ECCT SOUTHWEST

REGION NEWSLETTER

July 2020
A message from your
Region Missionary:

Dear friends,

I've been quiet around here this last month, taking in the never-ending violence against Black, Indigenous, and POC bodies at the hands of police, medical systems, educational systems, carceral systems, really most any system, institution, organization you can imagine. Including religious systems and institutions. I've been quiet and I've been grieving and I've been exhausted. To be honest, I'm not sure what to say to our Region, a Region that has deeply benefited from the wealth made from stolen Native land and stolen Black labor. I deeply hope that in the coming months and years the spiritual commitments you are making to racial justice right now will take root and continue to grow. If you are reading this as a white Episcopalian, it's time to think expansively and transformatively about what you mean when you say Black Lives Matter and what tangible actions you are taking to create space for Black freedom and Black flourishing as defined by Black folks.

We follow a God of liberation and a God who sides with the powerless and oppressed. Our God is a God of humility, of self-emptying, of the most radical and healing Love. I leave you with “Speaking of Freedom,” A Letter to the Church from Kelly Brown Douglas, Stephanie Spellers and Winnie Varghese regarding freedom and the Episcopal Church. These are challenging and revolutionary times we are in, and I pray that we step into the moment with courage and the boldness of the Gospel.

Peace and blessings,
Erendira


IMPORTANT DATES
July 9th, 4:30pm -- SW RLT Meeting, Zoom
July 15th, 5:30pm -- SW Wardens' Meeting, Zoom
July 23rd, 4:30pm -- SW RLT Meeting, Zoom
July 29th, 5:30pm -- SW Wardens' Meeting, Zoom
Region Leadership Team hosting Census Forum SAVE THE DATE -- July 30, 5pm
SW Region Convocation SAVE THE DATE -- September 17, 7-9pm
Southwest Region Website

Covid-19 Updates: A note from your Region Missionary: We need your help! Fill out this Google Doc to let the Region Leadership Team know how you can open your digital doors to the SW Region! UPDATED WEBSITE COMING SOON!

Read more
www.episcopalct.org
Region Resources
Aligning Congregational Money with Values of Racial Equity with The Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA) Co-op and Todd Leverette (Democracy at Work Institute)

Details: 

To help prepare for this meeting, the CPA Steering Team has created some shared resources

The Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA) Co-op is a social-purpose cooperative that leverages the buying power of community institutions to help lower operating costs, while also making investments in sustainability, worker equity, and community organizing.
Christ Church, Trumbull
Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Request Form:

  • Even in the midst of COVID-19, ECCT remains committed to the Season of Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation. If you would like assistance in moving forward with this work in your parish please be in contact with our Racial Justice Resource Coordinator Kelli Gibson. For more information please fill out this form here.

Racial Reconciliation and Justice Resources:
ECCT-wide Resources
Faithful Futures - Racial Justice in CT: Police Accountability, Legislative Advocacy, and the Role of the Church
Thursday July 9, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Sat, Jul 11, 2020 9:00 AM EST
Worship Leader Training: How to lead Morning Prayer


Designed to be led by clergy or laity, Morning Prayer may be offered by lay leaders in a parish on those occasions when a priest cannot be present to preside at the Eucharist. In this workshop led by Bishop Diocesan Ian T. Douglas, participants will experience the beauty of Morning Prayer and learn how to lead it.

The training must be attended by the parishioner and the Ecclesiastical Authority of the parish (either clergy or Senior Warden where there is no clergy.) The Ecclesiastical Authority will need to certify that the parishioner has participated in the training.
old_hard_cover_books.jpg
Fri, Jul 24, 2020 9:30 AM EST
Bishop's Book Discussion at Camp Washington - ONLINE
Register Here
Next month's Bishop's book discussion led by Bishop Suffragan Laura J. Ahrens will be on How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. Info on the book
Join Bishop Ian and Bishop Laura for upcoming Zoom conversations:

  • Every Wednesday - Clergy and Lay Leadership Discussion, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. please refrain from testing link during business hours, as other calls may be taking place. Join Zoom Meeting Here; by phone: +1-646-558-8656 US (New York); Meeting ID: 201 077 6405. 
PENTECOST PRAYER FROM A NEW ZEALAND PRAYER BOOK
Father,
you have filled your people with the Spirit
who rested first on your Son
and united us in your Church;
open the channels for your Spirit
that we may freely work together,
and your kingdom and your rule increase;
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
Join the Region Leadership Team
Due to new calls and self care calendar adjustments, we’re still looking for a few folks to join the team. Do you believe collaborative efforts among parishes and common ministry networks will continue to build the Region? If you do, p lease consider being part of the Southwest Region Leadership Team.

To learn more about what it means to be part of the team or if you would like to join, please contact Erendira ejimenez@episcopalct.org