MAY CLERGY ENEWSLETTER
May 24, 2018
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
by: Rowena Kemp

In college I was a biology major and by my senior year all my courses were upper level science courses. For fun, I took a photography elective and it was a game changer. You see, photography became a way of escape, a soothing balm in times of trouble, a way to relax and just remove myself from the world. I remember the hours I spent in the darkroom watching the moments I had captured come to life. I remember the use of harsh lighting to accentuate natural details in tree barks and human faces in black and white photos. I remember convincing two of my friends to be models and the awe and joy when they saw themselves for the first time through my eyes! Photos have a way of revealing our innocence, our sacredness, our godliness, and how we see each other!  This is perhaps one of the main reasons I find myself wandering around ECCT with my cell phone instead of a camera these days! I love to capture those sacred moments that are occurring around us all day every day! They remind me of God’s abiding presence in each of our lives.
Moments like my former senior warden, Thomas Phillips, stacking as many boxes of Kleenex as he could to create a tower as he waited for our pantry clients to arrive. You can see how proud he is of his masterpiece and how much fun volunteering at our pantry, A Place of Grace is for him.
Or perhaps an unexpected moment whose beauty and power is only evident after looking at the final shot. I think of a moment a few years ago while I was attending the Annual Retreat of Province IV Episcopal Churchwomen (ECW) at Kanuga in North Carolina. Also at the retreat center were Province IV Altar Guild leaders. On a break, I joined the altar guild leaders for an outdoor service where their chaplain anointed each person’s hands. Capturing one of those moments as the sun beamed through was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever photographed! It was a divine moment. It seemed as if, in that moment the chaplain was literally anointing the member’s hand with light. You can even see the light bursting out between their fingers! 

Or perhaps, two photos taken from the same spot on the Connecticut River at a Clergy Conference outing in 2016 in Middletown. The first photo is that of Reverends Greg and Amy Welin and the second, the scenery behind them from the Lady Katherine, thirty minutes later when the heavens presented their nightly array. Scenic and divinely abundant.
At this years, ECW Annual Luncheon at the Aqua Turf in Southington it was important again to capture friends reconnecting with each other. This year’s presenters from Thistle Farms mesmerized those gathered with their stories of resurrection from experiences of abuse, addiction and trafficking amid worship, business, a fine meal and lots and lots of shopping! You can feel the comfort folks had with each other in the photos.
However, perhaps the most intriguing photos were those captured at Clergy Conference this year as we wrestled with Confronting White Supremacy and Anti-Blackness.  It was a very important, informative and yet challenging conversation facilitated by the Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas. We were grateful for the presence of three chaplains from Bethany House who helped us center our thoughts, concerns and even anger in prayer. 

On one outing we got to experience White Supremacy from the perspective of the Mashantucket Pequot peoples. Photos of our group walking through the Museum’s exhibit with life-sized villages and peoples and hearing their stories, further challenged us as clergy to be the people of God, a people of love in our world. The expressions on the faces of colleagues spoke volumes.  
A picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures tell stories perhaps not evident to the photographer at the time. I wonder, if we saw each other as we are, created in God’s image though with unique flaws and surprising beauty, would it be easier to actually love each other?
The Rev. Rowena J. Kemp is the Priest in Charge at Grace, Hartford, CT. She is the National Chaplain of the Girls’ Friendly Society USA, a clerical member of ECCT Standing Committee, & a native of the Bahamas. 
Clergy Day, June 7 at St. Mark's, New Britain
Join other clergy members for the next Clergy Day on June 7 at St. Mark's, 147 W Main St, New Britain, for an HR extravaganza, "Maintaining a staff as a religious organization: Practical strategies to manage church employees."

 Co-facilitators Kayla Tubolino and Stephanie Anderson aim to make personnel issues less of a daunting task as they share best practices, demonstrate coaching tips, and facilitate a conversation around different case studies. There may even be a chance for questions about specific circumstances in individual parishes.  

More information and registration to come. Please check the weekly eNews and website for more information.
Pastoral Conversation with Episcopalian Members of the NRA, June 16 at Christ Church Cathedral, 10:00 a.m.
Bishops Ian T. Douglas and Laura J. Ahrens invite Episcopalian members of the National Rifle Association and other Episcopalian owners of firearms in Connecticut to a pastoral conversation about how best to address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.

Information on the flyer  here .
PB Curry and other faith leaders to participate TODAY in Vigil at the White House

Joining  the Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, t he Rev. Jim Wallis, President and Founder of  Sojourners ,  and other predominant religious, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will participate in a procession and candlelight vigil at the White House on May 24,  Reclaiming Jesus. 

The Episcopal Church Office of Communications will livestream everything   here . 
Clergy Conference video recordings not available

Dean Kelly Brown Douglas initially gave permission for her teaching sessions to be recorded and posted on YouTube. After returning to NYC, she wrote again to say that because her presentations are works in progress that will be further honed and re-employed, with apologies, she prefers that they not be publically posted. ECCT honors her request.

Quotes and pictures available on ECCT's Twitter account .
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaching at the Royal Wedding & beyond!

The Royal family experienced the  joy and love of the Presiding Bishop Michael Curry  at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on Saturday morning. Bishop Curry preached a strong message on the Power of Love , beginning and ending his with a passage from the Song of Solomon 8:6-7 and a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Presiding Bishop Curry was hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby,  here is an interview with them the night before the wedding , and here is another interview after the wedding ceremony talking about how the sermon was received .

Saturday Night Live was even taken aback by Presiding Bishop Curry, calling him the unexpected star of the wedding.  He ended up making a cameo on Weekend Update .

On Tuesday of this week, Presiding Bishop Curry visited Good Morning America , the Today Show , and The View . He even helped Al Roker with the weather report!
Above: Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry gives an address during the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain, May 19, 2018. Owen Humphreys/Pool via REUTERS

Below: Screen shot of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry helping Al Roker on the Today Show on NBC.
2018 Education for Ministry Graduation, June 24 at St. Timothy's, Fairfield

The 2018 Education for Ministry Graduation ceremony is scheduled Sunday June 24, at 2:30 p.m., hosted by St. Timothy’s, 4670 Congress Street, Fairfield, CT.

This year’s graduates are from EfM groups meeting at Church of the Epiphany, Durham, St. Timothy’s, Fairfield, and St. James’s West Hartford. Bishop Laura J. Ahrens will be the Celebrant, EfM Mentor Karen Otte, from Church of the Epiphany group will preach. A reception follows the ceremony.

EfM is a four year study and reflection program for lay people structured by the University of the South School of Theology. For more information contact Ron Ward , 860-463-8057.
Convention Corner!
Call to Convention
The Rev. Adam Yates, Secretary of Convention, mailed out a paper and electronic version of this year's Call to Convention . It includes information regarding changes to this year's convention, resolution guidelines, how to submit a question to convention, and more.

Annual Convention: Something New
 Something new is coming to Annual Convention this year, and we want you to be a part of it! Learn about why we’re making these changes in this first video in a series .
Register for Convention
Registration is now open for the 2018 Annual Convention , on October 26 & 27 at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, CT! Register before June 15 to get the early bird discount rate of $65.

Annual Convention Banquet: Trivia Night
It's a battle of wits and useless knowledge at Convention on Friday night! Over dinner, compete with your team for unique prizes by answering trivia questions from church history to popular culture--from the arcane to the downright silly. Get together your friends from around the church and register today .
Clergy Events
Upcoming :
  • May 24: Fresh Start Meeting, The Commons
  • May 28: The Commons is Closed
  • May 31: Transition Consultant Gathering, The Commons; Priesthood Mentors Gathering, The Commons
  • June 1-3: Deacon Formation Retreat, Episcopal Camp and Conference Center of Rhode Island
  • June 2: Deacon's Retreat "Nurture Your Spirit," Camp Washington
  • June 5: Retired Clergy Steering Committee Meeting, The Commons
  • June 6: General Convention Deputation Public Meeting, The Commons
  • June 7: Clergy Day, St. Mark's, New Britain
  • June 9: Leadership Gathering, The Commons
  • June 14: Women's Clergy Breakfast & Book Study, St. Andrew's, Meriden
  • June 14: Provisional Priest in Charge Gathering, The Commons
  • June 19 - 20: Church Pension Group Wellness Event for Clergy, Cromwell
  • June 21: Standing Committee, The Commons
  • June 23: Northwest Region Convocation
  • June 28: Missional and Conditional Priest in Charge Gathering, The Commons
  • July 5 - 13: 79th General Convention, Austin, TX

Save the Date:
  • July 4: The Commons is Closed
  • September 14 - 16: Deacon Formation Retreat
  • September 18: Fall Clergy Day
  • October 9: Fall Clergy Retreat, Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, West Hartford
Clergy in Transition
Please help spread the word : The Canon for Mission Leadership is now accepting applications for the following positions:
  • FT Rector St. David’s, Gales Ferry (deadline May 31)
  • HT Rector Holy Trinity, Middletown (deadline June 15)
AND

Clergy in Transition

The Rev. David Parachini has accepted a call as Missional Priest in Charge of St. Alban’s Church, Danielson, beginning June 1.

The Rev. Dr. Paul Jacobson has accepted a call as Missional Priest in Charge of Grace Church, Trumbull, beginning June 1.

The Rev. Elizabeth Garnsey, Diocese of New York, has accepted a call as Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Church, New Canaan, beginning July 22.

The Rev. Peter Quinn has ended his ministry as Missional Priest in Charge at St. John the Evangelist in Yalesville.

The Rev. Jorge Enrique Pallares Arellano, Diocese of Los Angeles, has accepted a call as Canon for Congregational Life at Christ Church Cathedral, beginning June 10.

Parishes in Transition

Calvary Church, Stonington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Ajung Sojwal
Christ Church, East Norwalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Christ Church, Greenwich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preparing to Interview
Christ Church, Middle Haddam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking CPIC
Christ Church, Redding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Alon White
Christ Church, Sharon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Christ Church, Stratford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
Christ Church, Tashua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
Epiphany, Durham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking CPIC
Good Shepherd, Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Needs Spanish speaking clergy
Grace Church, Newington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Grace Church, Yantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preparing to Interview
Holy Advent, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking 2yr PPIC
Holy Spirit, West Haven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
Holy Trinity, Enfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
Holy Trinity, Middletown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving Names
Middlesex Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interim PIC in place: Jim Bradley
St. Andrew’s, Meriden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
St. David’s, Gale’s Ferry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving Names
St. Gabriel’s, East Berlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
St. James Poquetanuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preparing to Interview
St. John’s, East Windsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Negotiating
St. John’s, New Haven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
St. John’s, North Haven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Negotiating
St. John the Evangelist, Yalesville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
St. Martin’s, Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
St. Paul’s, Bantam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending
St. Paul’s, Woodbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . Interviewing
Trinity Church, Milton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC
Trinity Church, Seymour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interviewing
Trinity Church, Wethersfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seeking Missional PIC

Please contact me ( [email protected] ) with any questions about the TMC or the process. I look forward to working with you.
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