Merry Christmas from the ECCT staff at The Commons!
We wish you and those you love a safe and happy Christmas and New Year! It has been a joyous year filled with God's abundant love. We look to the new year with desire to further God's mission of restoration and reconciliation in this bruised and hurting world, turning to Jesus, our rock, for continual guidance and unending support. Many blessings to you, your families, your friends, and everyone you hold in your heart.
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Episcopal Church slates 2017-2018 Revivals
From The Episcopal Church Public Affairs: "The Episcopal Church is working with diocesan teams to organize a series of Episcopal Revivals in 2017 and 2018, six major events that promise to stir and renew hearts for Jesus, to equip Episcopalians as evangelists, and to welcome people who aren't part of a church to join the Jesus Movement...
Revivals are multi-day events filled with such elements as energizing worship and prayers services, dynamic preachers, mesmerizing music, personal testimony and storytelling, topical speakers, and a call to action."
The six dates selected as Revival dates are:
- February 3 - 5: Diocese of Pittsburgh (pilot)
- May 5 - 7: Diocese of West Missouri
- September 23-24: Diocese of Georgia
- November 17-19: Diocese of San Joaquin
- April 6 - 8, 2018: Diocese of Honduras
- July 2018: Joint Evangelism Mission with the Church of England
Many of these events will be live-streamed as available. Learn more about the Revivals here.
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Alli, your Digital Communications Associate, is hiking the Appalachian Trail!
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| I will see many white blazes like this on trees along the 2,189.9 mile trail from Georgia to Maine! |
It is with great joy and much anticipation that I share with you my plans to hike the Appalachian Trail this March - August. This hike is in collaboration with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP), with whom I have served in Bryce Canyon and Mt. Rainier National Parks.
I will be hiking with two young women also from ACMNP, and together we are the AT Saunterers. We have created a website ( www.theatsaunterers.com) for friends and family to learn about our ministry, follow our journey, and participate by praying for and giving to our team. My deepest thanks goes out to Bishops Ian and Laura, my wonderful supervisor Karin, and the staff at The Commons, for the generosity all have shown me and their support for this crazy ministry God has called me to do. It is a joy to do this work at ECCT, to write to you each week, and to share the Good News of our Lord via the various outlets of digital communications. Our hope is for me to return to this position after the trail, and for ECCT to fill this position in my absence with a 6-month internship.
Karin and others in ECCT will be organizing some "ECCT Trail Magic" for when my team enters Connecticut in early July. If you would like to be involved in planning, please reach out to Karin.
If you would like to follow our journey, subscribe to our website, and if you are feeling called to support our ministry please visit our " Give to our ministry" page. Thank you for your prayers and your support as I enter into this new ministry of restoration and reconciliation along the Appalachian Trail.
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Camp Washington's Teen Youth Weekend: January 20
The focus of the weekend will be on the word "Empowerment;" what it means to you, and the world. Conversations will center around this theme and explore the tough questions related to empowerment and individuality.
Great camp activities offer a chance to relax, be with friends, and live into a life-giving weekend.
It's not too early to think about summer camp! Check out all the exciting opportunities Camp Washington has for you and your family this summer.
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Advent III, Waiting for our Lord
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.
Call to join in an Advent & Christmastime Poetry Project: Barbara Campbell, our Diocesan Poet invites you to an Advent & Christmastime devotion of writing poetry. To learn more about her invitiation, to submit poetry, and to participate in an upcoming "Read Around" in January, email Barbara at episcopal.poetry@gmail.com or campbellba@earthlink.net.
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Announcements & Reminders
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.
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.
Register today for a free webinar hosted by Episcopal Church Foundation. These eleven webinars are free and cover a variety of topics from Vestry to Investments to Preaching & Leadership. Here is a list of all eleven.
Applications now being accepted for the 2017 United Thank Offering Grants. The focus for the 2017 United Thank Offering grants is Evangelism - Reconciliation: Following Jesus' way of creating loving, liberating, and life-giving relationships with God, each other, and all creation. Guidelines, potential projects, and applications can be found here. Please submit all applications to Suzanne DeMerchant by February 1.
Applications are now accepted for the 2017 Roanridge Trust Award Grants from the Episcopal Church. The Roanridge Trust Award Grants are provided annually for creative models of leadership development, training and ministries in small towns and rural communities across the Episcopal Church. More information, application and instructions in English is here and in Spanish here. Applications due February 3.
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.
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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 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
- Digital Communications Associate, 6 month contract, ECCT: The Commons
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 few 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 20, Kim Lutsey's Ordination to the Priesthood, St. Paul & St. James, New Haven
- December 21, Philip Bjornber's Ordination to the Priesthood, Trinity, Portland
- December 21, Jane Hale's Ordination to the Priesthood, Trinity, Brooklyn
- January 3, Recently Ordained Clergy meeting
- January 4, Deacons' Council Meeting
- January 5, Faithful Futures--Transitions
- January 9, Safe Church Trainers' Meeting
- January 12, PIC Meeting
- January 14, Postulants & Candidates Gathering
- January 14, Commission on Ministry
*Please Note: The Commons will close at 3:00 p.m. on December 23, and remain closed through January 1.
There will be no eNews on December 27. Enjoy your Christmas!*
- January 8, St. George's, Middlebury (Ahrens)
- January 15, Grace, Yantic (Ahrens); Trinity, Southport (Douglas)
- January 22, St. Paul's Willimantic (Ahrens); Calvary St. George's, Birdgeport (Douglas)
- January 29, Immanuel St. James', Derby (Ahrens); St. Peter's, Cheshire (Douglas)
PARISH EVENTS A complete Parish Events Calendar is available here.
Having an event? 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--such as Christmas Eve & Christmas Day services, please reference our calendar.
- December 21, A Service of Hope & Remembrance, Trinity, Hartford
- January 4, Lunch & Lecture: Gritty Sabbath Rest, Yale Divinity School
- January 6, Epiphany Festival of Music & Collosal Puppets, St. Michael's, Litchfield
- January 7, Lessons and Carols, St. Paul's, Southington
- January 8, Simpatico - Sounds Good Concert, St. Francis, Stamford
- January 14, Day of Reflection in honor of MLK, Trinity, Hartford
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