The Rev Richard Easterling (second from the left above) had been in Florence for less than a month when he attended a noteworthy televised event. On the chilly evening of January 17th in the Florence Baptistery the signing ceremony for the Council of Christian Churches of Florence occurred. Two representatives from each of 10 Florentine churches were present. The signatory churches were as follows: Roman Catholic, Apostolic, Baptist, Church of England, Episcopal, Lutheran, Greek Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox, Swiss Reformed and Waldensian/Methodist.

For this ceremony, in Covid times, the signatories were seated. Well- spaced out, on a front row, with their fellow-representatves behind them.

A table was placed centrally at the front and signatories were called up, one at a time, by Marco Bontempi, Secretary of Ecumenismo di Firenze, to sign on behalf of their church. Then, in turn, each church gave a short reading, either biblical or literary, in Italian. Those whose language was not primarily Italian read in 2 languages. As this event took place a day before the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which this year has the theme from John 15 of God's love to us and our love for others, I read George Herbert 's "Love Bade me Welcome "in both English and an Italian translation. 

The video of this event will be shown during the last meeting of the Week of Prayer at the La Pira Centre. Because of the pandemic however, it was decided to show videos of meetings on-line during the week. Our contribution will be shown on Thursday 21st. (Contributed by Maria Makepeace)

This article is from the January 26, 2021 newsletter of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.  The whole issue of the newsletter was focused on ecumenical events around Europe. Read the whole issue >

Bishop of the Virgin Islands, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs, D.D., has announced his retirement effective May 31, 2021. The announcement, which was made by letter on December 31st , was originally to be delivered at the Annual Diocesan Convention which was postponed from July because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that a Provisional Bishop will be identified to oversee the diocese until the election of a new diocesan.

Bishop Gumbs was consecrated as the fifth bishop of the Virgin Islands on June 11, 2005, after serving seventeen years as a priest.

Meanwhile, The Rev. Canon Sandye Wilson has joined the diocese to serve as Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Cathedral Church of All Saints.  She succeeds The Rev. Hayden Crawford, whose term ended at the end of December.

Several organisations of St. Paul's Church,  Sea Cow's Bay, in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, came together over the Christmas Season to provide assistance to a number of individuals and families. Operating under the banner of the Helping Hands Project, members of the Junior Club and the Episcopal Church Women prepared and delivered bags of food items, toiletries, and fresh fruit to 35 senior citizens from the congregation and the wider community.  Additionally, five families were presented with boxes of similar items, as well as with clothing for their children.  These presentations were part of the ongoing support which St. Paul's provides to several families in the community, an outreach which was started in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and continues as these same families are impacted by loss of jobs and income as a result of COVID-19.  Many of the items were donated by the St. Paul's congregation during an Advent campaign, while several members of the community who learned of the effort contributed items and cash.

Two new photos from Bishop Griselda

IGLESIA EPISCOPAL DE CUBA
DIOCESIS ANGLICANA
                                  EXCMA. MARÍA  GRISELDA DELGADO DEL CARPIO

                   (PDF for download) La Habana, 19 de Marzo del 2020                                         
San José, Carpintero y Padre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo
 
Desde la oficina de la Obispa:
 
¡Invocamos la paz en el Espíritu!
 
Estamos viviendo días de gran preocupación y creciente ansiedad, días en los que la fragilidad humana y la vulnerabilidad de la supuesta seguridad en la tecnología se ven socavadas en todo el mundo por el Coronavirus (COVID-19), que doblega: TODAS LAS REALIDADES MAS SIGINIFICATIVAS DE NUESTRA COTIDIANIDAD COMO LA SALUD… la economía, el trabajo, los viajes, el turismo, el deporte e incluso el culto, y su contagio también limita en gran medida la libertad de espacio y de movimiento.
 
La cercanía de nuestra Iglesia Episcopal como comunidad eclesial, está llamada a expresarse en una palabra de aliento, comprensión, consuelo, y aquellos gestos de solidaridad que desde donde nos encontremos estamos llamados a realizar. Por eso nuestro pensamiento y oración deben estar dirigidos a los países más afectados, a los que sufren el contagio de la COVID-19, a las víctimas y sus familias, así como a todos los trabajadores de la salud, que se comprometen en la primera línea de batalla para detener el contagio, y evitar el riesgo para la salud pública y el creciente temor que esta epidemia en expansión está generando.
 
Encomendamos también el trabajo de todas las estructuras y organizaciones sanitarias nacionales e internacionales, para que sigan ofreciendo la asistencia necesaria a las personas y poblaciones, y así pongan en práctica todas las medidas indispensables para encontrar una solución a la nueva epidemia. En esta ocasión, palpamos la solidaridad de los jefes de estado con los países más afectados, donando productos médicos y sanitarios y ayuda financiera.
 
Esperamos que todos puedan continuar con esta obra de ayuda, porque ante una emergencia como esta muchas naciones, especialmente las que tienen sistemas sanitarios débiles, se verán desbordadas por los efectos del virus y quizás no podrán hacer frente a las demandas de cura y proximidad a sus naciones.
 
Este momento de gran necesidad, nos invita a fortalecer la solidaridad, valor que necesita ser encarnado. Para cada persona, creyente o no creyente, es un tiempo propicio para comprender el valor de la fraternidad, de estar unidos unos a otros de manera indisoluble; un tiempo en el que, en el horizonte de la fe, el valor de la solidaridad, que brota del amor sacrificado por los demás, “nos ayuda a ver al “otro” -persona, pueblo o Nación- no como un instrumento cualquiera  sino como nuestro “semejante”, un “auxilio” (cf. Gn 2,18.20). Pensemos en el vecino, el compañero de oficina, el amigo de la escuela, pero sobre todo en los médicos y enfermeros que se arriesgan a la contaminación e infección para salvar a los enfermos. Estos trabajadores viven y nos muestran el significado del misterio de la Pascua: entrega y servicio.
 
Oremos en este tiempo de cuaresma a Dios Padre para que aumente nuestra fe, la enfermedad no conoce límites ni color de piel; habla en cambio, el mismo idioma. Cultivemos la “Sabiduría del Corazón”: que es una “actitud infundida por el Espíritu Santo” en aquellos que saben abrirse al sufrimiento de sus hermanos y hermanas y reconocer en ellos la imagen de Dios. Así, podemos afirmar, como Job, “Era yo los ojos del ciego, y del cojo los pies” (Jb 29:15).
 
De esta manera podremos servir a los que sufren, acompañarlos de la mejor manera posible y ser solidarios con los necesitados sin juzgarlos.
 
Teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias de la situación epidemiológica a nivel mundial, y de la que nuestro país no está exento, la oficina Diocesana en estos próximos quince días sólo estará disponible en momentos puntuales que requieran nuestro servicio. Toda actividad o reunión quedan suspendidas hasta próximo aviso.
 
Los espacios de celebración litúrgica según los lugares y circunstancias, los Arcedianos responsablemente valoren la posibilidad de recesar por este espacio de tiempo.
Estén atentos a las próximas medidas que se adopten y que se darán conocer en el tiempo debido.
Es necesario adoptar medidas de seguridad para el bien común. Es tiempo de dar un SI por la vida, no exponerla o jugar a perderla.
 
Con la certeza de que Dios cuida de nosotros, continuemos unidos en la oración y el deseo de bien de nuestro corazón para con nuestro pueblo y el mundo.
 
                                                En el amor de Cristo Jesús,    
                                                                                                + María Griselda Delgado del Carpio
                                                                                                            Obispa Diocesana      

CALLE 6 No. 273, VEDADO, HABANA, CUBA                                            
E-mail: episcopal@enet.cu
OFICINA: (53 7) 832-1120                                                                                               griselda@enet.cu
RESIDENCIA: (53 7) 833-8003                                                               
FAX: (53 7) 834 3293                          

Patronal Celebrations
A number of exciting activities marked the patronal celebration for St. Paul's, Sea Cow's Bay.  Among them was the presentation of the St. Paul Commendation Star Award, the highest honour which the mission congregation can bestow on lay persons. The recipients are brother and sister, Varrisse Hodge and Beverly Hodge Smith, who have both served St. Paul's for more than 40 years, including as members of the Bishop's Committee and as Senior Warden.  Beverly is the current Senior Warden and has worked tirelessly to get the church building, hall, and vicarage repaired after they were damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria. In the days immediately after Irma, the two siblings took the initiative to lead efforts to recover some of the furniture, vestments, and books which had been blown outside and to do what was necessary to reduce further damage from the persistent rain. Beverly was such a constant presence in the aftermath of the hurricanes that vicar, Rev. Sandra Walters Malone, nicknamed her "Paula". 
 
The awards were presented by Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs during a service to close a week of celebrations.  During the service, the congregation also made its annual presentation to the Family Support Network and to the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly. (The congregation was recently recognized for 30 years of support to the FSN, a non-profit agency which supports persons affected by domestic violence or who are otherwise in need of assistance.)  During the service, the bishop commended the congregation for its outreach, noting that it was doing far more than its size would suggest. Manager of the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly, Mrs. Ritzia Turnbull-Smith, described St. Paul's as a "small congregation with a big heart", while FSN representative, Mrs. Wendy Charles, expressed the agency's appreciation for the many years of faithful support.  The bishop also used the opportunity to commission members of the Bishop's Committee and Convention Delegates and Alternates.
 
The week-long celebration began with a Prayer Breakfast, which was started four years ago and has become an annual tradition. This year's speaker was Bishop Dr. David Bryan of the Church of God of Prophecy.  Using the theme, "Draw Near: Be Doers of the Word", he focused on the epistle of James, reminding those attending that it is not enough attend church, but that members have a responsibility to deepen their relationship with God and to allow that to shape their response to the world around them.  
 
Another highlight of the week-long celebration was the bishop's blessing of a villa which was gifted to the congregation to be used as a vicarage and which was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.  The three bedroom, three bathroom house, which overlooks beautiful Long Bay beach will be rented. 

Giving to the Least Among Us. 

The St. Croix Deanery and St. John’s Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands are collaborating to host a “WE CARE” FAIR on Monday, March 2nd.  Described as a Personal Care Event for the Homeless. the fair will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church  in Christiansted. Homeless persons will be invited to have a clean shower, clothes and pampering, and will be referred as appropriate for further services from partnering agencies. Each church in the deanery is being asked to collect gently worn men's and women's clothing, trial size toiletries, and hair care products. Donations should be delivered to St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 22, 2020 between 11am and 1pm. Food items are also being collected so that meals can be served.

The St. Paul's Junior Club is this year celebrating its 70th anniversary.  The group was founded in October 1950 by Licensed Lay Minister, Mrs. Valerie O. Thomas, as a way to engage the youth in her congregation and the wider community by teaching them about the tenets of Christianity and essential life skills.  Members, who meet weekly, number about 20 and are led by Ms. Elvera Smith, Mrs. Sybil Hodge, Mrs. Michelle Todman-Smith, and Ms. Darlene Maduro.  One meeting each month is dedicated to visiting the sick and elderly in the community.  A celebration is being planned to mark for October to mark this significant milestone.

Junior Club members singing during the monthly Youth Sunday service.

An Easter service honoring the life of the Rt. Rev. George Phelps Mellick Belshaw was held at Trinity Church in Princeton on March 6. The service was celebrated by Bishop William H. (Chip) Stokes. The preacher was Trinity Rector the Rev. Paul Jeanes II. Among the dozens of clergy and hundreds of lay people attending and taking part were retired Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold III, and the Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle, Dean and President of General Theological Seminary, a position that Bishop Belshaw once held.

After completing his studies at the General Seminary, Mellick Belshaw served churches in Waimanalo, Hawaii; Dover, Delaware; and Rumson, N.J., where he was rector of St George’s-by-the-River for ten years. He was elected Suffragan Bishop of New Jersey in 1975, then Bishop Coadjutor in 1982, and in 1983 became the 9th Bishop of New Jersey. He served as diocesan bishop until his retirement in 1995.

Bishop Belshaw has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary and the University of the South; he has also been the recipient of an honorary degree from Hamilton College. His service to General Theological Seminary includes 31 years on the board of trustees, as well as serving at various times as tutor, fellow, adjunct faculty member, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and acting dean of the seminary.

Bishop Belshaw has been a fellow of the College of Preachers, a member of the Commission on Peace of the Episcopal Church from 1979 to 1985, president of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of New Jersey in 1986–1987, president of the Episcopal Urban Caucus from 1986 to 1989, and a member of the Economic Justice Committee of the Episcopal Church from 1988 to 1995. In the late 1990s, he was chair of the Coalition for Peace Action, a grassroots citizens organization that advocates for the global abolition of nuclear weapons, a peace economy, and a halt to weapons trafficking at home and abroad.

He is the editor two well-regarded books, Lent with Evelyn Underhill and Lent with William Temple, as well as a number of articles and reviews.

He was married to Elizabeth Wheeler from 1954 until her death in 2014. They have three children and several grandchildren, many of whom took part in Friday's service. 

Dessert Buffet and Presentation on Puerto Rico Mission Trip Hosted by SUNY Delhi Students and Saint James Church Lake Delaware
Contact: James Krueger, 607-832-4401, saintjames@delhitel.net
 
SUNY Delhi students belonging to the Delhi Campus Interfaith Club have recently traveled to Puerto Rico, where they worked on houses affected by the hurricanes and toured the areas more recently affected by the continuing earthquakes. The students will be hosting a dessert buffet and offering a slideshow and presentation about their trip. Learn about Puerto Rico’s history, the current situation there, and what we may be able to do about it. The event will take place on Sunday March 29 at 3 pm in the beautiful Parish Hall of Saint James Church Lake Delaware, located at 55 Lake Delaware Drive in Delhi on southbound State Route 28 halfway between Delhi and Andes. The event is offered for a freewill donation, which will help with the activities of the student club and the possibility of their taking another mission trip next year.
 
The Delhi Campus Interfaith Club is a student organization devoted to supporting religious and spiritual practice on campus, being a united voice across various religious affiliations, offering service and social opportunities to students, and addressing ethical and moral questions pertinent to our times. The Club is advised by SUNY Delhi Chaplain James Krueger, who is also Priest in Charge of Saint James Church Lake Delaware. For the past five years, Fr. Krueger has been taking the students on a mission trip during school breaks. They have served in Belize, in Baton Rouge, in Houston, and in western Virginia. Delhi Campus Ministry, an independent not-for-profit organization, employs the SUNY chaplain and has sponsored these trips with funding from the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation, and other sources.
 
What: Dessert Buffet and Presentation on Puerto Rico
Where: Saint James Church Lake Delaware, 55 Lake Delaware Drive in Delhi, on southbound State Route 28 halfway between Delhi and Andes.
When: Sunday March 29, 3 pm.
Cost: Freewill donation to benefit student club.
Contact: 607-832-4401, saintjames@delhitel.net, www.saintjamesld.org.

                                                                                      La Habana, 12 de Marzo del 2020 
 
A toda la Familia Diocesana:                                          
 
En horas de la noche de ayer supimos por el Sistema Informativo de la Televisión (NTV) que dio a conocer la presencia en Trinidad, Provincia de Sancti Spíritus, de los 3 primeros casos positivos del Coronavirus en nuestro país.
 
Ante esta situación tan dolorosa y delicada, nos parece necesario y conveniente, hacerles llegar estas medidas a tener en cuenta.
 
Considero conveniente activar el Comité EpiscopaI Diocesano de Gestión ante Desastres y todos los CGD locales, y trabajar en la preparación ante el posible desastre.
 
**Recomendaciones**
 
1. Lavarnos las manos con frecuencia, con jabón y agua tibia, especialmente después de toser, sonarnos la nariz, preparar comida e ir al baño.
 
2. No tocarnos la cara, especialmente la nariz, ojos y boca, a menos que acabemos de lavarnos las manos.
 
3. Quedarnos en casa si nos sentimos enfermos y tomar contacto con el centro de salud más cercano.
 
4. Es perfectamente apropiado usar gel antiséptico ante la vista de todos al celebrar la eucaristía o distribuir los elementos consagrados.
 
5. Es perfectamente aceptable recibir la comunión con el pan (o la hostia) solamente, colocándola por parte del Ministro en la mano de cada fiel, que la consumirá inmediatamente. Solo consagrar una pequeña cantidad de vino que consumirá el Sacerdote.
 
6. Es mejor evitar abrazos, besos y apretones de manos. (Usar saludos gestuales).
 
7. Orientar a los que se sienten enfermos a que se queden en casa, y que sepan que oraremos por ellos en la oración de los fieles.
 
8. Evitar aglomeraciones innecesarias de personas en locales poco ventilados así como tratar en lo posible de mantener la distancia entre personas de al menos un metro.
 
9- Poner en la puerta de la Iglesia un pomo con preparado de alcohol y agua o un porciento de cloro y agua para lavar las manos de todos los que entran.
 
10- En la medida de lo posible se confeccionará nasobucos para repartir.
 
11- Cada persona debe tener al menos 3 nasobucos . Estos nasobucos debes cambiarse cada 4 horas y lavar los usados y ponerlos al sol.
 
12-Repartir información impresa, la mayor cantidad posible sobre medidas sanitarias.
 
13- “Recomiendo como medida importante difundir mensajes educativos relacionados con la higiene y salud, empleando todos los medios locales posibles."

• Quedan suspendidas todas las actividades Diocesanas programadas para estas fechas: Pre seminario y encuentro de la OMEC.
• Se cancela también el taller de Gestión de Desastres para nuevos promotores,  previstos para Abril.

 
Pedimos sus oraciones de intercesión y apoyo espiritual para enfrentar como familia de fe, la lucha contra esta terrible Pandemia, encomendamos a Dios todas las personas afectadas no sólo en nuestro país, sino en todos los lugares donde esta enfermedad ha cobrado tantas vidas humanas, y donde tantas personas se han visto afectadas.
 
Que el Dios Uno y Trino nos acompañe y proteja en este delicado momento y que nos dé la fe, sabiduría, y fortaleza necesaria para proceder según las circunstancias lo requieran. 
 
En el Amor de Cristo,
Seguimos unidos en la oración,