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Prayers for an Election
As prepared by Rev. Shannon Kelly, Missioner for Young Adult and Campus Ministries
Loving God, creator of this world who is the source of our wisdom and understanding, watch over this nation during this time of election. Help us to see how our faith informs our principles and actions.
God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. We give thanks for the right to vote. Help us to hold this privilege and responsibility with the care and awareness it merits, realizing that our vote matters and that it is an act of faith. God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. Guide us through this election as a nation, state, and community as we vote for people to do work on our behalf and on the behalf of our communities. Help us to vote for people and ballot initiatives that will better our community and our world so it may reflect the values Christ taught us. God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. Help us create communities that will build your kingdom here on earth - communities that will protect the poor, stand up for the vulnerable, advocate for those who are not seen and heard, and listen to everyone's voice.
God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. We pray for this nation that is deeply divided. May we come together for the common good and do as you have called us to do - to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you through creation. God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. Help us act out of love, mercy and justice rather than out of arrogance or fear. God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. Lord, continue to guide us as we work for the welfare of this world. We pray for places that are torn by violence, that they may know peace. God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love. We pray for communities who are struggling with inequality, unrest, and fear. May we all work toward reconciliation with one another and with God. God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love.
Help us to listen in love, work together in peace, and collaborate with one another as we seek the betterment of our community and world.
God, our creator, Guide us in truth and love |
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Standing in Solidarity at Standing Rock, ND on November 3
In a historic show of interfaith support and solidarity, more than 500 interfaith clergy and laity answered a call to come to North Dakota to stand in peaceful, prayerful and lawful solidarity Nov. 3; and to bear witness with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation as they continue to protect the tribe's sacred land and water supply.
More than 500 interfaith witnesses marched north along Highway 1806 to the backwater bridge where they formed a Niobrara Circle of Life. Photo: Lynette Wilson/Episcopal News Service
The interfaith group spent more than five hours on site, marching, singing hymns, sharing testimony and calling others to join them in standing with the more than 200 tribes who have committed their support to the Sioux Nation as they protest the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
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ECCT Deacon Renewal of Vows, November 6, 2016
Sunday, November 6, Deacons from all over the Episcopal Church in Connecticut renewed their vows in a beautiful celebration at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. This was the 30th anniversary of the diaconate in ECCT.
Don Burr took photographs of the service, which can be found in a public Facebook album. If you do not have Facebook and would like to access the pictures, please email Don Burr.
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Creating Flames for the Spirit
Last Wednesday, some members of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut gathered at The Commons to create part of the art instillation for the Celebration of the Spirit at Annual Convention. 
Interested about the altar for the Celebration of the Spirit? Read the blog post From Many Hands: An Altar for Convention by the Rev. Adam Yates, Secretary of Convention
*A Facebook log-in is required to see this video, as it was through the Facebook Live feature |
Convention is just around the 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. $100 Walk-in Registration - during Convention.
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. If you haven't registered, join the wait list.
Convention Banquet: Gathering to share stories
The program during the Convention banquet will be provided by six storytellers, one from each of our Regions in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Each person will be telling a story about a Ministry Network in their Region in which they're active. The Rev. Tuesday Rupp will serve as the evening's host.
Ministry Networks are defined, simply, as "two or more Episcopalians from two or more parishes or worshiping communities in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut who are collaborating together in God's mission." Other partners may also be participating.
Whatever the specific ministry, the work is to bring God's restoring, reconciling love and healing to the hurt, divisions, and brokenness of the world.
To engage God's mission in a collaborative Ministry Network requires a willingness to be vulnerable, take risks, and be transformed. At this year's banquet, we'll hear stories about what that's been like for these companions in Christ, and consider what it might mean for us.
Regions, speakers, and their Ministry Networks include:
- Southeast: Lori Sarkett, Seabury Compañeros de Ecuador
- Southwest: Jennifer Young, Partnership with the Episcopal Church in Cuba
- Northeast: Marie Dixon, Carol's Closet
- Northwest: Candace Conard, Environmental Ministry Network
- South Central: Samantha Butler, Chapel on the Green
- North Central: Julia Johnson-Roy, Days for Girls
Volunteer at the Celebration of the Spirit There are a number of special opportunities for people from all over the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to participate in a role for worship at the Celebration of the Spirit on Sunday, November 20. Find out more!
Livestreaming
Convention worship on Sunday will be livestreamed, as will part of Saturday morning - currently to include Bible study and the Bishop's Address. Details on Convention web pages and social media this week and in eNews next week.
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. Here is a blog offering daily reflections on Hope throughout Advent. ECCT will also participate in the #AdventWord through SSJE, find out more here.
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*Ministry Networks Corner*
Ministry Networks' meetings & events have been added to the calendar listing below. Please click the event to find out more information on the meeting or events.
If you would like to add your Ministry Network's meeting or event to the calendar, please fill out this form and select 'Ministry Network' in the category drop down menu.
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Announcements & Reminders
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.
Embracing Gender Complexity Conference, December 16 - 17 at Barbara T. Harris Conference Center in Greenfield, NH. Transgender and gender-non-binary people have long been and are increasingly part of congregations throughout Province 1. Many of our communities are exploring ways to better equip themselves to support and to embrace the gifts of this wide ranging community. Learn more and register here. Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20.
 Annual Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols at Trinity College, December 4 This event celebrates the beginning of the holiday season for hundreds in the Greater Hartford community. The service will include music of the season offered by the Trinity College Chapel Singers, the oldest continuing student group on campus, and the Trinity College Concert Choir. The night begins at 4:00 p.m. at Trinity College Chapel. More information here.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 SUMMA Camp SUMMA Student Theological Debate Society, July 18 - 26 at School of Theology at the University of the South. SUMMA is an opportunity for high school students who are curious about building their faith through intellectual channels. Find out more information and apply here.
 Applications accepted for Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) 2017-2018 placements YASC serves throughout the Anglican Communion, and works alongside partners in administration, agriculture, communication, development, and education. Possible placements for 2017-2018 are Brazil, Costa Rica, England, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Japan, Jerusalem, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, Tanzania, and more. For more information contact Grace Flint, Episcopal Church Staff Officer for YASC Programming. Applications Due: January 6.
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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 Music, Trinity, Collinsville
- Director of Operations, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- Director of Faith Formation, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
- Organist/Director of Music, St. Luke's, New Haven
- Part-time Facilities Maintenance Manager, Camp Washington
- Interim Director of Music, St. Mary's, Manchester
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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Events coming up soon
Events below are coming up in the next two weeks, and this is not an exhausted list.
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 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
- November 16, Commission on Ministry & COM Training
- November 17, Fresh Start Meeting
- November 19-20, Annual Convention & Celebration of the Spirit
- 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)
PARISH EVENTS A complete Parish Events Calendar is available here.
Please submit Parish events here.
Reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details.
- 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: Fr. James Martin, Christ Church, Greenwich
- November 11, Community Spaghetti Dinner, St. Paul's, Plainfield
- November 12, An Introduction to Addiction and Recovery, Trinity, Portland
- November 12, Labyrinth Walk, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
- November 12, Quality Street Fair, Trinity, Collinsville
- November 12, Healing Drive-in Prayer, Holy Trinity, Enfield
- November 12, Community Dinner, St. Peter's, Hebron
- November 12, Whim 'n Rhythm Concert, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport
- November 12, Photography Exhibition: John Dugdale, St. Francis, Stamford
- November 14, Community Potluck and Bible Study, Holy Trinity, Enfield
- November 19, Ye Olde Sugar Plum Fair, Trinity, Wethersfield
- November 19, Old World Christmas Market, St. Andrew's, Milford
- November 19, 29th Annual Christmas Fair, Church of the Good Shepherd, Shelton
- November 19, Pumpkin and Holly Bazaar, Christ Church, Bethany
- November 20, "Turkey and a Thirty" Foodshare Event, St. George', Bolton
- November 22, 53rd Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, St. George's, Bolton
REGION BUDGET REVIEWS
These events provide an opportunity for attendees to review the proposed 2017 budget in advance of the November Convention. 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 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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