Christian Climate Activism

My name is Brother Alasdair of the Community of Francis and Clare. I am the Rector of the Parish of Wyke Regis and the Churches of All Saint’s and St Edmunds. I am an Anglican Priest and my Parish is on the Coast of England and so very susceptible to flooding. 

As a Franciscan I am very conscious of the present Climate and Ecological Emergency we are in. Extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, significant plastic pollution, deforestation, melting Ice Caps leading to feedback loops and serious levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The time for action has arrived. As a Franciscan our common home is in serious trouble heading towards 3 degrees of global warming and so I have added my voice and body to the growing number taking part in non-violent direct action against governments and big polluting business that seeks to destroy our sacred earth. 

Recently, I joined with fellow members of Christian Climate Action and Extinction Rebellion at my first Action in London.  I went to provide a witness to my faith as a Christian and wanted to pray, to protest and provide a presence of one who embodies the establishment and say “no” to more investment in Fossil Fuels.  We called on our government and those at COP26 to take the action necessary to avert serious ecological breakdown.  

After 17 months of Covid it was intense and yet totally liberating to kneel in front of scores of police officers and pray for the environment and the rebels and look into the eyes of police and rebels alike with love, sorrow, and moral conviction. I was proud to see my fellow Clergy arrested and to be among those whose faith calls for action and non-violent direct action.

We are called as Franciscans to pray but also to act for the common good of all. 

A Brush with God

Peter Pearson, a member of the community, has been painting icons since he was a kid and has been teaching this ancient art for over thirty years. His workshops/retreats focus on techniques, history, spirituality, as well as learning how to pray with a brush. His works can be found in churches, monasteries, retreat houses, and in private homes around the world. Throughout this Covid-time, most of the classes switched to online teaching experiences and it was a way to give his students something to focus in besides the fear surrounding the pandemic. In addition, Peter works closely with The Friends of the Poor, a ministry of the IHM Sisters in the Scranton area. Since the beginning of the pandemic, they have fed nearly 1,200 families every two weeks through their drive-in food pantries. These ministries compliment his other job as a parish priest in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Bikes for Christ

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sr. Cindy Fleming has turned her love of bicycling and years of skill repairing them into into a ministry of love and giving to those in need. The parishioners at her parish, St Thomas Episcopal Church in Coral Gables, Florida, support her ministry by donating used bikes and parts. Cindy then takes the bikes, repairs them and gets them ready for use. When they are ready, the bikes are then donated to another local church in the area and distributed to people in need. Bicycles are ecologically friendly and a reasonable form of transportation for many people. Cindy is helping to make owning a bicycle a reality for many people and to improve their quality of life.

Using the Example of Saint Clare to Help Others

Sr. Judy Kenyon uses her skills as a needleworker to make items for others.

Sr. Judy writes, “I have always been drawn to making things for others. When I was younger I made clergy vestments, Eucharistic linens and altar hangings, choir vestments, banners and other items for newly ordained clergy or religious who could not afford these items or churches who needed these things but could not afford to buy them.

I was delighted when I became a Franciscan to learn that St. Clare is the patron saint of needleworkers. I was right at home. Today, I am focusing on individual items for those in need. I make 11 inch knitted teddy bears for Seattle Children's hospital to be given out to the children who are receiving care. Until COVID I was able to bring each bear to the altar for a healing service to be held and blessed before sending them to the children. Now, I can not send them because of COVID. I still make them and pray I will be able to bless and send them soon.

Recently, I have been knitting hats for Br. Donald’s homeless ministry (in New Orleans, LA) which brings me great joy as I pray for the person who will be receiving the hat. This is a small thing but I feel connected to St. Clare and her Sisters as I work.”

Much appreciated hats and gloves for homeless sisters and brothers.

Ministry of Music and Love in a time of COVID

Sister Karen from Sequim, Washington writes:

During our COVID confinement, I’ve given three little piano concerts at out retirement home to lift people’s spirits, with the help of my little rescue dog Luna. I’ve played everything from classical music to show tunes to some of my own compositions, including “Luna’s Song” and “A Tale of Two Dogs.” About 30 to 40 people have attended, spread out over two floors with social distancing and some looking down from the balcony.

Luna has her own ministry here. Six months after my old dog died, I prayed and asked God to bring me another little dog. A year ago November I found Luna online; her previous owner, a homeless person, had brought her to a shelter in southern California, a big truck drove her to Tacoma, WA, and my sister Gail and I picked her up at a gas station there and brought her home to Sequim. She was SO scared, she wouldn’t approach anybody or even go outside for the first two weeks. People here were so patient and gentle with her, and now she loves them all. One woman, Tia, who was dealing with a recent terminal diagnosis, was getting her hair done in our beauty salon; she saw Luna and said, “Oh, what a cute little dog!” Luna responded by running over and jumping in her lap! Tia burst out laughing and exclaimed, “Oh, you’ve made my day!” Another woman, Audrey, whose old dog had just died, was sitting alone outside last summer. Luna went over, jumped in her lap and stayed there for a long time, comforting her. People smile and stop to pet her when we meet in the halls or lobby; she has become our little mascot. As my sister Gail said, “Luna has brought so much joy into our lives!”

Serving during a Pandamic

One must be creative when serving during a global pandemic trying to follow CDC protocols for safety. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity rely on volunteers to help with their rehab and building projects. Br David writes, “After month of being idle it felt good to follow the Holy Spirit and once again be building and serving. We have fewer people volunteering and those who do volunteer need to maintain social distancing, but the work of Jesus is slowly getting done. I thank God for opportunities of service. So many in our Community are serving in a variety of ways, continuing to help and serve others. It is very humbling.”

Br. David

St Anna's Episcopal Church Food Assistance Ministry

By April 18, 2020 our Feeding Program will have provided 189 grocery bags full of food. This will have served 93 families of which about 35 are Service Industry/Artists & Musicians. The demand is increasing. We do this by referral. We provide a dependable source for food security for those in need. Please consider a can or two of food in our white bucket on the porch located at 1313 Esplanade or make a donation by hitting the donate button at www.stannanola.org . The Little Church that Could.

Br Donald Dubay, CFC

Early Morning Under Claiborne Overpass

A new day has arrived under the Claiborne Overpass. Tired bodies are sprawled on the cement. Brother Todd and I split up to walk among our Brothers and Sisters to bring them blessing bags. Some are awake but most are lying sleeping in fetal position. Many have no tent and simply use the cement as their sleeping mat. Their heads are in what appears to be very uncomfortable positions as the cement is their pillow.

Today as I walked prayerfully from one person to another and as I write this note I tearfully saw the baby Jesus in each one of these beloved people. Every single one of them were brought into this world as naked little babies and now as Jesus did bravely exist in conditions of emotional and physical discomfort. We may ask “Why Lord?”.

Today once again I was touched by the Hand of God as I saw Her face in the smiles of the waking faces of the poor who we humbly serve. Many whispered softly from their cement mat and said “Thank You”. Another gentleman extended his fist and dapped Brother Todd and myself and said “Thank You”. I saw Jesus and I wept.

Please pray and serve the poor and homeless with gentleness and humility. It is the path to knowing and experiencing the grace and mercy of God.

Brother Donald

Musings in ministry with the unsheltered

Ministry to our Brothers and Sisters who are seeking Food Assistance or are unsheltered has been a gift from God. This Ministry has helped me realize that by God’s Grace we can all learn about humility and become true servants of God. As we allow ourselves to realize that the dear people we serve are all made in the image of God, respect of one’s dignity becomes a natural behavior. This respect brought about by humility starts showing its lovely face in all our interactions with God’s people. I remain thankful for my call to be a Franciscan and learning to live out the Gospel of Jesus.

Br. Donald

Growing Together

Upon return from our last Mission Trip to Puerto Rico, we had a debriefing session where we processed our feelings and impressions of the trip and the things that impacted us the most.  Ironically, it was not the amount of "work" we got done that left the most impact, although it was substantial.  But, it was more about the relationships we developed while there and how we were personally transformed by the experience.  It was a joy to see others transformed and for me to be changed as well.  The most moving moment for me was when I prayed Evening Prayer with a priest from the Diocese of Puerto Rico in Spanish.  I don't know much Spanish, so it was a struggle for me.  But I felt the Holy Spirit moving between us and within us at that moment. 

Br. David