VT Faith Community's Online News - April 2008

Previous VECtor & Faith Common Articles

Faith Common is the email newsletter of the Vermont Ecumenical Council & Bible Society (VEC). PLEASE POST IT in your house of worship. To be added to this newsletter mailing list or to submit news, please send an email to the VEC office at info@vecbs.org.

POPE BEDEDICT XVI VISITS THE U.S.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops, including the Diocese of Burlington’s Bishop, The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano, have gathered in Washington to be with the Pope. Many Vermont Catholics, including 21 students from St. Michael’s College, are traveling to N.Y. to see the Pope and worship with him. Articles in the “Vermont Catholic Tribune” give more information about this. To read the articles, go to: www.vermontcatholic.org then scroll down to Vermont Catholic Tribune and click on Homepage/Current Issue. When this page opens, click on the map of Vermont.

VERMONT KIN AS PARENTS CONFERENCE

This year’s conference is titled “Parenting Revisited: Promise, Potential, Permanence”. It is sponsored by Vermont Kin As Parents – an organization committed to supporting those who are raising relatives’ children. The event will be held on Thursday, April 24 at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Burlington. The Keynote speaker will be prolific author, LeAnn Thieman. Among her books are several “Chicken Soup” books – for the Grandma’s Soul and the Caregiver’s Soul. Workshops and a panel discussion will also be held. To register, go to: www.uvm.edu/conferences/kinshipcare, then click on “Registration” at the top of the page or call VKAP at 802-338-4725. For general information about VKAP, go to: www.vermontkinasparents.com.

BRIDGING THE RIVERS: A FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH RETURNING SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

The Vermont Military, Family and Community Network and The New Hampshire National Guard are jointly sponsoring this conference on May 1, from 8 – 4 at the American Legion Post 26 in White River Junction. The event is to help returning combat service members from all branches of the military, members of their families, medical and social services providers, educators, clergy, and other interested community members learn about the challenges facing citizen soldiers and their families as a consequence of service in a combat zone. When a registration form is received, a packet of resources and reading materials will be sent out to help the participants prepare for the conference. The Keynote Presenter will be Jay Craven, creator of the documentary film “After the Fog”. The $15 fee covers the cost of materials and lunch. To learn more or to register, contact Joyce Cloutier: joyce.cloutier@us.army.mil or call 802-223-2975.

GREEN UP DAY

This event will be happening all over the state on Sat., May 3. Contact your town office to find out how you can help out in your community. In Burlington, people can register at 5 locations: Battery Park, Burlington High Sch., Barnes Elem. Sch., UVM Green, and The Dept. of Public Works at 645 Pine Street. Special Green Up stickers, supplies, and lunch will be provided for all volunteers. The Green Up sticker lets people ride any CCTA bus free and admits you, from noon to 3 p.m., to the ECHO center for a special $2 admission fee. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves and rakes if they have them. To learn more, call 652-4229 or go to: www.cedoburlington.org

MOTHER’S DAY EVENT WITH SHYLA NELSON

Shyla Nelson will perform works by Schubert, Debussy, Handel, Faure and others in this performance at Christ Church, Presbyterian in Burlington on May 11 at 3 p.m. She appears regularly in Vermont in concert and operatic performances with the VSO, Mozart Festival, and The Burlington Choral Society, and performs internationally. She is a graduate of the VOICExperience Program, directed by Metropolitan Opera Baritone Sherrill Milnes and his wife, Maria Zouves. Shyla’s interests include women’s studies, music, and theology and she will bring them together in this performance entitled, “Nature Never Spent: A Celebration of Motherhood, the Earth and the Divine Feminine.” Tickets are $15. For more information, email secretary@christchurchburlington.org or call 802-862-1898.

EXCHANGE PROGRAM SEEKS HOST FAMILIES

The ASSE Int’l Program is looking for families in the greater Burlington area who are open to providing a home (and transportation into Burlington for classes, if the home is outside the city) for a foreign exchange student for a month beginning on July 24th. The students are ages 15 –18 and have studied English for a number of years. From Burlington, they will go on to exchange programs in U.S. or Canadian high schools. They will arrive with their own spending money and full insurance. Host families are asked to provide a bed, daily meals, and a supportive home environment. Hosts may select the exchange student based on a complete profile that includes photos and a personal essay. This is a great opportunity for cultural exchange, not only for the student, but for the host family as well. A general information session about the program will be held at the Fletcher Free Library on Mon., April 21, from 3 – 3:45 (but it isn’t necessary to attend this to be a host). To find out more, contact the program coordinator, Chandra Leenheer, at 802-863-6276 or email chandra_ann@yahoo.com. The website for the ASSE INT’L is: www.asse.com.