HAPPY NEW YEAR! New year, same Weekly eNews!
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United Thank Offering 2018 Grants available, applications due February 16
The
United Thank Offering
(UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church in which thousands of small donations, each given as a personal thank-offering, are transformed into grants for new ministries in parishes around the country.
The UTO Board reviews only one application from each diocese so there is a preliminary ECCT review committee to look at Connecticut applications. The most promising application is selected and forwarded to the UTO Board for further consideration. A number of grants have been awarded to ECCT parishes over the last decade. Grant applications are available now, and are
due February 16, 2018.
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Episcopal Church-wide Lenten Book Club:
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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 Sunday, 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.
ECCT will participate via eNews and on social media.
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Parochial Reports due March 1!
Attention ECCT parish vestry members, admins, and clergy: please file your 2017 Parochial Report. All reports are due March 1. You may
find the report here
, each parish must log in with the UEID and PIN that has been mailed to the parish office.
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Join the ECCT staff of the finance 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.
- January 4, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- January 16, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- January 29, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- February 6, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
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For clergy members not serving in a particular parish, please fill out the Non-Parochial Report by March 1 as well. You may find that
form here
.
Any questions? Please contact
Alison Hollo
.
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Get your 2018 Daily Bible Reading Guide!
Offered by the Connecticut Bible Society, this 365 day reading guide will offer an easy-to-follow daily "dialogue" between you and the biblical text. Each month has a specific theme; January's theme is
Growing in God's Word in Unity in Christ Jesus
.
This free guide is available in both English and Spanish and would be a great tool for a parish or worshiping community, as well as personal spiritual growth.
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More information available on the Connecticut Bible Society's website
ctbiblesociety.org
.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Eucharistic Celebration, Monday January 15 at Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
The Union of Black Episcopalians, Southern Chapter presents a Eucharistic Celebration to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The service will begin at noon at Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven.
The Right Rev. Nathan Baxter
, Bishops of Central PA, retired will preach and preside.
Please join the Union of Black Episcopalians and all of ECCT at this memorable celebration honoring honoring the prophetic ministry of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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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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The 2018 NEHA Conference: In Remembrance of Thee: The History of Reconciliation in the Episcopal Church will be August 7 - 10 at Trinity, New Haven. The keynote speaker will be Barbara Lau, Director of the Pauli Murray Project at Duke University Human Rights Center. The luncheon speaker will be C.K. Robertson, Canon to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Learn more about the conference and read the bios of the speakers on
NEHA's website
.
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What's happening in the Regions:
- Please like the region's Facebook page, link provided above.
- Please like and join the region's Facebook page and group, links provided above.
- NE Region Confirmation - St. Mark's, Storrs - January 23 6:00 p.m.
- February 3, Trinity Institute 2018: Values in Action Viewing & Discussion - Saint John's, Bridgeport
- Please like the region's Facebook page, link provided above.
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Mark your calendars for the upcoming Celebration of New Ministry:
- January 31, Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Sandra Cosman at St. John's, Pine Meadow
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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.
- 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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Complete your New Year Resolution #1: fill out the parish/worshiping community survey for the ECCT database
Start 2018 off on the right foot by completing your ECCT database survey and check one thing off your growing to-do list! 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.
The database is overseen by the Mission Finance & Operations Department, specifically
Canon Louis Fuertes
and Operations Manager
Matt Handi
. That department also oversees a separate database for finances, Financial Edge. The survey for parishes and worshiping communities and the policies governing access and sharing were developed in partnership with the Canon for Mission Communication & Media,
Karin Hamilton.
Thanks so much to the following churches that completed their survey since the last announcement:
Trinity, Newtown and Grace Church, Old Saybrook
!
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eFormation Flagship Gathering: January 12-13, 2018 at Virginia Theological Seminary
This
Friday and Saturday gathering
at Virginia Theological Seminary will feature speakers and workshop leaders from all over the church to discuss topics such as: Digital Literacy, Faith Formation in the 21st Century, Money and Media, and more!
Register today!
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Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps: Applications accepted for 2018-2019 placements
Applications are now available for the Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps (YASC). Young adults (21 - 30 years old) are encouraged to apply.
The application deadline is Friday, January 12, 2018. Information and instructions for the application are
available here
.
YASC blogs are available to read
here.
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Two recurring events beginning at Camp Washington, January 14 and 16
Beginning January 14, Camp Washington will host a second Sunday event as a time for learning, reflection, and community. Guest speakers will offer a short program, followed by worship and a simple meal. The first guest speaker is Eliza Marth, Northwest Region Missionary.
RSVP by calling (860) 567-9623.
Beginning January 16, join Camp Washington every third Tuesday of the month, for an hour-long book discussion, led by Bishop Laura J. Ahrens, with continued conversation over lunch. The first book for the months of January and February will be
Help, Thanks, Wow:
The Three Essential Prayers
by Anne Lamott. The discussion is open to everyone, those who have read the book and those who have not.
Register here
.
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Teen Retreat at Camp Washington: January 19 - 21, grades 9 - 12
The theme of the weekend retreat is "Truths of the Wine." Throughout the weekend, the focus will be to take a look at some of the ways young people can challenge bigotry, hatred, and racism as we seek to truly respect the dignity of all.
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ECCT Podcast: We want your input!
ECCT is starting a podcast for some lively (we hope) theological conversations, interviews, teachings, and sermons.
Before we head out on this path we'd like to hear from you. Who and what do you want to hear (or not hear)? What could we call it? Thoughts, advice, etc.? Email
Karin Hamilton
.
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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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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 and Communication
The focus of this grant is on all forms of publishing and communications. This could mean development of a web site, purchase of computers, purchase of mobile phones & phone time for remote areas, publication of school books and, publication of hymnals and prayer books in a local language.
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Faithful Futures: Build a parish/worshiping community website! February 1 at 6:30 p.m.
At this special session of Faithful Futures: Websites 201, we’ll create the basics of a new website for your parish. We’ll use one pre-selected template from a major website company and work with specific content you’ll be asked to bring to this hands-on workshop. If possible, come as a team and work collaboratively with other parish teams.
Previous attendees and parishes in transition welcome, however the session is limited to a maximum of
five
parishes.
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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 4, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting, The Commons
- January 4, Faithful Futures: Parochial Reports 101, The Commons
- January 6, Postulants & Candidates Gathering, The Commons
- January 11, Women Clergy Breakfast & Book Club, St. Andrew's, Meriden
- January 11, Priest-in-Charge Gathering, The Commons
- January 11, General Convention Deputation Meeting, The Commons
- January 11, ECCT Region Leadership Teams Gathering & Workshop, The Commons
- January 15, THE COMMONS WILL BE CLOSED
- January 16, Parochial Reports 101, The Commons
- January 16, Priesthood Mentors Luncheon, The Commons
- January 16, Donations & Bequests Board Meeting, The Commons
BISHOPS' VISITS:
- January 7, Bishop Douglas, St. Peter's, Oxford
- January 14, Bishop Ahrens, St. James', Preston; Bishop Douglas, St. Francis', Stamford
- January 21, Bishop Ahrens, St. Stephen's, Ridgefield
- January 28, Bishop Douglas, St. Andrew's, Madison
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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 5, Potluck for the Feast of Epiphany, Grace, Hartford
- January 6, Parkville Classicals presents Novi Cantori, Grace, Hartford
- January 7, Pipes Alive! St. John's, West Hartford
- January 7, Special Needs Grace 2 Go Worship, St. Timothy's, Fairfield
- January 7, Adult Forum: Holy Land Peacemaking in Epiphany, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- January 10, The Wisdom of Youth, Youth Ministry Initiative, Yale Divinity School, New Haven
- January 15, Bible Study: El Capitan, Holy Trinity, Enfield
REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS:
- January 16, Southeast Region: Clergy Gathering, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Christ Church, Norwich
MINISTRY NETWORK MEETINGS & EVENTS:
- January 15, The Union of Black Episcopalians, Southern Chapter presents the MLK Jr. Celebration, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
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