WEEKLY ENEWS
September 26, 2017
House of Bishops in Alaska for Annual Meeting

Bishops Ian T. Douglas and Laura J. Ahrens are two of over one hundred bishops gathering in Fairbanks, Alaska for the annual House of Bishops meeting. This six-day gathering from September 21 - today covered a variety of topics, including an emphasis on indigenous culture and environmental justice . The Episcopal Digital Network also reported that " protecting the federal refuge from oil drilling has been a priority of both conservationists and indigenous rights activists in Alaska. The Episcopal Church has  joined in that activism ."

Over the weekend, the bishops broke off into smaller groups, accompanied with their partners/spouses, and visited several smaller villages throughout the Diocese of Alaska. The bishops confessed their sins and asked forgiveness, as well as offered prayer on their visits.
Upcoming Free Fall Webinars with All Our Children

All Our Children , an organization dedicated to education justice, supporting the relationship between faith communities and public schools, and developing connecting leaders and volunteers with active partnerships, presents  three upcoming free webinars . 

  • September 26, How Church-School Partnerships Can Build Beloved Community. This 75-minute interactive panel will be held from 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., panelists include: the Rev. Jane Gould and the Rev. Janie Walker moderated by AOC Director, Lallie Lloyd. Register here.

  • October 24, Working with, not Doing for, Best Practices for Building Community and Avoiding Toxic Charity. This interactive panel will be held from 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., panelists include: Heidi Kim, Fran Early, and Marilyn Lee. Register here. 

  • November 28, You Don't Have to Do it Alone: Drawing on Local Resources to Build Strong School Partnerships. This interactive panel will be held from 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., panelists include: Ansel Sanders and Tamara Plummer. Register here. 
Reports from Leadership Gathering & Mission Council 
 
Members of the four leadership groups in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) -- Commission on Ministry, Trustees of Donations & Bequests; Mission Council; and Standing Committee -- met Saturday, September 9 at The Commons in Meriden for their regular quarterly gathering. 

Their joint morning session, "Responsive Leadership for Today's Church," featured a presentation by Canon for Mission Leadership the Rev. Lee Ann Tolzmann. She presented statistics showing trends in mobility, tenure, and availability of parish priests, followed by a review of ECCT's updated configuration of pathways for clergy leadership transition.  Read more here . Includes link to her new document, "Options for Clergy Transition."

At the Mission Council meeting in the afternoon, Council members approved the proposed Budget of Convention and 2018 minimum clergy salary, which now go to the Annual Convention in November for consideration and vote. They also considered what the canons recommend for parishes that are not compliant with Common Mission Support or investment withdrawals, and received a list of those parishes. They approved grants of up to $248,000 to Camp Washington for urgent deferred maintenance and repair, and $100,000 in grants to 14 parishes serving low-income areas.  Read more here.
Donate to Episcopal Relief and Development

Consider donating to Episcopal Relief and Development as they assist those affected by the recent devastation in the Caribbean Islands, Florida, and Texas. Here is an updated list of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane efforts . All contributions will help support church and other local partners to provide critical emergency assistance.
Election Nominees, Resolutions, and Reports for 2017 Convention Due October 6 

Nominations for the two lay and two clergy open positions on the Standing Committee, as well as any and all resolutions and reports to be presented at this year's annual convention are due to Adam Yates by October 6. Learn more and submit your name for election  here . 

Any resolutions submitted after the October 6 deadline must be submitted on the floor at convention. 

The 2017 annual Convention is November 17 - 18 in Greenwich, CT. Read more  here .  
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. 
 
Clergy only:
Announcements & Reminders
The parish/worshiping community survey for the ECCT database is live.
Thanks so much to the following churches that completed their survey since last week's announcement: All Saints, Wolcott, Christ's Church, Easton, and Saint Ann's, Old Lyme!

Liturgy Symposium at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, September 30

The morning plenary session will be offered by the Rev. Dr. Patrick Malloy, noted scholar and liturgist, currently serving at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Workshops will be offered in the afternoon on: Church Music, Customaries, Clergy Training Lay Preachers, Intro to Preaching, and Taize Worship. Lunch will be provided. If the cost of this event is a hardship, scholarship funds are available. Questions? Contact the Dean of Formation,  Molly James . More info and registration  here . 
Next week, October 1 - 7 is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an opportunity to do something to raise awareness about mental illness in your faith community or to partner with community groups in your area for an event. There is a section on the Mental Health Ministries website with resources under  October Mental Illness Awareness Week. Visit the Mental Health Ministries website here for more information, bulletin inserts, prayer ideas, and more.
LifelongFaith Associates' 2017 symposium,"Reimagining Faith Formation with Children and Youth," October 5- 7  

At Avon Old Farms Hotel in Avon, CT. This symposium will explore the lives of today's youth and their families, and discovering innovative approaches to faith formation for children and youth in the 21st century. The $325 registration fee includes tuition, five meals, and all course materials; hotel accommodations are not included. Learn more and register  here . 
Happening in Connecticut at Camp Washington Oct 13 - 15. 

"What's Happening?," you may ask. Well,  Happening is a spiritual retreat  for high school students. Young people from all over the state help to plan and implement the weekend. This event creates a relaxed, fun, and safe environment where youth can share their faith in a Christian atmosphere. Registration cost is $150. Learn more and  register  today! 
United Thank Offering is accepting applications until October 25

There are up to ten Young Adult Grants and ten Seminarian Grants. The focus for the $2,500 grants is "The Jesus Movement: Evangelism, Reconciliation, and Creation Care." Applications are due to  Suzanne DeMerchant  by Wednesday, October 25. Learn more about the grants  here . 
Church Pension Group to host a series of centennial conversations entitled "Insights & Ideas."  

The Inaugural event is October 26 at St. Bartholomew's Church in NYC. Other events include November 3 in Minneapolis, January 24 in Houston, and February 7 in San Francisco. More information about this free event, please see the Church Pension Group website  here . 
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.

  • September 26, Convention Planning Team, The Commons
  • September 27, CT General Convention Deputation meeting, The Commons
  • POSTPONED: Celebration of New Ministry, the Rev. William Burt, St. John's, North Haven, date TBD
  • September 28, Standing Committee, The Commons
  • September 28, Faith & Order meeting, The Commons
  • September 28, Resolution 4 meeting, The Commons
  • September 29, Renewal Works overview, St. Mark's, New Canaan
  • September 30, Liturgy Symposium, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
  • October 3, Regional Budget Review, Christ Church, New Haven
  • October 4, Regional Budget Review, St. John;s, Essex
  • October 5, Recently Ordained Clergy meeting, The Commons
  • October 5, Faithful Futures: Collaboration, The Commons
  • October 5-7, Region Missionary Retreat, Camp Washington
  • October 7, Ordination of Ann M. Perrott to the Priesthood, Christ Church, Norwich
  • October 9, The Commons is Closed
  • October 10-12, Clergy Retreat, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, West Hartford
  • October 11, Ordination of Nikolaus Combs to the Priesthood

BISHOPS' SUNDAY VISITS:

  • October 8, Bishop Ahrens, Christ Church, Easton
  • October 8, Bishop Douglas, St. James', New London
  • October 15, Bishop Ahrens, Christ & the Epiphany, East Haven
  • October 15, Bishop Douglas, Christ Church, Redding
  • October 22, Bishop Ahrens, St. Paul's, Fairfield
  • October 22, Bishop Douglas, St. Paul's on the Green, Norwalk
  • October 29, Bishop Ahrens, St. Timothy's, Fairfield
  • October 29, Bishop Douglas, Trinity, Torrington
All Parish, Region, and Ministry Network events are posted on  this calendar .

PARISH EVENTS:
 
A complete calendar of parish events is  available here .  Hosting an event? Please submit parish events  here .  Reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details. Regular worship services including season-specific will not be listed below.   

  • September 30, Brotherhood of St. Andrew Steak & Chicken Dinner, St. John's, Vernon
  • September 30, Schweitzer Organ Competition Winners Recital, St. John's, West Hartford
  • September 30, Guided Labyrinth Walk, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
  • September 30, Autumn Harvest Dinner & Auction, St. Mary's, Manchester
  • September 30, Indoor-Outdoor Tag Sale, Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
  • September 30 - October 1, Annual Pumpkin Fest, St. Peter's, Hebron
  • September 30, "Almost 4k" Audubon Walk, St. Timothy's, Fairfield
  • September 30, Elisabeth von Trapp Concert, St. Ann's, Old Lyme
  • September 30, Fall Fest, St. James's, West Hartford
  • September 30, Courage & Faith: Sara Miles, Christ Church, Greenwich
  • October 1, Songs for All Seasons Concert, Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton
  • October 1, "Tough of Nature" with Jerry Zalenka, Christ Church, Greenwich
  • October 1, Holy Smokin' Barbecue, Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton
  • October 4, Free lunch & lecture: Joy & Belonging in Youth Ministry, Yale Divinity School
  • October 7, Fall Apple Festival, All Saints, East Hartford
  • October 7, 10th Annual Holiday Crafter/Vendor Fair, Silent Auction, Luncheon, & Bake Sale, St. James', Preston
  • October 7, Fall Festival, Grace, Broad Brook
  • October 7, Pumpkinfest, Church of St. Andrew the Apostle, Rocky Hill
  • October 7, Apple Festival, Grace, Stafford Springs
  • October 8, Caring for Others in our community, Christ Church, Greenwich
  • October 8, "The Enchanted Isles" Concert to benefit hurricane relief efforts, Trinity, Portland
  • October 8, Choral Evensong & Organ Recital, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport

REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS:

  • September 30: NW Region: Hike in Housatonic Meadows State Park, Pine Knob Loop trail, West Cornwall
  • October 9, SC Region: Hiking Eucharist, East Rock Park, New Haven
  • October 15: NE Region: Party for the Planet, St. John's, Vernon
  • October 21: SW Region: Convocation

MINISTRY NETWORK MEETINGS & EVENTS:

  • November 14, Hospital Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Network, The Commons, Meriden

Ministry Network meetings and events are on  this calendar.   Please submit all Ministry Network ("MN") Events  via this form . ) 
SAFE CHURCH TRAININGS:
 
The fall 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.
 
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
  • October 14, Old St. Andrew's, Bloomfield
  • October 21, Christ Church, Ansonia
  • Option 2 - hybrid program with online training plus shortened live follow-up
  • October 17, St. Michael's, Naugatuck, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
  • October 26, St. James', Farmington, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
  • October 28, St. Timothy's, Fairfield 9 - 11:30 a.m.
  • November 20, St. John's, Vernon, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Recertification Training for Lay Persons:
For lay ministers who attended a full day of basic safe church training three to five years ago

  • September 27, Trinity Church, Tariffville, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
  • September 30, Trinity Church, Newtown, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
  • October 16, Christ Church, Pomfret, 6:30 - 9 p.m.
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