For the fourth time in two years, Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford's 'Black Lives Matter' sign has been vandalized. For the fourth time, parishioners and the Dean of Christ Church
Cathedral will have to replace the sign, further extending and promoting their message of love and unity within the community in Hartford. And for the fourth time, the church will stand behind the belief that "when we say 'black lives matter' we are not negating that all lives matter. God created us all equal and black lives are not treated equal in this nation," as The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, stated in an interview with NBC CT.
In another article by the Hartford Courant, Dean Howell reiterates the belief that "we believe all lives have value in the eyes of God," and says the church also recognizes that at this time in history, "the lives that are currently undermined and vulnerable are black lives, as we have seen in the tragedies that this country has experienced in the past year with the killing of black men by law enforcement."
"Christ Church Cathedral strives to serve as a resource in the formation of apostleship in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut," states Dean Howell. "An aspect of that role is to exercise our prophetic voice as we embrace social justice practices and live out our baptismal covenant both as individuals and as a community. Our commitment to social justice and equality is strengthened through our feeding program Church Street Eats, our Ecclesia ministry at Church by the Pond, and in the ongoing effort to be a learning community in matters of racial reconciliation and equality.
In 2014, following the death of Michael Brown and as a result of conversations in the context of [Christ Church Cathedral's] Uyeki Forum for Social Justice, we decided to place a Black Lives Matter banner on our fence as public witness to the need to raise awareness and confront systemic racism, oppression and racial profiling."
While the vandalized sign is discouraging, the
church finds strength from the very discouragement itself, says Jay Cooke, the Priest for Pastoral Care at Christ Church Cathedral. To move beyond discouragement into witnessing God's mission through all times of hardships is central to the Gospel, and the Christian faith. Christians are called to "run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith," to echo the upcoming lesson from Hebrews. Perseverance in the face of hate does not mean more hate, but more love. It means continually sharing the message of truth, extending arms and ears to those who are hurting and those who have caused hurt. And it is, to quote Dean Howell, "welcoming dialogue and engaging in life-giving yet challenging conversations that invite us to make a difference in the world."
Christ Church Cathedral plans to keep replacing the sign until the vandalism ends. In the fall the Cathedral will host a series of forums to address these important matters.
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Youth Festival at Camp Washington, September 10 - 11!
Mark your calendars for Camp Washington's Youth Festival happening September 10-11! Open to young people, grades 8-12, and their friends who want to come together for an awesome weekend of fun, music, games, great food, worship, and friendship.
The weekend begins on Saturday morning at 10:00 am on the front lawn at Camp Washington with check-in and opening activities. The weekend will be packed with fun activities including swimming, canoeing, CORCLS, zip-lining and ropes course, archery, arts & crafts, hiking, and hanging out with friends. Saturday evening features food trucks, music, and more! The weekend ends with Sunday brunch and pick up at 1:00 pm.
Due to the wonderful generosity of The Bishops' Fund for Children, the cost of this weekend is only $25 (scholarships are available). Join the NEW tradition at Camp Washington. It's a great opportunity to ease back into the school year. For more information, please visit our website campwashington.org or call us at 860-567-9623
Space is limited, register here.
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"Come sit beside me"
A Letter from Bishop Ahrens
On Wednesday, Bishop Laura Ahrens invited the people of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to sit with her at the feet of Jesus. In a beautiful letter, Bishop Ahrens reflected on the story of Martha and Mary from Luke's Gospel, commenting on the difficulties of balancing the busyness of life and the restorative need for stillness. Bishop Ahrens hears an invitation to join Mary at Jesus' feet, which she then extends outward, inviting the Church to join, as well.
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"Mary's call to come sit beside her and listen to Jesus reminds me and all of us that our hard and faithful work is not fueled by our anxious fears but guided by the gentle compassionate God whose focus is on healthy relationships, compassionate justice, and healing peace. Our work is best done when we are clear why we are doing it and who we are as the people of God. And that clarity that comes from our prayer, when we accept Mary's invitation to come sit next to her and listen to our Lord. She and Jesus are waiting."
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Convention Corner:
The Episcopal Church in Connecticut's 232nd Annual Convention will be Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, 2016 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.
Celebration of the Spirit: Sunday of Convention*
ECCT is doing something wonderful and different on the Sunday of Convention this year - a massive worship service in the Convention Center, open to all, with the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, preaching. Interest in this free event is gathering steam in parishes, so be sure to share the information with your church so that they have a chance to register here before all the seats are filled.
In addition, a new letter from Bishops Ian and Laura is now available online outlines a few starting places for clergy and their congregations as they make plans for worship in their congregations for those not attending the worship service in Hartford.
Elected Positions Still Open at Convention, please visit the Election webpage on our website here.
If you have any questions, please contact Adam Yates, Secretary of Convention.
*If you have already registered for Convention then you do not need to register again for the Celebration of the Spirit.
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Announcements & Reminders
Join St. Paul's Riverside's West Virginia Mission Relief Trip, August 15-20. In the last week of June, the town of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia suffered from massive floods that killed 16 people and flooded hundreds of homes. A mission relief effort is being organized by Mike Watson, Ministry Assistant at St. Paul's in Riverside, Ct, for the week of August 15-20. He would like to get commitments from another 6-8 people to go. There is no cost to go on the trip, as all food and travel (by car) will be subsidized. Most of the work will involve clean-up, with some light building. Participants will stay at local churches or dorm-style housing. For information, contact Mike Watson.
The Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Environmental Grant now accepting applications through Monday, August 15. The mission of the Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Environmental Grant is to encourage innovation and to empower members of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to educate, witness and invite change in our congregations and communities with the goal of embracing a global vision of climate justice and preserving and celebrating God's creation. Click here to read more and submit an application.
Women Clergy Breakfast with Bishop Ahrens at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 8, at St. Andrew's Church in Meriden. The group will be discussing the next two chapters of the Anglican Theological Review (ATR) focusing on the prayer of Anglican women. Specifically, all will discuss "From Dis-Bodied Discipleship to Embodied Relationality: Experiential Formation in the Life of Prayer" and "Will You Pray?" Please join even if you do not read the ATR. Time for community gathering and fellowship is a gift to everyone in her faithful journey, as time with female colleagues can be a restorative gift to one's prayer life. Please RSVP here, and click here for a link to the guide for study and discussion.
Applications are now being accepted for delegates to represent the Episcopal Church at the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, NY, March 13 - 24, 2017. The provincial delegate and the churchwide delegates will be able to attend the official UNCSW proceedings at the United Nations and will represent the Episcopal Church/Anglican Communion in their advocacy at the UN, including joint advocacy with the group Ecumenical Women. Application located here. The deadline for submission is September 16. For more information contact Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Global Relations Officer.
Lay Worship Leader Training Saturday, September 17. The Commission on Ministry is inviting all lay people to train to be Lay Worship leaders. We'll explore the history and spirituality of the daily office with an emphasis on how to lead Morning Prayer. Upon completing this training lay leaders may be eligible to be licensed as worship leaders subject to the priest's request. The event will take place on Saturday, September 17 8:30-12:30 at The Commons in Meriden. Please register here. If you have questions about the event, please email Dean of Formation, Molly James at mjames@episcopalct.org.
Register for the Sept 24 Workshop:
Joining God in the Neighborhood
Join clergy and lay leaders from across the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for a discussion about how to discover what God's up to in our neighborhoods. Then, following an early lunch, all will head out together and try on what we've just learned, listening for what God is telling us in some of West Hartford's nearby neighborhoods. Please see here for an invitation from the Rev. Tim Hodapp, Canon for Mission Collaboration. Please click here for more information and registration.
Save the Date: Preaching Symposium, Saturday November 5 at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. The Rev. David Bartlett, professor emeritus at Yale Divinity School, will be the plenary speaker and workshops will be offered in the afternoon. The event is being hosted by the Commission on Ministry and is open to lay and ordained leaders in ECCT. More information to come soon. If you have any questions about the day, please contact the Dean of Formation, Molly James.
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Ministry Networks Corner
Cuba Ministry Network Conference and Networking Event September 17
A new Ministry Network for those interested in ministry with the Episcopal Church in Cuba will be hosting a conference and networking event at St. Luke's, Darien. All who are interested in ministry with the Cuban church are welcome. Topics include: what's happening today in Cuba, opportunities for engagement, youth ministry, asset-based strategies for mission, and building a regional Cuba Ministry Network of churches and nonprofits and the national Episcopal Church's Task Force on Cuba. $25 to cover lunch, materials. Details and registration here.
Next Community Gardens Ministry Network Meeting October 23
With the leadership of the Rev. Virginia Army, the group will meet from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Church, New Canaan. The purpose of the meeting is to see the garden space, and to share stories and experiences regarding the season's gardens, the drought conditions, working with community partners, gaining support from the parishes, harvesting, future planning, etc. Please register for the Community Gardens here.
To announce your Ministry Network gathering, sponsored event, or resource, email Alli Huggins at ahuggins@episcopalct.org.
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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.
- Administrative Assistant, St. Paul's, Riverside
- Director of Faith Formation for Children and Youth, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
- Music Director, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
- Director of Children's Ministries, Trinity Episcopal Church, Southport
- 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.
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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.
- August 9, Convention Planning Meeting
- August 9, Leadership Gathering Planning Meeting
- August 11, ECCT Regional Leadership Team Gathering
- August 25, Program and Budget Meeting; Standing Committee Meeting
See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events
- September 25: Zion, North Branford (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.
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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