JANUARY CLERGY NEWSLETTER
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Praying the Daily Office Anew
By Rebekah Hatch
I confess to you that, until several months ago, I have never said any portion of the Daily Office with regularity...and been fed. Since I was certain, that along with my general state of not-meeting-the-mark, I wouldn't be ordained without claiming to say the Daily Office, I began way long ago. Saying it, sort of. Reading it, sort of. Not getting anything out the experience. And so the practice drifted away. In seminary, I shared the luxury many of you had, as well: daily, communal prayer. That was balm. That was life-giving. But, on my own, I had only a sliver of desire to adhere to the structure of the Daily Office. I was ordained, working life took off, family life took off, and while my prayer life had never been more robust, I still was not inclined to say the Daily Office. So, I'd lead it from time to time; and endeavor to say it more on my own, but it never felt authentic. I felt like I was putting on nice clothes that didn't quite fit well, just to get in the door.
Then, I moved to Connecticut. I uprooted my family, left a life-giving position, packed belongings, and drove away. Many of you have done this, before -- some of you have done this more times than you imagined. And it's jarring. There's no two ways around it -- transition is messy and jarring. I moved to Connecticut where there were very few familiar touchstones -- besides my things and my immediate family, there were new people, new adventures, new routes to figure out. Don't get me wrong - the flip side of the messiness of transition is the surprising discoveries of joy. And there have been many. But, familiar stuff? Very little.
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
All of a sudden, the awkwardness of saying Morning Prayer, in particular, was overshadowed by the need for familiarity and the constant reminder of God's presence and faithfulness. In the context of this particular transition - the one taking place at this point in my life - sitting alone and saying the words of the General Thanksgiving seemed far more healing than the prayer that sat at the tip of my soul: O God, what have we done?
Perhaps more than with any Epiphany, I have been reminded over the last days and weeks of how varied God's presence is. The stories of the infant Christ, the bright star, the angels and dreams; the dove that descends in the story of Jesus' baptism; John the Baptizer preparing the way - so much variation in how God reveals God's self. Of course, it's something I've always known, a basic understanding about God that I've always been grateful for, but it's meaning more to me these days. It's meaning more to be reminded that God's revelation comes to me - to us - in a multitude of ways so that we have less of a chance of losing sight.
There have been times in my life where the intercessions-while-folding-laundry approach to prayer worked best; where a phrase or word on repeat while running or swimming or walking worked best. These days, though, it's the clarion call: "Lord, open our lips." But what's "working" perhaps more than the Daily Office, itself, is the reminder that God wants me constantly seeking and searching for how God is always revealing God's self. In just the ways we need. There are, as I'm reminded this Epiphany, hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
Today, like every other day,
we wake up empty and frightened. Don't open
the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
-Rumi
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Rebekah is the Rector at St. Alban's in Simsbury. She and her family moved to CT in August of 2015 from Atlanta. When she's not tending to the needs of St. Alban's, she's tending to the needs of her two children (10 & 6); catching up on reading; playing the piano; or saying the Daily Office.
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2017, a year of Sabbath at ECCT
"Our Lord was fully dedicated to God, yet he was clear that did not mean always working. Jesus faithfully withdrew to quiet places to pray and be renewed. He enjoyed having dinner with friends and neighbors even as he went about his ministries of teaching and healing. Following Jesus' example and drawing on the wisdom of David Olsen, we your bishops are committed in our own lives to patterns of healthy living, balanced schedules, and self-care. Do we stray from that occasionally? Of course we do. And when we do, we support each other in returning to a healthy life/work balance.
As different individuals, we live our life/work balance differently although with similar goals."
This 2017, ECCT invites you to take a moment to think about how you can focus on a healthy life/work balance, establish those boundaries and expectations, and ultimately look to and rest in God.
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Companions in Mission Annual Conference, March 4
The title and theme of the conference is "Refugees and Migration: Across the Street & Around the World." Join others at St. Johns, West Hartford in a life-giving conference and attend engaging workshops. Keynote Address by Allison Duvall, Program Manager for Church Relations & Engagement, Episcopal Migration Ministries, The Episcopal Church
Learn more about the conference here and register today.
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February Clergy Day: February 9 at St. Mark's, New Canaan
 This Clergy Day will focus on fostering health and wholeness for ECCT clergy in two different contexts: working with vestries and retirement planning. The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 3:00 p.m.
Lunch is available for the cost of $15 per person, or you may bring your own lunch. Learn more and register for the event today. |
Parish Clergy, Parochial Reports Due March 1
 Parochial Reports-Parochial Reports are the principal vehicle for parishes to report on their congregation's size, worship activity and financial performance. Information in Parochial Reports is closely reviewed for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut overall and for individual parishes. Parochial Reports should be submitted before March 1st for the prior year. Parishes should complete Parochial Reports online at http://PR.DFMS.org (Contact Christine Kendic at 212-716-6187 or ckendic@episcopalchurch.org for user ID and password information for your parish). A copy of the parochial report ALSO needs to come to ECCT. This will not happen automatically be submitting the online form.
Need some help with Parochial Reports? The Finance staff at ECCT is here to help, offering four free step-by-step tutorials on filling out and filing Parochial Reports. All events will be held at The Commons, and a RSVP is required. The content is relatively the same in each meeting, so there is no need to attend all.
- Monday January 30, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday February 7, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Friday February 10, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday February 21, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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Non-Parochial Clergy, Reports are due March 1
Title 1, Canon 6, of the Constitutions & Canons requires that, "Every Bishop, Presbyter, or Deacon whose report is not included in a parochial report shall also report on the exercise of such office, and if there has been none, the causes or reasons which have prevented the same." To be consistent with The Episcopal Church (TEC) definition of "non-parochial" clergy, this form is to be completed annually by all clergy who are canonically resident in the Episcopal Church who are not employed by a congregation. Also, all clergy who are licensed in ECCT during 2016 are also asked to complete this form. This includes retired clergy and clergy in secular employment. A report is required to be a clergy person in good standing within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Please complete, print, sign and return form by March 1 of each year. By mail to the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Office of the Episcopate, 290 Pratt Street, Meriden, CT 06450 or by email: ahollo@episcopalct.org. Any questions please contact Alison Hollo, 203-639-3501 ext. 112
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities:
Convention Livestream Survey: Did you make use of the live stream of the worship service at this year's annual convention? If so, we want to hear about your experience! Please fill out this short survey to help us evaluate this new piece of technology. Your opinion will help inform how we use live streaming at future conventions & other ECCT events. Questions or comments, please email Adam Yates.
 ECCT at EYE 2017. Read more about EYE17 theme Path to Peace here. To be involved with EYE17 or to learn how ECCT is participating, please contact Bishop Laura. There will be an information session on January 22 at 4:00 p.m. at St. John's in North Haven. A panel of youth will share their stories from EYE 2014 and discuss what EYE 2017 will look like. Please register to attend this session here.
Scholarship funds available to Clergy/ECCT staff children. The Episcopal Church in CT has scholarship funds available for students who are children of clergy or employees of ECCT parishes/institutions and who will be attending college or graduate school in the Fall of 2017. An application form is available here. Please note that the form requires a current transcript.
Applicants must also have a letter of recommendation from a clergy person. For children of a clergy person, please attach a reference from a parish leader who is not a family member (e.g. Senior Warden, Youth Group Leader, Teacher, etc). Please send them this link to submit the recommendation: http://tinyurl.com/ECCT-Scholarship-2017. Detailed reports regarding a young person's involvement in the life of a worshiping community will assist the scholarship committee in making awards. If you have any questions regarding the scholarship process, please contact Molly James, Dean of Formation. Scholarship Applications are due by February 15. Notification of awards will be made in April.
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 here.
Women Clergy Retreat is March 2 at Camp Washington, the theme of the retreat is "Saying NO to Say YES: Strengthening Boundaries, Strategies, and Support for Women Clergy." This Lenten retreat offers a chance to nurture and celebrate the ministries of the women clergy in ECCT while also providing the space to deepen one's call with a renewed purpose and understanding. Register for this event today!
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Important Upcoming Dates on the Calendar:
- January 19, Fresh Start Meeting
- January 21, Mission Council Retreat
- January 24, Donations & Bequests Board Meeting
- January 25, General Convention Deputation Meeting
- January 28, Ordinations to the Diaconate: April Alford-Harkey, Ann Perrott, & Ronald Steed
- February 2, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting
- February 2, Faithful Futures, Sustainability
- February 9, Clergy Day!
- February 15, Commission on Ministry Meeting
- February 16, Standing Committee Meeting
- February 21, Interim Rector Meeting
- February 23, Fresh Start Meeting
- March 2-3, Women Clergy Retreat
- March 2, Faithful Futures, Communications
- March 4, Companion in Mission Conference
- March 9, Women Clergy Breakfast & Conversation
- March 14, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting
- March 18, Leadership Gathering
Clericus Meetings:
Please register beforehand
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Formation Corner
Important Dates
For postulants & candidates:
Retreat with Bishops for those in the ordination process: April 28 - 29
Region Based Discernment Groups
ECCT now offers Region Based Discernment Groups that are open to anyone who is asking what God might be calling them to next.
If you are wondering about making a life change or a career change or just feeling called by God, this is a process for you or someone you know. The groups will focus on discernment in the broadest sense drawing on resources from around The Episcopal Church, as well as those who might be discerning a call to Holy Orders are welcome to participate.
Resource Pages If you have any questions about the ordination process or know someone who might be called to Holy Orders, please contact Molly James, Dean of Formation.
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The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Glaze Montgomery, Diocese of Virginia, has accepted a call as Priest-in-Charge of Trinity, Newtown. Her first Sunday will be March 19.
The Rev. Amanda Gott, rector of Grace and St. Peter's, Hamden, has accepted a call as rector of St. Matthew's in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her last Sunday in Hamden is March 12.
Parishes in Transition
Christ Church, Roxbury..................................................................Pending
Epiphany Church, Durham................................................Using Supply Priests
Grace Church, Old Saybrook..........................Interim in place: Ellendale Hoffman
Holy Trinity, Middletown...................................Interim in place: Dana Campbell
Old St. Andrew's, Bloomfield.....................................................Interviewing
St. James, New London............................................................Interviewing
St. John's, East Windsor.................................................................Pending
St. John's, New Haven....................................................Using Supply Priests
St. John's, North Haven............................................................Interviewing
St. Luke's, New Haven...............................................Seeking Priest in Charge
St. Luke's, South Glastonbury.............................................Seeking PT Interim
St. Mark's, Storrs....................................................................Interviewing
St. Mary's, Manchester..............................................................Interviewing
St. Martin's, Hartford..................................................Seeking Missional Priest
St. Matthew's, Wilton............................................Interim in Place: Alon White
St. Paul's, Fairfield...............................................Interim in place: Amy Welin
St. Peter's, Milford.................................................................Interviewing
St. Peter's, South Windsor.........................................................Interviewing
Trinity Church, Seymour.........................................Interim in place: Steve Ling
Trinity Church, Tariffville......................................................Seeking Interim
Trinity Church, Trumbull.......................................Interim in place: Paul Carling
Trinity Church, Wethersfield..............................................Using Supply Priests
From Lee Ann Tolzmann, Canon for Mission Leadership
The Transition Ministries Conference is a regional meeting of diocesan transition ministers from about 40 dioceses, mostly in the northeastern quadrant of the US (from Missouri east and North Carolina north), specifically to share information about congregations that are searching for clergy and clergy who are looking for new congregations. Diocesan transition ministers present summaries of congregational profiles and pertinent information about potential clergy candidates in search of the best match between talent and need.
The conference occurs twice a year, and the next meeting is March 6-10. If you are exploring another call, or are in the early stages of the discernment process, this is a chance for you to test that out.
The first step is to fill out the TMC Confidential Information form. Please also take the time to update your OTM Portfolio, which can be done online. The deadline for submitting your material is Monday, February 27. Knowing that the decision to explore new ministry possibilities is a sensitive one, please rest assured that the names shared at the TMC are kept in strictest confidence; only I will know who has asked to be presented. There is a high trust level between TMC transitions ministers, and we honor the delicate nature of this sort of discernment.
Please contact me Lee Ann Tolzmann with any questions about the TMC or the process.
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