All around, in the eyes I see above the mask, these unprecedented times are taking their toll. Whether it be parents still working and handling remote learning from home, people trying to make ends meet due to under-employment, those who live alone starved for community, or countless other scenarios, it is certainly easy to feel hopeless. Just last week Bishop Curry spoke on NPR with other faith leaders about how we can find hope in difficult times, you can listen HERE . Now more than ever, we have to be intentional about seeking and finding hope in our daily lives.

We are not the first and will not likely be the last to live through unprecedented times. How we choose to live in and through them will determine how our world moves forward. God calls us to honor the beauty of every person we encounter. The Baptismal Covenant binds us together as we strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being. I hope in the resources shared here you will find ideas and ways to do that at home, at church, in your community, and in our world. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. so poignantly said, (in unprecedented times) "We must accept our unwanted and unfortunate circumstance and yet cling to a radiant hope. The answer lies in developing the capacity to accept the finite disappointment and yet cling to the infinite hope"

A 4 part Zoom series begins on January 26th with Ms. Aljosie Aldrich Harding presented by The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing. Click on the title link for registration information.

Pauli Murray was the first Black woman to be ordained and Episcopal Priest. Orphaned as a small child, she grew up with her grandparents in Durham. Songs in a Weary Throat: Memoir of an American Pilgrimage is Murray's Autobiography.

The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice is located in Durham, NC.

WATCH/LISTEN: God’s Gonna Trouble the Water: Freedom’s Call and Response in African American Spirituals Music and presentation about the history of African American Spirituals from the Washington National Cathedral featuring The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, the Rev. Dr. Rose Duncan, Kehembe Eichelberger, Stanley Thurston and Dr. Eileen Guenther.

PRAY: Breath Prayers in Anxious Times From Sarah Bessey's Field Notes, this post focuses on the ancient form of prayer which is easily adaptable. Simply choose one or two lines to meditate on and inhale and then exhale through them.

• Take Home Party Packs This post on Building Faith includes a good list of supplies that can be gathered for parishioners to pick up to have Shrove Tuesday at home. It includes some silly games to play and a way for members to share photos of their "parties" on Social Media.

• Shrove Tuesday at Home This resource from Milestones Ministry provides an outline for prayer, history and discussion for a household to celebrate at home.

• Ash Wednesday Bonfire at Home This post from Jerusalem Greer offers a way for us to mark this important day in our faith journeys at home. Supplies and an outline of service are part of the post.

• We Wonder on Ash Wednesday - This podcast for Children explores Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. Though this podcast is from last year, new podcasts are updated seasonally throughout the church year.

• An Illustrated Labyrinth Meditation: Ash Wednesday Intended for use at home, not for congregational purchase, this resource from Illustrated Ministry is meditative using a labyrinth and prayer.

SHARE: Micropractices for Lent from Vibrant Church Communications offers resources for churches to share with their congregations from downloadable Lenten devotionals to images to share on social media during lent.

DO: Track Your Time Outside Though not explicitly a Lent resource, 1,000 Hours Outside began as movement based on research sharing the benefits for children to be outside. Adults also benefit from more time outside too. This would be a great discipline for individuals, families, and parishes to share in during Lent and beyond, particularly as we continue to live with COVID 19 restrictions.

PLAY: Lent Madness The Golden Halo is up for grabs again as 32 saints gear up for this annual fun Lenten competition.It is a great way to learn about both well known and lesser known saints in the church. Click HERE to find brackets and see the saints for 2021.

From Busted Halo...

This simple exercise from Creativity in Therapy is something EVERYONE can do. It is a good way to start the new year instead of creating resolutions.

Begun the 1700's in Germany, the Moravian Daily Texts "continues its promise of “a daily message from God that is new every morning." This resource is available in a variety of formats in print and online.

Did you know that the Episcopal Church and Moravian church are in relationship with each other? It is similar to our relationship with the ELCA.

Author and painter, Roger Hutchison ​serves as the Director of Christian Formation and Parish Life at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, TX, and is a member of the National Association of Grieving Children and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

For a variety of upcoming Christian Formation offerings for adults on Zoom. They are glad for anyone around the diocese to join them!

Origins of the New Testament taught by Cleve Callison- Jan. 17, 24

Studies in Mark taught by Rev. Ray Hanna for 4 weeks beginning Jan. 31st

Dust Bunnies in the Pews discussion led by Kathryn Hedgepeth will be a Lenten series beginning on Feb. 28th.

For more information or to register for any of these, contact Royster Hedgepeth.

Want to learn more or register? CLICK HERE.

Registration can be found HERE. A schedule can be found HERE.