ECCT Weekly eNews
May 1, 2018
James Cone, Professor and founder of Black Liberation Theology, dies at 79
The Rev. Dr. James Cone , author of A Black Theology of Liberation, Black Theology & Black Power, God of the Oppressed , and many more, Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary, and ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, died on Saturday, April 28.

Union Theological Seminary's In Memoriam highlights the incredible life and work of James Cone, " Cone upended the theological establishment with his vigorous articulation of God’s radical identification with black people in the United States. His eloquent portrayal of Christ’s blackness shattered dominant white theological paradigms, and ignited a wave of subsequent American liberation theologies."

The Funeral for the Rev. Dr. James Cone will be held on May 7, and 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Church in New York City. The service will also be live-streamed through the Riverside Church and Union Theological Seminary. May light perpetual shine upon him, and may he rest in peace and power.
Three New Deacons! Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate for Armado Ghinaglia,  Dana Stivers , and  Thom Peters at Christ Church Cathedral
Update on Resolution #9, Region Needs Assessment

The working group authorized to implement Resolution #9 from last fall's Annual Convention, to undertake a Region Needs Assessment, has hired a consulting agency that recently began a series of in-person interviews and is preparing a survey to hear from even more Episcopalians in Connecticut.

Notice of the survey and a link to it will be in an upcoming weekly eNewsletter. Link here  for details about the background, process, and more.
SAVE THE DATE: ECCT's Deputies to General Convention Open House, June 6

Join the ECCT Deputation to General Convention on Wednesday, June 6 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at The Commons for an open conversation about General Convention.

Ask questions, share thoughts, and learn about the deputies and what they bring to General Convention as representation of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

Share your thoughts with the deputation, offer up questions and conversation topics by emailing ecctdeputation@gmail.com .
Good Book Club Corner:
The upcoming readings for the Good Book Club this week are:

Wednesday, May 2, Acts 15:1-21
Thursday, May 3, Acts 15:22-35
Friday, May 4, Acts 15:36-41
Saturday, May 5, Acts 16:1-15
Sunday, May 6, Acts 16:16-40
Monday, May 7, Acts 17:1-9
Tuesday, May 8, Acts 17:10-34
Resources including discussion questions, daily meditations, and videos are available here . Join the discussion on social media throughout #ECCT by commenting on our daily and weekly (Saturday afternoon) posts. Be sure to follow ECCT on Facebook ( link here ) and Twitter ( link here ) to participate!
What's happening in the Regions:
(links and the top item listed on each Region's web page, if any)

Northwest Region ( webpage , Facebook page )
  • Check the Facebook page for details!
North Central Region ( webpage , Facebook page / group , enewsletter sign-up )
  • May 3, Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Annual Meeting, Aqua Turf in Plantsville (Southington).
Northeast Region ( webpage , Facebook page / group )
Southwest Region ( webpage , Facebook page )
  • May 19, Southwest Region Spring Convocation, Saint Stephen's, Ridgefield - Click here to register
South Central Region ( webpage , Facebook page , blog )
Southeast Region ( webpage , Facebook page )
  • May 5, SE Region Confirmation at St. John's, Niantic, 10:30 a.m. If you have Confirmands or parishioners to be received, please contact both Alison Hollo and Laura Stefanski at St. John's, Niantic
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. 

 
For open Clergy positions please click here .
Announcements & Reminders
Please continue to fill out the parish/worshiping community survey for the ECCT database

A survey was launched in July 2017 to provide robust data on parishes, along with policies and procedures to make some of that data available for direct collaboration among parishes and worshiping communities. Thanks so much to the following churches that completed their survey since the last announcement: St. John's, Pine Meadow and St. John's, North Haven.

Episode 6 is now LIVE! We talk with the Rev. Jane Hale!

Check it out: Coffee Hour at The Commons , or on iTunes , Google Play , and Stitcher !

If you have any ideas for show topics or know of an interesting individual/ministry happening in ECCT, send us an email .
Exploring the Mystic Heart of the World’s Religions , Retreat at Mercy by the Sea Center, May 4 - 6

This overnight retreat with Rabbi Rami Shapiro will offer an experimental exploration of the shared truths at the heart of many traditions. Chanting, meditation, self-inquiry, contemplative study, and more will explore existential questions of self. More information and registration available here .
This training is hosted by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, May 7 - 11, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford

The  Mediation Skills Training Institute  is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. The five-day institute also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.
"Family Process and Pastoral Practice: Toward a New Spirituality of Leadership" May 17 - 18, 2018

This two-day workshop designed for clergy and lay leaders of all faiths will explore in depth Rabbi Edwin Friedman’s approach to family process, and how its wise employment as a pastoral and spiritual tool can enhance leadership and effectiveness in a congregational setting.
Tuition $275, plus travel and lodging. Register here .
2018 Clergy Conference, May 14 - 16 Mystic, CT

Bishops Douglas and Ahrens invite all clergy to the 2018 Clergy Conference, May 14 - 16 in Mystic. Clergy from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut will gather to hear ways our own faithful and faith-filled leadership can counteract white supremacy, especially as it impacts our communities and our nation.
 
Included: intensive sessions with Dr. Douglas, opportunities for worship, chances to explore the surrounding Mystic area, and time for rest and for collegiality.

Clergy please register for the conference here .
Bishop's Book Study with Bishop Laura Ahrens, May 22, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Camp Washington

The Bishop's Book Study at Camp Washington is a monthly gathering of clergy and lay people who love to read, and provides an opportunity to discuss the book in an inviting environment. Lunch is provided. Please RVSP here .

The next book is The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World , by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams. Here is a flyer .
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.

  • May 1, Retired Clergy, Spouses, & Partners Gathering, St. James's, West Hartford
  • May 3, Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting
  • May 3, Faithful Futures: Episcopal Churches in Stamford, St. Paul's, Riverside
  • May 5 - 11, Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford
  • May 5, Southeast Region Confirmation, St. John's, Niantic
  • May 5, Encuentro Ministerio Latino / Hispanic Ministry Gathering, Camp Washington
  • May 8, Convention Planning, The Commons
  • May 10, Women Clergy Breakfast & Book Study, St. Andrew's, Meriden
  • May 10, Recently Ordained Clergy Meeting, The Commons
  • May 12, Northeast Region Convocation, Christ Church, Pomfret
  • May 14 - 16, Clergy Conference, Hilton in Mystic

BISHOPS' VISITS:

  • May 6: Bishop Ahrens, Grace, Stafford Springs; Bishop Douglas, St. Thomas, Bethel
  • May 13: Bishop Ahrens, Christ Church, Tashua; Bishop Douglas, Christ Church, Bethlehem
  • May 20: Bishop Ahrens, Christ Church, Pomfret; Bishop Douglas, St. Stephen's, Bloomfield
  • June 3: Bishop Ahrens, Trinity, Tariffville; Bishop Douglas, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport
  • June 10: Bishop Ahrens, St. James' Danbury; Bishop Douglas, Christ Church, Greenwich
All Parish, Region, and Ministry Network events are posted on  this calendar .

Below are the upcoming events for the next two weeks. Hosting an event? Please submit ALL parish, Region, and Ministry Network events  using this form , you may select as many categories that apply to your event as needed. Please indicate which region your event is in by selecting the appropriate region category.   Reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details.

PLEASE check to see if your event is already on the calendar before you submit it.

PARISH EVENTS:
Regular worship services, including season-specific, will not be listed below.   

  • May 1, First Tuesday, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
  • May 1, Face to Face with White Supremacy: Elaine Ellis Thomas, St. Paul's, Norwalk
  • May 2, Yale Youth Ministry Institute Monthly Lunch & Lecture, Yale Divinity School, New Haven
  • May 3, Bible Study: Silver & Gold I have none: The Power to Heal, Trinity, Wethersfield
  • May 4 - 6, Icon Writing Workshop, Trinity, Newtown
  • May 4, The Wiffenpoofs concert, St. John's, West Hartford
  • May 5, Spring Rummage Sale, St. Peter's, Cheshire
  • May 5, Spaghetti Summer, Christ the King, Old Lyme
  • May 5, Courage & Faith: Diana Butler Bass, Christ Church, Greenwich
  • May 5, Annual Plant Sale, St. Peter's, Hebron
  • May 5, Spring Fair & Plant Sale, Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven
  • May 5, Dance Party Celebrating 150 years of Grace, Grace, Hartford
  • May 5, Energize! Trinity, Collinsville
  • May 6, Pipes Alive!, St. John's, West Hartford
  • May 6, A Tea to Honor Mothers, St. John's, North Haven
  • May 7, Quinnipiac Valley Alpacas Visit Church (awww!), Grace, Newington
  • May 9, Choral Evensong, Trinity, Torrington
  • May 10, Bible Study: Stephen, Deacon/Martyr: Power to Serve Sacrificially, Trinity, Wethersfield
  • May 10, Service & Potluck for the Feast of the Ascension, Grace, Hartford
  • May 10, Choral Evensong for the Ascension, St. Jame's, Farmington
  • May 11 - 12, Spring Rummage Sale, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
  • May 12, May Fair, St. Mary's, Manchester
  • May 12, Ecumenical Evensong, St. Thomas the Apostle, West Hartford
  • May 13, L'Ascension, Christ Church, Greenwich

REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS:
  • May 5, Northeast Region Celtic Christian Worship, St. Paul's, Windham
  • May 12, Northeast Region Convocation, Christ Church, Pomfret

MINISTRY NETWORK MEETINGS & EVENTS:
  • May 3, Annual ECW Meeting, The Aqua Turf, Enfield
  • May 5, Hispanic MN Cinco de Mayo Gathering, Camp Washington, Morris
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING:
The spring 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 re-certification, 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. Questions? Contact Deb Kenney .
 
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
  • May 12: St. James', New London - Register Here

  • Option 2 - hybrid program with online training plus shortened live follow-up
  • May 14, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.: Trinity, New Haven - Register Here
  • May 19, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Christ Church, Roxbury - Register Here
  • May 22, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.: St. Mary's, Manchester - Register Here

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