North Central Region
Monthly Newsletter
Have an event to share? Add it to our NC Region Google Doc (coming soon!)
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Greetings companions in Christ,
It's difficult to imagine that it is May already; Spring is here but Winter doesn't seem like it has quite left us just yet. Many of us are joyously contemplating gardens or reengagement with our favorite outdoor activities. Our parks and other favorite places are seeing more people. Even with these wonderful things to look forward to, our grief is never far from us either. Perhaps only now can we plan funerals for those we've lost during the pandemic. Perhaps only now are we beginning to contemplate what in-person worship looks like and how we might incorporate technology alongside.
Grief and joy often walk hand in hand. Both can surprise us. I've come to learn lately that there is no particular time-line for working through grief and for experiencing joy; these feelings come and go in what often feels like random patterns. So I write you to today, as a person who works alongside you, to be gentle with yourself in this new transitional space. If there is any way in which I can be helpful to you or your community, please don't hesitate to contact me. I can be reached most easily via email: mbreen@episcopalct.org
photo by Maggie Breen
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A Prayer For Our Work Together: |
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Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (A Collect For Vocation in Daily Work, Book of Common Prayer, online)
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Happenings Around the Region: |
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Through The Eyes of Children- A Livestreamed Concert featuring Cuatro Puntos Ensemble, clarinetist Alexander Kollias, and middle school writers from Do The Write Thing - Sunday, 2 May, 2pm
More information about this event can be found HERE.
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SAVE THE DATE: Members of ECCT have begun partnering with Connecticut River Conservancy and with Hartford Riverfront Recapture to plan and bring to you a two-part event. First, on Tuesday, 15 June there will be an Evening Prayer service on the CT River along with a talk about how the river has changed. This will be limited in-person and available via zoom. Second, on Saturday, 26 June, there will be an outdoor multi-faceted event at Hartford Riverfront Recapture where you can paddle, hike, walk, plant trees, and generally steep yourself in God and the care of Creation. More details coming soon!
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Ministry Network Corner: Companions in Mission |
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Come hear about the hope being brought through local mission during these challenging times.
Hear Carrie Amos, President, Jericho Partnership share the hope that strengthens the organization's plans for the future.
Jericho Partnership is an affiliation of laypeople and church groups which follow Jesus in word and deed to serve the at-risk community in Danbury, Connecticut.
Join us on Tuesday, May 11 at 7 P.M.
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LOOKING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES?
• Every week new resources are being shared in the ECCT Weekly eNewsletter
• JOIN the Racial Healing Justice and Reconciliation Ministry Network Here.
• To receive valuable resources from RHJR in your inbox, send an email to ecctrhjr@gmail.com.
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Meet Your NC Region Leadership Team: Rev. Valerie Miller & Casey Rousseau |
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The Rev. Dr Valerie Miller was ordained on April 19, 2008. Rev. Val has been serving in various roles within The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut. Rev. Val most recently has become the priest in-charge of Grace Episcopal Church, Newington CT. Rev. Val has been representing in the NCR ministries her chaplaincy of five years with Armsmear. Armsmear is a senior women’s community in Hartford, CT. Armsmear has been connected with The Church of The Good Shepherd also in Hartford, CT with a rich history of the Christian outreach of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Colt, of Colt fire arms, that has Christian education, worship, community as a central focus, that lives on today. The Rev. Loyda Morales is rector, now of CGS.
Rev. Val, chaplaincy at Armsmear provides spiritual support, direction and weekly chaplain services for the residents of Armsmear. It has been a pleasure for Rev. Val to be a member of NCR for the past year. The ideas that each of our faith communities bring to the table each moth are awesome! Recently the NCR connected with Capital Community College in Hartford to provide every day needed items for college students. This is one of many ideas that have come out of our various ministries listening to the needs of our community at large.
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Casey Rousseau is in his first year on the North Central Region Leadership Team. He has lived his whole life in the region and is a long time member of Trinity Church, Hartford where he is the Treasurer and a Delegate to Convention. Casey has previously served Trinity as a member of the Vestry, Co-Chair of a Rector Search Committee, as a baritone in the choir, and as the webmaster. He was a founding member of the Hartford chapter of Integrity and has been a participant in the Digital Ministry Network.
Casey and his wife Kate have two daughters and live in West Hartford. He works as a Software Engineer in the healthcare industry.
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Bishop Transition Committee Update: |
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The following people have been selected by vote of the Mission Council (from recommendations by the Standing Committee) to serve on the Bishop Transition Committee:
Joy Anderson, Suzy Burke, Harlon Dalton, Luk De Volder, Bob Giolitto, Edrick Hall, Zachary Kohl, Bonnie Matthews, Harold (Harry) Schmitz, Linda Spiers, Kate Wesch, and Sarah Woodford
The following people have been selected by the Regions to serve on the Bishop Transition Committee:
Marsha McCurdy Adell, Joseph Carroll, Scot Colvin, Laura Daly, Kevin Fenner, Jack Gilpin, Jane Hale, Rebekah Bokros Hatch, Karen Hatcher-Sneed, Helena Martin, Marissa Stuart Rohrbach
You can read the official letter HERE.
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Opportunities to Learn & Grow: |
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SAVE THE DATE: 28 MAY, 7PM
Virtual Poetry Night
with Dr. Lindsay Rockwell
Christ Church Cathedral
Poet-In-Residence and host of the series , Dr. Lindsay Rockwell, will feature a special guest, Poet Gregory Pardlo, winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Joining them are poets Joyce Ashuntantang and Spencer Reece.
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Confirmation is a significant sacramental rite in the Episcopal church. Many young people and adults find it a profound opportunity to deepen their relationship with the Lord, affirm their identity as an Episcopalian, and recommit to participating in God’s mission. There are excellent resources available from all around The Episcopal Church to assist your parish or region’s collaboration in these formation opportunities. Read more.
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Being a Top-Notch Hybrid Church Masterclass
The "Being a Top-Notch Hybrid Church" masterclass is a six-hour online course with a practical application project. Held over two three-hour days, one week apart, the class provides the research, tools, and customized training to meet the immediate need of church leaders to become a hybrid congregation offering in-person and online worship and missional experiences. Learn more and register.
Wed., June 9 and 16 from 12-3 PM
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Region Resource Reminders: |
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- COMING SOON: a google document that you can add parish events and information to! Keep your eyes peeled for a link!
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Looking for a place to try online worship? For an ongoing list of ECCT Parishes hosting livestream services click here
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2-1-1 is a one-stop connection to the local services folks in your community may need, from utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention and much more. For more info click here.
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3-1-1 It is similar to 2-1-1 but region specific to the city of Hartford. More info here.
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ECCT Resource for COVID-19 are continually being updated, including:
• Messages from our Bishops • Financial Resources • Self-Care Resources • Digital Communications Resources • Worship Opportunities • And More...
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Racial Justice Audit of Episcopal Leadership Report Released
[From Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church publicly released a report on April 19 that assesses the racial makeup and perceptions of a broad sampling of the church’s leadership and summarizes how race influences internal church culture. The release of the 72-page report, nearly three years in the making, also sheds light on nine dominant patterns of racism that were identified during interviews with dozens of church leaders. Read the full article.
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Communications for the North Central Region |
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* Join the NC Region Facebook Group, a community bulletin board for the region. This is your place to share parish/community events, photos, videos and more.
* Like and follow the NC Region Facebook Page. This is where the Leadership Team will post news of upcoming Region events, gatherings, conversations, resources, etc.
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Questions? Comments? Concerns? Get in touch with your NC Region Leadership Team here or email Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary & NC Region helper at mbreen@episcopalct.org
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