Responses to Human Trafficking
- recognized the problem of and support efforts to stop trafficking of women, girls, and boys (2000-A057),
- condemned sex trafficking (2003-D034),
- asked for the development of educational resources for congregations (2003 D034, 2000 A057),
- supported efforts to address trafficking (2009 A167),
- asked each province to begin a dialogue to recognize how domestic and international trafficking affects the people in our province (2012 D042),
- and protect human trafficking victims on native american reservations in MT and ND (2015-A029).
The Rev. Becca Stevens was in Maine in November 2015.Image may be NSFW.
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This video from the Diocese of TX offers a peak of her "Love Heals" message: click here.
Other Human Trafficking Resources and Information
- Episcopal church site
- Episcopal church resource rich Advocacy Site
- Vital Practices for Congregations - Episcopal Church Foundation site on Human Trafficking
- March 2013 - ENS Report with links: Church-wide conversation focuses on human trafficking Presiding bishop hosts off-site UNCSW event
- PBS - Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide is a four-hour PBS prime time documentary film and national broadcast event inspired by the widely acclaimed book of the same name by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The linked problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality - which needlessly claim one woman every 90 seconds - present to us the single most vital opportunity of our time: the opportunity to make a change. More info here.
Cultural Competency and Multicultural Awareness Opportunities
Thanks to a Sowing Seeds of God's Mission Grant, Province 1 leaders from each of our dioceses and from Episcopal Divinity School are collaborating to create a wide variety of entry points to address racism as listed below. The group envisions a type of RESOURCE CENTER with materials, activities, and support-lending forums (i.e. threaded discusisons and live web conferences) to support efforts that INCREASE SENSITIVITY, AWARENESS/KNOWLEDGE, and SKILLS [competencies] with respect to one's own and others' multi-cultural contexts and SPUR ACTION to enact the Dream of God. The group includes representatives from New England Episcopal Dioceses: James McKim (NH and the Province I Antiracism Representive to Executive Council), the Rev. Canon Hannah Anderson (NH), the Rev. Karen Montagna (MA), Deacon Ema Rosero-Nordalm (MA), Becky Alden (MA),Alexzendria Link (W MA), Canon Robin Hammeal-Urban (CT) and Liz Magill (EDS). For more information and/or to join the conversation, contact Julie Lytle, Executive Director: executive.director@province1.org.
Third Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 pm Web Conversations
(All Will Be or Have Been Recorded; Check for links embedded in the descriptions)
Launched on September 15, 2015 with the Bishops Speak Out on Race, Province I is hosting interactive web conferences that provide insight about the state of racism in New England and highlight our efforts to address it. Topics will include conversations among and with national leaders and local organizers like The Rev Bill Kondraith on "The Role of Feelings in Racial Justice Work," James McKim introducing NH's Diversity Dinner's and Archdeacon Jan Grinnell introducing Rhode Island's Center for Reconciliation. The upcoming topic will be posted here with a registration link to the free web conference each month. Registered participants will receive additional details including the web conference link.
Bishops Speak Out on Race (September 2015)
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The Episcopal Bishops of New England spoke out passionately about the many levels of racism - personally, interpersonally, culturally, and institutionally - which exist in New England during an hour long web conference on Sept 15. Karen Montagno, chair of the Province I Cultural Competency and MultiCultural Awareness Task Force, facilitated the interaction between the Bishops as at least twenty-eight participants text chatted questions and comments with each other and the Bishops. After identifying the role of race and racism in each of their dioceses, individual bishops reflected on their role as teachers, called for us to practice listening to and learning with those who are different, challenged us to focus on the dignity of each person/all people, and reminded of the hope offered to people of faith as we face our fears and address oppression in all its forms. This was the first of the monthly THIRD TUESDAY CULTURAL COMPETENCY CONVERSATIONS. A recording is available here.
Byron Rushing Speaks Out on Race (October 2015)
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After offering a rich history of race in the America - particularly noting that there was no America before the first European encounter with the indigenous people, Byron Rushing's broad strokes highlight our challenge as faithful people. He described shifts visible during the 2015 General Convention to move beyond a focus on training to expand formation and education to truly dismantle racism - and all oppressions. Outlining both practical steps and a broad vision, he challenged participants to see that racism is much bigger than privilege and difference. Byron called us to embrace our baptismal and Gospel call to welcome ALL as God's beloved. A recording is available here.
James McKim - Are You Benefitting from the Establishment? (November 2015)
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James McKim introduced a series of compelling videos about white privilege and our contemporary context to spur conversation and reflection. Click here to view the recording of the November conversation which does not include the video clips. Please pause the recording after James invites participants to view the recording and click the boldfaced title links below to watch the videos participants saw.
- Video 1 (3 minutes):White Privilege (defined)
- Question 1 (5 minutes): How have you benefited from White Privilege?
- Video 2 (6 minutes): Is Racism Over Yet?
- Question 2 (5 minutes): Where has White Privilege negatively impacted you - personally?
- Video 3 (1.5 minutes): Teacher admits he helped write Common Core to end white privilege
- Question 3 (5 minutes): How does your job or daily activity perpetuate White Privilege?
- Article 1 (10 minutes): Eleven things white people can do to be real anti-racist allies
- Question 4 (5 minutes): What can you (personally) do in your job or daily activities to be more tolerant and benefit from the diversity around you?
- Question 5 (5 minutes): What can you (personally) do to improve an institution with which you interact?
- Ending Challenge: Go do what you just suggested you could do.
Trinity Institute's "Listening for a Change: Sacred Conversations on Racial Justice"
- Image may be NSFW.
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This year's program (see description here) will be offered via web streaming January 21-23, 2016. We are currently identifying sites across the Province which will be provided through a Province I Sowing Seeds of God's Mission Grant. Keep watching this page to learn of locations near you. - There are a series of Pre-Institute Dialogues to help prepare for "Listening for a Change" (Go to the TI2016 web site here for more info.)Image may be NSFW.
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- Resources - TI2016 has posted a set of thought provoking videos online here
- Pre-TI Dialogue #2: Saturday, December 5, 2015 – Equity in Education
Dr. Freeman Hrabrowski, President, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, author, Holding Fast to Dreams:
Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM, keynote. Other speakers TBA. - Advent – The Season of Preparation
In Advent we will offer videos of 10 to 15 minutes for viewing and reflection individually or in groups:
“Constructing Race”– Theologians and sociologists explore how race, which has no genetic or biological basis,
was constructed and is maintained, and how this awareness can help to bring change. Speakers include Kelly
Brown Douglas, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, J. Cameron Carter, and Jennifer Harvey.
“Assessing Our Legacy”– This video delves into the archives of Trinity Wall Street and the history of New York
City to come to grips with the tangible legacy of the slave trade today.
“Undoing Racism” This mini-documentary follows two congregations as they build a home together as part of
an intentional project devoted to undoing racism. Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans’ Garden District has
a direct historic connection to slavery, the Confederacy, and the Civil War, and Household of Faith is a major
African American congregation in the same city. - January 4, 2016: “Talking about Race”
Experienced race-conversation facilitators offer insights and advice for those wishing to nurture
conversations as learning experiences with the capacity of being transformative for participants. This video will
be a vital tool for all facilitators of small groups for Listen for a Change and may also be used in other contexts. - Epiphany – The Season of Insight
January 21–23 Listen for a Change conference in New York and webcast, - Lent – The Season of Going Deeper
Trinity’s video production and curriculum team will select material from the conference and specially-shot
footage to create online courses each week during Lent.
Tours of culturally significant sites with group conversations about their significance and theological reflection
- Karen Montagno is coordinating the first tour at the Royall House north of Boston. This is the site of Ten Hills Farm.
- We are developing plans for additional sites including the Black Heritage Trail in Boston, Vermont's African American Heritage Trail, and the Center for Reconciliation in Providence. Our hope is to include a map which identifies these locations on this website
- Email Julie Lytle, executive.director@province1.org if you have sites to suggest.
Resource List (readings, films, curricula, etc.) for parish and diocesan formation offerings. Check out the resources we have been collecting here.
- The task force of seasoned anti-racism traininers have collected and curated resources from religious and secular organizations. This currently is a 29-page paper document available from the executive director. We are working to transform the data into a searchable web-based site.
- Seasoned facilitators have added commentary on how to best utilize them.
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Facilitators' training
- we have developed a 1.5 day retreat that encourages discussion of difference, leads toward understanding of oppression of many kinds, and promotes racial reconciliation. The Lead Facilitator's are James Kim, (NH), Zena Link (WMa, NAACP), Liz Magill (Episcopal Divinity School).
- the second training for this academic uear is scheduled for Apr 22-23 at Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center. TO APPLY CLICK HERE.
- talk to your Bishop or Canons to be nominated. Your only cost is to cover transportation. A Sowing Seeds of God's Mission grant from Province I will cover the lodging, meals and program cost for this training.
Other Events
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The Episcopal Church of Rhode Island's colonial churches are hosting a few screenings of Traces of the Trade. The acclaimed documentary follows Katrina Browne as she discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U. S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain powerful new perspectives on the black/white divide. There will be conversations with the Tracing Center's executive director, James DeWolf Perry and a brief presentation from the Center for Reconciliation.
- November 17, 2015, 7:00-9:00 pm, St. Paul's Wickford
FAITH @ HOME: Empowering Parents and Guardians as Pastors and Teachers
Province 1 Annual Gathering for Christian Formation Leaders December 10-12 @ Barbara Harris Camp and Conf Center
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In 2014, Christian Smith, a preeminent sociologist of religion in the United States and director of the National Study of Youth and Religion, released a study that confirmed what most Christian educators know:
- HOME, not a church or congregation, is the key location where faith is formed
- PARENTS (and GUARDIANS), not clergy or youth ministers, are the primary source of young people's faith, and
- ORDINARY LIFE PRACTICES and IDENTITIES not programs, preaching, or rites of passage are the key mechanisms by which religious faith and practice are intergenerationally transmitted
-- "Parents, the REAL Pastors: The Absolute Centrality of Parenting in Passing on Religious Daith and Practice to the Next Generation," Ensign Lecture, Yale Divinity School, October 22, 2014
OUR CHALLENGE IS THAT MOST PARENTS AND GUARDIANS FIND RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE AND PRACTICE TO BE A FOREIGN TONGUE.
Wendy Claire Barrie has designed this retreat to help Christian Faith Formation Leaders teach this second language to parents and guardians so that they can feel more comfortable and confident claiming their role as primary pastor. For more information, contact Julie at executive.director@province1.org.
Province I launches Flexible, Two-Year Deacon Formation Process
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After almost two years of development, a group of diocesan representatives interested in sharing diaconal education, training and formation activities will launch a two-year deacon formation program with a pattern of two month-long courses that include online lectures conversations followed by a quarterly weekend retreat. After the Inaugural Orientation Weekend, Sept 18-20 at Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT, the cycle will be:
- Oct/Nov online conversations: Hebrew Bible and Christian Testament
- Dec weekend residency: The Prophetic Voice of the Deacon: Scripture and Preaching
- Jan/Feb online conversations: Theology
- Mar weekend residency: Theology of the Deaconate
- Apr/May online conversations: Church History and the Anglican Tradition
- June weekend residency: Anglican Diaconate through History
- July/Aug online conversations: Community Organizing
- Sept weekend residency: Deacon as Community Organizer
- Oct/Nov online conversations: Liturgics
- Dec weekend residency: The Deacon in the Liturgy
- Jan/Feb online conversations: Ethics
- Mar weekend residency: Integrating Ethics in the Diaconate
- Apr/May online conversations: Spirituality and Self Care
- June weekend Residency: Maintaining a Vibrant SPiritual Life
- July online conversation: Capstone Preparation
- Aug weekend residency: Capstone and Portfolio presentations
Those interested in diaconal ministry should contact their parish priest and diocesan Commission on Ministry.
The Anglican Consultative Council formulated the Five Marks of Mission over a series of years (1984 Bonds of Affection; 1990 Mission in a Broken World). They have been affirmed by the Archbishops of the Anglican Communion at the 1988 and 1999 Lambeth Conferences, the 1996 General Synod of the Church of England and the 76th Episcopal General Convention (2009) (See History from the Anglican Church of Canada). They serve as a quick reference to remind Christians of the many ways we can be church following Jesus’ Way and serve as a means for different countries and cultures to have a common focus.
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
(Bonds of Affection-1984 ACC-6 p49, Mission in a Broken World-1990 ACC-8 p101)
Aware that this “checklist” is only a start to the many ways we can seek to serve God and God’s people, Anglican in Mission challenged each Province, diocese and parish to think expansively about how they represent Christ in the world. MISSIO (1999) articulated three convictions shaping how this can be expressed:
- We are united by our commitment to serving the transforming mission of God.
- Mission is the bedrock of all we are, do and say as the people of God.
- Our faithfulness in mission will be expressed in a great diversity of mission models, strategies and practices.
How do you see these convictions in your contexts?
RESOURCES FOR THE FIVE MARKS OF MISSION
- Bible in the Life of the Church Report and Further Resources
- Montreal Marks of Mission
- Anglican Communion Mission Study
- Being Church in 21st Century Collection re: Five Marks around the World
CREATING THE COMMON GOOD IN NEW ENGLAND
The Province's Task force on Economic Justice is working to raise awareness about economic equity and identifying ways to catalyze the common good in New England. Representatives from each of the New England Episcopal dioceses are working together to address EMPLOYMENT (ensuring a livable wage), ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (providing gainful employment) and EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. The group is currently identifying ways the province can support and enhance efforts by local agencies and institutions and exploring what we can do better together than apart. Join our conversation on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:30-9 pm via Adobe Connect (http://episcopal.adobeconnect.com/commongood)
- Movement Toward a Moral Economy: Framework and Policy Recommendations for VT 2015-16 - Clergy Caucus of Vermont Interfaith Action
- June 20, 2014 VIDEO: VT Religious Leaders Join U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders to Denounce Income Inequality
- 2015 Vermont Ecumenical Council and Bible Society Statement on the Environment and Economic Justice (Press Release)
- 2013 VT Diocesan Convention Resolution on Economic Justice and Income Inequality
- Episcopal Diocese of Western MA Social Justice Commission
- 2015 Trinity Institute Creating the Common Good - Presentation Videos Curriculum Suggestions
- RESOURCES from The Episcopal Network for Economic Justice
- Walter Brueggemann promo for the 2012 JUSTICE CONFERENCE that has six commitments: A Theology of Justice, Practical Engagement, Collaborative Relationships, Leading Voices, Fiscal Responsibility and to Practice Justice.
Mission is Message!
Seven Criteria for Mission (as adopted by Maine Diocesan Convention on October 23, 2011)
- Diocesan resources will support program/ministry efforts that are Christ-centered and Gospel-oriented.
- Diocesan resources will support program/ministry efforts that collaborate with other churches, communities and affinity groups and demonstrate a willingness to share personnel and resources.
- Diocesan resources will support those program/ministry efforts led by those who can demonstrate their experience as well as passion for their particular ministry
- Diocesan resources will support program/ministry efforts with evaluation processes in place and those that can articulate a plan to achieve sustainability.
- Diocesan resources will support program/ministry efforts whose leaders are willing to share their successes and best practices as well as failures with other congregations or collaborative groups that wish to replicate their work in other parts of the Diocese.
- Diocesan resources will support program/ministry efforts that demonstrate a willingness to move from a centralized approach to ones that will involve and benefit a wide range and number of people within the diocese and beyond.
- Diocesan resources will support program/ministry efforts that demonstrate the values of transparency, equity, fairness and collaboration.