From Rachel -
Ida was a fierce enough storm that perhaps everyone has a story about it. I was thankful that we did not lose power, and we are high enough up to not have to worry about flooding. There are many trees around us, however, and they are my normal worry. This time, there was a large branch over the shared driveway.
We could get around it, but I knew we would need to clear it. I don’t have a chainsaw (that would be a scary sight to behold). I have a saw and clippers and, most importantly, a neighbor who loves to do this kind of work. I decided to ask for help.
Asking for help is not something that most of us do easily. Or is it just me? It’s SEEMS so much easier to do it on our own. I want to do it my way on my time; I don’t want to have to consider other people’s opinions – they slow me down. Besides, asking for help makes me vulnerable in a way that is not always comfortable.
Is this same tendency true of parish life, also? We want to act as solo parishes. Most of the parishes I know collaborate with local non-profits (“I’ll help you; here are volunteers or money” – so not really admitting need); and maybe even with other clergy and congregations (shared Thanksgiving worship has been a strong tradition).
Going across a bridge (or two or three) to collaborate with another Episcopal parish, asking for help from another parish (“How do you do Sunday School when there are not many children around consistently?”) – that’s a tougher call.
|
|
And yet: that is slowly happening, I believe, as the world around us cracks open and calls us as faithful Christians to live as people of grace and healing. The call to resettle Afghani Refugees is gathering folks from Stonington, Mystic, New London, and maybe Gales Ferry and Norwich; the call to work against racism is gathering folks from Old Lyme, Madison, and Essex. There is even a vague idea that parishes without clergy could collaborate on weekly worship if we’re doomed to Zoom in a red zone.
Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is one of the most encouraging pieces of scripture there is. It begins “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1: 3-5). A useful fact to know and tell: Paul uses the preposition “Syn” meaning “together,” more than in any other in his writing. (Here’s a link to a fun .pdf I found.)
He knew: partnership with others, sharing in the gospel, is the pathway to joy.
My neighbor was thrilled that I texted her. She came and in no time, we had a great conversation and cleared the branch. She loves to use a saw; I let her do it 😊
Ask for help; find joy. It’s a good deal.
Rachel
|
|
There’s still time to sign up for Stories along the Way of Love with the three Region Missionaries. The first meeting is Tuesday, September 14 at noon. More information & tickets at
|
|
|
Southeast Region Convocation on October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. over Zoom
We are being transformed into the image of the Lord from one degree of glory to another."
II Corinthians 3:18
Embracing Transformation. We can lose sight of these words of hope amidst all the changes and chances of life today. To be sure, there is a difference between changing for the sake of changing and seeing our changes as a part of God's evolving mission and life in this world.
Come listen to and have an opportunity to share stories of how God's Spirit has worked in us in the midst of change to transform us in a life-giving way.
Three members of the SE Region Leadership Team will share their stories of change leading to transformation. Whether they were changes that were sought, or changes that were not wanted, they became places of hope and new life.
You'll be invited to share your stories of change and transformation with another person. And then we will consider together:
· What helps us see and claim the presence of God, leading us into more than we can ask or imagine?
· What changes is God inviting us to make in our lives, in our parishes, in our Region, so that we might be transformed into the fullness of the risen Lord?
Come explore with us as we seek, amidst all the changes and chances of this life, to rest in God's changelessness. Yes, REST!
Register here:
|
|
Listen to What the Spirit is Saying to God’s People
The Rev. Ellen Adams Deacon serves at St. James, New London where she works on the New London Pollinator Pathway.
Listen to What the Spirit is Saying to God’s People. Although we often hear this phrase after the readings on Sunday morning, it is an admonishment we are supposed to practice 24/7. I recently heard the Spirit speaking to me through an NPR episode of Disrupted entitled, “How Trees Are Key to New England’s Environmental Future” (here’s the link: https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted/2021-08-11/how-trees-are-key-to-new-englands-environmental-future).I shared this with friends from the Creation Care Network and friends that I knew cared for tree preservation. We agreed that God was calling ECCT to act on this call and so we met for the first time on September 1.
Why are trees important?
· Trees offer us shade and cooler temperatures. Temperatures are 19% higher in Hartford than in the surrounding towns that has more trees.
· Trees absorb CO2 and store carbon.
· Trees improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals.
· They also prevent erosion: Their root systems reduce storm water runoff.
· Trees increase the well-being of the people who see them.
Why do we need to do something about trees?
Twenty-four thousand acres of forest are lost every year in New England. Deforestation that replaces trees with buildings or parking lots is the biggest problem. Logging timber is the second largest cause. This is exacerbated by our throw away society, relacing rather than reusing or recycling. Natural disturbances such as hurricanes, ice storms and insect and disease are the third leading cause of why our forests are being destroyed.
New Haven has a program that plants about 425 trees a year. Unfortunately, the same numbers of trees are cut down or die each year, and, unfortunately, the older trees have more to offer than younger trees do.
The NPR program offered a lot of solutions that we feel parishes and individuals can do. These ideas go from leaving your tree-populated area to a local land trust to looking at your church property to see if there is room for more trees. Understand that you need to commit to caring for trees over their life span and that you need to choose the right tree for the right location. We hope to help you with whatever you decide to do.
|
|
Transition is
Four parishes in the Southeast Region are currently going through a transition in clergy leadership: Holy Advent, Clinton; St. James', New London; St. James', Preston; Grace, Yantic. But really, aren't all of us, as followers of Jesus, always going through transition? Even transformation?!
The Rev. Erin Flinn of St. Stephen’s, East Haddam, wrote the following in their weekly e-news earlier this summer. She was kind enough to allow us to share it here, as a great description of how embracing Transition as the New Normal is opening up new ways for us to be ministering communities.
Dear Friends in Christ,
I want to thank you all for your leadership last weekend in continuing to lead and gather for Morning Prayer in my absence. The shift to one lay-led service a month is something that is new this year, and perhaps for the first time you are starting to notice its occurrence. The hope of lay-led worship is twofold. First, it is an opportunity for our tremendously talented lay leaders and preachers to lift their voices to God in a leadership role. Second, it empowers our community. It is always a gift for me to go back and listen to our lay preachers and to learn from the Holy Spirit through their inspired words. You are the church!
Second, one lay-led Sunday a month allows me as priest and pastor to give you approximately five hours of my time one week a month to be present in the community in new ways, to try on new forms of worship, and occasionally to catch up on some of necessary business of running a church organization – though I try to focus my time on creative and pastoral needs.
For example, last Wednesday (7/14) my time was used in part to gather our Prayer Team for an evening prayer circle and healing service. Together we crafted a service that revolved around light and its healing properties. We reflected on Matthew 4:12-25 and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy that “on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” We shared a meditation; and we prayed for our community and ourselves recognizing that offering consistent prayer and healing to others is exhausting work and we must replenish ourselves in the light and Word of Christ. And then... we danced and rocked out to Godspell... we danced like God was watching, we laughed, and a part of our hearts were healed. If you are interested in learning more about the prayer and healing ministry in our community, please connect with Rev. Erin.
In addition to an incredible prayer service, last Thursday I met with our Vestry’s ministry/worship committee to plan our services for the year. What a gift to sit with such faithful and creative people! Some ideas that were floated were a homecoming celebration in early fall; an intergenerational Christmas pageant followed by a birthday party for Jesus; a candlelit Labyrinth walk for Epiphany; a Breakfast Church Service in Eastertide (think dinner church with eggs and bacon at 10 AM!); bible study opportunities; collaborations with our neighboring community; hybrid worship; and so much more! Stay tuned to see what comes to light! If you have an idea for a themed worship or gathering, let Rev. Erin know. Now is the time to dream and listen for the creative voice of the Spirit.
All told, I certainly missed being with you all on Sunday, and I am grateful for the space and energy to try on new ways of being and listening; and the extra time to meet with folks one-to-one to deepen relationship.
We are living into a time of transformation and I for one am very excited and hopeful. God is alive and always good!
Rev. Erin
|
|
Speaking of transitions:
A huge THANK YOU – and farewell to this helper
Beverly Olsen has been an editor and helper on the SE Region BRIDGE from its first issue in until now. She has written articles, edited articles, interviewed people, crafted prayers and helped to imagine stories. If you have enjoyed reading the monthly enews, please take a moment to offer a prayer of Thanksgiving for her – even send her a note – as she moves on to other things. After all, she is also the Senior Warden in St. Mark’s Mystic, and that keeps her a little busy!
If YOU would like to help, Eileen Perron – who is a wonderful helper in developing ideas and finalizing publication and who is fortunately staying on (YEA, EILEEN) – and I would love to hear from you! Send us your ideas for stories that help us share our faith in Jesus; and foster collaboration in engaging with God’s Spirit in this world.
|
|
Bishop's Transition Committee
SE Region Listening Session!
|
|
The Discernment Subcommittee is holding this Listening Session for those in the Southeast Region, via Zoom. This session is designed to encourage us to share from our own unique context and experiences. We will gather together to pray, share, and discern together our current strengths and areas of growth as ECCT, as well as where we sense God inviting us next. This holy conversation will aid and inform the Discernment and Profile Subcommittees as they develop our Bishop Profile. Register for this listening session, on Tuesday, 21 September, HERE. More information about the Bishop Search and Transition can be found on their webpage.
|
|
Upcoming opportunities for partnerships: Learn, Go, Bless |
|
Resettling Refugees from Afghanistan:
Start Fresh is working to settle at least two new families. They hope to raise up to $10,000 per family. They have reserves to get two families started. A big need is finding a rent for under $1,200/month for a family of three. In addition to financial support, they will need all kinds of help, from transportation to tutors to those who can find jobs and help children get settled in school.
Writes Hilda Zeigler, member of St. James' New London who helped with the earlier resettlement of four families, "0ur hope is to engender a real sense of community in welcoming & offering radical hospitality to our neighbors arriving from across the Atlantic and together embodying 'The Way of Love.'
|
|
Come together for a day of stories and songs with the Nehantic Native Nation and the Elnu Abenaki Tribe.
This one-day, outdoor event is planned for Saturday, September 25, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the Connecticut River Museum waterfront lawn, 67 Main Street, Essex.
The event is free and open to the public. There will be limited seating available. Please check ctrivermuseum.org for updates and information.
Both the Abenaki and Nehantic have inhabited New England for thousands of years. Abenaki Tribe are original Natives of Northern New England and The Nehantics moved throughout the lower Connecticut River Valley and Pawcatuck Rivers.
The day is centered on indigenous arts, traditions, stories, and language. Films, including one about the making and use of a mishoon, a dug-out canoe, will be on permanent loop throughout the day. Multiple presentations, including a talk about Native migration along the river, a time-honored Native drum group, and a traditional birch bark basketry demonstration are scheduled. The Connecticut River Museum’s reproduction dug-out canoe will be on display to event attendees.
Event collaborators: Nehantic Native Nation, Elnu Abenaki, Connecticut River Museum, The Nolumbeka Project, and Essex Historical Society. For additional details:
NOTE: If you are a member of a tribe and an Episcopalian, Rachel and a group of others seeking to form an indigenous ministry within ECCT, would love to hear from you. Please email her at rthomas@episcopalct.org
|
|
September 25: From Source to Sea – River clean up day with the Connecticut River Conservancy and others!
Local events:
Come save some trees and/or pick up litter at one of our favorite state parks. Our fall invasive plant cleanups will be held on Saturday, September 25, 9:00-12:00 noon (raindate October 2 )and at Haddam Meadows State Park. The September event will be held in conjunction with the CT River Conservancy’s (CRC) Source to Sea annual cleanup.
As required by the CT DEEP and CRC ,those attending must register ahead of time . Attendees shall remain six feet part, including family members, caretakers and household members. Masks shall be worn within six feet of those not in the same household.
There are other Source to Sea events that you can find by checking out this part of the Connecticut River Conservancy website. Folks can search by city, state, date or group name. Note that new groups sign up every day so this is an every expanding list.
|
|
What are CROP Walks? (from their website):
CROP began in 1947 (under the wing of Church World Service, which was founded in 1946). CROP Hunger Walks are interfaith hunger education and fundraising events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by CWS local offices across the U.S. 25% of the funds raised stays local, at a place designed by each walk.
|
|
Groups from across the Last Green Valley offer wonderful programs – including Grace, Yantic (October 3, 1- 2). The Norwich Historical Society offers in person walks, as well as the following virtual programs that focus on different African American residents of Norwich: Norwich’s Harris Sisters; James L Smith, From Runaway Slave to American; Ellis Walter Ruley, Norwich Artist. You can watch them here:
|
|
On October 2 at 4:30 (Raindate Sunday Oct 17 at 3pm) Saint Ann's will host
Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet, a professional dance company
comprised of artist-theologians whose goal is to create spaces where art and faith can flourish. Ekklesia's diverse repertory utilizes a full spectrum of emotional and physical vocabulary while addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and human suffering.
This performance is entitled BODY and LAND is choreographed by Elisa Schroth with music by Scott Simonelli and Antonio Vivaldi. Poet Kwamena Blanks creates poetry and dialogue around the four themes of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. This performance is free and performed on the outdoor church terrace of Saint Ann's Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme, CT
|
|
THANK YOU BEV! WE WILL MISS YOU! |
|
Fed by Word and Sacraments:
Here's a list of webpages for the parishes
of the SE Region
so that you can find current worship information
The best way to keep up to date: subscribe to each parish's newsletter, and/or visit their website for zoom connections and links to worship, learn, and act.
Parish Websites for the SE Region
|
|
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10)
|
|
Contact for Retired Clergy
The Reverend Diana Rogers
Email:
|
|
God of grace, you call all the nations of the earth to cease from strife, that all may join to fight not one another, but their common foes of want and ignorance, disease and suffering. Lead all people out of the way of death and into the way of life; away from destruction and to the building of a new world of justice and peace, liberty, and joy. Great Redeemer of all, hear our prayer, end the dark night of cruelty and fear, and bring in the dawn of mercy and reconciliation, for Jesus Christ’s sake. People: Amen.
Excerpted from:
More resources available from the enews that went out yesterday, available here.
|
|
Almighty God, Creator and Redeemer, in the midst of the noisy din of the world and these changing times:
We lift our prayers to you for your Church, especially for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and for this, its Southeast Region.
Surround us with the clear assurance of your loving presence,
That we may grow confident in our faith and trust in your will;
Guide and teach each one of us to live in your word and walk in your ways,
That we may be a light of the living Word;
Expand the space in our hearts and in our lives,
That this region may be filled with your love and mercy for all;
inspire us; send your Holy Spirit upon us to fire up enthusiasm,
Create in us willing hearts and hands to serve you.
We pray for our Missionary, Rachel Thomas, that you give her the ears to hear
and the heart to discern your will for the Region.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the Leadership Teams to aid in your mission.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the priests and deacons in each of the churches in our Region and Diocese.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for each vestry and the leadership of every church in the Region.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the Bishops and Diocesan leadership of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Hear our prayer.
Almighty God, we pray that we may proclaim your kingdom in this this Region and beyond, and become ambassadors for your dream of reconciliation and healing, the gift and calling you have given us through your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name we offer these prayers. Amen
|
|
Editorial Staff
Beverly Olsen
Eileen Perron
|
|
STAY CONNECTED WITH SE REGION |
|
|
Click here if you would like to subscribe to enews
from the SE Region (and other newsletters from ECCT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
