Year: 2021

Janet’s Bytes – Dec 2021

Posted on by Ben Gibbs

Hi everyone! I’m finding this an Advent like no other; I wonder about yours, wherever you are.

You may have read that our Provincial Chaplain of the last 8 years, Rick Simpson, has now retired. We are so grateful for his joy and his depth (not to mention his singing). He is currently in need of prayer for a bad back, so please include him in your daily prayers. Our new Provincial Chaplain is Anton Armbruster. Anton has been the Assistant Provincial Chaplain now for several years and, in that role, has been responsible for our new Chaplaincy structure. His considerable energies will have a larger focus now as he steps into the Provincial Chaplain role. And Harvey Hill will be the new Assistant Provincial Chaplain. I know you’ll want to welcome Anton and Harvey to their respective new places in servant-leadership.

You’ll also want to know that we continue our affiliation with the Guarani Peoples in Southern Brazil. The Diocese of Pelotas is our point of contact with them, along with Antonio Terto, our Brazilian Regional Minister. Chapter has just agreed to send a mission allotment there. These are people in true need of the idea we have of standing with them. And when we ask the question “Do we matter?” we find an answer in Pelotas.

I hope you are all vaccinated and boosted. And taking fresh air walks.

By the way, Ken Norian suggests we all use Amazon Smile for our Christmas purchases now, and then into next year. Your Smile account can be used to benefit the Third Order. Go to smile.amazon.com to enroll. Every little bit helps. Advent Blessings!

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Janet’s Bytes – Nov 2021

Posted on by Janet Fedders

Let’s open things up even more and in so doing close up the gap between what Chapter is doing on your behalf and what you want to know.

I suppose by now most of you have seen The Video. It’s a visual representation of the Global Third Order statement about Standing with the Indigenous. If you’ve missed it, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmxnP-kL7cs&authuser=0

How to describe how that initiative got going!? It grew out of Sacred Ecology meetings between Mark MacDonald and Jeff Golliher. You all know that our brother Mark is the Archbishop to the Indigenous for the Church of Canada, right? And an Ojibwe himself. Those conversations were passed on to all the Ministers Provincial and our Minister General, and soon that statement became something for every one of our Provinces. It started on the grassroots level and just took off! And the Holy Spirit is still taking it places. In my next Bytes, I will talk more about that.

I want to share a couple of other things with you. Because of its growing importance, Lifelong Formation has now been split off from the Fellowship Guardian role. And Susan Pitchford is the new Director of that. I think you’ll agree that she is wonderfully suited to that mission. All our Provinces will now have such a Director, so conversations about Lifelong Formation can embrace all of us, around the world.

We have also gotten approval in Chapter for our Safeguarding Our Loving Community Policy (found on our website under Resources/Governance). In the next Franciscan Times you can read more about how we got there. One of the hallmarks of this policy is its emphasis on prevention, training and awareness. We have a Guardian of our Loving Community in place (welcome Cleveland Beach) and he will be talking to each of us about signing an agreement that we have read and accept the policy.

Peace and All Good to each of you! Janet Fedders

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Bishop David Rice and Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF videos from Chapter 2021

Posted on by Ben Gibbs

The annual Chapter meeting happened this month and Chapter members were treated to some inspiring input from Bishop David Rice (Bishop Protector of TSSF) and Sister Margaret Carney OSF. The videos of their talks have been added to our Articles & Videos page or you can watch them here!

800th Anniversary Celebration

Sr. Margaret Carney OSF, noted Franciscan scholar, presents a fascinating study of the Rule of 1221 and Francis’ involvement with the Order of Penitence. This video gives us new understanding to the term Conversion of Life, which is what Francis’ understanding of penitence was all about. Sr. Margaret presented this material at Chapter 2021 in zoom format. Chapter was eager to share it with everyone.

Reflections

Listen to our Bishop Protector’s wise words on being present. And hear him talk about his new book Holy Experiment, available on Kindle and through the Diocese of San Joaquin website.

Franciscans International 2020 Report

Posted on by Ben Gibbs

Franciscans International is a non-profit who advocates at the United Nations for the protection of human dignity and environmental justice. Many Third Order members support Franciscans International financially and in other ways.

To find out more about what Franciscans International have been doing recently you can read their 2020 Annual Report here.

You can also find out more about this wonderful organization and how to support them on their website: https://franciscansinternational.org

New TSSF t-shirts, cards and more!

Posted on by Ben Gibbs

To celebrate 800 years since St. Francis established the Third Order, some new t-shirt’s, fleeces, sticker and card designs have been created for you to consider purchasing with a portion of the purchase being donated to TSSF. You can even get a baby bodysuit with the logo too!

Simply visit https://tssf.threadless.com to see the options and make a purchase.

Also, don’t forget about our other online shop at https://www.cafepress.com/tssfshop or the options from TheVinylAngel – tertiaries can access those details on the TSSF Shop page.

New look for TSSF.org website

Posted on by Ben Gibbs

You may have noticed this website is looking a bit different than it has for the last few years! This website design refresh has been done as part of an ongoing Digital Strategy and is a much needed change to the way this website feels with some additional accessibility and security features too.

Accessibility

This new look and feel is provided by a new “Theme” which changes the layout, spacing, font and many other details. This new Theme was selected because of its simple look and ease of use, but also for its accessibility features built in which make the content more readable to people with visual impairments and for screen readers used by blind people. The Theme is also much more easy for the web team to tweak and add visual features to.

Security

This website refresh also adds a new tool to keep the Resources for Tertiaries area truly private. The previous tool and login method was not fully secure, but this new tool hides all the pages under the Resources for Tertiaries area from people who do not know the password and from search engines too. It’s easier to access the Resources for Tertiaries area too – you only need the password now, which is provided in the TSSF Directory.

Smartphones & Tablets

Our new theme also vastly improves the experience of the website when viewed on smart phones or tablets which have smaller screens than laptops or desktops. The improvements include layout of the pages as well as the navigation options making it easier to find the information or page you want.

Feedback

Please let the web team know if you have any difficulty viewing or navigating this website by emailing website@tssf.org. We want to make sure every visitor can access the information and inspiration here about St. Francis, St. Clare and Jesus Christ!

We are still in the process of updating a few pages so if you see something looking odd, let us know: website@tssf.org.

Knee on My Neck

Posted on by Janet Fedders

Being offered again. Details soon.

“We are pledged to fight against the ignorance, pride, and prejudice that breed injustice or partiality of any kind.”

From the Second Aim, Third Order Principles  

Since the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Abery, protests have sprung up across the United States and throughout the world demanding real change.  Is this the time for that change?  Is this the moment to make a lasting difference?  It CAN be.  Let’s not let it slip by.

Embedded in the institution of slavery are principles that are the foundation of successive oppressive institutions in American culture today. Join us in this five-part webinar series to explore, understand, and strategize ways of transforming those corrupt principles intended to benefit a few, into life-affirming policies for the good of all.

“As Tertiaries, we are prepared not only to speak out for social justice and international peace, but to put these principles into practice in our own lives, cheerfully facing any scorn or persecution to which this may lead.”

From the Second Aim, Third Order Principles

Created by the Rev. Masud Ibn Syedullah TSSF, Founder and Director of Roots & Branches, and assisted by the Rev. Chuck Kramer, member of the Reparations Committee of the Diocese of New York, and Mr. Dorian Lake, Dramatist, Knee on Neck: Slavery’s Ghost uses lectures, videos, drama, and other supportive resource materials. It aims to help participants generate plans and strategies for actions that embody and bear witness to policies and actions that affirm, support, and celebrate all.

“Love – the Bridge to the Kingdom” retreat videos

Posted on by Ben Gibbs
Love - the Bridge to the Kingdom

The TSSF Cloud Fellowship sponsored an on-line retreat on February 26-27, 2021 on the subject of Love – the Bridge to the Kingdom. The theme of this retreat arose from concern about the increasing divisions apparent in our nation.

The videos from the retreat have been added to the website in the Articles & Videos page for you to be inspired, challenged and encouraged. Click here to watch the videos.

Also, see the new TSSF Americas YouTube Channel where these videos are hosted, and where we will add other TSSF videos in the future!