March 3, 2025

Beloved,

In preparing for Synod 2024, I asked this question of our Ecumenical Catholic Communion communities:



As I shared in my State of Communion presentation on Friday evening of Synod, my heart was very moved and encouraged to learn about all the ways our Communities are reaching out to others.   A special display was created in the Chapel (which was located in the lower level of Longs Peak Lodge) so everyone could read, learn and get ideas from each other over the days we were gathered.

I realize not everyone had the opportunity to view and read these during Synod so we decided to create a series of Newsletters to offer to all the opportunity  to learn more about the wonderful work being done within our Communion.   

It is a joy to highlight the goodness happening

in our Ecumenical Catholic Communion

and I encourage you to read,

to learn,

and to connect with one another

about continuing this important work

in our Communities.

If your Community did not have the opportunity to answer this question before Synod, please feel free to do so now. You can email your response to Carolyn Sue Cecil at admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net), so our sharing and growth can continue!

Pax & Amor

Bishop Paul "Pablo" Burson, M.Div., L.P.C.

Presiding Bishop, ECC

BishopPaul@ecumenicalcatholics.net

This week, in our ECC Service and Ministry Outreach Series, 

we will feature the wonderful ministries

happening at:

Mary Magdalene Church

East Rochester, New York

and



St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community ECC

Phoenix, Arizona



At the heart of Mary Magdalene Church, is one of our most important values: social responsibility.

Together, we hope to work with all our Mary Magdalene church family to support justice and to nurture a future

where every person, every creature, and the earth itself can flourish.

In that spirit, we are in the process of installing a food kiosk to provide basic food items for local families in need.

We also partner with various community agencies to provide winter clothing, food, and gift cards during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Our church ministries include prayer shawls, hospitality, family ministry and more.



We are fortunate to have several ministry teams that expand the mission of the church and meet the needs of others.

A few of these teams include:

The Justice Ministry team,

who present opportunities

to be involved in local justice actions;

The Compassion and Listening Ministry (CALM),

who practice deep listening

so others can share stories and heal wounds;

and

Tender Hearts,

a group for parents of

trans and non-binary adult children

who offer support and listening.



Our church offers its space to various recovery and support groups such as Al-anon, NA and Mended Little Angels, as well as spiritual directors.

We also offer our community opportunities for workshops on diverse topics such as lay preaching, self-compassion, religious trauma, death and dying, and cyber security, just to name a few.

St. Teresa of Avila in Phoenix, Arizona, has historically worked and volunteered many hours with the Arizona Faith Network. This organization created faith-based heat respite, hydration, cooling and heat relief centers in Phoenix that are vital in providing life-saving resources to those hit hardest by extreme heat.

St. Teresa of Avila ECC members also collect clothing for asylum seekers and for the unsheltered as part of their work with the Arizona Faith Network.

They also work with AFN to advocate for legislation that allows all citizens the right and ability to overcome obstacles to voting.

St. Teresa of Avila stand strongly in solidarity with our indigenous brothers and sisters to advocate for preserving sacred lands from the degradation of mining.

Synod 2024:  Our Family Photo Album:

https://conta.cc/4ethWMF



Synod 2024: Links to all of our Amazing Speakers and Presentations:

https://conta.cc/4hkiibb