The Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Living Boldly

Connecting with each other, our communities and the world

Living Boldly aims to inform, enrich and equip you to build connections to individuals and groups; to stimulate information sharing, conversation and growth opportunities in your areas of ministry.

Feb. 2, 2007

Editor's Note: The editor travels Feb. 4-9 to Baltimore, MD as one of 100 readers of the 2007 General Ordination Examination taken by 290 persons, most of whom are preparing for ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church. The next issue of Living Boldly will be out the week of Feb. 12.

"We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. Every single day every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. We need people in the streets banging pots and pans and demanding, 'Stop it now!' "
-- Molly Ivins, weeks before her death from cancer on Jan. 31, 2007

Collect for Guidance

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dates & Deadlines

Spring Ahead Sooner in 2007: Beginning this year Daylight Savings Time will begin earlier -- by four weeks. Calendar the Third Sunday in Lent, March 11, to set clocks ahead by one hour. -- heads up, courtesy of Mary June Nestler

Other Surprises: Change of Date for March Affirmations workshop: Saturday, March 24 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the new date for a repeat seminar on "What Richard Hooker Has to Say to Today's Church," at Good Shepherd, 2374 Grant Ave., Ogden, UT. $15 donation covers materials and lunch. As one Jan. 20th workshop participant put it, "Everyone should take this workshop -- it's eye- opening!" Sign-up by Wednesday, March 14. To register email Jessica Hatch or call 801-595-5362 and leave your contact information.

Saturday, Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m.: 2nd Annual Dinner and Auction to benefit All Saints Episcopal Church Sudanese Education Fund. Admission $10 per person. All Saints, 1710 Foothill Dr., SLC. To make a gift or to make reservations, call 801-581-0380.

Friday, February 9: Deadline for photos and copy for the March edition of the Diocesan Dialogue. Email to Richard Snyder, editor. For subscription changes call Episcopal Life Circulation toll-free at 800-374-9510.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.: By the grace of God, and with the consent of God's people, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, 10th Bishop of Utah, will ordain Isabel T. Gonzalez to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ's Holy Catholic Church at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 4615 South 3200 West, West Valley City, UT, 84119. Reception following. Red stoles. The Rev. Isabel Gonzalez will exercise her ministry at diocesan offices and within the Latino/Hispanic congregation at Iglesia de San Esteban.

Thursday, March 1: Deadline for submitting 2006 Parochial Reports and updated information lists is March 1st. Please email Reports to Kay Tracy. Updated information sheets may be emailed to Leesa Kramer. If you mail the data, use PO Box 3090, SLC UT 84111. Your promptness is greatly appreciated.

Fri.-Sat., April 27-28, 2007: Anti-Racism Training for all members of the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, the Commission on Ministry and other commissions and committees who have not yet participated in a training. Time and place to be announced. Please reserve these dates. Questions? Contact Vicki Evans.

Lenten Invitations: Retreats

Let us run the race that is set before us...

Fri-Saturday, Feb. 9-10: A pre-Lenten Workshop & Concert, That You May Have Life: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of John led by Lutheran composer Marty Haugen and theologian Diane Biehl. Concerts: February 9 & 10 at 7 p.m. at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Parish 3053 West 29th Avenue, Denver, Workshop: Feb 10, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden, Cherry Hills Village. The workshop focuses on the three days Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.

There is still time to register. Call 303-777-6700 to reserve a place and lunch. Then download the brochure with registration form. Complete it and mail it to: Rocky Mountain Synod, 455 Sherman, Ste 160, Denver CO 80203.

Fri.-Sat. Feb. 16-17, 2007: Lenten Retreat at Holy Spirit in Randlett, UT. Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts begins with dinner on Friday at 6 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Resumes Saturday at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m. Retreat Leader: The Rev. Sue Duffield; Worship Leader: The Rev. Richard Mendez.

Sue writes, "This retreat will provide you with a unique and what I think is an exciting and fun way to approach your spiritual gifts. We'll take Sabbath time to seek God and ask, 'What does God want of me?'"
Note: Bring your own Bible and something to write with. Paper will be provided. There is a $15.00 charge to cover the cost of dinner and lunch. For more information or to sign up, call Holy Spirit at 435-545-2400.

Fri.-Sat., March 2-3, 2007: A Lenten Retreat for Men and Women, Sacred Image, Deepened Prayer: Praying with Icons. The retreat will introduce the icon as art and as meditative focus. Icons of the passion and resurrection of Christ will be emphasized along with quiet time for rest and personal refreshment. For a complete description and details, visit Affirmations.

Lenten Invitations: Parishes

Living Waters in the Desert

St. Mark's Cathedral Feb. 28-Mar. 28, 2007, 6 p.m.-8:15 p.m.: Five Wednesdays in Lent series features American Fundamentalisms: Backgrounds, Theologies, and Contributions to Current Events in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion led by the Rev. Mary June Nestler, Diocesan Canon for Education and Spiritual Formation.

The evenings will begin with the Holy Eucharist at 6 p.m., followed by a simple soup and bread supper at 6:30 and a presentation from 7:10 to 8:15. Come for a portion or come for all. Address: 231 East 100 South, SLC. For more information call 801-595- 5347.

St. Stephen's in West Valley City, Feb. 28-March 28: Worship on Wednesdays during Lent begins at 6 p.m. with dinner, Eucharist 7 p.m. and program from 7:40 - 8:30 p.m. Explore the five questions of the Baptismal Covenant. This will also serve as an introduction and review of the theology and worship of the Episcopal Church. The series will be led by Susan Fischer and Dan Herron. Address: 4615 South 3200 West. For more information, call 801-968- 2731.

St. Mary's in Provo Feb. 28-March 28: Lenten Studies program features a simple soup supper at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation from 7:15-8:15 p.m. At 8:15 will be a short service of prayer.

Lenten Studies schedule:

Wednesday, February 28: The Rev. Fred Quinn The History of the Diocese of Utah.
Wednesday, March 7: Panel Discussion Stories of St. Mary's and Tree of Life ELCA congregation.
Thursday, March 15: The Rev. Mary June Nestler Early History of the Episcopal Church at the home of the Rev. Kathleen and Ira West.
Wednesday, March 21: The Rev. Caryl Marsh The Ordination of Women.
Wednesday, March 28: The Rev. Fred Quinn The God who Entered History.

Church address: 50 West 200 North, Provo, UT. For more information, call 801-373-3090.

St. Paul's in Vernal on Wednesdays, February 28, March 7, 14, and 21: Lenten Bible Study and Soup Supper, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Sensing the Passion – Experiencing Holy Week Through Our Human Senses. This series was designed by Nina, drawing upon the book of the same name by Kevin Scully. "How can a study of the senses help to move us from the head to the heart, from information to Christian formation?" Come and find out. For more information, call 435-789-1806.

Lenten Activities: Living the Good News publishes an intergenerational program for observance of the seasonal festivals. Vol. II features Lent through Pentecost. Go to Growing Together.

Looking for Confirmation Resources? Check out this program overview from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago at Confirmation. See also Resources from Liturgy Training Publications for both Confirmation and baptismal preparation.

New Resource for Baptismal Preparation: Taking the Plunge: Baptism And Parenting by Anne E. Kitch, Morehouse Publishing, 144 pages, paperback, c. 2007, $14.95 What does the sacrament of baptism mean in your child's life -- and yours? In Taking the Plunge, parents explore how the Baptismal Covenant helps to shape the experience of raising children. What are you promising when you baptize your child? Anne Kitch writes with a light touch and includes plenty of real-life stories. To order, go to Episcopal Books and Resources, online at http://www.episcopalbookstore.org or call 800-903- 5544.

Episcopal Church Publishing offers a variety of materials for Lenten spiritual reading. Sign up for their newsletter and get 25% off Lenten selections.

Pray Lent with ERD Episcopal Relief and Development offers a Lenten Devotional Series, Essentials: Lenten meditations on necessity and abundance. Visit ERD Lent or call Episcopal Books and Resources at 1-800-903- 5544. Devotionals and other ERD materials are free but a shipping charge of $7.50 will be applied to all orders. (Additional shipping charges are applied to large orders and requests for overnight or second- day delivery.

Emerging Ministries

Latino/Hispanic, Native American, Youth & Campus

Winter Talk XIX at Jamestown was a kick-off event for a year of reflection on the impact of the Jamestown settlement, reaffirming the Episcopal Church's 1997 Jamestown Covenant, and inaugurating a second Decade of Remembrance, Recognition and Reconciliation with indigenous peoples in the Episcopal Church.

In 2007 the Episcopal Diocese of Utah's Diocesan Convention will focus on the Covenant and the contributions of our Native American congregations. To learn more about the history and background of the Jamestown Settlement, go to Winter Talk XIX. The story features embedded links for further inquiry including a link to Resolution 1997-A035.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, March 2-4: High School Retreat for Grades 9-12 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Logan, UT. Spread the word: The retreat, entitled Millennium Development Goals: What ONE Can Do, will focus on educating teens about the MDG’s and empowering them to explore what they can do to make a difference in the world. Encourage the high school youth in your parish to participate in this event. For complete registration info/downloads go to this page.

Friday, March 9, 8:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Youth Specialties offers THE CORE, a 1/2 day training event for youth leaders. THE CORE will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 8575 South 700 East, in Sandy. For details about the training (schedule, topics covered, etc.), and to register online, go to The Core.

Several things make this training useful:

• Nationally recognized trainers come here to us.
• Training is efficient -- only a half- day.
• Very affordable. $39 if you register by Feb. 9.
• Lots of great resources and contacts.

eMinistry Resources offers mini-courses by teleconference on a variety of topics, including Jenifer Gamber's Designing a Confirmation Program that Speaks to Youth and Invites Ministry and Knowing and Loving Scripture: A Class for Adults Who Work with Youth

Education & Spiritual Formation

Christianity for Head and Heart featuring Dr. Marcus Borg, renowned New Testament scholar, will speak tonight and tomorrow, Feb. 3. There are still some tickets available for Saturday's program. For complete details go to Christ United Methodist Church, to print out a brochure and registration form. Credit cards accepted for registration and purchase of any of Dr. Borg's books.

Introducing eMinistry.com: Features teleconferences on special topics. Sign-up, get a pin and phone number and you can participate in a web- based discussion using your telephone and your computer. It's fun.

Eministry Teleconferences in February:

Praying in the Celtic Way
The Spirituality of the Labyrinth
Discernment 101: A Gentle Guide for Discerning God's Will for Your Life
How to Find and Do God's Work in Today's World
An Introduction to Faith-based Reconciliation
How Can I Help? How to be "Life Support" for Someone who is Grieving
The Millennium Development Goals: What Are They, and Why Should Christians Care?
Interested? Click on eMinistry.

A Commissioning Gift?: Meditations for Vestry Members by Christopher L. Webber & Colleen McMahon, Morehouse Publishing, 96 pages, paperback, c. 1999, $5.95 Offers spiritual support, nurture and balance re: doing the church's business. Pocket/purse-sized. Order regionally from Episcopal Bookstore.

Justice-Advocacy-Service

To let the oppressed go free...

Stations of the Cross for Global Justice and Reconciliation: Beautifully illustrated stations of the Cross compiled by the Episcopal Public Policy Network. They can be downloaded into a printable booklet form. Available at EPPN.

Take Action on the Millennium Development Goals: Go to Episcopal Relief and Development, click on each Goal listed to find facts, stories and specific actions you and others in your congregation can take to make a difference. If you have not done so already, check out Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation for their MDG kit. See the MDG sitemap at the bottom of the page.

The Episcopal ONE Campaign offers how to's on becoming a ONE individual, a ONE congregation. Includes excellent theological resources including a setting of Holy Eucharist.

Locally, Stay Informed about local issues facing the state legislature now in session. Coalition of Religious Communities, a program of Crossroads Urban Center, features fact sheets on four issues affecting the poorest of Utahns: Minimum wage, sales tax on food, payday lending practices, and regressive tax issues.

Friday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-1;30 p.m.: Utah Issues Citizens Day at the Legislature. Break bread with State Senators and House Representatives. Learn about issues related to openness in state government, closed caucuses and pending legislation. Free, including lunch with legislators. Site: Utah State Office Building Auditorium. Register at Utah Issues. Free lunch for first 100 people who register.

Follow the Lawmakers: For a comprehensive treatment of people, bills, briefings of the 2007 Utah State Legislature, plus a wide variety of educational materials, go to Utah State Legislature.

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The Rev. Jessica Hatch
Education and Resource Office
801-322-4131 Ext. 362 jhatch@episcopal-ut.org

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