February February 2 Super Bowl Background: Opportunities: February 13 Absalom Jones and Black History Month Background: Opportunities:

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1 Following are topic suggestions for February-April that can be the basis for a variety of communication opportunities, from viewpoint articles placed with local newspapers to sermons shared with parishioners throughout the diocese. For further discussion, or help in drafting a column for submission to a media outlet, please contact: Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer, The Episcopal Church; nrfox@episcopalchurch.org; February February 2 Super Bowl Background: The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), and it has become an annual event for Americans (and many others around the world) to gather with family and friends to watch the game. Opportunities: Two opportunities dioceses and parishes may consider: The Souper Bowl of Caring leverages Super Bowl weekend in America to mobilize young people to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Its vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend into America s largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. Young people collect monetary and food donations during the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, which is given directly to local charities of the group s choice. Opportunities: Highlight a youth program collecting cash/food for a local charity or a church s food kitchen or relief effort, or serving the poor in another way (highlighting your response to a need through loving service). Super Bowl Sunday has also been called the single largest human trafficking day in the United States. While there is debate over whether this claim is true, the truth about human trafficking in our midst is true, real, and terrible. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and The Episcopal Church has been called to act. Consider ways to raise awareness of the issues of human trafficking in your area through sermons, newspaper columns/letters, or events designed to raise awareness of this issue and/or money for organizations dedicated to fighting human trafficking (such as a Super Bowl viewing party with proceeds going to a related organization). February 13 Absalom Jones and Black History Month Background: Absalom Jones ( ) was an African-American abolitionist and clergyman. After founding a black congregation in 1794, he became the first African-American ordained as a priest in The Episcopal Church. Opportunities: Just as Absalom Jones was not complacent to build a congregation for African-Americans to come to on Sunday, we must not be complacent

2 in the march toward equal rights for all God s creation. While it is true that our nation has come a long way, as evident by the recent Episcopal Church forum on racism, there is still much work to do. Consider a sermon or letter to the editor of a local newspaper to bring awareness to this very important topic. Valentine s Day Background: Valentine s Day is observed on February 14 every year throughout the world. It began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. Opportunities: Many people celebrate Valentine s Day as a day of love between two individuals, but there can also be a focus on love and loving service to others on this day. Just as Jesus called for Mary and John to care for one another as he was dying, we are called to care for one another for those who have experienced loss, whether it be a spouse, a child, a parent or source of income or support. There are opportunities all around to provide simple ways to love those in our communities who have suffered loss. Consider donating time, money, and resources to food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and other places that are assisting those in need. Show those less fortunate that there is still love and caring in this world. March March 5 Ash Wednesday Background: Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting. Opportunities: Ashes to Go started as an outreach ministry of an interfaith Bible study group of clergy in the St. Louis area, and has quickly gained ground. In 2012, the program had spread across the country, offering outreach to those who did not attend a traditional Ash Wednesday service. It creates opportunities for people to take a fresh look at our church and the gospel, and for us to provide pastoral care in a new context where people are. Consider creating your own Ashes to Go program: Provide information about your church, or partner with other faiths to bring ministry to several places You never know how many hearts you will touch and open by this small gesture of God s love. March 17 The Feast of Saint Patrick Background: Each year, The Episcopal Church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Patrick, the fifth-century bishop and missionary of Ireland, by commemorating the day of his death in 461. Saint Patrick, who lived in Western Britain, was captured by slave traders and forced into servitude in Ireland. After his escape, he became a presbyter and bishop, and later returned to

3 Ireland to convert Irish pagans into Christians. He is generally credited with being the first bishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland. Opportunities: Saint Patrick returned to the land and the people who had taken away his freedom. He blessed those who cursed him; he brought the light of God to those who were wandering in darkness. Articles, sermons, and other materials that talk about the real story of Saint Patrick, compared with the drinking holiday the anniversary has become for some, can become an inspiration for parishioners and others to walk in that same light and seek out new ways to reach those who may be wandering in darkness right now. March 19 Saint Joseph Background: Joseph was called to fill the role of Jesus father on earth. He obeyed a message given to him by an angel of the Lord to take Mary as his wife. He is honored in Christian tradition for the love he showed to the boy Jesus, as well as Mary. Opportunities: Though Joseph most likely died before Jesus active ministry, he stands as a grace-filled model of serving God through simple everyday activities, and as a devoted husband and father. His patience, persistence, and hard work are admirable qualities. On this day, encourage parishioners to reflect on the life of Saint Joseph, and encourage them to actively remember these qualities in all that they do. March 24 Óscar Romero Background: Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was a prominent Roman Catholic priest in El Salvador during the 1960s and 70s. He became the archbishop of San Salvador in After witnessing many violations of human rights, he began to speak out on behalf of the poor and the victims of repression. After calling for soldiers to disobey orders to fire on innocent civilians, Archbishop Romero was shot dead while celebrating Mass at the small chapel of the cancer hospital where he lived. Opportunities: Óscar Romero was a voice for the voiceless poor and symbol of freedom and hope for the repressed people in El Salvador. He had foreseen the danger of assassination and declared his willingness to accept martyrdom if his blood would contribute to a solution to his people s problems. Use his story to discuss the importance of standing up for those in need and tie his story into efforts of our youth on standing up and speaking out against violence and bullying in schools, and call attention to the April 9-11 Episcopal Church Gathering to Challenge the Epidemic of Violence. April 4 Martin Luther King, Jr. April

4 Background: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was an American clergyman, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the civil rights movement who modeled the use of nonviolent civil disobedience. Opportunities: While the nation celebrates the memory of Dr. King in January, The Episcopal Church also remembers him on April 4, the day he was assassinated. Dr. King s legacy is one that compels people to stand together to resist oppression and strive to secure equal liberty for all God s children. Use this day to review and revive work in your parish and community on anti-racism. Many resources, including on-demand viewing of The Episcopal Church s State of Racism forum and workshops, are available for viewing online and can form the basis for study groups or other parish activities and programs. April 9-11 Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: An Episcopal Gathering to Challenge the Epidemic of Violence Background: This conference, to be held April 9-11 in Oklahoma City, will explore the topic of violence in all its forms in today s society. Oklahoma City is the site of one of the most violent and devastating events in our nation s history the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that claimed the lives of 168 people, including 19 children. Opportunities: At this program, our church will come together to renew our commitment to the gospel call to make peace in a world of violence. The gathering will focus around four pillars: advocacy, education, liturgy, and pastoral care. If you will be attending the gathering, use this opportunity to speak to your local media about why you are attending, how violence is affecting your community, and what can be done. Also, use your voice within your church and your community to draw attention to the issue of violence within your own community, along with ways people can get involved to stop violence in all its forms, including gun violence, bullying, domestic violence, hate crimes, and gang violence. April Holy Week Background: Holy week is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter, and includes the following holidays: April 13 Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus entry into Jerusalem. April 17 Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Washing of the Feet, and the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. April 18 Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. April 19 Holy Saturday, which commemorates the day that Jesus Christ s body was laid in the tomb. April 20 Easter Sunday

5 Background: Easter is the religious holiday celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary. Opportunities: Consider topics relating to the Presiding Bishop s Easter message (to be issued), and how those topics, and the Resurrection, will resonate in your parish and community. April 22 Earth Day Background: Millions of people around the world will celebrate the 44th national Earth Day a day to demonstrate support for the protection of the Earth. Opportunities: The Episcopal Church recognizes this as an opportunity to reflect on and raise consciousness about our call to care for all God s creation. Our church works to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth as one of its Five Marks of Mission. Revisit your parish s commitment to the Genesis Covenant, use this time to remind your community why care for all God s creation is important, and take part in or organize Earth Day celebrations within your parish and wider community. Visit The Episcopal Church s Eco-Justice Ministries page for more information and ways to involve your parish in caring for our precious earth.