Diocese of Montana Newsletter, March 2021
By Bishop Marty Stebbins
Our Lament
Lent gives us liturgical space and time to lament what has been lost and what will not be experienced again: a loved one’s touch, the sound of a community’s laughter, a friendship never formed because of society’s shortcomings.
In October this last year, the Diocesan Convention passed a resolution about the laments and covenants of the systemic racism that we have inherited from prior generations. It starts out, “As people of faith, we acknowledge our sins and our failure to respect the dignity of every human being. We have, individually and corporately, fallen short of the glory of God, and now call to mind and name the aspects of our lament.” Lamenting in a Christian response to grief, loss, and pain, both our own and of those around us. The theologian N.T. Wright writes, “As the Spirit laments within us, so we become, even in our self-isolation, small shrines where the presence and healing love of God can dwell.” (Click here to continue reading.)
Click here to read the complete newsletter, including the following:
- Our Lament, by Bishop Marty Stebbins
- Diocesan Calendar
- Summer News - Camp Marshall
- "Walk in Love as Christ loved us..." - Zoom classes begin April 6
- United Thank Offering
- Episcopal Relief & Development Fair Trade Project
- Bridges and Boundaries in Ecumenical and Interreligious Ministry, by The Rev. Valerie Webster
- Christians Against Christian Nationalism
- 2021 UTO Annual Grant Application
- Dates of vestry and financial training opportunities
- Open Space for Ministering Communities, March 18
- Holy Spirit Episcopal Church - Choir Annual Report
- History Tidbits of the Diocese of Montana
- Finance Corner, by Barb Hagen
- Visioning Formation meeting invitation, February 27
- Wanted: Montana Writers for the Diocesan Newsletter
- Spring Forward: March 14