Interfaith CROP Hunger Walks Are Stepping Up to End Hunger in Vermont This October
NEWS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Adam Smedberg and Erin Luchenbill
asmedberg@cwsglobal.org; eluchenbill@cwsglobal.org
CROP Hunger Walks – stepping up to end hunger since 1969.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the national CROP Hunger Walk movement, CROP Hunger Walks continue to raise millions of dollars each year to help end hunger and poverty through long-term sustainable approaches to significantly reduce or eliminate hunger. In each CROP Hunger Walk community, 25% of money raised comes back to local agencies. Across the country, over 1,600 local agencies receive funds from CROP Hunger Walks.
This year some 800 communities nationwide, and five here in Vermont, are joining together in interfaith CROP Hunger Walks around the theme “Stepping up to End Hunger Since 1969.” The CROP Hunger Walk was started in 1969 by a group of energized young people in Bismarck, North Dakota who wanted to mobilize their community to fight global hunger. Today, the CROP Hunger Walk is a national movement raising funds for the global hunger-fighting work of Church World Service and local hunger-fighting agencies. Last year, over 800 events raised over $8 million dollars.
The CROP Hunger Walks taking place in Vermont this fall include:
| Addison County, VT | 10/6/2019 | Middlebury | VT |
| Lake Fairlee, VT | 10/6/2019 | Fairlee | VT |
| Washington West, VT | 10/6/2019 | Waterbury | VT |
| Burlington, VT | 10/20/2019 | Burlington | VT |
| Champlain Islands, VT | 10/20/2019 | South Hero | VT |
For more information, or to find a local Walk, visit www.crophungerwalk.org.
Aspire Together’s Annual Fundraising Banquet
Doors open at 5:30, Banquet starts at 6:00.
Mary Beerworth of VT Right to Life is our keynote speaker.
An appeal will be made.
RSVP Devon 658-8046
The Man Who Saved the World
In honor of the UN’s International Day to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
September 26, 2019 at 6:30 PM
O’Brien Community Center,
32 Mallets Bay Ave
Winooski, VT
September 28, 2019 at 7:00 PM
Main Street Landing
60 Lake Street
Burlington, VT
On the night of September 26, 1983, Russian missile officer Stanislav Petrov disobeyed military protocol and probably prevented a nuclear holocaust. He says that he is not a hero. “I was just in the right place at the right time. You decide!
For a few crucial minutes on September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov held the fate of the world in his hands. It was the height of the Cold War. The Soviets had recently shot down a Korean airliner. The United States was preparing to deploy Pershing II missiles in Europe. The Soviets suspected that the United States was planning a nuclear first strike. When an alarm suddenly went off at Soviet nuclear early warning center Serpukhov-15, Stanislav was responsible for reacting to information from Soviet satellites that five American nuclear missiles were heading toward the Soviet Union. Rather than initiate a nuclear retaliation, Stanislav went against protocol, and assured his colleagues that it was a false alarm.
“The Man Who Saved the World” recreates those tense moments in 1983 when Stanislav was faced with the decision of his life. And it chronicles his spectacular journey to the United States three decades later, where he was finally acknowledged for his historic deed and found the strength to reconcile with his past. He is honored at the United Nations. And he is thanked for his actions by celebrities including Walter Cronkite, Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Matt Damon, and Ashton Kutcher. Shot on location in the former Soviet Union and the United States, The Man Who Saved the World shines a light on the continued risks of nuclear weapons today, and the challenge to reject nuclear weapons in order to prevent an unimaginable disaster.
A discussion will follow lead by John Reuwer, MD, of Physicians for Social Responsibility
For more information Contact
Sr. Pat: pat.mckittrick@uvmhealth.org or Mariah Riggs: mariah@mainstreetlanding.com
2019 International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
The Winooski Peace Initiative is planning an evening peace vigil and encourages others to plan activities as well. Visit here for ideas: https://
VT Christian Rock-toberfest
CITIZEN WAY – JASON GRAY
with THE YOUNG ESCAPE
The VT Christian Rock-toberfest is coming EARLY this year!
On September 28, 2019 @ 7PM at the Barre Auditorium the “Love is a Lion Tour” will be rocking out with featured artists CITIZEN WAY (“Wavewalker”, “Bulletproof”) and JASON GRAY (“With Every Act of Love”, “More Like Falling in Love”) with special guests THE YOUNG ESCAPE (“Love Me Like You”).
If you saw how CRAZY last year’s Rock-toberfest was with CITIZEN WAY crowd surfing – you WON’T want to miss it this year!!!
This event will be hosted by Barre City Auditorium, Barre, VT.
Tickets available online at www.VTChristianMusic.com
STDA Fall Classes
Are you, or someone you know, in need of compassionate, achievement oriented, faith-driven education? Are you feeling frustrated with the confines of traditional schools, a lack of individualized attention, or dogged transportation woes?
With academics, instructors, and curriculums tantamount to those offered at state renowned Rice Memorial High School in Burlington, Vt., NOW you have a choice!
Saint Therese of Lisieux Digital Academy is an ONLINE Diocesan Catholic High School whose rigorous program is grounded in the firm foundation of a Christian Faith. STDA works with parents in their role as the primary educators of their children by providing flexible options to assist with the diverse educational needs of students and their families. Our goal is to develop well-grounded, well-educated, global citizens to serve as Christ-like ambassadors within our society and beyond.
Registration is now open for 2019-2020 Fall classes. The Fall semester classes will start on September 23, 2019.
For more information about registration, tuition assistance, scholarships, and partnering with St. Therese, please go to http://stdavt.org, or contact Mr. Bob Goudreau at stdavtorg@gmail.com.
11th Episcopal Bishop of Vermont
The Episcopal Church in Vermont Elects Shannon MacVean-Brown as Eleventh Bishop Diocesan
On May 18, 2019 the Episcopal Church in Vermont announced the election of the Rev. Dr. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Interim Rector at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Franklin, Ind., as its 11th bishop diocesan.
MacVean-Brown was elected on the first ballot of the Special Electing Convention in Burlington, receiving 41 votes in the clergy order and 69 votes in the lay order. A minimum of 31 clergy votes and 58 lay votes were necessary for election on that ballot.
The other nominees were:
- The Rev. Dr. Hillary D. Raining, Rector, St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne, Pa.
- The Very Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith, Rector, Holy Comforter, Richmond, Va.
The Rev. Dr. Rick Swanson, president of the Standing Committee of The Episcopal Church in Vermont, said, “I am thrilled to welcome the Rev. Dr. Shannon MacVean-Brown as bishop-elect. Her gifts and skills for ministry will not only lead The Episcopal Church of Vermont into the future, but her role in the wider Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion will be a voice of hope and promise for all of God’s people throughout the world.”
Commenting on the election MacVean-Brown said, “I’m excited that the people of The Episcopal Church in Vermont are so willing to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and try something courageous. I am looking forward to forging relationships, participating in ministry, and joining in the work of the Church in the Brave Little State of Vermont.”
This historic election marks the first time an African American has been elected as bishop of The Episcopal Church in Vermont. Additionally, MacVean-Brown will be one of only three African American women to hold the title of bishop in any of the seven dioceses that make up The Episcopal Church in New England, also known as Province I of The Episcopal Church. The first was the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, who served as a bishop suffragan (assisting) bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts from 1989-2003 and the Rt. Rev. Gayle Harris, who is presently serving as bishop suffragan in that diocese.
MacVean-Brown holds a Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. She was ordained deacon in 2004 and priest in 2005 in the Diocese of Michigan. MacVean-Brown and her husband Phil have been married for 26 years. Together they have three daughters. MacVean-Brown resides in Indiana but will be relocating to Vermont.
Pending the consent of a majority of Episcopal bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of the Diocesan Standing Committees, MacVean-Brown will be ordained and consecrated on September 28, 2019, at Ira Allen Chapel in Burlington. The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, will serve as the chief consecrator.
MacVean-Brown will succeed the Rt. Rev. Thomas. C. Ely, who has served as bishop diocesan since 2001 and will retire in October.
The Episcopal Church in Vermont encompasses 45 congregations across the Green Mountain State.
Sister Pat McKittrick Receives Award
A Lifetime Devoted to Improving Our Communities
By Eleanor J. Osborne
Sister Pat McKittrick believes that true well being extends beyond hospital walls. Her work in the Health Ministries Program – apart of Community Health Improvement – is in many respects a precursor to the concepts behind population health, and unquestionably an invaluable source of support for many in our communities.
Sister Pat started the Health Ministries/Faith in Action Program in 1994. Her work, which has taken on many forms over the years, is focused on improving people’s physical, social, emotional, spiritual and psychological health by strengthening existing community partnerships and making them self-sustaining, both in Winooski and surrounding areas.
Much of that work has been carried out by what is now called the Winooski Peace Initiative, a group of organizations including UVM Medical Center departments, local churches, businesses, schools, other city agencies and more to work together to make improvements in the lives of our community members. Work made possible by this group includes:
• Ensuring that people have access to healthy foods through programs like the Summer Lunch and Activity Program, which provides food and activities for school children whose families might not otherwise be able to afford them
• Raising awareness of diversity and cultural issues in Winooski schools and the community through programs that include sponsoring the reading and sharing inspirational books in our schools
• Promoting safety and non-violence through programs like a free self-defense class for women; and establishment of a multi-disciplinary committee to address education and awareness around the subject of vulnerable adults, some of whom may be victims of abuse Sister Pat says she comes by this work naturally through a blend of nature and nurture: raised in Jersey City, her father was social justice-minded, and she saw in her neighborhood plenty of people who had less. Trough her training as a nurse, then joining a convent in Montreal, she traveled to places around the world where, again, she gained a perspective on what it means to “have” – and “have not.”
“That perspective has fueled my work,” she says. “I’ve seen firsthand how, even though there’s a scale of 1-12, not everything is a 12. But we have to come together to do something when the scale starts tipping towards a 12.”
She’s always looking for ways to be creative in addressing the needs of our community. She serves
on the Board of the Winooski Food Shelf.
She has been involved in implementing innovative programs like “soul collage,” an exercise in which
individuals can post images that they find meaningful to share as they feel comfortable.
“It helps people forget the problems of everyday life,” she says, “and reconnects us all to what’s important.”
And for Sister Pat, what’s most important is our community.
“That’s what drives everything,” she says. “How can we come together as a community to be our best?
Sister Pat McKittrick Receives Women’s Center’s 2019 Outstanding Social Justice Activist Award!
Outstanding Social Justice Activist Award in recognition of her lifetime devoted to serving the undeserved, and the many programs aimed at ending oppression which she has helped bring to fruition.
Every year, the Women’s Center hosts the Women’s Award Banquet. This celebration is an opportunity to recognize the contributions and activism of those in our community working to dismantle systems of oppression.
This award is given to a person who has worked in antisexist endeavors and who has drawn connections between various communities to end multiple forms of oppression. This award recognizes that various forms of oppression (e.g. sexism, ableism, racism, classism, heterosexism, religious discrimination) are connected and support one another. Tis year’s Awards Banquet was held on Tuesday, March 19th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Silver Maple Ballroom at the Davis Center.
Congratulations and THANK YOU, Sister Pat, for all you do to make our community a better place.
Make A Difference – Bethany Christian Services Fundraiser
Saturday, April 27, 2019
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Hampton Inn Colchester
42 Lower Mountain View Dr
Colchester, VT
Children need to know that they are safe and loved. This is the basic foundation on which their lives are built. Without this foundation, children struggle with core issues, including identity and trust. Early on, children learn to see the world as either a threatening place or a place of opportunity. Carrying this lens into adulthood, it shapes how they see their place in the world. Our goal at Bethany is to give all children a safe, loving family
— a foundation on which they can build the rest of their lives.
Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner and program begin at 6:30 p.m.
Dinner is complimentary, and reservations are required. Guests will have an opportunity to financially support Bethany’s ministry.
Please RSVP by April 15, 2019 to
Rebekah DePinto <rdepinto@bethany.org>
Daily Lenten Reflections
| The 40 days of Lent gives us an opportunity to turn our hearts back towards God and offers us a chance to reflect on our lives and renew our commitment to God through prayer. So we invite you to pray with us these… Daily Lenten Reflections Students, faculty, staff, and members of the Sunday Worshiping Community at St. Michael’s College have written reflections based on the daily liturgical readings in Lent. We encourage those who are interested to go to our blog to read the dailyreflections or request a printed booklet by emailing Laurie Sabens at lsabens@smcvt.edu. To read a reflection online, simply go to the Daily Lenten Reflections blog site. You can choose to follow the blog to receive daily notices when new posts appear. |