Dealing with Stressful Times

Mental Health and Domestic Violence Resources

Mental health and domestic violence resources, compiled in April of 2020 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Stress and Coping

From Lifespan – Kids and Stress, Anxiety and Stress

“Addressing Isolation and Quarantine” webinar from Episcopal Relief & Development

“Connection in the Midst of an Epidemic,” from Episcopal Relief & Development

National Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (24/7)

“Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak,” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Domestic Violence

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence,  Victims of Crime Helpline (1-800-494-8100)  available 24/7

Sojourner House – Confidential text line 401-214-7882. 24 Hour help line 401-765-3232. Housing office 401-808-6889.

Day One – click on the link for lists of resources in multiple areas. Advocacy services 24 hour helpline 1-800-494-8100. Support  401-421-4100 and follow the prompts. Advocacy, dial extension 138.

The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety announces the launch of Text-to-911, a service that provides additional accessibility to the E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System.
Anyone in need of emergency assistance can now send a text message to 911 using a mobile phone to report a police, fire or medical emergency. The Rhode Island E-911 Communication Center will respond to text messages and notify the appropriate authorities to respond.

https://www.helplineri.com/domestic-violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7)

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (24/7)

Substance Abuse and Addiction

RI Substance Abuse Helpline: 401-414-LINK (5465)

Rhode Island’s Hope and Recovery Support Line, 401-942-STOP (7867) connects people to treatment and recovery services 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year.

Alcoholics Anonymous Online Meeting Locator http://www.rhodeisland-aa.org/node/219 http://www.aa-intergroup.org/  https://aainri.com/covid19-hub/

Al-Anon http://www.riafg.org/onlinephone-meetings.html

RI – National Council on Problem Gambling https://www.ncpgambling.org/state/rhode-island/ Call: 1-800-522-4700  Text: 1-800-522-4700  Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:
1-800-662-HELP (4357) (24/7).  SAMHSA Resources: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Suicide prevention

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

Samaritans Statewide Helpline: (401) 272-4044 or (800) 365-4044
Call or text the helpline to receive help from specially trained volunteers.

Resource Fund Grants

The Diocesan Resource fund is a grant source for congregations in the diocese.  Applications that the CoF recommends for approval will be considered by Diocesan Council for final approval. Applications up to $20,000 will be considered with the documented financial need of the congregation. Projects over and above $20,000 may be eligible for consideration by the Revolving Loan Fund, and you will receive a recommendation to apply if the Commission deems it appropriate. Churches will receive no more than one grant per calendar year.

Submit your initial application: click here

Notice, and Respond

The Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown

On Nov. 10, there was a “Commemoration of Witness” evensong service at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bristol at which Bishop Nicholas Knisely of Rhode Island officiated and the newly consecrated bishop of Vermont, Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, preached. The text of her sermon is here. This was one of the events held during the weekend to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.

The Rev. Bob Davidson, Chair of the EPF told the Episcopal News Service that “Part of our mission statement is to ‘dismantle’ violence. That’s a more active term than ‘be aware of’ or ‘oppose.’ … What we’ve come to understand is the intersectionality of poverty and racism and violence. That … has led us more deeply into racial reconciliation and the awareness of white supremacy, white privilege, as the root cause of so much collective and interpersonal violence.”

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer 1 Advent 2021–Last Pentecost 2022

The 2021-2022 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is available for congregations to use in their weekly intercessions. Each congregation is prayed for during the week which includes their Feast of Title.

Morning Prayer is offered in the chapel at Diocesan House daily at 9:30 AM and includes prayer for the clergy and clergy widow/ers of the diocese. Here is the prayer cycle they use: Diocesan Clergy Prayer Cycle. You are welcome to attend Morning Prayer — mindful that the office is closed on holidays and some days specific to the Diocesan House (e.g., the Monday after Diocesan Convention!).

Advent Way of Love

New Advent resources include digital invitation kits

Advent Way of Love

Your church can “Prepare the Way of Love this Advent” with a new digital invitation kit from the Episcopal Church. The kit is part of a wide range of Advent and Christmas resources available here that include an updated “Journeying the Way of Love” Advent calendar and curriculum, AdventWord 2019, “Sermons That Work” compilation of Advent and Christmas selections, Advent reflections from Episcopal Migration Ministries, and bulletin inserts.

Province 1 School for Deacons

The bishops of Province One are excited to announce the call of the Rev Dr. Lynda Tyson to be the new dean of the Province One School for Deacons. Dean Tyson will begin her ministry on Nov. 1, 2019. She is a priest in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) and formerly Coordinator of the Annand Program for Spiritual Formation at Berkeley and Yale Divinity Schools.  She has served parishes in Connecticut and Massachusetts and as Berkeley’s Interim Associate Dean and Director of Anglican Formation.  Dean Tyson understands discerning God’s call as a lifelong process and enjoys helping seekers move out of their cerebral comfort zones into effective “emotional intelligence” learning and formation where we truly experience the Holy Spirit’s presence and movement.  She and her husband presently reside in Madison, CT.

The bishops would like to thank the members of the Search Committee who worked faithfully over the past several months for their commitment and dedication to this ministry. Welcome Dean Tyson!  

Mutual Ministry Review: A Process of Continuous Improvement

Mutual Ministry Review is a process to help congregations conduct mutual ministry reviews on a rolling basis throughout the year.

A ministry review focuses on the ministry. The goal is to continually improve how we do ministry together because we have a shared passion for our part of God’s mission in the world. The focus is on how WE, together, can participate God’s mission in our community more effectively.

Click here for document

Responding to Hurricane Dorian and how to help

Responding As Hurricane Dorian Continues North

Web Statement from Episcopal Relief & Development

September 4, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development continues to support dioceses in the path of Hurricane Dorian as the storm slowly moves north along the eastern coast of the United States.

As of Wednesday morning, September 4, Hurricane Dorian has moved past the Bahamas, leaving a path of devastation, and has begun slowly crawling along the eastern coast of the United States. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect in parts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas as residents prepare for high winds, rainfall and a potentially dangerous storm surge.

Program staff remain in daily contact with impacted dioceses as they prepare for and wait out the storm. Working through the Anglican Alliance, Episcopal Relief & Development will be supporting a response in the Bahamas as the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos begins to evaluate and assess the needs of local communities in the diocese.

“Disasters have three phases: rescue, relief and recovery,” said Katie Mears, Senior Director for Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program. “Hurricane Dorian is a slow moving storm so we are still in the very early stages of this crisis. Impacted dioceses are prepared to respond and begin assessing damage as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Donations to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development’s Church partners respond to the storm. Please continue to pray for the individuals and families affected as well as the first-responders providing emergency assistance. To learn more about building a Season of Resilience and to download disaster preparedness resources, visit episcopalrelief.org/resilience. Church bulletin inserts can be downloaded here.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.