| Peace Out! Week Thirty-Seven |
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Christ's Church in Rye, New York
welcomes EPF's message
of justice and non-violence! |
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| NEC member Rev. Michael Kurth, Curate at Christ's Church, Rye, New York, graciously welcomed us for worship and coffee hour on Sunday, September 22. Christ's Church will celebrate 325 years in 2020, and is discerning its holy purpose into the future, including what potential for transformative outreach might be theirs. From the enthusiasm we met amongst parishioners at coffee hour, we hope that this audacious, innovative, dedicated and generous parish will find the energy for EPF and its social justice ministries as they pray and reflect on their baptismal call. |
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| Equal Justice Initiative (www.eji.org) turns 30 this year, and I was treated to an evening in celebration of that milestone by my dear friend, Diana Kyser, at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan. EJI founder Bryan Stevenson recognized two former convicts who were convicted as children -- Donald Brown of Alabama (incarcerated for 42 years) and August Williams of Louisiana (incarcerated for 49 years)-- for whom EJI secured release with landmark rulings from the U. S. Supreme Court banning the extreme punishment of children, often tried as adults. Soprano Brandie Sutton of the New York City Opera offered a moving rendition of the spiritual "Keep Your Hand on the Plow - Hold On." It was an inspiring evening. EJI does such amazing work -- from saving individuals from unjust punishment to creating the institutions that will lead to change in our harsh criminal justice system -- taking a moment to reflect on what they have been able to do, and what is left to be done, was time well spent. We will do the same for EPF's 80th anniversary in Rhode Island in November, where we will have a signed copy of Stevenson's book "Just Mercy" available at our silent action (see details below) along with tickets to the EJI National Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Justice and Peace in Montgomery, AL, among much else. |
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Finally, the Year of Action event
we've been waiting for is near! |
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EPF
80th Anniversary Celebration!
Sunday, November 10, 2019
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church,
399 Hope Street
Bristol, R.I.
A Commemoration of Witness
4:30 PM Evensong
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Shannon MacVean Brown
Bishop-Elect of Vermont
Followed by A Celebration of Peace
5:30 PM Fundraiser
Swing Band, Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks,
Hors D’oeuvres & Silent Auction
Monday, November 11, 2019
Center for Reconciliation
271 North Main Street
Providence, RI
Pilgrimage
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Benefit Street’s Mile of History
walking tour
sponsored by Center for Reconciliation
Providence, RI
Lunch
11:30 – 12:30
Keynote & Panel Discussion
12:30 – 2:30 PM
Byron Rushing, Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1983-2019
Representatives of Racial Reconciliation Ministries,
Province I, ECUSA
Tickets:
Sunday Fundraiser: $60
Monday Events including lunch: $30
All events Sunday and Monday: $80
https://give.classy.org/reconciliation |
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| TODAY!!!! 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. We are reminded to wear black to this event in memory of lives lost to gun violence. |
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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 Leadership Opportunity!
Are you interested in serving EPF on its National Executive Council(NEC)? Let us hear from you, and we will provide you with an application. (epfactnow). This is a three year obligation. After three years of service, you will be eligible to be re-elected to serve for another three year term. Accepting this nomination means that you would be responsible for the following, should you be elected to serve by the current members of the NEC:
+ Pray, study, act. You agree to follow and exemplify EPFs mission through living into your baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every person.
+ Participation. The NEC meets twice each year, in person. You would agree to attend these meetings and be available for such virtual meetings as are needed from time to time during your term of service.
+ Committees. EPF and the NEC have four committees: membership, sustainability, programming and communications. You will agree to serve on one committee and to be in regular contact with other committee members to accomplish the purposes of the committee and EPF.
+ Development. You will agree to promote EPF’s financial, membership and organizational development, on local, regional and national level. You agree to contribute money to EPF every month at a level which is compatible with your personal situation.
+ Nonviolence. You agree to seek ways of resolving conflict in nonviolent ways, and to promote peace, justice and nonviolence in your personal, professional and spiritual life
+. Stewardship. You will be a good steward of EPF through careful decisions about programs, finances and policy. |
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Our upcoming schedule:
Looking forward, EPF will be in:
Sept. 27-29: Drone warfare initiative, Princeton, NJ (Bob Lotz and Allie Graham attending on our behalf)
Sept. 29: Church of our Savior, Killington, VT
Oct. 12-24: Palestine
Nov. 2: St. Luke's, Altoona, PA
Nov. 9-11: EPF 80th Anniversary, Bristol and 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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| Refreshing view of Staffordville Lake, Stafford Springs, Connecticut |
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