ECCT WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER
August 13, 2019
Design team shares hopes for next Lambeth Conference July 23-Aug 2, 2020; event is once-a-decade conference for all bishops in the Anglican Communion

[Anglican Communion News Service, July 23, 2019, by Lucy Cowpland]

[Tuesday 23 July marked] one year to go until more than 1,000 bishops and spouses from around the Anglican Communion join together for the 15th Lambeth Conference.

Running from 23 July to 2 August 2020 and convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the conference invites participants from over 165 countries and will shape the future direction of the Anglican Communion for the next decade.

The theme for the Lambeth Conference will be “God’s Church for God’s World”, inspired by the book of 1 Peter. The event will call participant together for prayer, Bible study, reflection, fellowship and dialogue on shared topics, concerns and opportunities in the Anglican Communion.

The conference will also explore important global issues, including climate change, gender justice, poverty, modern day slavery, peace and reconciliation, mission and discipleship.

The programme for the 2020 event is being shaped by a Design Group comprised of archbishops, bishops, theologians, and other lay members. [editor's note: Bishop Ian T. Douglas, before his election and consecration in Connecticut, served on the 2008 Lambeth Conference Design Group.[

In a video released to mark the one-year milestone, linked below, members of the Design Group have shared their hopes for the Lambeth Conference.
International link unites Māori and indigenous American young Anglicans

(ACNS) Friday 9 August [was] the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. To mark it, the Anglican Communion News Service spoke with a youth representative on the Anglican Consultative Council, Canon Isaac Beach, from the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Canon Isaac, a Maori of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Rangitihi decent, is Kaikarakia (prayer leader) at Saint Luke’s in Paki Paki, a village on Aotearoa / New Zealand’s North Island.

"… Recently, six indigenous youth from my diocese visited Pine Ridge Reservation in the [US-based Episcopal Church’s] Diocese of South Dakota, where we spent two weeks in cultural exchange and indigenous mission with the Red Shirt community of Lakota / Oglala nation,," said Canon Isaac.

“I strongly believe exposing our young people to international experiences through indigenous exchange is critical to informing how they can live a Christ-centred life. It is a wonderful tool for intentional discipleship.”
Isaac described some of the challenges facing the Lakota youth – and community generally – writing “Pine Ridge Reservation has the highest level of youth suicide in the US. It also has the lowest level of socioeconomic indicators across the US proportional to the average. Like most indigenous peoples, they are over-represented in prisons on a per capita basis and have the lowest life expectancy.
Māori youth find common ground when they hear these stories from our Lakota brothers and sisters as we suffer from the same realities in our community in Te Tairāwhiti – the direct result of systematic oppression afforded to our people through colonisation of our ancestral lands.
“One focus of the Lakota / Oglala is economic development. A huge barrier to progressing this economic development is the [US] federal government imposing sanctions on trade and commerce. Another issue is water security for people living on the reservation.


From the bl og:
Painting apartments an building peace in New Haven
By ECCT Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett - Posted August 12, 2019

I spent my Thursday painting an apartment in Newhallville, New Haven with the 12 young people from Palestine, Israel, and Jordan and the  Christian Community Action . This service project was one of seven offered with   IWagePeace.org and Jerusalem Peacebuilders’ Interfaith Service Day. 

So, for this blog post, I wanted to highlight that conversation – don’t worry, I will include images of those newspaper clippings as well. I must note that there were many, many theological debates and conversations happening around women’s ordination (just look at those newspaper clippings), and this is just one. Nay, this is a fragment of one. But, Greg and I really found ourselves engaged in this question the most, so we decided to explore it more.I had heard about this service day from the Rev. Canon Nicholas Porter, Executive Director for  Jerusalem Peacebuilders . Nicholas was a guest on the Coffee Hour at The Commons podcast (you can listen to  his episode her e ), and he introduced the Interfaith Work Day and collaboration with IWagePeace.org. 
According to an  event recap email from Bruce Barrett, Founder of IWagePeace.org, there were “Twenty-two youth from Israel and Palestine, plus 125 local volunteers and staff,” bringing the total to “over 150 in attendance.” 

ECCT's Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett 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
Faithful Futures for September will again focus on stewardship

A number of parishes are starting to meet to discuss plans for their annual stewardship appeals, and ECCT staff will provide some ideas and suggestions for these important efforts in ECCT's September Faithful Futures meeting as it did last year.

The meeting will be at The Commons in Meriden on Thursday September 5 in the evening and feature a panel of clergy and lay leaders from four parishes that have had outstanding stewardship results. In addition to their summary of what they have found to be successful in their parishes, panel members will answer questions from participants. Space will be limited (no more than two individuals from each parish); registration will open soon.
Pilgrimage November 16-17, 2019: Museum of African American History and Culture

The Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network's pilgrimage planning team has acquired tickets to the Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The timed, group tickets are for two days, Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17. Travel will be by motor coach, with tentative plans for a very early start in Hartford November 16 with one stop in the Stamford/Greenwich area en route. Attendees will be responsible for making their own reservations at a nearby hotel, discounted rates will be available.

Group size is limited. Details about registration, travel, hotel discount code, meals, and cost are being determined and will be on this page when available. Future enewsletters will include a link until the trip is full.

"Traces of the Trade" set as third and final in summer film series exploring race and racism: tonight, Aug. 13; @ St. Paul's, Wallingford
The North Central and South Central Regions have been working together to offer a series of three films, with facilitated conversation to follow, as a way to explore race and racism. The series is open to those in other Regions, as well.



The series takes place July 30, August 6, and August 13 from 5:30 - 9 p.m. at St. Paul's, Wallingford and materials are from this year's Trinity Institute, "Scene and Unseen" Facing Race Through Film."

Films includes: Do the Right Thing; Blindspotting, and Traces of the Trade.
Commemorating 400 years of African American history and culture: An invitation to participate in Healing Day bell ringing
August 25:
Ring church bells
at 3 p.m.,
for one minute,
to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in North America in 1619.
Watch Presiding Bishop Curry’s video message here or click on image .
[Episcopal News Service, Aug. 6, 2019] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia Bishop James B. Magness invite Episcopal churches to take part in a national action to remember and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619 by tolling their bells for one minute on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 3:00 pm ET.

Watch Presiding Bishop Curry’s video message here or click on image .

“The National Park Service is commissioning, and asking, churches and people from around this country to commemorate and remember that landing and the bringing of those first enslaved Africans to this country by ringing bells. And if possible, by tolling the bells of churches and to do so on August 25 at 3:00 in the afternoon,” said Curry. “I’m inviting us as The Episcopal Church to join in this commemoration as part of our continued work of racial healing and reconciliation. At 3:00 pm we can join together with people of other Christian faiths and people of all faiths to remember those who came as enslaved, who came to a country that one day would proclaim liberty. And so we remember them and pray for a new future for us all.”

Hiking Holy Borders

Join Region Missionary the Rev. Rachel Thomas (SE) and Maggie Breen (NE) this summer for some hikes. Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., dates listed below. Email Maggie or Rachel to let them know you're coming and for any info specific to that day's event. Full details: online calendar; sort by month and by "Sports & Outdoor Events"

ONLY TWO MORE HIKES IN THIS SERIES!

TODAY, August 13: Utley Hill Trail, Columbia;
  • August 20: Airline Trail, Lebanon 
ECCT PODCAST # 58
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!!

Here's a list of archive guests by date with name/s and topic in case you want to check out past episodes.
In Episode #58 , published August 9, Alli goes out to Camp Washington to check it out. Three camps were running that week! She talked to Summer Camp Director (and Special Programs Coordinator for the rest of the year) Tyler Jarvis; first-time camp counselor Tristian Fillatio; and five-time camp counselor Janette Birtha. Hear them discuss a "typical day," share favorite thing about Camp; and tell stories. Link here.

The podcast is now taking a break and will return Sept. 6.

ECCT IN THE NEWS
St. Stephen’s, Ridgefield is offering a “jazz-and-funk infused vespers service” on Sat. Sept. 7 with local plus invited musicians and a theme of creation. It’s part of Ridgefield’s “Jazz, Funk & Blues Weekend" Sept. 5-8 and was included in the town’s online Hamlethub.com with other events set for that weekend.

A consortium of Stamford’s Episcopal churches, “Working Beyond the Walls,” planned the Vigil for School Safety and an End to Gun Violence” that was held August 11 in Stamford and was promoted on the Facebook page of St. John’s, Stamford. Planning began four months earlier according to an advance article about the event published in the newstimes.com.

Email Karin if your parish or worshiping community has been featured in non-ECCT media/news! (or had a post go viral...)
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CAMP WASHINGTON?
Fourth annual Youth Festival, September 7-8, for grades 8-1 2: fun, music, games, great food, worship, and friendship.

Swimming; canoeing; CORCLS; zip-lining and ropes course; archery; arts & crafts; hiking; food trucks; music; more.
Thanks to The Bishops’ Fund for Children, the cost of this weekend is only $30. Register here - reserve your space and t-shirt.

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
This fresh expression of worship began as a Mass in the streets of the Bronx. “From the time of our earliest working-group meetings, our goals remained simple and straightforward: It was to sing the new song of Jesus Christ in the vernacular – the language of the people – especially our younger generations,” said Timothy Holder, Creator and Founder. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt in the ’hood!” This Hip Hop Mass is a Cathedral Centennial celebration offered to all young people ( and young at heart) from ECCT and beyond. A fellowship time will follow the service. RSVP to the Hip Hop Mass! Link here to register on eventbrite.com

Plan into October! *Saturday, Oct. 26, Centennial Evensong and Reception
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 scheduled for the next few weeks

COMBINED CALENDAR FOR THE SUMMER:
Meetings & events for: ECCT-wide groups; Ministry Networks (MN); Regions; Clergy

ECCT calendar details here : Region and MN calendar details here
  • Aug. 13, Hiking Holy Borders, Utley Hill Trail, Columbia (NE & SE Regions, open to all)
  • Aug. 13, Sacred Healing Film Series, "Traces of the Trade," Wallingford (NC & SC Regions, open to all)
  • Aug. 20, Hiking Holy Borders, Airline Trail, Lebanon (NE & SE Regions, open to all)
  • Aug. 27, Convention Planning Team Mtg, The Commons
  • Aug. 29, Finance Committee Mtg, The Commons
  • Aug. 29, "Let my people go" Ministry Network Mtg at The Commons
  • Sept. 2, The Commons is closed
  • Sept. 5, Joining Jesus Advisory Council
  • Sept. 6, Men's Breakfast, NE Region
  • Sept. 6-8, Deacon Formation Retreat
  • Sept. 7, MCPD, West Hartford (see below)
  • Sept. 10, Convention Planning Team
  • Sept. 11-12, NE Region Leadership Retreat
  • Sept. 15, SE Region Convocation

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. As of 8/12 there were still 50 (of 100 max) seats available.
  • 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 scheduled for the next few weeks
Please visit this calendar for details on these parish events. To add an event, please fill out this form .

List of parish events Link here for full info. (Ministry Network and Region events, see above).
Be sure to list your events in your Region eNewsletters to reach your local audiences.
Aug. 14, Worship in the Wild, Part I: Old Saybrook
Aug 17, Pulled pork dinner, Hebron
Aug. 21, Worship in the Wild, Part 2, Hadlyme
Aug. 24, Bluegrass Festival, Guilford
Aug. 25, Backpack blessing, Orange
Aug. 29, Community Bicentennial Pot Luck Dinner, Sharon
Sept. 4, Healing Service, Newtown
Sept. 7, Tag Sale & Craft Fair, Glastonbury
Sept. 7, Classic Car Concours and Cruise
Sept. 7, Jazz-and-Funk infused Vespers, Ridgefield
Sept. 7-8, Apple Festival, Monroe
Sept. 15, Making Sense of the Bible series starts, Enfield
Sept. 15, Community Concert, West Hartford
Connect to your Region webpages for info, newsletters, events, social media, and more! ( What's my Region? )

Signup for newsletters on this page , check the box for your Region.
Submit your local events to the Region Missionary for your local Region newsletter.
Click on an image below for that Region's ECCT page
Safe Church Training
Safe Church training is offered as full-day, in person sessions or as a hybrid of in-person and online sessions, September through June.

Option 1, full day, in person:
Sept. 14, St. Ann's, Old Lyme
Nov. 16, St. John's, Waterbury

Option 2, Online & in person
Sept. 7, St. Mark's, New Canaan (two)
Sept. 21, Trinity, Newtown
Sept. 25, St. Andew's, Madison
Oct. 5, Trinity, Seymour
Oct. 7, St. Thomas's, New Haven
Oct. 16, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport
Oct. 19, Calvary, Stonington
Nov. 2, St. James', Farmington
Nov. 7, St. George's, Bolton
Nov. 23, Camp Washington, Lakeside

Lay Recertification
Sept. 18, Trinity, Tariffville
Sept. 28, Trinity on the Green, New Haven


Important note for clergy only:
ALL clergy must attend one Mandatory Clergy Professional Development Day in 2019. See 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:

Parish and Camp pos itions:

Clergy non-parochial OR lay professional:

Other :

For open Clergy positions in parishes please click here .