FEBRUARY CLERGY ENEWSLETTER
February 21, 2019
Mandatory Clergy Professional Development 2019 (MCPD) 

All clergy canonically resident or licensed to serve in ECCT are required to attend MCPD for one day every three years. All clergy in ECCT are due for this training in 2019. Check it off your list and register today.

Please register ASAP for one of the following three dates to attend MCPD:
  • Thursday, April 11, 2019 at St. Mark’s, New Canaan - Register here
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at St. Peter’s-Trinity, Thomaston - Register here
  • Saturday, June 15, 2019 at St. John’s, Vernon - Register here

If you cannot attend on the day for which you register, then you must attend the only make-up session on Saturday, September 7 at St. John’s, West Hartford. 

Clergy who fail to attend MCPD will not be in good standing . 
Lenten Retreat for Women Clergy - March 7-8

ECCT's Clergy Women's Network and Bishop Laura J. Ahrens have organized a retreat for all clergywomen of ECCT, to nurture and celebrate their ministries.

  • Thursday March 7-Friday March 8, with an option to arrive the evening of March 6
  • Held at Camp Washington in Lakeside/Morris.
  • Speaker: The Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan, Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral of Philadelphia.
  • One-hour massage appointments available; book and pay separately when you register
  • Registration link is here

Please  RSVP  for planning purposes, and  review the report  to Convention from this workshop.
Upcoming Region Clericus Gatherings, Registration Required

All Clergy -- please register for one of the following upcoming Clericus gatherings:
May 23

North Central & South Central Regions
St. Peter's, Cheshire
11:00 a.m.

June 4

Northeast & Southeast Regions
St. Peter's, Hebron
11:30 a.m.

Joining Jesus in the New Missional Age, March 13
For Feb. 23 waitlisted parishes and others interested

Gather with parishes from across ECCT and learn firsthand about the five “Spiritual Practices for a New Missional Age.” Join the Rev. Tim Hodapp, Canon for Mission Collaboration at The Commons on Wednesday, March 13 from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at The Commons to explore these ancient Christian practices and how they can transform our lives, parishes, and neighborhoods. An earlier similar but longer event on February 23 was fully subscribed and this is for waitlisted parishes and others interested.
WHO? : Any Rector or PIC and three to five parishioners.
WHAT? : Exploring the Spiritual Practices for a New Missional Age
WHEN? : Wednesday, March 13 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
WHERE?  The Commons, 290 Pratt St. Meriden, CT, 06450
HOW?  Registration required — limited seating.  Please RSVP on Eventbrite.
WHY?  Why not? Who doesn’t want to join Jesus and change the world?
The Missional Network has designed a four-module/12-month process for parishes to dive into these five practices more deeply. Come and learn more and, if you’re ready, sign up to be one of our 12 parishes to embark on a yearlong facilitated process to engage these practices in 2019. Required participation for 12-Month Engagement: Rector/PIC and six to eight parishioners.
Guidelines for Clergy on Supporting Discernment

The Revs. Molly James and Marrissa Rorhbach with the Commission on Ministry have put together this letter of guidelines for clergy supporting individuals for discernment. If you have questions please reach out to Molly James .
Annual Spring Training and Gathering, Saturday April 27 in Berlin CT

This annual day of workshops is open to lay and clergy alike. Parish teams are welcome. More than 30 workshops are offered this year. Link here for more information on location, schedule, workshop list, flyer and bulletin insert, and registration link. Register soon to reserve your place. Coffee, tea, morning refreshments and lunch are provided with the registration fee. 
Parochial and Non-Parochial Reports Due March 1!
Title 1, Canon 6, of the Constitutions & Canons requires the “Every Bishop, Presbyter, or Deacon whose report is not included in a parochial report shall also report on the exercise of such office, and if there has been none, the causes or reasons which have prevented the same.”

To be consistent with the General Church definition of “non-parochial” clergy, this form is to be completed annually by all clergy who are canonically resident in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and who are not affiliated with a parish.

This includes retired clergy and clergy in secular employment including those affiliated with parishes but not in their parochial report. A report is required to be a clergy in good standing within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

Please complete, print, sign, & return by March 1, 2019.
By mail: The Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Office of the Episcopate, 290 Pratt Street, Meriden, CT 06450; By email:  ahollo@episcopalct.org; Questions: Alison Hollo, 203-639-3501 ext. 112

Non-Parochial Report available here .
Clergy Events
The ECCT calendar is here.

Upcoming :

  • February 21: New Call Meeting, The Commons
  • February 21: Standing Committee, The Commons
  • February 23: Spiritual Practices for a New Missional Age (full)

Save the Date:
  • March 6 - 8, Women's Clergy Retreat, Camp Washington
  • March 13, Spiritual Practices for a New Missional Age
  • March 15-16, ROC Gathering
  • March 19, Missional PIC Gathering
  • March 21, New Call meeting
  • March 30: Faith Behind Bars & Beyond Annual Forum
  • April 4, Provisional PIC Gathering
  • April 9, Mutual Ministry Review Training
  • April 11, May 14, & June 15: MANDATORY Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church Recertification (register for one)
  • April 16, Holy Tuesday Renewal of Vows, at Christ Church Cathedral
  • April 23, ROC Gathering
  • April 27: Spring Training and Gathering
  • April 30, Interim PIC Gathering
  • May 7, PIC Consultants' Gathering
  • May 9, New Call meeting
  • May 9, Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Partners Luncheon
  • May 11, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas, "What it means to be church in 'Make American Great Again' times," Christ Church Cathedral
  • May 19, 50th Anniversary Wedding Celebration, Christ Church Cathedral
  • May 20-22: Speak Truth to Power, Clergy Conference with the Rev. Mpho Tutu van Furth, leader, and the Rev. Leng Lim, as chaplain. Details and registration link to follow
  • May 28, OTM Profile workshop
Transitions
From Lee Ann Tolzmann, Canon for Mission Leadership

The Transition Ministries Conference is a regional meeting of diocesan transition ministers from about 40 dioceses, mostly in the northeastern quadrant of the US (from Missouri east and North Carolina north), specifically to share information about congregations that are searching for clergy and clergy who are looking for new congregations. Diocesan transition ministers present summaries of congregational profiles and pertinent information about potential clergy candidates in search of the best match between talent and need.

The conference occurs twice a year, and the next meeting is March 25-29. This particular TMC meeting is part of a wider church (all TEC) gathering of Diocesan Transition Ministers. If you are exploring another call, or are in the early stages of the discernment process, this is a chance for you to test that out.

The first step is to fill out the TMC Confidential Information form at transitionministryconference.org . Please also take the time to update your OTM Portfolio, which can be done online. The deadline for submitting your material is Monday, March 18.

Knowing that the decision to explore new ministry possibilities is a sensitive one, please rest assured that the names shared at the TMC are kept in strictest confidence; only I will know who has asked to be presented. There is a high trust level between TMC transitions ministers, and we honor the delicate nature of this sort of discernment.

The Transition Ministries Conference also maintains a website listing of congregations in search of new leadership at transitionministryconference.org . This is in addition to the information you can find at www.otmportfolio.org . 

Please contact me ( latolzmann@episcopalct.org ) with any questions about the TMC or the process. I look forward to working with you.
Clergy in Transition
Please spread the word! The following churches are receiving names for full-time rector positions: St. David’s Church, Gale’s Ferry; Calvary Church, Stonington; and Christ Church, Redding.

Clergy in Transition

The Rev. Ajung Sojwal, Interim Priest in Charge of Calvary Church, Stonington, has accepted a call as Rector of St. George’s Church, Hempstead, Long Island. The Rev. Norman MacLeod has been appointed half-time Interim Priest in Charge for the remainder of the Interim period. These changes are effective March 1.

The Rev. Don Hamer will retire from his ministry as Rector of Trinity Church, Hartford, on Sunday March 3.

Parishes in Transition

Calvary Church, Stonington......................................IPIC in place: Ajung Sojwal/Norman MacLeod
Christ Church, East Norwalk............................................................................Seeking MPIC
Christ Church, Norwich..................................................................................Seeking MPIC
Christ Church, Redding...........................................................Interim PIC in place: Alon White
Epiphany, Durham........................................................................................Seeking MPIC
Good Shepherd, Hartford,.............................................................................,.,.Negotiating
Good Shepherd, Orange,..................................................................................Negotiating
Good Shepherd, Shelton.................................................................................Seeking MPIC
Grace Church, Newington...............................................................................Seeking MPIC
Grace Church, Stafford Springs.........................................................................Seeking MPIC
Holy Spirit, West Haven..................................................................................Seeking CPIC
Holy Trinity, Middletown...........................................................................Seeking half-time
Middlesex Cluster................................................................................................Pending
San Lucas/San Pablo, Bridgeport.....................................................Seeking Spanish spking MPIC
St. Andrew’s, Devon......................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Andrew’s, Stamford..................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Ann’s, Old Lyme.......................................................................................Seeking PPIC
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry.....................................................................................Recruiting
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. James’ Danbury................................................................Interim in place: Lisa Hahneman
St. James’ Winsted.......................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. John’s, Salisbury......................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. John’s, Stamford......................................................................................Seeking PPIC
St. John’s, Washington................................................................Will seek PPIC in spring 2019
St. Luke’s, Darien..........................................................................................Seeking IPIC
St. Luke’s, New Haven....................................................................................Interviewing
St. Mark’s, Bridgeport....................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Mark’s, Bridgewater..................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Martin’s, Hartford....................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Peter’s/Trinity, Thomaston..........................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Stephen’s, Bloomfield......................................................................................Pending
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