Time to get Social (media)!
Follow us, like us, tweet at us, tag us . . .
Did you know that the Episcopal Church in Connecticut is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? For updates and photos from various events, around The Commons, or other ECCT news, be sure to follow us on all major social media platforms.
The Episcopal Church in Connecticut also has a hashtag: #ECCT. Tag us, so we can follow what you are up to as well!
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Episcopalians and the Episcopal Relief & Development assist neighbors in flooding areas of West Virginia
Last week's devastating flooding in West Virginia killed 23 people and damaged thousands of homes and businesses.
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|  | | Signs outside St. James Episcopal Church, Lewisburg, West Virginia direct those in need and point to post-flood partnerships. Photo: Jon White, Episcopal Cafe | |
"Bishop W. Michie Klusmeyer had said in an earlier email that the valley churches had survived the floods and in some cases were sheltering flood survivors in addition to coordinating relief efforts. 'Many are stepping in quickly, but the damage is so widespread that it will take weeks to understand the totality of the lives that have been taken and/or destroyed,' he wrote. 'Prayers are deeply desired.'
'What a crazy, devastating, unbelievable, inspiring, and long weekend,' says the post that accompanies a video from local United Way group. 'Thank you to our volunteers and donors. In the wake of such tragedy, our little piece of West Virginia has shown love, strength, and perseverance.'"
The Episcopal Church in Connecticut gave the Diocese of West Virginia $1,500 from the ECCT's Emergency Relief Fund to help support families, churches, anyone in need.
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Executive Council of The Episcopal Church issues resolutions on living wage; pay day loans
At their June 2016 meeting, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church (TEC) passed these resolutions. They then referred two of them to all diocesan bishops, AN 013 and AN 015: - AN 013 Support a Living Wage. The resolution supported establishing a living wage for all hourly employees, advocating for a national $15/hour minimum wage, and supporting unions working to improve workers' conditions and benefits. It asked that "all expressions and organizations of TEC" lead by example and strive to ensure its employees earn a minimum of $15/hour. (Note: Link here for information about a resolution passed in ECCT in 2014 urging all congregations and institutions of ECCT to pay their employees a living wage, and the report by deacon postulants that offered practical guidance to parishes.)
- AN 015: Payday loans and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Resolution. The resolution welcomed the CFPB's proposed rules and regulations governing the pay day loan industry, and urged Episcopalians the review the proposals and participate in the open comment period. (Note: http://stopthedebttrap.org/ has additional resources.)
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Presiding Bishop the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry will lead Closing Eucharist TODAY, July 6 at the Girl's Friendly Society of the USA National Assembly
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Girls Gathered at GFS 2016 National Assembly at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield Photo: Don Burr
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Eucharist will be held at 4 p.m. in St. Thomas Seminary Chapel, 467 Bloomfield Ave. Bloomfield, Connecticut. For more information see the Girl's Friendly Society' website and Facebook page.
"Bear Ye One Another's Burdens and So Fulfill the Law of Christ. Galatians 6:2"
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Six Region Convocations and One Ministry Network Convocation Completed!
Region Leadership teams identified, Region Missionary recruitment and hiring underway, Ministry Networks affirmed, and Mission Council members selected.
Last November the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) voted on significant changes to governance and organization. It also voted to get this transition completed by June 30.
The major elements of the transition included: recognizing, affirming, and supporting Ministry Networks and including members of them in the governance structure; moving from a regulatory-era Executive Council to a Mission Council focused on ECCT's common participation in God's mission supported by its common resources; replacing 14 mostly dysfunctional Deaneries with six Regions that will provide greater opportunities for collaboration; and hiring Region Missionaries to facilitate Region participation in God's mission. A Transition Team (aka "T3" or "TREC-CT 3.0" to connote continuation with the work done leading up to the resolutions and vote) got down to work in January 2016.
And through much hard work with hundreds of dedicated people all over Connecticut (many new to leadership positions), and the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, ECCT met its self-imposed deadline.
 Photos and Reports from the Convocations:
Mission Council members will be announced in July. Their first meeting will be September 10.
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 ECF webinars announced for July, August, September
Topics include: Endowments, planned giving, vestries, capital campaigns, annual giving, and house church ministry. In August, Spanish Language webinar on Latino/Hispanic stewardship programs. Link here to the Episcopal Church Foundation newsletter with details. |
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Ministry Networks Corner
Community Gardens Network to host meeting July 17
A Community Gardens Ministry Network will meet at St. Mark's Church in New Canaan July 17, from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Suzanne DeMerchant at sdemerchant@episcopalct.org.
Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network to host meeting July 21
The Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network is hosting a meeting of healthcare chaplains on Thursday, July 21, 10 a.m. - noon, at Norwalk Hospital. Hosts include the Rev. Debra Slade, the Rev. Judy Holding and Bishop Laura Ahrens. RSVP to sdemerchant@episcopalct.org.
To announce your Ministry Network gathering, sponsored event, or resource, email Alli Huggins at ahuggins@episcopalct.org.
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Announcements & Reminders
Upcoming event for clergy women. The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens and the Women's Clergy Steering Committee invite all women clergy for a buffet luncheon at Camp Washington to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. $25 per person, financial assistance available. Register here by July 15.
Non-Profit Work Space. The historic Sanford House behind St. John's has been an incubator for non-profits in Bridgeport for more than 40 years including Mercy Learning Center, IRIS, Job Corps, the Brazilian Workers & Immigrants' Center and Carribe Youth Leaders. A newly renovated, large, ground floor office has now become available. Please contact the Rev. Geoffrey Hahneman for details, ghahneman@sbcglobal.net
The ECCT database upgrade project is moving ahead. The parish survey portion will be piloted in July. Your ECCT team working on the project include Canon Karin Hamilton, Canon Louis Fuertes, and Office Manager Matt Handi. Right now, we're asking parishes to send in their mailing lists if they didn't last year. You can send them now to mhandi@episcopalct.org. The lists are used to mail CRUX, the annual magazine, and are not shared outside ECCT.
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There's Still Time to Register for Summer Camp!
Spots are filling up for 2016 summer camp! To register for one of the sessions below, head over to Camp Washington's website.
While you're there, sign up for their newsletters - enter your email address in a signup box in the lower section of their home page.
Also, mark your calendars for Camp Washington's Youth Festival happening September 10-11! Registration opens July 15th.
Spots still open in:
Children's Camp, Ages 7-12, July 10-15, 17-22, August 14-19
Teen Camp, Ages 12-16, July 31-August 5, August 7-12
Mini Camp (three days, two nights), Ages 5-8, July 24-26; Ages 9-12, July 27-29
Wilderness Adventure Camp, Ages 7-12, July 24-29
Girl Power, Ages 12-16, July 24-29
Service Leadership Camp, Ages 13-16, August 14-19
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Positions Open
Job openings may be found here on the website
NOTE: Applicants will be able to submit their resume and cover letter to the contact person directly from the ECCT website, if that option is chosen by the person submitting the position for posting.
- Interim Director of Music Ministries, Trinity Church, Hartford
- Music Director, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
- Director of Children's Ministries, Trinity Episcopal Church, Southport
- Nursery School Director, Zion Episcopal Church, North Branford
- Interim Director of Music for Trinity Episcopal Church, Newtown
- Church School Director, St. Michael's, Litchfield
- Organist/ Director of Music, St. Luke's, New Haven
- Clergy only: Associate Rector, St. Stephen's, Ridgefield
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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Presiding Bishop the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry will lead Closing Eucharist TODAY (July 6) at the Girl's Friendly Society of the USA National Assembly
Eucharist will be held at 4 p.m. in St. Thomas Seminary Chapel, 467 Bloomfield Ave. Bloomfield, Connecticut. For more information see the Girl's Friendly Society' website and Facebook page.
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.
- July 7, Spanish Language Ministries Meeting
- July 10, Deacon's Council Meeting
- July 12, Convention Planning
- July 17, Community Garden's Network Meeting
See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events
BISHOPS' SUNDAY VISITS (Bishop Douglas is on sabbatical through September 2016)
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.
- July 9, Book & Bake Sale at St. Mary's, Manchester
- July 10, Film Screening and Panel Discussion on Dementia: His Neighbor Phil at Christ and the Holy Trinity, Westport
- July 17, Annual Jazz Mass at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
- July 22, Annual Chicken Barbecue at Church of the Epiphany, Durham
SAFE CHURCH RECERTIFICATION FOR CLERGY IN 2016 (Link here)
Mandatory for clergy. The final two times it will be offered are in October.
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING and SAFE CHURCH RECERTIFICATION FOR LAITY
Safe Church training sessions for laity ended June 25 and will resume in the fall. They will be included online and in the eNews when locations and dates are confirmed and online registration is set up. Link here for basic information about Safe Church training for laity.
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