From the Office of the Bishop |
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BISHOP'S REFLECTION SERIES
‘Remember From Where We Came’
Part II
One of the failings of the people of faith is their sense of ‘selective amnesia.’ Scripture is replete with evidence of ‘selective amnesia’ to the detriment of the community of faith and the chosen people of God. Israel frequently and deliberately kept forgetting the covenant made with God – to be God’s people acknowledging God as their God (Exodus, Deuteronomy, and the prophets - see Jeremiah 24:7). By their constant disregard for covenantal living, they brought upon them God’s displeasure which resulted in exilic experiences by the two kingdoms – Judah in the south and Israel in the north in Babylon and Assyria, respectively.
The New Testament church has had its fair share of ‘selective amnesia’ and likewise the church has experienced its fair share of God’s displeasure. In many instances God’s commands and directives are often substituted for human laws, actions and practices that are in opposition/contradiction to the Spirit of God – whose Spirit of love is manifested through Christian virtues as articulated in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25) undergirded by contrition, forgiveness and self-emptying (kenosis). Historically, the Church is guilty of too often exercising the sin of ‘intellectual arrogance’ when it comes to remembering zakar/anamnesis God’s role in salvation history and human redemption.
Remember -Zakar- Anamnesis in 2015, our diocese voted to conduct a search for its eleventh bishop after a two-year discernment project. In that convention it came up with resolutions and recommendations that were unanimously approved by the 147th Diocesan Convention on February 27 & 28 2015. The arduous and tenacious hours of focused work by the various committees and succeeding conventions are highly commendable. The fruit of this work was placed on the diocesan search website. The third resolution offered four (4) (see 2015 Journal of the Diocese of Easton proceedings of convention (page 39) possible options for episcopal leadership including ceasing to exist as a free-standing diocese of the Episcopal Church by merging into one of the neighboring dioceses. The proceedings revealed a diocese that was honest and deliberate in its assessment of its future. What this revealed to anyone who may be conversant with this multi-cultural church across the Anglican Communion is that this was and is a diocese endowed with a high level of integrity and transparency. A community of faith if guided by effective, adaptive, tenderly reassuring care and transformative leadership – pastoral leadership that believes in its potential and committed to its future, coupled with its diverse giftedness, could emerge as one of the best small dioceses in the Episcopal Church. Honestly, the qualities of honesty, transparency and vulnerability are among the many other special attributes that motivated my curiosity into the search process.
The incumbent bishop was overwhelmingly elected by a majority of delegates on June 11, 2016 and interpreted these Ten Discernment Resolutions as a mandate to the eleventh bishop from the diocese. Parousia is the active, theological, spiritual, incarnational and operating version of the Ten Discernment Resolutions.
As a servant of God, and a ‘creature’ for engaging new and evolving possibilities, I have always defined my ministry within the framework of a faith call from God, thereby, a call that pushes me to ‘drill deep’ into the core of my being, to respond to the most challenging and impossible ministry – a firm believer in the Angel Gabriel’s Principle –“with God nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37).
Remember -Zakar- Anamnesis - When we forget our past, we are prone to repeat the acts that brought us to the precipice of fear and apprehension. When we keep our eyes on the prize - Jesus, we shall forever live in the spirit of gratitude endorsed by contrition and humility. It is to this ‘holy space’ God has brought God’s church. Let us recommit to this renewed sense of diocesan transformation and renewal; let us continue to share in this resurrection story in this season when the world celebrates the RESURRECTION of JESUS– a new life story scripted for us - his beloved sisters and brothers of the Diocese of Easton. As the hymn writer wrote: To GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!
+San
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Faithful Fridays with Bishop San
Bishop San will continue to create and post a devotional video every Friday. The videos will be available via the Bishop’s Blog on the Diocesan website as well as on our Facebook page. Be sure to bookmark these links and tune in every Friday for inspiration and spiritual reflection.
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Bishop San and Lynn joined St. Peter's, Salisbury for their Easter Vigil and celebrated Easter with Augustine Parish, Chesapeake City. This past weekend they visited St. Andrews, Hurlock.
He is looking forward to the 3rd annual clergy conference, taking place via Zoom in May. The guest speaker will be The Right Rev. Mark D. W. Edington, the Bishop Suffragan of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, speaking on his new book We Shall Be Changed. Questions for the Post-Pandemic Church. We will be welcoming clergy from the Diocese of Delaware as well as the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. This is a unique opportunity to meet clergy from other dioceses and to participate in discussions about what our Church will look like as we come out of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Bishop San wrapped up his Book Study on Living Reconciliation and is looking forward to hosting additional bible studies in the future. In the meantime, keep an eye out for his Faithful Friday devotionals every week.
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Ministry Highlight:
The Retreat House, Hillsboro MD
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More From the Office of the Bishop |
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Formation Deep Dives
COVID-Safe Event Planning with Rita Yoe
April 26th, 12pm-1pm on Zoom
Join Rita Yoe, Programs Coordinator at Clagett Center, for wisdom and insight into safely returning to in-person gatherings.
All About General Convention 2022 (It's Coming to Province 3!)
with Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies
May 24th, 12pm-1pm on Zoom
Hear about volunteer opportunities at next Summer's General Convention in Baltimore as well as getting an overview of how it all works.
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Bishop San Receives Covid 19 Vaccine |
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Bishop San spent his 16th anniversary of consecration and ordination as Bishop on Monday, April 5th, receiving the second dose of the COVID 19 vaccination at the Department of Health, Westover, Somerset County. He and Lynn had their first dose at that same vaccination site on Monday, March 8th, 2021.
Bishop San is very grateful to receive this important vaccination which allows him to visit the parishes with greater confidence in the health and safety of parishioners and clergy. He says that the vaccine is a major step in the right direction in the fight against this deadly virus.
The Bishop urges everyone to make every effort to receive it as soon as it is made available to them; get registered but consult your doctor if you have any concern about receiving it as a result of underlying health concerns. This vaccine saves lives and is a major contributor to life getting back to some semblance of normalcy.
Bishop said he registered for the vaccine in all nine counties on the eastern shore hoping that one of the counties would grant him and Lynn an appointment. Somerset County was the first to do so. He was very impressed with the high level of efficiency, care and accommodating ways the site was organized. He found the process seamless and the staff extremely helpful with information and recommendations for follow-up in the case of any post-shot side effects.
Once again, the ‘Land of Pleasant Living’ is coming through for its citizens in a time of heightened fear and concern around this crucial health and safety practice amidst a national and global tragedy.
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Excerpts from Bishop’s 153rd Annual Convention Address
Part III
Readers’ Note: The E-News will carry excerpts from the bishop’s address to Diocesan Convention over the next several issues. You may read the entire address on our website.
Appointment and Transition
In 2020, the diocese witnessed the retirement of Mr. Ernie Cornbrooks, Esq, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Easton. The diocese is indebted to Ernie for over eighteen years of faithful and devoted service. He has provided wisdom and counsel to three bishops, showing calmness in the face of unprecedented challenges and tactfulness in guiding the diocese through its parliamentary procedures. At an appropriate time, post-covid, the diocese plans to honor Ernie in a more tangible manner. In the meantime, I have, with the approval of Diocesan Council, appointed him Chancellor Emeritus.
We welcome Mr. Regan Smith, Esq; as the new Chancellor of the diocese. Regan transitioned from his earlier office as Church Attorney. We look forward to Regan’s leadership in the diocese. At the same time, we welcome a relatively new addition to diocesan leadership. Mr. E. Stewart Barroll, Esq; accepted my invitation and was approved by council to be the diocese new Church Attorney. Stewart is a faithful member of Shrewsbury Parish, Kennedyville. We welcome both servants of this church to their new positions.
Christian Education & Lifelong Formation Ministry (All Ages)
The Church, as the instrument of servanthood on Earth, is called in every age to continue the God-given task of Christian education and formation from its youngest members to its most venerable. Our diocese is already blessed to have major pieces of this vision in place. With the Bishop’s Institute at St. Paul’s Episcopal Center, we have a central site for lay empowerment, education and formation. This ministry, under the talented leadership of Ms. Dee Rinehart, has been pioneering ways to continue their ministry under the challenging restrictions of COVID-19. We are also blessed with the developing partnership with the Iona Collaborative, as previously stated, which will provide us with a high-quality local program for the development of locally trained and formed clergy leadership. This program, under the direction of The Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Dunlap will also be able to provide continuing education opportunities for clergy.
Already on our Bray House staff, we have Mrs. Joanne Fisher, who has been leading diocesan-wide programs for our youth, and consulting with our congregations for years. Today, I’m announcing that Ms. Elizabeth Phillips, deacon aspirant and member of St. Peter’s, Salisbury, has agreed to team up with Joanne and accept my appointment as non-stipendiary Diocesan Coordinator of Children and Family Ministry. She will be working with Christian Education leaders across the diocese to develop programs aimed at formation of our children. Elizabeth is a retired banker who also holds a Master’s of Theological Studies degree from Duke Divinity School in North Carolina. In addition, she also possesses the spirit of a servant leader as well as bringing considerable experience in the area of Children and Family Ministry. She is a gifted servant in God’s Church and I’m excited to welcome her to our diocesan leadership team. Her ministry will be supervised by the Commission on Ministry and located within the Bishop’s Institute. Of note, this development would mean that within a two-year period, the diocese has implemented nine (9) of the ten (10) component areas of its vision outlined in PAROUSIA.
God is Reconciliation
Over the past year in particular our nation experienced an extremely difficult period in our common life in the area of racial justice, diversity awareness and reconciliation. The diocese will focus extensive energy on the major work of RECONCILIATION through the Diocesan Diversity Awareness Commission’s offering of Difference: The Power of Faith in a Conflicted World. We are encouraging our churches to identify individuals within their communities willing to train as hosts. In addition to this foundational course from the Diversity Awareness Commission, Camp Wright is facilitating the Sacred Ground Dialogue for Episcopal Camp & Conference Centers and the Retreat House has been engaged in The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community work for several years. Each ministry addresses the subject of reconciliation through different lenses leading to a common goal – that is – heightening our formation as Christ’s beloved community called to be ‘reconciled reconcilers’ in a world beset by the erroneous and sinful belief that God’s diverse creation is an evil manifestation, rather than the very character and nature of God. Scripture reminds us that, “In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself…”(II Corinthians 5: 16-21). In effect the other name for Jesus is ‘reconciliation’. Christians are ambassadors and conduits of that virtue and I urge parishes to invest in these formation initiatives that lead to personal and congregational transformation.
Scripture reminds us, we all are made in the image and likeness of God (imago Dei). Paul couldn’t have described it better in his address to the Athenians in Acts 17: 26, “From one ancestor (blood) God made all nations (races) to inherit the whole earth”. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, radical description is, “‘UBUNTU’ – I am because you are and you are because I am”
(Follow the next issue of E-News or read the full address on the diocesan website.)
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DIOCESAN TRAIL 2 TRUTH PILGRIMAGE 2021
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, October 9th - Sunday, October 10th, 2021
The diocese is partnering with Province 3 on their second Trail2Truth Pilgrimage exploring the topic of God's call on us to love and listen across racial divides. The weekend, designed for high school students, will include a Zoom worship with other dioceses across the mid-atlantic, a visit to the Harriet Tubman Museum and a camp out at the Hillsboro Retreat Center. Keep an eye out for more to come! Or you may also email: Joanne@dioceseofeaston.org to make sure your name is added to the interest list (or to join the planning team). |
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Thank you for your continued support of the mission and ministries of our Diocese.
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Agape Annual Campaign
I am writing on behalf of the Agape Ministry of the Diocese of Easton – a vital ministry of our Diocese for the children of incarcerated parents. We hope that you will again be partnering with us by donating to our Camp Week and Christmas Party. Let me share with you what has been going on in the Agape Ministry during this time of pandemic.
One of the by-products of the Covid Pandemic has been the ability to adapt. In the Spring of 2020, as it became clear that it would not be possible to have the children come to Camp Wright for our usual time together, we developed a “Camp in the Box” program with a week of daily Zoom meetings. We were able to spend time together, play games, make crafts, and on the first day we even had a golf cart tour of the Camp! With this success under our belts, we adapted our Christmas party to also be a Zoom event.
It is with great excitement that we approach the summer of 2021, with the news that Camp Wright will be “open for business.” After discussion of the protocols that need to be in place, and continuing concerns about the virus, we decided that the best course of action was to offer our Agape Campers the opportunity to attend traditional camp sessions and to provide scholarships. Agape Ministry will also provide all the linens, camp supplies, and other support. We will follow this up at the end of the summer with another Zoom event to give the opportunity to reflect on Camp together and prepare for the return to school in the autumn. Continue reading here.
In Christ,
The Very Rev’d Michael D. Moyer OGS
Camp Agape Committee Member and Chaplain
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Covid - 19 Maryland Vaccination Deployment Update
WE ARE IN PHASE 3:
ALL MARYLANDERS 16+ ARE ELIGIBLE
TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE
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Most days you are able to make an appointment for same or next day vaccine appointments at Maryland's mass vaccine locations. Click the Maryland Mass Vaccination button below to see what appointment times are available in your area. Check back often as they update frequently. |
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In order to get a listing of other approved vaccination locations, click the Find Local Vaccines button below. This site has links to the state’s mass vaccination sites, pharmacies, county health departments etc.
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Search for vaccine appointments by vaccine type in Salisbury. |
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What are the Vaccines?
Pfizer Vaccine has been authorized for emergency use. Two doses, delivered three weeks apart. 95% effective at preventing serious illness. Injection-site pain, fatigue, headaches, chills.
Moderna Vaccine has been authorized for emergency use. Two doses, delivered four weeks apart. 94.1% effective at preventing serious illness. Injection-site pain, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, chills.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine has been authorized for emergency use. One dose. 85% effective at preventing severe illness. Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain.
Novavax Vaccine trials are ongoing. Two doses, delivered three weeks apart. Injection site pain, rash, headaches, muscle pain, fever.
AstraZeneca Vaccine trials are ongoing. Two doses, delivered four weeks apart. Fever, muscle aches, headaches, injection site pain.
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If you have a smart-phone, Text “MDReady” to 898-211 to get alerts from the State, including notices of when there are available appointments at mass vaccination sites.
There are reputable pharmacies in the area who are distributing the vaccine right now in addition to the health department and the hospital. Unfortunately, there are also scammers who are sending emails and making phone calls trying to get people to give them money in exchange for a COVID vaccination. If you ever get an email or a phone call from someone telling you to send them money or a gift card – it is a scam. Do not send anyone any money for a vaccination.
To read more about Maryland’s Phased COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and frequently asked questions and resources click here.
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Presiding Bishop’s PSA for the COVID-19 Vaccine
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations has developed a toolkit for individuals, congregations, and ministries to facilitate and promote COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. This toolkit promotes the ongoing work that parishes and dioceses have already been doing, shares best practices, and offers ideas for ways that communities can help U.S.- based Episcopalians to facilitate vaccination, overcome vaccine hesitancy, and find information from state and local officials. Churches and church leaders (lay and ordained) can serve as an important trusted bridge between public health officials and communities.
In his public service announcement encouraging vaccination, the presiding bishop says, “This vaccine can prevent the COVID-19 virus. It can help you. It can help those who you love. It can help us all. The Bible says you should love your neighbor as yourself. And getting this vaccine, as well as wearing your face mask, and keeping social distanced, and out of crowds, these are some simple and real ways that we can love our neighbor as ourselves. To love our neighbor, and while you’re at it to love yourself.”
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Prayers of the People
Please continue to keep in your prayers those infected with Coronavirus, those who have died as a result of the virus, and medical personnel and first responders.
Please continue to include over the next several Sundays prayers for healing, reconciliation and unity among all God's beloved people in our nation and particularly for those involved in government work.
Let us pray:
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered together under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God and Creator of us all; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever.
– For Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815
Oh God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your son. Look now with compassion on the entire human family; and particularly this part of the family, in the United States, and those in our nation’s capital; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
– For the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815
We ask God to heal us, to show us the way to healing, to show us the way to be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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Diocese of Easton Grants Awarded from
Diocesan Fund for Church Initiatives
Diocese Fund for Church Initiatives, made possible by the St. Stephen's Endowment Fund, awards grants exclusively to parishes in our diocese. We fund innovative projects that give new life and energy to congregations and the communities they serve. Our hope is that these grants will inspire other parishes to develop similar programs and learn from those who have received these awards. This is our eleventh year awarding grants!!
This year the grants committee is pleased to announce two new grants totaling $7,900 to support the following parishes and their initiatives:
Shrewsbury Parish, Kennedyville was granted $5,400 to support focused leadership training and strategic planning with the Delmarva Covenant Union. The Diocesan Fund is specifically funding leadership training, conducting a needs assessment in their community to address the root causes of hunger, homelessness and racial inequality.
St. Mary Anne’s Episcopal Church, North East was granted $2,500 for their String Studio, to provide music students between the ages of 5 and 18 with instruments and lessons by professional instructors. St. Mary Anne’s goal is to create an attractive, church-related platform and a support network for young musicians that also builds support from the parish and the local community.
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Congregational Self-Care Sessions Offered
The Diocese has offered to sponsor, for any interested church, a two-hour session with The Rev. Dr. Ileana Lindstrom (ELCA) on the subject of mental health. This session can be offered, for a group of up to 20 people, at any point in the coming year either on Zoom or in-person following COVID re-gathering protocols.
"While certain factors might make some individuals more resilient than others, resilience is not necessarily a personality trait that only some people possess. Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop. Resilience is ordinary, not extraordinary. Like building a muscle, increasing resilience takes time and intentionality."
Church leadership should contact Illeana directly in order to learn more details, and to take advantage of this offer.
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Come shop the Camp Wright
Yard Sale on April 24th
8AM - 12PM!!
Proceeds will benefit
Camp Wright's summer programs!!
Camp Wright is currently hiring a registrar, this is a 7 month part time position. Email Julia, director@campwright.com for more information.
We are still seeking nurses for summer camp! Camp nurses can be RNs, Nurse Practitioners, MDs, EMTs. They handle daily medication administration, blisters, bruises and provide care to our staff and campers. Nurses work one session or multiple sessions and we have a couple of nurse opportunities still available for this summer. Camp Wright pays nurses a daily stipend or exchanges camp tuition in exchange for services. Email Julia, director@campwright.com for more information.
Summer staff applications are open on our website:
As always, feel free to reach out to our camp director, Julia Connelly, if you have any questions or need any additional information.
More information about summer camp 2021 is available on our website.
All paperwork and payment is due by June 1st
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Happenings Around The Diocese |
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POST YOUR EVENT!
Send an email with a short description plus links or attachments to Joanne. Churches are also encouraged to add joanne@dioceseofeaston.org to their local enews.
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Spring Quiet Day
Thursday, April 22, on Zoom
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
with Julia Morris-Myers
Virtual session on Zoom
This Seasonal Quiet Day will focus on new beginnings! Join us as we observe the parallels among spring, resurrection, and the gradual ending of the pandemic.
Where do you see a rebirth in your own life and
how is that specifically tied to this year of extraordinary challenges?
What do you wish to leave behind…or carry with you?
We will be guided by scripture, poetry, silence, and conversation, and most of all by Mother Nature.
Conscious Aging Wisdom Circle
Fridays, April 16-May 21
1:00-2:30pm
with Beth Knight, via Zoom
In this wisdom circle, we will learn to create a “new vision of aging." During these sessions, you will be guided to:
- Develop skills of self-compassion
- Discover what gives heart & meaning to your life
- Minimize feelings of isolation
- Cultivate a personal roadmap for your own aging journey
We hope you will join us as we focus on listening to our own inner wisdom and guidance, cultivating best practices, sharing in an intimate conversation circle, and listening to the collective wisdom of the group.
The Wisdom Café
Monday's from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Zoom. It's an hour of friendly companionship--no commitment, no charge. Come and go as you please!
If you would like to receive an email reminder on Monday mornings (which will include the zoom link) please sign up here.
Day's End Evening Meditation Listen, breathe, be still. A peaceful way to move into your evening. Feel free to log in to hear a beautiful prayer or poem followed by just the right amount of quiet meditation time.
Meeting ID: 212 677 840
Password: 944568
Call in/audio only: 301 715 8592
Pause
This Friday afternoon message is intended to give you a moment of reflection in the form of a poem, quote, and image. These messages will also be shared via email, in our social media and archived on the website. If you missed last week's edition, please click here to read it.
PLEASE NOTE: All AA meetings will be online only until the weather warms. Click here to attend AA meetings through Zoom.
Fridays: 7:30 pm, AA Big Book
Saturdays: 7:00 pm, AA Women's Candlelight
Sundays: 5:30 pm, AA Step
Click here for more AA meetings online and in person
All are welcome at The Retreat House to take quiet walks among the beautiful old trees, to visit historic St. Paul's Cemetery, or enjoy a labyrinth meditation.
or call (410) 364-7069.
The suggested donation is $75/night, but please don’t let finances get in the way!
We invite you to take some time for yourself!
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning April 2nd we returned to in-person meetings and continuing with Zoom. Thank you for observing safety protocols while you are here, by wearing masks and maintaining social distance. Please stay safe and be well!
See our calendar for programs and special events. For more information, call (410) 364-7069, click the buttons below or contact Francie Thayer.
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Pastoral Concerns
We pray for the repose of the soul of the following people and for comfort for their families:
Shirley Vance
Philip Young
We pray for continued healing and comfort for the following people and their families: for Tom Mendenhall, recovering from a stroke, Rev. Paula E. Clark bishop-elect of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago,
Bishop Parsley, Rev. Kevin Cross, Rev. Dr. Lisa Webb, Rev. Pete Stanton, Rev. Bryan Glancey, Larry Samuels, Art Leiby, Becky Richardson, Weasie Kamihachi, Jody Farley, Father Ron Knapp, Jefferson Moak, Susan Carrow, Bonnie Kendall.
We pray for the many lives that have been affected by the Coronavirus. For those who have died; for the family members that mourn their loss. For those who continue to heal and for the skilled
caregivers that continue to fight this disease – we pray for you.
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Diocesan Prayer Calendar
Third Sunday of Easter
(April 18th)
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at Emmanuel, Chestertown, and their Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Dr. Darcy Williams, and her spouse, Joseph.
Fourth Sunday of Easter
(April 25th)
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at Christ Church, Kent Island, and for their Rector, the Rev. Mark Delcuze, and his spouse Mimi.
Fifth Sunday of Easter
(May 2nd)
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at Christ Church, St. Michaels, and for their Rector, the Rev. Steve Mosher, and his spouse, Kirsten.
For additional weeks, please visit our website.
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Communication from the
Office of the Presiding Bishop
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Register now: Evangelism Matters audioconference, an innovative approach to sharing, learning, and growing evangelism ministry
Conference launches on April 12, 2021 Registration Deadline: May 20, 2021
This spring’s Evangelism Matters conference invites participants to turn off the Zoom screen and “tune in” for an audioconference featuring podcast-style talks on the opportunity and challenge of evangelism today.
Launching on April 12 and available here. The free audioconference intentionally flips the conference format inside-out with an innovative approach to sharing, learning, and growing the ministry of evangelism among Episcopalians.
“We know people are suffering from ‘Zoom fatigue,’” said Lydia Bucklin, canon to the ordinary for Discipleship & Vitality, Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan and member of the Evangelism Matters design team, “It’s great to give people the option to physically move while listening: walking the dog, doing the laundry, driving their car. They can learn, interact, and reflect when and where it’s best.” The theme for this year’s gathering is “The Discipline of Hope.” Learn more here.
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Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching the Beloved Community is now live in your favorite podcasting app!
In this episode of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, we speak with Episcopalians committed to the Beloved Community about the texts for Easter Day.
The texts covered in this episode are John 20:1-18 and Mark 16:1-8. Our guests this week are: Jennifer Irving, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Director of Grants at the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota; the Rev. Shug Goodlow, from the Diocese of Missouri, a transitional deacon at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, Missouri; and the Rev. Dr. Gavin Shumate, a bivocational priest, serving St. John’s Episcopal Church in Toledo, Oregon, and physician at Integrity Women’s Health & Wellness, LLC, in Newport, Oregon.
Prophetic Voices is a podcast series hosted by the Rev. Isaiah “Shaneequa” Brokenleg, Episcopal Church staff officer for Racial Reconciliation. Join Brokenleg and invited guests for this six-episode series as they share prophetic voices and explore the readings for Ash Wednesday and each day of Holy Week and Easter through the lens of social justice. Learn more about this podcast and listen to past episodes here. For more information on Becoming Beloved Community Read more here
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The Pain and Prayer Project seeks participants We know that people use many techniques to cope with chronic pain, including praying to God or a higher power. We are trying to better understand what kinds of prayer are most helpful. If you are interested in participating, you can go directly to the screening website: https://is.gd/PainandPrayerScreener
The goals of this project are the development of the first ever scientifically validated bedside-prayer-tool. Participation is easy via online questionnaires. All spiritual backgrounds are welcomed. If you or someone you know is suffering with chronic pain and uses prayer or meditation to cope with their pain, we would love to hear from you. We need a few hundred volunteers.
This project is a collaboration between the Episcopal Church in Delaware and academic pain experts. Funded in part by the 2020 United Thank Offering Grant.
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Episcopal Youth Event/Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales Research Project
We invite you to help us explore the story and legacy of EYE/EJE as we begin to research and understand more deeply what these events mean to The Episcopal Church. The Office of Youth Ministries for The Episcopal Church has contracted with Ministry Architects to conduct a professional and objective evaluation of the almost 40-year-old international triennial Episcopal Youth Event and the more recently added Evento de Jóvenes Episcopales. Since EYE2020 was cancelled due to pandemic, we sought to take advantage of the pause and engage in a research project while we have the capacity to give it the attention it deserves. Now is the time, and we humbly request your help.
Our goal is to reach as many former EYE/EJE participants (both youth and adults) to help tell the story and determine the future of this legacy event. We have created a participation form on our website HERE. By using this link to our website, anyone can sign up to participate in the research project. We will share the essential information gathered with the Ministry Architects and Episcopal Youth Ministry Team. Over the course of the next few months potential participants in the research project may receive invitations to surveys, listening sessions, or other methods of gaining information about EYE/EJE. We cannot do this without you, and we need help sharing the link far and wide.
Please consider completing the form yourself and forwarding this email, or your own version of it, and help us direct people to the sign-up on our web page. We are counting on you to help spread the word as we do not have email addresses going back 40 years for every past participant, and we have zero email addresses for any former youth participants. We encourage the use of diocesan newsletters, social media, and personal invitations. The link will be open and available through April, and leads to both Spanish and English versions of the form. Read more here.
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Thy Kingdom Come - Resources for All Ages!! Cheeky Pandas
This year, our flagship family resource is the Cheeky Pandas. A fun-filled 11 part series for kids created in collaboration with the brilliant Cheeky Pandas! Our hope and prayer is that this resource would be a real blessing to churches, schools and families, inspiring children on their faith journey.
We will also be sharing an exclusive episode of the Cheeky Pandas every Sunday, at 4pm, on our YouTube and Facebook pages. |
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Episcopal Church’s ‘A Year in the Life’ web series explores challenges of past year
A Year in the Life is a new web series from The Episcopal Church that documents how Episcopal churches, schools, and ministries have navigated a very contentious and difficult year. New episodes of A Year in the Life will be released every two weeks beginning on April 20. The trailer is available for viewing on The Episcopal Church website here, on Facebook here, and on Instagram TV @theepiscopalchurch.
Filmed using COVID-safe protocols, A Year in the Life covers topics like food insecurity, education, worship through restrictions, clergy calls, and more. Each episode will include reflection materials to help the viewer consider how the last year or so has affected them and their neighbors.
Watch the trailer now and come back on April 20 for the premiere of Episode 1, which recalls Spring 2020 when the United States and the wider world were gripped by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a movement against systemic racism catalyzed by the murder of George Floyd. Congregations across The Episcopal Church were inspired to action, taking the call to seek and serve Christ in all persons into their communities. Members of Trinity Episcopal Church, a mostly White congregation in Ambler, Pa., reflected on how they were being called to action even within the confines of the pandemic.
Future episodes of A Year in the Life will feature stories on how congregations like Christ Church in Westerly, R.I., St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Pa., and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex, Conn., have responded to the challenges and opportunities brought on by the pandemic.
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Blue Book reports for 2022 General Convention are available
The reports for the 80th General Convention, commonly referred to as “Blue Book reports,” will be posted on the convention website starting in April.
The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, secretary of General Convention, announced that the reports will be available
The Blue Book contains reports of the committees and interim bodies of the General Convention. For questions about the Blue Book, contact the General Convention Office, gcoffice@episcopalchurch.org.
The 80th General Convention will meet July 7-14, 2022, in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Episcopal Church’s General Convention meets every three years to consider the legislative business of the church. General Convention is the bicameral governing body of the Church, composed of the House of Bishops, with more than 200 active and retired bishops, and the House of Deputies, with more than 800 clergy and lay deputies elected from the 109 dioceses and three regional areas of the Church. Between sessions, the General Convention continues to work through its committees and commissions. The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church carries out the programs and policies adopted by the General Convention.
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Baltimore church to auction historic silver to help create $300,000 scholarship fund
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, founded in 1692, is the oldest church in Baltimore, Maryland. It owns an offering plate that is itself more valuable than any offering the congregation might collect on a typical Sunday. Made of silver and encrusted with gems, the offering plate bears an inscription dating it to “Easter 1876.” A similar inscription is found on another historic item, one of the church’s silver chalices, which features clusters of diamonds.
Neither item is in regular use. Both have been stored in a safe for the past decade, the Rev. Mark Stanley told Episcopal News Service. “You’d almost need an armed guard to bring them out and use them. They’re too valuable,” he said.
Too valuable to use on Sunday – but possibly just valuable enough to help the congregation endow an educational scholarship. Church leaders are working with an auction house to sell 15 silver items at St. Paul’s, including communion sets and a baptismal font bowl. The proceeds are estimated to reach $75,000. The gem-encrusted plate and chalice alone could be worth up to $60,000 at auction.
“Why are they sitting in a safe? Let’s invest them in the children of Baltimore City,” said Stanley, who has served St. Paul’s as rector for 17 years. Read more here.
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New Anglican Health and Community Network launches on World Health Day “The new Anglican Health and Community Network – launching on World Health Day – will support Anglicans working across the world in health care, whether in clinical settings or in the community. It has long been recognized that, in many parts of the world, churches are best placed to reach ‘the last mile’ in hard-to-reach communities – whether it is in disseminating disease prevention education or organizing community clinics.
“And so on this World Health Day, I am delighted that the new Anglican Health and Community Network is launching, with the backing of the Anglican Communion’s Standing Committee, to connect, prepare and equip Anglicans around the world to provide health care, accompany the sick and advocate for equitable health care, combining trust in science and hope in God.” Read more here.
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Archbishop of Canterbury announces 2021 Lambeth Awards
The awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the church and wider society, have been given to over 30 people. They include scientists, musicians, academics, activists, peacemakers, doctors and clergy.
The recipients span the globe and the breadth of church life and beyond. They include Isaac Borquaye, the MOBO Award-winning rapper and author, better known as Guvna B; Elizabeth Harris-Sawczenko, former director of the Council of Christians and Jews; and the Most Rev. Daniel Deng Bul, former primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.
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Applications accepted for the Julia Chester Emery 2021-2022 internship
In 2015, the United Thank Offering (UTO) Board launched the Julia Chester Emery internship program for young adults in honor of the countless women who served as UTO missionaries. The 2021-2022 internship will be a collaborative effort between The Episcopal Church’s Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care team (RJCC) and the Johnson Service Corp House (JSC), a part of Episcopal Service Corps, located in Chapel Hill or Durham, North Carolina.
“The UTO Board is so excited to continue to deepen our relationship with the RJCC team by working together to provide this unique internship which we hope will encourage a young person to think critically about creation care, justice, race, gratitude and help us grow in new ways from their ideas and questions,” shared the Rev. Canon Heather Melton, staff officer, UTO. Read more here.
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Welcome to For People, a conversation with Bishop Rob Wright, spiritual leader to the more than 50,000 people in the 117 worshipping communities of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. In this podcast, Bishop Wright meets listeners at the crossroads of faith and life to explore the challenges of an ever-changing world. Listen in to find out how he expands on his For Faith devotional, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus to answer 21st-century questions. Listen Now
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