2005 Ministry Fairs
October 1, at Christ Church, Montpelier
October 15, at Trinity Church, Rutland
October 29, at St. Michael’s Church, Brattleboro.
Each day begins at 9:00 A.M. with 2 rounds of seminars, followed by Eucharist—Bishop Ely will celebrate and preach—and lunch. The afternoon begins with presentations by the Insurance Task Force and the Canons Committee and concludes with the Pre-Convention Hearing for Diocesan Convention delegates and others interested in learning about the proposed 2006 budget, proposed resolutions and candidates for elected office.
Five seminars promise to offer something for everyone:
I. Parishes (like restaurants) You’d Wait in Line For. Presented by Don Scott of the Diocesan Evangelism Committee. Engage in a real “brainstormer.” Determine just what makes certain restaurants incredibly successful… and then those special characteristics of a vital, appealing, growing parish. Compare similarities and differences and return to your parish community with a bagful of new ideas and approaches to bring “the world to (and through) your door.”
II. A Model for Preparing Eucharistic Ministers. Presented by members of the Commission on Ministry’s Christian Formation Committee sub-group on liturgical ministries, the Rev. Jackie Arbuckle, Convener. Very few parishes provide formal preparation or training for Eucharistic Ministers, and many are unfamiliar with the new National Canons. This seminar will provide you not only with training resources for your Eucharistic Ministers, but will also provide insight and information regarding how the new Canons affect “the work God has given you to do.”
III. Hometown Hunger: Fixing the Holes in the Safety Net. Presented by Joanne Heidcamp, RD, Program Manager for the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Hunger exists in every Vermont community, with elders and children most affected. Learn to spot the weak strands in your local nutrition safety net and create a comprehensive, practical approach to addressing hunger.
IV. Funding Future Ministry: Planned Giving for Every Parish. Presented by John Moses, Regional Gift Planning Manager for the Episcopal Church Foundation. Could your parish use more resources for ministry? Should your parish actively encourage bequests and life income gifts? Would your parish know what to do if it received a bequest of $1,000,000? Learn the opportunities and strategies for planned giving ministries in your parish… large or small. This introduction includes the theology of planned giving, good management practices and strategies for implementing such a program back home.
V. Relationships of Fidelity, Holiness, and Commitment: Resources for Couples and Congregations on Same Gender Blessings. Presented by Stan Baker, MA, Clinical Director for Howard Community Services, and Anne Clarke Brown, diocesan communication minister. Same gender blessings are an important and powerful issue today in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont has done groundbreaking work in this area through the bishop’s task force report on same-gender blessing. Attend this seminar and leave with useful information on support for couples, congregations, and clergy.
Pre-registration is helpful in planning the appropriate use of space at each site, and registration information and forms are available in every parish. Register by sending in the form or by calling the Diocesan Office (802-863-3431 or 800-286-3437). Click here to download the registration form (MS Word).
