News & Announcements
A Message from Bishop Shannon in Response to the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Dear People of God in the Diocese of Vermont: The Supreme Court has ruled on the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade, and allowing states to enact laws making abortion illegal. Here in Vermont, we may find some comfort knowing this state has enacted a statute protecting abortion rights …
Diocesan Convention 2022
The 2022 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont will be held in two parts: The bishop’s address, worship, and other programming will take place in person on Saturday, October 8 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Registration and time for fellowship will begin at 9 …
Video: Diocese of Vermont Deacons Tell Their Stories
In this new video, Vermont deacons mark the “Month of the Diaconate” by discussing their roles. “The diaconate is an ancient order, and also one that is ever-changing as we deepen our knowledge of what it means to be a deacon in God’s church,” Archdeacon Stannard Baker says. “We now understand that the diaconate is an …
Lament Lights the Path to Wholeness: A Message from Bishop Shannon
Dear people of God in the Diocese of Vermont: Honestly I’m not sure what emotion to feel or express. Anger.Deep sadness.Frustration.Helplessness.Fear.Numbing grief. I feel them all, and it is a horrifying thing. After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting I remember thinking, “surely our nation will change after the loss of so many children, innocents.” …
Holy Curiosity: A Message From the Bishops of Northern New England
May 14, 2022 Dear Episcopalians of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, Today we celebrated a new milestone! Episcopalians from across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine met on Zoom today for Maine’s Spring Training event, and during the program, the three of us had the opportunity to reflect and answer questions about the collaboration we are …
TryTank Webinars and Coaching Available to Vermont Congregations
TryTank Experimental Laboratory a joint project between Virginia Theological Seminary and the General Theological Seminary, is offering a webinar series titled “How to Supercharge Your Congregation Through Community Partnerships.” The hands-on webinars will take place on June 2 and June 9 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Congregations in the Diocese of Vermont may sign up for free coaching on …
Resurrecting: Bishop Shannon’s Easter Message
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about …
An Update from the Diocesan Covid Response Team: March 16, 2022
Dear Members of the Diocese of Vermont, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 Throughout the pandemic we have been guided by our theology of the Body — that in Jesus Christ we are one Body, called to work together in love and care for all, …
Diocesan Liturgy Commission Seeks Input
The Rev. Kim Hardy, chair of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission, is asking for input from music and liturgy leaders across the Diocese of Vermont. Last year, the commission offered Morning Prayer leadership training, a preaching course for lay leaders, and designed and hosted diocesan online liturgies during pandemic lockdown. Now, the commission would like to …
Vermonters on Sacred Ground
In mid-January, six members of the Diocese of Alabama and seven members of the Diocese of Vermont began a Sacred Ground circle on Zoom. Sacred Ground, an educational series about race, is a program of Becoming Beloved Community, the Episcopal Church’s long-term initiative on racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. The group was convened by Amy Hastings, a …
Daily Prayer with the Green Mountain Online Abbey
I didn’t expect to start a congregation at the outset of the pandemic. But in an emergency situation, you gather and you pray together. Since March 2020, that’s what we have been doing in a community we now call the Green Mountain Online Abbey. Join us for prayer at 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:00 p.m. Sunday.
A Contemplative Prayer Ministry Grows in the Pandemic
The first time St. Peter’s, Bennington member Mary McGuinness was invited to practice contemplative prayer – a set of traditional Christian practices that include centering prayer and lectio divinia – she didn’t immediately jump at the chance. “I just thought it was a form of meditation, and I already did meditation,” she says. “I learned …