FEBRUARY CLERGY ENEWSLETTER
February 22, 2018
Twenty years from now, where will the church be?
by: Ranjit Mathews

Twenty years from now, where was St. James', New London? Where did it stand, how did it practice the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the big issues of our times? Well, I know where we stand. Do you?

The pension fund. Walking the line of not being political. A well-tailored suit for a man. It’s the professionalization of ministry. Don’t get me wrong we need the institution to serve the needs of The Jesus Movement….

And yet - this week’s Gospel lesson, “take up your cross and follow me.” Damn. Sure.

For me, that would mean preaching about white supremacy, the #Metoo movement, the genocide of black and brown people at the hands of European settlers. All those uncomfortable topics that we dare not preach about, if we want to continue to be rector. And yet if we claim to be an incarnational church, if we dare to carry the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in another, as Barth encouraged, it means we get out into the streets – and make a holy ruckus, make real C.H Dodd’s realized eschatology.

That’s Gospel sh*t. That’ll preach. The realm breaking in - but do we want to hear it, do we want to live into it? I wonder. I wonder if we dare offend our financially endowed, more traditional pledgers for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Listen, I know folks pay my salary – and yet I’m called to preach the Gospel. I’ve gotten the clap-back and expect it; but listen, I will not share some pseudo-spiritual sophistry so as not to offend. Jesus demands more than that from me, and frankly from all of us. 

Listen, I am tired of being patient. The Kingdom is right now. Under our noses. It’s not going to be found in another Lenten book study (and yet, I’ve got one). I’ve got people around where I live, who are scared for their lives because of the times that we are living in. What we say, what we do, where we find ourselves matters. If as people of faith, as Episcopalians, we want to keep the status quo, and get ourselves patted on the back – then let’s keep on keeping on. Imagine if I were a straight, white, clergyman; these would not be the words you would be reading. Context matters. Voices matter. What voices do you allow into your twitter feed or your head space? If they are the same as you, then Houston, we’ve got a problem.

“The words white supremacy makes me too uncomfortable.” Oh, well, what about the strain I’ve been living under my whole life? “He’s getting too political.” What does that even mean anymore? Dare I talk about the existential darkness that many undocumented immigrants go to sleep in, or the ingrained patriarchy of our system? Name the demons—yeah, right—name the demons that you are comfortable in me naming. It seems we in The Episcopal Church are straining the gnat, for what? We only have five people attending our churches in any case, and yet we don’t want to offend? 

Listen, I’m ambitious for the Realm of God. Really, I am. But I will not sacrifice my soul or my integrity without telling my truth. Do I dare risk my integrity for a social club, and listen, I’m talking Church writ large.

It’s been hidden for too long, and I believe we live in a time and place, where truth-telling is extremely important. I am passionate about my work in New London, I’m excited about it; but I am done framing it within other people’s expectations. I frame it within my understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Luke 4: 18-19, “release to the captives, sight to the blind, etc.” Jesus actually read these words from the scroll of Isaiah, and they mean a lot, especially within our context. What do you make of them? From what social location do you read them from? 

Let’s get into the realness of the Gospel, my friends. The rest is just death dealing.

Peace,
Ranjit
The. Rev. Ranjit K. Mathews, is the 22nd Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in New London. He started back in May of 2017, and lives near the Church with his wife, Johanna and their son, Dhruv. He is passionate about being a mid-wife to the Jesus Movement, finding balance in life, sports, pop culture, and spending time with his family. He can be reached at Rector@stjamesnl.org ; and looks forward to being in touch. 
Bishops' Letter on Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

Dear Companions in Christ in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut:

We are writing in the wake of Wednesday's shooting at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. We have connected with Bishop Peter Eaton of the Diocese of Southeast Florida and have offered our prayers and assistance as a diocese who has, sadly, experienced, a similar tragedy here in Connecticut. Here is a statement and call to action from Bishops United Against Gun Violence - a network of over seventy Episcopalian bishops committed to overcoming the scourge of gun-violence in our country. Bishops Douglas and Ahrens are founding members of Bishops United Against Gun Violence, and Bishop Douglas serves as a co-convener of the network. We commend the statement from Bishops United Against Gun Violence and encourage participation in its recommendations for reflection and action.

Faithfully in the peace of Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
Bishop Diocesan Bishop Suffragan
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calls for Good Friday Offering to support ministry in Anglican Province of Jerusalem and Middle East

Presiding Bishop Curry wrote in the annual Good Friday letter to all bishops and congregations asking them to consider providing assistance for the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

“ The Good Friday Offering  is one way we in the Episcopal Church help to support the ongoing ministry of love and compassion carried out by our Anglican sisters and brothers throughout the Province of Jerusalem and Middle East,” Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry wrote to the bishops and clergy of the Episcopal Church. “Whether funding an eye clinic in Aden or women’s programs, schools and medical services in the West Bank, the Good Friday Offering is making a difference in the lives of so many.”

Continue reading the Episcopal News Service press release and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's letter here . Click the image above to see a larger image.
Registration now open for ECCT's Spring Training & Gathering, April 7
Join Episcopalians from across the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for a day of fellowship, learning, prayer and fun. All are welcome - people in the pews to vestry members to parish leaders and staff. Please register early, over 300 people participated last year!

Saturday, April 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School, Meriden, CT

Over 30+ workshops will be available throughout the day, visit the Spring Training & Gathering workshop booklet,  available on our website here.
Formation E-News

Dean of Formation, Molly James, publishes an occasional E-News for those in the ordination process. If you are connected to someone in the ordination process and do not already receive it, please email her to be added to the list. The E-News also includes information on opportunities for ongoing formation, so if that is of interest, please also email her to be added to the list.

The most recent edition can be viewed here.
Parochial & Non-Parochial Reports are due March 1!

Parochial Reports: Guidelines will be available here . Log onto http://pr.dfms.org/ to complete the report. A card with UEID & PIN will be mailed to your church. It is the joint duty of the rector, or other member of the clergy in charge, and the lay leadership to prepare and file the Parochial Report. (Canon I.6.1) Reports should be completed by March 1, 2018.  Please mail a copy of the signature page to Karolyn Nicolaides , ECCT, 290 Pratt Street, Meriden, CT 06450 once submitted electronically. 
Join the Financial Office for one of four upcoming informational sessions to learn all about Parochial Reports, how to fill them out properly, and why they are important to the financial life of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

  • FINAL MEETING: February 26, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Please RSVP via this Eventbrite page .
Non-Parochial Reports: The canonically required report from non-parochial clergy (not serving in a parish) to the bishop diocesan must be completed by March 1, 2018. It is to be completed by each deacon, priest, and bishop (both active and retired) who are not captured on a parochial report. You can find the online report here, if you need to print this report, please contact Alison Hollo . 
2018 Clergy Conference,
May 14 - 16 in Mystic
Please save the date for the 2018 Clergy Conference

The theme of the conference is "Christian Leadership Challenging White Supremacy." It will be held May 14 - 16 at the Hilton Mystic,  20 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355 .

The Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union and author of Standing Your Ground: Black Bodies & the Justice of God will be the keynote speaker.

Registration details to come.
Clergy Events
Upcoming :
  • Feb. 22: Fresh Start Meeting, The Commons and Standing Committee Meeting, The Commons
  • Feb. 24: North Central Region Convocation and Southwest Region Convocation
  • Feb. 26: Final Parochial Reports 101, The Commons
  • Mar. 1: Recently Ordained Clergy, The Commons
  • Mar. 8: Deacons Council Meeting, Zoom
  • Mar. 9-11: Deacon Formation Retreat, Episcopal Camp & Conference Center or Rhode Island
  • Mar. 13: Provisional Priest in Charge Gathering, The Commons
  • Mar. 15: Fresh Start Meeting, Retired Clergy Meeting, Standing Committee Meeting, all at The Commons
  • Mar. 20: Missional and Conditional Priests in Charge Gathering, The Commons
  • Mar. 27: Renewal of Ordination Vows & Blessing of the Holy Oils

Save the Date:
  • April 7: Spring Training & Gathering
  • May 1: Retired Clergy, Spouses, & Partners Gathering
  • May 14-16: Clergy Conference
  • June 1-3: Deacon Formation Retreat
Clergy in Transition
Please help spread the word: Trinity, Seymour and St. Paul’s, Woodbury are currently receiving names for full-time rector positions. Christ Church, Stratford is currently receiving names for a ¾ time rector. All applications should be sent to the Canon for Mission Leadership. 

Clergy in Transition 

The Rev. Sandra Cosman has been called as the Rector of St. John’s Church, Pine Meadow, after serving there for three years as Priest in Charge. 

The Rev. Taylor Albright of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, has accepted a call as Rector of Trinity Church, Tariffville. His ministry will begin in mid-April. 

The Rev. Meg Finnerud has been appointed half-time Provisional Priest in Charge of St. Saviour’s Church, Old Greenwich. 

The Rev. Ajung Sojwal has been appointed Interim Priest in Charge of Calvary Church, Stonington, beginning March 19. 

Parishes in Transition 

Calvary Church, Stonington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Called IPIC: Ajung Sojwal 
Christ Church, East Norwalk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seeking Missional PIC 
Christ Church, Greenwich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in Place: John Branson 
Christ Church, Middle Haddam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking CPIC 
Christ Church, Redding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing IPIC candidate 
Christ Church, Sharon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 
Christ Church, Stratford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving Names 
Good Shepherd, Hartford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using supply for short Interim 
Grace Church, Broad Brook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 
Grace Church, Yantic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seeking Missional PIC 
Holy Advent, Clinton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking 2yr PPIC 
Holy Trinity, Middletown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Dana Campbell 
Middlesex Cluster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Jim Bradley 
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Interim PIC in place: Mark Santucci 
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 
St. James Poquetanuck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Discerning 
St. John’s, East Windsor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Half-time PPIC 
St. John’s, New Haven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 
St. Luke’s, South Glastonbury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Interviewing 
St. Martin’s, Hartford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 
St. Matthew’s, Wilton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing 
St. Paul’s, Woodbury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Receiving Names 
Trinity Church, Milton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 
Trinity Church, Seymour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving Names 
Trinity Church, Trumbull. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing
Trinity Church, Wethersfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC 

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 5 - 9. 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 at transitionministryconference.org. Please also take the time to update your OTM Portfolio, which can be done online. The deadline for submitting your material is Monday, February 26.  

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. 

The Transition Ministries Conference also maintains a website listing of congregations in search of new leadership at transitionministryconference.org . This is in addition to the information you can find at www.otmportfolio.org . 

Please contact me ( latolzmann@episcopalct.org ) with any questions about the TMC or the process. I look forward to working with you.
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