SOUTHEAST REGION
Checking in: April 25, 2020
Introducing: BLT's. Blessed Little Thoughts. When I worshiped in my first Episcopal church, Grace Church on Broadway in NYC, these were devotions led by different parishioners. The phrase stuck with me. I thought this might be a good time to invite some of you around the region who are showing the light of Christ even in this pandemic to share a BLT with everyone else.

And because we are so inundated with words these days, we're going to try to do this via video stories. Hold onto your hats!

As a first start, Chuck Sharp, Jr. Warden of St. James', New London, interviewed Ellen Merrill, Parish Administrator and Diane Thies, Sexton about how they came to give out almost 12,000 meals during the month of March.

Note: In the video, you'll hear references to
Gemma Moran -- the Food Bank run by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut;
The Lord's Pantry -- the usual pantry for St. James';
The Jumble Shoppe -- the shop St. James' has run for years including all kinds of articles and clothing.

By the way, astute observers will notice that the illustration at the top has turkey and not bacon. This is an opportunity for those of you with BLT ingredients in your household to submit a photo for us to use going forward! Email Rachel Thomas with your entry !
W hat is God's invitation to us now?




Many people feel this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to push a re-set button. How about you? Are you glimpsing any even tiny images of how God might be inviting you, or others, into new ways of being?
Reach out to me and share them, if you're willing.
Here are a few I am contemplating. - Rachel

How might we change the way we live with creation?
National Geographic has shared images of the change in levels of air pollution: changes which have resulted from factories closing and a traffic halting. Where might God be calling us to look at the ways our lifestyle of consumption harms air quality and our health? And what does that say about employment needs? I invite you to check out the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs , which seeks to combat climate change, create jobs and promote racial, economic and environmental justice.
When it comes to being church, "What is cracking open? What is breaking forth? What needs to die that something new might emerge?"
These are questions raised in a wonderful article published by the Episcopal Church Foundation by Chantal McKinney .
Sure, we've moved worship online, but are we offering the world around us the good news of Jesus' love and liberation in ways that they can meet him in a new way?
How might this time inform our work towards Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation?
It's pretty clear from the work of Ibram X Kendi and the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University that people of color are being disproportionally impacted by COVID-19. As he puts it, the Coronavirus is revealing the racial divides in our country.
Given this reality, how might we change the way we have always acted or thought?
If you need resources for helping you address the effects of racism in our lives, Kelli Gibson, ECCT's Racial Justice Resource Coordinator, has form that allows you to request the information you nee d.
If all the thoughts and questions and possibilities are overwhelming:

Grief is real, and it is with us. As is anxiety. And perhaps you read all of the above with a sense of guilt or futility. I know I do.
Combined with this is the constant barrage of resources meant to help us.
Today my spiritual director reminded me of another resource, an inner resource, the Spirit of the risen Lord who has shaped us and formed us over time and who accompanies us during this time.
So if all of this is overwhelming, here's an invitation: Sit with the feelings knowing God's presence with you. Consider how you can connect to God in this: through a friend, scripture, a prayer, creation, or remembering that no matter what, you are God's beloved child.
With peace, Rachel
ECCT Financial Resources

ECCT is prepared to take specific pre-emptive steps to facilitate parishes in mitigating the financial impact caused by COVID-19. In the efforts to assist our most vulnerable parishes, the Mission Council of the Missionary Society has approved the following resources for parishes that are in good standing or are working to ensure their good standing status.

  • 90 Day Deferred Payments of Property & Casualty.
  • 90 Day Deferred Payments on the Revolving Loan Grants.
  • COVID-19 Parish Relief Loan of up to 50% of their 2019 Operating Expenses, with no award exceeding $50,000.

Applications are due by the 15th of each month

Find other resources from the Church Pension Group (CPG), various Government resources like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and information on the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, and more  on our website.
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Our Bishops have a weekly Zoom call in with Clergy and Wardens. There's opportunity to ask questions and hear from brothers and sisters in Christ around ECCT. Visit episcopalct.org for information.
OR?
Are you signed up for the ECCT eNews? CLICK HERE to get it delivered to your inbox! It's full of helpful information .
More Resources from ECCT
Worship on line
Resources for self care
Here's a link to the livestream worship available through all the parishes in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut: a way to visit others and try on different liturgies in the comfort of your home. Don't see your community listed? Contact ecctcommuncations@episcopalct.org, or your Region Missionary.


In case you weren't able to participate in the Holy Week liturgies offered from ECCT, here's a link.



And last but not least, here's a link to one of the many virtual music offerings, this one from over 600 Episcopalians for Easter Day: https://episcopalchurch.org/virtual-choir
Without access to the pool where I usually swim and the gym where I work out, I have had to improvise ways of continuing to exercise. It's just one of the many small adaptations we are all needing to make in our lives as we live with physical distancing.

How are you taking care of yourself -- emotionally and mentally as well as physically?

There are many resources available (in fact, sifting through them can be taxing mentally!). Here's link to some helpful pre-sifted ones on the ECCT website.


For clergy , Ron Casey of Clergy and Family Assistance Program, will be hosting a bi-weekly zoom forum on Monday morning beginning April 20th. You can find more information at episcopalct.org or look on your weekly enews.