NW Region Newsletter-November 21
Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It will be different this year, and I hope that we can find the peace within that. As we see an increase in COVID-19 in our communities, I'm understanding the importance of taking time to pause, reflect and pray. I'm going to highlight some of my spiritual practices that I am trying on during this time. The first practice is the Examen. It's something that helps me in my understanding and a way to keep me grounded. You can see a chart below of how I do it, and each week I will highlight a new practice that I am using.

I hope that you will consider engaging in your choice of the many activities coming up after Thanksgiving! The flyers and details are highlighted below. We are holding a NW Region Food Security Gathering on Zoom to check in with each other about the food ministries in which we are involved. I'd love to hear how the work in our communities has shifted and moved. We are engaging in so much good work, that I'd like to bring us together and see where we can support and lean on one another.
One of our local parishioners, Conrad Sienkiewicz, will be presenting in a NW Region Zoom event on December 15. He has been engaged in anti-racism work over the last few years. He will detail how he became aware of this work, his journey, what he is doing, and how we can begin the work for ourselves.
There are some reflections from those in our Region in this newsletter, some Advent meditation opportunities that we can join highlighted here as well, and more.
I pray that we all remain safe, find peace, and take moments of thanks during this coming week, even with all that surrounds us.
In Peace,

Dylan
Hidden Valley Preserve-Washington, CT
Newsletter Index
-Spiritual Practices: The Examen-
-NW Region Food Security Meeting 12/1 @5:30PM-
-NW Region Food Ministries-
-Reflections from the NW Region-
-Racial Justice and Reconciliation-
-Advent is Coming!-
-Forgiveness Workshop-
-Weekly Region Programming-
Spiritual Practices: The Examen
NW Region Food Security Gathering

Join in a conversation about the food ministries of the NW Region. We will check in and see what is new, what might be on the horizon, and how we can support each other. This Region has much going on and we look forward to seeing how we can continue together. Join on Tuesday December 1 from 5:00-6:00 PM on Zoom!

The Zoom link is here:

NW Region Racial Justice Speaking Event
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:
NW/NC Region Event on Food and Housing Insecurity
-Recorded Presentation and Discussion-
Here is the video from Wednesday 11/18 which was the presentation from United Way-211 and Hands on Hartford. The discussion focused on food and housing insecurities, as well as how to become involved.
Feeding Ministries in the NW Region
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)
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:
Reflections from the Northwest Region
Here is a reflection from Tuesday Rupp, rector of St. Paul's Woodbury. This was shared in the ECCT Blog this week.

Reflection piece is found HERE.
Reflections on the Feast for the Consecration of Samuel Seabury
Presented by: Ron Marasco- St. Andrew's-Kent
Ron Marasco, of St. Andrew's Kent, shares the story of the consecration of Samuel Seabury. Seabury was elected to seek to become the first bishop in the Episcopal Church at the Glebe House. Glebe House is in Woodbury, in our NW Region, and can still be visited.
Racial Justice and Reconciliation
REEL TO REAL on Monday, November 30
Looking to learn more about racism?


Watch Spike Lee's MALCOLM X, then join us for
a film discussion with REEL TO REAL on
Monday November 30 at 7pm via Zoom!

Do you want to talk about race and racism
but you don't know how, or where?

We invite you to watch MALCOLM X and then join us on Zoom
for an open - and safe - conversation about race.

MALCOLM X is a 1992 film directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington. This critically-acclaimed movie explores the evolution and growth of a great and controversial civil rights leader who continues to have a profound affect on the movement today.


Register for this discussion by clicking here.

After you receive your registration confirmation,
find the film MALCOM X and watch it (available on numerous streaming services).

Then go to Zoom on Monday November 30
at 7pm for the discussion 
(we will send you the meeting details after you register)

Advent Series Coming!
St. Mark's Bridgewater will be holding a Wednesday reflection series, open to our Region, during Advent. A Facebook event page will be available with more information in the coming weeks as well!
"A Forgiveness Workshop"
wooden-color-people.jpg
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.
Weekly Region Programming
Pastoring and Prophecy: A Lens For Bible Study In Difficult Times
Every Tuesday at 4PM
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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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.

Please send any ideas or additions for the newsletter to Dylan Mello. Email address:
dmello@episcopalct.org
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