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NORTHEAST REGION MISSIVE
Weekly Check-In:
20 June 2020
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Announcement!!
There will be NO NOON DAY PRAYER on Saturday, 20 June. See you next week!
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A Word of Encouragment from your NE Region Missionary
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Hello dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Tomorrow's Gospel lesson is one of those portions of Scripture that feels a little hard to reckon with. I read the words from Matthew 10 and wonder what, exactly, Jesus is telling the new disciples. I don't want to believe that Jesus could be asking people to put themselves in the middle of potentially dangerous situations, or alienate themselves from their families, or risk their very life for the sake of the Good News.
That is exactly what Jesus is asking those early disciples to do. That is exactly what Jesus is still asking us to do. As a person who self-identifies as a "worse-case scenario" planner, I find it vaguely comforting that Jesus tells me what could happen and that I should have no fear. I said 'vaguely comforting' because there is nothing comforting about putting my life, my social standing, my relationships potentially in peril so that I can help build the Kingdom. What is comforting, to me, is knowing that no matter what happens I will rise again in glory with God.
Knowing what is likely to happen doesn't always make it easier to take the risk. But friends, the Kingdom cannot be built without a stronger adherence to the values of God. God tells us to love every thing God created, for every thing is good. We don't get to pick and choose which people or things to love. We don't have the authority to claim someone is better than someone else. We must reckon within ourselves if we are willing to follow Jesus in the way that disciples should.
This week I would encourage you to sit with our Gospel text and ponder what the Holy Spirit might be saying to you. She speaks quite softly to me, so I am careful to pay attention. The Holy Spirit is asking me to identify just how uncomfortable I am willing to be in order to help bring the Kingdom closer. It's a question I need to sit with before I can answer, and the answer will not be easy. I don't think it was an easy answer for the disciples either.
Photo by Maggie Breen
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Social Isolation: Staying Connected & Having Fun
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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 things I've found interesting in the past week: music, projects, art, articles, etc. May they be of service to us so that we can be in service to others.
- I really enjoy watching people do creative things. THIS VIDEO is fun and makes me happy. I like seeing families be creative together.
- I'm trying something new on the NE Region FB page: a self-care and resilience minute via FB Live. You can watch my first one HERE. I hope to do these weekly.
- CT Audubon Society is offering Summer programs for kinds - interactive, at-home, and outside programs to keep kids interested in nature and safe during pandemic. Check out the programs HERE.
- THIS is a particularly lovely arrangement of the song "SMILE". If you get through this without crying, you get a gold star for the day.
- I adore dance and am always looking for great examples of exceptional performers. HERE is a wonderful video of a solo ballet performance in 2015 by Michaela DePrince, dancing with the Dutch National Ballet.
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Info You Might Find Useful
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If you are looking to get involved with Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation and/or Anti-Racism work but aren't sure where to start, below are a few good resources for you to check out:
- The Windham Area chapter of the NAACP is hosting a 2-hour conversation about the movie Just Mercy on Sunday, 28 June at 1PM. You can register for the conversation HERE. The movie is available on most streaming services for free until the end of the month. Find out where to watch it HERE.
- If you want to educate yourself on Black Lives Matter and all the things this organization stands for and stands behind, HERE is their webpage.
- Here is a resource I just stumbled upon that could be of assistance if you are curious about how to start the work of anti-racism. This is part of a larger body of work created by the Washington Area Women's Foundation.
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has also put together a comprehensive list of resources HERE. This has some resources specific to families with children, which could be helpful.
- Just in case you forgot - The Episcopal Church has a 10-part series called Sacred Ground available for congregational use. Check it out.
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Open Office Hours w/Jasree & Alli
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Do you have specific questions about websites or social media? Is zoom driving you nuts or FB live being finicky? Come to the ECCT Digital Office Hours on
Thursday afternoons at 1pm
with Jasree & Alli - they will be happy to help answer your questions!
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Help Your Region Missionary Help You:
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I hope to use this information to form future activities when I do parish visitations!
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Resources & Important Information:
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- Governor Lamont issued a press release stating FREE infared thermometers for houses of worship. CLICK HERE to read the release and apply for yours!
- 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!
- Cancelled for 20 June NE Region Satruday Noon Day Prayer via Zoom - you can CLICK HERE to join via the web OR the details of the meetings are here:
Meeting ID: 918 5445 9304
Password: 290632
Call in: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,91854459304# US (New York)
- Are you signed up for the ECCT eNews? CLICK HERE to get it delivered to your inbox!
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The ECCT's Commission on Ministry is a canonically established body that supports the ministry of all the baptized and has particular responsibility for the raising up and formation of ordained leaders for the Church. Members are appointed by the Bishops and their appointments are ratified annually at Convention. The Commission on Ministry has lay and clergy members from every region in CT, and is looking for another member (either lay or clergy) from the Northeast Region. If you are interested in supporting individuals going through the formation process, as well as supporting the formation of all the baptized, please let me know. As a relatively new member of COM, I would be happy to discuss my experience with the Commission as well as time commitment, meeting
schedule
, etc.
Please contact Madison Day at
[email protected]
for more information;
Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
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Save The Date: Upcoming Events
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NE Region Food Insecurity Call
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Rev. Jane Hale and I are very much looking forward to seeing you at our next NE Region Food Insecurity Zoom. No need to have been with us at the last one! We are looking forward to diving a little deeper into what we are doing and how we might do more or other things. Join us on
Tuesday, 30 June, at 7pm
!
Want to be on the mailing list for future events?
E-mail Maggie
!
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NE Region Digital Town Hall
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Join Maggie Breen & Alli Gannett for a NE Region Digital Town Hall. Bring your questions about parish websites or social media accounts!
Join us on
Tuesday, 14 July, at 7pm
.
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NE Region Wardens Gathering
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If you are a warden in the NE Region, I would encourage you to join with me and your fellow wardens for a once a month zoom call. This is a space for fellowship and sharing.
Our next call is on
Tuesday, 7 July, at 7pm
. Email
Maggie
for the zoom details.
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The NE Region will be hosting another Lay Preaching Class, running on
Thursday evenings beginning September 24 thru October 29.
Participation in this class is contingent on getting consent from your priest/warden.
Questions, or ready to sign up, please contact Maggie at
[email protected]
or 203-639-3501 x154
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STAY CONNECTED WITH NE REGION
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You can reach Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary, the following ways:
PHONE:
203-639-3501 x154
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