Presiding Bishop in Support of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's Dakota Access Pipeline Protests
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| | Photo: Standing Rock Dakota Access Pipeline Opposition via Facebook and ENS article |
Since April, hundreds of Native Americans and neighbors have protested against the proposed 1,170-mile buried pipeline through the Dakota lands. Tensions are heavy as this pipeline is planned to cross through private property, the Missouri river, and miles of sacred land and burial grounds.
On Thursday, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released a statement supporting the people of Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, and the advocacy work being done.
"This stand of men, women and children is also an important moment in the life of indigenous people. The Sioux people's advocacy efforts to protect the Missouri River and the sacred burial grounds threatened by the oil pipeline is truly historic. Leaders of Standing Rock observe that it's been over 140 years since such a unified call for respect and justice has been made. The Episcopal Church has a long record of advocating that government, corporations and other societal players respect the treaty rights of Native peoples. Standing alongside our Sioux brothers and sisters, we continue this legacy today."
More than 80 tribes across the country have expressed support for the Sioux Reservation protests, according to Standing Rock Officials in an article by the Episcopal News Service. To learn more about or financially support the Standing Rock Reservation and the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline please see their website here.
Currently, the Episcopal Church is seeking a Missioner for Indigenous Ministry. This position will "respond to, enable and empower the needs and inclusion of Indigenous peoples and their respective communities within the Episcopal Church." More information can be found here.
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Bridging the Political Divide
Online Course with Parker Palmer
Sign up now, then come back anytime between September 5-19 to take this course. It contains text, video, quiz and discussion questions and will take an average student about 45 minutes to complete. Plan to take it on your own, or to use with small groups.
In this course, Palmer offers four video presentations:
1) We the People
2) The Art of Holding Tension
3) Our Deepest Divide
4) Taking Action
To learn more about the class and to sign up please see the course's website here.
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Concert Across America 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.
Do you or your parish plan to be involved? Let ECCT know, as we would love to gather an ongoing list of parishes and communities hosting music events on September 25. Create an event listing for our ECCT Parish Event's Calendar here. We want as many communities involved as possible!
Currently, Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford will host a concert and presentation at 3 p.m. on September 25. More details to come.
Read more here about the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence, and view a list of contributing cities and states here. Please register your music event on their website as well, and email a notice of your concert to bishopsunitedtec@gmail.com.
September 25 is also Social Media Sunday, share your Sunday worship and these concerts above on your social media with the hashtags: #ConcertAcrossAmerica and #EndGunViolence
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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.
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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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.
Companions in Mission Ministry Network Meeting September 27
he Companions in Mission Ministry Network is sponsoring a regional meeting about funding opportunities for parishes participating in God's mission with people near and far. Learn about mission-related grants totaling more than $100,000. Presentations will be made by Alan McCollom on Travel Grants; Gus Schlegel on Millenium/Sustainability Grants; and Bill Schrull on Publications and Communications Grants. A light supper will be available as well as plenty of time for Q&A. Please RSVP by September 20 to companionsinmission@gmail.com or call Leslie Jones at 860-816-2024 for more information.
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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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.
Camp Washington's First Annual Youth Festival will be September 10-11. Kick-off your Fall schedule at the CW Youth Festival at Our Place in Morris on September 10- 11, 2016! Space is limited! Register here 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). What are you Waiting For? Register Today!
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. Application located here. The deadline for submission is September 16. For more information contact Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Global Relations Officer. Delegates will be chosen by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; applicants will be notified by mid-October.
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 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.
Atrium Program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, begins September 27-28 at St. Paul & St. James, New Haven. There are two levels, Level I (ages 3-6) will meet 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and Level II (ages 9-12) will meet 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. This program will coincide with the school year. Registration prices vary, and openings are on a first come, first served basis, due to limited class size. For more information please reach out to Pat DelGiudice at 860-302-8126.
Honest Conversations with Muslim Neighbors, hosted on October 18 by Zion Episcopal Church, North Branford. Hear a panel of articulate, vibrant CT Muslims share their stories & respond to your questions. Come at 7 p.m. to increase our mutual understanding, to build & strengthen our interfaith community. This event is organized by the CT Council for Interreligious Understanding (CCIU), the Muslim Coalition of CT, and Hartford Seminary. RSVP here, or call 203-488-7395.
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.
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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.
- Communication Manager, Trinity Episcopal Church New Haven
- Children's MInistry Coordinator, St. Stephen's, Ridgefield
- Parish Administrative Assistant, St. John's, East Windsor
- Organist and Choirmaster, St. James, New London
- Administrative Coordinator, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- Administrative Assistant, St. Paul's, Riverside
- Organist/Choir Director, St. John's, North Haven
- 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
- 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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Confirmations Corner
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.
The dates for the dinners are: February 8 and April 27 at 5:30 pm.
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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.
- September 1, Jack Spaeth Caring for Creation Committee Meeting
- September 1, Preaching Day and Lay Preaching Planning Meeting
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September 1, Finance Committee Meeting
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September 6, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting
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September 6, Camp Washington Board Meeting
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September 8, Women's Clergy Breakfast
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September 8, Faithful Futures- Sustainability Meeting
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September 10, Leadership Gathering
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September 13, Armsmear Quarterly Board Meeting
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September 13, Convention Meeting
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September 13, Regional Mission Recruitment Teams Gathering
Please note: The Commons will be closed on Labor Day, September 5.
See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events
- September 25: Zion, North Branford (Bishop Ahrens)
- October 2: Trinity, Portland (Bishop Ahrens); St. John's, Washington (Bishop Douglas)
Events below are coming up in the next couple of weeks. For a full updated list of Parish events, please see this online calendar. Please submit all Parish events here.
Please reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details.
- September 10, Annual Prayer Breakfast, St. Martin's, Hartford
- September 10, Harvest Fair, Christ and the Epiphany, East Haven
- September 10 - 11, Apple Festival, St. Peter's, Monroe
- September 10, "In Celebration of America" Concert, St. George's, Bolton
- September 11, "Godly Play Registration and Fun Day, Trinity, Brooklyn
- September 11, 9th Annual Rice & Beans Chili Cook-off, Trinity, Wethersfield
- September 12, The Lord's Prayer Course, St. James, Danbury
- September 17, Drive-In Prayer, Holy Trinity, Enfield
- September 18, Block Party, St. John's, West Hartford
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
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