VT Faith Community's Online News - August 2010

Other Faith Common Articles

Faith Common is the email newsletter of the Vermont Ecumenical Council & Bible Society (VEC). PLEASE POST IT in your house of worship. To be added to this newsletter mailing list or to submit news, please send an email to the VEC office at info@vecbs.org.

PRAYER
Dear Father of Jesus Christ, Jesus has said that anything we may ask you in his name, you will grant it. Please Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, unite all Christians so that their prayers and their lives will be one in Christ's body, a commu- nity that Your Son has formed, and lead us toward yourself. Amen. (J. Case)

A CHRISTIAN CONSIDERATION OF GOD'S SACRED GIFT OF WATER
In 2009, the VEC's Peace, Justice, and the Integrity of Creation Committee worked on this statement about water. The VEC's Board of Trustees made minor revisions and approved it at the June meeting. Here's a brief excerpt: “Human civilizations rise and fall with the availability of water and in many parts of our world, animals and plants live by the annual cycles of available water. However, beyond what it supplies physically, water serves also as a continued reminder of the blessing love of our Creator God.” The statement challenges us to take action, as expressed here, “Encourage all to examine their own lifestyle to determine what choices they can make to live more lightly on this earth.” And it goes on to urge taking “concrete actions to conserve, protect, and honor God's Sacred Gift of Water.” The statement can be found on VEC's website: www.vecbs.org.

YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION for FAITH LEADERS
This conference will be held at the United Church of Strafford on Monday, Aug. 16 from 9 – 3. It will include protocols for youth suicide prevention, intervention, and post-vention. The participants will learn about risk factors and warning signs, the role the faith community can play, and more. The free will offering will benefit the Vermont Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There will be a catered lunch. For more information and to register, go to: http://trainings.healthandlearning.org/trainings/show/333 or contact Catherine at the Center for Health and Learning: 802-254-6590 or catherine@healthandlearning.org

WORKSHOPS – COMMUNICATING WITH KIDS and LIVING YOUR WHOLE LIFE
Demeter Resolutions is offering these upcoming workshops. The workshop titled “Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk” is in three sessions. Choose one of the four three-session workshops in August and September. They will be held at the Greek Church Community Center, 30 Ledge Road, Burlington. The dates/times are as follows: Tuesdays, 9 – 11 am – August 10, 17, 24 Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – August 12, 19, 26 Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – September 13, 20, 27 Thursdays, 9 – 11 am – September 16, 23, 30 The fee for the three-session workshop is $45/person plus the cost for the book ($15) and workbook ($10). The “Living Your Whole Life for Women” workshop will be held at the Bishop Booth Conference Center in Burlington from Friday, Sept. 24 at 4 pm – Sunday, Sept. 26 at 4 pm. The retreat combines a series of guided activities and personal exploration time. Have fun and learn more about yourself. Early bird discount with registration by Aug. 15. To learn more about these workshops, call 802-865-4416 or go to: www.DemeterResolutions.com/workshops.html

UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF ADDICTION and SUPPORTING RECOVERY:
Strategies and Tools for Clergy and Other Congregational Leaders This conference will be at the Governor's Ballroom at Capital Plaza Hotel, 100 State Street, Montpelier, VT on Wed., Sept. 1st, 9 am – 3 pm. It will provide clergy and lay leaders with up-to- date information, resources, and strategies on educating and providing hope to families and individuals who suffer from the impact of addiction to alcohol and substance abuse. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration supports the event. Free lunch provided; no registration fee, but pre-registration is required: deadline Aug. 24, 2010. To register, call Friends of Recovery-Vermont: 1-800-769-2798 or email Rita Johnson: rita@friendsofrecoveryvt.org with name and phone number.

VNA'S ADULT DAY PROGRAM IN S. BURLINGTON
The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is running an Adult Day Program at Grand Way Commons, 412 Farrell Street, Suite 400, S. Burlington. A group of dedicated health care workers runs the program. They provide activity, care, social- ization, and respite to people in need. In a warm setting, the nurses, nursing assistant, activity professional, and the com- munity volunteers nurture the clients' abilities in a holistic manner. Churches in this region are asked to help spread the word about this program. To find out more, call 802-862-6610 or go to: www.vnacares.org or contact the Program Director, Ms. Linda Martinez, at 802-860-4407.

DISCOUNT ON “EAARTH” FROM HOPKINS BOOKSHOP
Bill McKibben's new book “Eaarth” is available from Hopkins Bookshop for $18...just mention VT Interfaith Power and Light organization to receive the discount. The bookshop is located in St. Paul's Cathedral, 2 Cherry Street, Burlington, ground level. Contact them at 877-287-2422 or info@hopkinsbookshop.com.

10% CHALLENGE FOR CONGREGATIONS
The national Interfaith Power and Light campaign challenges congregations to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 10%. This is in connection with the 10/10/10 workday that 350.org, an organization started by Bill McKibben, is sponsoring. To learn more about the 10% Challenge, go to: http://action.interfaithpowerandlight.org/site/c.dmJUKgOZJiI8G/b.6123457/k.97CC/IPL_10_Challenge.htm