April 18, 2018
To the Clergy of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut

Dear Companions in Christ:

When we think of “white supremacy” perhaps images of neo-Nazi’s, or riots in Charlottesville, Virginia, come to mind. Sadly, we are witnessing in the United States increasing examples of such expressions of white supremacy. But these acute examples are not the only manifestation of the social construction of white supremacy in our country today. Any circumstance of a power over relationship based upon race where whiteness is seen as better than, or more privileged than, other races is an expression of white supremacy. As Christian leaders we are called to help those in our care to challenge both obvious and subtle forms of white supremacy that separate us from God and from one another.

Our Clergy Conference this year at the Hilton Hotel in Mystic from 1:00 pm on May 14 through noon on May 16 will help us as Christian leaders to challenge white supremacy. Our presenter for the conference is the Very Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Dean Douglas is an accomplished theologian and theological educator and the author of many books including:  Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God, Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective, The Black Christ, What’s Faith Got to do with It? Back Bodies/Christian Souls, and Bodies and the Black Church: A Blues Saint. In addition to engaging sessions with Dean Douglas we will also have a private tour and dinner at the Pequot Museum in Mashantucket, CT on Monday night where we will learn about the connection between white supremacy and the history of native peoples from colonial times to the present. Also, we will be blessed by our colleagues from Bethany House in Arlington, Massachusetts who will be with us to serve as chaplains and to assist with our worship.

Our Conference will be held at Hilton Hotel, 20 Coogan Boulevard in Mystic, CT.  Hotel accommodations can be made here.  Discounted hotel rates may be secured until April 20 th.

As your bishops we strongly encourage you to attend Clergy Conference. We remind you that clergy in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut must have at least two full days of continuing education each year. Clergy Conference is an ideal way to meet your continuing education requirements.

Registration for the Clergy Conference is through Eventbrite. Information and registration can be found here.  We would like all clergy to have the chance to participate in Clergy Conference. There is financial assistance available for any clergy person needing it thanks to legacy funding provided by Connecticut Episcopal Clergy Association. Please be in touch with our office if you need financial assistance.

We want to wish you all the joy of the Risen Christ this Eastertide. We look forward to seeing you at Clergy Conference.

Faithfully,
Ian and Laura