Peace Pole outside Grace Episcopal in Traverse City, MI. Photo by former Executive Director, Melanie Merkle Atha, 2019. | |
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Collect for Memorial Day
We give you thanks, O Lord, for all who have died that we may live, for all who endured pain that we might know joy, for all who made sacrifices that we might have plenty, for all who suffered imprisonment that we might know freedom. Turn our deep feeling now into determination, and our determination into deed, that as men and women died for peace, we may live for peace for the sake of the Prince of Peace, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Based upon a prayer by Leslie D. Weatherhead. Submitted by NEC member Maureen Hagen
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Letting the “Soul of EPF” Emerge from the Stories of our Members…
A Summer Season Project
by Christy Close Erskine, Transition Team Leader
Last week I had the opportunity to visit Washington state for the sole purpose of visiting with 3 long-term members of EPF. Washington, like many of our states, is going through a time of shrinkage within our EPF chapters and parish peace partners, and I wanted to see if I could understand the dynamics a bit better. I was hopeful that the wisdom learned from our member’s experience at the grass roots level might help us at the National level during this season of discernment and time of transition.
My suppositions as I started this journey: There used to be 4 active chapters across the state of Washington and currently there is only one. It seems like over time, the convener or justice and peace advocate who had started the chapter either moved away, died or was unable to carry on the ministry. Usually the justice and peace ministry carried on in one way or another because it was at the heart of the congregation and its members, but the connection to EPF was lost without the organizer, convener, or gatherer. Meanwhile, as the former convener moves on, their personal connection to the fellowship many times continues, even though they aren’t necessarily in a place to be part of a chapter or parish peace partner anymore. An exception to that seems to occur if the separation has involved conflict or broken relationships that haven’t been healed.
As I began my journey I was excited to check out some of my own suppositions, and to meet some foundational EPF members in the state I grew up in. I had 8 questions in mind, (listed at the end of the article) since I wanted to be sure and gather the same information from everyone. It was an amazing experience and I was truly blessed by listening to these stories and I hope you will be as well.
Over the course of the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, we will publish these interviews from across the fellowship in Peace Out. We will also collect the “wisdom” or key learnings as we go and hopefully they will help leadership begin to discern what the “soul of EPF” looks like from the ground up. If you’d like to be part of this process, send me an email and I’d be happy to set up a time to talk with you. Or respond to the questions below as a beginning to our conversation.
The temptation during liminal times is always to look back and protect what we have done and been in the past. What we are truly asked to do is to stand in the midst of our present reality and look towards the future to see what emerges as a future direction and calling. Hopefully this project during the summer season will help us to do just that.
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A Member's Story
I met Carl Spitzer on a beautiful afternoon in his mobile home in Renton, WA that he has lived in since 1989. He was wearing his EPF Peace cross and told me that he has been involved in EPF since the mid 1970’s. To Carl the most important part of EPF is peace. He believes that more of our emphasis should be on pacifism and conscientious objection and that the EPF Commitment Pledge is still a good statement and resonates with him!
Carl served in the US Navy as a BM3 on a four-year enlistment as Blue Water Navy off the coast of Vietnam during 1972 and again in 1973. Carl submitted a request for Conscientious Objector status and was denied.
When asked how he would describe the heartbeat of EPF he said, “The heart beat of EPF is weak right now, but the soul is strong. As long as we have members like Nathaniel Pierce, our soul will be strong!” He met Nate at Grace Episcopal in Idaho and over the years enjoyed working with him through EPF. Carl was active in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and attended General Convention in New Orleans and Anaheim. It’s hard for him to walk right now due to possible Agent Orange exposure during his military service, so his connection to EPF is mostly through the newsletter, Peace Out and email connections. Carl says that the Episcopal Church needs to become a peace church and believes that we have everything we need, we just need to do it…and EPF could lead the way!
When asked if EPF didn’t exist, how would you build it today, Carl said, “I wouldn’t start over because there are so many organizations at the grassroot level doing it today. It’s our roots and our 83 year history that makes us different and makes us strong! That’s what can ground us and lead us into the future."
Currently for Carl, the most important “deliverable” from EPF leadership is the newsletter because at this point in his life, it is what connects him to the fellowship. His EPF Peace Cross is like a sacrament for him because it reminds him of that connection he’s had to Episcopal Peace Fellowship for over 50 years.
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Want to be part of this “summer season project”?
Then send me an email and I’d be happy to set up a time to talk with you. Or respond to the questions below as a beginning to our conversation.
Summer Season Questions:
1.) What is your connection/history to EPF and your current relationship with it?
2.) What is the most important part of EPF for you?
3.) Thoughts on what needs to happen for EPF to be prepared to meet the justice and peace issues in the next 5-10 years?
4.) How would you describe the soul of EPF?
5.) Is it important for you that EPF is a fellowship? Why or why not and what does that mean to you?
6.) If EPF didn’t exist how would you build it today? Vision, mission, strategy, tactics, structure, etc?
7.) What work happens at each level of the EPF network?
8.) What initial deliverables would be most helpful from the national office?
I look forward to hearing your connection to EPF and your story.
Pentecost blessings to you and yours!
Christy
| Correction for Peace Out! Week of May 24th - the reflection on Gun Violence was written by Rev. Rosalind Hughes. | |
EPF's Ongoing Prayer for Peace in Ukraine | |
Holy God, open our eyes to a fresh vision of a peaceful world, along with the will to seek alternatives to revenge and violence. Awaken in us compassion for the victims of war: soldiers of all nations, grieving families, civilians, the wounded creation. Open wide the eyes of world leaders, especially in our own country, to see a path toward peace between Ukraine and Russia, and in all conflicts that tear apart the one human family. Grant us eyes wide open to peace. Amen.
The Rev. Bill Exner, former EPF Vice Chair for Public Witness
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WEEKLY COMPLINE EACH TUESDAY | |
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Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s Compline has moved to a Celtic setting for the season following the Feast of Pentecost through the end of June. Join us, and bring a friend as we gather to pray Compline weekly via Zoom. We meet every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. (ET) with EPF friends, chapters, and members across the country praying together. Open to all, come join us in prayer and thanksgiving. The Zoom link to attend is here:
Topic: EPF Compline
Time: 08:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Tuesday.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81776145441?pwd=T2ZSYjR4Z2RqMFY2SDY3Q0pEWXZmdz09
Meeting ID: 817 7614 5441
Passcode: 863435
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,81776145441#,,,,*863435# US (San Jose)
+13462487799,,81776145441#,,,,*863435# US (Houston)
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Now is a good time to join us in our work for justice and peace!
To become a member of EPF, click here
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