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Creating the Altar for the Celebration of the Spirit
Tom Cottrell and other members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) work on the altar created and built for ECCT, to debut at the Celebration of the Spirit on November 20, 2016. Enjoy a video about building the altar below:
What makes Tom's eyes light up, though, is the work he has done for churches. Tom has designed and built many different pieces of liturgical furniture-ambos, tables, and more-each a work of art, for a handful of churches through the years. It is in these projects that Tom finds his hobby and art form coming together with his own spirituality. Woodworking is a talent given by God, Tom shares, and he feels a deep need to use that gift, and to use it to give back to God. "Working for church projects, it is rewarding because you know it will be a part of the worship," Tom explained, "you know others will use it in their encounter with God."
Since early June, Tom has been putting his skill and his faith to work on a new project, one that he had never undertaken before. For the past five months, Tom has been designing, refining, and building an altar for use in the worship service at the Celebration of the Spirit on November 20. Read more on Adam's blog post here.
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Stand with Standing Rock on November 3
The Episcopal Church community on the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in North Dakota has issued a call for the Episcopal Church to stand in solidarity and witness with those protecting water on the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in North Dakota.
 Concerned by the increased repression of non-violent water protectors whose ranks include men, women and youth, and supported by the wisdom of Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault, the Rev. John Floberg has appealed for clergy and laity around the Episcopal Church to come together on the banks of the Missouri River in North Dakota to stand in witness and solidarity on November 3.
Read more here and RSVP if you are able to travel to Standing Rock. |
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A letter from the Bishops with one week to go, #EpiscopaliansVote
The Bishops' sent out a letter to the Episcopal Church in Connecticut last week, stressing the blessing and responsibility associated with voting.
On November 8 we will again be called upon to exercise our civic duty of voting for the leaders of our nation, our states, and our local communities. It is a great privilege and responsibility to vote; one not available to all people around the globe. We give thanks for all those in our country's history who have fought for our democratic right to vote, and for those who continue to work today to ensure that such freedoms continue...
Read the full letter here.
The Bishops invite all of ECCT into a time of prayer from noon on All Saints Sunday, November 6 through Election Day, November 8. Parishes and worshiping communities are invited to hold periods of prayer within that time frame, see below for ideas and resources for such prayers.
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The Episcopal Church's Election Engagement Toolkit has ideas for engagement, information on voting rights, ways to support civil discourse, and more. Please download the free PDF in English or Spanish today!
 For the 30 days leading up to the election, Forward Movement is calling Episcopalians and all others to join us in a time of prayer. - Scott Gunn
Forward Movement gathered downloadable bulletins and information for their "A Season of Prayer: For an Election," which can be found here.
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Deacons Renewal of Vows, This Sunday November 6 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
This is the 30th anniversary of the diaconate in Connecticut.  This year we will begin the day as deacons out in the community, serving those in need through setting up, se rving and enjoying lunch at Church Street Eats in the Cathedral House. Deacons will first serve lunch to others at 12:00, then enjoy their meal with members of the community along with conversation and gratitude. The Renewal of Vows will begin at 3:00 p.m. Deacons are requested to vest. The service offering for this day will benefit Edrice's mission (in St. Kitts and Nevis) and Church Street Eats. Please RSVP to assist in planning for this event. Parking is available across the street at the parking garage located next to Hartford Stage.
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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.
Saturday, Legislative Session
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. Interested in going to the Saturday evening Banquet? Buy tickets here.
Meet the Nominees for Election
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. Interested in volunteering?
Participating via Social Media
We will be live on social media platforms throughout the weekend of Convention. Like ECCT on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and utilize our diocesan hashtag, #ECCT.
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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Camp Washington's Annual Family Advent Event
Camp Washington invites you and your family to the 2nd Annual Family Advent Event, November 27 from 2 - 6 p.m. It's an afternoon designed to help make the transition into the season of hope and expectation that is Advent.
Come together to build a family Advent Wreath using Camp Washington Greens, hand dip your own advent candles, decorate cookies, and much more. We'll end our afternoon together with worship and a shared meal. Cost: $15/person, $50 for a family of 4 or more
Spaces are limited, please register by November 18. Register here.
Are you ready for Advent? Here are some great resources, devotionals, and more. Also, sign up to receive an #AdventWord email everyday in Advent from SSJE here.
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Ministry Networks Corner
Social Justice Ministry Network Meeting, Today!
The Social Justice Ministry Network will meet today, Nov 1, from 3 - 4 p.m. at The Commons.
Companionship in Mission Ministry Network Meeting, November 12
The Companionship in Mission Ministry Network will meet on Saturday, November 12 from 9 - 11 a.m. at St. Paul's in Wallingford.
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.
Save the Date: Next Northwest Environment Ministry Network Meeting January 21
The Northwest Environmental Ministry Network will gather again on January 21 from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Litchfield's White Memorial Conservation Center. A hearty potluck supper and a winter walk are to be expected.
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Announcements & Reminders
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 11:30 a.m. (please note the change in time). A Luncheon will begin at 12:00 noon, followed by a conversation. A celebration of the Holy Eucharist will follow at 1:30 p.m. Bishop Laura will be the celebrant and preacher. For more information contact Valzie Peterkin.
Preaching Symposium with David Bartlett, this 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.
US Disaster Program, this Saturday November 5 The Episcopal Church in Connecticut Disaster Preparedness Team and Episcopal Relief and Development will be hosting a training opportunity on November 5, 2016 at St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program will cover: disaster 101, ECCT's Disaster Preparedness Team, identifying gifts, understanding hazard assessment, learning how to help when disaster strikes, and the available resources for your parish. Learn more and register here.
TheoEco Event: Piles of Bricks: After the Nepal Earthquake, November 9
The TheoEco Institute invites all to a premier of the feature length documentary Piles of Bricks: After the Nepal Earthquake. Nepalese Hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and conversations with special guests the Rev. & Mrs. Rinzi Lama, Rector & Mother of the Nazarene Church and Children's Home, Kathmandu, Nepal. This free event will be 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 9 at St. Paul & St. James, New Haven. RSVP here.
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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.
- Director of Operations, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- Director of Music, Trinity, Collinsville
- Parish Administrative Assistant, St. John's, East Windsor
- Part-time Facilities Maintenance Manager, Camp Washington
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.
- November 1-3, Clergy Retreat
- November 1, Camp Washington Board Meeting
- November 2, Celebration of New Ministry: George Kovoor, St. Paul's, Darien
- November 3, UTO Ingathering
- November 3, Faithful Futures- Upper Thames River Parishes
- November 5, Preaching Symposium
- November 5, Southwest Region Confirmation
- November 5, Creating New Ways to Lead in Times of Transition
- November 5, Training for Lay Leaders & Parishes in Transition
- November 6, Deacons Renewal of Vows
- November 7, Province I Investment Management Leaders Meeting
- November 8, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting
- November 8, Convention Planning
- November 8, Northwest Region Clericus Meeting
- November 9, Southwest Region Budget Review
- November 10, Northeast Region Clericus Meeting
- November 10, Northwest Region Budget Review
- November 15, Interim Rector Meeting
- November 15, Northeast Region Budget Review
See Ministry Network Corner, above, for known MN meetings and sponsored events.
- November 13: St. John's, Bristol (Bishop Ahrens); St. Gabriel's East Berlin (Bishop Douglas)
- December 4: St. Mark's, Mystic (Bishop Ahrens); Holy Advent, Clinton (Bishop Douglas)
Events below are coming up in the next two weeks, and this is not an exhausted list. For a full updated list of parish & Ministry Network events, which includes season-appropriate services (such as Blessing of the Animals), see this online calendar. Please submit all Parish events here.
Reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details.
- November 2, Friendship, Committment, & Integrity: Kenra Creasy, Yale Divinity School
- November 3, Cuantro Puntos free concert, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
- November 4-5, Semi-Annual Rummage Sale, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
- November 5, Blood Drive and Health Fair, Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
- November 5, Autumn Leaves Fair, Christ Church, Middle Haddam
- November 5, Pianist Performance: Allan Conway, St. Mary's, Manchester
- November 5, Celebrating Deaf Music Culture feat. Cuatro Puntos, St. Mark's Chapel, Storrs
- November 6, Harpsichord recital with Stephen Gamboa-Diaz, St. Ann's, Old Lyme
- November 6, Organ Recital by James Bush, St. Michael's, Litchfield
- November 6, Four Seasons Plus Winter Concert, Emmanuel, Killingworth
- November 6, Hymn Festival, St. Paul's On-the-Green, Norwalk
- November 8, Election Day: Prayers for the Nation, St. Paul's On-the-Green, Norwalk
- November 8, Care Givers' Luncheon, St. Andrew's, Milford
- November 10, Courage & Faith: Father James Martin, Christ Church, Greenwich
- November 11, Community Spaghetti Dinner, St. Paul's, Plainfield
- November 12, Introduction to Addiction and Recovery, Trinity, Portland
- November 12, Walking the Labyrinth, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
- November 12, Quality Street Fair, Trinity, Collinsville
- November 12, Whim 'n Rhythm Concert, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport
- November 12, Photography Exhibition: John Dugdale, St. Francis, Stamford
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. 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.
Please RSVP to the EventBrite page via the hyperlink attached to each Region.
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:
- November 12, 9 - 4 p.m. St. Mary's, Manchester and St. Peter's/Trinity, Thomaston
Hybrid half day:
- 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
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