Camp Day of Action for Trans* Justice: April 1st, 2021
Trans* youth in America are under attack. As of this writing there are currently 82 bills anti-trans bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Most of them are aimed at some of the most vulnerable members of our community- our youth. Some aim to leave trans* girls on the sidelines of sports, and to allow for invasive and traumatic exams for anyone who doesn’t fall neatly into the category of “female” just to be part of the team. Others ban life saving gender affirming medication and make it a felony offense for doctors who prescribe them. Prior to the introduction of these 21% of trans* youth attempted suicide every year (Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health 2020). That’s 1 in 5. Every year. Without access to equitable treatment, and gender affirming medication experts only expect that number to increase in the coming years.
These bills are taking aim at our campers. For every bill- whether it passes or doesn’t it sends the message to this already vulnerable group that their access to living full lives is up for debate. We cannot always control what is happening in statehouses- but we CAN control what is happening in our camp communities. It is time for camps to make a statement that we will NOT allow this type of transphobia to exist in our spaces. Your trans* campers need you to make a statement. It could save their lives.
Can we count on you to make a difference in the lives of trans* kids this summer?
Sign the Commitment, and take action with the resources here.
Trans* youth in America are under attack. As of this writing there are currently 82 bills anti-trans bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Most of them are aimed at some of the most vulnerable members of our community- our youth. Some aim to leave trans* girls on the sidelines of sports, and to allow for invasive and traumatic exams for anyone who doesn’t fall neatly into the category of “female” just to be part of the team. Others ban life saving gender affirming medication and make it a felony offense for doctors who prescribe them. Prior to the introduction of these 21% of trans* youth attempted suicide every year (Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health 2020). That’s 1 in 5. Every year. Without access to equitable treatment, and gender affirming medication experts only expect that number to increase in the coming years.
These bills are taking aim at our campers. For every bill- whether it passes or doesn’t it sends the message to this already vulnerable group that their access to living full lives is up for debate. We cannot always control what is happening in statehouses- but we CAN control what is happening in our camp communities. It is time for camps to make a statement that we will NOT allow this type of transphobia to exist in our spaces. Your trans* campers need you to make a statement. It could save their lives.
Can we count on you to make a difference in the lives of trans* kids this summer?
Sign the Commitment, and take action with the resources here.
Grant Opportunity: Direct Programming with Native Youth
Are you currently serving Native American youth in your community? Consider these grant opportunities.
Are you currently serving Native American youth in your community? Consider these grant opportunities.
New InsideOut Summer Camp Curriculum: Creation Speaks
Creation Speaks provides a full week’s worth of creative activities for all age groups, including:
Daily Bible study exploring what Creation can teach us about God
Recommended focus activities for each day
Multi-day projects, crafts, and other extras to make your job easier
Daily worship resources for children and youth
Resources for connecting the camp experience to home and church
Preview the daily themes and scriptures here.
InsideOut curriculums includes daily activities for faith formation and worship planning. Your curriculum purchase also includes:
Staff Devotions
Camper Devotions
Camp-to-Home worksheets
Table Tents with themed questions
Song and Story suggestions
Online Staff Training tools
Letter templates to keep in touch with campers through the year
Creation Speaks provides a full week’s worth of creative activities for all age groups, including:
Daily Bible study exploring what Creation can teach us about God
Recommended focus activities for each day
Multi-day projects, crafts, and other extras to make your job easier
Daily worship resources for children and youth
Resources for connecting the camp experience to home and church
Preview the daily themes and scriptures here.
InsideOut curriculums includes daily activities for faith formation and worship planning. Your curriculum purchase also includes:
Staff Devotions
Camper Devotions
Camp-to-Home worksheets
Table Tents with themed questions
Song and Story suggestions
Online Staff Training tools
Letter templates to keep in touch with campers through the year
Imagine!: God's Earth & People Restored (Ecumenical Advocacy Days)
Join us for EAD 2021 to advocate for Climate Justice! EAD 2021 is an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community.
Bishop Michael Curry will preach at the ecumenical worship service on Sunday, April 18, 2021.
Join us for EAD 2021 to advocate for Climate Justice! EAD 2021 is an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community.
Bishop Michael Curry will preach at the ecumenical worship service on Sunday, April 18, 2021.
Renewing The Work Of Reconciliation: A Lenten Forum Series
An offering from Christ Church Cranbrook, Sundays, February 21-March 28 at 10 AM ET.
People often use the word, “reconciliation,” and our Scriptures tell us that, through Christ we have been “reconciled to God” and given the “ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18). But what does reconciliation mean and what does it involve? In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, reconciliation was understood to be a way for communities to acknowledge and address past harms and injustice in order to walk into a new future together. Drawing from this past work, we have asked faith leaders to offer what they believe is the meaning and work of reconciliation today.
An offering from Christ Church Cranbrook, Sundays, February 21-March 28 at 10 AM ET.
People often use the word, “reconciliation,” and our Scriptures tell us that, through Christ we have been “reconciled to God” and given the “ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18). But what does reconciliation mean and what does it involve? In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, reconciliation was understood to be a way for communities to acknowledge and address past harms and injustice in order to walk into a new future together. Drawing from this past work, we have asked faith leaders to offer what they believe is the meaning and work of reconciliation today.
Creation Justice Ministries: 2021 Earth Day Resource
The 2021 theme for the compelling Earth Day resources from Creation Justice Ministries (an ecumenical group) is Health, Environmental Racism, & Eco-Justice. It will include Christian education materials, sermon starters, case studies, actions to take, and much more.
It is through this intentional endeavor that we heed the words of 2 Peter 3:12-13, which calls us to “…look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” This day will bring about “…a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells,” but it will not come on its own. As Earth Day Sunday 2021 approaches, we at Creation Justice Ministries have put together a Christian education resource centered around the nexus of health, environmental racism, and ecological justice, a pertinent intersection in our current time. I am hopeful that this resource will provide some insight into the ways in which these injustices manifest in our communities, so all who come across it feel empowered to heed the words of 2 Peter 3:12-13, and brave enough to be the light.
The 2021 theme for the compelling Earth Day resources from Creation Justice Ministries (an ecumenical group) is Health, Environmental Racism, & Eco-Justice. It will include Christian education materials, sermon starters, case studies, actions to take, and much more.
It is through this intentional endeavor that we heed the words of 2 Peter 3:12-13, which calls us to “…look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” This day will bring about “…a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells,” but it will not come on its own. As Earth Day Sunday 2021 approaches, we at Creation Justice Ministries have put together a Christian education resource centered around the nexus of health, environmental racism, and ecological justice, a pertinent intersection in our current time. I am hopeful that this resource will provide some insight into the ways in which these injustices manifest in our communities, so all who come across it feel empowered to heed the words of 2 Peter 3:12-13, and brave enough to be the light.
MLK Moral Monday Prayer Service
Join Presiding Bishop Curry, and the National leaders of the Poor People's Campaign in a MLK Moral Monday Worship Service, Monday, January 18 at 10am PST/1pm EST.
The National Interfaith Service of Love, Light and Leadership will bring the nation together in prayer to build the beloved community with Love tied to Justice, Light grounded in Truth, Leadership rooted in a Moral Agenda for the Nation.
Join Presiding Bishop Curry, and the National leaders of the Poor People's Campaign in a MLK Moral Monday Worship Service, Monday, January 18 at 10am PST/1pm EST.
The National Interfaith Service of Love, Light and Leadership will bring the nation together in prayer to build the beloved community with Love tied to Justice, Light grounded in Truth, Leadership rooted in a Moral Agenda for the Nation.
14 Policy Priorities to Heal the Nation: A Moral and Economic Agenda for the First 100 Days
Many of us had the opportunity in January to participate in a Poor People’s Campaign Rally as a part of the 2020 Annual Conference in Maryland, and since through online gatherings. Following the election, they’ve released fourteen priorities for 2021 and going forward.
Many of us had the opportunity in January to participate in a Poor People’s Campaign Rally as a part of the 2020 Annual Conference in Maryland, and since through online gatherings. Following the election, they’ve released fourteen priorities for 2021 and going forward.
Prophetic Indigenous Voices on the Planetary Crisis
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join us and our invited guests as we share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice.
A word on the election.
With Malice Toward None is a program designed for churches and groups to provide a way for understanding and healing for all sides of our political divisions for both before and after the November election
With Malice Toward None is a program designed for churches and groups to provide a way for understanding and healing for all sides of our political divisions for both before and after the November election
The Episcopal Church's Season of Creation: September 1-October 4
Resources, events, photos, and reflections will be shared in the weekly Creation Care Newsletter. If you have something to contribute, send to creation@episcopalchurch.org.
Resources, events, photos, and reflections will be shared in the weekly Creation Care Newsletter. If you have something to contribute, send to creation@episcopalchurch.org.
Racial Justice Online Dialogue & Listening Circles: Sacred Ground & My Work To Do
During 2020, ECCC will have offered four Sacred Ground dialogue circles, a curriculum offered by the Episcopal Church that’s reflected on in this Episcopal News Service article.
Keep an eye out: We will announce new circles at the end of 2020.
We encourage you to sign up for one of these!
During 2020, ECCC will have offered four Sacred Ground dialogue circles, a curriculum offered by the Episcopal Church that’s reflected on in this Episcopal News Service article.
Keep an eye out: We will announce new circles at the end of 2020, or consider starting your own with your staff.
We encourage you to sign up for one of these!
Season of Creation and St. Francis Day Resources
The Season of Creation, September 1st through October 4th, is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action for climate justice and an end to environmental racism and ecological destruction. This year’s theme is Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope. In celebrating the Season, we are invited to consider anew our ecological, economic, and political ways of living.
The Season of Creation, September 1st through October 4th, is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action for climate justice and an end to environmental racism and ecological destruction. This year’s theme is Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope. In celebrating the Season, we are invited to consider anew our ecological, economic, and political ways of living.
How Wealth Inequality Distorts Philanthropy and Imperils Democracy
Over the last two decades, charitable giving has been on a steady upward trajectory. But this growth has masked a troubling trend: Charity is becoming increasingly undemocratic, with organizations relying more on larger donations from a smaller number of wealthy donors, while receiving shrinking amounts of revenue from donors at lower-and middle-income levels.
Gilded Giving 2020 forward several possible implications of these conditions and suggests some solutions.
Over the last two decades, charitable giving has been on a steady upward trajectory. But this growth has masked a troubling trend: Charity is becoming increasingly undemocratic, with organizations relying more on larger donations from a smaller number of wealthy donors, while receiving shrinking amounts of revenue from donors at lower-and middle-income levels.
Gilded Giving 2020 forward several possible implications of these conditions and suggests some solutions.
Feeding Ministries & Initiatives at Episcopal Camps & Conference Centers
Food and sundries have served as a unique challenge and asset to our Episcopal camps and conference centers. When COVID-19 hit, most had full walk-in refrigerators, freezers, and pantries, prepared to serve hundreds of guests in the coming months. Immediately, places had to pivot so that food would not go to waste.
Camps and conference centers also have existing, reliable relationships with food distributors, and as the pandemic has continued, they have utilized those to serve their community, when other food and resources were hard to acquire, and as the economic impact of the pandemic has continued to develop.
Camp Washington in the Diocese of Connecticut offers a well-stocked hygiene and food table (including canned goods and produce), as well as fully prepared meals, available at no-cost to its community.
St. Columba in the Diocese of West Tennessee offers take-home meals for community members to pick-up in the parking lot, including barbeque dinners or breakfast casseroles.
Valle Crucis in the Diocese of Western North Carolina opened a General Store for their town, selling flour, toilet paper, baked good, and other items on request.
Ascension School in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon partners with local agencies to provide meals for senior citizens, and to provide school and summertime lunches for students.
Food and sundries have served as a unique challenge and asset to our Episcopal camps and conference centers. When COVID-19 hit, most had full walk-in refrigerators, freezers, and pantries, prepared to serve hundreds of guests in the coming months. Immediately, places had to pivot so that food would not go to waste.
Camps and conference centers also have existing, reliable relationships with food distributors, and as the pandemic has continued, they have utilized those to serve their community, when other food and resources were hard to acquire, and as the economic impact of the pandemic has continued to develop.
Here are just a few of the camps that took those two realities and pivoted into something meaningful:
Camp Washington in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut offers a well-stocked hygiene and food table (including canned goods and produce), as well as fully prepared meals, available at no-cost to its community. Support Camp Washington here.
St. Columba in the Diocese of West Tennessee offers take-home meals for community members to pick-up in the parking lot, including barbeque dinners or breakfast casseroles. Support St. Columba here.
Valle Crucis in the Diocese of Western North Carolina opened a General Store for their town, selling flour, toilet paper, prepared meals, baked goods, and other items on request in April and May. Support Valle Crucis here.
Ascension School in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon partners with local agencies to provide meals for senior citizens, and to provide school and summertime lunches for students. Support Ascension School Camp & Conference Center here.
Camp Stevens in the Dioceses of Los Angeles & San Diego has partnered with a local farm to offer CSA (community supported agriculture) produce boxes to their rural community, supplemented with fresh baked bread or granola. Support Camp Stevens here.
Why Every Environmentalist Should Be Anti-Racist
Intersectional environmentalism is an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimize or silence social inequality.
The longer racism is not addressed, the harder it will be to save the planet, in part because Black activists’ time and energy are being drained.
Intersectional environmentalism is an inclusive version of environmentalism that advocates for both the protection of people and the planet. It identifies the ways in which injustices happening to marginalized communities and the earth are interconnected. It brings injustices done to the most vulnerable communities, and the earth, to the forefront and does not minimize or silence social inequality.
The longer racism is not addressed, the harder it will be to save the planet, in part because Black activists’ time and energy are being drained.
Are you a member of the Union of Black Episcopalians?
Membership is open to all. Consider a UBE membership as a sign of your support and in affirmation of our shared witness for racial justice and reconciliation.
Membership is open to all. Consider a UBE membership as a sign of your support and in affirmation of our shared witness for racial justice and reconciliation.
Tips for creating an inclusive professional environment in tense racial times
It is telling and troubling (devestating) that this 4-year old article is both the most relevant guidance I can find on this topic, and still desperately needed.
This past week has likely been an intense time for your employees, and especially your employees of color. Don’t expect them to show up on Monday, business as usual.
While some staff may take a “business as usual” attitude the day following a racially charged killing making the national news or dominating social media, this is not possible for employees who identify with the person slain. The fear, anger, and sadness that is likely to arise doesn’t just disappear simply because it is ignored. In fact, the worst possible response to such trauma being experienced by some staff is to ignore it and expect them to act as if they are unaffected.
Do you have additional resources or guidance to share? Please post it in the comments.
It is telling and troubling (devestating) that this 4-year old article is both the most relevant guidance I can find on this topic, and still desperately needed.
This past week has likely been an intense time for your employees, and especially your employees of color. Don’t expect them to show up on Monday, business as usual.
While some staff may take a “business as usual” attitude the day following a racially charged killing making the national news or dominating social media, this is not possible for employees who identify with the person slain. The fear, anger, and sadness that is likely to arise doesn’t just disappear simply because it is ignored. In fact, the worst possible response to such trauma being experienced by some staff is to ignore it and expect them to act as if they are unaffected.
Do you have additional resources or guidance to share? Please post it in the comments.
Everything Has Changed: Abuse Prevention at Camp in the Age of #MeToo
The American Camp Association has released this article that considers societal shifts and demands in how abuse is both prevented and addressed, and the implications on camp programs. How has your camp changed its policies in the last two years?
The American Camp Association has released this article that considers societal shifts and demands in how abuse is both prevented and addressed, and the implications on camp programs. How has your camp changed its policies in the last two years?
Welcoming Every Body: Accessibility in Church
Weston Morris, current Episcopal Service Corps member in the Episcopal Church in Colorado (and Kanuga retreat leader and Camp Stevens staff person) wrote this reflection on their work in disability justice:
Accessibility is not just a physical issue, however; accessibility has spiritual, emotional, and cultural aspects as well — aspects that our churches have yet to adequately face. People with disabilities are major players in the narrative of Jesus, but our theology on those characters is lacking, focusing far too much on the attitude of the disabled and too little on the responsibility of communities to support them.
Weston Morris, current Episcopal Service Corps member in the Episcopal Church in Colorado (and Kanuga retreat leader and Camp Stevens staff person) wrote this reflection on their work in disability justice:
Accessibility is not just a physical issue, however; accessibility has spiritual, emotional, and cultural aspects as well — aspects that our churches have yet to adequately face. People with disabilities are major players in the narrative of Jesus, but our theology on those characters is lacking, focusing far too much on the attitude of the disabled and too little on the responsibility of communities to support them.