| Peace Out! Week Thirty-five |
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Oh, how good and pleasant it is
When kindred live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1 |
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| The Diocese of Vermont gathered at our newest Peace Partner Parish, St. James Episcopal Church -- Essex Junction, Vermont on Saturday, September 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. to celebrate EPF's 80th anniversary and the Feast Day of our beloved Bishop Paul Jones. The Holy Spirit, current Bishop of the Diocese of Vermont, Rt. Rev. Tom Ely, and Bishop-Elect Rev. Dr. Shannon MacVean-Brown were on hand to bless the new Peace Pole, which was hand made by EPF PIN member John Heermans. The celebration started in bright sun, but before we could get underway the rain clouds gathered and glorious rain helped the bishops do the work of consecrating the new icon. The white cedar pole (harvested from Swanton, VT) beckons peace in eight languages, including Chinese, Russian, Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, Algonquin, English, and Celtic. Bishop Paul Jones life dates are captured on the pole as well.
The afternoon was a holy and joyful time of reflecting on the peace which the church is called to make, as well as enjoying beautiful song and music (Priest in Partnership Rev. Kim Hardy played both cello and piano during the event), thinking about the life and witness of Rt. Rev. Paul Jones, and then reciting and renewing our baptismal covenant. It was a simple and meaningful liturgy followed by a time of fellowship and delicious refreshment. St. Paul's demonstrated how it takes a village to do Kingdom work with grace and enduring beauty. |
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| EPF is pleased to be a sponsor of this rally to end gun violence. Join us and say, "Enough" to the plague of gun violence in our country and to the lack of political will in our elected leadership to enact change that will keep us and our children safe. We are grateful for our EPF members in the Washington, DC, area, who are dedicated to supporting this event and encouraging others to attend. |
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| On Sunday, our precious time in the Diocese of Vermont continued at the 10:00 Eucharist at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington. A striking structure virtually on the shores of Lake Champlain, built in the brutalist style, the church building is nevertheless warm and welcoming, full of the holy people of God doing the work we are called to do in all manners and sorts of ministries. We were lucky to be in attendance on Startup Sunday, and were treated to brief introductions to, and invitations to participate in, all the ways this remarkable church is serving God and neighbor. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and a celebration of twenty years of music ministry of Mark Howe, the Cathedral's Director of Music. Vermont's Pride Parade kicked off right outside the cathedral doors right after lunch and it was a riot of joy, protest, color and witness in a perfect New England autumn afternoon. As a final treat, John Heerman's and his wife, Cecelia, took Steven and me to Rock Point, the Diocese of Vermont's diocesan headquarters, for a hike on the 130 acres situated on Lake Champlain. The outdoor chapel is breathtaking, set off in the forest above the clear lake. |
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| Outdoor chapel at Rock Point, Diocese of Vermont, with view of Lake Champlain. |
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
congratulates EPF on 80 years of loving action and witness,
declaring that our activity is,
"Nothing less than the work of God!"
Click HERE to give to our 80 day campaign! |
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| EPF will be striking for climate change awareness at Foley Square, 31-51 Center Street, New York, New York, noon to 5:30 pm Eastern time on September 20. This site is only steps from African Burial Ground National Monument, which we will also plan to visit. Join us and show up for our environment! Make a loud and unusual noise!
It's not too late to organize your own strike event. Check here: www.globalclimatestrike.net and plan to attend an event near you, or plan your own community event! |
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Calling our El Paso and other west Texas EPF peace partners:
show up for the Poor People's Campaign!
Many opportunities and challenges in the coming days... |
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Next up: Grace Episcopal Church, Bath, Maine on Sunday, September 15!
Join us for a fireside visit after the 10:15 Eucharist.
See you there! |
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Our upcoming schedule:
Looking forward, EPF will be in:
Sept. 15: Grace, Bath, ME
Sept. 20: Climate Strike, NY, NY
Sept. 25: Rally against gun violence, Washington, DC
Sept. 27-29: Drone warfare initiative, Princeton, NJ
Oct 13-24: Palestine
Nov. 11: EPF 80th Anniversary, Providence, RI
Nov. 21-23: Borderland Ministry Summit, St. Philip's in the Hills, Tucson, AZ
Dec. 4: National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence (TBD)
Dec. 22: National Day of Reparations (FOR) TBD
Are you near any of our planned stops and want to visit? Just shout! Someone in EPF national leadership is eager to be with you during our 80 days! epfactnow
Until next time,
power to the peaceful!
Melanie
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| Martyred Jonathan Myrick Daniels' memorial service was held in his hometown of Keene, New Hampshire, at St. James Episcopal Church. Steven and I took a short pilgrimage here on our way to Vermont last week. |
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