VT Faith Community's Online News - December 2007

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NEW VERMONT ECUMENICAL COUNCIL WEBSITE

Our goal is to launch the redesigned website of the VEC by tomorrow, December 20th. It includes pages for the Council’s three standing committees: Faith & Order; Prayer & Worship; and Peace, Justice and the Integrity of Creation. The homepage has been redesigned and content has been added.

Your feedback on the website is welcomed.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY SERVICE

The Vermont Ecumenical Council’s Prayer & Worship Committee is sponsoring a service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Jan. 20, 2008, 2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Burlington. This service celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Please join us – all are welcome. The Rev. Dr. Meredith Handspicker will give the homily.

At Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts, he is Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology and Evangelism. He spent four years on the Secretariat for Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, the Rev. Dr. Handspicker serves as the Chair of the VEC’s Faith & Order Committee. He is a United Church of Christ minister living in Bennington.

FIRST NIGHT – TAIZE PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE

Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2 Cherry Street, Burlington, 6:00 – 6:45 p.m., Dec. 31, 2007 Come, pray for world peace in an ecumenical gathering as the New Year begins.

Experience contemplative prayer enhanced by the beautiful chants of the Taize Community, an ecumenical center for peace and reconciliation located in France. Taize prayer combines chant with simple repetitive phrases, encouraging participation by all. Scripture readings and silence are interwoven, fostering a reflective and prayerful spirit. Join and pray for world peace and reconciliation. No First Night button is required. The service is sponsored by Pax Christi Burlington, First United Methodist Church, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul and other area churches.

To find out more, contact Sister Miriam Ward, Pax Christi Burlington, 802-864-3885 or email: miriamward1@hotmail.com

A Taize Evening Prayer service will also be held at the Bishop Booth Conference Center in Burlington at Rock Point on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008 at 6 p.m. Contact: Betsy Brown at 658-6233 or betsycamps@hotmail.com

FILM REVIEW – BELLA by Dr. Linda Howe

Bishop Matano hosted a special viewing of the movie BELLA this Fall. The movie is a life-affirming film with a young man as the lead character. A woman in crisis is able to make life-affirming choices for herself and her child because of this young man who is not the biological father. This movie should appeal to a broad audience. It is playing now through Thursday at the Palace 9 theater in South Burlington.

MINDFULNESS AND BUDDHIST MEDITATION – at Clementwood Spiritual Life Center in Rutland, next to the campus of the College of St. Joseph. Sat., Jan. 12, 9:30 – Noon. Become aware of the basic principles – enter the silence. Presenter: Rick Dunworth, MRO experienced practitioner For more information about the programs, send an email to: ClementwoodSpLCt@aol.com

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: HOW IS GOD SPEAKING?

To listen to your heart, explore the Scriptures, and be in discerning conversation with others, come to the Bishop Booth Conference Center on Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for this program, led by the Rev. Barbara Lemmel. Spiritual Direction is a way to make space to listen for God’s presence and guidance. Through spiritual exercises reflection, prayer, worship, and silence, participants will explore how God is speaking to and leading them – learning more about God’s dream for them and what they can become as well as next steps to take on the journey. The fee for this day retreat is $30. Please pre-register by January 17th by calling 802-658-6233 or send an email to: betsycamps@hotmail.com

RETURNING PRISONER SIMULATION:

Yesterday’s Prisoners, Today’s Neighbors Friday, January 25, 2008, Noon – 3:30 p.m. St. Albans City Hall Gymnasium, Main St., St. Albans Take a walk in the shoes of a person returning to the community after incarceration. This renowned experiential learning event was developed by Restorative Justice trainers from the Madison area Urban Ministry in Wisconsin and will be facilitated by the Brattleboro Community Justice Center. This event is free, however, registration is required by January 3, 2008. To register or for more information, contact Cathy Fitzgerald at St. Albans Community Justice Center: cathy@stalbanscjc.org