#VoteFaithfully: New Voters Toolkit by The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers
and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of
this community) in the election of officials and representatives;
that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of
all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your
purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for an Election, Book of Common Prayer, pg. 822
“Voting and participation in our government is a way of participating in our common life and that is a Christian obligation," Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
Today is the primary elections around Connecticut, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages all to Vote Faithfully this primary and this upcoming election day, November 6. The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations has released a
Vote Faithfully Toolkit
filled with Action and Worship steps to incorporate prayer and advocacy, litanies and voter registration.
It is a helpful resource to keep our community and our country in our prayers through this democratic process. It is in collaboration with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the United Church of Christ.
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Welcome new canine staff member to St. Mark's, New Canaan
The community at St. Mark's, New Canaan will welcome a
new four-legged fluffy pastoral minister
this October. Francis, a Goldendoodle from Alabama, will join the office as a part of a new program,
Pastoral Pup Ministry.
This ministry, modeled off of a similar program at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, will focus on the pastoral presence of one of God's most loveable creations, in hopes that Frances will be able to help "sow love, faith, hope, light, joy, and consolation in both the parish and wider community," as the St. Mark's community put in their August edition of Lion's Roar newsletter.
Francis (pictured above, yes that is actually Francis, not a stock photo of a cute puppy) will be available for visitation work, and will be a regular attendee to worship services, the preschool, Sunday School, and Youth Programs. This is the first Pastoral Pup Ministry in ECCT, perhaps a visit to our Annual Convention in October may be in order.
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South Central Region to host a blessing tent at 4th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Overdose Awareness in Shelton
The South Central Region is collaborating with F.A.D.E. (Fighting Against Drugs Everywhere) to offer a blessing tent during the annual 5k Run/Walk for Overdose Awareness to commemorate those who have died from opioid addiction. The race begins at 5:30 p.m. on August 30 at the Shelton Pavilion, 100 Canal St, Shelton. There will be a candlelit vigil after the race.
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Upcoming Grant Deadline, TOMORROW:
The Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Environmental Grant deadline is
TOMORROW
August 15
.
The mission of the Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Environmental Grant is to encourage innovation and to empower members of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to educate, witness and invite change in our congregations and communities with the goal of embracing a global vision of climate justice and preserving and celebrating God's creation.
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Register for Convention
Registration is open for the 2018 Annual Convention, on October 26 & 27 at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT. More information in the Call to Convention available
here
or
on our website
. Hotel registration is separate.
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Submit your delegates' names
Submit the names of your elected delegates and alternates using the ECCT parish survey (
link here
, or
email Matt Handi
for more information). The Call to Convention was mailed earlier this year. ALL and updates and information after that will be online and sent by email.
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Annual Convention: Something New
Something new is coming to Annual Convention this year, and we want you to be a part of it! Learn about why we’re making these changes in this first video in a series, and check out our website for the latest information.
Watch the video!
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Trivia Night Banquet
It's a battle of wits and useless knowledge at Convention on Friday night! Over dinner, compete with your team for unique prizes by answering trivia questions. Get together your friends from around the church and
register today.
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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.
- Church School Director, St. Michael's, Litchfield
- Education & Service Coordinator, St. Thomas, New Haven
- Director of Religious Education, St. John's, West Hartford
- Director of Music Ministry, St. Mark's, New Canaan
- Communications Coordinator, St. Peter's, Cheshire
For open Clergy positions please click
here
.
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Announcements & Reminders
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Please continue to complete the parish/worshiping community survey
If submitted, please update it with 2018 delegates to Annual Convention and other changes
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. Access is given to people whose own names are entered;
see policies here.
Thanks so much to the following churches that completed their survey since the last announcement:
St. Luke's Church, New Haven.
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Spending time on the road this summer? Download a few of our podcasts to listen along!
Know of an interesting individual or unique ministry in ECCT? Maybe something going on at your parish, or someone there?
Let us know!!
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Original play about the life of Jonathan Daniels to debut at Bijou Theatre, Bridgeport, August 17-19
Re
v. Ina Anderson, of the Mount Aery Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT and a playwright, has dramatized the life of Johnathan Daniels, an Episcopal seminarian and civil rights activist who was assassinated while shielding 17-year-old Ruby Sales from the shotgun blast that killed him instead. He is remembered in the Church's calendar on
August 14.
Get tickets and learn more,
here.
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New Haven Young Adult Brunch on August 19
Join other Young Adults for a post- Eucharist Brunch
at 12:15 p.m. at Roia, 261 College Street, New Haven. Please RSVP to
rfield@episcopalct.org
, there is also a
Event on Facebook
. The food is delicious, the company is divine, and the conversation sure will be decent.
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Esteemed Storyteller Donald Davis to host Storytelling workshop and performance in Burlington, VT
Join our friends in the Diocese of Vermont for a weekend in Burlington focusing on the art of storytelling, titled "Exploring Our Attic of Story Memories." This day-long free workshop with esteemed storyteller
Donald Davis
will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, in Burlington, VT on September 15 - 16. Learn more about the weekend
here.
Questions? Contact
admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org
.
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A Contemplative Approach to Spirituality & Sexuality, Oct. 4 in Sewanee, Tennessee
The Beecken Center offers a day-long workshop to discuss sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity at St. Mary's parish in Sewanee, Tennessee. The workshop will focus on healthy and honest conversation around spirituality and sexuality, as well as provide tools for participants to engage in discussion around sex, sexuality, and spirituality. Learn more and register for the workshop
here
.
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Register today for the next Discipleship Matters Conference
Register for the Discipleship Matters Conference, October 15 - 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. This national conference series explores Christian formation for discipleship, scripture engagement, habits of daily prayer, serving the poor, and sharing the Good News. The conference will offer keynote presentations, workshops, and networking time, and will be undergirded with Eucharist and the Daily Office.
More information here
.
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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.
- August 28, 49ers Gathering, The Commons
- August 29, Faith & Order, The Commons
- August 30, Finance Committee Meeting, The Commons
BISHOPS' VISITS:
- September 9, Bishop Ahrens: L'Eglise de L'Epiphanie, Stamford; Bishop Douglas: St. James, Winsted
- September 16, Bishop Ahrens: Grace, Broad Brook; Bishop Douglas: St. Monica's, Hartford
- September 23, Bishop Ahrens: St. Luke's, Glastonbury
- September 30, Bishop Ahrens: All Saints, Cornwall; Bishop Douglas: St. Albans, Simsbury
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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.
- August 13-17, Vacation Bible School, St. David's, Gales Ferry
- August 13, S'mores & Movie Night, St. James', Glastonbury
- August 14, Hiking with the Rachels, Naugatuck State Forest, Quillinan Reservoir Block, Ansonia
- August 15, Free Summer Carillon Concert (George Matthew Jr.), St. James', Danbury
- August 15, Rector's Book Choice: Why Suffering by Ian Markham, St. John's, Essex
- August 18, First Annual Bluegrass Festival on the Hill, St. John's, Guilford
- August 18, Pulled Pork Dinner, St. Peter's, Hebron
- August 19, Summer Picnic & BBQ, Grace Church, Hartford
- August 19, Healing Service, St. Philip, Putnam
REGION MEETINGS & EVENTS:
MINISTRY NETWORK MEETINGS & EVENTS:
- August 16, Christian Formation MN meeting, The Commons
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