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VT Faith Community's Online News - November 2013

Faith Common is the email newsletter of the Vermont Ecumenical Council & Bible Society (VEC).


IN THIS NEWSLETTER

  • Prayer: All Good Gifts
  • Anti-racism Training
  • Lost Shul Mural
  • VT Interfaith Power & Light Conference
  • Safe Sanctuary Seminar
  • Free DVD Offer

PRAYER

All Good Gifts
We plough the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand: he sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes, and the sunshine, and soft, refreshing rain. All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love.
Matthias Claudius, 18th Century

 

ANTI-RACISM TRAINING


This two-day interactive training on Nov. 1 & 2 includes Heart-to-Heart Conversations, a work plan that integrates racial justice, the video "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible," and more. Sha'an Mouliert, a community organizer, artist, educator, and consultant, will lead the training. She co-founded the African American Alliance of the Northeast Kingdom, a grassroots organization committed to racial justice. The training begins on Fri. Nov. 1 from 6 - 9 pm at the Peace and Justice Center, 60 Lake St., Burlington, and continues on Sat. Nov. 2, 9 am - 5 pm at Fletcher Free Library's Fletcher Room. The library is at 235 College St., Burlington. This event is free and open to the public. The Peace and Justice Center is a sponsor. For more information, contact Kyle at 802-863-2345 x 6 or kyle@pjcvt.org

 

LOST SHUL MURAL

 

Ohavi Zedek Synagogue presents a series of illuminating lectures by Samuel Gruber, Ph.D., on Nov. 9 & 10. The lectures are free and open to the public. He will discuss the lost Shul Mural rediscovered during a Burlington renovation in 2012. It's in a building that was formerly The Chai Adam Synagogue, which was sold and later turned into apartments. The mural was painted by Ben Zion Black, a Lithuanian, in 1910, and is one of the only surviving examples of Eastern European Jewish folk art. Samuel Gruber is an internationally recognized expert on Jewish art and the historic preservation of Jewish sites and monuments. He will give two lectures: Sat., Nov. 9, 7 pm, Q&A at 8 pm; and Sun. Nov. 10, 1 pm, Q&A at 2 pm, at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington. For more information, call the synagogue at 864-0218. More information about the lectures is here: http://lostshulmural.org/2013/10/upcoming-guest-lecture/ Click here for a picture and to learn more about the mural: http://lostshulmural.org/about-the-mural/

 

VT INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT CONFERENCE

This conference, "Facing Climate Chaos with Hope and Action: Empowering People of Faith and Spirit," will be Sat., Nov. 16 at First Congregational Church, Burlington. The Director of Environmental Studies at UVM, Dr. Stephanie Kaza, will give the Keynote speech, "Sustaining Our Effort: Climate Work as Practice Field." Four workshops are offered: Sustainable Energy Choices; Advocating for Climate Justice; Greening Liturgy; and Cultivating Congregational "Green Teams." Participants will choose two of the four. An optional pre-conference workshop, "The Work That Reconnects: Practices of Hope and Renewal," will be led by Middlebury College's Marc Lapin. A dozen sponsors will have displays and information. Some members of the a cappella group "Social Band" will sing, and lunch will be catered by an excellent Burlington cafe & bakery. The day-long conference begins at 10 am with the check-in starting at 9:30. The deadline to register is Nov. 7 (and the fee goes up after Oct. 31). The conference flier and registration form are on the website: www.vtipl.org For more information, contact VTIPL at 802-434-3397 or info@vtipl.org

 

SAFE SANCTUARY SEMINAR

This seminar on developing and maintaining safe sanctuaries is for church and ministry leaders. It will be at New Life Christian Fellowship, 38 Centre Dr. in Milton on Sat. Nov. 16, beginning with registration and continental breakfast at 8 am. Seminar leaders include: Kris Goldstein, Program Chief for the Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Abusers; Pastor Pete & Jo Fiske, leaders of The Church at Prison in St. Albans; and Bill Rangnow, former inmate who has completed the sexual abusers treatment program and is on The Church at Prison staff. The program will help church leaders be proactive – knowing that there could be treated and untreated sexual offenders participating in church services and activities. Find out about offense patterns and characteristics, dispel the myths, and learn the facts. Please RSVP by Nov. 12. For more information, or for a registration form, contact Pastor Pete at 802-899-1437 or email pastorpete@churchatprison.com

 

FREE DVD OFFER

If you're a pastor, you may take advantage of this offer of a free copy of the film "Amazing Grace" to show at your church, and you can also download supporting materials at this website: http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/index.php

 

Telephone (802) 434-3397 ++ PO Box 764 ++Richmond, VT 05477

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