EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

RESOURCES FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Beth Bentley — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:46:20 +0000

RESOURCES FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

RESOURCES FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
(*Shared by Pastor Deb, a community friend of Sis. Beth Bentley in McKinney, TX; *Please contact the resource directly for current status)

RESOURCES FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

(*Shared by Pastor Deb, a community friend of Sis. Beth Bentley in McKinney, TX; *Please contact the resource directly for current status)

For any federal employee needing assistance:

Bank of America: announced assistance available to furloughed Federal employees. Call the priority assistance line 844.219.0690.

Chase Bank: Chase today announced efforts to help its customers who are U.S. government employees affected by the U.S. government shutdown. Here’s the special line they set up 1-888-356-0023.

Congressional Federal Credit Union: For more information on our Relief Line of Credit or any of our assistance programs, contact our Member Service Representatives at 800-491-2328 or stop by one of our branch locations.

Fed Choice: They’re offering quite a few different options to assist – for existing and new members.

Interior Federal Credit Union: They’re offering a special loan for both member and non-member furloughed Federal workers. Net paycheck up to $15,000, interest free up to 30 days. Members may apply for a limit up to the equivalent of 2 net paychecks. More offers are available on the site or call 800-914-8619

Navy Federal Credit Union: These guys are offering a special loan program. Read the FAQs PDF from this link to see if you qualify or call 1-888-842-6328

PayPal: PayPal has made a very generous offer. They’ve allocated $25 million to fund interest-free cash advances to our furloughed Federal workers that need assistance right now. This is for both new and existing PayPal Credit customers. Minimum loan is $250 with a maximum cash advance of $500. Your account does need to be in good standing if you’re an existing PayPal Credit customer. Existing customers call 1-877-689-1975. For new accounts, apply here first, then after approval call 1-877-689-1975.

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U.S. Bank: Will waive all late fees if you miss a mortgage payment due to the shutdown. Also mentioned they will defer first payment dates for new mortgages.

U.S. Employees Credit Union: USECU is also offering shutdown loans, but only until Tuesday, January 15th. Call (312) 922.5310 to get help.

SunTrust: SunTrust didn’t make a specific offer, but they did make a public announcement that they have programs in place to help clients affected by the shutdown.

Synchrony Bank: These guys handle store cards for Amazon, Lowes, Walmart, JCPenney, Chevron/Texaco, and many other large nationwide companies that you might do business with on a day-to-day basis. They are allowing affected customers to defer payments until after the shutdown. Contact them for more information.

Union Plus: For union members, there are a great number of options available if you’re with Union Plus. Call them at 800-472-2005 to ask about these offers: $300 Furlough Grant for eligible Union Plus credit card holders, Mortgage Assistance Loan & $300 Grant: payment grace period for your Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance, payment grace period for Union Plus Auto Insurance, and payment grace period for Union Plus Life and Accident Insurance.

Wells Fargo: Here’s a full list of all shutdown assistance lines at Wells Fargo. They’ve got a few different options to help depending on the services you have with their bank.

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Furlough Grants:

FEEA-NARFE: This is an awesome offer that every furloughed Federal worker needs to take advantage of. FEEA-NARFE fund is offering $100 grants to active federal employee members who are not receiving a paycheck during the current shutdown due to being furloughed or working in excepted status. To apply, visit the FEEA website.

Thrift Savings Plan:

TSP Plan News and Announcements: TSP allows for the suspension of loan payments when you go into non-pay status. They do not require documentation about your furlough currently. Missing one or two payments will not cause your loan to go into default. Log in to your account to check your status or simply call the Thrift Line at 1-877-968-3778.

Toyota Financial Services & Lexus Financial Services: Affected lease and finance customers in good standing with their accounts may be eligible to take advantage of up to two months of finance contract payment extensions or lease deferred payments. Toyota Financial Services call 800-874-8822 and Lexus Financial Services call 800-874-7050.

Hyundai Capital: Hyundai will extend all Hyundai Capital auto loans and lease payments for 30 days for current Hyundai owners who are federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown. Impacted consumers should contact Hyundai Motor Finance at 1-800-523-4030 to take advantage of this offer.

Kia Motors Finance: Kia has announced they’re offering deferred payments of 30 days. If you’ve been affected by the current Government Shutdown and need assistance from Kia Finance, please contact us at 1-866-331-5632.

Ford Credit, GM Financial, & Mercedes-Benz Financial Services: It has been reported that these companies are among those providing qualified customers options such as payment deferrals, late fee waivers and special care lines to address their individual problems, though official announcements from these companies have not been released online.

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Mobile Telephone Service Providers:

AT&T: Will assist with adjusting late fees, providing extensions, and revising payment schedules.

Sprint: Will provide short-term payment solutions. Call 1-888-211-4747

T-Mobile: Offering short-term assistance and can spread out service payments over time. Call 1-877-746-0909 or 611 from a T-Mobile device.

Verizon: Offering flexible payment options and has a Promise to Pay program to set payments for a future date. Call 1-866-266-1445.

Rental Home Assistance:

National Rental Home Council: Represents many of the nation’s largest operators of single-family rental homes. They’re offering deferred rent payment options with no late fees to any renter who has been furloughed.

OPM Sample Letters for Creditors and Mortgage Companies: OPM created these sample letters for Federal workers to contact their landlords, mortgage lenders, and utilities, to request help during the shutdown.

National Food Resources & Advice:

Feeding America: These guys have a nationwide network of 200 food banks. From those food banks, they have 60,000 partner pantries from which they can serve every community across the United States. This is an awesome resource, and they have already begun serving Federal employees affected by the government shutdown.

Your School District: To save on food and ensure your kid eats breakfast and/or lunch free (less stress and worry for you), notify the district of your furlough. No income is an emergency and normally qualifies you for the free meal program.

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Home, Auto & Life Insurance Relief:

MetLife: For those not receiving a paycheck from the federal government because of the current shutdown, MetLife Auto & Home may grant a one-time, 30-day grace period on your payment of premium on a MetLife Auto & Home policy. Members must request this one-time allowance by calling 1-800-GET MET8. Certain restrictions apply, and premium remains due after delay expires.

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company: To help the nearly 27,000 AFGE members who currently have a policy with the company during this government shutdown, the company “will keep the policy-in-force by waving the cost of insurance charges for the next 30 days.”. Policies beginning with the letter “Y” call: 844-800-9146, all other policies call: 888-513-8797

Other Notable Mentions for Relief & Assistance:

Rent-A-Center (Benefits Plus Membership): If your account was up to date at the time of furlough and you are a part of benefits plus you may be eligible for a payment waiver based on your state: “Involuntary Unemployment Payment Waiver: Losing a job is hard and making payments while unemployed is even harder. Fortunately, your Membership waives your payments when you are involuntarily unemployed. Whether you were fired, laid off, suspended, or are out of work due to a labor dispute or strike, your payments are covered for up to four (4) months, up to $1,000, or when you’re able to return to work.”

National Freebie Offers:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Their fact sheet states that federal employees may be eligible for unemployment compensation administered by state unemployment insurance agencies. So, eligibility is determined by state law, not on the Federal level, which may work in your favor.

USAA Are offering deferments for all loans and credit card payments.

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Church Resources & Funding Opportunities 2025

September 6, 2025 Community Update Beth Bentley Episcopal District Coordinator of US Mission Engagement Please find attached information regarding three

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HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 10-2025)

Patricia McKenzie — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:04:07 +0000

EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 10)

Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries

PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR OCTOBER

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH AND THE FOCUS OF A CHURCH MINISTRY

As presented in “The Book of Discipline of the CME Church Revised 2022:

A. Domestic Violence Awareness.

Each local church is encouraged to establish a Domestic Violence Awareness Ministry; and /or partner with a local Domestic Violence Shelter Program in order to create awareness, education, direct services, prevention and crisis intervention”” (with a list of other goals).

B. Connectional Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Each local church is encouraged to participate in and/or sponsor Domestic Violence Awareness Month Activities in October of each year “(with outreach focus).

Source One-“The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) https://www.netsn.org/resources.

FACTS:

“National Domestic Violence Awareness Month began in October 1989. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotional abuse and controlling behavior as part of a larger systematic pattern of dominance and control. It can result in physical injury, psychological trauma and even death. An average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. NCTSN has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and care givers, children and teens, educators and school staff.

Resources: Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event:

PRESCHOOL

and young school-age children may experience a feeling of helplessness and often can’t describe the events. Children might not be able to fall asleep on their own or might not be able to separate from parents at school. May lose some speech and toileting skills; sleep may be disturbed by nightmares.

SCHOOL

age children may show persistent concern over their own safety. May experience guilt or shame over what they did or did not do. Teachers report greater difficulties concentrating and learning. Will often complain of headaches or stomach aches.

ADOLESCENTS

May display feelings of fear and concern of being labeled abnormal or different from peers. May withdraw from family or friends. May express fantasies of revenge. Some engage in self-destructive behaviors.

HOW TO HELP:

1. For Young Children-Parent must provide reassurance that the child is safe. Parents/family/teachers help them verbalize feelings and provide them with a sense of security; may have to accept regression of developmental skills for a time.
2. For Adolescents-Family can encourage discussion of the event and feelings; help them understand “acting out” behavior as an effort to voice anger; discuss thoughts of revenge and help formulate constructive alternatives that lessen the sense of helplessness. When this happens the entire family is affected and all must work together to help each other cope. Another helpful resource is ”A Parent’s Self-Care and Self Reflection-being able to cope with your stress is good for you and the child involved.

There are ten Fact Sheets in the Series, visit www.nctsn.org/content/resources.”

PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

Source:

www.balmingilead.org

Click on Education and Inspiration and find to topics-Sunday Morning Health Corner and Resources

Facts:

A. Sunday Morning Corner-“The Power of Self Care,” “Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment.” “PTSD Recognizing Trauma and Embracing the Path to Healing, “Prostate Cancer Awareness: What Every Man Should Know”
B. Resources-“Mental Health “

PART III.
TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/

A. Family Violence Program

FACTS:

“ Family Violence occurs when one family or household member physically harms or emotionally abuses another family or household member. Family members, such as children who witness family violence are also considered victims.

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Church Resources & Funding Opportunities 2025

Beth Bentley — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 01:08:15 +0000

September 6, 2025

Community Update

Beth Bentley

Episcopal District Coordinator of US Mission Engagement

Please find attached information regarding three funding opportunities from the following organizations: the National Preservation Trust Fund, Feeding America, and the Heirs Property Program.

These programs are designed to support various community needs:

National Preservation Trust Fund: This fund provides grants to help preserve historic sites, including churches with significant historical value. It’s a fantastic opportunity for communities looking to maintain their cultural heritage and ensure these landmarks are preserved for future generations.
Feeding America: This initiative offers resources through its extensive Food Bank Network to assist those facing food insecurity. By supporting food banks across the country, Feeding America helps ensure that no one goes hungry and that communities have access to nutritious food.
Heirs Property Program: Offered through the Federal Home Loan Bank, this program aims to assist families in maintaining ownership of inherited property. It’s an essential resource for promoting generational wealth and stability, providing legal assistance and financial support to ensure families can keep their homes and land within their lineage.

We encourage you to review the attached documents for detailed information on how to apply for these opportunities and the specific benefits each program offers.

National Trust Preservation Fund for churches with historical significance.

Resources from Feeding America Food Bank Network for those experiencing food insecurity

Heirs property program through Federal Home Loan Bank.

Feel free to share this link with others who might be interested in these funding opportunities. We hope these resources will be beneficial to our community and help address some of the pressing needs. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your engagement and efforts are greatly appreciated as we work together to support and uplift our community.

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HEALTH MINISTRY IN THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (VOL 9-2025)

Patricia McKenzie — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:07:51 +0000

EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 9)

Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie

Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries

PART I.
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR SEPTEMBER

A. NATIONAL SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH

Source: National Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCD). www.sicklecelldisease.org/

FACTS:

PART l. NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR SEPTEMBER

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Source: Sickle Cell Disease

“Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease that affects red blood cells, have hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes the cells become crescent shaped and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. This leads to less blood reaching that part of the body. Tissues that do not receive a normal blood flow eventually become damaged leading to sickle cell disease. There is currently no universal cure for sickle cell disease. Sickle cell conditions are inherited from the parents. For example, when both parents have the Sickle Cell Trait, the children have a 25% chance (1 in 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease. It is important to speak to your physician to understand what type of sickle cell disease you have. The disease may cause anemia, jaundice and formation of gallstones. When the flow of blood is blocked, there may be pain episodes in the arms, legs, chest or abdomen. Living with a chronic disease is stressful affecting psychosocial and mental health. The plan of care is designed to help the patient stay healthy and will include reducing stress, healthy eating, light exercise, lots of sleep, and mental health therapists. This patient may experience the stigma of Mental Health in the Black community but it must be overcome because this therapy is crucial to the survival of some patients. If someone is interested in becoming an advocate for mental health care: Go to www.sicklecelldisease.org/mentalhealth and wellness. Check out the “l Believe in Therapy Tool Kit.”

Some of the most common complications:

Eye Disease which can lead to long term damage
Acute Chest Syndrome with blockage of blood to lungs which leads to chest pain, coughing, difficulty breathing and fever and always requires hospitalization
Stroke when blood flow to the brain is clogged and can lead to disabilities and learning problems.

B. National Children Obesity

https://www.cdc.gov/obesity

FACTS:

Childhood obesity is a complex problem. About 1 in 5 American children and adolescents have obesity. It affects Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children and families with Low incomes. This means approximately
14.7 million youth ages 2-19 have obesity. There are more non-Hispanic Black girls and more Hispanic boys impacted. They are at a higher risk for asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes and risk factors for heart disease, and high blood pressure. These children are more likely to have obesity as adults. Factors that influence obesity include genetics, eating patterns, physical activity levels, access to health care, and sleep routines. Conditions where you live, learn, work, and play can make healthy eating and getting physical activity difficult. Ways to prevent obesity: may purchase frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, but you must check for low sodium or no salt added and fruit packed in 100% fruit juice. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein meats, low fat or fat-free dairy products. Replace drinks with water, 100% juices or plain low-fat milk. Call 1-866-3
HUNGRY-Hunger Hotline (for English) and (for Spanish 1-877-8 HAMBRE) These lines are open 7am-1Opm 9 CT), Monday-Friday. Also, plan to increase physical activity as a family. Good sleep helps to prevent obesity. Preschoolers need 10-13 hours per day including naps. Children 6-12, need 9-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep and youth 13-17, need 8-10 hours.
Replace screen time with family time. Too much screen time can lead to poor sleep, weight gain. Lower grades I school and poor mental health.
Plan to turn off the screen one hour before bedtime.
When looking for Early Care and Education settings, check for healthy infant feeding, healthy physical activity and screen time limits.”

C. PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Source: American Association for Cancer Research. www.aacr.org/

FACTS:

“Prostate Cancer is the most common type diagnosed in men in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Prostate cancer often has no early symptoms. While advanced cancer can cause men to urinate more often or have a weaker flow of urine. However, these symptoms can also result from benign Prostate conditions. Screening

options include a digital rectal exam and a blood test which often identifies the disease early before it spreads, this cancer is more common in older men with a family history of prostate cancer and in men of African American descent. Other risk factors include Vitamin A E, folic acid and high intake of airy and calcium. About 12.9% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Black men have the highest death rate of any race or ethnic group in the U.S. Black men are about twice as likely to die as White men. Scientists believe this disparity stems from both genetic and socioeconomic factors. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 313,780 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 35,770 will die of the disease in 2025. However, the five-year survival rate is now 97.9%.

Note: The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) will release a Cancer Progress Report at 12pm ET on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Nearly 20% of U.S. caner diagnoses are related to excess body weight, unhealthy dietary patterns, alcohol intake and physical inactivity.”

PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD

Source:

www.balmingilead.org

Click on Education and Inspiration and find to topics-Sunday Morning Health Corner and Resources

Facts:

A. Sunday Morning Health Bulletin-"Black Mental Health Awareness and Empowerment," "Bridging the Gap: Minority Mental Health Matters," "Physical Activity for Families Moving Together for Better Health," "Healthy Lunchbox Ideas: Fueling Students for Success," "Immunization Awareness: Protecting Black Communities," "Preventing Alzheimer's & Preserving Brain Health."
B. Resources-"Mental Health," "Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia."

PART III.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

www.cdc.gov/

A. COVID 2025

FACTS:

" COVID 2025 Updates-To help protect yourself and others from health risks by COVID19 and other respiratory viruses.

Core Prevention Strategies:

1. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccine and lower the risk of being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19
2. Practice good hygiene to improve cleanliness
3. Take steps for cleaner air
4. When you are sick—Stay home and away from others, including people you live with who are not sick
5. Seek health care for testing and treatment if you have risk factors or severe illness (Treatment must be started within a few days of when symptoms begin)
6. Wearing a mask and putting distance between yourself and other can help lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission
7. Watch for illness increasing in your community
8. Increased risk of severe Respiratory illness for older adults, young children, teens those with medical conditions as chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, persons with weakened immune system, disabilities and pregnant women
9. children, teens and adults with obesity
10. All with sickle cell disease.

*Influenza (Flu)-

September and October are good times to get flu vaccine. Talk with your Doctor.

*RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus-

Can severely impact older adults and adults with underlying chronic condition; Contagious virus occurs during fall peaks in the winter and subsides in spring; vaccination is available. Talk with your Dr.”

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PRESIDING ELDER JAMES OAKRY

WebmasterTJ — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:40:22 +0000

Contact

revjoakry@yahoo.com

9106 Millwood Drive

Rowlett, Texas 75088

469-734-9334

Reverend James Guy Oakry Jr. was born on August 26, 1960. He was raised and educated in the Plano public school system, graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1978. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Texas College in 2017 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Criminology at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Additionally, he holds a Certificate in Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

Ordained as a Deacon in 1997 and elevated to Elder in 1999, Reverend Oakry is actively involved in ministry and recently married Reverend Vernice Fowler. He is a proud father of three children and a grandfather to two beautiful granddaughters. In his leisure time, he enjoys golfing and fishing.

Currently, Reverend Oakry serves as the newly appointed Presiding Elder of the Tyler District within the Central Texas Region. His previous pastoral roles include leadership at Friendship CME Church, Holsey Chapel CME Church, and Mt. Zion CME Church in Ben Wheeler. After retiring from the City of Plano, where he served for 24 years, he has been driving a school bus for Garland Independent School District for the past 15 years.

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PRESIDING ELDER JONATHAN L JONES SR

WebmasterTJ — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 14:46:15 +0000

Website: www.houstondistrictcme

P.O. Box 1433

Hurst Texas 76053

817-812-9298

jonathansr303@gmail.com

Presiding Elder Jonathan L Jones Sr was born October 22, 1966. He is a native of Los Angeles, California. Elder Jones earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance in 1988 from the University of Texas at Arlington.

In 1986, he joined McIntosh CME church in Grand Prairie, TX under the Pastoral leadership of Rev James L. Smith. He served in many capacities at McIntosh. He sang in the young adult choir, served as Sunday School Superintendent, taught the adult Sunday school class, and led Wednesday night prayer meeting. While attending McIntosh CME church he answered his call into the ministry and received his license to preach in October 1992 under the leadership of Rev James L Smith.

In 1995, he moved his membership to Christian Chapel CME church in Dallas, TX under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Jerome E McNeil Jr. At Christian Chapel he was the worship leader for the 8:00 am worship service. He also taught new membership classes, participated in monthly prayer vigils, and visited and served communion to the sick and shut in. He was ordained as an Elder in June 2007 under Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham.

In June 2007, he was assigned to Morning Chapel CME church as an associate minister Bishop Cunningham. He served under numerous pastors at Morning Chapel. He served in numerous teaching capacities while at Morning Chapel. He taught the adult Sunday school class; he taught various classes during Vacation Bible School and The Rock Respect Academy as well as Wednesday night Bible study. He also visited and served communion to members that were sick or hospitalized.

He served as pastor of New Bethel CME church in Stephenville, TX under the appointment of Bishop LL Reddick III during the 2014 Dallas-Fort Worth Annual Conference. He pastored New Bethel from July 2014 to July 2017.

He was appointed Pastor of St. James CME church in Gainesville, TX by Bishop LL Reddick III during the 2017 Dallas-Fort Worth Annual Conference. His focus in his first two years at St. James was to lead the church in completing important renovations that would allow the members to return to the church building to worship.

He was appointed Pastor of Stewart Chapel in Fort Worth, TX by Bishop LL Reddick III during the 2021 Dallas-Fort Worth/Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He currently serves as an Episcopal Leader over the Economic Ventures. In this role he is tasked with seeking financial opportunities that would benefit churches in the Eighth Episcopal District. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School on the campus of Texas Christian University in December 2022.

He was appointed Presiding Elder of the Houston District in the 2022-2023 Southeast Texas Region Annual Conference by Senior Bishop LL Reddick III.

Rev. Jones is married to Mrs. Tina Jones. Together they have a total of seven children.

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Apparel

WebmasterTJ — Wed, 22 May 2024 23:31:28 +0000

The post Apparel first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

The Christmas Purpose: to Point Us to Jesus and to Our Holistic Salvation

Lawrence Reddick — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 02:50:19 +0000

The Christmas Purpose: to Point Us to Jesus and to Our Holistic Salvation

By Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Dear CME Family:

We awake every December 25^th to be reminded that God is sovereign – especially over God’s creation, but beyond that creation into eternity.

In many of our congregations, for the last four Sundays (beginning November 27^th), we celebrated the Advent Season, lighting the Advent candles. We gathered in and read – one person lighting the candle and reading in some services, one family on behalf of the church in some others, while all in some ways participated in the worship rituals that heralded God’s love, God’s hope, God’s joy, and God’s peace.

For many of us, looking at it from the smaller scope of Christian Year symbols can seasons (Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany, Lent, Eastertide, Pentecost, Kingdomtide), we were pointing through the Advent Season toward the coming of the Christ child to the earth (while simultaneously highlighting – sometimes to a lesser degree – that He will come again to receive us to Himself). But the message beyond the narrower scope of Advent is the message of God’s eternal purposes for and presence with us, and God’s holistic salvation for all of us. (By holistic salvation, I mean, the healing from our sins, from our fears, from our wounds, from all things earthly and finite; it is our healing from all that makes us seem less than God created us to be into the joy and fullness of all God intends us to be.)

The journey toward God’s holistic salvation begins with recognition in our minds, our spirits, our spiritual awareness that God was always with us, calling us into a divine/human relationship. We’ve called it many things, chief among them being “saved,” “converted,” and sometimes “changed” – oftentimes as if the acting is done by us. The truer thought is that the action is begun by God, who prods us to awaken to God’s creative salvation in during God’s eternal process.

God’s eternal process means that since our beginning, God was at work in us, God was creatively working to guide us into being whole in God. And “us” in that sentence is every one – not just every Black one, or every Caucasian one, or every European or Asian or African one … but everyone. That process we know to be this: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Whoever you are, Reader of this short message, God is at work in you, prodding you, pulling you, embracing you (with all your faults, failures and

doubts) with God’s encouragement, comfort, consolation, and God’s healing graces. You are not hopelessly lost: God is working in you, and God is reconciling (the word reconcile means “to bring back together”) you and me and the rest of God’s creation to God’s very own self; and God has done it by bringing into creation a picture of the fullness of God’s nature in a human body, born in a manger in Bethlehem, but living His life through the struggles and strivings, the gains and losses, the ups and downs which are the plight of every human being … while yet remaining godly. That’s why Colossians 1:15 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Thus we are right to take Advent as the time to point to the coming of the Christ into the world, so that we may know that we can be reconciled; and yet, we are also right to point to and beyond the life, the death, the resurrection, and the resurrected spirit of the Jesus Christ to our own entrance into the life that trusts and follows Jesus into becoming whole, complete, mirroring Him, and growing up into His nature and into His eternal holistic salvation.

I close with a hymn that is short, that has almost always been in our hymnals, yet seldom sung in CME churches. It expresses, better than any other I see today, our moving from Advent to Christmastide as a part of God’s eternal process of moving us from finite to infinite and from weakness to wholeness. The words are from Charles Wesley:

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us;

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a king.

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

The hope of Christmas is its message that God is sovereign – over God’s creations, but even beyond God’s creations into an eternity of holistic salvation

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Advent- A Season of Anticipation

Valencia Edner — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 20:06:20 +0000

Worship Music for Advent
Don't Rush to Christmas Old Testament Promise New Testament Anticipation

The Advent of Our King
(tune: Bless Be the Tie )

01.

The advent of our King

Our thoughts must now employ;

Then let us meet him on the road

With songs of holy joy.

02.

The coeternal Son

A maiden’s offspring see;

A servant’s form Christ putteth on,

To set his people free.

03.

In glory from his throne

Again will Christ descend,

And summon all who are his own

To joys that never end.

04.

Our joyful praises sing

To Christ, who set us free;

Like tribute to the Father bring,

And Holy Ghost, to thee.

The post Advent- A Season of Anticipation first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

Community Update

Beth Bentley — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 19:53:09 +0000

November 3, 2022

Submitted by

Beth Bentley

November 3, 2022

Community Update

As requested, additional information regarding Faith Forward Dallas (FFD) has been gathered. Through personal interviews with the Race, Justice and Equity Chair, Mr. Collin Packer, please accept the following update:

Faith Forward Dallas was birthed out of the crisis stemming from 5 Dallas Police Department Officers being shot and killed on July 7, 2016 and on the heels of the death of Philando Casteel, killed by a police officer, on July 6, 2016 in Minnesota.

Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square is a diverse coalition of Dallas’ faith leaders, dedicated to service, hope and a shared vision of peace and justice for our North Texas community. Faith Forward Dallas leads this virtue initiative and serves as a moral compass for the community.

The mission is to foster and sustain the multi-faith fabric of our community by celebrating diversity and building strong relationships. They offer support, solidarity and a voice for those without a voice through civic engagement and educational partnerships.

When our community needs them the most, they provide crisis management to maintain structured communication and assist in the grieving and healing process. They are currently developing Character Building 101, a curriculum to help foster virtue. They also engage international visitors and welcome them into an atmosphere of hospitality, belonging and compassion.

3 key leaders who started FFD:

Rabbi Nancy Kasten – Rabbi (wife of main Rabbi at Temple Emanuel) – STILL ENGAGED – NOW LEADS “FAITH COMMONS”
Omar Suleiman – NOT ACTIVE
Pastor Dr. Michael (and Elise) Waters – NOT AS ACTIVE

The Clergy Organization is made up of individual members in these categories:

Faith Leaders:authorized by ordination, commissioned by faith community, or involved in congregational leadership.
Friends:welcome to attend large group meetings and participate on committees.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

Faith Leaders: Dues of $90 annually (90 is a multiple of 18, the Jewish meaning for life).

Friends: Donations are welcome, but not mandatory.

STRUCTURE

Executive Committee: Convener, Convener-Elect/Treasurer, Executive Director, CEO of The Thanks-Giving Foundation.

Leadership Council: Made up of 14 to 15 members who are appointed by the Executive committee, responsible for decision-making as needed.

Committees: Each chair will nominate a Chair-Elect.

Civic Engagement Committee
Task Forces: Each coordinator will nominate a co-coordinator
- Housing Solutions (Homelessness)
- Equal Justice (Law Enforcement)
- Migrant Status (Refugees and Immigrants)
- Gun Sense (Gun Control and Gun Violence)
Crisis Management Committee
Communication Committee
New Members & Relationship Committee

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Rabbi Andrew Paley – Former Chair
Rev Neil Thomas – Current Chair
Almas Muscatwalla – Executive Director
Kyle Ogden – President & CEO, The Thanks-Giving Foundation

Pastor George Mason – recently retired

While FFD is organized around the interfaith community and diverse partnerships, there has been somewhat of a struggle of trying to figure out who they are now apart from their original pastors:

what are we being asked to do;
we show up when needed;
moral compass or voice for religious leaders;
sign on to statements;
legislative voice

Next monthly meetings – November 14^th – 10-11:30am at Thanksgiving Square
(1627 Pacific Avenue; Dallas, Texas 75201)

Opportunities:

Form their own 501c3
Dallas – passed Racial Equity Plan
Interested in conversations in Collin County
Not aware of involvement with NAACP, which would be helpful
# of churches – FFD is hesitant to share the list of those involved; online – 35-50 on the Zoom calls – various denominations and cultures – not many Black leaders involved

With the meeting on November 14, 2022 and the change in leadership for 2023, this should offer an opportunity for participation and direction for the 8^th Episcopal District moving forward.

Submitted by Beth Bentley

St. James CME Church

McKinney, TX 75069

The post Community Update first appeared on EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT.

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