An Excerpt from the Bishops' Statement on Orlando
"...Hearts that we hoped would break no further have torn open again and the wound goes deeper into our soul. We offer our hearts to God in prayer, perhaps not finding the strength within us to 'lift our hearts,' but the conviction that God will hold our broken hearts and fill them with his compassionate love.
As followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we are called to challenge all actions that seek to do harm and kill innocent victims out of prejudice, bigotry, and fanaticism. We stand with the LGBT community who has once again been targeted. We extend our care and concern to our Muslim neighbors as they celebrate the holy season of Ramadan. We ask that you join us in prayer for those who have died and been wounded, for their families, friends and loved ones, for first-responders and medical professionals who attended the victims, and for the shooter himself..." Read full statement here.
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Tablets for ministry, electronic version
They may not be clay tablets, but they'll still be used to share the Word of God.
Bill and Cathy Schrull recently returned from a trip to Kasulu, Tanzania where Bill delivered 20 Android tablets to the offices of the Anglican Diocese of Western Tanganyika. They will be fitted with SIMM cards and distributed to priests in district leadership roles around the Diocese to facilitate communications with distant rural parishes.
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This week, the Church remembers Evelyn Undersell
The only child of a prominent barrister and his wife, Evelyn Underhill was born in Wolverhampton England, and grew up in London. She was educated there and in a girls' school in Folkestone, where she was confirmed in the Church of England. She had little other formal religious training, but her spiritual curiosity was naturally lively, and she read widely, developing quite early a deep appreciation for mysticism. At sixteen, she began a life-long devotion to writing.
Evelyn Underhill's most valuable contribution to spiritual literature must surely be her conviction that the mystical life is not only open to a saintly few, but to anyone who cares to nurture it and weave it into everyday experience, and also (at the time, a startling idea) that modern psychological theories and discoveries, far from hindering or negating spirituality, can actually enhance and transform it.
Evelyn Underhill's writings proved appealing to many, resulting in a large international circle of friends and disciples, making her much in demand as a lecturer and retreat director. She died, at age 65, in 1941.
O God, Origin, Sustainer, and End of all your creatures: Grant that your Church, taught by your servant Evelyn Underhill, guarded evermore by your power, and guided by your Spirit into the light of truth, may continually offer to you all glory and thanksgiving and attain with your saints to the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have promised by our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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The Rev. Mark K.J. Robinson will receive a kidney transplant this Thursday, June 16. He is the rector of St. Ann's, Old Lyme and currently on medical leave with stage 4 kidney disease. The surgery is part of a exchange where three donors will donate to three recipients all on that same day with attending surgeons working in six operating rooms. The donor making it possible for Mark is Carolyn Loftus Roe, former member of Calvary, Stonington where Mark previously served as rector. Saint Ann's is hosting a vigil 8 a.m. -7 p.m., with a Eucharist and service for healing at noon. All welcome.
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Leadership groups meet June 4;
Executive Council holds final meeting
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| | Concluding the morning session, Leadership Gathering participants anointed one another's hands with oil, saying, "May God bless what you are willing to give and remember that together we have more than enough." |
The four leadership groups in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT), the Executive Council (and board of the Missionary Society), Standing Committee, Commission on Ministry, and the board of Donations & Bequests, held their quarterly meeting on June 4 at The Commons in Meriden. Following a time of dwelling in the Word of God, 1 Kings 17:8-16 (Elijah goes to Zarephath and asks a widow facing starvation to provide him with food and water). Participants spent the rest of the morning in conversation about different ways the passage about God's abundance informed their own life as well as the ministry of their committee.
In the afternoon the Executive Council met for its 461st and final meeting. The Council approved three grants, learned that finances are on currently on track with the budget, elected nine Mission Council members from Ministry Networks, and conducted other business. This is the concluding session of the Executive Council; a Mission Council starts effective July 1, with its first meeting in September 2016.
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 EfM graduates four The four-year Education for Ministry program of study and reflection graduated four students this June: Cathy Rowe, Andrea Harris, Ann McAdoo, and Georgette Goetsi. Graduation was held at Christ Church Cathedral with Bishop Laura Ahrens.
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A Message from Camp Washington on July 4 Festivities
"This July 4th let your children declare some independence from your normal neighborhood cookouts and celebrate the holiday with Camp Washington. We've got a great week planned, featuring fantastic food, fireworks, our very own parade, "drive-In" movies on the front lawn, and the ultimate showdown between our campers and staff who hail from across the globe!"
Children's Camp I: July 3 - 8*
(ages 7-12)
Spaces are filling up fast!
*All campers registered for this week will receive a free CW 4th of July T-shirt Need based financial aid is available. Call the phone number above for more details.
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Free online courses through Yale on Religion & Ecology
In September, Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim will teach three six-week online courses through Yale University. These will be featured as a cluster of courses under the theme of "Cosmology and Ecology." This will include two courses on Journey of the Universe and a course on the Worldview of Thomas Berry. Each course can be taken independently.
These are MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) available on Coursera and free to anyone, anywhere on the planet. These will be the first MOOC specialization for Yale and the first MOOCs for the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. More details will follow when the release date is known.
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Announcements & Reminders
Poetry Sunday. On Sunday, June 26, poetry will be woven into the Eucharist service at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's, New Britain. Following the service, all are invited to a lunch, discussion, and "Poetry Read Around." The deadline for poetry submission for use in the service, the luncheon, and poetry for "Poetry Read Around" is June 19 to Barbara A. Campbell, campbellba@earthlink.net.
Fasting within the Abrahamic Faiths. The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut is hosting an interfaith conversation. They are inviting all members of the Abrahamic faiths to discuss the role of fasting in each respective religion and participate in the breaking of the Muslim fast in the month of Ramadan. The date of the event is Sunday June 19, 2016, 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. at the Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Rd. Avon, CT. The link to register for the event can be found here.
Intersection of Spirituality and the Arts. Our Cathedral is inviting visual artists from across ECCT to the New Britain Museum of Modern Art on June 23, 6 - 8 p.m., for an evening of creativity, fellowship and networking. You can join a lively conversation about the intersection of spirituality and the arts while connecting with artists from across our church who are interested in participating God's mission through the arts. Register here
Holy Land Pilgrimage. Episcopalians are invited to journey to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage with Iyad Qumri, an Episcopalian Arab Palestinian and canon in the church, for two weeks, from September 22 to October 6, 2016. Trip leaders are journalist Tom Verde of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and the Rev. Heather Mueller, of the Diocese of San Joaquin. Land cost for the trip is $2799, based on double occupancy. Please contact Amanda Slattery of Travel Emporium (914-245-8825; amanda@tvlemporium.com) for information on air fares and to make reservations. For details on the itinerary, contact Heather Mueller, heathermaymueller@yahoo.com, 661-765-2378) or Tom Verde 860-599-4570,writah@gmail.com.
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Ministry Networks Corner
Liturgy and Music Network
The Liturgy and Music Network will hold an organizational meeting on June 21 at 6:30pm at the Commons. Bishop Laura and Tim Hodapp will be with us. We will discuss possible ways in which the Network can be of service to ECCT and the wider church.
Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network
The Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network invites you to attend a meeting of Hospital Healthcare Chaplains on Thursday, July 21, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at Norwalk Hospital and will be hosted by the Rev. Debra Slade and the Rev. Judy Holding. This gathering is expected to last 2 hours. We welcome you to attend this informative and rewarding event.
To announce your Ministry Network gathering, sponsored event, or resource, email
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Region Convocations
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| | Knitting ministry networks together at the
Southwest Region Convocation
Photo: Don Burr |
Locations and details for each Region Convocation are being worked out by Transition team members with people within each Region. Current status is below.
Each Region has its own webpage (as a subpage under episcopalct.org/t3/) with details about its Convocation and a registration link, when available, and afterwards, a link to a few photos and a brief report.
COMPLETED:
Northeast Region Convocation: April 22-23 Report and photos posted on the blog here.
South Central Region Convocation: May 6-7
Notes and several photos posted on the blog here.
Southwest Region Convocation: May 13-14
Notes and several photos posted on the blog here.
Southeast Region Convocation: May 20-21
Notes and several photos posted on the blog here.
North Central Region Convocation: June 10-11 Notes and photos coming soon. UPCOMING:
Think you'd like to swap Regions? The Mission Council will develop a process. Being in one Region doesn't mean breaking partnerships across Regions. Parish collaboration and Ministry Networks can be both within and across Regions.
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Positions Open
Job openings may be found here on the website
NOTE: A restructured website has launched and the "Positions Open" section is in the process of being updated. Applicants will be able to submit their resume and cover letter to the contact person directly from the ECCT website.
- Day School Chaplain, St. Thomas's Episcopal Day School, New Haven
- Church School Director, St. Michael's, Litchfield
- Financial Assistant, Christ Church, Stratford
- Parish Life Coordinator, St. Paul's, Shelton
- Organist/ Director of Music, St. Luke's, New Haven
To submit a job opening to be included here, please fill out this form. Jobs will be reviewed and then posted in the weekly enews and posted on the website.
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REGIONAL & DIOCESAN OFFERINGS
The ECCT calendar is located here. It allows you to filter events by category and includes a subscribe link at the bottom of the page. Specific details including locations, times, etc. will also be found there.
- June 14, Ordination of Jane Hale and Philip Bjornberg to the Transitional Diaconate
- June 15, Deacons' Council Meeting & Book Study
- June 18, Postulants & Candidates Gathering
- June 20, Safe Church Trainers Meeting
- June 21, Priest-In-Charge Meeting
- June 22, Living in the Green Follow-up Meeting
- June 23, Standing Committee Meeting
BISHOPS' SUNDAY SCHEDULE - JUNE
- June 19, Grace Church, Hartford, Bishop Ahrens
- June 26, St. Albans, Danielson, Bishop Douglas
- June 26, St. Paul's Brookfield, Bishop Ahrens
complete list of events is available on the website, for your consideration.
Please review event details on this calendar, or the individual parish/worshiping community, for more specific locations and times. Please reach out to the specific parish for event updates and further details.
June 17, Lunchtime Recital: Kevin Koai, piano
June 17, PAINT SIP FUNdraiser, St. George's, Bolton
June 18, Drive-In Prayer, Holy Trinity Church, Enfield
June 18, "Italian Delight" Community Dinner, St. Peter's Hebron
June 18, "SummerTime at St. Paul's," St. Paul's-on-the-Green, Norwalk
June 18, Parkville Classicals presents Musical Friends, Grace, Hartford
June 19, Commission of Bridger Missionary, Wendy Bellmore, Christ and the Epiphany, East Haven
June 20, Bible Study: Cathedrals!, Holy Trinity, Enfield
2016 SPRING CLERICUS MEETINGS
Clergy are invited to attend whichever of these meetings that best fits their schedule and location. Each line provides a link to the respective Eventbrite page. From there, you can find more details and register for the event. Each event is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., and you are invited to bring your own lunch.
SAFE CHURCH RECERTIFICATION FOR CLERGY IN 2016 (Link here)
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING FOR LAITY
- June 25, 2016, 9 a.m , St. John's, Niantic
Safe Church Recertification - for Laity
- Check back for upcoming dates
REGIONAL CONFIRMATIONS
Saturday, June 11, 2016 at St. Michael's, Litchfield at 10am (Bishop Ahrens) (parishes currently participating St. Michael's, Litchfield ?C/?R;)
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