NORTHEAST REGION MISSIVE

Weekly Check-In:
12 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,
 
Well, summer in New England is never without spectacular weather related drama! Last week many of us here in the Northeast corner of CT were dealing with downed trees, power outages, yard clean up, electrical issues, long lines at gas stations, and the prospect of throwing away much of the contents of our refrigerators.
 
I suppose that after having lived in New England all my life, I wouldn't be so surprised when power is out for days at a time and I'm forced to slow down and look at my life a little differently. And yet, I am always surprised! Surprised and irritated and grateful. As a treasured colleague often says, "God is compassionate and merciful." I'm always grateful for the reminder.
 
How did God show up for your in the aftermath of the storm? One way God showed up for me was in the form of a quad-driving, chainsaw wielding, former volunteer firefighting Angel named Jerome. Jerome cruised up in our driveway about 30 seconds after Mike took out the chainsaw to take down the tree that fell across the wires in our driveway. Angel Jerome stayed and made sure we were ok. Then he cheerfully revved up the quad, threw a wave and a smile over his shoulder, and headed off to the next family in need.
 
Another way that God showed up for me during a week that looked nothing like I anticipated it, was in the joy I experienced learning something new. Recently my very bestest friend gifted me with a spinning wheel and on Wednesday, when nothing of any kind could be done that required the Internet or electricity, it was a complete joy to practice my spinning. There is little, I am finding, that soothes me quite like spinning - something about the manual action, the creation of something new, the contemplative nature. There is a way in which spinning creates space for me to dwell with God in a new way.
 
God showed up in lots of other ways, too, of course. Thus is the nature of God. I spent time with books last week that have been neglected on my bookshelves due to the pressing needs of other things. Books written by people of color, books about Jesus, and books about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God. Books that link nature and God together, through first person narrative and Creation stories of First-Nation peoples.
 
I am grateful for a storm that created an environment that forced me to be slower, to pay more attention, and that created space for me to dwell with God differently. I am grateful for the stories shared by BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) voices. I am grateful for generators and chainsaws and Angels named Jerome. 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:


  • HERE is an interesting article from Sojourners that discusses the intersection of following Jesus and what is happening across our nation right now.

  • CNN has launched a new podcast called Silence is Not an Option. Worth a listen to, especially if we (as white people) are feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward.

  • The Players Alliance is a group of Black baseball players that are getting together to make a difference. See what they are up to here.

  • In June, the New York Times made a list of Anti-Racism Books for Kids. Contact your local library, or local schools, and find out if they have any of these books. If they don't, I would invite you to consider donating these titles.
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.


  • A dear friend of mine sent me THIS VIDEO that promotes FOLI - there is no movement without rhythm. May we all come to see the beauty that is in the every day: to see, feel, and experience each day.


  • I'm a big fan of a cappella singing and Tina Turner. And I've been binge watching GLEE on Netflix, which is combining both of my current loves (Tina Turner & singing, obvs). Check out this version of PROUD MARY by BYU Noteworthy.

  • Bonus Content - One of my favorite Christian tunes is I Can Only Imagine and BYU Noteworthy does a great job.
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
Young Adult Survey
The Young Adult Task Force, created after Convention 2019, has created a survey that we hope any and all young people (aged 18-25) in ECCT will fill out. I especially hope that there are folks in the NE Region who will be willing to participate in this very brief survey. Deadline to participate is Saturday, 15 August.
Icon of the Month: The Dormition of the Theotokos
The Dormition of the Mother of God (Greek: Ἥ Κοιμησις της Θεοτοκου; Russian: Успение Пресвятыя Богородицы; Serbian: Успење Пресвете Богородице) is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches which commemorates the “falling asleep” or death of Mary the Theotokos (“Mother of God”, literally translated as God-bearer), and her bodily resurrection before being taken up into heaven.

The Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God is celebrated on 15 August (28 August N.S. for those following the Julian Calendar). The feast was added to the Roman calendar in the seventh century as the Dormitio. In the eighth century, the title was changed to the Assumptio (Assumption), however, it was not declared dogma until 1950. Like the Eastern Church, the feast day is celebrated on 15 August. On the same date, the Anglican Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Mary the Virgin and concentrates more on the obedience of Mary at the time of the Annunciation.Y

My icon is based loosely on an Icon of the Dormition by Theophanes the Greek, 1392. (Theophanes the Greek is the one who taught Andrei Reblev how to write icons, and Andrei wrote the famous icon of the Trinity that was discussed last January.) In my Dormition icon, the Theotokos is depicted lying on a bier, surrounded by the Twelve Apostles. At centre, Jesus Christ is shown in a mandorla, swaddling the soul of the Virgin Mary. The red being above the mandorla is one of the six winged seraphim. To either side of Christ are depicted the Hieromartyrs (martyrs who were either a bishop or priest) Dionysius the Areopagite and Ignatius the God-Bearer who, according to tradition, are responsible for transmitting the account of the Dormition.

Icon and article created by David Clarke, member of St. John's, Vernon
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
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.

NE Region Warden Gathering
Our next NE Region Warden Gathering will be Tuesday, 8 September, at 7pm. Email Maggie for the zoom information if you are a warden and want to attend.
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?
REGISTER FOR CONVENTION BY 18 AUGUST TO BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ON THE QUESTIONS TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE WORLD CAFE SESSIONS!

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