Racial Reconciliation and Generational Healing: Integrated Christian Healing Practices in ECCT

Tag: ECCT Stories

A reflection from the Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers

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What would make people say “yes” to an ECCT commitment that has taken one and a half years of intensive work that often felt like a fulltime job? I believe that folks, with the help of God, were encouraged to offer their gifts for the Bishop Transition Committee (BTC) in many and varied ways.

Witness Stones at St. Pauls, Wallingford

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Adapted from the Sermon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wallingford, CT

By Amy Foster

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

On a sunny Sunday in June that serendipitously fell on Juneteenth, a day we had slated to honor the legacy of two former enslaved people in our own church by installing two Witness Stones, our lectionary felt like a gift from the heavens. As always, there were moments throughout the service in which we were reminded of our Christian mission to love others as ourselves, but Paul’s Letter to the Galatians seemed penned almost particularly for the day at hand. In it, Paul argues that we need to break down barriers and distinctions, recognizing, as he says in chapter 6, verse 2 of the letter that God shows no partiality. (Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians because some of them were listening to a group that was trying to limit and exclude certain types of people from the Christian movement in the first century.) Throughout the writing, Paul is adamant that because we are all equal in the eyes of God, we need to treat each other that way as well. Paul argues for inclusivity and love of neighbor (every neighbor!)—in this letter he reiterates Jesus’ Great Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This emphasis on inclusivity is behind much of the work of the Resolution 7 Task Force here at St. Paul’s. This task force was put together to carry out the ECCT resolution in 2020 that stated, among other things, that each parish would “take steps to research and document historic complicity in racism in their parish and communities.” In doing our research, with the help of both the Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust and the Witness Stones Project, our goal has been to be more inclusive in understanding a fuller picture of our history as a parish.

We have learned through our work that there were at the very least about a dozen people enslaved by members of our parish, including by one of our rectors. We are taking steps to lift up the lives and labors of those enslaved people, to include them as an important part of the story of our community.

When we first started our research, Grace and Esau, whom we honor today, were our first discoveries because, in fact, they are actually named in the published St. Paul’s history that has been in use for decades! Grace and Esau were enslaved by Titus and Mary Brockett who were significant benefactors of the church in the mid-1700s. Mary outlived her husband Titus, and upon her death in 1777 she granted freedom to Grace. We can presume that Esau already had been freed by that point, as both Grace and Esau were granted a dwelling, some property, a cow, a bed, pots, and more, all of which would revert back to St. Paul’s upon their death. Based on property records found in the Wallingford Town Hall by The Witness Stones Project, we discovered that Esau became a small businessman, buying and trading a number of properties. Grace worked as a spinner and weaver, and she farmed alongside Esau. From census records we can determine that Grace died sometime after 1830 and Esau after 1840.

This is about all we know about these two individuals, and so I wonder about all that we don’t know. What were their lives really like? Were they able to get an education? Even when they were emancipated, what was it like for them to live in Wallingford—where were they welcome, and from where were they excluded? Were they ever allowed inside the church building—a building whose funding was partly made possible by their own labors? And what about their names? Were they given by their parents or by their enslavers? In fact, did they even have the opportunity to get to know their parents?

We will likely never fully know what the lives of Grace and Esau were like, but the parts of their stories that we do know help us understand just a bit more fully the story of our past. By learning more about everyone who contributed to our community, whether directly or indirectly, we develop a more inclusive and complete understanding of who we are. And, even more importantly, by recognizing and acknowledging injustices, whether past or present, we will be motivated to continue to work for a world in which all human beings are treated with dignity and justice. We know there is work to be done. We see it in the national news every day. We see it right here in our own town in the hateful and racist graffiti that was recently painted on our Vietnam War memorial. And we see it in the continued systemic inequities in so many parts of everyday life. Let us pray that our work with the Witness Stones Project and our continued learning will spur us to strive for a world in which there is no partiality so that we can someday live out the vision of unity expressed by Paul…so that, in all of our beautiful difference, we can be one.

Links for more information:

https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Wallingford/Wallingford-News/Wallingford-Juneteenth.html

https://witnessstonesproject.org/

All are welcome to join a workshop to learn more about Grace and Esau and about the history of slavery in Connecticut presented by the Witness Stones Project at St. Paul’s Wallingford (65 N. Main St., Wallingford, CT) on November 6 at 4:00 pm. The presentation will be followed by a prayer service. For more information contact the church at 203-269-5050.

An Old Remedy for a New Cure

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A couple of weeks ago I was cleaning out my books to set up my new study at Trinity Church in Brooklyn, CT and I ran across a book by John McKnight and Peter Block called The Abundant Community.

Come to me and I will give you rest

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Rest sounds nice when the phone buzzes in the middle of the night. Heart racing, I lift myself out of the cocoon of my warm comforter, rub the sleep from my eyes, and wonder where I put my glasses.

Holy Week.

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I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Holy Week is upon us. I don’t know how you all do it. But I’m about to find out.

#AdventWord Reflections from the Fourth Week of Advent

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#AdventWord may be over, and we didn’t want you to miss the great reflections from the fourth week of Advent shared on ECCT’s Facebook and Instagram. #AdventWord #GodisStillSpeaking

#feed

December 20

God feeds us all
With celestial food
Food for the journey towards
Wholeness and Peace

How does God feed you?

Susan Ayers

feed –
what happens when abundance
meets poverty

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #feed

Ronald Steed

#generations

December 21

when one’s blessing
passes long after life end –
generations

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #generations

Ronald Steed

#magnify

December 22

This joyful song by Sandi Patty tells how to magnify the Lord: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrJDNuzdioA

When we magnify, it enlarges the subject. How do we magnify God? By making Him larger in the world by spreading His word and doing His work, showing how large a part of our life He is.
When we magnify, it also shows our subject in more detail. We can magnify God by studying the details about Him in Scripture, songs, prayers and meditation. Get to know everything we can about Him so we can be in a more intimate relationship with him.

Ginnie Glassman

magnify –
when the insignificant
takes on greatness

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #magnify

Ronald Steed

#flock

December 23

he keeps watch over
going out and coming in –
flock

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #flock

Ronald Steed

#greeting

December 24

That look on my puppy’s face when I come home!

Margaret Breen

GREETING
The story of Christmas is told in greetings:
The angel of the Lord greets Zechariah to tell him of the son he will have.
The angel Gabriel greets Mary to tell her of the child she will bear.
Mary greets Elizabeth and learns of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
The child John leaps in Elizabeth’s womb to greet his cousin, Jesus.
Elizabeth greets Mary and confirms that she will be the mother of her Lord.
Mary greets God in her Magnificat, praising him and his power.
Zechariah greets his son John with the promise that he will be of prophet of God.
Mary and Joseph greet their newborn son, Jesus, in a stable.
The angels greet the shepherds and announce the good news of Jesus’ birth.
The shepherds greet the newborn child with praises to God.
The three kings arrive to greet the newborn king after following his star.
Simeon greets Mary and Joseph with praise to God and a prophesy of Jesus’ impact on the world.
Tonight and tomorrow morning, we greet Jesus, God incarnate, into our world and our hearts. Come, Lord Jesus.

Ginnie Glassman

greeting –
when strangers meet bearing
gifts and good news

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #greeting

Ronald Steed

I love the snow greeting us today. And the words of worship, “Satisfy us by your loving kindness in the morning so we will rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.” Blessings too know God’s greeting in the greetings of others.

#child

December 25

Congratulations 🎈🎊
Season greetings God Blessings Amen 🙏

Corinthia Hamilton

good news of great joy
a child born who is lord –
glory to God

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #child

Ronald Steed

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#AdventWord Reflections from the Third Week of Advent

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As in year’s past, ECCT is participating in #AdventWord. Each day during Advent, we post the daily #AdventWord on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feed. We welcome and encourage everyone to join in commenting in response to day’s post with a word, thought, image, poem, prayer, or whatever the Spirit prompts in you each day. Below you will find the comments posted on each day’s word on our Facebook and Instagram feed. We welcome you to read, look, listen, and reflect on our first week walking through Advent together.

#share

December 13

to have a moment
that someone helped us to find –
share

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #share

Ronald Steed

Leslie Williams

Grace

Gerry Carlson Piccola

I must have cookies on the brain. Stir and share both bring Christmas Cookies to mind. #cookies #share #stir

Denise Butwill

#exult

December 14

I exult my Lord
Praise for this glorious day
I exult my God
Kathleen Harrington Coleman

Casey Rousseau

exault –
when snowdrops break through
the icy spots

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #exult

Ronald Steed

#stir

December 15

Stir. Agitate. Stir up…
Wind, tempest, passion, anger, wrath, a voice, a crowd of voices,
A whirlwind of power.
Now. Be Still.
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us.
Beverly Olsen
When the Spirit moves it’s difficult to ignore her!
Margaret Breen
Stirring from my sleep
Giving thanks for this morning
Ready to serve God
Kathleen Harrington Coleman

when buds swell
and break out of their hard shells –
stir

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #stir

Ronald Steed

Cookies

Denise Butwill

#gladness

December 16

 

gladness –
when witch hazel breaks out
in the winter gloom

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #gladness

Ronald Steed

#bountiful

December 17

the gathering
of hearts and blue-flamed spirit
bountiful

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #bountiful

Ronald Steed
The long dark night is cold;
bright streaks of dawn break the horizon .
Let the bountiful light Deliver us .
Fallow fields frosted and still;
Mary, full of grace’ heads toward Jerusalem.
Let God’s bountiful mercy deliver us .
We are sorely hindered by our sins;
Let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;
Beverly Olsen

#sing

December 18

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Casey Rousseau

sing –
nature’s old ones join the hymn
of new life

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #sing

Ronald Steed

#blessed

December 19

when one bears fruit
that can be shared with others –
blessed

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #blessed

Ronald Steed

Learn more about the global #AdventWord community.

More from ECCT Stories

#AdventWord Reflections from the Second Week of Advent

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As in year’s past, ECCT is participating in #AdventWord. Each day during Advent, we post the daily #AdventWord on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feed. We welcome and encourage everyone to join in commenting in response to day’s post with a word, thought, image, poem, prayer, or whatever the Spirit prompts in you each day. Below you will find the comments posted on each day’s word on our Facebook and Instagram feed. We welcome you to read, look, listen, and reflect on our first week walking through Advent together.

#everlasting

December 6

Everlasting: what would that be? Change is always in the wind. Nothing lasts–we all say it! Things gone away, don’t come again. Yet God brings love that’s everlasting–Who comprehends this awesome prize? Advent recalls all that He’s given–the Christ Child comes before our eyes! The earth will turn, the valleys deepen, Eons shall pass–and so will we, but God’s been there: Alpha, Omega–This promise kept for you and me!

Sandy Marshall
The feeling we have
when seed forms and scatters –
everlasting
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Martha Rogers

Forever – and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Evelyn Morgan

#offering

December 7

offering –
when we gift the things that
bring joy to our heart
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
painting by @thecurlyhairedpainter
Ronald Steed

The affection I get from my flock

Margaret Breen

#messenger

December 8

Years ago when I was a Canon in the Diocese of South Dakota, I was honored by my Lakota friends who gave me one of their ancestors names, “Winyan Hanska”. They gave other gifts too, including 2 red tail hawk feathers. I was told that the red tail hawk would companion me on my life’s journey. Since then hawks have become my messengers. The sighting of hawks, by myself and my family members, always seems to message us in some way. I was given the hawk symbol due to their keen vision and thanked for my spiritual visioning.

Martha Rogers

Isaiah 52:7 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” How can I be the messenger of “good news, peace and good tidings”? In this Advent season, how can I get excited about the incarnation of our Savior and spread that anticipation to others? The true Christmas spirit of kindness, giving, caring, loving can do so much at this time of year especially for those for whom it is maybe not be a joyful time. What can we do?

Ginnie Glassman
the one who tells us
things that will transform us –
messenger
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Sometimes a messenger has a sacred task: telling of God’s love; sometimes they have a secular task: carrying documents or other items from one business to another. Both risk, willingly or not, long-term or short, being responsible for that message and it’s delivery. There are consequences.

Karin Hamilton

#splendor

December 9

Casey Rousseau
splendor –
the thing we see at moments
when hope is in us
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

When I gave my life to God and he healed my mind , heart, and soul. He waited patiently for me.

Carol Rapuano

#repent

December 10

Yet knowing how way leads on to way…. Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”
In this hour, I turned to focus on the clutter of my world. The car needed repair; the groceries needed unpacking; the laundry sat in a pile; colleagues’ voices filled my head with chatter and gossip; the TV news muttered and grumbled till I was deaf with it. I did not stop. I did hear Christ this hour. I did not see Christ in these tasks. I did not try.
Christ is here waiting for me to turn and see. I repent.
In this month, there has been so much to do. I have wandered in the valley of holiday preparations, on a crooked path I worked my way from one task to the next – baking and decorating and shopping. My view obscured by mountains of paperwork and Internet traffic and worldly cares. I huddled in the darkness and cold of December gloom. I forgot to watch the sunset; I forgot to see the glory of the winter dawn; I did not see the light. I forgot why the garland drapes the house and candles embellish the mantle. I forgot why we roast turkey and bake cookies. A tree sits in the center of my house; the crèche sits hidden on a corner table.
Christ is here waiting for me to turn and see. I repent.
In this troublesome year, I despaired. I depended on the security of my house and my savings account and my stores of groceries. I depended on masks and vaccines. I listened the voices of CDC and government officials. I trembled at the voices of dissent and rebellion. I feared a changing world; I feared the darkness. I forgot to see Christ. I forgot to look for Christ.
Christ is here waiting for me to turn and see. I repent.
Begin again. Make all things new. Make straight the path. Turn away from the voices of the world. Fill the low places with the words of the Lord. Take down the Mountains of the world that obscure the horizon. Turn around. Prepare the way. Stop. See down the cleared path. See the salvation of God
Beverly Olsen
the feeling one has
when a new way beckons –
repent
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

#compassion

December 11

My dog with hospice patient …
Daphne Wilcox

For me you never know what anyone is going through ever so I always try to choose compassion before judgement or criticism.

Page Daniel

Martha Rogers
not there to stop tears
but sit with as they gather –
compassion
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

#expectation

December 12

expectation –
that at any moment
spirit can be there
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Casey Rousseau

Learn more about the global #AdventWord community.

More from ECCT Stories

#AdventWord Reflections from the First Week of Advent

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As in year’s past, ECCT is participating in #AdventWord. Each day during Advent, we post the daily #AdventWord on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feed. We welcome and encourage everyone to join in commenting in response to day’s post with a word, thought, image, poem, prayer, or whatever the Spirit prompts in you each day. Below you will find the comments posted on each day’s word on our Facebook feed. We welcome you to read, look, listen, and reflect on our first week walking through Advent together.

#promise

November 28

next year’s growth
held in trust by this year’s plants -promise

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #promise
Ronald Steed

The baptismal font at St. James, Farmington.

#AdventWord #promise

Margaret Breen

New life will come… promise.

#Adventword

Katy Forline

The sunset over Wethersfield Cove!

We can always look for the promise of beautiful sunrises and sunsets around us

#Adventword #Promise

Dylan Mello

In one weekend we witnessed marriage promises and baptism promises. And then came home to this promise from the Holy One. It was humbling and inspiring all at once: a “look at me” moment.

Rachel Thomas

#strength

November 29

Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Casey Rousseau

When conflicts arise,
Find strength from one another,
Shared burdens ease strife.

Lori Sarkett 

in meditation
she holds the dome of the sky-
strength

Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

#adventword #ECCT #ECCTSE #strength

Ronald Steed

“My strength is made perfect in weakness”

Pam Strobel

Jesus=Hope

Marta Berkman-Williard

When I think of Mary and Joseph, the first word that comes to me is strength. Strength for Joseph to raise the child as his own, strength for Mary, the unwed mother to be. Strength to ride from Galilee to Bethlehem (90 miles, ten miles a day). Strength to get there and everywhere is full. Strength for judgement from others- Gabriel spoke to these two individually, he didn’t announce the plan on social media. Their story always reminds me that “we don’t know what we don’t know.” Advent is all about strength.

#ECCT

Page Daniel

#soul

November 30

When kindred spirits meet, I’ve always believed that our souls have touched before. We are God’s beloved. The alpha and the Omega.

Kathleen Roberts
Martha Rogers
My soul oh my soul
Let God’s love be in my soul
For all that I do
Kathleen Harrington Coleman
soul-
the color that shines forth
when hard frost comes
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

“You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” C.S. Lewis

Page Daniel

The soul emerges,
Mortal woes cease to exist,
Life begins anew.

Lori Sarkett 

#path

December 1

Approaching the 35th Anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, I am feeling especially grateful for the footsteps of the brave women of the Philadelphia Eleven who led the way and made a path for me and many others to follow.

Mary Anne Osborn
Paths are funny
At first thought, I’d say my path up until now was more like a roller coaster and I would even describe my path as broken. I have always enjoyed the kind of path that leads me in and out at a different place. Not backtracking so to speak.
When I pray to God regarding my path, I now see vividly that God’s plan for me and wherever I was on that path was where I exactly suppose to be. When the path dropped and speed picked up and I thought I was falling? He picked me up. If I seemed to be in a loopy loop? God righted me. And when I stood at the broken gaps if the path and felt there was no way forward? God filled them with his love and sustained me to take another step.
Blessings in Advent to you all. 🙏💜💜💓💜
Kathleen Roberts

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

though worn by passage
each sees the way with new eyes-
path
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed
If you came this way,
Taking any route, starting from anywhere,
At any time or at any season,
It would always be the same: you would have to put off
Sense and notion. You are not here to verify,
Instruct yourself, or inform curiosity
Or carry report. You are here to kneel
Where prayer has been valid. (TS Eliot, Little Gidding)
Diana Rogers
Martha Rogers

As someone who likes to walk a lot of paths in parks, I am always thankful to those who go with me and help me read the map or see the signs when I get lost.

Rachel Thomas

#justice

December 2

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help
Martha Rogers
justice –
can we imagine healing
for wounds that run deep?
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

Bring it on, y’all. I struggle with justice while longing for it. Tell me images, scripture, books that speak God’s justice.

Rachel Thomas

I can only think of Amos 5:24 when I hear the word justice.

Page Daniel

Affordable housing. Medical care for everyone.

Peace

Stephen McGrath

Peace

Nancy Darius

#fulfill

December 3

The way your pet looks at you when you come home.

Donovan Reinwald

in response to Donovan Reinwald:

You mean that worshipful gaze?? 😄

Carolyn Mills

“May he grant your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.” – Psalm 20:4

Page Daniel
spirit gathers
then healing spills over cheeks –
fulfill
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed
Martha Rogers

Love

Eve Averill

#heart

December 4

Galatians 5:6 the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Donna Lydem
where spirit flows
like rivers, grows like trees –
heart
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?
Ronald Steed

One of my favorite poems found in a 1970’s government Appalachian document. Poem by Chuck Lathrop.

Martha Rogers

Relish our differences,
Allow your heart to open,
Diversity Rocks !

Lori Sarkett 

#praise

December 5

praise –
what happens when we grow
in god’s time and place
Do you have a haiku for this Advent word?

 

Ronald Steed

Flourish happens now…wholeness in the cosmic light…all praise the one…

Susan Ayers

Praise God from whom all blessings flow https://youtu.be/RBz7vuJ2b1A

Katy Forline

Learn more about the global #AdventWord community.

More from ECCT Stories