Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices

November 2013

Answering Jesus' Call

Acompañamiento Pastoral a Visitas Médicas
By Ema Rosero-Nordalm
Aquellas personas que hemos recibido malas noticias sobre nuestra salud sabemos lo sorprendente, devastador, llenos de miedo y de zozobra de esos momentos. Muchos médicos y médicas de cabecera nos piden que vengamos acompañados de seres queridos a esa cita casi fatídica que ya nos imaginamos como el final de nuestras vidas.
Cathedral in the Night
By Christopher Carlisle
The story of a church – with links to a diocesan ministry – that believes the openness of space creates an openness of community in Jesus’ spirit.
College Ministry to Go
By Ruth Meteer
Ruth Meteer’s “College Ministry to Go” describes how the relationship between St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church and the University of Rhode Island has become stronger thanks to two students interested in addressing issues of hunger on campus.
Diaper Bank Ministry
By Lu Stanton León
One of the country’s first diaper banks began in a small Episcopal Church in McHenry, Illinois. “Diaper Bank” by Lu Stanton León shares the story of how given the increased need for diapers, St. Paul’s changed their strategy and invited others in the community to join them in this ministry.
Downtown Mission
By Liz Bartenstein with assistance from Melanie Mullen and Brian Levey
Believing that their role as faith leaders includes encouraging incarnational experiences of faith that connects one’s active civic life to their experience of worship, members of St. Paul’s in Richmond, Virginia asked themselves, “what are our next steps for being a better neighbor and helping to build a better community downtown?”
Heading Out Into Mission
By Bob Leopold crowd sourced with members of Southside
Out is where mission happens at Southside Abbey. Bob Leopold introduces us to a community church committed to lifting up hope where that hope has been obscured.
I’ll Go With You
By Ema Rosero-Nordalm
There is no more sacred moment in our lives than when we are able to serve those around us with love and humility. In “I’ll Go With You: Pastoral Accompaniment to Medical Visits” Ema Rosero-Nordalm shares how she discovered a gift we can offer each other in times of anxiety and fear. This article is available in English and Spanish.
Laundry Love
By Nancy Davidge
Sometimes the way to get people ‘back to church’ is by starting a different kind of church. Better yet, offering individuals or small groups the freedom to design their own form of worship. In “Laundry Love,” Nancy Davidge shares the story of a tiny worshipping community in Southern California where community engagement takes precedence over worship.
Saying ‘Yes’
By Holly Zook
What happens when a church keeps saying “yes?” At St. Francis, their first “yes” 10 years ago has grown into a thriving ministry and relationship between their congregation and the many refugees who live in their neighborhood.