ECCT Weekly eNews
January 30, 2018
Ash Wednesday, February 14 to be a Day of Prayer drawing attention to sexual harassment and assault within the church
Last week, the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and the President of the House of Deputies, the Rev. Gay Jennings  sent a letter to the whole Episcopal Church  drawing attention to sexual harassment and assault within the church. They offered a critical look at the passage of Tamar's rape in 2 Samuel 13:1-22, accompanied by two resources.

The letter ended with an invitation to a Day of Prayer on Ash Wednesday, February 14, meditating on "the ways we in the church have failed to stand with women and other victims of abuse and harassment and to consider, as part of our Lenten disciplines, how we can redouble our work to be communities of safety that stand against the spiritual and physical violence of sexual exploitation and abuse."
Join other dioceses in New England in the "Give by Game Time" against the dioceses in Pennsylvania and support Episcopal Relief & Development
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Episcopal Church bishops in New England and Pennsylvania are rallying football fans to join in a charitable contest over the week to see how much money they can raise for Episcopal Relief & Development by game time on Sunday, February 4, 6:30 p.m., when the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles will compete for this season's championship.

Regardless of which team comes out on top in the game, the winner will be Episcopal Relief & Development and its efforts to heal a hurting world through its disaster relief, public health and economic development ministries.

Bishops Ian T. Douglas and Laura J. Ahrens invite everyone to participate: "Patriots or Eagles, Liberty Tree or Liberty Bell, Cream Pie or Cheese Steak ... no matter what your allegiance, supporting the Episcopal Relief & Development challenge will help combat hunger and poverty. Support your team AND make a difference!"
This year’s Trinity Institute "Values in Action" is this weekend, February 2 - 3 in NYC or watch at one of six sites in CT
Explore how you and your community can set a collaborative course at Values in Action, a Trinity Institute conference designed to help you get grounded and connected so you can get going. This conference features leading activists, theologians, authors, and experts on how to integrate core values into strategic and effective action.
Partner sites throughout Connecticut:

This Sunday before the big game, join others for the 2018 Run for Refugees 5k Run/Walk!
Before you sit down and watch the Patriots vs. Eagles this Sunday, February 4,how about participating in a fantastic 5k run/walk to raise awareness of the US refugee resettlement program & support IRIS: Immigrated Refugee & Immigrant Services . This flat course will wind through East Rock Park in New Haven and end at a party with live music, international food, awards, & a celebration of IRIS' mission!

Spots are still available: register today !

Here's a quote from @irisct_ on one of our Instagram posts "Sponsoring a road race that takes place on a Sunday Morning... @episcopal_ct is the BEST! You must really care about our mission of welcoming refugees, and showing radical hospitality to those in need!"

Yes, IRIS, yes we do--ECCT is a proud sponsor of this year's Run for Refugees 5k run/walk!
New ChurchNext TV course "Sacramentum" featuring Bishop Douglas

Embark upon an online experience of sacred community exploring Jesus and his teachings through an Episcopal lens. This weekly, 7-session course is designed for those who want a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, long-time believers looking to broaden their learning as well as those preparing for baptism, confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, reaffirmation of baptismal vows.

Cost: If you're an individual, it is $99 if your parish does not subscribe to ChurchNext , it is half off that if your parish does subscribe to ChurchNext. If you're part of a Parish Group that wants to subscribe: $99 per student in the group, half off that if your parish subscribes.

Registration for this course ends February 11. Register today !

Email hello@churchnext.tv with any questions regarding discounts and parish subscriptions.
Upcoming Celebrations of New Ministry and Ordinations:
Celebration of New Ministries:
  • February 6: the Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell, St. Monica's, Hartford at 6 p.m.
  • February 6: the Rev. Anne Fraley, St. Peter's, South Windsor at 6:30 p.m.
  • February 13: the Rev. Brian Blayer, St. Mark's, Storrs at 6:30 p.m.
Ordination to the Diaconate:
  • February 10, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford at 10 a.m.: Jessie Karpf, Edwin "Ned" Lewis, Brett Figlewski (transitional)
Ordination to the Priesthood:
  • February 20: the Rev. Carrie Combs, Trinity, Newtown at 7:00 p.m.
What's happening in the Regions:

Northwest Region ( webpage , Facebook page )
  • Check the Facebook page for details!
North Central Region ( webpage , Facebook page / group , enewsletter sign-up )
  • February 24 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. North Central Region Convocation, details will be posted soon. 
Northeast Region ( webpage , Facebook page / group )
Southwest Region ( webpage , Facebook page )
  • February 24 - 2018 Southwest Region Winter Convocation - Saint Paul's, Fairfield | Click here to register 
South Central Region ( webpage , Facebook page , blog )
  • February Convocation: February 17. Bishops Ian & Laura will be present for a mutual conversation about Resolution 9 (previously Resolution 4), prayer, and fellowship. Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
Southeast Region ( webpage , Facebook page )
  • "Ashes to Go -- the basics, plain and simple." Sunday, February 4, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.; St. James, New London
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. 

 
For open Clergy positions please click here . Clergy positions will no longer be posted in eNews.
Announcements & Reminders
Please continue to fill out the parish/worshiping community survey for the ECCT database

A survey was launched in July 2017 to provide robust data on parishes, along with policies and procedures to make some of that data available for direct collaboration among parishes and worshiping communities. Thanks so much to the following churches that completed their survey since the last announcement: St. Andrew's, Meriden and Church of St. Andrew the Apostle, Rocky Hill !

National Episcopal Historians & Archivists (NEHA) Conference registration and last call for paper proposals

The 2018 NEHA  Conference registration is now open. The Conference will be August 7-10 in New Haven. Speakers to include Barbara Lau, Director of The Pauli Murray Project at Duke and the Rev. Canon C. K. Robertson, Canon to Presiding Bishop.

All proposals are due TOMORROW January 31, 2018. Guidelines, possible topics, & more information available   here .
Parochial Reports due March 1!

ECCT parish vestry members, admins, and clergy may find the report here , each parish must log in with the UEID and PIN that has been mailed to the parish office.

  • February 5, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.*NEW DATE!
  • February 6, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Non-Parochial Reports ( form here ) also due March 1, contact Alison Hollo with questions.
Two upcoming grant deadlines:
The Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Grant
The mission of the Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Environmental Grant is to encourage innovation and to empower members of the ECCT to educate, witness, & invite change in our congregations and communities with the goal of embracing a global vision of climate justice and preserving and celebrating God's creation. 

Applications due TOMORROW Jan. 31, information here .
Companions in Mission for Publishing & Communication
The focus of this grant is on all forms of publishing & communications. This could mean development of a web site, purchase of computers, publication of school books &, publication of hymnals and prayer books in a local language.

Applications due THURSDAY Feb. 1, information here .
Good Book Club begins February 11
The Good Book Club (#GoodBookClub) is an invitation to all Episcopalians to join in reading the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts during Lent - Easter 2018. Episcopalians will start reading Luke on February 11 and read a section of Luke’s Gospel every day through the season of Lent. The entire season of Easter will be devoted to daily readings from the Book of Acts.

Resources also will be available in Spanish at  ClubBiblico.org . Check ECCT Social Media accounts throughout Lent and Easter for daily readings and reflections.
Bishop's Book Study, Feb 13 at Camp Washington, 11 a.m.
Join Bishop Laura Ahrens for an adventure in prayer and deepening spirituality. All will meet at Camp Washington at 11:00 a.m. February 13 for an hour long book discussion. The conversation will continue over lunch (optional, from 12:30-1:15 p.m.). Open to everyone, please register here ! January & February’s book will be  HELP THANKS WOW by Anne Lamott .
2018 Women Clergy Retreat, Feb 15 - 16 at Camp Washington

All women clergy are invited to attend the 2018 retreat "Come to Feast on food, fellowship, and fun!" at Camp Washingon, February 15 - 16.

Join Bishop Laura Ahrens and other women clergy colleagues for this 24-hour Lenten retreat planned to nurture & celebrate all ministries, all while eating some tasty food in good company!

WANTED! Clergy Summer Chaplains for Camp Washington

Join Bishop Laura Ahrens and Bart Geissinger at Camp Washington on Thursday, February 15 at 9:30 a.m. for an information session. Breakfast will be served.

This is an opportunity for you to learn what being a summer camp chaplain is all about. We will discuss opportunities, themes, and dreams.

Come explore the possibilities. RSVP here .
United Thank Offering 2018 Grants available, applications due February 16

 Each year the United Thank Offering (UTO) Board's 2018 theme is Becoming the Beloved Community: Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice .  Any parish may apply, funding is restricted to NEW ministries or new and distinct expansions of established ministries.

Grant applications are available now, and are due February 16, 2018. Forms and more details found here . Please submit applications and questions to Suzanne DeMerchant .
Scholarship funds for Clergy/ECCT staff children due February 16

ECCT 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 2018. Application here , recommendation form here .

If you have any questions, contact  Molly James , Dean of Formation. 
Companions in Mission annual March Event: March 4

Join the Companions in Mission Ministry Network on March 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at St. John's, West Hartford for GO! The day will begin with Dwelling in the Word, followed by 3 TED talks, concluding with an o pportunity to network and attend two sessions on equipping for mission.

SAVE THE DATE: Celebrating International Women’s Day Conference, March 24

Join the Women's Ministry Network on March 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford for a day filled with speakers, conversation, worship, and lunch. Preacher: the Rev. Winnie Varghese, the Priest for Justice and Reconciliation at Trinity Wall Street.

Registration details to come.
Events coming up soon:
Events below are coming up in the next few weeks:
 
ECCT 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.

  • February 1, Recently Ordained Clergy meeting, The Commons
  • February 1, Faithful Futures: Communications - Websites, The Commons
  • February 2-3, Living Local: Joining God, The Commons
  • February 5, Parochial Reports 101, The Commons
  • February 6, Clergy Day, St. Mark's, New Canaan (ALL CLERGY PLEASE REGISTER, info in Clergy eNews)
  • February 6, Parochial Reports 101, The Commons
  • February 6, Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell at St. Monica's, Hartford and the Rev. Anne Fraley at St. Peter's, South Windsor
  • February 6, Camp Washington Board Meeting, The Commons
  • February 7, Bishops and Confirmands Dinner, The Commons
  • February 8, General Convention Deputation Meeting, The Commons
  • February 8, Deacons Council Meeting
  • February 10, Ordination to the Diaconate, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
  • February 13, Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Brian Blayer, St. Mark's, Storrs

BISHOPS' VISITS:

  • February 4, Bishop Ahrens, Christ Church, Sharon; Bishop Douglas, St. John's, Waterbury
  • February 11, Bishop Ahrens, St. James', Farmington; Bishop Douglas, Christ Church, New Haven
  • February 18, Bishops Ahrens, St. Paul's, Woodbury; Bishop Douglas, St. Peter's, South Windsor
  • February 25, Bishop Ahrens, St. Mark's, Bridgeport
All Parish, Region, and Ministry Network events are posted on  this calendar .

Below are the upcoming events for the next two weeks. Hosting an event? Please submit ALL parish, Region, and Ministry Network events  using this form , you may select as many categories that apply to your event as needed. Please indicate which region your event is in by selecting the appropriate region category.   Reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details.

PLEASE check to see if your event is already on the calendar before you submit it.

PARISH EVENTS:
Regular worship services, including season-specific, will not be listed below.   

  • February 2-3, Trinity Institute partner sites, various locations throughout ECCT
  • February 3, Saecula Singers, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport
  • February 3, Courage & Faith present Kerry Egan, Christ Church Greenwich
  • February 3, Plywood Cowboy performance, St. Ann's, Old Lyme
  • February 4, Souper Bowl Sunday, Christ & the Epiphany, East Haven
  • February 4, Adult Forum: What the St. Francis?! Holy Land Peacemaking in Epiphany, St. Mark's, New Canaan
  • February 4, Pipes Alive! St. John's, West Hartford
  • February 4, Scout Sunday, Christ and the Epiphany, East Haven
  • February 4, Ashes-to-Go conversation, St. James, New London
  • February 6, First Tuesday Blessing Bags for the homeless, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
  • February 7, "Praise: Being Transformed in Joy," Yale Youth Ministry, Yale Divinity School, New Haven
  • February 10, Centering Prayer Workshop, St. Peter's, South Windsor
  • February 11, Celebratory luncheon for Jessie Karpf's ordination, Trinity, Wethersfield
  • February 13, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Trinity, Portland

REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS:
  • February 17, South Central Region Convocation
  • February 24, North Central Region Convocation
  • March 31, North Central and South Central Region Confirmations

MINISTRY NETWORK MEETINGS & EVENTS:
  • February 7, Women's Ministry Network meeting, The Commons
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING:
The spring safe church schedule for laity is online  here . If you serve in a parish, you want to make sure your lay leaders attend safe church training or recertification, if required or recommended for them based on their position. You must register online; registration closes seven days before the session, or when it is full. Sessions with fewer than 10 people registered may be cancelled. Questions? Contact Deb Kenney .
 
Comprehensive (Basic) Safe Church Training
For ordained and lay ministers who have not yet attended a training in Connecticut

  • Option 1 - full day, includes lunch
  • April 14: St. Michael's, Litchfield - Register here

  • Option 2 - hybrid program with online training plus shortened live follow-up
  • March 3, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: St. David's, Gales Ferry - Register Here
  • March 8, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.: Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford - Register Here
  • March 20, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.: Christ Church, Pomfret - Register Here
  • March 24, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: St. John's, West Hartford - Register Here
  • April 26, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.: Christ Church, Easton - Register Here
  • April 28, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: St. Peter's, Hebron - Register Here
  • May 22, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.: St. Mary's, Manchester - Register Here

Recertification Training for Lay Persons
For lay ministers who attended a full day of basic safe church training three to five years ago
  • May 5, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Zion, North Branford - Register Here
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