parish. Download a Letter of Transfer form.
Liturgical Resources
Authorized liturgical resources of the Episcopal Church may be found at EpiscopalCommonPrayer.org.
Alternative Good Friday Liturgy
In 2024, General Convention approved the use of alternative Good Friday liturgical texts, and Bishop Shannon has authorized those texts for use in Vermont.
The alternative liturgy has been reviewed by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) and approved by General Convention as Resolution 2024-A115. The texts were developed in the Diocese of Texas by the Rev. Dr. Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, an Episcopal priest who is now the director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College, and were made available for trial use last year.
The alternative liturgy includes notes from the SCLM regarding the appropriate translations for the Gospel reading as well as an explanation of the alternative liturgy. They write, “Historically, the church prayed on Good Friday that Jews, who had been blamed for the death of Jesus, would convert from their blindness and hardness of heart…. It is a legacy to which we are accountable, given that it at times inspired violence against Jews.”
Download the alternative liturgy.
Alternative Good Friday Gospel
Trinity Press has developed a new Rite 4 translation of the Gospel of John’s Passion (John 18:1-19:42) which aims to be more accurate, idiomatic, and inclusive in its English translation. Bishop Shannon has approved of the use of this alternative translation for 2026.
Some notable features of the translation:
• Gender-neutral language is used for God, as is common in Rite 4 texts, excepting for places where gendered terms are necessary or historically resonant.
• The Greek word Ioudaioi, which has previously been translated in a harmful manner, is translated instead as ‘Judeans’ or rendered with a functional equivalent (usually ‘high priests’, which John himself uses almost interchangeably with ‘Judeans’).
• It was based initially on the King James Version (KJV), but with extensive changes for accuracy, idiom, rhythm, and inclusive language. The translation is generally quite literal (formally equivalent), and usually tracks the Greek almost word for word, but functional equivalence (dynamic translation) is employed as deemed necessary or appropriate.
A reader’s copy and a version which can be copied and pasted are both available. Learn more.
Alternative Baptismal Covenant
In 2024, General Convention approved the development of an alternative addition to our Baptismal Covenant that affirms the Episcopal Church’s commitment to creation care. While it is under development, Bishop Shannon has approved the following language for use in our congregations:
Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?
I will, with God’s help.
Congregations that wish to compose their own alternative must submit their proposed language for approval to the Rev. Canon Susan Ohlidal, canon to the ordinary for missional vitality, or to the Rev. Kim Hardy, chairperson of the Liturgy Commission.
Additional Resources
Bishop Shannon has authorized the use of the following resources:
- For Sundays and other principal services:
- The Season of Creation liturgies. Download the perennial liturgies.
- For For weekday or non-principal services:
- Resources from the Order of St. Helena. Learn more.
- Material from Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley. Learn more.
- Prayers from Hear Our Prayer: Prayers of the People for the Revised Common Lectionary by Jon White and Lisa Graves, eds.
Other resources require authorization. Direct inquiries to the Rev. Canon Susan Ohlidal, canon to the ordinary for missional vitality, or to the Rev. Kim Hardy, chairperson of the Liturgy Commission.
Marriage Resources
Preparing couples for lifelong relationships is an important pastoral responsibility. If you have any questions about this policy or procedures, please call the Bishop’s Office early in the process.
- Policy for Celebrating and Blessing a Marriage
- Declaration of Intent
- Application for Consent to Remarriage
- Marriage Rites for Trial Use
Permission to Officiate
Clergy canonically resident outside of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont wishing to officiate a wedding, funeral or baptism must get permission from Bishop Shannon. Permission may be sought by sending a completed Permission to Officiate Form and a Letter of Good Standing to Sophie Kitch-Peck, the bishop’s assistant.
Supply Clergy
Clergy canonically resident in any diocese of Province One (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Western Massachusetts) may be engaged by congregations within another diocese for supply clergy services under certain conditions.
Please visit the Supply Clergy page for more information.
If you are unable to locate the resource you are seeking, please contact communications@diovermont.org.
