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Episcopal City Mission
Ministry of Presence
Probably the most important aspect of the chaplains' time with the children is what we call “the ministry of presence”. Our chaplains walk the halls; visit the units; play cards, board games, or video games; or watch TV with the youth. The non-anxious presence of our chaplains reassures the teens that their spiritual well-being is being looked after.
As residents in St. Louis and St. Louis County begin a mandatory stay at home order, Bishop-elect Deon Johnson offers this message of support during the coronavirus…
Bishop-elect Deon Johnson's message of support
As residents in St. Louis and St. Louis County begin a mandatory stay at home order, Bishop-elect Deon Johnson offers this message of support during the coronavirus…
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Chris Cannon and others from St. John's Episcopal Church - Tower Grove hosted a GREAT birthday party on March 6 at the City of St. Louis' Juvenile Detention Center. Last Thursday, both St. Louis City and County announced no visitors would be allowed in the detention centers until further notice in an effort to keep the children and staff safe. During this time of "social distancing" let's stay connected through social media and other methods - especially prayer:
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal:
Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment.
Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance
and amendment of life according to your will, and give them
hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them
release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice.
Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them
humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming
brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison,
O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All
this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.
(BCP, p. 826 - Prayer #37)
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal:
Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment.
Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance
and amendment of life according to your will, and give them
hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them
release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice.
Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them
humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming
brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison,
O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All
this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.
(BCP, p. 826 - Prayer #37)
In addition to not forgetting to wash your hands, don't forget to also smile and laugh. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
ECM is excited about our new chaplains, The Rev. Dr. Clive Samson (below, Left) and Norman Malloyd, Jr (below, Center). They began working with Episcopal City Mission in January 2020. They join The Rev. Kevin Aldridge (below, Right), who has been with ECM for nine years, and The Rev. Deborah Burris, who joined the ECM staff two years ago. These dedicated chaplains offer spiritual programs, guidance and support, and a ministry of presence to the children in the St. Louis area juvenile justice system.
Read more about our chaplains and their ministry at https://www.diocesemo.org/files/5915/8230/0897/Seek_-_spring_2020_-_FINAL.pdf
Read more about our chaplains and their ministry at https://www.diocesemo.org/files/5915/8230/0897/Seek_-_spring_2020_-_FINAL.pdf
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Carondelet was excited to welcome Chaplain Deborah Burris as our guest preacher last Sunday, ECM Sunday! Deborahs sermon focused on the many ways God is REVEALED to us, God‘s desire to be in RELATIONSHIP with us and our RESPONSE. After the service Deborah shared the many ways ECM‘s ministry transforms lives. In response, several people in attendance were compelled to participate in this ministry as volunteers.
We're grateful for the volunteers from Holy Communion who spent Valentine's Day evening sharing LOVE by hosting the February birthday party for the children at the County Juvenile Detention Center.
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." – Ephesians 3:17-19
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." – Ephesians 3:17-19
