NORTHEAST REGION MISSIVE

Weekly Check-In:
1 August 2020
You can find the most recent COVID-19 update from our Bishops HERE (plus, earlier letters if you are curious!)
A Word of Encouragment from your NE Region Missionary
Hello dear siblings in Christ,
 
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of joining a Zoom call with over 800 folks from across The Episcopal Church. The call was part one of a three part series put on by The Episcopal Church called Becoming Beloved Community NOW . There were amazing guest speakers, both lay and ordained, talking about the work they are engaged in around reconciliation and justice.
 
The highlight, for me, was in the first twenty minutes when Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached in his customary way - that is on fire and animated and ALIVE. And one of the things that he said, that really stuck with me, was a brief discussion about what happens in the Gospel of John, at the end of chapter 18.
 
You see, this is the part of the Gospel of John where Jesus is brought before Pilate to face sentencing and punishment. And there is this dialogue between Jesus and Pilate, where Pilate is trying to figure out just exactly what (and who) Jesus really is. Pilate asks Jesus, "So you are a king?", and Jesus answers "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." (John18:37, NRSV)
 
Then Pilate, being the flawed human that he was, wants to know what truth is. He wants Jesus to be VERY SPECIFIC about what is going on here. And, as Bishop Curry said in his sermon, Pilate just skipped right over the bit that said that Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth. To do this . What is 'this'?
 
'This' is the core of the ministry of Jesus. Speaking truth to power, seeing the Creator in everything that has been created, upsetting systems that continue to hold people down and hold people back. Every single thing that Jesus did was to glorify God; to show people the tender loving kindness that can be found in relationship with God. To show that the Kingdom of God is not like any kingdom found on Earth; that the failings of this world are not found in the next.
 
'This' is every conversation, every interaction, that Jesus had with someone that was considered 'other' or 'unimportant' or 'undesirable'. Every time Jesus extended an invitation to join, to follow, to come along with. To prove that one does not have to shout the loudest to be heard.
 
If we belong to the truth, we belong to Jesus and listen to His voice. Are we listening? Amen.

Photo by Maggie Breen
Resources for Anti-Racism Work
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 that have been curated by either myself or the good folks involved in the Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation Ministry Network:

  • Earlier this month Congressman John Lewis and Rev. C.T. Vivian died (on the same day!), both of these men were amazing people working for justice in our communities. HERE is an excellent article written in their memory.

  • Curious about what micro-aggressions are? HERE is an article from 2015 that spells it all out.

  • The Washington Post ran THIS IMPACTFUL ARTICLE about a white educator learning what it means to become an ally.

  • There will be a VIRTUAL MARCH on Washington put on by the NAACP in August. I would encourage you to participate.

  • Just last week the CT House passed a bill having to do with POLICE REFORM. It's a lot of information, and worth the read.
Social Isolation: Staying Connected & Having Fun
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.

  • In THIS ARTICLE from Huffpost (2014), a photographer gives us a new interpretation of some of our favorite Bible characters. Hint: none of them are white. How does this make you feel?


  • HERE is a little article with video about a Turkish artist who paints on water! It is both mesmerizing and astonishing.

  • The Stay At Home Choir joins The King's Singers for a take on my favorite Billy Joel tune - And So It Goes. I could watch this all day.
Open Office Hours w/Jasree & Alli
Do you have specific questions about websites or social media or equipment? 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!

Registration required - click here
Resources & Important Information:
  • 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!

  • Are you signed up for the ECCT eNews? CLICK HERE to get it delivered to your inbox!
Save The Date: Upcoming Events
NE Region Warden Gathering
Our next NE Region Warden Gathering will be Tuesday, 4 August, at 7pm. Email Maggie for the zoom information if you are a warden and want to attend.
Food Insecurity Call
Join Rev. Jane Hale and Maggie Breen for another call about food insecurity in the NE Region. We've been discussing what programs/services we are involved in and digging deeper into more systematic reasons for hunger.

We welcome you to our next call on Tuesday, 18 August, at 6PM via zoom.

Crafting As Spiritual Practice Event: Find Your Joy
Join the NE Region for a Crafting As Spiritual Practice day focused on Joy! We will meet on Saturday, 12 September, from 10:30am to 12:30pm via zoom .

More information can be found HERE .

Register for this event HERE .
Lay Preaching Class 2020
The NE Region will be hosting another Lay Preaching Class, running on Thursday evenings beginning September 24 thru November 5 (skipping October 15th for Convention). 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
SAVE THE DATE!! NE Region Convocation Coming Soon!
Save the date - Saturday, 3 October - for our next NE Region Convocation. This will be a half-day workshop around racism with a guest facilitator or two. Registration details coming soon!
Are You Going to Convention?
Join ECCT for our annual convention, which will be totally on-line this year. Dates and information can be found  HERE. The full Call to Convention letter can be found HERE, with lots of detailed information.

*totally free to attend if you are a non-voting member and only $15 if you are a voting member!
You can reach Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary, the following ways:
PHONE: 203-639-3501 x154