The ECC Report Is Back!
Our last edition was the Spring of 2020 edition, sent May 20, 2020. Those who served as our editors so faithfully for so long were unable to continue with burdensome task. Because we had another similar mechanism for communicating about the Synod, we perhaps didn’t miss it so much until the winter. The Leadership Council then agreed that the OPB would replace the ECC Report with a simpler and therefore more practically doable version. I (Bishop Francis) will still lead off with a kind of report about what has been happening from my perspective. The heads of the HOL and HOP will offer reports as well. If others wish to share official news, they are welcome to volunteer to do so.
Moving Beyond the Pandemic
It has been a year since we have been coping “in our exile” from one another and from church as we know it. This, to understate it, has not been easy.
Now we are beginning to imagine in-person gatherings again in some form. Because of warmer weather in most states, we can begin to think of outdoor gatherings, following the usual precautions. We can even begin getting ready for indoor gatherings, when the rate of infection is low enough, following our local health authorities and sound scientific advice. I recommend the following article from
Christianity Today authored by Dr. Daniel Chin who is a physician trained in pulmonary and critical care medicine and epidemiology with 25 years of global public health experience including working in a leadership role at the World Health Organization. The article supplies very practical advice about “opening up.”
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/january-web-only/church-reopening-vaccine-coronavirus-covid-advice.html
Many of you will want to continue “hybrid” or “hy-Bread” services where people can participate in-person as well as virtually when that would be an important option. The pandemic has taught us that the virtual presence of a hospitalized relative or an old friend living far away enhances our experience of worship and allows more people to participate. Let’s share with each other our experience of what we have learned in the exile of Covid.
Ordinations
The following candidates were ordained since last spring. (Extraordinary care was taken to strictly follow health guidelines during the pandemic.) It is with great joy that all of us welcome these persons who have been called by their communities to serve the whole Church!
June 20, 2020, Jane Reina of Mary of Magdala Community, Ft. Collins, CO, ordained to the presbyterate, Bishop Francis presiding, in St. Louis, MO.
August 29, 2020, Suzanne Schloemann of Sts. Clare & Francis Community, St. Louis, MO, ordained to the presbyterate, Bishop Francis presiding, near St. Genevieve, MO.
October 3, 2020, Michel Mir Plemmons of Emmaus Community [WA], ordained to the transitional diaconate, Bishop Kedda Keough presiding, in Olympia, WA.
January 6, 2021, Bruno Rush of San Damiano Community, Little Rock, AR, ordained to the presbyterate, Bishop Francis presiding, in St. Louis, MO.
February 14, 2021, Lori Vail of Mary Magdalene Community, Rochester, NY, ordained to the transitional deaconate, Bishop Denise presiding, in Rochester, NY.
February 21, 2021, Rose Mary Volbrecht of Spokane, Washington, ordained to both the deaconate and the presbyterate on the same day due to extraordinary circumstances, Bishop Kedda Keough presiding.
Mary Magdalene Society Grantees
The MMS Advisory Committee awarded 5 grants on March 3, 2021, out of 7 applicants. Please see below. Many thanks to all who applied, all who donated to make these grants possible every year, and to our “reader/evaluators” who assist the Advisory Committee with assessing the applications, Caroline Reardon, Rev. Rick Klaich, OSB, and Rev. Denise Roberts-Graham.
· Holy Angels ECC Mission, Los Angeles, CA, Point Person: Lourdes Talamantes, $3000 for a youth program grant.
· Dcn. Tammy Fuqua, St. Matthew ECC Community, Orange, CA, $1700, for assistance with a graduate theology degree
· Lori Vail, $1700, Mary Magdalene, NY, for assistance with a graduate theology degree
· Rev. Gianni Passarella, $1700, Holy Angels, CA, for assistance with expenses in Italy while he awaits permission from US Immigration authorities to enter the US to pastor the mission parish that is calling him.
Ecumenical Relations: Women Catholic Bishops
Bishops Denise and Kedda have been involved in an outreach to other women bishops in the Catholic tradition that is tentatively called “Worldwide Women Bishop's Group.” Denise tells us, “The intention behind it is really one of sharing insights and strengthening of relationships between RCWP (Roman Catholic Womenpriests), ARCWP (Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests), and the ECC.” They have had three meetings so far. The first was for getting to know each other, the second for discussing the theology of the eucharist, and the third for discussing hybrid liturgies (both Zoom and in-person participation). Bishop Denise adds, “These have been great opportunities to share resources and discover new ideas and ways of leading liturgies and connecting people especially during this time of COVID.”
Ecumenical Relations: TOCCUSA
I and the bishops of TOCCUSA (the Old Catholic Church USA, an independent Catholic group) have been dialoguing about having closer relations for well over a year. Our Council of Bishops has met with their House of Bishops several times. This past fall I attended their virtual “National Assembly,” which is similar to our synod. During this past year, TOCCUSA’s current representative in this dialogue, Bishop Rosemary Ananis, and I have decided to work toward a more “whole church” representation in these dialogues. To that end Father Dewayne Messenger, our ECC ecumenical officer, is working on a plan together with Father Christopher Cox of TOCCUSA to develop “sister communities” that would develop ways for individual ECC communities to work with TOCCUSA communities and get to know each other. Ecumenism is all about relationships. And both of our communions believe in involving all the elements of our polity in “getting to know each other.” So keep your ears peeled to communication from Dewayne about this. Your community may find it quite worthwhile.
Synod: October 12-14, And Now in Recess
The Synod was a remarkable experience for all of us. Though virtual, it was a very good experience of “being church” together, worshipping, fellowshipping, and organizing for mission. Ratifying the revised Constitution was a major achievement. The Synod, as you probably know, was put in recess on its last day so that more work could be done on the constitution proposed amendments that could not be considered during the Synod.. It looks like we will come back, probably for a day, in June or July, after delegates have had an opportunity to look over the proposed amendments and to discern how to vote on them. We will keep all the delegates and last year’s registered attendees informed as best we can.
We Are Assisting to Find the Unvaccinated and to Provide Vaccination Sites
Through the National Council of Churches, and with our partners there, the ECC is assisting the White House by providing Covid vaccination sites and by actively seeking out people who have not been vaccinated. This office will distribute the information we receive from the White House as we receive it. I have pledged our support on behalf of all of you.
Election of Bishop in RMR in the Weeks after Easter
Let us continue to pray with and for the Rocky Mountain Region as they discern their first bishop. The election will probably take place during the Easter Season.
"Spirit Prayers: Praying Through the Pandemic and Social Unrest"
by Devoree Clifton Crist
My spiritual director has written this lovely book about praying through the pandemic and (a hoped for) racial reckoning, which I heartily recommend. I’m biased of course because of how she has called me to faith on so many occasions. It’s available on Amazon.
“We Beg to Differ; Same Sex Unions Are Not Sin”
In response to a Vatican statement about same sex unions, the Council of Bishops produced a statement of our own. You may find it here:
https://conta.cc/3qVC0OU
Your brother,
+Francis
