VT Faith Community's Online News - February 2008

Previous VECtor & Faith Common Articles

PINS (PARTNERS IN SERVICE) SEEKS PARTNERS
The Family Services Division of the Vermont Department of Children and Families includes a program (PINS) to involve faith communities with the crucial task of caring for Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens – our children. PINS brings faith communities together with human service agencies. The partnership promotes the success and resiliency of children and youth who have been the victims of abuse and neglect. Congregational partners determine the type, pace, and extent of their involvement. Professionals with the Vermont Family Services Division and other related agencies ask for help with items and costs not covered by other funds (e.g. for school supplies, holiday gifts, sports equipment, etc.). Adults, children, and youth participate in the partnership. Through PINS, faith community members can help some families to stay intact, assist foster parents in their work, and help youth who are transitioning to independent living or to higher education. There may be opportunities for providing community service or mentoring. For a congregation to sign up as a PINS partner, or to learn more, call Rebecca Strader at 802-241-2123 or email: rebecca.strader@ahs.state.vt.us.

TAKING HEART IN HARD TIMES
All are welcome to attend this public gathering at the First Congregational Church in Burlington, 38 South Winooski Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25th. Participants may bring and share whatever moves them deeply, and offers comfort, hope, and inspiration in these challenging times facing our nation and world. Participants may bring poems, prose, songs, quotes, short video clips, photos, dances, rituals, prayers, chants, and meditations. John Berkowitz, a long-time activist for peace, economic justice, and environmental protection, leads the meeting. He will share poems by David Whyte, Mary Oliver and others. He will also provide songbooks with the lyrics of hundreds of familiar rock, folk, gospel, and other songs for those who wish to sing. Donations will be requested to cover the site rental cost. A pizza and salad supper will be offered for those who arrive at 6 p.m. If there is enough interest, the meetings will continue monthly, and will alternate among participants’ homes. To learn more, call 802-869-1778 or email: johnberk@vermontel.net.

LENTEN RESOURCE ON CARE FOR CREATION
To receive a copy of this resource, developed in the U.K., send a message to info@vecbs.org

ISD-SPONSORED RETREATS, MEETINGS
The Institute for Spiritual Development is offering the following programs. For more information, to find out about fees, and/or register, please call 802-846-7084 or visit the website: www.spiritvt.org

Art as a Spiritual Practice
February 29th, 7 p.m.– March 2nd, 1 p.m.
at Lumen Christi Retreat House in Bensen.

Revisiting Centering Prayer
March 1st, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
at the Institute for Spiritual Development in Burlington

Solitude Weekend
March 7th, 7 p.m. – March 9th, 1 p.m.,
Lumen Christi

Centering Prayer Group
March 13th, 6:30 – 8 p.m.,
Mount St. Mary, 100 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington

Soul Collage
March 14th, 7 p.m. – March 16th, 1 p.m.,
Lumen Christi

Lenten Retreat Days
March 17th, 4 p.m. – March 19th, 1 p.m..
Lumen Christi

ECOLOGICALLY RESPECTFUL CHURCH BEHAVIOR
The World Council of Churches is urging churches to develop and share with one another creative ways of practicing ecologically respectful behavior. The WCC again called for churches and other religious institutions to take dramatic steps to combat global climate change, and encouraged a special emphasis on stewardship of creation each year on September 1st.

NEW ON THE VEC’S WEBSITE
The Rev. Dr. Meredith Handspicker’s homily, delivered at the VEC’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service in January, is now on the website: www.vecbs.org. The theme for the service was “Pray without Ceasing”. The Rev. Handspicker quotes Ben Witherington saying this “does not refer to unending prayer but rather to prayer that is persisted in until a proper outcome transpires.” He speaks of the importance of how we behave toward one another and being at peace among ourselves.

UPCOMING VEC MEETINGS
Trustees:

• Tuesday, March 4, 10 a.m. - noon Council:
• Tuesday, March 4, 1 – 4 p.m. The location will soon be announced.