APRIL CLERGY eNEWSLETTER
April 25, 2019
Called into transition: Will love hold?

By John Burton

Is this my last Holy Week leading a congregation through the Paschal mysteries?

This question has been ever present in my consciousness this Lent. In July I am retiring to move to Southwest Harbor, Maine, following what I believe to be the leading of the Spirit.

Once I imagined that I might stay at St. Paul’s, Windham for many more years. It has been a great experience, a rare place in which one can feel seen, known and loved—what I believe to be the deepest desire of every person. This congregation has been open to experiments, to trying on worship and community life in different ways. They’ve boldly stepped out to serve others. They’re generous, prayerful and open to knowing God. Our recently coined descriptor, “ A community, growing in love, following Jesus” sums up who we are. In Windham I could live on a farm and yet have a real impact on an urban community in need while making sustaining connections in the local village.

So why would I leave this? Since I turned 60 three years ago my wife KC and I have been intentionally discerning what might be next. “Not to choose is to choose to stay.” Though this could be our forever home, the incarnational way I have lived my ministry would make staying after retirement difficult. And serving beyond my “sell by date” seemed unfair to us and to the congregation. The appeal of a long pastorate was great, and yet I wondered if a new voice was needed. KC and I discerned through two very promising possibilities that both led to dead ends.

Then, last spring, KC found her brother, living in a place long treasured by us. Adopted at birth, her deepest desire was to know anyone to whom she was related by blood. We planned a visit for June and found an extended family as excited to know her as she them. Many phone calls and exchanges of photos followed. Another visit to celebrate her first ever birthday with blood relatives. A discovery that a friend from our music circle was a realtor in the town we would choose to live in. Finding a house that we thought we could summer in for a couple of years. Then falling asleep in that house on the night of the closing and waking up with a knowing that the time was now, not later.

So much unknowing, while the events of our lives were happening at breakneck speed. But always a sense that God is leading us, and, in KC’s Julian practice, that “All shall be well.”

But what of this community growing in love following Jesus ? I realized that this descriptor applies not just to St. Paul’s, but to all of my life. I realize that as two people who have never known extended family, our next class in the Jesus school is to grow in love as part of a family who are very different from us. Will love hold?

My sermon text for my last (?) Palm Sunday? “ Into your hands I commend my spirit.” My premise? Jesus as human could not have known how it would come out, but trusted God and followed into the place of unknowing. This trust, not “belief,” is the basis of Christian faith.

There is alternately terror and joy as we leave this life we have loved and move into the unknown. But I know that terror and joy are the markers of the aliveness into which Jesus calls us.


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The Rev. John Burton has served as Rector of St. Paul's Windham for 13 years. He has was a member and Chair of the Board of the Windham Region No Freeze Shelter for 12 years, and has been involved in many other community organizations. He is a woodworker and aspiring musician.
Retired clergy, spouses, and partners gathering May 9 in West Hartford

Author Marjorie Burke will be the "honored guest" at this event, which is titled, "Memory, Reason, and Skill." The gathering will be held Thursday, May 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James's Church, 1018 Farmington Ave, West Hartford.
9:30 a.m. Coffee; 10 a.m. Eucharist; 11 a.m. Speaker; 12 noon Lunch & Conversation with Bishops

Click here to read more & register; includes links to Burke's books.
Register now for clergy conference

Starts Monday, May 20, 1 p.m.
Ends Wednesday, May 22, 1 p.m.
Location: Water's Edge Resort & Spa, Westbrook CT
Leader: The Rev. Canon Mpho Tutu Van Furth
Chaplain: The Rev. Leng Lim

As a group of clergy in Connecticut, we have, over the past several years, dedicated our annual gathering to matters of particular spiritual and cultural urgency. One of the great challenges of our time, however, is fostering and strengthening the ways in which we speak the truth to power. As clergy, how can we harness our authority to speak the truth at the civic level of the town square, while also grappling with St. Paul’s call to speak the truth in love to those whom we serve?

  • Registration is online here. The fee is $255.99. ECCT cannot pro-rate the fee for a shortened stay, and refunds can be made only for registrations made before noon May 14.

  • Overnight accommodations are separate.

  • There are no more rooms available in our allotted space at Water's Edge. The Rev. Dana Stivers welcomes you to stay at Incarnation Center as an alternative (in nearby Ivoryton). Please email her directly at dstivers@incarnationcenter.org to discuss pricing and availability.
Conference leader and conference chaplain
The Rev. Canon Mpho Tutu Van Fueth describers herself as a priest, writer, wife, mother, artist, theologian, and public speaker. She is the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and has authored two books with him, Made for Goodness , and The Book of Forgiving .
The Rev. Leng Lim, who was a guest presenter at the 2015 ECCT Annual Convention, is an executive coach and change management consultant.

Tentative agenda clergy conference 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
1:00 pm Registration
2:00 pm Gathering Worship (Leng Lim) and Framing of the Conference (Bishops) 
2:45 pm First Presentation – “Speaking Truth to Power: Weakness”(Canon Mpho Tutu Van Furth)
4:15 pm Break
4:30 pm Processing the Presentation and Conversation Conversation (Mpho & Leng)
5:30 pm Evening Worship (Leng)
6:00 pm Social time (cash bar)
6:30 pm Dinner (sit down)
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
7:00 am Coffee Available
8:00 am Breakfast
8:45 am Morning Worship (Leng)
9:00am Second Presentation – “Speaking Truth to Power: Strength” (Mpho & Leng)
10:30 am Break
10:45 am Processing Conversation (Mpho & Leng)
11:45 am Noonday Prayers (Leng)
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Third Presentation – “Speaking Truth to Power: Love” (Mpho)
3:30 pm Afternoon/Evening Free - Dinner On Your Own
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
7:00 am Coffee Available
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Unpack what we learned and next steps (Leng & Bishops)
10:00 am Bishop’s Time 
10:30 am Break
11:00 am Holy Eucharist
Noon Departure
Upcoming Region Clericus Gatherings, Registration Required

All Clergy -- please register for one of the following upcoming Clericus gatherings:
May 23

North Central & South Central Regions
St. Peter's, Cheshire
11:00 a.m.

June 4

Northeast & Southeast Regions
St. Peter's, Hebron
11:30 a.m.

Mandatory Clergy Professional Development 2019 (MCPD) 

All clergy canonically resident and living in CT or elsewhere, functioning liturgically at all, and clergy canonically resident elsewhere and licensed to serve in ECCT, are required to attend MCPD for one day every three years and are due for this training in 2019. The training also serves as Safe Church recertification and will include an updated public records background check as required by the new Model Policies of The Episcopal Church, which required all dioceses to adopt them by 1/1/19.

Check this off your list and register today. The first date was April 11, two more are offered. If you cannot attend either, or need to cancel, you must register for and attend the only make-up session, Saturday Sept. 7 at St. John's, West Hartford. Registration for that will open after the June MCPD date.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS about what's required, and who's required, and what "Good Standing" means, link here to FAQs.

For technical problems related to registering on eventbrite, contact Administrator for Mission Collaboration Gigi Leackfeldt.

Please register ASAP for one of the following dates to attend MCPD:
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at St. Peter’s-Trinity, Thomaston - Register here
  • Saturday, June 15, 2019 at St. John’s, Vernon - Register here

Clergy who fail to attend MCPD will not be in "Good Standing"  
eNewsletters: Are you getting the information you need?
The five basic electronic newsletters published by ECCT (the first three usually by the Canon for Mission Communication & Media) include:

  • weekly general-interest eNews;
  • monthly Clergy eNews;
  • bi-monthly Parish Administration & Finance eNews;
  • as-needed Bishops' Letters, usually from Senior Administrator for the Office of the Episcopate Alison Hollo (these include clergy death notices); and
  • Annual Convention eNews, from Secretary of Convention the Rev. Adam Yates

There are sometimes other single-focus enewsletters, such as ones to promote events, that go to one or more of those subscriber groups. Other ECCT staff may edit and publish on occasion.
In addition every Region Missionary is publishing (or will be, by May) their own Region-focused newsletter, using the same account with our online service provider, Constant Contact.

You can add, delete, or change your subscriptions any time for any of the ECCT or Region newsletters.

More info on this page. Includes link to sign up and link to the online archives of prior issues.
Annual Spring Training and Gathering, Saturday April 27 in Berlin CT

This annual day of workshops is open to lay and clergy alike. Parish teams are welcome. More than 30 workshops are offered this year. Link here for more information on location, schedule, workshop list, flyer and bulletin insert, and registration link. Online registration closed April 14 but space allowing, you can register and pay ($35) at the door.
River of Life - 40 days
Move into prayer: River Pilgrimage this spring, registration open

The Southeast and South Central Regions of ECCT in partnership with Kairos Earth are bringing back a Connecticut River Pilgrimage this spring. It's shorter - just Connecticut. Pilgrims are invited to move deeply into prayer, contemplation, and movement by canoe or kayak as a community together from May 24-31.  There are two three-day options. Guides will again be Mark and Lisa Kutolowski, guides for the 2017 River Pilgrimage . The pilgrimage is open to applications from all faith backgrounds or none at all.

Clergy Events
The ECCT calendar is here.

Upcoming ECCT events for lay and ordained:
  • April 27, Spring Training and Gathering, Berlin
  • April 30, Confirmands & Bishops Dinner
  • May 10, Bishop's Book Study, Hidden Life of Trees
  • May 11, Dean Kelly Brown Douglas, "What it means to be church in 'Make American Great Again' times," Christ Church Cathedral
  • May 19, 50th Anniversary Wedding Celebration, Christ Church Cathedral
  • May 24-31 River Pilgrimage
  • May 29, Celebration of New Ministry, the Rev. Alan Murchie
  • June 6, Celebration of New Ministry, the Rev. Marek Zabriskie
  • June 9-19 Holy Land Pilgrimage
  • June 29, Ordination of Deacons, Christ Church Cathedral

Upcoming events for ECCT ordained:
  • April 30, Interim PIC Gathering
  • May 7, PIC Consultants' Gathering
  • May 9, New Call meeting
  • May 9, Retired Clergy, Spouses, and Partners Luncheon
  • May 14, Mandatory Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church recertification (second date option, also offered June 15)
  • May 16, Transition Consultants' Gathering
  • May 20-22: Annual Clergy Conference, Westbrook CT. "Speaking Truth to Power," with the Rev. Mpho Tutu van Furth, leader, and the Rev. Leng Lim as chaplain. Info & register
  • May 23, NC and SC Region Clericus
  • May 28, OTM Profile workshop
  • June 4, NE and SE Region Clericus
  • June 4, Missional PIC Gathering
  • June 7-10, Episcopal Association of Deacons (AED) Triennial
  • June 15, Mandatory Clergy Professional Development & Safe Church recertification (final of three dates offered)

Save the date: Women's Clergy Retreat, Feb. 27-28, 2020, Camp Washington
Clergy in Transition
The search for a chaplain at Seabury Life Care Community in Bloomfield CT has been re-opened. Candidates will be interviewed as they apply. All applications (letter of interest, current OTM and current resumé) should be sent to Lee Ann Tolzmann at latolzmann@episcopalct.org . Click here for job description .

Clergy in Transition

The Rev. Ian Montgomery, who most recently served in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, has been appointed Missional Priest in Charge of Christ Church, East Norwalk, beginning May 5.

The Rev. Pam Strobel has been appointed Missional Priest in Charge of St. Mark’s Church, Bridgeport, beginning May 1.

The Rev. Peter Floyd is currently serving as Missional Priest in Charge of Epiphany Church, Durham.

The Rev. Abby Vanderbrug, Diocese of Western Michigan, has been called as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Christ Church, Greenwich, beginning August 5.

The Rev. Suzannah Rohman has accepted a call as rector of St. Andrew’s Church in Newcastle, Maine. Her last Sunday as rector of St. Paul’s Church, Southington, will be May 12.

The Rev. Linda Spiers will retire from her position as rector of Trinity Church, Collinsville on May 31.

The Rev. Vicki Baldwin will retire from her ministry as Priest in Charge of St. Paul’s Church, Plainfield, on June 30.

Parishes in Transition

Calvary Church, Stonington..............................................................................Interviewing
Christ Church, Norwich.......................................................................Seeking half time PPIC
Christ Church, Redding...................................................................................Interviewing
Good Shepherd, Shelton.................................................................................Seeking MPIC
Grace Church, Newington...............................................................................Seeking MPIC
Grace Church, Stafford Springs.........................................................................Seeking MPIC
Holy Spirit, West Haven..................................................................................Seeking CPIC
Holy Trinity, Middletown.....................................................................Seeking half-time PPIC
Middlesex Cluster................................................................................................Pending
San Lucas/San Pablo, Bridgeport.....................................................Seeking Spanish spking MPIC
St. Andrew’s, Devon......................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Andrew’s, Stamford..................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Ann’s, Old Lyme.........................................................................................Negotiating
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry.............................................................Names being received by CML
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. James’ Danbury....................................................................IPIC in place: Lisa Hahneman
St. James’ Winsted.......................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. John’s, Salisbury......................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. John’s, Stamford.......................................................................................Negotiating
St. John’s, Washington.........................................................................................Pending
St. Luke’s, Darien.......................................................................IPIC in place: Ellen Tillotson
St. Luke’s, New Haven....................................................................................Interviewing
St. Mark’s, Bridgewater..................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Martin’s, Hartford....................................................................................Seeking MPIC
St. Peter’s/Trinity, Thomaston...........................................................................Interviewing
St. Stephen’s, Bloomfield......................................................................................Pending
Trinity, Hartford............................................................................................Seeking IPIC
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