WEEKLY ENEWS

October 3, 2017

Bishops' Statement on Las Vegas shootings, asking ECCT churches to ring bells today at noon Bishops Ian Douglas and Laura Ahrens, with Bishops United Against Gun Violence, invite all parishes and worshiping communities, and our cathedral, to join the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada in tolling their bells tomorrow at noon, Eastern time (9 a.m. Pacific time). The number of times to ring them will be based on the number of confirmed deaths reported at that time. Please check the Episcopalians Against Gun Violence Facebook page for details and updates. Link here for the ECCT Bishops' Statement , accompanied by the full statement from Bishop United Against Gun Violence, which included the request to ring church bells. The Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released this statement , and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby released this statement yesterday.

A Word to the Church from the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops Last week the bishops of The Episcopal Church concluded their Sept. 21-26 annual fall House of Bishops gathering, which took place in Alaska this year. Turning to scripture and prayer, the bishops wrote this message to the Church . Below is a prayer offered by the bishops. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is currently meeting with the other members of The Primates of the Anglican Communion through Friday at Canterbury Cathedral in England.

Regions release new branding marks The Region Missionaries were each given new branding marks to assist in publicizing and developing a more cohesive presence among communication lines for each Region. These marks will appear on any and all social media platforms created for each Region, any newsletters or announcements, as well as any other promotional materials. Tim Hodapp, the Canon for Mission Collaboration, says, “Our new Region marks express how our six uniquely delineated Regions participate together in God’s mission."

October 1-7 is 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 list of faith-based organizations and networks focused on mental health ministries, as well as an expansive list of worship resources to enrich your prayer life. Visit the Mental Health Ministries website here for more information, bulletin inserts, prayer ideas, and more. Also, visit the Episcopal Mental Illness Network's website here .

eFormation Bootcamp for Ministry in the Digital World, October 27 On October 27, 2017, the eFormation learning community will gather to share tools, resources, and best practices for social media, communications, and faith formation. Leaders invested in the future of the church are invited to learn more about interacting with congregations, sharing our stories, and creating disciples who are engaged online as well as in-person. Co-sponsored by the General Theological Seminary and the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary , there will be a great collection of digital evangelists willing to share wisdom and offer practical tools for ministry. Featured workshop presenters include: Jim Keat, Kyle Matthew Oliver, Sarah Stonesifer.

Register for the event here

Election Nominees, Resolutions, & Reports for 2017 Convention Due THIS FRIDAY 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 for consideration 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.  Youth Minister, St. James', Farmington Music Director, Christ Church, Tashua Part-Time Pianist, Grace Episcopal Church, Broad Brook Part-Time Parish Office Assistant, St. Paul's on the Green, Norwalk Director of Music Ministries, St. Mary's, Manchester Organist/Director of Music, St. John's, North Haven   Clergy only: Canon for Congregational Life, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford Assistant Rector (half-time), St. John's, Stamford Rector, Trinity Church, Tariffville Rector, St. Matthew's Church, Wilton 

Announcements & Reminders

Two Upcoming Ordinations in ECCT: Please join us in celebration for the ordinations of Ann M. Perrott on October 7 at Christ Church, Norwich and Nikolaus Combs on October 11 at Trinity, Torrington. Clergy red stoles, please.

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: Saint Ann's, Old Lyme, St. Thomas', Bethel, and St. Alban's, Simsbury! Click here to read the related documents.

Special Creation Season Reflections for 2017 The Episcopal Networks Collaborative ( Episcopal Ecological Network , Episcopal Network for Economic Justice , and the Union of Black Episcopalians ) has completed a special series of Creation Season reflections entitled Reflections for Creation Season 2017 . The reflections cover the first four Sundays in October (Propers 21 through 24) and are for use in sermon preparation and for action by groups and individuals. The reflections are available for free download .

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 .

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. 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, Trinity, Torrington October 16, Regional Budget Review, St. Paul's on the Green, Norwalk October 17, Priest-in-charge Gathering, The Commons October 17, Donation & Bequests Board Meeting, The Commons BISHOPS' SUNDAY VISITS: October 8: Bishop Ahrens, Christ Church, Easton; Bishop Douglas, St. James', New London October 15: Bishop Ahrens, Christ & the Epiphany, East Haven; Bishop Douglas, Christ Church, Redding October 22: Bishop Ahrens, St. Paul's, Fairfield; Bishop Douglas, St. Paul's on the Green, Norwalk October 29: Bishop Ahrens, St. Timothy's, Fairfield; 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.    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 October 14, Fall Fair, St. James, Farmington October 14, Fall Pet Adoption, St. James, Glastonbury October 14, Harvest Luncheon, St. Monica's, Hartford October 15, National Episcopal Church Women Board invitation, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford October 15, Party for the Planet, St. John's, Vernon October 16, Bible Study: Pumpkin Theology, Holy Trinity Church, Enfield October 17, Free Movie Screening, Christ and The Epiphany, East Haven REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS: October 9, SC Region: Hiking Eucharist, East Rock Park, New Haven 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 October 16, Christ Church, Pomfret, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED