Episcopal City Mission Sunday: Feb. 19, 2023
by Angela Breeher, Development Assistant
Episcopal City Mission
In recognition of Episcopal City Mission's 65th Anniversary in 2019, our Diocesan Convention passed a resolution establishing "Episcopal City Mission Sunday" on the Last Sunday of Epiphany each year (or the nearest Sunday your parish calendar will allow.) This year Episcopal City Mission Sunday is February 19.
The Last Sunday after Epiphany ("Transfiguration Sunday") uses one of the Gospel readings about the transfiguration of Christ. ECM works to see the lives of children ages 11 thru 17 in the juvenile justice system in St. Louis transformed through God's grace, and we cannot succeed without your prayers and support. On Episcopal City Mission Sunday and the week following, please pray for the children we serve and all who are involved in this ministry. If it is within your ability, please also consider making a donation to ECM.
Download a bulletin insert that includes information about ECM Sunday and daily prayers you can use throughout the week:
Read "Stories of Transformation"
Stories of Transformation
Ministry experiences as told by our ECM Chaplains
Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies
Can God work through a cookie? Trinity Episcopal Church of St. Charles provided a cookie shower for the kids at the City and County Detention Centers. On November 18, as I delivered the freshly baked cookies, there was much excitement as I entered each unit and the kids saw all of the various cookies on the cart. I was tickled to watch these teenage guys who are usually pretty “cool” and laid back, get so excited over cookies. The questions began almost immediately - What kind is that (pointing to one of the bags)? How many can I have? Do you have any brownies? Chocolate chip? What’s a snickerdoodle? Other comments came as they ate them: Man! These are fire (meaning really good!) Bro, you should try these! That’s what’s up! All expressions in their language of slang phrases meaning they really enjoyed them!
Whenever the kids receive gifts, they are encouraged to write thank you notes to show their appreciation. God is at work in the giver and the receiver of the gift. While reviewing some of the notes, it was awesome to see God at work through this cookie shower provided by Trinity. While all of the notes expressed appreciation, a couple of the notes really touched my heart; because the kids recognized that the cookies were a demonstration of God’s love.
“As I bit into those scrumptious cookies, I tasted the love of Jesus.”
“I haven’t had a cookie that good since my grandmother passed, it really felt and tasted good, thanks for bringing me that feeling again.”
“Thank you for keeping us on your heart. God bless your soul.”
“Thank God you can bring us cookies and (in) jail.”
The expression of the love of God can take many forms. Yes, even in a cookie.
The Rev. Deborah Burris, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center)
I’m Doing Good
ECM chaplains spend a lot of time with teens in detention and over a period of time, they get to know some of the kids on a personal level. While the teens eventually leave the detention center, some of them never leave your heart. I often wonder how some of them are doing: Are they staying on the right track, were things resolved in their families... Sometimes one of them will pop in my mind and I’ll say a prayer for them.
One afternoon, God allowed me to see one of the kids that I had spent some time with in bible study, talking and praying with at detention. I walked into a Subway that I often visit to order lunch. When I looked up to place my order, my eyes met the eyes of the teen behind the counter. We looked at each other and he said, “I know you.” I said, “Oh yeah. How are you?” I did not want to say anything about the detention center. He said, “I’m doing good.” The smile on his face warmed my heart!
He immediately began to share that after he finished his time, he caught up on all of his classes and that he had been working at Subway for a week. He was beaming with pride. I responded, “I am so happy for you and I am very proud of you.” He continued to beam with pride in his bright green Subway hat and t-shirt. He shared that he was going back to school in August and that he would be a high school senior. I said, “That is wonderful!” He prepared my order, I paid him and he responded with a thank you.
Later I went up to the counter and gave him my business card and told him to contact me if he ever needed help. He asked me my name and when I responded, Deborah Burris, he looked puzzled and said, “What did they call you?” I said, “You mean Chaplain Burris.” He said, “Yeah Chap, that’s what they called you.” and gave me another warm smile. I replied, “Keep doing good.”
As I walked back to my table to enjoy my lunch, the owner asked me if I knew the teen. I responded, “Yes, I know him. He is a good kid. Thank you for hiring him.” The owner responded, “Yes he is a good kid.”
I felt so blessed that God showed me that the seeds we sow to the kids in detention - encouragement, prayers, bible studies, games and time – will bear good fruit.
The Rev. Deborah Burris, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center)
Bringing the Gift of Hope at Christmas
For many years at Christmas, I have been bringing my wife and children with me to distribute the gifts from ECM’s holiday gifts program. Last fall I was fortunate enough to have been taught to play chess by one of the kids in the City Detention Center. We got to know each other and formed a relationship.
This boy was still in the detention center at Christmas, and he was able to meet my family and saw me interact with them. He was amazed that my family and I hugged each other!
Later we talked about what a loving family can look like, and I told him that “God is good to everyone, not just some.” The boy was able to hope that this – a loving family, could be for him, too.
The Rev. Kevin Aldridge, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center)
Responding with Compassion
One evening as I was preparing to make my rounds to the units, two of the staff from the girl’s unit came to my office and asked me to come to the girls’ unit quickly. One of the girls was very upset and would not respond to their attempts to calm her down, and they wanted me to come to the unit to talk to her.
I found the girl in the bathroom, curled up under the sink, crying profusely, with perspiration on her forehead and her face wet with tears. She kept repeating, “I’m going to be okay. It’s gonna be okay.”
My heart was moved with such compassion for her! She was clearly distressed about something and trying to maintain some level of control, but she was having a hard time emotionally. I looked into her eyes and began to reassure and agree with her that, yes, “you are okay.”
With reassuring words that she was doing good, she was okay, and I was there to help, I knelt on the floor with her and asked her to breathe with me to help her relax and establish a sense of calm. I prayed internally for her and for God’s peace to enter in. Gradually she began to calm down, and she agreed to come out of the bathroom and sit with me in the open area of the unit.
Later, while talking with her, she shared with me the guilt and shame she felt about some of the things she had done. She teared up each time she talked about how much her mother and grandmother loved her and how she has disappointed them and God. I was able to offer her reassurance that God loves us even when we do things we shouldn’t, and God will help us do better if we ask for help to change.
This was an example of the comfort and hope we offer to the youth through ECM.
The Rev. Deborah Burris, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center)
One Kid at a Time
I recently ran into a boy who had been in detention about five years ago. He is now twenty-one, and I was happy to learn that he is on the right track. He has a job. He has an apartment and is soon to be married!
When I run into kids who have made it out, I always want to know what worked for them. I want to know what enabled them to turn their lives around so that I can use that information to help the children I see in the centers every day. So, when I asked Effram this question, I was humbled to hear his answer. “It was the fact that you, Chaplain Dietra and Chaplain Jeff didn’t give up on me.” He continued to say, “I want to thank you for not judging me. I want to thank you for not putting us kids down.”
God, gives us small victories! It’s for this reason that I keep going back into the juvenile detention center – helping one kid at a time!
The Rev. Kevin Aldridge, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center)
Partnering with Others for Change
As chaplains we sometimes have an opportunity to partner with other ministries/groups that share similar goals with ECM. I have been blessed to engage with the Put the Gunz Down program.
Each week, the teens engage in hour-long sessions structured around a variety of activities - discussions, personal stories/ testimonies, guest speakers, and music or films which examine the “real life” impact of gun violence on themselves, their families and the community. We help the kids examine the physical, social, spiritual, economic, and psychological impact of gun violence. These small group interactions (5-8 per group) are led by detention center staff, clergy, educators and a former felon. The purpose is to encourage the kids to consider other options to resolve conflict, to address the personal challenges related to carrying a gun and to develop personal goals and plans for their future while in detention as well as after they return home.
The results have been very positive! Youth have shared personal challenges (absent fathers, safety concerns for themselves and their families) and have received help developing life goals and exposure to resources available to them for making changes.
Most Thursdays a young pastor from one of the small, local churches – a volunteer who grew up in the juvenile justice system, and I meet with a group of boys from the units for about an hour to talk about ways to stop gun violence in the community. The weekly topic speaks to an element of gun violence and engages the boys in discussion.
One week, the boys were put into three groups and asked to come up with ways that gun violence impacts people – spiritually, physically and mentally. Each group shared their ideas with the entire group, and there was time for comments from the larger group.
The pastor and I frequently tie scripture and biblical principles to the discussion, so the boys hear and understand what God says about the issues. We also stress how important they are to God, that their lives are invaluable to God and to all of us, and that they are the key to stopping gun violence.
During the session you can hear and see the impact on the boys as they move from justifying the perceived need to carry a gun, to a place of understanding the consequences and impact of gun violence on themselves and others. It is awesome to watch the change. At the end of every session, the boys are grateful and thank the pastor, the volunteer and me.
The Rev. Deborah Burris, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center)
Strengthening and Supporting the Staff
The work of ECM chaplains also involves ministering to Detention Center staff. One evening, as I was preparing to visit the units, one of the staff members came into the office very quickly. She asked me in a very direct, serious and almost confrontational manner, “Are you a praying chaplain?” I responded just as directly, “Yes I am.” She was not joking and was very serious.
She went on to say, “I need you to pray for me right now!” She stepped in front of me, put her hands up and closed her eyes. I joined my hands with hers and began to pray as the Lord led me. After the prayer, I hugged her. She thanked me and left the office just as abruptly as she had entered.
This was another example of how God uses us in the most unexpected ways: The staff of the Detention Centers need the spiritual, mental and emotional support we chaplains can offer. When we minister to the staff, we strengthen and enable them to be in a better state of mind to then care for the youth in detention.
The Rev. Deborah Burris, ECM Chaplain
(St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center)
Please know how grateful all of us at ECM are for the impactful ways you and your congregation continue to show up for our ministry of bringing hope and healing to the children in the juvenile justice system.
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