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Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Office of Presiding Bishop
November 1, 2024
Dear Beloved of God,
As we approach this upcoming election, the hope, tension, fear, anxiety and stress in the air is palpable. There is a sense that so much is hanging in the balance. We do our part to promote and encourage family, friends and community members to listen deeply to the signs of the times and discern well by judging the fruits of the trees that one would want to plant in Washinton and around the country.
In these upcoming days when we remember our ancestors, the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us, All Saints and All Souls, we are invited to join our prayers with theirs, to find the deep well within, drink of the Waters of Life, and center ourselves.
We are the Beloved of God who calls us to recognize all are Beloved of God.
We are the hands and heart of God who will continue to call us to serve after these elections.
To do justice,
to love mercy,
to forgive and love our enemies,
to feed the hungry,
to welcome the stranger in our midst,
to work for peace,
to heal the broken hearted,
to love our Mother Earth,
and to walk humbly with our God.
I invite us to pray this prayer together from Rev. Emily Swan:
“Spirit of Jesus,
Come with fire that refines
Water that refreshes
Wind that topples
Breath that fills.
Kindle a global revival of empathy,
justice and active peacemaking.
Birth a witness of Love that is
bigger and better than we inherited.
Encourage us, so we do not grow cynical, isolated and burnt out.
Fan our hopes, our joys and our connections.
Allow us rest when we need rest.
Enable us to see you in each person
we encounter.
Show us mercy, in our humanity.
Let us love more fully than we thought possible.
Let us not be quick on the draw,
ready to retaliate, escalate, assassinate.
Let our collective fervor for justice
eclipse institutional concerns.
Let us trust and follow the wisdom
of those who have been marginalized.
Let us persevere in creating
safe places of worship
to eat bread and drink wine together.
Let us stand for Love and with Love, following the way of your Son
as best we’re able.
Let us not fear an experiential spirituality.
Let us listen to the wondrous bodies
you gave us.
Let us hear your voice and
tangibly feel you with us.
Let us discern your guidance.
Let us abide in and with you.
Show us what you’re doing,
so we can work together.
Move where you will when you will,
in whatever way you will.
Come Holy Spirit, and
restore all people in unity,
we pray in the name of our brother Jesus.
Amen.”
Rev. Emily Swan from Sarah Bessey’s book,
Field Notes for the Wilderness.
Consider Joining this Invitation
from Fr. Len Schreiner
Dear Friends and family,
We live in an unusual time of unprecedented social unrest. (See information below). I invite you to join me for this personal time of fasting-prayer as the final days of this election cycle take place. Know that you can participate in this spiritual event by doing a “partial fast,” or a full fast; whatever fits your circumstances and inclination. I will probably include fruit, maybe a piece of bread, juice and water as part of each day. And get plenty of rest, and give myself space for meditative prayer.
May the Light pierce all disturbing darkness and lead us as a nation onto a new path of life and community.
“Lead us from darkness to light,
from despair unto hope,
unto hope.
Lead us from war unto peace,
lead us from doubt unto faith.
MAY PEACE FILL OUR HEARTS,
OUR WORLD,
AND OUR UNIVERSE!
MAY PEACE FILL OUR HEARTS,
OUR WORLD,
AND OUR UNIVERSE.”
(Universal Peace Prayer)
It would do my heart good to know if you choose to participate. My cell is listed for easy texting.
A brother in Christ,
Len Schreiner
Baja Road Retreat
Rowe, New Mexico 87562
720-684-7353
LEN Schreiner <nerner84@msn.com
FOR A SAFE & SANE ELECTION
~ A PEACEFUL PASSAGE FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT ~
Join me, Len Schreiner, for a
THREE DAY (partial or full) F A S T
& period of prayer: November 3-5, 2024
“With this pipe you will be bound to all your relatives…and always remember that the two-leggeds and all the other peoples who stand upon this earth are sacred and should be treated as such.” (Sacred Pipe, N. American)
A man brought his son: “Lord, take pity on my son, who is demented and in a serious condition.”
Jesus said, “Bring him here to me.” Jesus commanded the demon and it went out, the boy was healed at that very moment.
The disciples asked: “Why could we not drive the demon out?’
“Because you have so little trust,” answered Jesus. “Only prayer and fasting can drive this kind out, nothing else can.”
(Matthew 17: 14-21)
“You that are wrapped up in your mantle, keep vigil all night, half the night, or even less, or a little more, and with measured tone recite the Koran.
Your Lord knows that you sometimes keep vigil well-nigh two-thirds of the night…as do others among your followers.” (73:1; 73:20, Koran)
May Hagia Sophia lead and guide us as we cast our votes. May our hearts be filled with hope for the future that She is leading us towards.
Amen! May it be so!
Paz y amor!
Bishop Paul “Pablo” Burson, M.Div., L.P.C.
Presiding Bishop, ECC
BishopPaul@ecumenicalcatholics.net
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