WEEKLY ENEWS

July 12, 2016

Messages, Prayers, and Resources from Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry and Bishop Laura J. Ahrens
Regarding Last Week's Shootings in Louisiana, Minnesota, and Texas. 
Prayer for the Human Family

Last week our country witnessed and experienced tremendous pain and suffering. Together we were startled, confused, and hurt; together we have wept, held silence, and mourned the loss of precious life and beautiful children of God; together we have marched, prayed, and deeply loved.  

We mourn the deaths of two young black men, Alton Sterling and Philandro Castile, and the deaths of five Dallas police officers, Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael Smith, Brent Thompson, and Patrick Zamarripa, as well as several others unknown by the media. Our world is hurting, our brothers and sisters are scared, and now our church is called into action and fierce prayer. 
 

"Our prayers are lived through our actions as well as our words. We have work to do. Participating in God's Mission calls us to build bridges of love, justice, and peace. Grounded in God's love for us and our love for God, we are called to reach out to those around us who are hurting and those in need, extending God's love with ears that seek to listen, words that seek to comfort, touch that seek to heal and hearts that seeks to love. We are called to works of peace and justice, building bridges that connect us where we are still divided by "isms" of prejudice, oppression and difference." - From Bishop Laura J. Ahrens


The Episcopal Church has prepared resources to assist congregations, community gatherings, and individuals in their prayers and conversations. Please see the video message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry here, and a letter from Bishop Laura J. Ahrens here
The Girls' Friendly Society, USA Gathered for National Assembly in Bloomfield

An afternoon Eucharist on Friday concluded the week-long National Assembly for the Girl's Friendly Society. Bishops Laura J. Ahrens and Jeffrey Rowthorn co-celebrated, as Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry offered a beautiful homily. The National Assembly was held at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield from July 1-7. 

Girls' Friendly Society National Assembly July 1-7, 2016, Photo: Brooke Mommsen

The Girls' Friendly Society, USA, is a philanthropic community within the Episcopal Church dedicated to providing ministry and programs for girls in a safe and accepting environment, where Christ's love is evident.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Offering a Homily at Friday's Closing Service, Photo: Don Burr
GFS-USA programs provide training, confidence building, and a variety of educational opportunities. Through various service projects, branch programs, mentor relationships, days of prayer and service, and national gatherings, girls are able to build healthy and supportive relationships.  

Every three years, the GFS-USA gathers for the National Assembly to renew friendships, share experiences, and complete business of the national board. 

GFS-USA Delegates Gathered at 2016 National Assembly, Photo: Rowena Kemp
At every National Assembly, each member diocese has one vote, many diocesan organizations send a Junior Delegate and a Senior Delegate and an observer. The National Assembly delegates consider and act on budget and program proposals that the Board then carries out on their behalf.

For more pictures, follow the Girls' Friendly Society, USA on Instagram and Facebook.

Bear Ye One Another's Burdens and So Fulfill the Law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
$133,000 in Grant Money Awarded to Campus Ministries

Last Tuesday, the Episcopal Church awarded $133,000 to the 18 recipients of the 2016 Young Adult and Campus Ministry grants. Two Leadership Awards were granted to ECCT's Episcopal Church at Yale and Diocese of New York's Canterbury Downtown Campus Ministry. Sixteen Program Grants were awarded to various ministry programs throughout the country. 

The Leadership Grants awarded will assist in the beginning stages of or help to reinvigorate a variety of young adult and campus ministry initiatives. Whereas, Program Grants provide money to help the start-up of new and innovative campus or young adult ministries or to enhance a current initiative. 

"These grants help the Episcopal Church live into an expanding understanding of what it means to be in ministry with young adults on and off college campuses," said the Rev. Shannon Kelly, Missioner for Young Adult and Campus Ministries for the Episcopal Church. 

Read more about these grants and the recipients here.
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 [email protected]
 
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 [email protected].  

New Liturgy, Music, and the Arts Ministry Network to host meeting July 26

An emerging ECCT Ministry Network dedicated to those interested in Liturgy, Music, and the Arts will host a gathering in fellowship and engage in a discussion at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Tuesday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. Please register here for the meeting. Please see the formal invitation here.

To announce your Ministry Network gathering, sponsored event, or resource, email Alli Huggins at [email protected].

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. 

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 [email protected]. The lists are used to mail CRUX, the annual magazine, and are not shared outside ECCT. 
Register for Summer Camp!

Children's Camp from Camp Washington's Facebook
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, simply enter your email address in a signup box in the lower section of their home page.  
 
Mark your calendars for Camp Washington's Youth Festival happening September 10-11! Registration opens July 15th. 



Spots still available in:
Children's Camp, Ages 7-12: July 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
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
  • 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
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.   
Coming up soon

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 12, Convention Planning
  • July 17, Community Gardens Network Meeting
  • July 19, Donations & Bequests Board of Trustees Meeting
  • July 20, COM & Standing Committee Summer Meeting
  • July 21, Hospital Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network Meeting
  • July 21, Safe Church Advisory Group Meeting
  • July 24, Environmental Ministry 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)
  • July 17, Church of the Transfiguration (Bishop Ahrens)
  • July 24, Pequot Chapel (Bishop Ahrens)
PARISH EVENTS (Parish Events Calendar)
 
Events are updated online once a week. Please submit your events here. A 
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 17, Annual Jazz Mass at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
  • July 22, Annual Chicken Barbecue at Church of the Epiphany, Durham
  • July 23, Barbecue, Music, and Casablanca on the Lawn at Trinity, Portland
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. 
  

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT
PARTICIPATING IN GOD'S MISSION


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