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OCTOBER CLERGY ENEWSLETTER
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The Holy Land, inspiration and
pilgrimage
by: Peter Walsh
Holy Land pilgrimages are transformative for those who go on them and for those who lead them. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus and be in the cradle of the biblical story brings surprises in the Spirit that no one can predict. It supercharges your faith. To be with the native Episcopal Christians of the Holy Land both inspires and rends your heart, for they are the living stones, the descendants of the first Christians, and yet their plight is so grave that they may well die out without our help. In addition, one realizes that you cannot begin to understand the depth and complexity and tragedy of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until your boots are on that holy ground, experiencing the people and places.
I imagine that the ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem deeply pleases our Lord, as they live his Gospel and act as peacemakers in a conflicted land. As Archbishop Rowan Williams used to say (to use an English phrase) "the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem punches above its weight."
I would like to invite you to my home for a very special evening. I am hosting a Holy Land gathering and there is a host of Holy Land devotees who want you and your fellow parishioners to come.
The Holy Landers Ministry Network of ECCT and the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) are
seeking to gathe
r
all who are interested in the Holy Land-those who have been, and those who might be thinking about going. It will take place on Sunday evening November 12, beginning around 5:30 p.m. at the Rectory of St. Mark's Church, New Canaan.
Bishops Ian and Laura will be there, as well as Anne Lynn, Director of AFEDJ. There will be time for fun and fellowship, and conversation about pilgrimages and what we can do to support native Christians in the Holy Land. In particular, we will talk about Christ Church, Nazareth, the oldest Episcopal congregation in the Holy Land and one that is likely to be literally in the neighborhood where Jesus grew up.
So if you have been on a pilgrimage, are thinking of leading one, or are just interested in learning more about visiting the Holy Land, come and see and talk with those who have been and will probably go back, again and again.
In addition, I want to let you know about a regional Young Adult pilgrimage to the Holy Land that is being planned for the spring of 2019. Please be in touch with Cyra Borsy for more information, St. Mark's Director of Youth Ministries, at
cborsy@stmarksnewcanaan.org
or 203-966-4515.
Please rsvp for the gathering to
bwilson@afedj.org.
If you have questions, you can be in touch with me at 203-966-4515.
The Rev. Peter Walsh is the Rector of St. Mark's Epsicopal Church in New Canaan, CT. He has led two pilgrimages to the Holy Land and is planning another for October of 2019. This spring he will lead a group who will "walk in the footsteps of St. Francis" in Assisi and Rome.
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Honoring and Remembering Bishop Arthur E. Walmsley, the 12th Bishop Diocesan of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut
Bishop Douglas wrote: "
Arthur was a visionary and passionate Christian leader. He was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut while Rector of St. Paul's in New Haven and served in that role from 1979-1981 before becoming Bishop Diocesan from 1981-1993. As Bishop, Arthur helped the Episcopal Church in Connecticut move forward in new ways in God's mission, particularly in the areas of: social justice, urban ministry, care for individuals living with HIV-AIDS, refugee and immigrant services, and racial reconciliation
."
There will be a Requiem Eucharist for the life of Bishop Walmsley on October 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral, 45 Church Street, Hartford. The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, presiding and the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, preaching. A reception will follow. Members of the clergy are encouraged to vest in cassock, surplice, and white stole.
Committal service and burial to follow at a later date and place. Please find all information
here
.
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Deacons Workshop, "Sowing Seeds for Service," this weekend
Join other deacons for an all-day workshop on Saturday, October 21 at The Commons. The theme of the gathering is "Sowing Seeds for Service." This workshop is intended to provide information for organizers of mission related to gathering people of different faith communities, community service agencies and people interested in reaching out to the disenfranchised.
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Church Pension Group to host a series of centennial conversations, "Insights & Ideas"
Register now (free) to attend the inaugural event taking place October 26 at St. Bartholomew's Church in NYC.
Following an opening prayer and welcoming remarks, there will be two panels. The first one discusses
Demographic trends among clergy and lay employees; deployment and compensation; benefit trends in the Church; and, how these insights impact our decision-making process. The second panel, after lunch, discusses CPG's commitment to investing for positive impact; achieving competitive investment returns while also providing important social needs; and, various approaches to investing, including how several mainline denominations are investing for impact.
More information about this free event including panelists, and links for registration, are
here.
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Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Partners Gathering, Oct 24
The annual Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Partners Gathering will be held on October 24 at
Saint Andrew the Apostle Church in Rocky Hill
. The topic for the panel discussion this year is "Aging with Grace," with panelists Dr. Patrick Coll, the Rev. Debra Slade, and Katie Ruopp.
Registration has closed, please email
Bonni McKenney
if you would like to attend.
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Learn about the proposed Budget of Convention
Register now to attend an info session.
An overview of the budget process and proposed budget of convention will be presented by Louis Fuertes, Canon for Mission Operations & Finance, with either Bishop Laura or Ian present to facilitate discussion and answer questions.
A light dinner will be served. In order for us to plan appropriately, please register through the Eventbrite link below:
- October 25: (Northwest Region) 6 – 8 p.m. Trinity, Torrington: Register.
- November 1: (North Central Region) 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Trinity, Hartford: Register.
- November 8: (Northeast Region) 6 – 8 p.m. St Mark’s, Storrs: Register.
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Important Reminder for all Parish Clergy
Parishes are canonically required* to submit annual audits or financial reviews of their financial records, which were due on September 1 following the year being audited/reviewed.
This means audits/financial reviews of 2016 financial results were due seven weeks ago.
At this time we have received approximately 45% audit or financial review compliance, we really need support from ECCT parishes to comply with this reporting requirement.
These financial statements are useful tools for ECCT but they also provide your church leadership with suggestions for improving the accuracy of parish reporting and for reducing the risk of financial losses.
Parishes with total revenues (Line D on your Parochial Report) exceeding $500,000 are required to have an audit performed by a certified public accountant; those with total revenues below $500,000 can submit a financial review from an independent public accountant.
Please remember that we must receive your 2016 parish audit/financial for your parish to be reported in "good standing."
Please contact Karolyn Nicolaides (
knicolaides@episcopalct.org
) if you would like to receive a list of certified or independent public accountants used by other ECCT parishes. You may review all parish financial reporting requirements on our website
here
.
* See Canon IV 2D - "Business Methods in Church Affairs" Link to the October Parish Administration & Finance eNews
here
.
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Annual Renewal of Vows for Deacons, November 5 at Christ Church Cathedral
The Annual Deacons Renewal of Vows Service is Sunday, November 5, at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford.
The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, the first woman and first black woman to be ordained to the episcopate in the worldwide Anglican Communion, is the guest preacher.
The deacons will start the day at 11 a.m., serving and eating lunch with Church Street Eats, the Cathedral's feeding program.
The Renewal of Vows service begins at 3 p.m., and is followed by a 4:30 p.m. reception.
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Deacon Bonnie Matthews, and the Deacons Council invite the ECCT community to attend, to show your support for the deacons, and encourage deacons with liturgical responsibilities Sunday mornings to make arrangements to be away from their parishes.
RSVP by October 27. Learn more and register
here
.
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Convention Corner
The 233rd Annual Convention is November 17 - 18 in Greenwich, CT. Read more
here
.
Titles of the Convention Resolutions are now available, text to come later this week
The titles of the 14 resolutions to be presented at the annual convention are now available on the convention page
here
. The full texts will be available by the end of the week.
Regular Registration open until November 14
Book a room at the Hyatt Regency
A discounted room rate has been negotiated for those attending the annual convention. Please reserve your room by October 27. Information
here
.
Youth Delegation
We invite parishes to identify youth, aged 13-17, to send to Convention, where they will be able to observe and participate in the activities of Convention (they will have voice, but no vote). The cost for a youth delegate is $30 and registration will close by November 14, 2017. More information about this new opportunity will follow.
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Two Affinity CREDO Conferences in 2018
There are two upcoming
CREDO
Conferences in 2018:
- for clergy in recovery: September 11 - 17, 2018 in Greenfield, NH
- for married clergy couples: September 25 - October 1, 2018 in Delray Beach, FL
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Reminder to all currently licensed clergy in ECCT
From ECCT's "Policies Concerning Licensing of Clergy:"
- "Licenses are issued for one year and are valid through December 31st of the year of issue. The License to Officiate must be renewed annually by written request to the Bishop in November or December. Responsibility for initiating the renewal lies with the licensed person."
- A reminder to prepare and submit your request to renew your license via letter or email to Bishop Douglas in November. Your license will expire on December 31st and we all know how busy December can be! If you have any questions please contact Amber Page Gehr, Administrator for Transitions & Clergy Support at apagegehr@episcopalct.org
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Oct. 19:
Fresh Start 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Oct. 21:
Deacons Workshop 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Commons
Oct. 21:
Interim Rector Gathering 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Commons
Oct. 24:
Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Partners Luncheon 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Church of St. Andrew the Apostle, Rocky Hill
Nov. 9:
Women Clergy Breakfast & Book Study 8 - 10 a.m.
;
Deacons' Council Meeting 6 - 8 p.m.
;
Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Matt Lindeman at St. Peter's, Milford 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 14:
Hospital Healthcare Chaplains Network meets, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., The Commons, Meriden. Share the joys and challenges of being a hospital healthcare chaplain. Register
here
.
Nov. 16:
Fresh Start 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Nov. 17-18:
Annual ECCT Convention, Hyatt Regency, Greenwich, CT. More info and registration
here
.
Nov. 28:
Priest-in-Charge Consultation Gathering 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Ranjit Mathews at St. James', New London 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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Please select your preferred days of the week for a mid-May 2018 Clergy Conference.
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Monday half day, Tuesday full day, Wednesday half day
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Thursday half day, Friday full day, Saturday half day
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Clergy in Transition
The Rev. Sanford “Sandy” Key, Diocese of New York, has begun a new ministry as half-time associate at St. Barnabas in Greenwich.
The Rev. Anne Fraley has been called as rector of St. Peter’s Church, South Windsor, effective November 1, 2017.
The Rev. Curtis Farr, currently serving at St. James’s, West Hartford, has been called as rector of St. Paul’s Church, Fairfield, effective November 27, 2017.
The Rev. Jon Widing has announced his retirement as Priest in Charge of Christ Church, Sharon, effective November 1, 2017.
The Rev. Peter Larom has announced his retirement as rector of Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, effective January 1, 2018.
The Rev. Marilyn Anderson has announced her retirement as rector of Christ Church, Redding, effective February 1, 2018.
The Rev. Dr. Alfred Tisdale has announced his retirement as rector of Calvary Church, Stonington, effective February 1, 2018.
Parishes in Transition
Christ Church, East Norwalk.............................................................Seeking Missional Priest
Christ Church, Greenwich........................................................Interim in Place: John Branson
Christ Church, Stratford..............................................................Interim in Place: Scott Lee
Christ Church, Watertown................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
Epiphany Church, Durham.........................................................................Negotiating LOA
Grace Church, Broad Brook...............................................................Seeking Missional Priest
Grace Church, Old Saybrook...........................................................................Interviewing
Grace Church, Yantic......................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
Grace and St. Peter’s Church, Hamden..........................................................Negotiating LOA
Holy Trinity, Middletown.......................................................Interim in place: Dana Campbell
Middlesex Cluster................................................................... Interim in place: Jim Bradley
St. Andrew’s Marble Dale.................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry.........................................................Interim in place: Mark Santucci
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin..................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
St. John’s, East Windsor.....................................................................Seeking Half-time PIC
St. John’s, New Haven....................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
St. Luke’s, South Glastonbury....................................................................Receiving Names
St. Martin’s, Hartford......................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
St. Matthew’s, Wilton.............................................................................Receiving Names
St. Paul’s, Fairfield.................................................................................Negotiating LOA
St. Paul’s, Woodbury...................................................................Interim in place: Lois Keen
St. Saviour’s, Old Greenwich...............................................................Seeking half-time PIC
Trinity Church, Milton.....................................................................Seeking Missional Priest
Trinity Church, Seymour..............................................................Interim in place: Steve Ling
Trinity Church, Tariffville..............................................................................Interviewing
Trinity Church, Trumbull..........................................................................Receiving Names
Trinity Church, Wethersfield.............................................................Seeking Missional Priest
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