NOVEMBER CLERGY ENEWSLETTER
November 15, 2018
“What’s a nice Jewish girl like me doing in a place like this?” (Joan Rivers)
by: Amy Reichman
I have a Jewish name. It is Malcha, which translates as “Queen.” (I see the smiles and hear the laughter among those of you who know me, and I join you in the jolly making.) As I told the local Rabbi after the Community Memorial Service honoring the eleven murdered in the Tree Of Life Synagogue - I am not exactly a queen, but rather more of a princess. God has a sense of humor - of that we can be certain.

But seriously speaking, my heart stopped for a moment when Bishop Ian stopped the most recent ECCT Convention to report breaking news of the eleven Jews murdered while praying. In that instant, I was led back to thoughts of Columbine, Texas First Baptist Church, the Orlando massacre, Colorado Springs, and our own Sandy Hook. Fellow worshippers and I were moved to tears when this past Sunday, the Bishops’ Litany in The Wake of a Mass Shooting was read by our Intercessor of the day.

I have a Christian Name. It is Amy Linda, which translates as “Loved One and cute or beautiful.” As a Christian, I belong to Jesus and you are my people. Shortly after “marrying” into the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement, I was baptized at age 24 in California.

I was both a “closet” Christian and a Jewish American Princess for most of my young life. I would question God about my unhappy experiences within the safety of my walk-in closet. My family was in the “rag trade,” manufacturing women’s clothing. So, it was only proper for me to have a closet full of the latest fashions (even though I could never bring myself to wear some of them).

When I was a pre-teen, I accepted the invitation of a Roman Catholic friend to accompany her family to Christmas Eve Mass. In the midst of smoky incense, the birth narrative was read aloud, and I simply believed it. Ever since then, Jesus has been my constant companion, offering hope during troubling times, celebration in joyful experiences, pushing me forward in service to others, and always available to me in prayer.

To be named by someone is to belong to them. I am named both as a Jew and as a Christian. I belong first and last to God and God’s people, the God of the Jews and of the Christians. Once so named, I have a Jewish soul, “for at least 120 years,” teaches the Rabbi. I am Christian; I belong to Christ, no less than forever. I am rooted in the Abrahamic tradition. Thus, I have Islamic cousins as well.

Christians are rooted in Judaism’s Tree of Life, no less than forever. We are all family, branches of the same tree.

When clergy read the Gospel and interpret the Christian Message, I think we need to be thinking about our common humanity. What is really meant by the Biblical use of “the Jews?” When reading scripture aloud, what is the appropriate emphasis and tone of voice regarding “the Jews?" Perhaps we can interpret this for our own people as something like, “the people” or “ the religious leaders,” or whatever most closely ties the Jews in any particular context to Jesus, a Jew Himself. In this sense, we are the Jews.

So what is a nice Jewish girl like me doing in a place like this anyway? Perhaps the better question to ask might be to remember, ponder, pray, and preach, “What was a nice Jewish boy like Jesus, the Christ, doing in a place like that?”
Amy hails from Sharon where she lives with her wife and life partner of 43 years, Constance, and their eighth pet rabbit Rosita. She has had the honor of serving or attending several parishes in the NW Corner of ECCT during her 13 years as a Deacon. Amy has worked in the mental health field with transition aged youth and adults. She continues a spiritual based community ministry in healing.
Spend Thanksgiving at Camp! Today is the last day to register!

Consider trying on a new “Tradition” at Camp Washington this Thanksgiving holiday! It will be an opportunity for friends - old and new - to gather at Camp for a day, two days, or three. Relax by the fire, participate in worship, go for a hike, do a puzzle, read a book, or just simply be and let Camp take care of the work.

More information and registration is available on Camp's website: campwashington.org .
ADVENT IS COMING

It is true, Advent is within reach (December 2), so here are some helpful tools, including ECCT's new cycle of prayer :

  • Advent blog from folks in the ordination process. An intro post with their bios is up.

  • Walking in Welcome: An Advent Series with Episcopal Migration Ministries. Three one-hour webinars, registration is required. More information available here.

  • #AdventWord 2018 words have been released and can be found here. ECCT will post an image on social media at 7:00 a.m. every morning in Advent, please like and share those images!


  • Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices has a whole list of Advent Resources, from calendars to activities and more!
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. 

Please hold one of the following three dates to attend MCPD:
  • Thursday, April 11, 2019 at St. Mark’s, New Canaan
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at St. Peter’s-Trinity, Thomaston
  • Saturday, June 15, 2019 at St. John’s, Vernon

If you cannot attend on the day for which you register, then you will need to 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 . 
Click the image above to see the three events on the ECCT calendar to find out more information.
Clergy Events
Upcoming :
  • November 15: New Call, The Commons
  • November 15: Standing Committee Meeting, The Commons
  • November 20: Bishop's Book Discussion, Camp Washington
  • November 20: Celebration of New Ministry for the Rev. Katy Piazza, Emmanuel, Weston
  • November 22 - 23: The Commons will be closed
  • November 27: North Central & South Central Region Clericus Gathering
  • November 27: Priest-in-Charge Consultant Gathering, The Commons
  • November 27: 49ers Gathering, The Commons
  • November 27: Ordination to the Priesthood: the Rev. Dana Stivers, St. Paul's, Westbrook
  • November 28: Racial Reconciliation Summit, The Commons
  • November 30 - December 2: Deacon Formation Retreat, Holy Family, West Hartford
  • December 2: Ordination to the Priesthood: the Rev. Florencio Armando Ghinaglia Socorro, St. John's, Bristol
  • December 8: Leadership Gathering, The Commons
  • December 13: New Call Meeting, The Commons
  • December 14-15: ROC Gathering, Mercy by the Sea, Madison
  • December 18: Transition Consultants Gathering, The Commons
  • December 18: Ordination to the Priesthood: the Rev. Thom Peters, Christ Church Bethlehem
  • December 18: Ordination to the Priesthood: the Rev. Benjamin Straley, St. John's, Essex
  • December 20: Ordination to the Priesthood: the Rev. Brett Figlewski, Trinity, Milton

Save the Date:
  • January 22: Northeast & Southeast Region Clericus Gathering
  • March 6 - 8: Women's Clergy Retreat, Camp Washington
  • March 30: Faith Behind Bars & Beyond Annual Forum
  • April 11 & May 14: Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church Recertification
  • April 27: Spring Training and Gathering
  • May 20-22: Speak Truth to Power, Clergy Conference with the Rev. Mpho Tutu van Furth, leader, and the Rev. Leng Lim, as chaplain, Westbrook, CT
Reminder to all currently licensed clergy in ECCT - November is coming!
 
THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE THAT ARE CANONICALLY RESIDENT IN ECCT.

From ECCT's "Policies Concerning Licensing of Clergy:"
 
  • "Licenses are issued for one year and are valid through December 31 of the year of issue. The License to Officiate must be renewed annually by written request to the Bishop in November or December. Responsibility for initiating the renewal lies with the licensed person."
  • A reminder to prepare and submit your request to renew your license via letter or email to Bishop Douglas in November. Your license will expire on December 31 and we all know how busy December can be! If you have any questions please contact Amber Page Gehr, Administrator for Transitions & Clergy Support at apagegehr@episcopalct.org
Clergy in Transition
Deacons in new cures:

  • The Rev. April Alfred-Harkey, Deacon, St. Thomas, New Haven
  • The Rev. David Rhodes, Deacon, St. John’s, Waterbury
  • The Rev. Ron Steed, St. James, Preston and Grace, Yantic

Please help spread the word about the following:

  • Good Shepherd/Buen Pastor, Hartford is seeking a full-time bilingual rector. Deadline for applications is November 20, 2018.

  • St. David’s, Gales Ferry continues to seek a full-time rector.

Clergy in Transition 

  • The Rev. Daniel Mattila has been appointed Missional Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s Church, Bantam and Trinity Church, Milton.

  • The Rev. Brett Figlewski has been appointed Missional Curate at St. Paul’s Church, Bantam and Trinity Church, Milton.

  • The Rev. Harlon Dalton has been appointed Missional Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s and St. James’, New Haven.

  • The Rev. Rob Clements has been elected ¾ time Rector of Christ Church, Bethany, after serving as the Provisional Priest in Charge. 

  • The Rev. George Kovoor is now Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s Church, Darien.

  • The Rev. Justin Crisp is now Associate Rector and Theologian in Residence at St. Mark’s Church, New Canaan.

  • The Rev. Hugh James has accepted an appointment as an Interim Priest in Charge in the diocese of Long Island. His last Sunday as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Norwich, is November 18.

  • The Rev. David Anderson has accepted a call as Chaplain of Episcopal Community Services in Philadelphia’s. His last Sunday as Rector of St. Luke’s Church, Darien, will be Sunday December 2. 

  • The Rev. Mark Robinson has announced his retirement from St. Anne’s Church, Old Lyme. Christmas Eve will be his final service as Rector.

  • The Rev. Canon Wil Austin will end his ministry as Priest in Charge at St. Stephen’s Church, Bloomfield on December 30, 2018.

  • The Rev. Joel Mason will end his ministry as Missional Priest in Charge at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Shelton at the end of 2018.

  • The Rev. Alba Perez will end her ministry as Missional Priest in Charge at St. Luke & St. Paul’s Church, Bridgeport at the end of 2018.

  • The Rev. Robert “Woody” Woodroofe will conclude his ministry as Missional Priest in Charge of St. Mark’s Church, Bridgewater at the end of 2018.

  • The Rev. Jim Wheeler will retire as Rector of St. John’s Church, Stamford, at the end of 2018.

  • The Rev. David Carter has announced his retirement as Rector of Christ Church, Pomfret, effective July 1, 2019.

Parishes in Transition

Calvary Church, Stonington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Ajung Sojwal
Christ Church, East Norwalk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
Christ Church, Middle Haddam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing
Christ Church, Redding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Alon White
Christ Church, Sharon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOA awaiting signature
Christ Church, Tashua. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Negotiating
Epiphany, Durham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
Good Shepherd, Hartford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving names
Good Shepherd, Orange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
Grace Church, Newington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
Grace Church, Stafford Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
Holy Spirit, West Haven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking CPIC
Holy Trinity, Middletown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In process
Middlesex Cluster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Jim Bradley
St. Andrew’s Devon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
St. Andrew’s Stamford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving Names FT Rector
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
St. James’ Danbury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim in place: Lisa Hahneman
St. James’ Winsted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
St. John’s, Salisbury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
St. John’s, Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will seek PPIC in spring 2019
St. Luke’s New Haven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking half-time PPIC
St. Mark’s Bridgeport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
St. Martin’s, Hartford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
St. Peter’s/Trinity, Thomaston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking MPIC
Trinity Church, Wethersfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In process
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