MARCH CLERGY ENEWSLETTER
March 21, 2019
Camp Quisqueya

By Yves-Eugène Joseph

Quisqueya Camp is usually held during day time in summer by l’Eglise de l’Epiphanie, which is a Haitian Episcopalian community, based at St. John’s in Stamford, CT. What does Quisqueya mean? Quisqueya is believed to mean “Mother of all lands,” and is one of the names given to the entire Island of Haiti by the Tainos, who were the indigenous people of the Island of Haiti or Quisqueya and other Islands in the Caribbean. In the two sister-nations sharing the Island, the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti, we find institutions and places named Quisqueya.

Established as a non-profit ministry, the camp was launched upon Father Wectnick Paul’s arrival in July 1997, but the idea was conceived by Father Jean-Elie Millien before his departure in March 1997 and organized between both tenures. The original purpose of the camp was to make available to kids of all walks from low income families a Christian setting where they can have fun and learn during summer vacation, instead of staying home because of lack of funds. This vocation is well preserved today. The cost of our four-week camp is $200, which is affordable for most families. In addition to the family’s contribution, we have in the past received financial support from the Bishop’s Fund for Children and more recently from St. John’s Foundation.

The camp includes enrichment activities like swimming, music and dancing, singing, and watching movies; trips to the museum, zoo, and library; arts & crafts; outdoor sports; a picnic (in a city park); plus an Olympic and ice cream day, pizza day, cultural day, family day, and a special event at Pump It Up of Norwalk. It also includes worship and meditation. We organize interactive inside and outside games. In order to encourage human relationships, and learning from and having fun with peers, we prohibit the use of electronic devices like solo games. Cell phones are permitted only in case of emergency, and for a short period of time. The meditation moment may focus on a religious theme, a biblical text, a spiritual exercise, or an inspiring poem. Breakfast and snacks have been provided, and lunch was added for the first time last summer, in partnership with South End Branch of Ferguson Library.

The camp has already served many families in and around Stamford. Some were disturbed when the announcement was made that camp was cancelled in 2017. Happiness came back among families when we resumed activities in 2018, even with fewer children than usual due to financial limitations. Planning is underway for Camp 2019 which will take place from Monday July 8 to Friday August 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every weekday. Hopefully we will be able to hire more counselors, besides the camp coordinator, in order to increase the number of campers.

A reaching out ministry, Quisqueya camp is open to all cultures, religions, denominations, and also non-religious people. We encourage Quisqueyan, Puerto Rican and Latin American families of all denominations to send their kids, as last year. Children’s safety is our priority. Camp is free of proselytism. Fun and learning fill the space.
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Fr. Yves-Eugène Joseph is a Haitian born and raised. After his ministry in Haiti and in the Diocese of Montréal, he now serves as ECCT’s Haitian Ministry Missioner, PIC of Eglise de L’Epiphanie, and pastoral care provider for Église St. Jean of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bridgeport

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. The training also serves as Safe Church recertification. 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 . 
Retired clergy, spouses, and partners gathering May 9 in West Hartford

Author Marjorie Burke will be the "honored guest" at this event, which is titled, "Memory, Reason, and Skill." The gathering will be held Thursday, May 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James's Church, 1018 Farmington Ave, West Hartford.

Click here to read more & register; includes links to Burke's books.
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.

Register now for clergy conference

Starts Monday, May 20, 1 p.m.
Ends Wednesday, May 22, 1 p.m.
Location: Water's Edge Resort & Spa, Westbrook CT
Leader: The Rev. Canon Mpho Tutu Van Furth
Chaplain: The Rev. Leng Lim

From the description: "As a group of clergy in Connecticut, we have, over the past several years, dedicated our annual gathering to matters of particular spiritual and cultural urgency. One of the great challenges of our time, however, is fostering and strengthening the ways in which we speak the truth to power. As clergy, how can we harness our authority to speak the truth at the civic level of the town square, while also grappling with St. Paul’s call to speak the truth in love to those whom we serve?"

BDS offers week-long course, "Thriving Christian Communities"

Berkeley Divinity School is offering a week-long course for rectors and wardens to "explore the elements of leadership that contribute to flourishing Christian communities," June 3-7, 1:30- 4 p.m., offered in conjunction with Yale Divinity School Summer Study 2019. Includes a series of presentations by BDS Dean Andrew McGowan on five topics he's addressed on the present status of the Episcopal Church and the relationship between success and God's presence, as well as case studies in leadership by YDS lecturer and BDS Board of Trustees member Jim Elrod. More info here . For questions contact kira.wishart@yale.edu . To register, https:/summerstudy.yale.edu /
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 now to reserve your place. Coffee, tea, morning refreshments and lunch are provided with the registration fee. 
Non-Parochial clergy: Did you forget?

 According to church canons, all clergy who are canonically resident in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and who are not affiliated with a parish need to complete an annual non-parochial report, and in ECCT it's needed in order to retain status of "Clergy in Good Standing." If you forgot (it was due March 1), it's available here . Return b y mail: The Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Office of the Episcopate, 290 Pratt Street, Meriden, CT 06450; or, return by email:  ahollo@episcopalct.org; Questions: Alison Hollo, 203-639-3501 ext. 112.

Parochial Reports were also due in the office March 1.
Dean of Formation Molly James appointed to General Convention office

The Rev. Molly James, ECCT's Dean of Formation, has accepted a new position as Deputy Executive Officer of the General Convention, effective March 28. She has served on ECCT staff since 2011 and has both passion for, and experience with, churchwide work. The announcement was made public yesterday, March 18. Click here to read in English and Spanish.
 
Molly is working with the Commission on Ministry and all those currently in discernment and ordination processes to support a smooth transition.
River Pilgrimage this spring: Registration open

The Southeast and South Central Regions of ECCT in partnership with Kairos Earth are bringing back a Connecticut River Pilgrimage this spring. It's shorter - just Connecticut. Pilgrims are invited to move deeply into prayer, contemplation, and movement by canoe or kayak as a community together from May 24-31.  There are two three-day options. Guides will again be Mark and Lisa Kutolowski, guides for the 2017 River Pilgrimage . The pilgrimage is open to applications from all faith backgrounds or none at all.

Facebook
Find colleagues on Facebook: Page for deacons; closed group for all clergy

Did you know there is a Facebook page for ECCT Deacons? Check it out. There's also a closed Facebook group for ECCT clergy, link here .
Roster announced for ECCT's liturgical commission

As announced in the most recent issue of the weekly enews , ECCT bishops have announced the roster of ECCT's new Liturgical Commission. Following the 2018 General Convention, each diocese of The Episcopal Church was asked to establish a liturgical commission for followup on  Resolution A068 , "Plan for the Revision of the Book of Common Prayer." The resolution proposed a path forward for the process of liturgical revision. Liturgical Commission members (corrected list) include the Rev. Allison Reed; the Rev. Stephen Holton; the Rev. Susan Davidson; Mr. Jake Street; Mr. Walden Moore; the Rev. Stephanie Johnson, the Rev. Rebekah Hatch; the Very Rev. Miguelina Howell; Mr. David Thomas; Mr. Rich Lamlin; Ms. Maryann McCary, and both bishops. A subset of these will be appointed by the bishops to serve on a task force as requested by  resolution  of ECCT's 2018 Annual Convention in response to the question, "How would the practice of Open Communion change the life of the church?"
Clergy Events
The ECCT calendar is here.

Upcoming ECCT events for lay and ordained:
  • March 29, Bishop's Book Study (Bishop Laura Ahrens), The Cloister, by James Carroll)
  • March 30, annual prison ministry forum
  • March 31, "Storytelling as a Spiritual Practice" for all who identify as women
  • April 12, Bishop's Book Study (Bishop Laura Ahrens), Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week, by Amy-Jill Levine)
  • April 27, Spring Training and Gathering, Berlin
  • 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 24-31 River Pilgrimage
  • May 29, Celebration of New Ministry, the Rev. Alan Murchie
  • June 6, Celebration of New Ministry, the Rev. Marek Zabriskie

Upcoming events for ECCT ordained:
  • April 4, Provisional PIC Gathering
  • April 9, Mutual Ministry Review Training
  • April 11 MANDATORY Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church Recertification (first date option; also offered May 14 and June 15)
  • April 16, Holy Tuesday Renewal of Vows, at Christ Church Cathedral (register here)
  • April 23, ROC Gathering
  • April 30, Interim PIC Gathering
  • April 30, Confirmands & Bishops Dinner
  • May 7, PIC Consultants' Gathering
  • May 9, New Call meeting
  • May 9, Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Partners Luncheon
  • May 14, Mandatory Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church recertification (second date option, also offered June 15)
  • May 16, Transition Consultants' Gathering
  • May 20-22: Annual Clergy Conference, Westbrook CT. "Speak Truth to Power," with the Rev. Mpho Tutu van Furth, leader, and the Rev. Leng Lim, as chaplain. Info & register
  • May 23, NC and SC Region Clericus
  • May 28, OTM Profile workshop
  • June 4, NE and SE Region Clericus
  • June 4, Missional PIC Gathering
  • June 7-10, AED Triennial
  • June 15, Mandatory Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church recertification (final of three dates offered)

Save the date: Deacon Ordination in June at Christ Church Cathedral
Save the date: Women's Clergy Retreat, Feb. 27-28, 2020, Camp Washington
Transitions: Mutual Ministry Reviews
Learn to facilitate Mutual Ministry reviews
by Canon for Mission Leadership (CML) the Rev. Lee Ann Tolzmann

It is best practice for a parish and clergy to conduct a Mutual Ministry Review on an annual basis, led by an outside facilitator. This is not a job review of the rector. The ministry of the vestry and rector together is the main focus: what’s working and what could be done better? What are the goals for the coming year? The lack of trained facilitators has prevented many communities from doing this important work, so we’re trying to increase our pool. A training for facilitators is being offered by the Canon for Mission Leadership, Lee Ann Tolzmann, on  Tuesday, April 9 from 10 - 11:30 am at The Commons . If you would like to participate, please register  here .
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. Calvary’s and Christ Church’s deadline is March 29.

Clergy in Transition

The Rev. Loyda Morales, Diocese of New York, has accepted a call as rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Hartford. Her ministry will begin in May.

The Rev. Bill Cavanaugh, who has relocated to ECCT from Texas with his wife, the Rev. Ellen Tillotson, has been appointed Missional Priest in Charge of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange.

The Rev. Ellen Tillotson has been appointed Interim Priest in Charge of St. Luke’s Church, Darien.

The Rev. Margie Baker, Diocese of North Carolina, has been called as curate at St. John’s Church, West Hartford. Her ministry will begin in June.

The Rev. John Burton will retire from his ministry as Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Windham Center, in June.

The Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Hahneman will retire from his ministry as rector of St. John’s Church in Bridgeport on September.

Parishes in Transition

Calvary Church, Stonington........................................................Names being received by CML
Christ Church, East Norwalk..............................................................................negotiating
Christ Church, Norwich......................................................................Seeking half-time PPIC
Christ Church, Redding..............................................................Names being received by CML
Epiphany, Durham........................................................................................Seeking MPIC
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 PPIC
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.......................................................................................Interviewing
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry.............................................................Names being received by CML
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......................................................................................Interviewing
St. John’s, Washington................................................................Will seek PPIC in spring 2019
St. Luke’s, Darien................................................................... IPIC appointed: Ellen Tillotson
St. Luke’s, New Haven....................................................................................Interviewing
St. Mark’s, Bridgeport......................................................................................Negotiating
St. Mark’s, Bridgewater..................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Martin’s, Hartford....................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Peter’s/Trinity, Thomaston...........................................................................Interviewing
St. Stephen’s, Bloomfield......................................................................................Pending
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