ECCT WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER
July 23, 2019
Editor's note: There will be no regular weekly enews next week, Tuesday July 30.
Traveling the Way of Love - Episode 4: Turn - Premieres today, 3 p.m.

Click on the image above to watch the trailer for Episode 4: Turn

[The Episcopal Church] The latest installment of a new video series from The Episcopal Church Office of Communication, premieres July 23, 3:00pm EDT on The Episcopal Church website and on The Episcopal Church Facebook page.

Hosted by Chris Sikkema, the Office of Communication’s manager for special projects, Traveling the Way of Love shares stories of the ways people across The Episcopal Church practice the Way of Love , with each episode highlighting one of the seven Way of Love practices: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. This fourth episode focuses on Turn. 

In this episode, Sikkema asks the Rev. Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms ( https://thistlefarms.org/ ) , “Do you have any stories in your own personal life about turning?” Tune in to hear Stevens’ story of how a question from her young son empowered her to take her dream of “communities for women that were justice-oriented” from someday to reality.

Three additional episodes are planned for 2019; watch for them in September, October and November. Each episode is built around one of the seven practices central to The Way of Love: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, rest.

Episodes are closed-captioned.
From the bl og: Trail Magic in Salisbury
By ECCT Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett

I spent last Saturday at a trailhead in Salisbury feeding hikers.
I was joined by two young adults, Elizabeth Peters and Joshua Brown, as well as Dylan Mello, the Northwest Region Missionary and his family. We arrived around 9:45 a.m., unloaded my car with a table, chairs, a cooler of sodas, box of chips, sandwich makings, home-made O’Henry bars, pie, and four gallons of water. Then we waited. 
“Never having participated in trail magic before,” Dylan said, “I was unsure of what to expect.” 

Within ten minutes we had our first hikers and our trail magic officially began. 
Trail magic is technically anything that helps a hiker. It can be finding a tent stake at a campground after you realized you lost yours, or coming across a full-on barbeque at a road-crossing. And, anyone who performs this magic is referred to as a trail angel.
I didn’t learn all of this on Saturday. In fact this was my turn to teach something I know to some ECCT folks – to share a bit of my story.


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
Episcopal Church resources and notices

Creation Care series begins
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations is planning a series of educational pieces each Thursday through the summer that outline how they are addressing environmental issues through policy. They will also provide an action item and highlight some ways to address related issues of justice. Learn more here. Sign up for their newsletters!

One-time-only grants available for active education advocacy partnerships
All Our Children National Network [AOC] publicly announced they are ceasing all programming and operations after seven years serving as a nexus for Episcopalians and other Christians dedicated to building the movement for education justice and having a meaningful impact on public schools.
In conjunction with their closure, All Our Children announces a one-time-only Advancement Grant initiative for Episcopal congregations, dioceses, and Episcopal-affiliated programs working toward education equity and quality public education for all. Eligible applicants must be engaged in an active church-school community partnership or participating in an education advocacy initiative that has been operating at least two years. The grants will provide up to fifteen awards of $5,000 to $10,000 in unrestricted funds. Prospective applicants should visit www.allourchildren.org/grants for application details and to submit a proposal. Completed applications are due August 1. More info here.
 
Evangelism grants available for local and regional efforts
Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. The application deadline is October 1. The grant program, which began in 2017 as a result of the 2015 General Convention’s increased investment in evangelism galvanized by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, awards up to $2,000 for an individual congregation and up to $8,000 for multi-church, diocesan and regional collaborations. More info here (also links to Spanish and French)
Pilgrimage November 16-17, 2019:
Museum of African American History and Culture, in D.C

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 to leave Hartford at 7 a.m. November 16 and make 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.
August bulletin insert now available
The Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation (RHJR) Ministry Network  is organizing a series of monthly bulletin inserts to support parish participation in ECCT's  Season of Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation . These are also posted on the " Communication Resources " section of the related web pages. This month's reflection is by Lisa Yarbor of St. Luke's, New Haven and a member of the RHJR Ministry Network.
Summer film series to explore race and racism:
July 30, Aug. 6, 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.
Apply now: Episcopal Church staff officer for racial reconciliation
[June 27, 2019] The Episcopal Church is accepting applications for the position of staff officer for racial reconciliation, a member of the Presiding Bishop’s staff.

Information about the position and details for applying are available  here . In addition to completing the profile and submitting your résumé, please submit a cover letter that includes at least three professional references. Deadline for applications is August 1, 2019.
Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network recruiting Episcopalians for "Speakers Bureau;" training & resources provided
By the Rev. Don Hamer for the Training and Resources Team of the Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network

The 2018 Diocesan Convention overwhelmingly passed a resolution that launched a Season of Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation to last a minimum of two years.

An important aspect of this work over the coming years is to engage every parish in our diocese. To that end, the Training and Resources team of the RHJR Ministry Network is recruiting folks who are committed to this work and interested in being part of a “speakers bureau.” This group will send small teams to parishes, worshiping communities, and other public forums to offer a variety of interactive programs on the subject of racial healing, justice and reconciliation. We will provide all of the materials and training needed. Our goal is to be able to offer innovative, engaging programs designed to meet the unique needs of each congregation or forum.

If you believe you might be called to this transformative work, please contact the Rev. Don Hamer, Convener, at dlhquadzilla2@yahoo.com or by phone at 860-614-1360.
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"
  • TODAY: July 23:  Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown, Greens Falls area; 
  • July 30: Hopeville Pond, Griswold;
  • August 6: (instead of a hike) Presentation about Prudence Crandall by Drew Crandall at First Church, Canterbury;
  • August 13: Utley Hill Trail, Columbia;
  • August 20: Airline Trail, Lebanon 
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 #55 , published July 19, Alli talks to the Rev. Bob Bergner and the Rt. Rev. Jim Curry about "Swords to Plowshares" that converts guns to gardening tools 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

North Central Region Missionary the Rev. Erin Flinn was contacted by a Hartford Courant reporter interested in the Racial Healing Film Series that the NC and SC Regions are hosting this summer. The article is here.

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!

There's still time! The final session of Children’s Camp 2 (August 4-16) still has openings! Check the camp website today!
Fourth annual Youth Festival, September 7-8, for grades 8-12. Registration is open! Click here for flyer.
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
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 listed through the end of August

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
  • July 23, Convention Planning Team Mtg, The Commons
  • July 23, Hiking Holy Borders, Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown (NE & SE Regions, open to all)
  • July 28 Visit from the Bishop of Cuba, Christ Church, Greenwich
  • July 30, Hiking Holy Borders: Hopeville Pond, Griswold (NE & SE Regions, open to all)
  • July 30, Sacred Healing Film Series: "Blindspotting," Wallingford (NC & SC Regions, open to all)
  • Aug. 2, Men's Breakfast, Vernon (NE Region, open to all men in the NE Region)
  • Aug. 6, Presentation on Prudence Crandall, First Church, Canterbury (NE & SE Regions, open to all)
  • Aug. 6, Sacred Healing Film Series: "Do the Right Thing," Wallingford (NC & SC Regions, open to all)
  • 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

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 events, see above).
Be sure to list your events in your Region eNewsletters to reach your local audiences.
July 24, Outdoor pops concert, Hartford
Aug. 7, Healing Service, Newtown (first Wednesdays of every month, starts 8/7)
Aug 17, Pulled pork dinner, Hebron
Aug. 24, Bluegrass Festival, Guilford
Connect to your Region webpages for info, newsletters, events, social media, and more! Link from each image below. ( 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.
Safe Church Training
Safe Church training is offered as full-day, in person sessions or as a hybrid of in-person and online sessions, scheduled September through June. To see what's currently listed, click on the ECC calendar and select "Safe Church Training (all) from the menu on the left. Use the navigation at the top of the page to look at the sessions by month.

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 .