From the Office of the Bishop
Bishop’s Advent Reflection

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21: 28)


The holy season of Advent has begun, and while the secular world around us trivializes the coming birth of our Savior with garish displays of commercialism, we Anglicans/Episcopalians have a time-honored tradition of taking Advent seriously. As we await the birth of hope, Episcopal preaching for Advent focuses on repentance or metanoia, spiritual vigilance and waiting with a purpose, the call to serve, moral propriety, self-emptying or kenosis, spiritual identity with God, and immaculate conception. This season also witnesses the observance of World AIDS Day on December 1. This is the 32nd year since Worlds AIDS Day was established. Have we forgotten where the world community stood with this global pandemic and the fear and uncertainty attached with it?

Many years ago, in one of the dioceses that I served, I was rector of a large inner-city parish of over 700 members where a small percentage of our worshiping community was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS virus. Some of those were victims of drug addiction or recovering drug addicts, others were teenage mothers and victims of abuse of one kind or another. As with the scenario associated with most troubled inner-city parishes the poverty level was very high and the ministry of the missional church invariably responded to what was transpiring in the community.

I got to know Donna very well through frequent pastoral visits. She and her entire family were long time members of the parish. Donna was a single young mother of four young children; one of them was a paraplegic. She was in advanced stages of HIV/AIDS and her condition required frequent hospitalization. One particular hospital visit was mid-morning and the open hospital ward where she was a patient happened to be extremely busy with medical staff doing their morning rounds. The lack of privacy wasn’t conducive for pastoral counseling. However, in this brief moment even with all the distraction, I observed an unusual level of anxiety and restlessness in her demeanor. I had done enough hospital visitations to recognize that something beyond the usual was troubling her and concluded that under the circumstances it may be better to return at a more appropriate time. Read full Reflection here.
Eight Historic Ordinations
Pictured above left are The Rev. Deacon Stephanie Clayville and Bishop San. Pictured above right are front row: The Rev. Deacon Stephanie Clayville (left), The Rev. Adele Hatfield (middle), The Rev. Ken Thom (right). Middle Row: The Rev. Canon Dr. Daniel Dunlap (left), The Rev. Deacon Loretta Collins (middle), The Rev. David Michaud (right). Top row: Bishop San (left), The Rev. Chuck Hatfield (middle), The Very Rev. Michael Moyer (right).
The Diocese of Easton celebrated the ordination to the Diaconate of Stephanie Clayville on November 22nd, the last of eight deacon ordinations in 2020. The ordinations marked the culmination of three years of coursework and dedication. We are truly excited and honored to welcome this diverse class of individuals who represent several firsts for the Diocese, including the first two African Americans and the first Iranian American to be ordained in the Diocese.
Congratulations to our new Deacons.
Please keep their ministry in your prayers.

Stephanie B. Clayville
Barbara A. Coleman
Andrew C. Cropper
Alisha M. King
Laura Jean McCarthy
Christine J. Sabas
Marguerite A. Samuels
Dr. Katherine E. Webb
New Appointee to Diocesan Council

The Diocesan Council voted to appoint the Rev. Deacon Chris Sabas to replace the vacancy left by the Rev. Rob Laws, who recently accepted a call to another Diocese. The appointment was in keeping with Article X, Section 4 of our diocesan canons and Rev. Sabas will serve on Council until 2023.
Agape Christmas Boxes Are in the Mail!
Thanks to generous donations from around the Diocese, the Agape Committee had lots of goodies to pack for the children enrolled in the Agape Ministry (box packing at Camp Wright is pictured above). The boxes will arrive just in time for the Agape Virtual Christmas Party that will include crafts, games, and a pop-up pageant. Special thanks to the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club who covered the cost for gift cards in each box, to Emmanuel Chestertown for donating the cost of postage, to Linda Prochaska who continued her ministry of books for each child, to Peggy and Alan Selser for helping with money for boxes and additional stocking stuffers, and to the youth ministry at St. Peter's Salisbury who purchased and packed beautiful Christmas stockings and a mug with all the hot cocoa fixings.
Bishop's Spotlight
Bishop San celebrated a wonderful, quiet Thanksgiving at home with his wife Lynn. They enjoyed a virtual visit with their children and grandchildren via Zoom. Over the past several weeks Bishop San has had the opportunity to visit several churches including St. Mary the Virgin in Pocomoke City, Holy Spirit in Ocean City, and most recently Wye Parish where he celebrated a Confirmation with a small group of family and parishioners. Over the past several days the Bishop has hosted a virtual two-day retreat for clergy in the Diocese, with guest Bishop Peter Price.
From Lambeth Palace

Dear Bishop Santosh,
Prayers will be said for you and the Diocese of Easton by the Lambeth Palace community on Thursday 3 December 2020.
We remember especially all those who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic at this time: "God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be their light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." This comes with our warm greetings, and our prayers for God's blessing on your ministry. 
With best wishes, Raquel Hitchman
Prayers from Japan

Dear Bishop Santosh Marray,
We are the members of online morning prayers initiated by a group of St Margaret's Anglican church in Tokyo, Japan. Because of the Coronavirus, we are gathering online for the daily morning prayers. This morning we prayed for you and for the Diocese of Easton, following the the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, especially at this time of great challenges. May God bless you and all the members of Easton Diocese. Yes, we are united in prayer.
In communion, Isao Uematsu
Thank you for your continued support of the mission and ministries of our Diocese.

Be on the Lookout for Holiday Scammers

This past year we have seen a significant uptick in the number of scam attempts using Bishop San’s name. With the holidays approaching we wanted to remind our members to keep an eye out for potential scammers who may be looking for gift cards, money, or other items. They may try and solicit these items via phone call, text or email. Be sure to check the source of where a message has originated and always call the office (410-822-1919) if you are ever in doubt. Please reference this article for more information.
Parochial Report Webinar

Join us for an opportunity to hear about changes on the Parochial Report for reporting new virtual attendance via two Q&A sessions (think of them as Parochial Report “Office Hours”). You have the option to join on Wednesday, December 9th at 11:00 AM (EST) or Thursday, December 10th at 4:00 PM (EST). Be sure to come prepared with your questions. To register for a session, please use this link.
 
As promised the instructions for the 2020 Parochial Report is now available on the General Convention website at Forms and Instructions — The General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Also available are screencast for both congregations and diocesan users.
Sacred Ground Race Dialogue Circles Offered by ECCC

Join Julia Connolly (Camp Wright) or other ECCC (Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers) facilitators for a Virtual Sacred Ground Dialogue Circle. Each circle is an opportunity to learn and discuss race in America and the Episcopal Church, through bi-weekly gatherings and readings and films in-between. We use this guide. Over the last two years, ECCC has hosted four Circles: They are powerful, illuminating and challenging, and we are eager to begin again. As we continue to hear, self-work is an essential part of operating equitable, just, anti-racist organizations. We hope that you will prioritize this opportunity. Each Circle meets every-other week for 10 meetings. Meetings are 90 minutes, with about two hours of pre-work (films and readings) for each session. We ask that you commit to missing no more than one session. Click here for upcoming opportunities to participate
Virtual Learning Opportunity this Friday, December 4th
As ministry leaders, we are bombarded with requests for our time, attention, energy, and focus. 2020 has only increased the pressure to roll up your sleeves and get involved.
How do we discern when to say yes and when to say no? Our guideposts in ministry are the boundaries we define. What else can we employ to live into the work God has for us and avoid burnout and hurt feelings? Join us for a discussion with Adrienne Hymes and Melissa Rau where we consider each of these ideas. Register Now.
Discount Tickets Available for January Formation Conference
Province 3, in partnership with the Diocese of Easton, is excited to offer discounted tickets to the Forma21 Digital Gathering this January 26-28. The tickets, normally $130, are available for $50 on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register yourself or others for these tickets please use this form. 

“In a time such as this, how do we as leaders and individuals embody and rejuvenate our own Spiritual Practices, and then how do we lead this rejuvenation in our ministry context? This the core question we will be leaning into during Forma21 as we listen to wisdom-leaders and each other.” 
2021 Church Initiatives Grant Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Diocese of Easton’s Church Initiatives Grant Program. Money is available exclusively to parishes and mission churches in the Diocese of Easton to undertake innovative programs and projects. The Grant Program is funded by investment returns from the Diocese’s St. Stephens Endowment Fund, a fund created with proceeds from the sale of St. Stephen's Church, East New Market several years ago.

This is the ninth year of the program’s existence. Last year three grants were awarded:

  • St. Peter’s, Salisbury to provide start up funding for the St. Peter’s Choir School
  • Shrewsbury Parish and La Sagrada Familia de Jesus for the development of the Shrewsbury Community Garden Site.
  • St. Paul’s, Trappe to jumpstart their new outreach work to support needy families in their area.

Many grants have been awarded in all of our convocations over the years to support a wide variety of worthy initiatives. Some examples are:

  • Trinity Elkton for computers to support Youth Sunday School, Adult Christian Education, and Food Pantry clients who are job searching, parishioners who do not have access to a computer, and for parish presentations;
  • St. Paul’s Centreville to provide weekend meals to needy elementary school students;
  • Christ Church Kent Island to fund a summer backpacks for kids program;
  • Emmanuel Parish in Chestertown to help start an on-site afterschool program;
  • Shrewsbury Parish to create a Kent County Coalition; and
  • St. Andrew’s Mission in Hurlock to incorporate the Moveable Feast as part of its food bank program.

As much as $10,000 could be available to support community initiatives in 2020. The Church Initiatives Grants Committee is accepting grant applications now through February 4, 2021. Grant recipients will be announced at the Diocesan Convention with grants awarded in March 2021.

Churches may download instructions and the grant application from the Diocesan website, or they may request an application from the Diocesan office.
A Call for Nominations to Service to the Diocese of Easton

One of the great joys and rewards of being an Episcopalian on the Eastern Shore is the opportunity to serve as leaders in the Diocese of Easton. Each year at our annual convention we have the privilege to elect our representatives to the Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, and the Board of Managers of the Trust Funds. In doing so, we help shape the future of our Diocese by electing clergy and lay leaders to these important offices. This process is central to maintaining the vitality of our Diocese. Read more here.
153rd Diocesan Convention To Be Virtual
Saturday, March 6, 2021

Convocation Meetings will also be Virtual.
All Convocations will meet together on Tuesday, December 8th at 7pm and again on Tuesday, February 9th at 7pm leading up to Convention.
The Zoom link was emailed to each congregation.
CAMP WRIGHT CORNER
This past Tuesday was Giving Tuesday. The Camp Wright Staff and Camp Wright Committee are reaching out to ask for your support. We have achieved a lot since March, but there is a lot of work to do before we can have camp again. Gifts to our GiveButter Campaign will go to support the future of Camp Wright, its programs, and staff.
Give the gift of Camp Wright. Folks who Make a donation of $25 or more to our Scholarship Fund will receive a beautiful, handmade CW ornament for your Christmas Tree. These ornaments are crafted from a tree that fell on CW property this year. Featuring our logo on one side and the camp bell on the other, they will be lovely when used in July or December.
Shop the Camp Wright Store for your holiday gifts!!
HOLIDAY OUTREACH & HAPPENINGS
Around The Diocese
Let us know if your church or parish will be collecting items or holding activities to benefit our local communities during the holiday season!! Our hope is for people to see what’s going on throughout our diocese and pitch in beyond their parish if they see a need they can fill. Send an email with a short description plus links or attachments to Beth Devenny to be included in our upcoming holiday season Enews.
Christ Church, Kent Island Virtual Christmas Caroling
On Sunday, December 6 at 3 p.m., we will host our Virtual Christmas Caroling through YouTube. The event can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/njJZcR3mRj8.

Our resource for the music and text for the carols is found here. This digital PDF book contains lots of Christmas carols and music. It is well organized with a clickable table of contents and page numbers.  

Gary Van Essen, Minister of Music, and his wife Emily will be at the piano at church hosting the live stream. You may request your favorite carols using the chat feature in YouTube. To do this, you will need to log in to YouTube either with a Google/Gmail account or by creating a free YouTube account. An account is not necessary if you only want to watch and do not want to use the chat feature.

Feel free to forward this invitation to family and friends. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday at 3 p.m.!
St. Peter's, Salisbury Clothes Collection for Christian Shelter
St. Peter’s Sunday School and Youth Group are collecting items for children who are currently living in the Christian Shelter in Salisbury. Any fun toys, warm clothes and pajamas, hats and gloves would be appreciated. There will be a collection box by the elevator for during the week drop offs and a box near the parlor for Sunday drop offs. You can also ship items directly to the church address from online stores. Here are the children to shop for: 

Baby girl 0-3 months- clothes or useful things like blankets, baby towels, bibs or toys
Boy 2 year old - 4T clothes or toys
Girl 2 year old - 2T clothes or toys
Travels With Charlie: St. Peter's Episcopal Church Virtual 2020 Fall Bazaar
WBOC's Charles Paparella talked to Reverend David Michaud of St. Peter's Episcopal Church about an online version of its annual bazaar where it will host a live-stream telethon. Watch here.
St. Paul's, Centreville Adopt a Family
Every year, Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence runs the Christmas Family Adoption Program, where you adopt a family and you help make their Christmas wishes come true. These families do not have a lot and your participation, kindness, and generosity could help change their lives for the better and offer a brighter holiday season to our clients and their children.
Please see the board in the church for gift tags. You can take more than one. Please sign the list which tag you have claimed. If you are not in the church and would like to help you can click the link below for a list of items from the family we adopted. Just let me know what you would like to donate. Your donations should be new condition and unwrapped. The gifts are due by Dec 11 at 10am. The mothers will wrap the gifts for the children.
The Ocean Cluster of Churches, comprising of St. Paul's, Berlin; St. Paul's by-the-Sea and Church of the Holy Spirit, have been working with Hope4Recovery House for a couple of years. The following describes the mission of the House.

Hope4Recovery Inc is a non-profit organization created to provide a safe, sober and structured living environment for those in recovery from substance use disorder. Hope4Recovery opened the first (and only) recovery house in Worcester County in October 2018. The home has 11 residents and 1 live-in house manager that oversees the residents and enforces the rules. 
Hope4Recovery Inc has provided a safe home for 87 individuals in recovery since opening and is proud of the track record of their current and previous residents. The structure of the home allows residents to be productive members of society by requiring all who enter the home to attend addictions counseling and mental health counseling if indicated, attend four self help meetings a week, sign in and out of the house for accountability, secure employment and submit to random urinalysis weekly. In addition Hope4Recovery holds an AA meeting within the home Wednesday evenings. Residents volunteer as a family when the need in the community arises and during the pandemic made Easter baskets for Berlin & Salisbury nursing homes and volunteered at food drives in Berlin & Snow Hill.  

These three churches bring dinner to them once a month. In the Before Times, they stayed and shared a meal with them, to work on helping them re-enter the community. Now, due to the pandemic, they bring them food and leave. They are hoping to be able to stay and share again soon.
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.
RETREAT HOUSE HAPPENINGS
Advent Offerings

Gathering of the Greens
& Wreath Making

Sunday, December 13
1:00-3:00pm


Enjoy the outdoors while creating a lovely hand-made wreath or swag from Retreat House greenery, including American Redwood, Magnolia, Holly, Boxwood and White Pine. Bring your own tools, ribbon and decorations or help yourself to our supplies.

Enjoy this festive event with a cup of hot cider, a wood fire to keep us warm, and socially distanced cheer. We hope to see you there!

Illumination

Saturday, December 19
6:00-8:00pm

Dress warmly for Hillsboro Luminaries Night! Stroll the neighborhood to see the hundreds of beautiful luminaries lining the streets. Then join us at the Retreat House for a guided candlelight labyrinth walk, a cup of hot cider by a crackling fire and the warm spirit of Christmas.

Here's what's coming up at the Retreat House. Click the button's below for dates and times.

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.

Wisdom Circle: Seeing the Word An Advent offering Tuesdays in December
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Day's End Evening Meditation Listen, breathe, be still. A peaceful way to move into your evening.

In-person AA meetings have resumed and will be meeting in St. Paul's Church, next door to the Retreat House at 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro MD 21641. Masks and social distancing will be required. Feel free to bring your own book and beverage. All meetings continue to be offered on Zoom per the Midshore Intergroup meeting schedule.

The Retreat House gates are always open.
Please come for a visit soon!

Quiet Time Away - Did you know that the Retreat House has overnight accommodations for Hermitages or personal retreats? Two separate "suites" with private entrances are available for one or more nights to enjoy silence, stillness, and time with God. Contact us by email for more information.

The Retreat House welcomes individual visitors as well as small groups for outdoor meetings, walks, and meditations. Feel free to gather under the canopy of Crape Myrtle, Magnolia, Oak, or Linden trees. Please observe safety protocols with masks and social distance. We'll provide the seating, hand sanitizer, wipes and bug spray--all found in the gazebo. All are welcome; we hope to see you soon.

The Retreat House has several trained spiritual directors who are available to help. Learn more in our Spiritual Guidance brochure.

See our calendar for programs and special events. For more information, call (410) 364-7069, click the buttons below or contact Francie Thayer.
Pastoral Concerns

We pray for continued healing and comfort for the following people and their families:

Please keep Lisa Webb in your prayers as she undergoes surgery this week.

Continued Prayers for Bishop San's sisters - Padmini (Paddy) Marray and Sandra Marray, both battling breast cancer. Bryan Glancey, Vicar, St. Andrew's, Hurlock. Rev. Kevin Cross, Rector, Church of the Holy Trinity, Oxford. The Rev. Pete Stanton. Larry Samuels, spouse of Deacon Candidate, Peggy Samuels. Art Leiby. Becky Richardson. Weasie Kamihachi. Erica Favreau & baby Abel.

Submit prayer requests to: joanne@dioceseofeaston.org. Names are listed for four weeks unless otherwise specified. 
Diocesan Prayer Calendar

Second Sunday of Advent (December 6th) We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at St. Luke’s, Queenstown and Old Wye Church, and for the Very Rev. Charlie Osberger and his wife, Frieda.

Third Sunday of Advent
(December 13th)
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at St. Andrew’s Mission,
Hurlock, and for the of Rev. Bryan Glancey and his wife, Babs. We pray for
their Food Ministry and those who receive its offerings.

Fourth Sunday of Advent
(December 20th)
We give thanks for the witness of God’s people at All Faith Chapel, Tunis
Mills, and for their Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Canon Patrick Collins, and
his wife, Loretta.

For additional weeks, please visit our website.
Communication from the
Office of the Presiding Bishop
Ecumenical partners offer Advent message
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry and the leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have joined together to offer an Advent message.
Love is the Way: Hope for Ourselves and Others – Bishop Michael B. Curry with Dave Asprey “We were made by love, to love and to be loved, and we are at our best when we live in love,” says Bishop Michael B. Curry.
In this special Thanksgiving episode of Bulletproof Radio, I wanted to bring things back to center with a focus on love and community after the wild year of change and stress we’ve had. Giving and receiving love is one of the most important ways we can be better humans.
Fourth season of ‘The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry’ podcast continues - Worshipping in the Black Church Tradition with the Very Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas Season 4, Episode 3 of The Episcopal Church’s podcast The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, is now available. In this episode, Bishop Curry talks with the Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary. This audio comes from the 2020 International Black Clergy Conference, presented by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Black Ministries.
Beyond the Diocese
Episcopal Relief & Development Launches New Online Prayer
On November 30, Episcopal Relief & Development launched a new online prayer experience. It is designed to provide a curated list of prayers to guide supporters in praying for significant seasons in The Episcopal Church, disasters and other events.
“The staff and partners of Episcopal Relief & Development first turn to prayer when a disaster strikes, and our online community responds with compassion and joins us when we post our prayers to social media,” said Sean McConnell, Senior Director, Engagement, Episcopal Relief & Development. “This tool offers a new way for our friends around the world to join us in a community of common prayers.”
Content will come from The Book of Common Prayer, and other sources such as the organization’s Anglican partners, ecumenical friends, Seminary Ministry Partners, staff members, theologians and spiritual leaders. Read more here.
Online Advent calendar offers a glimpse into the lives of Holy Land Christians
There’s no better place to watch and wait for the birth of Jesus than the Holy Land.
Beginning on December 1 the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) will launch a Holy Land Advent calendar to offer a daily glimpse into the lives of Holy Land Christians and the humanitarian ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Start each day of Advent with a splash of joy by opening a door to a photo or a brief video and news from one of the Episcopal ministries in the region. Read more here.
Teaching and Preaching: Churches Revisioning Unity in Christ through the Holidays Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC), an ecumenical multi-lateral dialogue among ten Protestant faith communions in the USA announces the release of new, ecumenical resources for local congregations to utilize during the upcoming holiday season. Read more here.
Looking Ahead: 80th General Convention Set for July 7-14, 2022 in Baltimore
A letter to Episcopalians from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings.
Save the Date SUMMA Theological Debate Summer Camp, July 20–28, 2021
The SUMMA Theological Debate Summer Camp brings together high school students from across the country to one of the largest and most beautiful college campuses anywhere – the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. By exploring life’s biggest questions through theological debate, we broaden students’ understanding of Christianity and its enduring power to speak the truth in love.
SUMMA Camp will be held July 20–28, 2021 at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
CEEP Network Announces 2021 Digital Conference; Archbishop of Canterbury, Presiding Bishop among keynote speakers
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry will be among the keynote speakers at the 36th annual conference of The CEEP Network, meeting digitally for the first time in 2021, according to Joe Swimmer, executive director.
Other keynote speakers at the March 3-5, 2021 conference will include Dr. Catherine Meeks, executive director, Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing (Atlanta); Darren Walker, president, Ford Foundation (New York); and the Rev. Sam Wells, vicar, St. Martin-in-the Fields (London).
“The CEEP Network is honored to present the most influential thought leaders in the church today to share their wisdom and insights on the future of the church in the context of the dramatic social and economic changes taking place in our country and around the world today,” said Swimmer. Read more here.
Episcopal Relief & Development kicks off year-end match challenge to benefit global development programs
Episcopal Relief & Development launched the organization’s annual Year-End Match Challenge on Nov. 5. Thanks to a generous group of donors, all donations to the agency between now and Dec. 31 will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $765,000.
“As Episcopal Relief & Development has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, we have remained fully committed to our ongoing development efforts,” said Robert W. Radtke, President & CEO, Episcopal Relief & Development. “This matching opportunity comes at a moment when it is deeply needed and I am immensely grateful to the generous donors who have offered it.”
The Year-End Match Challenge will benefit the organization’s Global Needs Fund, strengthening key programs in three priority areas: women, children and climate. Donations will enable work around the world with local partners, helping communities overcome poverty, hunger, disaster and disease. Matched gifts will also help as Episcopal Relief & Development continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with financial and technical support in the United States and around the world. Read more here.
‘Tell Me Something Good,’ a new web series from The Episcopal Church
Tell Me Something Good, a new web series from The Episcopal Church, highlights positive stories from around the church through conversations with a variety of guests. New episodes of Tell Me Something Good will be released every two weeks. Each episode is available for viewing on The Episcopal Church website here, on Facebook here, and on Instagram TV, @theepiscopalchurch.
Hosted by Jerusalem Greer, Episcopal Church staff officer for evangelism and the Rev. Marcus Halley, dean of formation of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Tell Me Something Good seeks, names and celebrates Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of people from all over the church, and invites everyone to MORE! Read more here.
Showing Up for Each Other: Conversations with Episcopal Missionaries
The Episcopal Church Global Partnerships Office presents a new webinar series, Showing Up for Each Other: Conversations with Episcopal Missionaries, this November and December. Members of the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) and Episcopal Volunteers in Mission (EVIM) will share stories and lessons they have learned through walking alongside partners across the worldwide Anglican Communion. Read more here.
Preparing to Become the Beloved Community 
curriculum revised for Advent 2020
New and updated Advent and Christmas resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith are available, with additional resources coming soon. Available now: Preparing to Become the Beloved Community Advent curriculum; Way of Love Digital Invitation Kit; updated Journeying the Way of Love Advent calendar and curriculum; AdventWord 2020; Episcopal Migration Ministries Refugee Prayer Vigil. And be sure to sign up for daily Advent and Christmas emails. Find Advent and Christmas resources from The Episcopal Church here. Read more here.
Sow Seeds of Resilience this Advent with Episcopal Relief & Development's Gifts for Life Catalog
This holiday season, Episcopal Relief & Development invites supporters and congregations to sow seeds of resilience in communities around the world by giving a gift from Gifts for Life, the organization’s alternative gift catalog. 
Gifts for Life enables individuals and groups to transform lives in communities worldwide through the purchase of a wide range of gift offerings to support those communities. The 2020 catalog features new offerings such as the ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE package, which supports the organization’s campaign to expand its work with communities and families to help children up to age six so they can thrive and achieve their full potential. Read more here.

Episcopal Relief & Development Celebrates One Year of the ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE Campaign by Debuting New Digital Resources
Episcopal Relief & Development celebrates one year of ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE by debuting new digital Advent and worship resources, as well as other toolkits for churches and supporters to use together or individually. ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE is a three year, $3 million grassroots Church-wide fundraising campaign dedicated to expanding the organization’s global programs improving the lives of children up to age six. Read more here.
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
There is still time to apply for 2021 Roanridge Trust grants for leadership development in small towns and rural communities 
There is still time to apply for the 2021 Roanridge Trust Grant Awards. Dioceses, congregations and Episcopal Church related organizations and institutions are invited to apply. Applications due December 18, 2020 Read more here.