Province V of the Episcopal Church (dioceses in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and eastern Missouri) is hosting an open discussion on Dismantling Racism on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at 10 am central. The discussion is led by the Rev. Susie Shafer, Province V representative to ECCAR (Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism). It is hoped this becomes a regular, ongoing conversation, quarterly or monthly.
 
The purpose of this conversation

• connect with people from across the province who are doing the work of Dismantling Racism (which is a called a variety of things, including Anti-Racism and Becoming Beloved Community)
• learn about programs and trainings that are offered across the province / church
• connect with the larger church’s resources
• discuss options for in-person connecting and resource sharing opportunities
• share our hopes and dreams - where are we now and what else do we need?

Plans are in the works for a Big Provincial Gathering from Friday, July 12 through Saturday, July 13 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is an event open to all Episcopalians. Activities will include worship, workshops, networking and vendor tables. The Episcopal Church is divided into provinces and Province V (or Province of the Midwest) are those dioceses in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the eastern part of Missouri.

The theme of the workshop of BEHOLD!  I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR will examine: How do we reach deeper into our community’s needs? Who are the people around our church that we need to network with? How do I connect our ministry with others? What are the ways we can support one another in ministry?

The Keynote Speaker is the Rev. Michael Michie who is the Episcopal Church Staff Officer for Church Planting Infrastructure and is anticipated to speak on "Focusing on Mission Enterprise Zones: how to revitalize your parish."

To encourage attendance from the diocese, the Executive Council has committed funds from the Congregational Vitality Fund. Anyone attending may request up to $100 reimbursement for expenses after they return. We hope that folks planning to attend might be able to carpool and share lodging to keep expenses low. The Diocesan Office will work with the Province V Coordinator to help those attending to coordinate such plans.

Registration opens March 1. More details may be found at provincev.org/bigprovincialgathering.

Youth currently in grades 9, 10 and 11 are invited to apply to attend a Provincial Youth Event to be held March 8-10, 2019 at Waycross Camp and Conference Center in Indiana. The focus of the event is on leadership. This event will include folks from the dioceses of Province V, which are the diocese found in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and eastern Missiouri. The cost is $100 for the event with  travel costs provided by the Diocese of Fond du Lac youth budget. 

Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator, Erin Wolf, notes that space is limited to FIVE students and ONE additional adult chaperone. If you our someone you know might have interest, please submit an application no later than Sunday, January 6, 2019. Those selected will be notified shortly thereafter with further information regarding registration and the weekend itself.

The application is found here.