New Clergy Introductions
In lieu of a reflection this month, here are introductions for two priests who are new to ECCT. Thanks to each for contributing their own bio. Welcome to ECCT, Kevin and Joel!
Kevin Olds
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After six and a half years as rector of St. John's in Saugus, Massachusetts, Kevin and his family arrived in Fairfield in mid-February. Originally hailing from central upstate NY, Kevin's first career was in IT. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Kevin pursued his MDiv at Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ and his STM at General in NYC. In between the two he did a CPE residency at a level 1 trauma center in Bethlehem, PA. Kevin's wife Jill is ordained in the UCC and they have two boys: Zack (4) and Tommy (1). Kevin will be serving as rector at St. Timothy's, Fairfield.
Joel Mason
Mary Jo is my spouse and we have two grown children, David and Ian. We currently live in Stratford, CT. I retired from parish ministry in the Diocese of New York in 2014. My last parish was The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Chappaqua, New York where I served for 18 years. Also, from time to time, I am an adjunct professor in the Doctor of Ministry program at Drew University. My courses have been in methodology, Narrative and Liturgical Theology, and Celtic Spirituality. Currently I am serving as Missional Priest at Church of the Good Shepherd in Shelton, CT.
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Renewal of Ordination Vows and Blessing of Holy Oils
This year's Holy Tuesday Gathering and Renewal of Clergy Vows will take place April 11, 2017 at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. The Gathering will feature Holy Eucharist, lunch, and presentations on "Pastoring and Preaching in Today's Political Climate"
Please bring your partially-used or empty oil vials so they may be re-used next year.
Online registration
will stay open until April 4. On-site registration will be available in the Cathedral Parish House on April 11.
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OTM Personal Profile Workshop
In order to apply for any parish position in the Episcopal Church, you must submit an updated Office of Transition Ministry (OTM) personal ministry profile (portfolio). In 2009, the profile template was completely overhauled and many clergy have not completed the "new" one. It includes, among other things, 11 brief essay questions that require answers of no more than 1200 CHARACTERS. It also asks detailed questions about compensation, references, etc. If you have not updated your profile since the template was changed, it can still be accessed by diocesan transition ministers, but it is largely blank, which definitely says you are not interested in vocational discernment of any sort.
On
Thursday, May 11, from 10:30 a.m. until noon, Canon for Mission Leadership Lee Ann Tolzmann will offer a workshop on how to effectively complete this updated profile. While paper versions for drafts will be available, it is recommended that participants bring laptops with them to sign in and see how it all works.
Before the workshop,
please go to
otmportfolio.org
and sign in, just to make sure you have access. If you cannot sign in, scroll down the sign in page for information on how to get help. If you need to request a new account, you will find the New Account Request form at:
https://www.otmportfolio.org/request-access
Lee Ann cannot help you access your own portfolio for editing.
It is advisable for all clergy to have an updated OTM personal ministry profile. The process of completing the portfolio can be personally and spiritually enriching. Come and get started on this important work.
The workshop will take place in the Connecticut River Room at The Commons.
Registration will be limited. To register, please email
Amber Page Gehr.
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Clergy Conference 2017
The annual Clergy Conference will take place May 15 - 17 at the Radisson Hotel in Cromwell, Connecticut.
This year's topic is: Courageous Conversations: Race, Reconciliation, and Tools for Change.
The conference will be led by Dr. Valerie Batts & the Rev. Dr. William Kondrath, VISIONS, Inc. with the Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, General Theological Seminary.
Join your colleagues for deep discussions about how we can recognize, understand, appreciate, and utilize difference, and come to understand and support each other.
The conference registration fee is $175, and the river cruise (optional, offered Tuesday evening) is $50. Scholarships are available by contacting Bishop Douglas or Bishop Ahrens. The deadline to register is April 24.
Room reservations available here. Register here. |
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Region Confirmation Schedule Change
The Southeast Region confirmation has been changed from New London to Guilford and will be held on June 17. Those from the South Central Region unable to attend their region's confirmation in New Haven are welcome at the June 17 confirmation.
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Upcoming ECCT events:
Spring Training & Gathering, April 1.
The 2017 Gathering will take place Saturday, April 1 at Lincoln Middle School, Meriden from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check out the 2017 Workshop Booklet containing information about all of the workshops. Online registration has closed. You can still attend, however. The fee is $35 payable at the door.
Healthcare Chaplains Network Gathering, May 18, Manchester Memorial Hospital. More information, including registration,
here.
The River of Life: Connecticut River Pilgrimage, May 31 - July 9. This is a 40-day trip on the Connecticut River. Churches in this region have partnered with Kairos Earth, as well as local, statewide, and regional organizations along the Connecticut River, to organize the first-ever pilgrimage along the length of the river. The pilgrimage is open to anyone. Learn more
here.
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More Events and Opportunities:
When Dancing Turns to Mourning: Worshiping God in the Face of Violence, June 13-15, Yale Institute of Sacred Music. This is an ecumenical conference for pastors and lay leaders hosted by the Yale Institute of Sacred Music Congregations Project. More information available here.
New Community Clergy and Lay Conference July 19-22, Navasota, TX. Registration is now open for the popular Episcopal Church New Community Clergy and Lay Conference at Camp Allen in Navasota, TX. "The theme is Affirming Life, Liberty and Justice. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Ethnic Ministries Offices, the New Community Clergy and Lay Conference is a gathering of Asian, Black, Latino/Hispanic and Native American clergy and lay leaders that will provide a safe place to explore mission in ethnic ministries, share resources, best practices, hopes and dreams, needs and concerns, suffering and joy in the context of being the New Community." Register here.
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Important Upcoming Dates on the Calendar:
- March 23, Fresh Start Meeting, The Commons
- March 29, Celebration of New Ministry: Shayira Molegoda, St. Andrew's, Madison
- April 1, Spring Training & Gathering
- April 4, Transition Consultants Meeting, The Commons
- April 5, Deacons' Council Meeting, The Commons
- April 6, ROC Meeting, The Commons
- April 7, ECCT VISIONS Training for people in the ordination process, The Commons
- April 8, Hispanic Ministry Retreat, Camp Washington
- April 11, Renewal of Ordination Vows at Christ Church Cathedral
- May 2, Retired Clergy, Spouses, & Partners Luncheon
- May 9, Celebration of New Ministry: the Rev. Kevin Olds, St. Timothy's, Fairfield
- May 15 -17, 2017 Clergy Conference
- June 14, Celebration of New Ministry: the Rev. Norma Schmidt, St. Thomas', Bethel
Clericus Meetings:
Please register beforehand
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Formation Corner
Updated Region Confirmation list available
An updated list of region confirmations is available for download
here.
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.
These groups will focus on discernment in the broadest sense: an important life change, a change in one's professional life, and/or other ways God may be calling you. Ordained and lay people are encouraged to participate. Reach out to
Molly James if you are interested.
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.
Ann Lovejoy Johnson
has accepted a call as Rector of
St. Mary's Church, Manchester
, beginning May 15, 2017. Ann currently serves as Priest in Charge at Trinity Church, Torrington.
The Rev. Matthew Lindeman has accepted a call as Rector of St. Peter's Church, Milford, beginning May 16, 2017. Matt currently serves as Associate Rector at Trinity Church, Southport.
The Rev. Ranjit Mathews has accepted a call as Rector of St. James Church, New London, beginning May 1, 2017. Ranjit currently serves as Officer for Global Relations and Networking: Africa portfolio for The Episcopal Church. He and his family will be relocating from Arizona.
The Rev. Dr. Tim Squier, Diocese of Chicago, has accepted a call as rector of Old St. Andrew's Church, Bloomfield, beginning June 4, 2017.
The Rev. Everett "Perry" Perine is retiring as rector of St. Peter's Church, Hebron on April 30.
The Rev. Bob Watson is ending his ministry as Missional Priest at St. Gabriel's Church, East Berlin on April 30.
The Rev. Mary Gates is ending her ministry as Priest in Charge at Christ Church, Watertown on April 30.
The Rev. Jim Speer is ending his ministry as Missional Priest at St. Andrew's Church, Marble Dale on April 30.
Parishes in Transition
Christ Church, Roxbury..........................................................Pending
Epiphany Church, Durham......................................Using Supply Priests
Grace Church, Old Saybrook...............Interim in place: Ellendale Hoffman
Grace and St. Peter's Church, Hamden....................................Pending
Holy Trinity, Middletown.........................Interim in place: Dana Campbell
St. John's, East Windsor........................................................Pending
St. John's, New Haven..........................................Using Supply Priests
St. Luke's, New Haven.....................................Seeking Priest in Charge
St. Luke's, South Glastonbury...................................Seeking PT Interim
St. Mark's, Storrs...............................................................Negotiating
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, South Windsor.......................................................Pending
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
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