The Rev. Peggy Lo

General eNewsletter | May 13, 2020

Welcome to the Diocese of Chicago email newsletter. Please forward this email to yourcongregation and colleagues and invite them to sign up.

Planting the Seeds for a More Just Future: A Message from BishopLee

Dear People of God:

Like many of you, I spend more time online these days.Recently, the hopeful face of a young black man namedAhmaud Arbery has appeared again and again in thenewspapers I read and the social media feeds I scroll.

In February, Arbery was jogging unarmed near his home inGeorgia when he was shot to death by white vigilantes.Only last week, after a video leaked to the public showedhis death in graphic detail, were the men who allegedlymurdered him arrested.

Arbery's murder is a stark reminder of the devastating tollthat the sin of racism exacts on people of color in our country. Here in Chicago, whereyoung black men also die from gun violence fueled by poverty and racism, another plagueis ravaging communities of color. Black and brown people are contracting and dyingof COVID-19 at rates far higher than white people.

In this diocese, we are committed to working against white supremacy and confronting ourown complicity in structural racism. In the last several years, we have hosted anti-gunviolence rallies and conferences, examined how the legacy of slavery distorts ourcommunities and churches to this day, and participated in the work of our AntiracismCommission and its Pathway to Reconciliation curriculum. Late last month, we held ateleconference to explore the church's role in responding to the structural racism thatundergirds the appalling COVID-19 death toll in communities of color.

But our thirst for true peace, which comes only with justice, requires us to do more. Duringour COVID-19 webinar, the Very Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, dean of Episcopal DivinitySchool at Union Theological Seminary in New York, urged each of us to ask ourselves,"What is the one thing I can do?" You can watch a video of her remarks on ourYouTube channel.

During the webinar, Kelly reminded us that it is "easy to protest. The harder thing is toplant the seeds for a more just future." She challenged us to learn from "what justicemeans to those on the margins," to educate ourselves, and to recognize the ways that theinequality revealed in our wider society is also part of our church.

If you are seeking ways to respond to this challenge, I commend the commission's list ofresources and especially Kelly's book, "Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and theJustice of God." I also urge you to join the Episcopal Public Policy Network, thegrassroots organizing arm of the church's Office of Government Relations. And as webegin to consider the shape of the post-pandemic church, I encourage you to considerhow congregations with more material resources can find new ways to partner withchurches that have less.

During the webinar, Kelly said, "If nothing else, we have a voice and a vote." We can alsofind strength and fortitude in bringing our lamentations and aspirations to God. In thisEaster season when the truth of the resurrection burns bright, let us renew our prayer thatthe sin of racism will be vanquished by the power of the Risen Christ.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. LeeBishop of Chicago

Read this letter on the website.

Hate Attacks, Harassment of Asian Americans Surge During PandemicFrom Episcopal News Service

A May 8 story from Episcopal News Service addressed thefears, insults and threats experienced by Americans of AsianPacific descent across the country during the COVID-19pandemic.

The Rev. Peggy Lo of St. Chrysostom's Episcopal Churchin Chicago spoke to Episcopal News Service about the "keensense of vulnerability" that she and other Asian Americans feelas hate attacks, harassment and other anti-Asian racismsurge. Read the story here.

Suspension of Worship Continues in the Diocese of Chicago

In a May 1 letter to the Diocese of Chicago, Bishop Jeff Lee confirmed that Episcopalchurch buildings in the diocese will remain closed through the end of May. During thistime, Bishop Lee is consulting with leaders from across the diocese on what a carefullyphased plan for returning to churches will look like.

Online Worship and Pandemic Resources

Visit the diocesan website for a listing of online worship hosted bycongregations and links to online materials from across the EpiscopalChurch.

Find all COVID-19 news from the Diocese of Chicago on the website.

Emergency Grants for Congregations AvailableSeparate funds allocated for relief to parish and mission congregations

Bishop Lee has allocated $100,000 in Bishop's Funds for the purpose of emergencygrants to parishes experiencing financial peril due to the pandemic and stay-at-homeorder. The criteria to apply and the information and documents required are availableonline.

Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received by a Grant Review Teamthat includes Marvin Hill of St. Philip's, Palatine; the Rev. Andrea Mysen, director ofministries; the Rev. Courtney Reid, director of operations; and the Rev. Kara WagnerSherer of St. John's, Chicago. The team will respond to requests within ten days. If youhave questions, talk with Courtney Reid via email.

Apply for an emergency grantSolicite una subvención de emergencia

Bishop and Trustees Relief for Mission Congregations Continues

At its regularly scheduled meeting on March 17, Bishop and Trustees created a $100,000pool of emergency funding specifically for mission congregations. Congregations wishingto apply for emergency assistance should contact their Trustee liaison or email TomCamell.

Additional Assistance for Congregations

Financial relief is available in several forms from the Church Pension Fund. Learn moreon the website.

Please email Courtney Reid with questions about financial relief for congregations. If you have questions about pay and benefits for lay employees during the COVID-19pandemic, please email Anna Stefaniak.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's "The Way of Love" Podcast ReturnsListen to conversations with Jen Hatmaker, Nadia Bolz-Weber

Bishop Michael Curry's podcast, The Way of Love, is backfor a third season. The weekly episode feature conversationswith Bishop Curry, podcast host Sandy Milien, and other faithleaders, authors, and thinkers.

Season 3, Episode 1: Jen HatmakerSeason 3, Episode 2: the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber

Learn more.

Cathedral Counseling Provides Flexible Mental Health Care Services

Cathedral Counseling Center, a ministry partner of EpiscopalCharities and Community Services, continues to provide accessiblemental health care to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.Services are available via a tele-health platform and sliding scale feesare available. For assistance, please call 312.252.9500, ext. 130 to speak with an intake manager.

Updating Your Asset Map ProfileTips and video tutorials available

As many of our ministries adapt to serve thecontinuing needs for food and shelter in theircommunities, Episcopal Relief & Developmentand The Episcopal Church suggest updatingcongregational Episcopal Asset Mapprofiles with these questions in mind: 1. Is this ministry open or closed?2. If open, what are the hours of service and howhas this ministry changed? (e.g. take-out mealsonly, bagged groceries, etc.)3. If you aren't open, where in your community could someone get help?4. Who is the main contact person? Note: adding a phone number or email address thatwill be answered at this time is important. Video tutorials are available for help updating the Asset Map.

Oasis: Young Adult and Campus Ministry Leadership Conference Register to participate online June 23-26 Oasis: The Young Adult and Campus Ministry AnnualLeadership Conference is moving online in order to ensure thehealth and safety of all involved. The conference will be heldJune 23-26 and conference fees have been waived. Learnmore and register online by June 8.

Learning Opportunities

Social Distancing, Not Social Isolation: A Family Systems PerspectiveWebinar offered May 14 and May 27

On May 14 and May 27 at 10 am CDT, the Lombard Mennonite PeaceCenter will host Social Distancing, Not Social Isolation, a 90-minute webinar to help church leaders help those suffering fromisolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and registeronline.

Preaching in a Time of PandemicPresented by the Anglican Theological Review, Bexley Seabury, and CEEP On May 14 at 2 pm CDT, the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes will host a freewebinar, Preaching in a Time of Pandemic. Registration is required.

Additional resources from the CEEP Network are available online at no cost.

COVID-19 and Homeless CommunitiesMay 15 webinar from Episcopal Relief & Development

On May 15 at 2 pm CDT, Episcopal Relief & Developmentwill host a webinar on homeless communitiesare disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 disease andhow churches can intervene. Register online.

Defend Freedom of Speech & the Right to BoycottPeace & Justice Committee to offer May 19 webinar

On May 19 from 6 to 7:30 pm, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago Peace & JusticeCommittee will host a webinar on freedom of speech and the right to boycott as outlinedin Resolution G-182, which was unanimously approved at the 2019 diocesan convention.The resolution calls upon federal and state legislators to oppose bills that penalize orcriminalize support for nonviolent boycotts on behalf of Palestinian human rights.

Register online to participate. Participation in the webinar will be enhanced by readingResolution G-182 and its explanation in advance. Find it on the website.

A Cry to God Together: Lament in the Midst of COVID-19 Webinar series facilitated by Dr. Catherine Meeks begins May 19

Beginning May 19, the Absalom Jones Episcopal Centerfor Racial Healing will host a series of three webinarsabout grief and lament over the loss of lives and livelihoodduring this pandemic. Led by Dr. Catherine Meeks, thewebinars will also address collective grief about theinequality of our systems. Learn more and registeronline.

Immigrant Detention During COVID-19: Prophetic Action andResponseWebinar on May 19

On May 19 at 3 pm CDT, the Office of Government Relationsand Episcopal Migration Ministries will present a webinartitled Immigrant Detention during COVID-19: PropheticAction & Compassionate Response. The broadcast willinclude clergy and lay leaders from the Dioceses of Georgia,Ohio, and Western Louisiana with experience in detentionvisitation ministry. Learn more and register online.

Being Church in the Time of COVID-19Facebook Live conversations offered by Episcopal Divinity School at Union

Episcopal Divinity School at Union Dean KellyBrown Douglas continues to host FacebookLive conversations with church, faith, andcommunity leaders who are reacting andresponding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upcoming conversations are scheduled throughMay 29; previous conversations are archived onthe EDS at Union Facebook page and UnionYouTube channel.

eformation 2020 Online digital ministry conference June 3

On June 3, the eformation community at VirginiaTheological Seminary will offer its fourth all-day, all-online digital ministry conference. The one-day eventwill provide opportunities to worship, learn, and connectwith digital ministries from eight ecumenical partners.The conference will be hosted via Zoom webinars andmeetings and each presentation will be recorded anddistributed to those who are registered. Groups of three or more may email LifelongLearning for a discount code. Learn more and register.

Digital Ministry Open Office HoursSponsored by VTS Lifelong Learning and the eFormation Learning Community

The eFormation Learning Community and LifelongLearning at Virginia Theological Seminaryoffers Digital Ministry Open Office Hours onTuesdays from 3-4 pm Central and Fridays from 11am-noon Central.

Participants are welcome to register for as manysessions as they like. The discussion will bedetermined by those who show up. Please email

questions or comments to Sarah Stonesifer Boylan.

Job Openings

Visit the website for a full list of clergy openings and lay employee openings.

Church News

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Event Cancellations and Postponements

These churchwide, diocesan, and community events have been canceled or postponed.Please contact event organizers regarding cancellations, rescheduling and payments.

May 30: Diocesan Confirmation at St. James Cathedral

June 20: Electing Convention at St. James Cathedral

July 26-August 1: College for Congregational Development Summer Intensive(rescheduled for June 2021)

If you have event cancellations or postponements to share, pleaseemail episcopalchicago@gmail.com.

COVID-19 Publication Schedule

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the diocese will publish a general email newsletter eachWednesday. Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and onlineevents by noon on Tuesday to Jen Boyle-Tucker.