Celebrating A Wonderful Way To Be A Catholic | | |
Emmaus ECC Newsletter
January 2, 2026
| | |
Epiphany Sunday
Fill Us with Radiant Love!
| | |
Preparing for Mass over Zoom: If attending by Zoom create a sacred space for yourself and your family. It is helpful to light a candle and put down a small cloth where you will place your bit of bread and wine. Download and print the worship aids. We gather at 10:00 am and mass begins at 10:30 am. Request Zoom link HERE.
Come to Church: All are welcome! When you ask people how they found us, the answer is often that they heard about us from a friend. Be that friend. Invite them to come with you to mass in our Sacred Space. We encourage you to come in person if you can. Advent is the best time to bring newcomers to church. We can all begin the new year together!
Have you started writing 2026? May this new year bring increased hope, joy, peace, and love into all our lives. Enter the year with courage knowing Christ Emmanuel goes with us.
Remember, it is Christmas all the way to Epiphany! Next, enjoy the season of epiphanies that will take us to the season of Lent. It will be Ash Wednesday before we know it as it is coming early this year -- February 18th.
Modern Mystics Book Group. Our next discussion is this Sunday, January 4th, at 1:45 pm by Zoom. We will be discussing chapter seven of the book, Tears of Things by Richard Rohr. Contact Deacon Connie or Bishop Kedda if you want to join the group.
Diocesan meeting: January 14th at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in attending our open meetings, let Bishop Kedda know.
Food Bank: Our support is crucial! Please bring canned goods and other non-perishables to church with you on Sunday and put them in our food bank bag. To donate to the Thurston County Food Bank, go HERE. Your generosity means families in our community will have the resources they need, even as our food bank lines continue to grow. They write: "On behalf of the Thurston County Food Bank, as we welcome a new year, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary support we continue to receive from this community. Your kindness has made it possible for us to carry forward our mission to eliminate hunger in the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. As we reflect on the past year, we have seen visits to our pantries and satellite locations increase by nearly 30%. This growing need, combined with reductions in federal food assistance programs, has placed significant strain on our resources. Yet once again, our community answered the call."
Synaxis: During this difficult time in our country Bishop Kedda recommends prayer time based on the readings of the day. One opportunity is Synaxis that takes place every day at 3:00 pm Pacific time and is sponsored by the Franciscans of Reconciliation. Use link HERE. Come join us for prayer.
Dispute Resolution Center: Online Training on January 27th. "Impactful Conversations -- Giving and Receiving Feedback." 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Go HERE to find out more. Cost is $75.
Old Catholic Theology Summer School in Utrecht: July 5-10; 12-17, 2026. Plan ahead! See the information HERE.
-------------------
Websites to visit often: Bookmark our community website HERE and also our diocesan website HERE.
Follow Interfaith Works on Facebook HERE.
Facebook Page: Stay in touch! Visit our Emmaus ECC Facebook page for news during the week HERE. Visit the PNW Diocesan page HERE.
Bishop Kedda's blog: You can check it out HERE. Right now, she has started a series of reflections on her book All Creation Waits. Much has happened as the years have gone by -- how much of what she wrote is still relevant today.
If you have suggestions for how our community of Emmaus could be reaching out into our neighborhood to make a difference, contact Deacon Connie and share your ideas.
| | |
Look!
Look up,
O Jerusalem!
The world is coming,
running to walk in your light.
We are the sparkling and dull,
the border agents and
the undocumented,
the kings and
the
drifters,
Lord, please
shine your light upon us all.
Let your star chase away our darkness
and fill us with your radiant love.
Make us into epiphanies
overflowing with
wonderful
care for
each
other.
The Sunday Website at St. Louis University
___________________________________________________________
| | |
Epiphany Sunday
Here come all the nations
As we complete our celebration of Christmas, we begin a season of Epiphanies from this Sunday through Ash Wednesday. Christmas itself is an Epiphany. Epiphany is the revelation of God, and the revelation of what God is up to in our world. We are meant to find ourselves going, “ah-hah!” to some new understanding about God, or about the ways of God. This Sunday’s Gospel is another Christmas story, but Matthew’s story is darker and more disturbing. It is important to recognize that Matthew and Luke tell two very different stories about the birth of Jesus. We need to resist trying to push them together, even as our nativity scenes do exactly that.
While in Luke’s Gospel the ones to first visit Jesus are Shepherds who heard the good news directly from angels, in Matthew’s Gospel the astrologers, or magi, are scholars who have been studying the stars, and seeing a new star have interpreted this to mean that a new king has been born. They have also determined that this new king is the king of the Jews. Naturally they go to Jerusalem, for Jerusalem is the political, cultural, and religious center, and the traditional home of the king. But Jesus is not there. Instead, they find him in a house in Bethlehem, the place where David grew up before he was king, when he was only a shepherd.
Western tradition has given us details about the magi that are not found in scripture. Tradition says there were three, some traditions say they were kings. They were given names, Melchior from Babylon, Caspar from Persia, and Balthazar from Arabia. Tradition settled on the three since there were three gifts. But remember, none of this is in Matthew’s Gospel. What we know is that they were Gentiles.
When they get to Jerusalem, Herod pretends to be helpful, and pretends to be a faithful Jew, but all the while he plans to destroy this newborn king. Notice that he believes what the chief priests and religious scholars tell him – that the Messiah, the ruler who is to shepherd Israel is to be born in Bethlehem. He wants nothing to do with a Messiah that could dethrone him. Rulers can easily pretend to be whatever they think you want them to be, if it serves their purpose. Herod sees this child as an enemy and ends up killing all the boys two years old and younger. He sees this as a pre-emptive strike against his enemy.
For Matthew, the birth of Jesus is political. Jesus is a rival king who comes to overturn the unjust systems of the world. The coming of the magi from distant lands to find him gives Jesus political legitimacy. Matthew begins his Gospel by establishing Jesus as this rival king. This is one aspect of the Gospel, but there is more. Matthew also sees Jesus as the new Moses who will complete the history of the nation of Israel. Therefore, he tells about the flight to Egypt and the return from Egypt. It is also why he tells of the killing of the baby boys. Moses survived when Pharaoh started killing baby boys, and Jesus survived when Herod started killing baby boys.
The magi, or astrologers, represent our best human efforts to seek the light. They also represent all the nations of the world. From the beginning, Matthew lets us know that God has come into our world for everyone, and that there are many pathways to the light of Christ, not just the Jewish way, and I dare to say, not just the Christian way. Matthew also shows us that Jesus is a different kind of king and not found where they expected him to be. He was found with the poor and vulnerable.
Epiphany is about God showing us what God is like, and challenges us to open our eyes and recognize the many ways that God is present in Creation. People can come to God through nature, science, and philosophy, in novels, movies, and people, in stories of compassion, caring, and forgiveness. Churches do not have control over God, or over the light of Christ.
Soon we will gather around the table of Christ, and remember that we are the Body of Christ. As the Body of Christ, we, too, may be called on to challenge the powers that be regarding unjust systems. Christians are often told not to be political, but Matthew’s Gospel tells a different story.
Mother Kedda
_______________________________________________________
| | | |
Christian, Jew, Muslim, shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the mystery, unique and not to be judged.
~Jalal ad-Din Rumi~
_____________________________________________________
| | |
On Being a Different Kind of Catholic Church
I received this message from Bishop Tomasz Jordan Puchalski of the Reformed Catholic Church in Poland. I ask you to take time to read it. We all need to know our faith tradition. As you are aware, we are in full communion with the Reformed Catholic Church in Poland, and we too are rooted in the Old Catholic faith tradition:
My dearest sister,
I wrote a reflection on today’s sad commemoration. Maybe you can share your thoughts about this:
On July 18, 1870, during the First Vatican Council, two dogmas were proclaimed: the dogma of papal infallibility and the dogma of the pope’s universal jurisdiction. This decision, expressed in the constitution Pastor aeternus, declared the Bishop of Rome infallible ex sese, non autem ex consensu Ecclesiae – by his own authority, not by the consent of the whole Church. For many, this marked a turning point, dividing the path of the ancient, undivided Catholic Church from the newly emerging vision of the Catholic Church under the leadership of the “new papacy.” For this reason, this date is also particularly significant for our Old Catholic community of the Reformed Catholic Church in Poland.
Although our Church is not formally a member of the Union of Utrecht, it fully embraces the Declaration of Utrecht from September 24, 1889, which states:
“We hold fast to the faith of the ancient Church, as expressed by St. Vincent of Lérins: We hold that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all; for that is truly and properly Catholic.” This principle forms the foundation of our position regarding the papacy.
Read the whole message HERE.
____________________________________________________________
| | |
Interfaith Works Homeless Services: Donation drop offs can be taken to our admin office 110 11th Ave SE 10am-4pm, Mon-Thurs
Thanks so much!
________________________________________________________________
| |
The Emmaus ECC Statement Against Racism
Our faith calls us to racial justice. We recognize that our faith demands that we transform our beliefs, values, systems, and commitment to racial equity. Scripture has given us the way for such healing to occur, and the responsibility to pursue it.
Our faith calls us to lives of charity, advocacy, and action on behalf of marginalized people. In the Pacific Northwest, we are especially committed to justice for Indigenous, Latina and Latino, African American, and Asian communities, whose oppressive histories and realities are well-documented.
We value the voices of people of color in this calling and in these efforts. We believe all people are loved equally by God our creator. We commit to partnering with ecumenical, interfaith, and civic initiatives to pursue racial justice in our local communities. We will seek solidarity with broader initiatives but will not wait on them in order to act. “The time is always right to do what is right” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King).
| | |
ECC Statement on Race:
Our nation is in desperate need of racial healing and transformation. The healing process cannot begin until the truth of our country's past and present sins are confronted. As people of Christian faith, we acknowledge and renounce both past and present dehumanizing, oppressive, abusive, enslaving, violent and lethal actions and inactions against African American communities. We proclaim that it is time for metanoia – turning away from evil and turning toward God's liberating love.
As members of the ECC, we believe in the power of communication to heal and that the search for truth can lead to justice. As such, we pray that our country will begin a process of truth-seeking that will lead to long-term reconciliation. We in the ECC pledge to begin a deliberate and transparent truth-telling process within our own faith communities.
Jesus, the heart of our faith, lived and died for love. He showed no partiality. God's community is diverse and totally integrated. We pray for God's guidance and mercy as we work to attain racial justice and build the beloved community, walking together the path paved with truth, love, equity, and justice. In the prophetic tradition, we boldly proclaim, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." (Amos 5:24)
____________________________________________________________
| | |
Good
Shepherd
Ministry
Contact Fr. David Gerardot HERE.
Phone: 360-789-5149
For a description of Good Shepherd Ministry go HERE.
For the news and information on Good Shepherd Ministry go HERE.
| | |
Joe's Environmental Tip
Get to know the poor and suffering; it will wake up a numbed conscience and inspire real action.
| | |
Elevator speech: An Ecumenical Catholic is someone who wants to engage deeply with the example of the early Church, when congregations were small, inclusive, participatory, and centered on Christ’s message of love, collaboration, and service. Ecumenical Catholics believe that God is present in all things, and that to know and care for all the people, the earth, and all the living things around us is how God wants us to serve Them. (Submitted by Beverly Marshall-Saling).
ECC YouTube Channel: Go HERE for videos of the 2022 ECC Synod. You can also catch the "Parade of Parishes" which shows off what various ECC communities are doing to be churches in action. It is awesome to see other ECC communities around the country.
ECC Ecclesiology: HERE.
____________________________________________________________
| | |
ECC Diocese of the Pacific Northwest
Vision Statement
Ecumenical Catholics of the Pacific Northwest
Restoring relationships of justice, peace, and love
with God, with one another, and with all of Creation
by living out our baptismal ministry as the Body of Christ.
Mission Statement
We are the Ecumenical Catholic Church of the Pacific Northwest embracing a network of sacramental communities in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. As authentic Catholics we celebrate our continuity with the undivided Church of the first millennium and believe that salvation is offered to all. Our unity is built on scripture and the Nicene Creed, and Eucharist is the visible sign of that unity. We are in communion with the association of Churches known as the Ecumenical Catholic Communion and function within the generous parameters of the ECC Constitution.
We Believe
We are the People of God, baptized in Christ – bishop, priests, deacons, and laity – who believe that all people are unique and sacred. We believe that all people possess valuable gifts and talents to be shared. Participation of all the baptized in the work of the Church is essential to our call as the Body of Christ serving in this region. Therefore, we are a synodal Church.
We Offer
The ECC Diocese of the Pacific Northwest offers a joyful way of being Catholic focused on love, not guilt. We welcome all people and offer unity with diversity. We commit ourselves to dialogue and cooperation with others. We believe we have a responsibility to be open to ecumenical dialogue with all the baptized, and we support interfaith cooperation and understanding.
We do
We join together as Church to follow the messianic call of the Holy Spirit to form sacramental communities, to preach the good news of salvation and liberation to all, to offer a refuge in Christ for those who suffer prejudice, and to conform our lives to the example and teachings of Christ Jesus. The setting in which we live fosters an awe of God’s majestic creation, and respect for the land, water, and mountains, as well as the diverse animal life, and all the people who lived on this sacred ground before us.
Distinctions
We are the people of God who seek to dive deeper into the Catholic faith handed down to us by our ancestors from the teachings of the early Church. We believe that anyone who is gifted and called by God, qualified for ordination, and is called by a community, may present themselves for ordination. We believe that marriage is a partnership for the whole of life, and if two adults intend to commit themselves to such a union, they may celebrate a sacramental marriage. We believe that persons have the right to follow their sincere and informed consciences in moral decision making. We recognize that only the Holy Spirit possesses infallibility. No human or institution can claim this.
The Diocesan Constitution may be read HERE. See Website HERE.
| | |
Contemplative Prayer/Scripture study: noon on Thursdays at St. John Episcopal Church. Contact Fr. David for more information.
Sundays we gather at 10:00 and mass begins at 10:30. All are welcome to join us! You are also able to join us by Zoom. Email Bishop Kedda for a link.
Thursday study group: 6:30 pm by Zoom with Oregon Episcopalians.
Synaxis: Every day at 3:00 pm. Sponsored by Franciscans of Reconciliation. Use link HERE. Come join us for prayer.
Modern Mystics Book Group: January 4th at 1:45 pm by Zoom.
Epiphany: January 4th.
Diocesan meeting: January 14th at 6:30 pm
Ash Wednesday: February 18th
Get to Know a Muslim: First Fridays of every month. Open invitation to join them 1:00 to 3:00 pm. For more information read their flyer HERE.
Enter into Friday Stillness: Fridays. Contact Rev. Kathleen Bellefleuille-Rice for more information.
| | Emmaus ECC | Member of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion | www.emmaus-ecc.org | |
NOTICE
The Sacraments of Marriage, Reconciliation and Anointing, are available upon request. Contact us about Funerals and grave side services. Preparation is required for Baptisms -- for parents when children to be baptized are below age seven; for those over age seven, our community supports the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Our priests are also happy to meet with you individually, and confidentially, to discuss any spiritual or pastoral concerns you may have.
Bishop of the ECC Pacific Northwest Diocese
We Support Marriage Equality
| | | | |
