Intention, Vision and Values
Our Intention
We seek to encourage, empower, and enable individual members, fellowships and the Third Order as a whole to live more faithfully to our rule and lives as Franciscans by bringing the values of the Franciscan charism of joy, inclusion, and interconnectedness to the issues of Creation, Justice and Peace.
In alignment with our service of work, study, and prayer, we provide our TSSF community with resources for action, advocacy & networking, education, and prayer & liturgy.
Our Vision
We envision a world where life in all its forms, sustained by love, can flourish in right relationship with God, each other, and all of creation.
Our Values
As members of TSSF, we are rooted in the teaching and spirituality of Saints Francis and Clare and believe:
- God dwells in all creation and that every thing is worthy of justice. God’s justice includes ecological, racial, gender, and economic justice.
- As we live as instruments of God’s peace, we can bring healing and reconciliation to our suffering world.
- We are not masters of creation but are in relationship with all as a part of one living system, a unified whole.
Our Resources
Articles
Everyday Heroes – Video Interview Series
Click here for a link to interviews with everyday heroes of TSSF – a good way to learn about your fellow tertiaries and what they are doing to bring to God’s creation Justice and Peace.
Organizations working for Creation Justice and Peace
Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a network of Franciscans who come together for education and advocacy on a variety of issues. Find out about their work here, especially how to get involved in Franciscan Solidarity Tables.
Episcopal Network for Economic Justice (ENEJ) This organization is dedicated to education and advocacy around issues of economic inequality. You can find position papers as well as prayer materials here.
The Consultation is the “umbrella” Social Justice network of the Episcopal Church and is comprised of a number of Social Justice groups who come together, especially around General Convention to prepare policy statements and advocate for Social Justice resolutions.
Episcopal Public Policy Network. General Convention is the body that decides which issues the Episcopal Church will follow and provide advocacy for in Washington. Many states also have Public Policy Networks (through State Councils of Churches) in which Episcopalians are involved.
GreenFaith is an excellent organization dedicated to training leaders of all faith traditions to be leaders in the Stewardship of Creation. GreenFaith also works with congregations who are interested in “going green”. Their website has links to a number of great resources for worship, prayer, advocacy and education.
Episcopal Ecological Network is a network of Stewardship of Creation Ministries throughout the Episcopal Church.
Episcopal Peace Fellowship is very active in many issues around International as well as National Peace and Justice.
Union of Black Episcopalians provides resources and advocacy in support of the ministries of Black Episcopalians throughout the Episcopal Church.
The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Reconciliation is located in Atlanta and on the forefront of helping Episcopal dioceses and parishes enter into that work.