WEEKLY ENEWS

August 16, 2016

St. John's Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook to Close

The small stone Episcopal church in the center of Sandy Hook will close this fall. The congregation, which so immediately opened its church doors to neighbors and strangers seeking solace in prayer after the school massacre in December 2012, made the difficult decision earlier this year. The final service at St. John's, Sandy Hook, will be September 7, 2016.
Bishop Laura J. Ahrens accompanied the parish during its discernment. "I have been honored to share in ministry with the people at St. John's," she said. "While I'm sad that St. John's will be closing her doors, I know that the discernment process has been prayerful and thoughtful and that this is the most faithful decision the congregation could make at this time. I truly believe God is calling them to share their compassionate hearts with other worshipping communities in the Newtown area."

Bishop Ahrens will preside and preach at the closing service in September.
Read more here.
Living into Baptismal Ministry and Sharing Your Passion
A Workshop for the Church

Tokunbo Green and Maureen Lederman, two members of the Commission on Ministry for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, created a helpful and fascinating workshop focused on Living into Baptismal Ministry and Sharing Your Passion. This 90 minute to two hour workshop involves prayers, activities, and a focus on the Five Baptismal Marks of Mission. This workshop also discusses how God's Mission is playing out in individual lives and the life of the Church. 

Centered around time for self and communal exploration, this workshop allows parishes the opportunities to think about new ministry possibilities through reflective prayer, active discussions, and personal journaling. Participants will explore what God is already up to in their own hearts and in their community. 

To read through the workshop, please see the document here. For more information and resources, see the Formation Section of the ECCT website. 
Concert Across American to End Gun Violence, September 25
Supported by Bishops United Against Gun Violence

On Sunday, September 25, places of worship are encouraged to hold music events to remember the victims of America's gun violence epidemic in a nation-wide Concert Across America to End Gun Violence

This countrywide series of live music events of various sizes and types will be in conjunction with Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence and the Bishops United Against Gun Violence (of which Bishop Ian and Bishop Laura are members). Parishes are encouraged to be involved in various ways. Parishes can integrate a peace-themed choral performance into an already-planned service, hold a special performance by a choir, musician, or music group, or organize a "unity" concert with secular and faith-based community organizations and/or with other houses of worship. Parishes may also gathering to watch a livestream of other concerts.

For a list of contributing cities and states, or ways to be involved globally with this event please visit the Concert Across America's website

More information and resources are available here. Please register your music event on their website as well. Please also email a notice of your concert to [email protected]. Follow the movement on Social Media with the hashtags: #ConcertAcrossAmerica and #EndGunViolence
Camp Washington's First Annual Youth Festival
September 10 - 11 

Wanted: 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.

Camp Washington has done all the work! Kick-off your Fall schedule at the CW Youth Festival at Our Place in Morris on September 10- 11, 2016!
 

The weekend is all about connection. Connection with old friends, new friends, and with other Episcopal youth of Connecticut and their friends. 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.

Space is limited! Register now to reserve your spot and t-shirt! Thanks to the wonderful generosity of The Bishops' Fund for Children, the cost of this weekend is only $25 (scholarships are available).
 
Join Camp Washington for a NEW tradition. It's a great opportunity to ease back into the school year. What are you Waiting For? Register Today! 
 
Click here to register, or visit our website - campwashington.org or call us at 860-567-9623.
Preaching Symposium with the Rev. David Bartlett
Saturday, November 5

The Bishops and Commission on Ministry invite any lay or ordained person to attend a 
Preaching Symposium at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 9am to 3pm. 

The Rev. David Bartlett, professor emeritus at Yale Divinity School, will be the plenary speaker for the morning and workshops will be offered in the afternoon. Lunch will be provided.  If you have any questions about the day, please contact the Dean of Formation, Molly James ([email protected]). 

The cost to attend is $20 and scholarship funds are available. Please register via Eventbrite here.
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.
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
herb_garden.jpg

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 [email protected].
Announcements & Reminders

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 as 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 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at The Commons in Meriden. Please register hereIf you have questions about the event, please email Dean of Formation, Molly James at [email protected]

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.

Discipleship Matters Conference, October 17-19 in Adamstown, Maryland. This conference is for clergy and lay leaders who are focused on building cultures of discipleship in congregations. Speakers at the conference include: Scott Gunn, Brenda Husson, David Gortner, Peter Lane, Wes Smedley, Clarence Langdon, Mariann Edgar Budde, Joey Rick, Jay Sidebotham, Brain Sellers Petersen, Chris Yaw, and more. Learn more & register here.

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 Bishops and the Commission on Ministry and is open to lay and ordained leaders in ECCT. Lay leaders must be nominated by their clergy person in order to attend.The cost to attend is $20 and scholarship funds are available. Please register via Eventbrite here. If you have any questions about the day, please contact the Dean of Formation, Molly James

Evangelism Matters Conference, November 18-19 in Dallas, Texas (details and registration here). The bishops and canons of ECCT would like to identify and support one or possibly two lay people to attend the full conference. (Note that the second day of the conference is the day of the Annual Convention). Expectations of the attendee(s) include use of social media to share images and ideas both during and after the conference, and work with Karin Hamilton or Alli Huggins in ECCT's office of Mission Communication & Media, on ways to share what you've learned with ECCT, post-conference. If the Spirit moves and you believe you're called to explore this opportunity as ECCT's "delegate," email your name, contact info, and how this inspires you to [email protected], no later than today! 
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.  
  • Parish Administrative Assistant, St. John's, East Windsor
  • Organist and Choirmaster, St. James, New London
  • 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.   
Confirmations Corner
Save the Date: Bishops and Confirmands' Dinner

In preparation for the upcoming Confirmation programs of 2016-2017, Bishop Laura and Bishop Ian encourage would like to invite individuals preparing for confirmation to join the bishops for a dinner and conversation at The Commons on what it means to be disciples and apostles participating in God's mission. 
 
These conversations are open to teenagers and adults preparing for confirmation in the Episcopal Church in 2016 and 2017, as well as for ongoing confirmation classes and interested inquirers. Confirmation class leaders and/or clergy are encouraged to join for this conversation about one's participation in God's mission.  

Contact Alison Hollo or Bishop Laura with any questions, [email protected] and [email protected]

The dates for the dinners are: February 8 and April 27 at 5:30 pm. 
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.
  • August 25, Program and Budget Meeting; Standing Committee Meeting
  • September 1, Jack Spaeth Caring for Creation Committee Meeting
  • September 1, Preaching Day and Lay Preaching Planning Meeting
  • September 1, Finance Committee Meeting
See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events  

BISHOPS' SUNDAY VISITS  (Bishop Douglas is on sabbatical through September 2016)
  • September 25: Zion, North Branford (Bishop Ahrens)
  • October 2: Trinity, Portland (Bishop Ahrens); St. John's, Washington (Bishop Douglas)
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. 
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


Upcoming Safe Church training sessions for laity are now listed on our website. Link here for basic information about Safe Church training for laity, including the introduction of the hybrid training. 
  • Full day: October 29, 9 - 4 p.m. Trinity, Trumbull
  • Full day: November 12, 9 - 4 p.m. St. Mary's, Manchester and St. Peter's/Trinity, Thomaston
  • Hybrid half day: September 20, 6:30 - 9 p.m., St. Mark's, New Britain
  • Hybrid half day: October 15, 9 - 11 a.m., Trinity, New Haven
  • Hybrid half day: October 25, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Trinity, Lakeville
  • Hybrid half day: November 5, 9 - 11 a.m., Trinity, Portland
  • Hybrid half-day: November 8, 6:30 - 9 p.m., St. John's, New Milford

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT
PARTICIPATING IN GOD'S MISSION


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