ECCT WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER
August 20, 2019
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.”

3 p.m. Sunday, August 25, ECCT Facebook Live (EpiscopalCT)
from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Milford, with
the Rev. Matt Lindeman and ECCT Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett
Episcopal Church offers digital invitation kits for Back-2-School and Back to Ministry

Resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith

[ Episcopal Church Public Affairs Office, July 18, 2019]
Continuing the invitation to connect The Way of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life  more deeply to the seasons of the year, The Episcopal Church is developing additional free and downloadable resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith. A Back-2-School Digital Invitation Kit and the Back to Ministry Digital Invitation Kit is available now.
Each of these kits include: a customizable poster and postcard; a social media-ready graphic; and a Facebook cover image. Each kit also includes a video prayer message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry which can be embedded on a church’s website. These resources are themed both with and without Way of Love graphics. All evangelism resources are available here and here .


More evangelism resources from The Episcopal Church are here.
Churches urged to join in World Day of Prayer for Creation - September 1

(ACNS) August 15, by Rachel Farmer

Green Anglicans are urging churches to join in th e World Creation Day of Prayer on Sunday, Sept. 1. The day marks the start of an annual celebration of prayer and action to protect creation called the Season of Creation.
The season, which begins on Sept. 1 and runs through the Feast Day of St. Francis on Oct. 4, is set to be celebrated by tens of thousands of Christians around the world. Volunteers organize a range of events and activities in their own communities, from prayer services to litter cleanups or advocacy actions.

Canon Rachel Mash, Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Creation as it falls on a Sunday this year. This year’s materials are following the readings for the lectionary and there are a whole range of resources available to download.”

This year’s theme is the ‘web of life’ and resources, available now on the Anglican Communion website , are designed to help churches reflect on the destruction of the web of life and pray for those who suffer most because of that loss.

From the bl og:
Creating a culture of kindness at Armsmear
By ECCT Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett
- Posted August 19, 2019

I had first heard of Armsmear about three years ago when I started at The Commons. Bishop Laura Ahrens has a binder on her bookshelf with the word “Armsmear” on the spine, and for three years I would find myself looking at the binder thinking “what a weird name, I wonder what that is.”

Fast forward to now, when I was looking for this week’s blog post, I decided I would do some research into the name on the mysterious binder (now two!). 

Armsmear is the former homestead of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, and now a place that “provides affordable independent living for women of limited income who are 60 years of age of older,” says Melinda Schoen, Executive Director of Armsmear. 
I drove to Hartford and met with Melinda to learn more about Elizabeth Colt and Armsmear.

Armsmear means “The Meadow of Arms,” which makes sense when looking at historical photos; the house is at the top of a hill overlooking the Colt Factory and what is now Colt Park. 

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
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.
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.

TODAY, Final hike:
  • August 20: Airline Trail, Lebanon 
SAVE THE DATE: Clergy Retreat set for Oct. 8-10, West Hartford
ECCT staff announce fall lineup of ECCT-wide and Region-based events
Faithful Futures: ECCT-wide

Faithful Futures is a monthly series of trainings, teachings, or collaborative opportunities held throughout the academic year in the evening on the first Thursday of each month. They are organized and led by canons and/bishops. Some are open to clergy and lay leaders in all parishes; some are by invitation only to specific groups or parishes; space is limited. Online registration is required.

September 5: Stewardship
This session will 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 is limited to no more than two individuals from each parish. Thursday Sept. 5, 6-8 p.m. at The Commons in Meriden. Register online here.

Additional Faithful Futures sessions this fall include the following: (details and registration, if open to all, will be provided in enews and social media closer to the session dates)
October 3: Joining Jesus
November 7: Ministry Networks
December 5: Active Shooter/Church Safety
Communication workshops: Region-based

Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett will lead a free day-long workshop on a Saturday in each Region all about parish communication. The morning session will focus on websites and the afternoon on social media. Each is limited to 10 parishes from the Region in which offered, with a maximum of two per parish. BYO lunch and computer. Sessions in the other Regions will be scheduled for spring 2020.
Budget of Convention Reviews: Region-based

The Budget of Convention will be explained, and questions taken, at each of these three weekday evening sessions, held 6:30 - 8 p.m. This is in preparation for ECCT's Annual Convention in October.

September 17: East Regions (NE & SE). Location and registration to come.
September 25: Central Regions (NC & SC). At The Commons in Meriden. Registration to come.
September 26: West Regions (NW & SW). Location and registration to come.
Annual Convention Sat. Oct 26 - Sunday Oct. 27 - Hartford

All ECCT clergy and all elected parish delegates are voting members of ECCT's Annual Convention and must register online in advance. This year's event will be at the Convention Center in Hartford. Overnight accommodations are not included; they are available separately.

  • Delegates, be sure your parish has entered your name and contact information through the online Parish Survey
  • Saturday: Business including elections and voting on the budget & other resolutions, and hosted discussion on Evensong & Reception at Christ Church Cathedral. Open to all; registration requested.
  • Sunday: Worship at the Convention Center with Bishop Barbara Harris as guest preacher. Open to all (parish teams welcome); registration requested.
  • Youth program offered separately; registration required.
  • All details, and links to registration, here
ECCT PODCAST - on break
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!!

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

Here's a list of archive guests by dat e with name/s and topic in case you want to check out past episodes.


ECCT IN THE NEWS
Lisa DiStasio, a US Military veteran (Air Force and Air National Guard, Clinton resident, and longtime member of Grace Episcopal urch in Old Saybrook is in need of a kidney and the church is among those supporting Lisa's efforts to find a donor. She was diagnosed with PKD in 2003 and went on dialysis a year ago. Reporter Aviva Luria of Harbor News, a local paper from Shore Publishing, reported the story on Aug. 14. (contact info included in the article)

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. More & register.
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. 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, Faithful Future: Stewardship
  • 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. 14, Leadership Gathering
  • 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 8/19 there were still 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. 21, Worship in the Wild, Part 2, Hadlyme
Aug. 24, Bluegrass Festival, Guilford
Aug. 25, Backpack blessing, Orange
Aug. 25, Healing Service (afternoon), Brooklyn
Aug. 29, Community Bicentennial Pot Luck Dinner, Sharon
Sept. 4, Healing Service, (evening), Newtown
Sept. 6, Succulent Plant Party (Hartford)
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:

For open Clergy positions in parishes please click here .