Hello dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I got some feedback from my last missive from folks saying they missed seeing the sheep, so I dug this picture out from around five years ago when I first brought them home. I think it's safe to say that many, many things have changed in the past five years.

This week I've been thinking a lot about change and what prompts change. I've been reading Maya Angelou's "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" and Jane Tomaine's "St. Benedict's Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living"; the first book because I'm taking a class in Resilience for Spiritual Leaders and Maya Angelou exemplifies resilience, and the second book because 1) I like all things related to Benedictine practices and 2) becaue it's the book group pick with Bishop Laura for this month. Both of these books have prompted me to think about how I react to change.

So I've been thinking about the situations in my life that have brought about change. Sometimes these situations happen because I deliberately made a choice to change (new job, marriage, sheep) and sometimes situations happen that are outside of my control that require me to change (pandemic, allergies to certain foods, the 2008 stock market crash). Regardless of my participation in the catalyst for change, I always have a choice about my reaction. I can fight about it, dig in my heels, be angry, and resist as much as I can (often!), and yet for all my resistance, change still happens.

In my best moments I embrace the change and try to move like water over the new path that I am put on. Sometimes I am not distracted by the sticks and rocks that litter the path of change.

What changes are you experiencing right now? How are you reacting to them? Have you found any particular change that you are enjoying, or have you developed a new routine to cope? For me, my reactions differ on a daily basis - most days I can embrace this new level of silence in my home and can be very present, and sometimes my grief at my changed circumstances comes upon me all at once and I find myself choking on tears and feelings of anger.

And, despite however I may be feeling on a given day, I try hard to talk to Jesus about it and leave it with Him. To go out and see my tulips beginning to bloom, to prop up the daffodils that have fallen over from the gusty Spring wind, and watch and hope for a glimpse of the turkey or deer that travel through my back yard. I may be in (self) isolation but the world is surely reminding me to appreciate beauty wherever I find it: from my kitchen window, in tender conversations with colleagues, with zoom dinner dates with friends, and in re-reading treasured words from my favorite books and stories.

Photo by Maggie Breen

In case you, your congregations, and/or your communities need resources around housing and/or food insecurity, here are some sites to check out: https://uwc.211ct.org/about/ , https://uwc.211ct.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/  , www.foodshare.org/coronavirus , and http://www.ctfoodbank.org/

ECCT's page for COVID-19 update, which includes links to live stream services & other good info: https://www.episcopalct.org/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/

Questions about eligibiilty for PPP? ECCT's page for Financial Resoruces for COVID-19 is updated regularly; keep an eye out for a memo about how clergy people should be eligible for PPP inclusion (as it pertains to salary): https://www.episcopalct.org/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/covid-19-financial-resources/

ECCT page for Self Care Resources: https://www.episcopalct.org/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/self-care-resources/

If you are looking for resources to egnage in work around Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation but can't find what you need, consider THIS FORM to help ECCT curate resources that fit your needs!

NE Region Satruday Noon Day Prayer via Zoom - you can CLICK HERE to join via the web OR you can use this number to call in: 1 646 558 8656 (a NY number, so not toll-free) and use meeting ID 492 284 976

Are you signed up for the ECCT eNews? CLICK HERE to get it delivered to your inbox!

Forget your Book of Common Prayer in your pew? HERE is a digital one!

I had wanted to start a community garden at St. Paul's Windham Center this year in an effort to expand our ministry to those experiencing food insecurity. Because of the current state of affairs, I am trying to think outside of the box. 

I have started seedlings and would be happy to give seedlings to whomever would like to nourish and harvest the plants.  You would need to let me know your preference of plant and how many. I will coordinate with you to get the new plant to you. Once fruit is developed you can coordinate with your local parish to deliver the produce to a food bank or soup kitchen near you.

Choices of plants are:

Peas (Magnolia Blossom Tendril)

Beans (Marvel of Venice)

Bean (Succotash)

Spinach (Monstruex De Viroflay)

Salad Blend Greens (European Mesclun)

Kale (Russian Red)

Pepper (Lilac Bell)

Mini Bell Pepper

Cucumber (Monika)

Eggplant (Cambodian Green Giant)

Cherry-Roma Tomato (Tiger Cherry-Roma)

Cherry Tomato (Black Cherry)

Slicing Tomato (True Black Brandywine)

 

These are all heirloom seeds and sure to add beautiful colour to gardens. Many of these are container friendly. A good evaluation of light and space should be done prior to planting. 

 

Also available:

Winter Squash (Winter Harvest Colours Blend)

 

and Pollinator Plants to help them grow:

Nasturtium (Fordhook Favourites Mixed Colours)

Snapdragon (Dwarf Mixed Colours)

Sweet Pea (Sweet Dreams Mixed Colours)

Four O'Clocks (Tea Time Mixed Colours)

 

For those new to gardening, I will be sure to provide instructions. I believe we have many gardeners in our midst who would be happy to help each other along and this would be a great project for us to do together, apart.

*Many thanks to Jeannette Brown of St. James, Glastonbury, who named this project "Seeds of Hope".

Article by Rebecca Stearns, St. Paul's, WIndham Center. Picture by Maggie Breen

This is the space of possibility! A space where we have time to explore what we are curious about. A space where we can figure out how to find joy when we must be apart.

So..........here are some tools, tricks, and tips for bringing a little sunshine into your lives. All while keeping 6 feet away from each other. ;)

You can reach Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary, the following ways:

MAIL:

Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary, St. John's Episcopal Church, 523 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 06066

PHONE: 203-639-3501 x154

EMAIL: [email protected]