ECCT WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER
June 18, 2019
World Refugee Day is June 20
IRIS, the Episcopal-affiliated Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, in New Haven , listed a food bazaar in its calendar for this week's World Refugee Day. New Haven's International Festival of Arts & Ideas and Sanctuary Kitchen at CitySeed are holding a "World Refugee Day Food Bazaar" on Thursday, June 20 - World Refugee Day - from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The cost is $40; link here to buy tickets . Their promo describes it as an " evening of cuisine and culture from around the world. Enjoy multicultural food and drink prepared by recently resettled refugees, and celebrate their contribution to the diverse and changing face of the Greater New Haven Area. Mix and mingle, create connections, and feast while listening to a world music concert on the New Haven Green."

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry's video remarks on World Refugee Day, along with links to other resources for World Refugee Day, are here. #WRD2019 #refugeeswelcome #supportrefugees
From the blog: Stories from the Holy Land Pilgrimage, Part 1
by guest contributors, compiled by Sharon Pearson and edited by the Rev. Adam Thomas

(ECCT's Digital Storyteller is on her honeymoon for two weeks and the Rev. Adam Thomas and Sharon Pearson, who are on ECCT's Pilgrimage in the Holy Land , have taken over blog posts during this time. TODAY'S POST is not wrapping text correctly on several platforms and this will be corrected ASAP; in the meantime the entire post is below.)

A group of more than thirty Episcopalians from Connecticut (as well as a few family members from other states) has been on pilgrimage in Israel-Palestine since Monday, July 10th. With their pilgrimage drawing to a close, here are a few stories and impressions from the first week.

The Work of the Diocese of Jerusalem
Archbishop Suheil Dawani met with us to share the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem. He talked about the three missions of the diocese: pastoral care, the institutions, and interfaith reconciliation. The Christian community in Palestine lives under a great deal of stress. Pastoral care is important, but not an area where we can be helpful. The Archbishop acknowledged that interfaith efforts take considerable time and effort and represent great challenges.

The diocese owns and operates about 16 schools, two major hospitals plus a number of clinics and several residential and outpatient institutions for those with disabilities. The Episcopal church is a small minority within the small, struggling Christian minority. The schools and hospitals are the visible and substantial way in which the church can share the ministry of tolerance, respect for differences, and reconciliation. They welcome all, regardless of ethic, religious, or economic background.
Muslim families pay tuition to attend Episcopal schools because of the values their children are taught. We should be extremely proud of this work. It’s the part of our family in our Holy Land that we can support through prayer and gifts. ( Anne Lynn)

Gift, Glory, and Sadness
My faith has always been affirmed and nourished by Love’s (God’s) first Incarnation. The beauty of landscape and time traveling from Jerusalem – beginning with our time at dawn in the desert of the beauty of Galilee. Gift.

In the desert again I was reminded of all members of creation, including each of us, are unique, precious, and unrepeatable. I saw this in each hill, each stone. At home I see this in each wave that graces the shore.

Again I felt at home on the Sea of Galilee.

My story as shared and felt connected to the Jerusalem Peace Builders concept of identity including trauma, or in my case fear of heights. Glory in my case of monasteries – holy ground and our relational to my faith healing.

Joe and Kristin’s loving kindness overshadowed my fear allowing me to visit the monastery in the hillside (that place of temptation so connected to addiction, power, prestige).  The divine indwelling or sparks of light within were on display when Joe and Kristin were so present to my needs, sparkling brightly as did the sky over our guest house in Nazareth.

Sadness for me is real and has taken the beauty of the landscape, all Love’s first incarnation, from the Palestinians. Taxing trash so there is garbage everywhere. Building walls, concrete and barbed wire. This is foul deadening. (Jaye Lyon)

Where Jesus Walked
The trip came especially alive when we went to Nazareth – The Primacy of Saint Peter Church by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus studied and taught, and so many other 2,000 year old sites where Jesus walked. ( Dede Baker)

The Jordan River
We departed Nazareth early to go to the Jordan River. Iyad (our wonderful guide) had found a secluded roadway where we could get to the river to renew our baptismal vows. We passed some befuddled fisherman as we went down the road. After the opening of the service Bishops Ian and Laura waded our into the water. Using olive branches that Ranya (our other wonderful guide) had collected, the bishops sprinkled us with the river water. Many of us waded into the water to be sealed with the sign of the cross. The sounds of nature hummed all around. It was an amazing experience. Some of the fishermen had come down to watch. When we passed the Peace I offered them my hand. As they took it one said, “Salaam” and the other said, “Peace.” I felt I had crossed a cultural divide. My last surprise was when I turned at the end of the service and saw Bishop Ian and his wife Kristin swimming in the river! It was an experience that will stay with me for many years to come. ( Sarah L. Guterman)

ECCT's Digital Storyteller Alli Huggins is using a blog site, episcopalct.blog , to share her stories and those from others. ECCT podcast episodes are linked, as well. You can search archives and submit story leads. Contact her at storytelling@episcopalct.org
ECCT Pilgrims in the Holy Land - in photos

The ECCT Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, June 9-19/23, is going well! Bishop Douglas and members of the Holy Landers Ministry Network are doing an Instagram takeover. These also post to our Facebook page . Your continued prayers welcome. These are just four of the many photos posted. Check out the social media to see more, and see where these are.

Monastery of the Temptation
In Burqin
"Faith in Action: The Intersection Between Faith and Social Change" -- Yewande Austin to speak Sat. June 22 at Christ Church Cathedral

Girls Friendly Society USA, CT, and W. Mass; the Episcopal Church Women of Province I, CT, RI, & WMass, and Christ Church Cathedral are hosting this day-long event to all those who identify as women. Free, but reserved seating only;  online registration here or click on flyer.  The speaker is an international humanitarian and honorary U.S. Cultural Ambassador. "...this interactive workshop will show participants how to put their faith in action to prevent, confront and solve present day socio-economic challenges...." Details on flyer and at registration link. Flyer (PDF) ; registration.
Confronting the Slave Trade in our Back Yard: Pilgrimage July 13
Saturday July 13, Brooklyn CT and Providence RI.
Meet up at Trinity Church, Brooklyn at 9 a.m. and take a short bus trip to Old Trinity Church, Brooklyn, built by enslaved persons; then re-board the bus to Providence RI for a two-hour walking tour of the city with the Center for Reconciliation to learn more about the international slave trade. $65/person, lunch is NOT included; please bring your o wn. Bus trip limited to 40 persons. Click on flyer above to download a copy; click on "Tickets," at right, to register.
Sat, Jul 13, 2019 9:00 AM EST
"Confronting the Slave Trade in Our Back Yard" - Bus Trip
Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network, Providence
The Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network is organizing pilgrimages as opportunities for Episcopalians in ECCT to participate in the Season of Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation. In addition to the day trip planned for July 13 (see above), a second pilgrimage is being planned for this November, a Saturday/Sunday to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Details to follow.
HBO documentary on Bryan Stevenson to air Wed. June 26, 8 p.m.
True Justice  is an upcoming HBO documentary about Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson ’s fight for equality. It follows his struggle to create greater fairness in America’s “system” and shows how racial injustice emerged, evolved and continues to threaten the country, challenging viewers to confront it. It airs Wednesday, June 26 at 8 p.m. More info here. Thx to RHJRMN member Suzy Burke for the tip.
Annual Convention Sat./Sun. Oct. 26-27 - Early registration ends June 30

Separate registration required for each event

This year's Annual Convention will be held at the Hartford Civic Center on Saturday/Sunday, October 26-27, 2019. All info below was published in the July 13 Call to Convention . Signup info below.

Saturday will be focused on business including elections , resolutions , and hosted conversations around questions that ECCT will help determine. It includes lunch. As in prior years there is a fee. Overnight hotel reservations are separate , discounted room rates available before Oct. 4.

Evensong and a reception at our Cathedral in Hartford, which is celebrating its Centennial this year, follows the end of Convention business on Saturday.

Sunday is set aside for an ECCT-wide worship, with Bishop Barbara C. Harris preaching.

There is also a special opportunity for youth.

As in prior years, a print version of the Call to Convention was mailed (USPS) earlier this year and an electronic (and updated) version was sent June 13 (link here) . It includes all the info above and more.

All future information will be online only. Future Convention eNewsletters will include links, updates, and reminders.
  • Link here to the Convention web pages, which include a link to sign up for Convention newsletters. Make sure new delegates and new-to-ECCT clergy are subscribed.
EfM Graduation set for June 30

The Education for Ministry (EfM) Class of 2019 graduation and celebratory Eucharist is set for 4 p.m. Sunday June 30 at Church of the Epiphany, Durham, CT. Bishop Laura Ahrens will be the Celebrant and Erin Flinn, North Central Region Missionary, will be the preacher. There are ten graduates to be honored among the five EfM groups in the dioceses according to Ron Ward, EfM Coordinator for ECCT. Graduates are from groups at Christ Church, Greenwich; St. Timothy’s, Fairfield; Church of the Epiphany, Durham; St. James’s, West Hartford; and St. Johns, West Hartford.

EfM is a four-year program of study and reflection, structured by the University of the South School of Theology. Each group is comprised of minimum of six and maximum of twelve students under the guidance of trained mentors. Currently there are three EfM groups in the Diocese. For more information contact Ron Ward, rtwtmr@comast.net or phone 860-463-8057.
Report from Leadership Gathering, Mission Council, June 8

The quarterly gathering of the four leadership bodies in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) – Mission Council, Standing Committee, Commission on Ministry, and trustees of Donations & Bequests (D&B) – was held Saturday June 8, 2019. Wearing an orange t-shirt with the ECCT mark, Bishop Ian T. Douglas opened the gathering with prayer for those affected by gun violence, along with information about the annual “Wear Orange” weekend that calls awareness to gun violence nationally.

Jack Spaeth memorial service June 29;
Choirs invited to participate; clergy invited to vest

The Memorial Service and celebration of the life of Jack Spaeth, former Canon for Stewardship and Administration at the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. Clergy are asked to vest in cassock and surplice with white stole.
Click here to read the letter sent earlier by the bishops.

All ECCT Choirs are invited to participate in the Memorial Service for Jack.  A rehearsal will be hosted at our Cathedral on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 7 p.m. Please contact our Cathedral‘s Director of Music, Marianne Vogel, at  directorofmusic@cccathedral.org  to register your participation no later than June 20. Marianne will be collaborating with Michael Fazio, Director of Music at Holy Trinity in Middletown, who will serve as organist for this service.  
ECCT PODCAST
Listen to episodes 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!!

In Episode #50 , published June 14, Alli and Karin talk with the Rev. Catherine Amy Kropp about the Cosmic Christ, which has been the focus of her spiritual journey and her academic studies, and what an awareness of the cosmic dimension of Christ could mean for parish ministry. Link here.

Here's a list of archive guests by date with name/s and topic in case you want to check out past episodes.
ECCT IN THE NEWS
The Rev. Ranjit Mathews, rector of St. James' Episcopal Church in New London, also chairs The Episcopal Church's Task Force on Dialogue with South Sudanese Anglican Diaspora and was quoted (and in a photo) in this Episcopal News Service (ENS) article, "South Sudanese in diaspora and in Africa garner renewed Episcopal Church attention." The article says that while the Task Force has been working on establishing official conversation, a US priest in Wisconsin is now set to become an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Bor, by special arrangement. Link to read article. Mathews quote (and pic) are toward end of article.

Email Karin if your parish or worshiping community has been featured in non-ECCT media/news!
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CAMP WASHINGTON?
Sign up the kids for summer camp!
Sessions start June 30

Mini-camp (overnight and day, ages 5-10); Children's Camp (ages 7-12); Teen Camp (ages 12-16); Wilderness Adventure Camp (ages 7-12 and 12-16); and Service Leadership Camp (ages 13-16). Check the camp website for dates and details of each and to register.


Programs at Camp Washington:
  • June 21-23, Writing workshop w/Davyne Verstandig (info/register here)
  • June 28, Bishop's Book Study with Bishop Laura Ahrens, Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church, by Rachel Held Evans. 11 -12:30 a.m. discussion followed by lunch, $10, register here or call 860-567-9623.
Camp Washington is the official Camp and Conference Center of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) and a resource for Christian development and spiritual formation for followers of Jesus. Camp Washington is located on 300 acres in northwestern Connecticut and organizes and/or hosts retreats, conferences, and events throughout the year and offers a full summer camp program. It is a place of “acceptance, joy, and renewal for all God’s people.”
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL?
Upcoming events at Christ Church Cathedral
* Specially designated Centennial year events

  • June 21 Church Street Eats Paint Night, 6 p.m.
  • June 22 Yewande Austin "Faith in Action," 8-3:30, co-host
  • June 29 Ordination of Deacons, 3 p.m., hosted ECCT event
  • June 30 Stained Glass Window Sunday - Tours at 9, 11:30, 1:30
  • July 14 Joint Service at St. Monica's, Hartford

Plan ahead! Upcoming Centennial offerings to ECCT:
*Sunday July 21, Jazz Mass at 10:30 a.m., Joint service with Hartford communities
*Sunday September 15, Hip Hop Mass, 3 p.m., especially for the youth of ECCT
*Saturday October 26, Centennial Evensong and Reception - ECCT Convention
Christ Church Cathedral is the gathering place for the entire Episcopal Church in Connecticut and the seat of its bishops. It is “Connecticut’s Cathedral” as all Episcopalians in CT are members of the Cathedral. From our Cathedral we are called and empowered to participate in God’s mission in our local neighborhoods. In this its centennial year, our Cathedral is opening its doors in new ways to neighbors near and far.
ECCT CALENDARS
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.

ECCT meetings and events calendar (see other calendars below for bishops; Ministry Networks; Regions; and Clergy
  • June 9-19/23 Holy Land Pilgrimage
  • June 25: Convention Planning Team
  • June 30, EfM Graduation at Epiphany, Durham
  • July 11, Joining Jesus Advisory Council
  • July 13, Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation pilgrimage: Brooklyn CT and Providence RI
  • July 16, D&B Board Mtg
  • July 17, COM Mtg
  • July 18, Standing Cttee Mtg
  • July 23, Convention Planning Team Mtg

Bishops' Schedule:
Visitations:
  • June 23, Bishop Douglas, St. John's, Pine Meadow

Ministry Network meetings (see more on this calendar )

Region events
  • June 22: NW Region Convocation
  • June 25, NC Region Leadership Team Mtg
  • June 29: SW Region Convocation

Ordinations and Celebrations of New Ministry .
  • June 29, Ordinations to the Diaconate, Christ Church Cathedral, 3 p.m.

Upcoming clergy events (and those in ordination process)

Mandatory Clergy Professional Development Day (MCPD)
  • The three regular sessions of MCPD are done. If you were not able to attend, you must now register for and attend the one make-up session that will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7 at St. John's, West Hartford. Online registration is here.
  • Clergy who fail to attend MCPD in 2019 will not be "clergy in good standing."
  • See FAQs here. (what's required, who's required to participate, and more)
PARISH EVENTS
Events below are coming up in the next few weeks
Please visit this calendar for details on these parish events not listed above. To add an event, please fill out this form .

List of parish events Link here for full info. (Ministry Network and Region Leadership, see above). Be sure to list your events in your Region eNewsletters to reach your local audiences.

June 22, Drive-in Prayer, Enfield
June 22, Italian Dinner, Hebron
June 22, Faith in Action, Yewande Austin, Cathedral in Hartford
June 22, CPR Training, South Windsor
June 22, Baroque Concert, Hartford
June 23 (and July 28), Healing Service, Brooklyn
June 26, Outdoor Pops Concert, Hartford
June 30, Healing Service, Enfield
July 6, Book & Bake Sale, Manchester
July 8-12, Vacation Bible School (VBS) Orange
July 8-26, Theater camp, Washington
August 24, Bluegrass Festival, Guilford
Sign up for Region Newsletters

All Region Missionaries use a common Constant Contact account (along with other ECCT staff) to create and publish regular newsletters. Here are links to the most recent issues. Be sure to sign up for these by updating your subscriptions at the bottom of any enewsletter or from a link on this page . Get your local news & events!

New Region Missionaries (RMs) in the SW, SC, and NW Regions start this week. Link to PDF booklet with bios/intros to all six RMs.

Safe Church Training
All Safe Church training sessions (in-person and dual in-person and online) for basic or specialized training, and for recertification, are done for spring/summer. Fall dates will be announced and published later this summer.

Important note for clergy only:
ALL clergy must attend one Mandatory Clergy Professional Development Day in 2019. See clergy section in Calendar of Events, above.

OPEN POSITIONS - WE'RE HIRING!
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. 

ECCT staff positions:

  • Canon for Mission Communications & Media - reviewing applications
  • Dean of Formation - Link here for more
  • Canon for Mission Finance & Operations - interviewing

Parish and Camp pos itions:


Clergy non-parochial:

For open Clergy positions in parishes please click here .