ECS - Episcopal Community Services: Information for Parishes

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For Parishes

ECS Headquarters in Old St. Pauls Church

For Parishes

Since its founding in 1870 as the social service arm of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, ECS has partnered with local parishes to serve individuals and families marginalized by poverty or need. ECS helps local congregations fulll their Baptismal Covenant to "seek and serve Christ in all persons, respecting the dignity of every human being."

For more information, please contact Michael Giansiracusa, development officer for volunteer and parish relations.

Reflections

Parish Engagement

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The following are opportunties for parishes to unite in support of the people we serve.

Parish-Based Education Sessions

These can be offered at any time of the year. The standard is the first four sessions with an option to continue for two additional sessions or as a self-contained Adult or Youth Forum. Topics include, but are not limited to: an introduction to faith and justice, poverty, the environment and racism. Each topic will contain the roots of biblical justice, Episcopal identity, shared conversation and reflection. The following is the format for the Introduction to Faith and Justice Sessions:

Parish Resource Guide

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The ECS Parish Resource Guide is prepared for parishes observing ECS Sunday. Much of this information is useful throughout the year to share the work of ECS with your parish.

Parish Resource Guide

Dear ECS Sunday Organizer

Thank you for supporting ECS Sunday. Parish support is integral to ECS’s success. You are helping ECS thank all the people in the pews who make communities stronger. In this Parish Resource Guide, you will find special intercessions and other promotional resources for ECS Sunday and throughout the year.

The ECS Collect

Adopted by the ECS Board, 1979:

Almighty God, You have called us through your Son to be the willing servants of all. Bless and direct those who share in the ministry of Episcopal Community Services, making them living signs of your compassion and love, keeping them faithful in all that they do, and giving them vision and courage in the face of new opportunities and challenges. This we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—The Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

Sample Bulletin Item for Day of ECS Sunday

Poverty in America continues to rise. Nearly 36 million Americans, many working full-time, are unable to provide for the basic needs of their families. As the body of Christ, we are bound together, and we share the grief and anxieties of those who live in poverty. But we can also share the joy and hope that comes from joining together to break the cycle of poverty. ECS helps families overcome the impact of poverty - keeping families together, helping children and youth to thrive, and making communities stronger. Please give generously to ECS during today's collection.

Sample Bulletin Item Prior to ECS Sunday

Do you find it overwhelming to hear that one million more Americans fall into poverty every year? Do you really think that there's nothing you can do to make a difference? As a parish community we make a difference when we support the work of Episcopal Community Services. ECS is committed to helping people create permanent solutions to the problem of poverty right here in Philadelphia. You can help break the cycle of poverty. Please give generously to the ECS annual appeal next weekend. Visit ecs1870.org to learn more.

Homily Helps: Economy's Effect on ECS Families

For some ECS program participants, the current recession is nothing new. For years, Philadelphia has had the highest rate of poverty among the nation’s ten largest cities, with 25% of all residents living below the poverty line.
For some families, poverty goes back generations

Homily Helps: Economy's Effect on ECS Programs

This is a period of great uncertainty for ECS. Many ECS programs are funded by the City of Philadelphia. The city is trying to fill a $1.2 billion deficit, and services to the most vulnerable may be at risk.

Intercessions

R. LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For our bishop, priests, and deacons and all church leaders, that they will continue to proclaim Christ's love and compassion for the poor as they lead the Church in its work to promote justice in our world, let us pray to the Lord.

Reflections

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michaelgweb As a part of a new vision for ECS' relationship with parishes in the Diocese, we are initiating these weekly email relfections. I hope you will find them both comforting and challenging.

As all of us seek to respond to our baptismal call to seek justice for all of God's creation, please feel free to use these as personal reflection starters, or as food for thought, while you write your weekly sermons or engage in outreach and service discernment for your parish community.

I pray you will find these weekly reflections helpful in leading to some prayerful conversation. We, at Episcopal Community Services, as well as all of you in your parish communities, are continally challenged by God's solidarity with those on the margins. ECS is looking forward to embracing the pilgrimage with you in 2010 and beyond in the assurance of Emmanuel-God is with us.

Best,

Michael Giansiracusa, MA, D.Min
Development Officer for Volunteer and Parish Relations

To sign up for Mike's weekly reflections by email, please use this form and write "Reflections" in the subject and message portions.

February 17, 2010

Reflection for the Week of February 17, 2010

From a Christian standpoint, the model for human life --and therefore the ideal of a humanely educated individual-- is the person of Jesus. Jesus teaches us by word and example that the realization of our fullest human potential is achieved ultimately in our union with God, a union that is sought and reached through a loving, just and compassionate relationship with our brothers and sisters. Love of God, then, finds true expression in our daily love of neighbor, in our compassionate care for the poor and suffering, in our deeply human concern for others as God's people. It is a love that gives witness to faith and speaks out through action on behalf of a new world community of justice, love and peace.

Ignatian Pedagogy (Society of Jesus)

Volunteer and Parish Service Opportunities

Is your parish looking to discern how it can best fulfill its baptismal call to affirm the dignity of all people and promote social justice? ECS can facilitate education sessions at your location or day-long service retreats in Philadelphia centering on the biblical and Episcopal roots of our social justice mission as Christians. These sessions and retreats are perfect for Adult Forums, youth days of service, Confirmation reflection days and family service projects.

Pastoral Care Classes

Have you ever wondered how you can provide spiritual comfort to those who need it?

Pastoral Care training from ECS can prepare you for work in hospitals, senior centers, and around your community.The Rev. Carl Metzger leads these 6-week courses several times a year. Classes are free of charge.

To receive more information on future Pastoral Care training, please contact Caroline Dunleavy at carolined@ecs1870.org or 215.351.1451.