Forum held at St. James', New London on Refugee Resettlement
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T
he community of
St. James, New London
welcomed a forum discussing refugee resettlement on Sunday, January 21.
TheDay.com
, a local New London news source reported the following:
"The forum was sponsored by local community group
Start Fresh
in collaboration with the church and featured an interactive presentation from Chris George, the head of
Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services
, the state's largest resettlement agency, also known as IRIS. George walked the audience through the intense vetting process, which averages about two years, and answered questions from the audience.
"While the event was educational, it was also in many ways a celebration of the refugee families — a couple of whom were in attendance and have made a home in southeastern Connecticut — as well as the many volunteers who have helped them get acclimated."
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Mission Council meets for day-long session
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The Mission Council of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut held its first meeting of 2018 at Transfiguration Lodge at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT on Saturday, January 13. New members' terms begin in January so this served as an introduction to the work of the Council and the opportunity to build working relationships.
After introductions the Mission Council members received an orientation to their work by Chancellor Brad Babbitt and Canon for Mission Finance & Operations Louis Fuertes, spent time with Scripture, heard more about the "New Missional Age" and discussed the challenge and invitation of that, by Regions, and spent time following up on two resolutions from Convention that impact their work.
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Webinar discusses Episcopal Church & the Middle East, Thursday, Jan 25
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“Mission, Ministry, and Advocacy: The Episcopal Church & the Middle East” is the topic of a January 25 webinar from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Registration is available
here.
Pre-registration is advised.
Speakers include: the Rev. Canon Robert D. Edmunds, Episcopal Church Middle East Partnership Officer, and the Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Facilitator: the Rev. Margaret Rose, Episcopal Church Ecumenical and Interreligious Deputy to the Presiding Bishop.
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Click image for a larger view on a webpage.
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Four primary topics will be addressed:
- The Diocese of Jerusalem: Mission and ministries including collaboration with the Episcopal Church
- Palestine & Israel: From 40 years of the Episcopal Church’s official response to advocacy today
- The larger Middle East: The Province outside of Jerusalem, refugee issues, and advocacy
- Ecumenical & Interreligious Collaboration: Our work and the work of partner Churches and faith groups
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This year’s Trinity Institute Conference Values in Action conference is next weekend, February 2 - 3 in NYC or watch at one of six sites in CT
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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.
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Partner sites throughout Connecticut:
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Remember to register for the 2018 Run for Refugees 5k Run/Walk!
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Before you sit down and watch the Patriots vs. Eagles Superbowl on Sunday, February 4, why not participate in a fantastic 5k run/walk to raise awareness of the US refugee resettlement program and support IRIS: Immigrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven and throughout Connecticut. This flat course will wind through the beautiful East Rock Park in New Haven and end at a party with live music, international food, awards, and a celebration of IRIS' mission!
ECCT is a proud sponsor of the 2018 Run for Refugees 5k run/walk.
Plus, you may see a familiar face or two there!
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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.
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What's happening in the Regions:
- Trinity Institute Conference viewing in Litchfield, information above.
- NE Region Confirmation - St. Mark's, Storrs - January 23 6:00 p.m.
- February 24 - 2018 Southwest Region Winter Convocation - Saint Paul's, Fairfield | Click here to register
- Trinity Institute Conference viewing in Wallingford at St. Paul's, information above.
- "Cuisine by refugees" resumes dinners, beginning January 26th, at St. David's, 284 Stoddards Wharf Rd., Gales Ferry, CT. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to their web site: https://www.startfreshct.org/dinners
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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.
- Nursery Caregiver, St. John's, Stamford
- Camp Director, Trinity, Southport
- Sexton, Trinity, Southport
- Property Manager, St. Paul's, Fairfield
- Youth Minister, St. James', Farmington
- Music Director, Christ Church, Tashua
For open Clergy positions please click
here
. Clergy positions will no longer be posted in eNews.
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Announcements & Reminders
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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
!
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CACE to hold first meeting of the year, Thursday, January 25 in Bridgeport
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Application deadline extended for Young Adult Service Corps (YASC)
The new deadline for the 2018-2019 YASC placement applications is
this Friday, January 26
.
Currently YASCers are serving throughout the Anglican Communion, working alongside partners in administration, agriculture, chaplaincy, communication, development, and education in a variety of countries.
Learn more and apply here
. Questions? Contact
Elizabeth Boe
.
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Camp Washington's Winter Rest and Renewal Weekend, January 26 - 28
This weekend retreat is designed to be two days of rest and renewal, time for conversations or being alone, reading a book, playing a game, going for a hike, or simply knitting or crocheting in a cozy rocking chair.
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National Episcopal Historians and Archivists (NEHA) 2018
NEHA
is now accepting proposals for papers to be presented at the 2018 Conference held in New Haven, CT. Presentations are made on a voluntary basis. Presenters are allocated 15 minutes for a paper and 5 minutes for questions.
Proposals are due
January 31, 2018.
Guidelines, possible topics, & more information available
here
.
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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.
- January 29, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- February 5, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.*NEW DATE!
- February 6, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
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Two upcoming grant deadlines:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bishop's Book Study, Feb 13 at Camp Washington, 11 a.m.
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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
.
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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!
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United Thank Offering 2018 Grants available, applications due February 16
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
.
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Scholarship funds available to 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
. For children of a clergy person, reference must be from a parish leader who is not a family member.
If you have any questions, contact
Molly James
, Dean of Formation.
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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.
- January 23, Northeast Region Confirmation, St. Mark's, Storrs
- January 25, Interim Rector Gathering, The Commons
- January 29, Parochial Reports 101, The Commons
- 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 6, Clergy Day, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- 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
BISHOPS' VISITS:
- January 28, Bishop Douglas, St. Andrew's, Madison
- 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
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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.
- January 27, Tchaikovsky and Friends, Christ Church, Greenwich
- January 28, Adult Forum: What the St. Francis?! Holy Land Peacemaking in Epiphany, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- January 28, Choral Evensong, St. John's, West Hartford
- 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
REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS:
- January 23, Northeast Region Confirmation, St. Mark's, Storrs
- 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:
- January 27, Northeast Region Food & Faith MN meeting, St. George's, Bolton
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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
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