Welcome to the July edition of the Becoming Beloved Community (BBC) newsletter.
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“It cannot be denied that too often the weight of the Christian movement has been on the side of the strong and the powerful and against the weak and oppressed—this, despite the gospel.”
― Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited
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What is Becoming Beloved Community at Holy Comforter?
As we reel from the effects of multiple viruses—systemic racism, COVID 19, and environmental devastation—we look to our Church and its understanding of Jesus’ call to us. At Holy Comforter, we seek to build and become a Beloved Community, respecting all people as “made in the image of God.” In alignment with the National Episcopal Church, Holy Comforter’s Becoming Beloved Community ministry is our multi-generational commitment and journey to growing a community of reconcilers, justice makers, and healers. Questions about Becoming Beloved Community? Contact us at: BBC@holycomforter.com.
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BBC Calendar:
July 18: Book and Movie Club - Maus I; 7 p.m.; Zoom
August 5: Blood Drive - 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Ministry Center
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Book and Movie Club
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History
(a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman)
Monday, July 18; 7 p.m.; Zoom
Maus I is a nonfiction book presented in the graphic novel style, written by American cartoonist Art Spiegelman. It depicts Spiegelman interviewing his father about his experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor.
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Upcoming Blood Drive
Friday, August 5; Ministry Center
Appointments Available 10 a..m.–4 p.m. Register to donate blood HERE or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Would you like to welcome donors? Volunteer HERE!
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In January of 2021, following the attack on the Capitol, Executive Council passed resolution MW 036: White Supremacy and Deradicalization acknowledging and repenting the Church’s sins of the past in being complicit and upholding white supremacist ideologies and systems. As part of the Church’s journey promoting the creation of a Beloved Community and confronting the abomination and sin of racism that continues to plague our society and our Church at great cost to human life and human dignity, Executive Council resolved that our Church could play a role in deradicalization and help possible violent extremists to reject their ideology and reintegrate into their communities. The violent and racist ideologies that are prevalent in Christian Nationalist and White Power communities are irreconcilable with the loving ways of Christ.
The Office of Government Relations, along with our colleagues in the Church, conducted an online survey in 2021 that was widely disseminated throughout the Episcopal Church focusing on radicalism, extremism, and deradicalization opportunities. Approximately 95% of more than 1,500 survey respondents expressed at least some concern about White Power movements and/or Christian Nationalism in our nation and our Church, with over 70% expressing a great deal of concern.
This EPPN Series will provide more information about radicalization and deradicalization, offering updates on legislation and other initiatives intended to address this problem. We invite Episcopalians to consider how they can take on ministries that prevent people from joining extremist groups, offer an alternative for those who have already joined, as well as challenging and disrupting the beliefs of those who cling to wicked ideologies, and expanding the possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness to our fellow siblings in Christ.
Installments in this series will be sent out weekly via the EPPN email list (sign up HERE) and posted on EPPN social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @TheEPPN.
Click HERE to read the entire post including a glossary of important terms related to deradicalization.
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What to the Slave
Is the Fourth of July?
“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” is a famous speech delivered by abolitionist Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852. The speech was given in Rochester, NY at an event organized by the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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Putting Our Faith
Into Action!
Are you interested in exploring what it means to put our faith into action, work to repair racial injustice, alleviate poverty, fight for our marginalized brothers and sisters, protect our democracy, and offer a more substantive discussion on the intersection of religion and politics? If so, you may be interested in this free weekly newsletter. Peruse the article archive. Learn about the newsletter’s purpose and author, Jim Wallis.
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Check Out the BBC Book Collection in the Holy Comforter Library!
Including these and other titles for children, youth/young adult, fiction, non-fiction:
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Youth/Young Adult:
A Caldecott Honor and Reading Rainbow book, this memorable retelling of Cinderella introduces children to the history, culture, and geography of Zimbabwe. Inspired by a traditional African folktale, this is the story of Mufaro, who is proud of his two beautiful daughters. Nyasha is kind and considerate, but everyone—except Mufaro—knows that Manyara is selfish and bad-tempered. When the Great King decides to take a wife and invites the most worthy and beautiful daughters in the land to appear before him, Mufaro brings both of his daughters—but only one can be queen. Who will the king choose?
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Non-Fiction:
The Reverend Canon Stephanie Spellers, Bishop Curry’s Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation, authored this practical theological guide for congregations that want to move beyond mere inclusivity toward becoming a place where welcoming “the other” is taken seriously and engaging God’s mission becomes more than just a catchphrase. Each chapter introduces specific congregations and their challenges and lays out the theological underpinnings of tackling fears head-on and embracing change as a welcome part of community life.
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Non-Fiction:
Through the unique lens of "Indigenized environmental justice," Indigenous researcher and activist Dina Gilio-Whitaker explores the fraught history of treaty violations, struggles for food and water security, and protection of sacred sites, while highlighting the important leadership of Indigenous women in this centuries-long struggle. As Long As Grass Grows gives readers an accessible history of Indigenous resistance to government and corporate incursions on their lands and offers new approaches to environmental justice activism and policy.
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Sacred Ground
Sacred Ground is a nine-session multi-media program, grounded in Christian faith, exploring racial injustice in the U.S. in the example of Jesus Christ and the power of scripture. To date, over 50 people have completed Sacred Ground at Holy Comforter. The program has been offered Monday nights from 7 to 8:30, between September and January. If you are interested in attending over the next program year, please contact the Rev. Ann Gillespie.
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