WEEKLY ENEWS

December 6, 2016
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Powerful Message to ECCT

At the Celebration of the Spirit, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offered a powerful message to those gathered in person and via livestream. He focused on turning to the rock, turning to Jesus as our foundation when times get shaky. 

Watch his sermon here: 



You can also listen to Bishop Douglas' full 'TED' talk address here. Here are the first and second reports of the Annual Convention.

Read PB Michael Curry's most recent letter to the Diocese of Haiti.  
Advent Retreat & Second Sunday at Camp Washington

Relax and rejuvenate this Advent at Our Place in Morris with an Advent Retreat, December 9-10. This retreat will focus on prayer, silence, small group conversation, the celebration of the Eucharist, as well as offering an open art studio for your creative side. The Rev. Canon Hannah Anderson, the Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of New Hampshire, will lead the weekend. 

Cost: $205 private room; $175 shared room; $125 commuter. Learn more and register today at CampWashingon.org

This Sunday, December 11, Camp Washington invites you to their Second Sunday: a time of learning, reflection, and community. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. the Rev. Bob Stocksdale will offer a short program, followed by worship and ending with a simple meal. Please call to reserve your spot (860) 567-9623, and bring a non-perishable food item for the Torrington Soup Kitchen. 

Psst: it's not too early to think about summer camp at Camp Washington, have a look at the 2017 summer camp program while you're registering for the Advent Retreat and Second Sunday. 
Advent II, Resources for your Advent Devotion
Free Advent Course with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby titled "Getting More Out of the Bible." On the first day of this new year, the Advent of Christ's coming and coming again, may Our Lord Jesus fill us with renewed courage, love, and joy, to live lives fully dedicated to his will and work. -Churchnext.tv  This course is made possible by the generous support of the Office of the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Bible in the Life of the Church initiative, and ChurchNext. More information and downloadable content is available here. 

Episcopal Migration Ministries offers reflections throughout Advent. "We invite you into the journey of Advent with us, as we reflect on this important season and the ministry of resettlement and welcome," noted the Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries. Reflection videos available here. 


Here are some resources that might be of interest: 
Sandy Hook Promise releases a new powerful PSA

Sandy Hook Promise, a community with the mission to "prevent gun-related deaths due to crime, suicide and accidental discharge so that no other parent experiences the senseless, horrific loss of their child," released a new PSA last Friday. *Content warning: this video does show a scene resembling a school-shooting situation towards the end. 


Learn more about Sandy Hook Promise and the work they do in Connecticut and throughout the country, and get involved by visiting their website. 
Announcements & Reminders

Online conversation: Preaching with the Bible in one hand and Newspaper in the Other, this evening discussion is part of an ongoing "Deacons Talking on the Road to Emmaus" web-conversation offered by the Episcopal Province of New England. Join the conversation on December 15 at 7:00 p.m. Register 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. 

Applications now accepted for Saint Hilda's House in New Haven. Saint Hilda's House is a ten-month residential young adult discernment program devoted to spiritual formation and urban ministry, and a member of the Episcopal Service Corps. Hildans serve in programs dedicated to addressing poverty, lack of education, lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, and other issues. To learn more about Saint Hilda's House here or contact the Rev. Carlos de la Torre. Apply to Saint Hilda's House here.
 
Latino Leaders of New England Conference, December 16-17. Lutherans and Episcopalians United in One Mission at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Inspiring, equipping, and empowering Latino Ministry Leaders for the 21st Century Church! Join leaders from all over New England to explore new opportunities for learning, faith formation and service. Questions? Contact Rev. Santiago Rodriguez.

Applications accepted for Climate Change and Creation protection grants: Projects including intergenerational engagement, demonstrating innovation and creativity, and promoting churchwide learning, understanding, and practical application are welcomed. Deadline for Applications: Dec 31. Contact Chris Sikkema with questions. Applications available here.

The Mission Finance & Operations office of the ECCT will be closed the week between Christmas & New Year's, returning on January 2. Contributions and donations need to be received in the office no later than December 14 for credit in 2016. Donations for 'Bishop's Fund for Children' should be mailed to  Camp Washington or through the ECCT website. The Mission Finance & Operations office seeks recommendations for several volunteers to serve a three year term on the Missionary Society's Revolving Loan Board Committee. The ideal individual would have bank lending and new loan evaluation experience. Please contact the Canon for Finance & Operations,  Louis Fuertes.

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.

Seminarians of Color Conference slated for February 8-11. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Ethnic Ministries Offices, the Conference will be held at the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, in Oviedo, FL. Participants will hear from clergy of color as they share wisdom & expertise on theology in context, praxis of ministry, intercultural and ecumenical collaborations, best practices, & theological excellence, as well as new and emergent models in ministry and church development. Register by January 13. Contact Angeline Cabanba.

Register today for the Church Leadership Conference, February 17-19 at Kanuga Conference & Retreat Center in Hendersonville, NC. Discussion will include reasons people find their way to our churches, how to make them feel appreciated and effective courses for personal growth. Workshops will be presented by leaders from Episcopal Church Foundation, Episcopal Relief & Development, Forward Movement, Center for Religion and Environment, Bexley Seabury Seminary, and more. Register 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.  
  • Director of Music, Trinity, Collinsville
  • Director of Faith Formation, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
  • Organist/Director of Music, St. Luke's, New Haven
  • 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.   
Events coming up soon
Events below are coming up in the next two weeks:
 
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.
  • December 6, North Central Clericus Meeting, Church of the Good Shepherd, Hartford
  • December 6, Camp Washington Board Meeting
  • December 7, COM training
  • December 8, South Central Clericus Meeting, Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
  • December 8, 2017 Clergy Conference Planning
  • December 8, Faithful Futures -- Sustainability
  • December 9-11, Deacon Formation Retreat
  • December 15, Standing Committee Meeting
  • December 11: St. Andrew's, Meriden (Bishop Douglas)
  • December 18, St. John's Guilford (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. Season-specific services will not be listed below, please reference our calendar. 
2016 REGION CLERICUS MEETINGS (Calendar here)

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT
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