APRIL CLERGY NEWSLETTER
Bowling Together

the Rev. Matt Lindeman,
Assistant Rector, Trinity Southport 

Greetings, fellow colleagues in ministry!

It is a joy to write to you as April is well underway and so (as I check outside my window) is spring.  I'm writing today because I'd like to get to know you better. I've been living among fantastic clergy in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for years now, attending church in New Haven, serving as a seminary intern in Manchester, and working as a lay minister in Southport.

As a recently ordained a priest here in Southport, I'm eager to get to know more of you at our upcoming clergy conference. I confess that I don't have much experience at these sorts of things, but as a former director at an Episcopal summer camp, I can't help but draw parallels with parish ministry. Directing a camp is deeply rewarding work, but it can be all-consuming, physically and spiritually challenging, and exhausting work...not to mention that it can get lonely out there.  

Camp leaders are entrusted with the sacred art of hospitality, creating a site of formation for young and old alike, building a Christian community - creating the world as it could be, while equipping the saints to thrive in the world as it is. This noble work is coupled with the challenges of maintaining a facility that may need major repairs, meeting the goals of a board of directors, staying accredited, developing staff and board culture to reflect the values of the organization. Sometimes the work is thrilling. At other times, it's completely exhausting, but it's hardly ever the same job two days in a row. Sound familiar? I thought it might.

Since the joys and challenges of these ministries so often intersect, I invite you into a time honored tradition among camp directors and their staff. You're invited to come bowling at Clergy Conference. Whether you are a stellar bowler, or a very mediocre one like me, I look forward to heading out into the neighborhood with you as we share in the joys and challenges of this wonderful thing we call ministry. Whether this is your first clergy conference or your thirtieth, I can't wait to see you there, and strike...(sorry, couldn't spare the opportunity to pass on a pun....) up a conversation.

With joy,
Matt

The Rev. Matt Lindeman is Associate Rector at Trinity Church, Southport. He loves surfing, and has just welcomed his second child into the world.
Register for Clergy Conference, May 23 - 25

Joining God in Our Neighborhoods
Experiments in God's Mission


Conference Registration: Fee is $175, includes four meals:  Tuesday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Wednesday breakfast.  

Hotel Accommodations: Sheraton Hartford South room reservations may be secured by clicking on the following link, or by copying link into your browser. - http://tinyurl.com/hjpw9on  Group rate available until May 2, 2016.  Sheraton Hartford South Hotel's telephone number:  (860) 257-6000

Scholarship assistance is available to those who may need it.  Please contact Bishop Douglas itdouglas@episcopalct.org at 203-639-3501 x111 or Bishop Ahrens lahrens@episcopalct.org at 203-639-3501 x109 

Clergy Conference
Monday, May 23 - Wednesday, May 25
Sheraton Hartford South Hotel 
100 Capital Boulevard 
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Scholarships Available

The Episcopal Church in CT has scholarship funds available for students who are dependents of employees (lay or clergy) of ECCT, ECCT worshiping communities who will be attending college, vocational or graduate school in the Fall of 2016. An application form is available here here. Please note that the form requires a current transcript and an essay. If you have any questions regarding the scholarship process, please contact Molly James, mjames@episcopalct.org, Dean of Formation. Scholarship Applications are due by May 15. 
You are essential to this transition

Canon Tim Hodapp, Canon for Mission Collaboration, wants to be sure all clergy canonically resident in ECCT know they are invited to one of the upcoming Region Convocations, "to participate in the days of gathering, prayer, music, festival, and feasting; and join with your sisters and brothers in what's new and exciting about being a follower of Jesus, with other disciples, along The Way." In addition, he's asking that all clergy who are serving in an ECCT parish or worshiping community participate in engaging the process and inviting their congregations to join the events of their Region Convocation. Assets and more information may be found at episcopalct.org/t3/
Clergy Safe Church Recertification
 
All clergy within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut are required to complete Comprehensive (Basic) Safe Church Training. (This includes newly ordained clergy and clergy new to Connecticut.) Clergy may attend any of the basic safe church training sessions.  Clergy must attend a recertification training every five years. Dates, locations, and registration links to the 2016 Safe Church Recertification is below.

May 10, 2016 at St. James', Poquetanuck: register here.
 
June 2, 2016 at Trinity, Hartford: register here.
 
October 1, 2016 at St. John's, Washington: register here.
 
October 20, 2016 at Christ Church Greenwich: register here.
Mark your calendar!

Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Rebekah Hatch
Rector, St. Albans, Simsbury
May 26, 6:30 p.m.
Red stoles
Transitions Ministry Corner
 
New Calls
 
The Rev. Frank Tuchols is now Missional Priest at Christ Church, Waterbury.
 
The Rev. Shahrokh Dehzbod is now Missional Priest at St. John's Church, Bristol.
 
The Rev. Steve Ling is now Interim Rector at Trinity Church, Seymour.
 
The Rev. George Kovoor has accepted a call as Rector of St. Paul's Church, Darien.
 
The Rev. Stephen Christopher Holton has accepted a call as Rector of Christ Church, New Haven.
 
The Rev. Anne Wolf Fraley has accepted a call as Missional Priest of Grace Church, Broad Brook.
 
Parishes in Transition

Epiphany Church, Durham......................................Using Supply Priests
Grace Church, Hartford..........................................Using Supply Priests
Old St. Andrew's, Bloomfield...........................Interim in place: Alex Dyer
St. Andrew's, Madison.......................................Preparing for Interviews
St. James, New London.................................Interim in place: Bob Miner
St. John's, North Haven....................Interim in place: Louise Kalemkarian
St. John's, Waterbury............................................Using Supply Priests
St. Luke's, New Haven..........................................Using Supply Priests
St. Mark's, Storrs.......................................Interim in place: Hilary Greer
St. Mary's, Manchester................................Interim in place: Lynne Grifo
St. Martin's, Hartford........................................Seeking Missional Priest
St. Paul's, Fairfield.......................................Interim in place: Amy Welin
St. Paul's, Riverside.....................................Interim in place: Alon White
St. Paul's & St. James, New Haven.........................Using Supply Priests
St. Peter's, Milford.................................Interim in place: Cynthia Knapp
St. Peter's, South Windsor..........................................Interim Identified
St. Timothy's, Fairfield...............................Interim in place: Max Maxwell
Trinity Church, Portland....................................Seeking Missional Priest
Trinity Church, Seymour...............................Interim in place: Steve Ling
Trinity Church, Trumbull...............................................Interim identified


St. Barnabas, Greenwich is hiring an Assistant to the Rector. Click here for more information.
 
Please contact Lee Ann Tolzmann (latolzmann@episcopalct.org) with any questions about the TMC or the process. I look forward to working with you.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT
PARTICIPATING IN GOD'S MISSION


290 Pratt Street ı Box 52 ı Meriden, CT 06450 ı 203-639-3501  
 

The Episcopal Church in Connecticut | The Commons | 290 Pratt Street | Meriden | CT | 06450