VECtor - June 2006

Previous VECtor & Faith Common Articles

Search Committee Forming

At their June meeting, the Vermont Ecumenical Council Trustees agreed to form a search committee and begin the process of looking for someone to fill the VEC’s Executive position which has been vacant since The Rev. Dr. Leonard Rowell retired in November. The committee will include the VEC’s Personnel Committee and others. The member denominations that aren’t already represented on this committee will be encouraged to appoint a representative. More information about the search will be in the next Faith Common, VEC’s email newsletter.

A Proposal Addressing Vermont’s Substance Abuse Problem

According to Vermont’s Health Plan, more than 15,000 Vermonters who needed treatment for drug problems were not able to receive it. The most recent estimate is that more than 21,000 Vermonters did not get treatment. On a per capita basis, Vermont has one of the worst drug problems in the country.

A proposal to respond to this treatment gap with a comprehensive program for treatment and prevention of substance abuse throughout Vermont has been presented to state officials, and the Health and Corrections Departments are cooperating with this effort. The key element for the success of this proposal is the voluntary participation of Vermont’s churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship. In the plan, a participating house of worship would allow the use of one or more of its rooms, on a part-time basis, for the counseling of substance abuse patients. A modest stipend and reimbursement for expenses such as heat, light, maintenance and insurance would be available to participating houses of worship. Many houses of worship in Vermont provide meeting space for Alcoholics Anonymous; the hope is that they’ll now consider providing space for substance abuse counseling.

The VEC’s Peace, Justice, and the Integrity of Creation Committee brought this program to the attention of VEC’s Trustees. The Trustees have approved the following resolution:

The Vermont Ecumenical Council and Bible Society Trustees, at their March 29, 2006 Council Meeting, received a presentation from Walter Gardner on his proposal for a statewide program to expand and enhance efforts in the prevention and treatment of substance (drug) abuse. We endorse this proposal and strongly urge our federal and state legislators to find full funding for it. As it becomes operational, we will support and encourage our nine member denominations to adopt it, and to find individual congregations to house the project.

More information about this program will be published, as it becomes available, in the VEC’s email newsletter. You may also contact Mr. Walter Gardner at 802-533-2230 or by email at: napjane@sover.net

VEC’s VECtor and Faith Common Newsletters

Because of rising costs, this VECtor newsletter will be mailed twice a year, in January and June. In the other months, VEC’s email newsletter, Faith Common, will be sent to all who request it. If you are not already receiving the email newsletter and you’d like to, please send an email request to: info@vecbs.org THANK YOU!

The Great Warming

Two movies about global warming are coming out this month. It’s likely you’ve heard of the one with Al Gore. The Great Warming is the other one, and you probably haven’t heard of it because it was produced by a small company that doesn’t have much money to promote the film. It will be shown in South Burlington at the Palace 9 Cinema from June 16 – 22, 2006. The 6:30 pm screening on June 16th will be followed by a panel discussion.

This documentary, with footage from countries around the world, reveals how climate change is affecting people’s lives worldwide. It goes beyond the environmental impacts to show effects on politics, religion, science, education, energy, and economics. In the film, voices from America’s evangelical community are heard urging action on climate change from pulpits across the nation.

The Great Warming is from a company called Stonehaven Productions. They are making the film available, for a month at a time, to any house of worship that requests it. This provides a fundraising opportunity because there is no charge to receive the film. Stonehaven Productions asks that an admission fee be charged or that donations be requested each time it is shown and that half of the proceeds be returned to the film company to help with their promotion costs. It is at the discretion of the house of worship how to use the rest of the proceeds, but they suggest that the funds be used to make improvements in energy efficiency or to help solve the problem of global warming in some way.

To obtain a copy of the film, or for more information, please contact Chris Gordon by phone: 212-396-9464 or by email at: thegreatwarmingmovie@yahoo.com

You can also get information on the website: www.thegreatwarming.com

Church World Service Kits Needed

Because of the earthquakes and hurricanes of the past year, Church World Service is in urgent need of the “Gifts of the Heart” Baby, School, Health, and Kid’s Kits as well as the CWS Emergency Clean-up Buckets. Please visit the CWS website for information and kit directions: www.churchworldservice.org For more information call 1-888-297-2767 or email: cbell@churchworldservice.org

Richard Rohr Conference – “The Challenges of an Authentic Spiritual Life”

This conference will be on Saturday, July 22, 2006 from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm at the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center in South Burlington. Fr. Richard Rohr is a Franciscan of the New Mexico Province and is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque. He will lead participants of all denominations in this day of challenge and advice for spiritual seekers. He will help the participants answer questions such as, “Are there ways by which we can seek greater depth and integrity on our spiritual path?”

The Institute for Spiritual Development is sponsoring this one-day conference. The Institute’s mission is “to respond to people of all faiths by creating a physical, emotional, and spiritual environment for renewing and deepening their spiritual life.” The Institute is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy in Burlington, VT.

A registration form is available on the website of the Institute for Spiritual Development. Go to www.spiritvt.org then click on “Special Events” and scroll down to the bottom. The cost of the conference is $125. More information is available by calling 802-846-7084.

Available to Congregations:

Free Energy Audit and Workshop on Saving Energy Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) is dedicated to promoting energy efficiency in Vermont’s faith community. VTIPL’s Board members offer to any congregation a free workshop on energy conservation, renewable energy, and efficient transportation. The workshop highlights some concrete steps that individuals can take to reduce their energy consumption that will make a real difference in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. VTIPL also offers a free “walk-through” of the house of worship and/or other buildings of the faith community to audit the energy use and offer suggestions for saving energy.

VTIPL’s goal is “to engage Vermont’s faith communities in promoting energy conservation and using renewable energy, as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while living out our covenant with the Creator.” VTIPL is a non-profit organization operating under the VT Ecumenical Council. To learn more, call the VEC & VTIPL office at 802-434-7307 or email info@vtipl.org

Online Auction to Benefit Children of the World

Check out the Church World Services’ website (given below) for many interesting items to bid on through June 25th. The funds raised will benefit children around the world and their families. To participate in this online auction, go to: www.cws.cmarket.com

Church World Service is the development, relief, and refugee assistance ministry of 35 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the USA. CWS began 60 years ago and is working in over 80 countries throughout the world.

Church Women United – Upcoming Events

This year’s State Assembly for Church Women United (CWU), on Saturday, June 24th at Grace United Church of Christ in Rutland, is focused on the theme of children. To register for the event, contact Pat Tucker at 802-773-7356.

The Northeast Regional CWU Assembly will be held this summer be in White Plains, NY from July 21 – 23, 2006. It is titled “For Such a Time as This” and will include a trip to the UN. For information, please contact Jennifer Geary at 802-472-8765 or email: jenngeary@hotmail.com

Massachusetts Council of Churches Executive Director to Retire

The Rev. Diane Kessler announced at the Mass. Council’s March meeting that she plans to retire in June 2007. She has been with the Council for 32 years, and has served as the Executive Director since 1988.

She has written numerous articles and books on ecumenism. The paragraph below, on what she calls the “loftier aims of the ecumenical movement”, is taken from a letter she wrote in February 2006.

These aims can be summarized in one word: reconciliation. Christians are called to be counter-witnesses to everything in this world that would pull us apart. When we are tempted to define ourselves by saying “we are not like them!,” the ecumenical movement reminds us that what unites us is far greater than what divides. When we disagree, our faith keeps drawing us back to the table to find honorable ways through our differences. When we see conflicts – sometimes bloody conflicts that threaten to rend the world – we seek peace with justice.

Summer Youth Event

A Christian youth event will be held at the Old Lantern in Charlotte from Friday, Aug. 18th – Saturday, Aug. 19th. High School youth, including those who will begin high school this fall and those who recently graduated, may attend with adult chaperones and members of their church youth group. The event is open to youth from all denominations. The theme is “Relationship to God, Relationship to Each Other.” It is sponsored by the Vermont Ecumenical Council’s Prayer and Worship Committee. Questions? Please contact the VEC at 802-434-7307 or send an email to: info@vecbs.org

Bible Society Offer

Free Bibles are available to Vermont churches and other Vermont ministries through the Greenleaf Fund of the Vermont Bible Society and through the American Bible Society’s block grant program. Orders may be placed by printing, filling out, and mailing the Bible Request Form located in the Bible Society section of the website: www.vecbs.org To discuss Bible orders or if you have questions, call the office at 802-434-7307.

New VEC Officers Begin Term

The trustees of the Vermont Ecumenical Council approved the Nominating Committee’s slate at their March meeting. The Council is grateful to all who agreed to serve and welcomes the following new officers:

President – The Rev. Robert Lowenthal

Vice President – The Rev. Robert Athas

Treasurer – Mr. Christopher McCandless

The members of the Vermont Ecumenical Council & Bible Society extend thanks and deep appreciation to the following trustees who have recently completed their service as officers:

The Rev. Frederick Neu, President

Bishop Thomas Ely, Vice President

Upcoming meetings

The next full Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2006. More details to follow. Vermont Ecumenical Council and Bible Society is a religious, non-profit organization that relies on contributions of member denominations, churches, and individuals for its funding. To support the work of the Council, please send a contribution to: P.O. Box 728 Richmond, VT 05477 Checks can be made out to VECBS. THANK YOU!