Dear Clergy Companions in Christ:
We are writing to remind you of our upcoming time together on Holy Tuesday as clergy of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. It has been our custom to be together and renew our ordination vows during this holy time; and this year we will gather at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. We apologize for this late communication. Our travel schedules and staff illness at The Commons have delayed our getting the specific details out to you in a more timely manner.
The theme for our day will be: “Finding a Place to Pray in a New Missional Age.” Our leader for the morning and our preacher will be the Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. Steve is a very close friend and colleague here in Province One (dioceses in New England.) The Diocese of Maine was one of the five participating dioceses in the Living Local, Joining God project, so Steve is well versed in the missional challenges before parishes in New England at this time. In addition, Steve will be retiring this year and we wanted to have him with us before he begins a new chapter in his life and ministry. We know his wisdom, missional acumen, and pastoral gifts - gained from wide experience across the Church through the years - will grace us. We are so honored that Steve has accepted our invitation to be our Holy Tuesday leader and preacher.
The plan for the day is as follows:
8:30 Gather and coffee
9:00 Session One with Dwelling in the Word
10:00 Break
10:15 Session Two
11:00 Chrism Mass and Renewal of Ordination Vows
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Conversation with the Bishops
2:00 Departure
We have once again extended an invitation to our partners in God’s mission, the clergy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to join us on Holy Tuesday. Please extend greetings and hospitality to those among us you might not immediately recognize.
As in the past, oils will be available after the Chrism Mass. We ask that you bring unused and/or empty vials so that they can be reused next year.
To register for Holy Tuesday at our Cathedral please use the EventBrite link here:
We give thanks for our collegiality in God’s mission with all of you, and very much look forward to being together as clergy in Connecticut on Holy Tuesday.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
Bishop Diocesan Bishop Suffragan
