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10 Tips for Creating Stunning Portraits

The Noun Project is one of my favorite resources for marketing imagery. You can download icons representing almost anything, specific to whatever color you need, and there’s flair to spare. They also host a creativity sparking blog, including this new article to inspire your next summer camp brochure.

The Noun Project is one of my favorite resources for marketing imagery. You can download icons representing almost anything, specific to whatever color you need, and there’s flair to spare. They also host a creativity sparking blog, including this new article to inspire your next summer camp brochure.

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Community News Shelby Noustens Community News Shelby Noustens

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Scott Stoner at Living Compass recently shared a lovely reflection about the start of summer and Mary Oliver’s poem, The Summer Day.

The ample pleasures of summer invite us to pay attention, to fall down into the grass, to be idle and blessed, and to stroll through the fields.

It’s worth a read, here.

Scott Stoner at Living Compass recently shared a lovely reflection about the start of summer and Mary Oliver’s poem, The Summer Day.

The ample pleasures of summer invite us to pay attention, to fall down into the grass, to be idle and blessed, and to stroll through the fields.

It’s worth a read, here.

Mary-Oliver-Quotes.jpg
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Coronavirus, UMCRM Shelby Noustens Coronavirus, UMCRM Shelby Noustens

Leading Beyond the Blizzard: Why Every Organization Is Now a Startup

A long, worthwhile read, that’s (again) a year old.

Trust is the greatest resource in human society. Without trust, we relate as competitors and in a mindset of scarcity. With trust, we discover creative pathways that unlock abundance we could never have found on our own. All worthwhile human work and life takes place under an umbrella of trust or, to use the stronger biblical word, covenant — the shelter of mutual respect and love that forms a kind of canopy protecting us from the wild and dangerous world, making room for great acts of sacrifice and beauty.

Continue reading.

There’s a follow-up, too, which offers a roadmap for “redemptive leaders seeking to survive the winter by building for the ice age. These summarize the counsel we’re giving to (and learning from) the hundreds of business and nonprofit entrepreneurs in our community and beyond:”

  1. Embrace your role.

  2. Maximize your runway.

  3. Prototype in sprints.

  4. Organize for resilience.

  5. Lead by naming.

  6. Design for a different future.

Read here.

A long, worthwhile read, that’s (again) a year old.

Trust is the greatest resource in human society. Without trust, we relate as competitors and in a mindset of scarcity. With trust, we discover creative pathways that unlock abundance we could never have found on our own. All worthwhile human work and life takes place under an umbrella of trust or, to use the stronger biblical word, covenant — the shelter of mutual respect and love that forms a kind of canopy protecting us from the wild and dangerous world, making room for great acts of sacrifice and beauty.

Continue reading.

There’s a follow-up, too, which offers a roadmap for “redemptive leaders seeking to survive the winter by building for the ice age. These summarize the counsel we’re giving to (and learning from) the hundreds of business and nonprofit entrepreneurs in our community and beyond:”

  1. Embrace your role.

  2. Maximize your runway.

  3. Prototype in sprints.

  4. Organize for resilience.

  5. Lead by naming.

  6. Design for a different future.

Read here.

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Shelby Noustens Shelby Noustens

Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows: Buildings are assets, not burdens

Before discerning a call to ministry, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows studied architecture, urban planning and historic preservation as an undergraduate and graduate student. In this interview with Episcopal News Service, she talks about the role of buildings and being the church.

Read the interview here.

Before discerning a call to ministry, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows studied architecture, urban planning and historic preservation as an undergraduate and graduate student. In this interview with Episcopal News Service, she talks about the role of buildings and being the church.

Read the interview here.

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Shelby Noustens Shelby Noustens

Stories of Positivity around The Episcopal Church

Tell Me Something Good is a new web series from The Episcopal Church. It highlights positive stories from around the church through conversations with a variety of guests. The series is hosted by Jerusalem Greer, Episcopal Church staff officer for evangelism and the Rev. Marcus Halley, dean of formation of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and new episodes will be released every other week. Catch up on the series here.

Tell Me Something Good is a new web series from The Episcopal Church. It highlights positive stories from around the church through conversations with a variety of guests. The series is hosted by Jerusalem Greer, Episcopal Church staff officer for evangelism and the Rev. Marcus Halley, dean of formation of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and new episodes will be released every other week. Catch up on the series here.

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Are Facebook Pages Still Useful in 2021?

It can be hard to keep track of what works on social media. I remember when the big push was to move your camp’s Facebook audience away from a group into a “more official” page. But, over the decade since then, that’s led to marketing overwhelm to individual users, and recently Facebook has shifted its focus again: To engagement between people, not brands.

Did you know that, on average, less than 35% of page followers receive Facebook Page content in their news feed? So, if you’re seeing less engagement with your camp’s page content, you’re not imagining it.

This article has insight from a digital marketing agency for how to best utilize your Business Page on Facebook.

It can be hard to keep track of what works on social media. I remember when the big push was to move your camp’s Facebook audience away from a group into a “more official” page. But, over the decade since then, that’s led to marketing overwhelm to individual users, and recently Facebook has shifted its focus again: To engagement between people, not brands.

Did you know that, on average, less than 35% of page followers receive Facebook Page content in their news feed? So, if you’re seeing less engagement with your camp’s page content, you’re not imagining it.

This article has insight from a digital marketing agency for how to best utilize your Business Page on Facebook.

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UMCRM Shelby Noustens UMCRM Shelby Noustens

Cleansing 2020 and Making Room for Joy in 2021

What objects around your are subtly (or overwhelmingly) causing you to feel regret, overwhelm, stuck-ness, shame, guilt, or anxiety? Consider how to address or remove these triggers from your home or office, and prepare for 2021.

Where to look for stuck-ness in your home:

- Spaces that are unfinished or undecorated
- Art propped up against the walls that hasn’t been framed or hung
- Things you have been saving for a future life that you might enjoy right now (e.g. fancy dishes, family heirlooms)
- Styles or objects that you feel you’ve outgrown

Continue reading on The Aesthetics of Joy here.

What objects around your are subtly (or overwhelmingly) causing you to feel regret, overwhelm, stuck-ness, shame, guilt, or anxiety? Consider how to address or remove these triggers from your home or office, and prepare for 2021.

Where to look for stuck-ness in your home:

- Spaces that are unfinished or undecorated
- Art propped up against the walls that hasn’t been framed or hung
- Things you have been saving for a future life that you might enjoy right now (e.g. fancy dishes, family heirlooms)
- Styles or objects that you feel you’ve outgrown

Continue reading on The Aesthetics of Joy here.

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Pauli Murray inspires new generation of ‘firebrand’ Black, queer Episcopal leaders

We love reading about Pauli Murray, the first Black woman ordained an Episcopal priest. Her birthday was November 20 — which is also the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance — and there are many worthwhile reflections and retrospectives about her life that are worth searching out, including this piece in the Episcopal News Service:

The Rev. Pauli Murray, a queer writer, lawyer and co-founder of the National Organization for Women who in 1977 became the first Black woman ordained an Episcopal priest, continues to inspire new generations of “firebrand” leaders to authenticity and activism.

Continue reading.

We love reading about Pauli Murray, the first Black woman ordained an Episcopal priest. Her birthday was November 20 — which is also the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance — and there are many worthwhile reflections and retrospectives about her life that are worth searching out, including this piece in the Episcopal News Service:

The Rev. Pauli Murray, a queer writer, lawyer and co-founder of the National Organization for Women who in 1977 became the first Black woman ordained an Episcopal priest, continues to inspire new generations of “firebrand” leaders to authenticity and activism.

Continue reading.

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UMCRM Shelby Noustens UMCRM Shelby Noustens

How to Disarm Internal Triggers of Distractions

While we can’t control the feelings and thoughts that pop into our heads, we can control what we do with them. Johnathan Bricker’s work using acceptance and commitment therapy in smoking cessation programs suggests we shouldn’t keep telling ourselves to stop thinking about an urge; instead, we must learn better ways to cope. The same applies to other distractions like checking our phones too much, eating junk food, or excessive shopping. Rather than trying to fight the urge, we need new methods to handle intrusive thoughts.

The following four steps help us do just that.

While we can’t control the feelings and thoughts that pop into our heads, we can control what we do with them. Johnathan Bricker’s work using acceptance and commitment therapy in smoking cessation programs suggests we shouldn’t keep telling ourselves to stop thinking about an urge; instead, we must learn better ways to cope. The same applies to other distractions like checking our phones too much, eating junk food, or excessive shopping. Rather than trying to fight the urge, we need new methods to handle intrusive thoughts.

The following four steps help us do just that.

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Community News, Coronavirus, UMCRM Shelby Noustens Community News, Coronavirus, UMCRM Shelby Noustens

Kanuga and the Cloud of Unknowing

Michael Sullivan is the president and Chief Executive Officer of Kanuga, an independently operated Episcopal conference center (It’s not owned or supported by a diocese, congregation, or order.). He wrote this moving reflection about the pandemic and the ongoing uncertainty for the Living Church.

Sadness became our constant companion. We opened for limited retreats, gaining some revenue, yet that revenue would not cover expenses. While our advancement efforts yielded our best participation in the history of Kanuga, we faced the inevitable: we had to downsize yet again. We had to preserve the institution. The mission of Kanuga had to become our sole focus. Our goal was to survive as the gathering place for all people in the furtherance of the mission of the church.

Continue reading.

Michael Sullivan is the president and Chief Executive Officer of Kanuga, an independently operated Episcopal conference center (It’s not owned or supported by a diocese, congregation, or order.). He wrote this moving reflection about the pandemic and the ongoing uncertainty for the Living Church.

Sadness became our constant companion. We opened for limited retreats, gaining some revenue, yet that revenue would not cover expenses. While our advancement efforts yielded our best participation in the history of Kanuga, we faced the inevitable: we had to downsize yet again. We had to preserve the institution. The mission of Kanuga had to become our sole focus. Our goal was to survive as the gathering place for all people in the furtherance of the mission of the church.

Continue reading.

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UMCRM Shelby Noustens UMCRM Shelby Noustens

Do This in the Afternoon for a Better Workday

What we focus on shapes our mental narrative, which affects how we feel about work. Ruminating on our lack of progress can keep us in a rut, feeling like we’re lagging behind. But according to research, we can shift this narrative by reflecting on what we have accomplished each day—and feel good about these small “wins.”

Continue reading.

What we focus on shapes our mental narrative, which affects how we feel about work. Ruminating on our lack of progress can keep us in a rut, feeling like we’re lagging behind. But according to research, we can shift this narrative by reflecting on what we have accomplished each day—and feel good about these small “wins.”

Continue reading.

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UMCRM, Coronavirus Shelby Noustens UMCRM, Coronavirus Shelby Noustens

6 Tips for Connecting with People in the Digital Realm

The digital revolution has been transforming our lives for the past 30 years — at home, at work, and, yes, at church. But in the face of COVID-19, congregations have come to rely on digital connections in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a year ago. To fully engage the world today, we must continue to develop digital practices and relationships. It makes no sense to try and go back to the world as it was before the digital revolution or before COVID-19. But how can we forge digital relationships that are as strong as our face-to-face ones?

Continue reading from Tim Snyder at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

The digital revolution has been transforming our lives for the past 30 years — at home, at work, and, yes, at church. But in the face of COVID-19, congregations have come to rely on digital connections in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a year ago. To fully engage the world today, we must continue to develop digital practices and relationships. It makes no sense to try and go back to the world as it was before the digital revolution or before COVID-19. But how can we forge digital relationships that are as strong as our face-to-face ones?

Continue reading from Tim Snyder at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

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Community News Shelby Noustens Community News Shelby Noustens

Behind the Art at Valle Crucis and Lake Logan conference centers

The Diocese of Western North Carolina is home to both Valle Crucis and Lake Logan conference centers (as well as Camp Henry summer camp, and, geographically, to Kanuga) — it’s an area rich with artistic inspiration! We loved to see this feature about Executive Directors Margaret Love and Lauri SoJourner’s art.

The Diocese of Western North Carolina is home to both Valle Crucis and Lake Logan conference centers (as well as Camp Henry summer camp, and, geographically, to Kanuga) — it’s an area rich with artistic inspiration! We loved to see this feature about Executive Directors Margaret Love and Lauri SoJourner’s art.

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Events Shelby Noustens Events Shelby Noustens

2021 Compass Points Certification

The certificate program courses that were scheduled for September/October will now be held on April 11-17, 2021. Pilgrim Center in Wisconsin will be the host site for the Articulating Our Mission, Role, and Value course and the Nonprofit Business Management course, which will be offered back to back. You can learn more about the program and these courses here.

Postponed — Stay tuned for details on the 2021 courses, to be held in the fall.

The certificate program courses that were scheduled for September/October will now be held on April 11-17, 2021. Pilgrim Center in Wisconsin will be the host site for the Articulating Our Mission, Role, and Value course and the Nonprofit Business Management course, which will be offered back to back. You can learn more about the program and these courses here.

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UMCRM Shelby Noustens UMCRM Shelby Noustens

Writing Contest: Faith & Technology

The FaithTech Institute has launched a contest for reflections on the intersection of faith and technology. Have you noticed or learned something in your ministry context, specifically related to how we engage through or with technology? We encourage you to share and submit! Details are here.

The FaithTech Institute has launched a contest for reflections on the intersection of faith and technology. Have you noticed or learned something in your ministry context, specifically related to how we engage through or with technology? We encourage you to share and submit! Details are here.

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Coronavirus Shelby Noustens Coronavirus Shelby Noustens

The Episcopal Church's Executive Committee Meeting: Bishop Curry's Opening Remarks

The truth is we are each other's biggest headaches and the truth is we need each other. And being separated like this is just tough on all of us.

And so just remember to encourage everybody to be gentle with each other, to be kind and maybe a little extra kind even. Because everybody's a little bit on edge and everybody's tired and everybody's weary and for good or ill, we've only just begun. This is not even, to borrow from Churchill, this isn't even the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning. We're in this for a while.

Read all of Bishop Curry’s opening remarks here.

The truth is we are each other's biggest headaches and the truth is we need each other. And being separated like this is just tough on all of us.

And so just remember to encourage everybody to be gentle with each other, to be kind and maybe a little extra kind even. Because everybody's a little bit on edge and everybody's tired and everybody's weary and for good or ill, we've only just begun. This is not even, to borrow from Churchill, this isn't even the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning. We're in this for a while.

Read all of Bishop Curry’s opening remarks here.

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Community News, Coronavirus Shelby Noustens Community News, Coronavirus Shelby Noustens

What Would Love Do: Bishop Curry on how love shows us the way during difficult times

Bishop Curry was on the Today show last week, telling us all how love might show us the way during these troubled times.

We’ve all been trying, making mistakes, learning, regrouping, trying anew. I’ve seen it. I’ve quietly read Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline online with you. I’ve seen soup kitchens, pantries, and other feeding ministries carefully doing their work in safe and healthy ways. There are Zoom coffee hours, Bible studies, and small discipleship groups. I’ve seen people of many faiths stand for the moral primacy of love. I’ve seen it, even when public health concerns supersede all other considerations, including in-person worship. That is moral courage. Who knows, but that love may demand more of us. But fear not, just remember what the old slaves used to say, walk together, children, and don’t you get weary, because there is a great camp meeting in the Promised Land. Oh, I’ve seen us do what we never thought we would or could do, because we dared to do what Jesus tells us all to do.

Read his reflection and watch the interview here.

Bishop Curry was on the Today show last week, telling us all how love might show us the way during these troubled times.

We’ve all been trying, making mistakes, learning, regrouping, trying anew. I’ve seen it. I’ve quietly read Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline online with you. I’ve seen soup kitchens, pantries, and other feeding ministries carefully doing their work in safe and healthy ways. There are Zoom coffee hours, Bible studies, and small discipleship groups. I’ve seen people of many faiths stand for the moral primacy of love. I’ve seen it, even when public health concerns supersede all other considerations, including in-person worship. That is moral courage. Who knows, but that love may demand more of us. But fear not, just remember what the old slaves used to say, walk together, children, and don’t you get weary, because there is a great camp meeting in the Promised Land. Oh, I’ve seen us do what we never thought we would or could do, because we dared to do what Jesus tells us all to do.

Read his reflection and watch the interview here.

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Shelby Noustens Shelby Noustens

Education Opportunity: My Work To Do

Several ECCC members participated in one of these online listening circles this summer, and recommend it to our community. Keep an eye here for upcoming sessions.

Founded in 2018, My Work To Do is an online affinity group designed to help white people build stamina for discussing racism, systemic injustice, racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in their everyday lives. (BIPOC allies are welcome with an understanding this is a white-centered (and therefore not always safe) space.)

We invite those feeling lost or overwhelmed into the conversation, especially white people who might not have a local anti-racism program or accessible discussion happening in their life.

Several ECCC members participated in one of these online listening circles this summer, and recommend it to our community. Keep an eye here for upcoming sessions.

Founded in 2018, My Work To Do is an online affinity group designed to help white people build stamina for discussing racism, systemic injustice, racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in their everyday lives. (BIPOC allies are welcome with an understanding this is a white-centered (and therefore not always safe) space.)

We invite those feeling lost or overwhelmed into the conversation, especially white people who might not have a local anti-racism program or accessible discussion happening in their life. 

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