Rubber Boots and Slowing Down
by: Marcella Gillis
During rainy season in Nicaragua, a massive, Genesis-style deluge rolls through every single afternoon. It’s the kind of rain that falls so torrentially hard and fast that umbrellas don’t even protect you. The dusty cobblestone streets fill up with rain coming down from the mountains, and they become roaring rivers within minutes. Every day during the storm, everything shuts down. Everyone shutters their doors and windows with big iron latches, and they sit patiently in their wooden rocking chairs, sipping sugary black coffee, and chit-chatting in the dark.
I was an English teacher in the local high school, and I thought it was absolutely ridiculous to miss my classes for a 45-minute thunderstorm. So I did what made perfect sense to me – I bought a pair of rubber rain boots. And as I would clump through town in my rubber boots to go teach on those rainy afternoons, people would peer out at me through shuttered windows as if I was walking around in full circus clown regalia. The amount of attention those boots garnered was unprecedented, and it absolutely horrified my friends and neighbors in town. Not because no one wore boots like that, but because rubber boots were for farmers and shepherds – for people who had no other choice but to be out and about on rainy days. Any respectable person stayed put with their coffee and rocking chair.
Of all the identity markers that hindered my attempts at cultural assimilation during my Peace Corps service – my youthfulness, my femaleness, my foreignness, my singleness, my queerness – one of the hardest to reconcile with Latin American culture was my Protestant work ethic. I stood out like a sore thumb for so many reasons, but my commitment to “get it done no matter what” was the source of endless frustration and misunderstanding. It infuriated me that schools, stores, government offices – all of the things that keep a society functioning, would shut down at the drop of a hat. No one was willing to even get their
feet wet
for the sake of their own education? I was in a self-righteous huff about it for a full year.
I could not imagine a more opposite context than New England in March. This is rubber-boot territory (sorry,
Bean Boot
territory). We will not be stopped. We will not be stopped, even in the face of a Genesis-style deluge of all kinds of horrors and hardships. As I write, I’m watching our upteenth Nor’easter headed up to dump another foot of snow on top of what has been an utterly dreary winter. On top of that, Lent. On top of that, a painful journey through the #metoo Movement. On top of that, another devastating school shooting. On top of that, ICE deportations. On top of that, Syria. On top of that, the generalized anxiety of simply existing in this time and place in the history of our world.
When this heaviness is compounded with the demands, expectations, and projections of being clergy, it begins to feel unbearable. We are called into a vocation that requires a good deal of pushing aside our own needs for the sake of others. Our rubber boots are well-worn because we deeply believe in
showing up
, no matter what. However, the dark side of this vocation is a clergy culture of imperviousness. We so often tell ourselves and one another to suck it up, to power through. We are to stay calm but impassioned, motivated but not anxious, endlessly energized and without complaint. We are on the move, we will not be stopped.
But what would happen if we were to slow down, or even to stop? What would happen if we let go of that imperviousness? Yes, we encounter God through suffering and sacrifice, to be sure. But what about the God that grants us peace, rest and deep joy? What about the sacred art of slowing down, of being gentle with ourselves and one another?
There are moments where we will be called to rage against storms, to wade out into the floodwaters and embody the powerful love of God that we experience through Christ. But fashioning those moments into a way of life can be dangerously self-destructive. I may have raged against the afternoon rainstorms, but I eventually came to an awareness of something that my Nicaraguan neighbors were deeply in touch with: finitude.
Perhaps at the tail end of Lent we are called to
relent
rather than to
repent
. We are not impervious, and remembering that is a gift. So consider taking your rubber boots off for just a moment. Find a rocking chair, wait out the storm. Allow God to be present in vulnerable and restful moments.
Relent.
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The Rev. Marcella Gillis is the Assistant Rector for Youth & Family Ministry at Christ and Holy Trinity in Westport. She received her M. Div. at Yale Divinity School last spring, and was ordained to the priesthood shortly after in the Diocese of Washington DC. She has substantial experience in youth ministry and is passionate about justice and mission work. She lives in Westport with her fiancée Meg & their cat, Kyrie Eleison.
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Women's Day Conference & invitation to CT's March For Our Lives in Hartford, March 24
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"Equipping and Empowering God's Women: A Way Forward" a conference celebrating International Women's Day, on March 24 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. Program begins at 9:00 a.m. with worship to conclude at 12:30 p.m.
Panelists include: the Rev Winnie Varghese (also preacher at closing worship), Megan Smith, Rose Fichera Egan, and Ashley Makar. Moderated by the Rev. Charlotte LaForest.
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After the Conference, all are invited to join the CT - March For Our Lives rally against gun violence. Folks will gather at the Cathedral and march to the State Capital building for the 1:00 p.m. rally. Information is available
here
.
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March 27: Holy Tuesday Quiet Day with Renewal of Ordination Vows and Blessing of Holy Oils for ELCA and ECCT Clergy
Lutheran and Episcopal Clergy in Connecticut are invited to come together for a day of prayer, quiet, rest, and reflection with God and one another in the beauty of God’s creation at Camp Washington, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The quiet day leaders will be Mark and Lisa Kutolowski. The day will include the Renewal of Ordination Vows and Chrism Mass, coordinated by the Very Rev. Lina Howell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral and staff. Please come to be renewed and centered to prepare for the Triduum and the Feast of the Resurrection.
Please dress in warm and comfortable clothes that will allow you to enjoy the beauty of Camp Washington.
Registration available
here
.
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Registration now open for ECCT's Spring Training & Gathering, April 7
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Join Episcopalians from across the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for a day of fellowship, learning, prayer and fun.
All are welcome - people in the pews to vestry members to parish leaders and staff. Please register early, over 300 people participated last year!
Saturday, April 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School, Meriden, CT
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Formation E-News
Dean of Formation, Molly James, publishes an occasional E-News for those in the ordination process. If you are connected to someone in the ordination process and do not already receive it, please
email her
to be added to the list. The E-News also includes information on opportunities for ongoing formation, so if that is of interest, please also email her to be added to the list.
The most recent edition can be viewed
here.
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ATTN: Parish Clergy-- Financial Review or Audit? ECCT’s Mission Council Has Approved New Requirements!
The canons of The Episcopal Church and ECCT both require parishes to submit reviews performed by outside accountants of their prior year’s financial results by September 1. Since 2001, ECCT has required parishes with total revenues in excess of $500,000 to engage Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to perform full audits of their balance sheets, income statements and financial risk management practices. Parishes with total revenues below $500,000 have been permitted to engage independent accountants to perform more limited (and less costly) reviews of their balance sheets and financial risk management practices.
Cost of Living mavens will be quick to point out that $500,000 in 2001 would translate into an amount in excess of $700,000 in 2018 dollars. At its March 17 quarterly meeting, the Mission Council approved a recommendation from ECCT’s Finance Committee to increase the total revenue threshold for full audits from $500,000 to $750,000. Parishes reporting Total Revenues of more than $750,000 on “Line D” of their 2017 Parochial Reports will be required to submit full audits of their financial statements and risk management procedures, but parishes with total revenues below $750,000 will be permitted to submit financial reviews.
ECCT’s financial staff at The Commons is evaluating an expansion in the scope of both financial reviews and full audits that would address parishes’ Parochial Reporting practices. The evaluation under consideration would expand accountants’ process review questionnaire and summary of findings report, but is not expected to have a significant impact on the cost of reviews and audits. This possible expansion in scope is intended to increase the accuracy of Parochial Reporting of parish financial information. ECCT staff will
update audit and financial review requirements
following feasibility and cost discussions with outside accountants.
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2018 Clergy Conference,
May 14 - 16 in Mystic
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The theme of the conference is "Christian Leadership Challenging White Supremacy." It will be held May 14 - 16 at the Hilton Mystic,
20 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355
.
The Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union and author of Standing Your Ground:
Black Bodies & the Justice of God
will be the keynote speaker.
Registration details to come.
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Upcoming
:
- Mar. 27: Holy Tuesday Quiet Day & Renewal of Ordination Vows & Blessing of the Holy Oils
- Mar. 30: The Commons is CLOSED... much like the tomb.
- April 5: Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting, The Commons
- April 7: Spring Training & Gathering, Lincoln Middle School, Meriden
- April 10: Provisional Priest in Charge Gathering, The Commons
- April 12: Women Clergy Breakfast & Book Study, St. Andrew's, Meriden
- April 12: Celebration of New Ministry for Charles Hamill, Grace, Old Saybrook
- April 17: Interim Priest in Charge Gathering, The Commons
- April 19: Fresh Start Meeting, The Commons
- April 21: Southeast Region Convocation, St. John's, Niantic
- April 26: Priest-in-Charge Consultants Gathering, The Commons
- April 27: Anti-Racism Training for Ordination Process, The Commons
- April 28: Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate for Armando Ghinaglia, Dana Capasso Strivers, and Thom Peters, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
- May 1: Retired Clergy, Spouses, & Partners Gathering
Save the Date:
- May 14-16: Clergy Conference, Mystic, CT
- June 1-3: Deacon Formation Retreat
- June 7: Clergy Day, St. Mark's, New Britian
- July 2-13: General Convention, Austin, TX
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Please help spread the word:
Christ Church, Stratford is receiving names for a ¾ time rector through April 8. All applications should be sent to the Canon for Mission Leadership. We expect the full-time rector position at St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry, to be posted soon!
Clergy in Transition
The Rev. Dr. Deborah Meister (Diocese of Washington) has accepted a call as half-time rector of St. Luke’s, South Glastonbury. Her ministry will begin after Easter.
Parishes in Transition
Calvary Church, Stonington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Called IPIC: Ajung Sojwal
Christ Church, East Norwalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Christ Church, Greenwich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in Place: John Branson
Christ Church, Middle Haddam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking CPIC
Christ Church, Redding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Negotiating with IPIC
Christ Church, Sharon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seeking Missional PIC
Christ Church, Stratford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving Names
Good Shepherd, Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using supply for short Interim
Grace Church, Broad Brook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Grace Church, Yantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Holy Advent, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking 2yr PPIC
Holy Trinity, Middletown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Interim PIC in place: Dana Campbell
Middlesex Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Jim Bradley
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Mark Santucci
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
St. James Poquetanuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Discerning
St. John’s, East Windsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Half-time PPIC
St. John’s, New Haven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
St. Martin’s, Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
St. Matthew’s, Wilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing
St. Paul’s, Woodbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing
Trinity Church, Milton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Trinity Church, Seymour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Interviewing
Trinity Church, Trumbull . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing
Trinity Church, Wethersfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Please contact me (
[email protected]
) with any questions about the TMC or the process. I look forward to working with you.
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