Prayer and Action: an Invitation for the entire Region

Dear Beloved in Christ,

 

December 21 is the day that many communities remember all those sisters and brothers who happen to be homeless and who have died during the year. The issue of Homelessness remains a real issue in many of our communities in Connecticut and is not always visible. As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation, Rachel Field and I would like to make a request of all the faith communities in our South-Central Region. The Presiding Bishops of both the Episcopal Church and the ELCA have asked that we remember those who are homeless by using a special collect:

 

Here is the collect that the Episcopal Church and the ECLA are asking communities to use: 

 

"God of compassion, your love for humanity was revealed in Jesus, whose earthly life began in the poverty of a stable and ended in the pain and isolation of the cross: we hold before you those who are homeless and cold especially in this bitter weather. Draw near and comfort them in spirit and bless those who work to provide them with shelter, food and friendship. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen." For the Cold and Homeless, The Church of England

 

 

We are inviting each worshipping community to use this prayer on December 17^th as part of the regular liturgy, perhaps as an additional collect along with the collect of the day or maybe in the course of the prayers of the people, whatever works. In addition, this might be a good opportunity to couple the action of donating winter items to the shelter closest to your parish. This would be entirely at the discretion of your individual parish with the knowledge that all across the region, churches are praying the same prayer and also taking some action.

 

with thanks for your prayers and consideration,

 

Rev. Tom Mariconda

Rev Rachel Field