Ecumenical Catholic Communion

In Action

In our Communities

March 24, 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

Ecumenical Catholic Communion

Service and Ministry

Outreach

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

we will feature the wonderful ministries

happening at:

St. Paul Catholic Community

Denver, Colorado

and

St. Clare & Francis ECC

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Paul Catholic Community

Denver, Colorado

We regularly prepare meals for breakfast and lunch which are then distributed by Dianna Flahives' network (CHUM & WHI). We do this together with the folks from 6th Ave UCC.

We are members of Colorado Faith Communities

united to end gun violence (CFCU)

We participate in the Colorado Council of Churches.

Fr Michael is Chair of its Board of Directors.

We are actively involved with the

Coloradans for the Common Good.

We regularly have weekends "drives" for socks and underwear and other basics needed by those without homes.

We have an annual reverse advent calendar collection in which everyone gets a list of basic food supplies with one item a day to be purchased and put into a basket. This has resulted in thousands of pounds of non-perishable foods for food banks.

Sts. Clare & Francis ECC

St. Louis, Missouri

In the last year at Sts. Clare & Francis, we have partnered with organizations such as:

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri;

Epworth Children & Family Services;

The Women’s Safe House;

Webster-Rock Hill Ministries;

Immigrant Home English Learning Program;

Saint Louis Crisis Nursery;

Tower Grove Pride;

Webster Groves Clergy Alliance;

Metropolitan Congregations United;

Walk Justly Conference;

and

Open Door Animal Sanctuary.

Within these groups, we were able to work with the community to provide hygiene and personal care items as well as cold weather gear for vulnerable adults, children, and infants in shelters;

to advocate for affordable senior housing in our community;

to provide education around food insecurity, nutrition,

and embodied, land-based spirituality;

to fund small business loans in the global south;

to provide spiritual and emotional support our LGBTQIA2S+ neighbors.