Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

In these remaining days before we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, we pause to offer some resources for hope and for healing. The pain experienced by the tragic mass shootings of the children and teachers at Sandy Hook have opened wounds for some, added salt into the rawness of others, and have left all of us feeling vulnerable. Whether a soothing balm or boost of inspiration, we hope it helps you usher in the true joy and promise of the Prince of Peace this Christmas.

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Leaders Bear the Burdens

In times of tragedy and crisis, leaders take on many different roles to assist others through challenging times. Courtney Cowart faced this in her ministry at St. Paul’s Chapel in the wake of the September 11 attacks. In Leaders Bear the Burdens, Courtney looks at how leaders must take on the challenges of crises but also the strengths that can be found through the wisdom of St. Paul and insights of Joan Chittister.

A Church That Fails

Jeremy Sierra implores us in A Church That Fails to acknowledge our failures in light of the recent mass shootings in Newtown, CT, as well as other areas like the economy and the environment. "Gathering for prayer and worship and reading the Bible are not enough. If that’s all we ask of each other then we are shirking our responsibility, failing to keep each other accountable, and failing to follow Christ."

Popular Blog Posts: Offering Hope and Healing: Stephen Ministry: Christmas can be tough, especially for those who have lost loved ones. Healing Hands: Spiritual healing can be a powerful tool that we may not think of when we need it. What ARE You Saying? What we try to say - or forget to say - can make it difficult for visitors to feel welcome.

Tools and Resources: Helping and Healing Resources (Children): How adults can talk to children in times of crisis and offer healing & hope. Prepare the Way for Visitors: Are you making it easy for visitors to find you this Christmas? Calendaring: Christmas is fast approaching, but using best practices of calendaring will alert you to events also quickly coming up in January and February.

No matter what we say, Advent and Christmas are still a busy time of year and the stress can expose underlying problems of anxiety and dysfunction in our own leadership. Chilton Knudsen walks us through issues that may go untouched in our congregations in So You Think You Don’t Know One. We can learn what menacing problems may be lurking or staring at us in the face and how we can help heal ourselves.