WEEKLY ENEWS

October 4, 2016
Videos from the fall House of Bishops Meeting
Bishops gathered in Detroit, MI from September 14 - 20

All bishops of the Episcopal Church, active or retired, make up the House of Bishops (HOB). Currently, the HOB has nearly 300 active members and comprises half of the governing body of the Episcopal Church. From September 15 - 20, the HOB met for their fall meeting. The Episcopal News Service (ENS) gave a daily video recap for each day: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. 

Photo by Christopher Epting Twitter: @ChrisEpting1

The Rev. Molly James, the Dean of Formation wrote the following reflection: 

As a member of the CT Deputation to the 2015 General Convention, I had the privilege of watching the livestream from the House of Bishops on September 15. The presentation included a great video from our Presiding Bishop on what it means to be The Jesus Movement. Predominately the session was a presentation from Human Synergistics, an HR consulting firm that has been employed by the Episcopal Church Center. They presented on the study they had done of the corporate culture there. Then we had the opportunity to hear from the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies on the findings and what changes are being made to address the issues raised.

I appreciated the transparency of the livestream itself, as well as the information it revealed. I was saddened, although not extremely surprised, to learn that our corporate culture was one that could be predominately described as "Passive/Defensive" - where conformity is the norm, it is expected that everyone agrees and all decisions are checked with supervisors. The Church is, after all, a human institution, so it is not terribly surprising that we would be subject to the foibles and failings of any other human institution. What I found heartening and inspiring (in addition to the transparency) was that our leadership has already identified and is beginning to implement changes that will help us become a Constructive culture that is loving, liberating and life-giving. I also appreciated the invitation for all of us in The Episcopal Church from dioceses to individual congregations to engage in a similar cultural analysis and to take steps to ensure that we are doing our best living into our call to be loving, life-giving and liberating followers of Jesus.

You can also see the Twitter transcript from the House of Bishops fall meeting at #HOBfall16 . 

This Weekend - Autumn Teen Retreat, October 7 - 9
Camp Washington is excited to bring back the Autumn Teen Retreat!

A weekend to relax and recharge in one of your favorite places, with some of your favorite people. Gather together one last time before we head into 2017, and another excellent year of programming at Camp Washington. Enjoy everything that fall has to offer with delicious food, music, worship, and most importantly, time to relax and reflect.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by!

When:  October 7, 6 p.m. - October 9, 2 p.m.
Where: Camp Washington, 190 Kenyon Rd. Lakeside, CT 06758
What:  A weekend of food, fun, worship, music, friends, and relaxation
Cost: $150*
Register: here! 

*Need based Financial Aid is Available. Simply give Camp Washington a call at 860-567-9623
A Season of Prayer: For an Election
Suggested prayers and collects beginning October 9 - Election Day

Forward Movement invites the whole church to a season of prayer for the nation and the coming election. 

For each day, beginning on October 9 through the day after the election, Forward Movement has a suggested prayer intention and collect. Praying a litany daily is also encouraged.Bulletin inserts and a list of prayers in English and Spanish have been created for free download as PDFs, here. 

The prayers will also be available daily on their Twitter and Facebook. Feel free to share these prayers and collects. 
Upcoming Webinars from Episcopal Church Foundation

The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) just released the dates for 4th Quarter Webinar series. These webinars are free to anyone, but require a registration. See the list of upcoming webinars below. 

October 27: Identificando v formando nuevos líderes (Spanish language webinar on identifying and forming new leaders) 
ECF logo
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.

Important Deadline Date: This Friday, October 7

On Friday, October 7, in accordance with the canons, all reports, resolutions, and nominations for elected positions are due to the Secretary of Convention so that they may be distributed to all clergy and delegates of convention. Please email Adam Yates if you have any questions.


Saturday, Legislative Session

Our time together on Saturday will consist primarily of legislative business as we hear reports and take action on resolutions put before us for our common work. The business will wrap up in time for a reception for all attendees, followed by an optional banquet dinner for an additional fee. (More information below)

All Convention delegates and guests are required to register online using Eventbrite. Parish offices can register a group and make a single payment or individuals may register and pay on their own.
  • $85 Regular Registration - ends November 15
  • $100 Walk-in Registration - during Convention
When you register, you will be presented with a choice for lunch on Saturday (included in the cost of registration). Your choices will be: a) Pork Prime Rib b) North Atlantic Salmon c) Food Allergy Option*. All meal choices are gluten free. 

Interested in going to the Saturday evening Banquet? Buy tickets here. 

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. 

Want to know more about the Celebration of the Spirit event? Click here to learn how you can get involved and information on the Ministry Network Expo. 

Participating via Social Media In preparation for our Convention, we invite you to like ECCT on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and utilize our diocesan hashtag, #ECCT. We will be live on social media platforms throughout the weekend of Convention.

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 

Environmental Ministry Network Northwest Region Meeting October 8

The next gathering will be on Saturday, October 8, at 3 pm, at the home of Karen Chase, of St. Andrew's, in Kent. Karen is a photographer of the natural world and an expert in creating backyard habitat.  For details and to RSVP, please email Brett Figlewski.

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. 

Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network Meeting November 15
 
The Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network invites you to attend a meeting of Hospital Healthcare Chaplains on Tuesday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at Norwalk Hospital and will be hosted by the Rev. Debra Slade, the Rev. Judy Holding, and Bishop Laura Ahrens. This gathering is expected to last 2 hours. We welcome you to attend this informative and rewarding event.  Please RSVP via Eventbrite. 

To announce your Ministry Network gathering, sponsored event, or resource, email Alli Huggins at ahuggins@episcopalct.org.
Announcements & Reminders

This Thursday, October 6, Trinity Against Gun Violence will host a Gun Safety Panel addressing the need for conversation around gun safety and children. This free event is from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at the Pequot Library in Southport, CT, and open to the public. For more information see Trinity Southport's Facebook page.

Continue the conversation with an event on Saturday, October 8. "How We Can End our Pandemic of Gun Violence: A Conference for People of Faith and Conscience." The conference is from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford. General cost for the conference: $20. For more information and to register, please see the event's website here. 

The Mission Development Fund, administered by the Social Justice and Advocacy Network, has money to grant!  In June the fund awarded $10,000 to the Southeast Connecticut Prison Ministry Network in support of its work to reintegrate formerly incarcerated people into the community. Further information is available on the ECCT's website. Application deadline is October 15. Applications located under the 'Grants' folder on the File Repository here. 

AFEDJ Missioners Workshop, October 15 held by the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. This is a free workshop.  Morning refreshments and lunch will be served. Please RVSP to Betsy Wilson (203-655-3575), by October 12. We look forward to seeing you there! For further questions, contact Kate Smith (860-519-1591).

CALL FOR POETS of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut are graciously invited by Christ Episcopal Church in Norwich to participate in POETRY SUNDAY on October 16, 2016.  The invitation is to write poetry in response to the readings for the day. Christ Church will select the poetry to read during the service. Readings are: Jeremiah 31:27-34, Psalm 119:97-104, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8. Deadline for submission is Saturday October 8 by email to Mary Elizabeth Lang.

Women's Clergy Breakfast, October 28 from 8 - 10 am at St. Andrew's Church in Meriden
Discussion on the next two chapters of the Anglican Theological Review (ATR) focusing on Practicing Theology. Specifically,  "The Divine Call to Be Myself: Anglican Transgender Women and Prayer" and "We Pray for the Death of 'God': Southern African Women in Prayer." Join even if you do not read the ATR. It is a time for community gathering and fellowship is a gift to all of us in our faithful journey. This time with your female colleagues can be a gift to you and to your prayer. Study guide here. Please RSVP via Eventbrite here. 

The South Central Region Fall 2016 Convocation will be Sunday, October 23 from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Whitney Cultural Commons in Hamden. Registration & mingling will begin at 2:30. The theme for the event is "What do you bring to the table?" Small group discussions will take place around a table with a focus on discussion the ministries people are passionate about. With this as a context, the group will discuss the efforts to hire a regional missionary and the resolutions to be considered at Convention. Please register here. Like the South Central Region's Facebook page. 

The CT Episcopal Church Women invite all to the Fall Ingathering of the United Thank Offering. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at St. James's Episcopal Church, West Hartford beginning at 11:00 am.  Lunch will follow the service. For more information contact Valzie Peterkin. 

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. 
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.  
  • Director of Music, Trinity, Collinsville
  • Parish Administrative Assistant, St. John's, East Windsor
  • Administrative Coordinator, St. Mark's, New Canaan
  • 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
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 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. 
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.
  • October 4 - 7, All Commons Staff Vision Training*
  • October 4, Camp Washington Board Meeting
  • October 4, North Central Region Budget Review
  • October 6, Faithful Futures--Transitions 
  • October 7 - 9, Fall Teen Weekend
  • October 11, Cathedral Chapel Meeting
  • October 11, Convention Planning
  • October 11, Clergy Day (for all clergy) 
  • October 12, South Central Region Budget Review
  • October 12, Deacons' Council Meeting
  • October 13, Recently Ordained Clergy (ROC) Meeting
  • October 17, Anti-Racism Training 
  • October 18-19, Visions Training, Camp Washington 
  • October 18, Transition Consultants Meeting
*Please note, 
The Commons will be closed three and a half days this week, from 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 3 through 1 p.m. Friday, October 7. The entire staff will be participating in a professional development workshop with VISIONS, Inc. and will have limited access to email. 
The Commons will also be closed on Monday, October 10*

See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events  

BISHOPS' SUNDAY VISITS  (Bishop Douglas is on sabbatical through September 2016)
  • October 9: St. Thomas, New Haven (Bishop Douglas)
  • October 23: Good Shepherd, Orange (Bishop Ahrens); St. Stephen's , East Haddam (Bishop Douglas)
  • October 30: Trinity, Branford (Bishop Ahrens); Christ Church, Norwalk (Bishop Douglas) 
PARISH EVENTS (Parish Events Calendar) 
 
Events below are coming up in the next couple of weeks, and this is not an exhausted list. For a full updated list of parish events, which includes season-appropriate services (such as Blessing of the Animals), 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. 
REGION BUDGET REVIEWS
These events provide an opportunity for attendees to review the proposed 2017 budget in advance of the November Convention.

A light dinner will be served. In order for us to plan appropriately, please RSVP to the appropriate EventBrite event in a timely fashion. We thank you in advance for your cooperation. For questions regarding this event, please contact Gigi Leackfeldt. A bishop will be present for each meeting as well, except on October 4. 

Please RSVP to the EventBrite page via the hyperlink attached to each Region.
SAFE CHURCH RECERTIFICATION FOR CLERGY IN 2016 (Link here)
These recertifications are mandatory for clergy. The final recertification is October 20.  

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
  • November 12, 9 - 4 p.m. St. Mary's, Manchester and St. Peter's/Trinity, Thomaston
Hybrid half day:
  • Next Week, October 15, 9 - 11:30 a.m., Trinity, New Haven
  • October 22, 9 - 11:30 a.m., St. Mark's, Mystic
  • October 25, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Trinity, Lakeville
  • October 27, 6:30 - 9 p.m., St. Paul's, Windham
  • November 5, 9 - 11:30 a.m., Trinity, Portland
  • November 8, 6:30 - 9 p.m., St. John's, New Milford
  • November 10, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Emmanuel, Weston
  • November 15, 6:30 - 9 p.m., St. Mark's, New Britain 
Recertification: 
  • Tonight, October 4, 6:30 - 9 p.m., Christ Church, Norwich
  • Next Week, October 8, 9 - 11:30 a.m., St. Paul's, Wallingford
  • October 15, 9 - 11:30 a.m., St. Paul's, Plainfield
  • October 18, 6:30 - 9 p.m., St. John's, Pine Meadow
  • October 22, 9 - 11:30 a.m., St. James', Danbury

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT
PARTICIPATING IN GOD'S MISSION


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