ECCT WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER November 20, 2018

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  A Collect for Thanksgiving Day The Commons will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, today Friend, know that whoever you are, wherever you are, you are one of God's beloved, and that there is nothing in the world that can separate you from God's love. We remember and pray for our transgender siblings who have died , may light perpetual shine upon them.

Parishes changing in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut Socio-cultural changes are leading to smaller congregations and greater need for part-time clergy, which are both inspiring and forcing many churches to consider changes. In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) the pace of change is quickening, especially among parishes facing a clergy transition. It's a big deal because we are such a historic diocese with so many churches (currently 160, plus five worshiping communities) and we held onto the "one priest-one parish" model successfully for years.  Continue reading the news post about the circumstances prompting the need for change and choices being made.

ORDINATIONS & CELEBRATIONS OF NEW MINISTRY click the image for the calendar

ECCT PODCAST

New Episode: catch up on previous episodes! Let us know what your favorite one has been so far. Listen to the episode and others at Coffee Hour at The Commons , or on iTunes , Google Play , and Stitcher ! Know of an interesting individual or unique ministry in ECCT? Maybe something going on at your parish, or someone there? Let us know!!

EVENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & REMINDERS

Parish/worshiping community survey continues - New updated parish directory 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, see policies here. Click here to read the related documents. Most recent (no longer BETA version) expanded parish directory is here , using survey data combined with separate clergy database info.

New CRUX magazine is available! Read the latest edition of CRUX: annual magazine for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. It is available online on our website episcopalct.org . Inquiries and questions regarding the magazine can be addressed to Karin Hamilton , Canon for Mission Communications and Media and the Editor of CRUX. Copies are available.

Racial Reconciliation Planning Summit, November 28 Please join the Bishops and Canons of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for a Racial Reconciliation Planning Summit at The Commons on Wednesday, November 28, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Please register via Eventbrite . More information contact Canon Tim Hodapp .

PB Curry on WNYC to talk about the Power of Love Presiding Bishop Michael Curry appeared on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show last Thursday, which you can listen to it here online . In his interview he talked about what it was like to preach at the Royal Wedding, his upcoming book of sermons The Power of Love , take questions from callers, as well as the power of spreading Jesus' message of love.

Family Advent Day at Camp Washington, December 2 As the family awaits the coming of Christmas, spend an afternoon together at Camp Washington, Sunday, December 2 from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Make an Advent wreath (one per family), dip Advent candles, participate in crafts, & more. The afternoon ends with worship and dinner together. Please register here .

Upcoming Communications Faithful Futures: December 6 Join Karin Hamilton, Canon for Communications and Media and Alli Huggins, Digital Communications for an evening discussing best communication and media practices. Make your website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) work together to share info, evangelize, support others, create holy space, and have fun! Come learn more about tools and tips for integrating your online media to provide a consistent, faithful presence. Dinner is not included. Space is limited, register today .

F ootwear With Care's Boot Party , December 8 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The North Central Region is hosting this year’s Boot Party in collaboration with Footwear With Care, The Hartford Police Department, Fleet Feet of West Hartford, CT Podiatric Association and several other organizations throughout the Greater Hartford Community. For more information on how you can donate personal care packages  click here . To volunteer: contact the Rev. Bonnie Matthews , Deacon.

ECCT Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the Bishops Join Bishops Ian T. Douglas and Laura J. Ahrens and Qumri Pilgrimages for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, June 9 - 19, 2019. Visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Sea of Galilee, Emmaus, and more. There is an optional 3-day extension to Jordan and Petra available. More information and registration form available on our website .

ECCT CALENDAR Events below are coming up in the next few weeks

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. November 20: Celebration of New Ministry for Katy Piazza, Emmanuel, Weston November 22-23: The Commons will be Closed November 25: St. Philip's, Putnam's Closing Service November 27: North Central & South Central Region Clericus, St. Paul's, Southington November 27: Priest-in-Charge Consultant Gathering, The Commons November 27: Ordination to the Priesthood: Dana Stivers, St. Paul's, Westbrook November 28: Faith & Order, The Commons November 28: Racial Reconciliation Planning Summit, The Commons November 29: Finance Committee Meeting, The Commons November 30 - December 2: Deacon Formation Retreat, Holy Family, West Hartford December 4: Ordination to the Priesthood of Florencio Armando Ghinaglia Socorro Bishops' Visitation Schedule: December 2: Bishop Ahrens: St. Andrew's, Devon (Milford); Bishop Douglas: St. Mark's, New Canaan December 9: Bishop Ahrens: Old St. Andrews, Bloomfield; Bishop Douglas: St. John's, Salisbury December 16: Bishop Ahrens: Holy Trinity, Enfield; Bishop Douglas: Trinity, Collinsville December 23: Bishop Ahrens: Trinity, Brooklyn

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. Please indicate which region your event is in by selecting the appropriate region category.   Contact specific parish for updates, locations, and details. PLEASE check to see if your event is already on the calendar before you submit it. Parish: Regular worship services, including season-specific, will not be listed below.    November 20: Ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Service, St. Ann's, Old Lyme November 20, 27: Bible Study, St. Alban's, Danielson November 30 - December 1: Christmas Fair, Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven December 1: Holiday Bazaar, St. John's, Vernon December 1: Christmas in New England Fair, St. Mary's, Manchester December 1: Christmas Bazaar & Luncheon, St. Andrew's, Marble Dale December 1: St. Nicholas Fair, Trinity, Trumbull December 1: Annual Holiday Fair, Holy Trinity, Middletown December 1: St. Nicholas Fair, St. Peter's, Hebron December 1: Advent Quiet Day: Engaging the Senses, Opening to God, Trinity, Wethersfield December 1: St. Nicholas Fair, Christ Church, Pomfret December 2: Advent Lessons and Carols, St. James', Glastonbury December 2: St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble from Russia, St. James', Danbury December 4: Bible Study, St. Alban's, Danielson Region: November 20: SC Region: Young Adult Episcopalians Episcogiving dinner, New Haven

Safe Church Training: All Safe Church Trainings (Comprehensive Basic, and Lay Recertification) can be found on our website. We will no longer be listing each training in the eNews. Please find & register for trainings on our website .

OPEN POSITIONS

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.  Director of Development, Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of New York Summer Camp Program Director, Camp Washington Organist/Choir Director, St. Peter's, South Windsor For open Clergy positions please click here .

STAY CONNECTED

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