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NORTHEAST REGION MISSIVE
April 2021
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Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, Collect for Easter Day, pg 222)
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A Word of Encouragment from your NE Region Missionary
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Hello dear siblings in Christ,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Alleluia, winter is over! I can tell you that I shout both of those statements with the same amount of joy, even if the second one is a little tongue in check. It is New England after all, and there have been many, many snow storms in April. My friends, Spring is here and I don't know about you but something as simple as the shift in the strength of the sun is heartening for me.
It is Spring that reminds me that our lives are so much like the liturgical calendar we follow. I'm sure it's no coincidence that Easter (nearly) always falls in April. We are Resurrection People - a people who believe that not even death can stop us; not even death can separate us from the love and care of our Creator. We are Resurrection People - a people who continue to press forward in hope, even when things look bleak; even when things look like there is no life left.
Spring is a time of renewal. Many of us have already seen crocus and the first tentative daffodils beginning to pop out of the ground. Soon our gardens will be full of beautiful flowers, and our beans and squashes will be reaching towards the sun. Perhaps in in the Spring we are also reaching towards the SON - wide open arms, ready to embrace our new life in the Resurrected Jesus. Easter, perhaps more than any other season, is a time of renewal and hope. As Resurrection People, we know that we will overcome death. Knowing that, in the end, all will be well reminds me that in the present I can be ok. May the Holy Spirit send renewal to you, dear ones. Amen.
Photo by Maggie Breen
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In case you were unable to attend the NE Region Lenten Quiet Day on Lament, you can access the video of the meditation HERE.
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Connecting to the Wider Body of Christ:
calendar of events
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Tuesday, April 6 through Saturday, April 17
9th Annual Spring Training and Gathering
Gather with Episcopalians from across Connecticut for learning, prayer and fellowship. All are welcome-from people in the pews and vestry members to parish leaders and staff.
This year Spring Training will take place during the two weeks immediately following Easter when a variety of engaging workshops will be offered via Zoom. Each workshop is 90-minutes long and most are offered on two different days and times. The closing plenary session will take place on Saturday, April 17, from 9-11 a.m. and is entitled "Parish Life After COVID: Psychological and theological reflections as we gather in new ways." Learn more about the various workshops AND REGISTER on ECCT's Spring Training and Gathering page.
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help
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This month’s icon is called Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Western Catholic world and the Theotokos of the Passion in the Eastern Orthodox world. In the Eastern Church, its feast day is April 30. This icon has become my favourite, it has such a tender meaning associated with it.
This icon originated on Crete in the last half of the 15th century. It takes its rudimentary form from The Mother of God Hodegetria (an icon said to have been done by St Luke that depicts Mary holding her child in her left arm, as she gestures to him with the free right hand. The Christ Child, in turn, answers his mother’s intercessory prayer by raising his right hand in blessing while holding a scroll in the other) In this icon, however, some new elements have been added which supplement the meaning of the content.
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The child Jesus is resting, supported by Mary's left arm, but he holds no scroll, nor is his other hand raised in blessing, instead he is holding his mother's hand with both of his. His body is leaning forward, his ankles are crossed and one of his sandals has fallen off. His head is turned upwards to look at an angel displaying a cross and nails. The archangel Gabriel, who earlier had explained the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary, explains the mystery of the cross to the future Saviour. The archangel Michael, directly opposite Gabriel, is holding a lance, a sponge mounted on a stalk of hyssop, and a container of wine. These instruments of martyrdom indicate the perfect sacrifice Christ will make in the future. The vision of torture and death gives rise to anxiety and the child Jesus seeks refuge with his mother so quickly that he loses a sandal. Anxiety about suffering and death is a deeply felt human reaction and may be interpreted as an expression of Christ's true human nature.
For reference, a typical Mother of God Hodegetria icon is shown to the right.
Icon and article by David Clarke, member of St. John's, Vernon
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Some New Ideas from the NE Region Leadership Team:
A Social Media Try-On
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Friends,
I'm embracing the spirit of "trying on" new things with the NE Region social media accounts! Inspired by the recent FORMA conference, I want to invite YOUR participation with the NE Region socials!
On Tuesdays I would like to feature people from across ECCT telling their stories (testimonies) or reflecting on scripture (devotional). Specifically, I want to encourage lay people to engage with this. You can access the Tuesday Testimonials & Devotionals (as well as other videos) HERE.
It's meant to be easy and fun. If you are curious or have questions, pleas reach out to Maggie at mbreen@episcopalct.org and let me know!
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Do you like getting snail mail? Do you have a stash of pretty notecards just waiting to be sealed in their envelopes and garnished with a stamp? Are you feeling a little bit lonely these days?
The NE Region Leadership Team wants to connect you with a pen-pal! We are hoping that folks from across ECCT would volunteer to be a pen-pal and send notes to a new friendly stranger.
Maggie Breen, your NE Region Missionary, will randomly select pen-pal matches and introduce you to each other by email. Then, you can share your mailing addresses with each other. That way your address is only shared with your pen-pal.
If you are interested in being in the Pen-Pal Pool (alliteration for the win!), please email Maggie at mbreen@episcopalct.org and once there are enough people to match, the postal service will be back in business! So grab your fancy pens, your pretty paper, and your stamps.
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Being Disciples & Apostles:
resources for racial healing & justice
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The Long Song, a PBS Masterpiece series that puts Black characters first. You can stream it on PBS. The Long Song
- If you missed the last Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation Network meeting you can watch the video HERE.
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Expanding Our Capabilities as Disciples & Apostles:
resources, webinars, and good information (oh my!)
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*NEW* Governor Lamont signed H.B. 6516 into law in early March, which puts an end to welfare liens in CT! Read more about it HERE and watch a video about it HERE.
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ECCT specific resoures
- Have you checked out the ECCT blog lately? CLICK HERE to read about our newest priests ordained in January and February of this year!
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Know some young people getting read for college? ECCT has some scholarships available! Click Here for more details!
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You can find the most recent COVID-19 update from our Bishops HERE (lots of info here, with access to archived things, too)
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Let's Learn New Things Together!
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Here are some things I've found interesting lately: music, projects, art, articles, etc. May they be of service to us so that we can be in service to others.
- ChurchNext is offering an online course on Contemplative Knitting. Check it out HERE.
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40+ Easter Brunch Ideas - we maybe aren't having big Easter dinners this year, but it can still be fun to cook "fancy" food.
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STAY CONNECTED WITH NE REGION
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You can reach Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary, the following ways:
PHONE: 203-639-3501 x154
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