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The Creation, Justice and Peace group have created some new resources with practical guidance on choices we make as we aim to live in balance with Creation, Justice and Peace.

The themes cover the cost of fashion, the problem with plastics and our food choices, with ideas such as:

• Stop using single-use plastics. (Plastic items like drinking straws, disposable plates, and cutlery, can be replaced by alternatives.)
• Buy more food in bulk. (Many stores sell some foods in bulk, making it possible to avoid disposable plastic packaging.)
• Encourage restaurants and caterers to donate leftovers, when possible, to food banks.
• Replace red meat with white meat (the carbon footprint for beef is five times higher than for chicken).
• Wear clothes longer. (Wearing clothes just a few months longer before replacing them reduces their environmental impact.)
• Air dry clothes on a line. (Using a clothes dryer adds significantly to one’s carbon footprint.)

Take a look at these resources on the Creation Justice Peace page or go striaght to the resources:

• Eating as an Act of Love
• The Problem of Plastics
• Clothing and Climate Change: The Cost of Fashion

The Third Order has launched a series of videos, poetry, songs and paintings exploring breaking down barriers to racial healing and justice.

We want to take the Walk With Us program we did in March and follow up with some direct talk about the work we white bodies have to do moving forward. We began our racial healing work with the Knee On My Neck series from Masud Ibn Syedullah. Attendance was disappointing and comments afterwards indicated that many thought we didn’t need to do this kind of work. We are assembling Reflections on racism and our Principles into a booklet form for the formation program.

In the summer, we will launch a toolbox created for the National Association of Episcopal Christian Communities, a Toolbox on dismantling racism.

In the 13 weeks now between Walk with Us and Toolbox, we are called to continue building awareness. We want to plow ground and plant seeds in order to maximize the work of the Toolbox once we open it.

George Yancy says it eloquently in his Op-Ed, Being “Anti-Racist” Isn’t Enough. (April 2021, Truthout)

“If Black lives really matter to white people, I would like to see their white rage overflow in the streets of this nation shouting: “My whiteness is a lie! My innocence is the crime!””

We have work to do, my sisters and brothers, and it will take some plowing and seeding.

You can watch the rest of the Breaking Down Barriers videos on the Articles & Videos page of this website.

Today I am simply copying a report from our Regional Minister in Brazil about the latest news with the Guarani People, with whom we are standing.

Janet – Peace and Good. Just to keep the province updated with the latest facts.

URGENT❗ Invasion in the Tekoa Ka’aguy Mirim Porã, in the Tarumã TI (northern coast SC)

On Tuesday morning (22/03), the Tekoa Ka’aguy Mirim Porã, in the Tarumã Indigenous Territory, located in the municipality of Araquari/SC [Santa Catarina state], was violently invaded. A group of non-indigenous people, accompanied by military police officers, illegally entered the Indigenous Land and destroyed the houses and possessions of the Guarani community. Working tools and objects of spiritual importance were completely destroyed. The losses felt by the community at this moment are immeasurable.

The northern coast of SC is a region inhabited and cared for by various Guarani groups who have their territorial rights recognized. However, the invasions of these territories have been constant and, with the omission of the responsible inspection bodies, are getting worse every day.

According to Guarani leaders, the invading group claimed to be complying with a court order for repossession. *However, no warrant was presented to the community. A member of the invading group, dressed in military garb, even falsely claimed to be a member of the army in order to legitimize the destruction of the village.

We also know that, since May 2020, a decision handed down by the Federal Supreme Court in General Repercussion (in RE 1.017.365) prevents the processing or enforcement of repossession orders against indigenous communities.Thus, today, along with the territory and the life of the Guarani of the Tekoa Kaaguy Porã Mirim, national legislation and an unquestionable determination of the Supreme Court have been attacked.

At this moment, Funai, the Federal Public Ministry and the Guarani Yvurupa Commission are following the case. Other competent authorities have already been mobilized.

We will seek, with courage and with the certainty of our constitutional rights, the protection of our territory and the accountability of those who invaded and destroyed the Tekoa Ka’aguy Mirim.

Help spread the word

All support is needed!

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Two different things went out last week, both of them important for you. One was the Request for Nominations for Chapter. Yes, it’s that time again! If, for some reason, you did not receive or could not open your very own Request form, please contact Lucinda Dyer and she’ll send you another.

The second thing that went out was Jeff Golliher’s now published book, The Franciscan Forms of Service: Hopeful Reflections in a Perilous Time. This meaningful book-let is being disseminated throughout the entire Order (yes, global Order) and everyone is being encouraged to read and discuss it.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Cuba. Their numbers continue to grow and they are getting ready to form a Fellowship. This good news will be formalized in their May Retreat, and the whole process beginning now needs strong prayer support.

In conclusion, big thank-you’s go to those who have “stepped up” lately to fill some important positions and do some important work. I won’t have to go begging! God is so good! I’ve been living in Hebrews 3:13-15 lately, as we continue to encourage each other Daily!

Peace and All Good, Janet

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Como Orden estamos explorando cómo Caminar con los Indígenas. Este video ha sido creado como una representación de ese Llamamiento Urgente. Esperamos que seas bendecido mientras lo ves y esperamos que lo compartas.

Como Ordem estamos explorando como Caminhar com os Indígenas. Este vídeo foi criado como uma representação desse Apelo Urgente. Esperamos que você seja abençoado ao assisti-lo e esperamos que você o compartilhe.

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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