Boys Home Liaison Links newsletter

Through the Liaison Links newsletter, Boys Home invites you to stay connected with the spiritual life that takes place behind the scenes there. This month's edition features Epiphany at Boys Home, along with some ways you can help the students. We hope you'll take the time to read and share the news from Boys Home.

House of Delegates Presents Jackson-Feild Proclamation

The House of Delegates of the 244th Virginia General Assembly adopted and passed House Resolution 95 calling attention to and noting the 165th anniversary of Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services.

In a country not just 250 years old, the 165th anniversary of anything is an event to be celebrated. It is an especially remarkable achievement when you consider  that only 18 of our 50 states had been admitted to the union, important inventions such as the telephone, electricity, automobiles, airplanes, vaccinations, etc. had yet to be invented, and events that shaped our nation and world had yet to occur.

 

Delegate Roslyn Tyler recently presented Tod Balsbaugh, VP of Advancement, the proclamation at her office in Emporia.

 

Jackson-Feild is grateful to the General Assembly for this document and for helping to provide essential mental health services to children with severe mental illness.

On the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 A message from Bishop Haynes

When those who were around him [Jesus] saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. (Luke 22:49-51)

When Judas came to betray Jesus, the disciples who surrounded him knew of no other way to respond than with violence. So Peter struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Jesus, however, had a vision of a new way of responding. He declared that violence was not the answer and reached out with a healing touch to repair the damage inflicted by the violence.

This way of responding without violence was also the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “In spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.” King envisioned a world that hinged on community, harmony and unity; nonviolence, in his view, was the only way to effect such a community: “We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself. We will try to persuade with our words, but if our words fail, we will try to persuade with our acts.” Words and actions of peace were the goal.

On the anniversary of his birth, we honor the memory of this man who was a great leader in the civil rights movement but who also appears on the church’s calendar of saints. We dedicate ourselves to his dream that we all become beloved community. And we endeavor to do these things, not through violence which might seem a natural response, but through peace and non-violent actions.

The Episcopal Church is launching a new campaign on Martin Luther King’s birthday. The campaign is a conversation called “From Many One: Conversations Across Difference.” The initiative comes from the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum (from many, one) and hopes to teach, model and foster conversations with those who think differently from us. The conversation starts with the following four questions:

1.   What do you love? 

2.   What have you lost? 

3.   Where does it hurt? 

4.   What do you dream?

You can find out more about the “From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference” here.

It is my hope that churches will use this resource as a way to begin conversation within their own “walls.” (I use this term figuratively since I realize that for the moment we are mostly in Zoom rooms or conference calls.)

Until such time as this conversation launches, it might also be helpful to ask ourselves the following questions:

·    Are our actions aimed at peace or destruction?

·    Do our words and actions comport peace or are they intended to inflict wounds?

·    Whose ear are we cutting off?

·    Whose ear are we being presented with the opportunity to heal, and are we accepting the grace of God to respond?

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

How will you observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?

On January 18, 2021 we will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day is set aside to honor his accomplishments as a leader, minister, gifted speaker and civil rights activist. As you consider how best to mark the day to honor Dr. King  - reflect on the often quoted words of Coretta Scott King that appeared in 1983 in The Washington Post as she highlighted  her vision for the observance of the holiday:   "The holiday must be substantive as well as symbolic. It must be more than a day of celebration . . . Let this holiday be a day of reflection, a day of teaching nonviolent philosophy and strategy, a day of getting involved in nonviolent action for social and economic progress."

The list below provides some initial suggestions to achieve Coretta Scott King’s vision to celebrate MLK during a time of global pandemic:

• Begin a conversation – The Salt Project has produced two videos (free and fee based) that you can use in worship, on social media or on your website to reflect upon, inspire and initiate conversation. The videos can be viewed at the diocesan YouTube channel.
• Get informed – Read or listen to Dr. King’s speeches, and letters. Read books written about him and watch films of Dr. King to expand your understanding of his life’s work.  
• Consider Dr. King’s work and legacy with respect to our Baptismal Vows – “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?” How might you live out those Baptismal vows with respect to social justice work?
• Be of service to others – In 1957 in Montgomery Alabama Dr. King said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’“ AmeriCorps leads the effort help individuals and groups respond to this question. Click here to learn about their efforts and get involved on MLK day and beyond. 
• Engage Children in the celebration- there are a number of ways to engage children in MLK day: read age appropriate MLK related books with your child. Click here for some suggestions, search Pinterest and other sites for MLK crafts, write a prayer for the world today, participate in an act of service, read the “I Have a Dream” speech together and talk about the hopes and dreams that Dr. King expressed as well as your child’s hopes and dreams for the world today.

Service of Faith, Hope and Love: Meditations and Reflections on Martin Luther King

Manakin Church, Midlothian, invites you to join them for a service of Faith, Hope and Love: Meditations and Reflections on Martin Luther King, Jr on Monday, January 18. The service will be live beginning at 11:30 a.m. here. The service will include reflections from Bishop Haynes as well as others from the congregation, the Diocese and community.

129th Annual Council: A virtual "Council Week"

The 129th Annual Council will be entirely virtual with "Council Week" from February 22-27. Rather than spend a day and a half on Zoom, our Council Week will begin on Monday, Feb. 22, offering you daily on-demand reports and live events via Zoom. On Friday evening, please plan to join us for an engaging presentation by Jerusalem Greer, Staff Officer for Evangelism for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Jerusalem will be pointing the way to how we can answer the demands of our third Baptismal Promise, “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of Jesus Christ?” The title of her presentation is “Rooted in Love: Where Good News, Spiritual Practices and our Baptismal promises meet.” Council Week will culminate with the business meeting of clergy and lay delegates on Saturday morning. Complete information about Council Week can be found at www.bit.ly/diosova129.

Presiding Bishop Curry’s Word to the Church: Who shall we be?

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has issued a Word to the Church. Text and video available here.

On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invited Episcopalians and people of faith to turn and pray on behalf of our nation. Read more here.