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Northwest Region
Check In-
December 9
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Dear Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. There is much to see in the letter below. Our Feeding Families NW program was recently highlighted in local newspapers, and it is continuing to grow in its offering of meals to families. Our other feeding ministries are growing and food pantries evolve to serve our neighbors.
Ron Marasco of St. Andrew's Kent provides a reflection of grief and loneliness, which is particularly relevant to these times. Next Tuesday (12/15), we have a NW Region event which will focus on anti-racism. There are opportunities for Advent reflections and new ways for Christmas celebrations.
I'm so very grateful for the ministries of this NW Region. Even now, people are finding ways to further God's mission together in new platforms. The work doesn't stop, and I'm thankful that we continue to realize this and spread our message of love in our communities.
In Peace,
Dylan
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White Memorial Conservation Center-Litchfield |
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Newsletter Index
-NW Region in the News-
-NW Region Events-
-Reflections on Loss and Grief from the NW Region-
-Advent Reflection Series-
-Christmas Events-
-Podcast Coming Soon-
-NW Region Feeding Resources and Ministries-
-Forgiveness Workshop-
-Weekly Region Programming-
-Companions in Mission Opportunity-
-Community Garden Ministry Network-
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Woodbury church, Morris camp volunteers organize plan to feed families
Article written by: Jo Ann Jaacks
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MORRIS — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church members in Woodbury recently decided to form a “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” effort to regularly prepare and deliver meals twice a week to Waterbury families...
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NW Region Racial Justice Speaking Event |
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Conrad Sienkiewicz, a parishioner of Trinity Church-Torrington, will speak to us in the NW Region about his journey into Anti-racism. He will discuss the evolution of his Anti-racism work and how others can begin their practice. Please save the date for Tuesday, December 15, from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Zoom link here:
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Reflections from the Northwest Region
CS Lewis and "A Grief Observed"
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Ron Marasco, of St. Andrew's Kent, offers a reflection on CS Lewis and gives insight into "A Grief Observed". Ron speaks of the journey through loneliness and grief. |
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St. Mark's Bridgewater will be holding a Wednesday reflection series, open to our Region, during Advent. The Facebook Page for this event is located HERE!
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ST PAULS, WOODBURY, DRIVE-BY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
DECEMBER 24TH in WOODBURY, CT
OPEN FROM 2:00-4:00 PM
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St. Paul’s Church in Woodbury is hosting their first-ever drive-by Christmas Pageant on Thursday, December 24th fro 2:00 to 4:00pm in Woodbury. Participants may start at any time during the open hours for a safe, socially-distant experience of the traditional Nativity story as told through four different vignettes.
Karen Nash, lay coordinator of pageant, says, “Each vignette is accompanied by a brief historical synopsis that addresses questions such as ‘who actually was Caesar Augustus?’ and ‘what was the trip to Bethlehem like?’” The Rev. Tuesday Rupp, rector, adds that the parish wanted to continue to tradition of the annual pageant in a way that is safe for the current pandemic, without losing any of the joy or wonder of the story. “I’m excited about this new way to tell our sacred story, and deeply grateful to [Nash] and all the families who are willing to share their creativity in trying on new things.”
There is no designated departure time, and no cost to participate. Guests are able to set their own schedule. The entire route will take approximately 30 minutes, and can be completed at any time between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00. Information about the event and the church can be found at stpaulswoodbury.org or by calling (203) 263-3541.
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Lessons and Carols from Bethlehem |
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Join online Sat. Dec 18 at 10 am with congregations in Connecticut, Philadelphia and Bethlehem for this 14th annual Simulcast Christmas Service. Hear familiar carols and readings in Arabic and English.
As part of its new covenant with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the diocese of Philadelphia will livestream a Christmas Lessons and Carols service simultaneously from Philadelphia and Bethlehem on our One Love and YouTube channels.
A joint Episcopal and Lutheran service - officiated by all five Episcopal and Lutheran bishops in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Jerusalem - this simulcast service connects us to our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land, hearing familiar carols and readings in both Arabic and English, and with a special Christmas homily from the Archbishop of Jerusalem, the Most. Rev. Suheil Dawani.
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Feeding Ministries and Resources in the NW Region |
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"Farm to Family Food Box" Program - An invitation from the Food Ministry Network
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows worse, food insecurity continues to increase across the nation and in Connecticut. The USDA has partnered with farmers, ranchers, specialty crop producers, food processors and distributors, and non-profit organizations to ensure that all Americans have access to the fresh and wholesome food they need at this time. Food previously destined for restaurants and bulk purchasers has been re-directed to create family-sized boxes which are being made available to local non-profits for distribution. Food Pantries with refrigerated storage can have access to a number of boxes for distribution.
If your parish or food pantry is interested in participating please contact Cyrena Thibodeau, liaison for the Dept. of Agriculture, for more information. Please note, the program is time sensitive and boxes go quickly!
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We are pleased to announce the launch of a new food ministry, Feeding Families NW.
Did you know that there are over 1,000 children with food-insecurity in Waterbury alone? With the current economic crisis, many working families struggle to keep food on the table. That's where we come in.
Please consider joining this collaborative effort among Camp Washington, Woodbury Area Community, and the Northwest Region.
Deliveries continue every Tuesday and Friday through at least November.
For more information on this program, or how to donate with time or money, please contact Rev. Tuesday Rupp (rector@stpaulswoodbury.org) or Dylan Mello (dmello@episcopalct.org)
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A group of concerned residents have launched the Feed Your Neighbor NWCT with the mission of supporting local non-profit organizations, dedicated to feeding families and individuals facing food insecurity during the pandemic. The volunteers – Denise Butwill (St. Michael's Litchfield), George Noujaim and Greg Brisco – will communicate with the organizations and provide the food most needed, most often fresh and perishable food items, dependent on donations from the community.
For more information, please see the link here:
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In his book, Forgiveness, Bishop Desmond Tutu, describes a four-fold path to forgiveness. First, he states we have to be able to "Tell Our Story" in a safe, supportive environment where we feel heard and respected. Second, we have to be able to "Name the Hurt". And in naming the hurt, we give it a voice. In the third phase, he suggests that we "Grant Forgiveness". This is a process of steps. Are we open to this opportunity? Can we work with our defenses ? Can we embrace humility and courage ? In the fourth phase, we have the possibility to renew or release the relationship. Join us on 1/9/2021 from 9-12 noon to explore these possibilities. This workshop is facilitated by Dan Gates, LMFT. |
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Weekly Region Programming |
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Pastoring and Prophecy: A Lens For Bible Study In Difficult Times
Every Tuesday at 4PM
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We will ponder passages of the Bible which assist us in navigating tough times. Early on in the pandemics, one of our Bishops said we are called to pastor and to prophesy! Those vocations become even more poignant during dual viruses: actual and social. While social justice is at the heart of our work, so is compassion and mercy, the pastoral part. We will pray as we hold the tensions and await the inspiration of the Spirit. Each week’s passage will be sent out ahead of time but spontaneity is welcome! Any edition of the Bible is also welcome. Led by Rev. Dr. Martha Tucker, this Bible Study is open to all!
Contact Dylan Mello at dmello@episcopalct.org to register for the E-Mail list for the weekly passages.
Password: episcopal
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Companions in Mission for Publishing & Communication (CMPC) Offering Technology Upgrade Grants |
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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has compelled us to explore new ways to share Christ’s love virtually. At the same time, many of our parishes and worshipping communities are ill-equipped for such a transition. In order to help facilitate this new way of being, CMPC has designated the remainder of its 2020 grants and all of its 2021 grants to help fund improvements to the technological infrastructure of parishes or worshipping communities across ECCT. Grants of up to $2000 are available and can be used for new equipment purchases or upgrades to current equipment.
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Register now for the Community Garden Ministry Network: Catch up and Start up |
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How has your garden been growing amidst a pandemic and a drought? We know the need for your produce has likely greatly increased; and we know you've been working hard to keep your garden fruitful. Join other gardeners throughout the Episcopal Church in Connecticut on January 16, 2021, from 10 am - noon over Zoom, for a chance to share stories (what worked, what didn't?) about this year, as well as any words of wisdom for those who might be looking to start up a garden next year.
You're invited to send (by December 28, 2020) 3 photos from your garden this year to Letty Naigles (lnaigles@yahoo.com). She will combine them into a slide show (shared with all afterwards) to use as a way to catch up.
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I invite you to share this newsletter and encourage those in your parish to sign up. The link below allows direct sign up to the NW Region Newsletter among other ECCT offerings. Please pass this along if you feel called.
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Please send any ideas or additions for the newsletter to Dylan Mello. Email address:
dmello@episcopalct.org
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STAY CONNECTED WITH NW REGION |
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