ECCT WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER
August 27, 2019
The Way of Love: Spiritual practices for a Jesus-centered life
For yourself, your family, your group, your congregation ...

  • Video introduction to the Way of Love (above) and each of the practices
  • Print materials
  • Resources
  • Small-group curriculum
  • Partner ministries
  • Traveling the Way of Love - video series
  • The Way of Love Podcast - with PB Michael Curry (featuring more sermons)
  • Way of Love Blog
  • More resources each of the Way of Love practices by age, audience size, and media type
From the blog:
Meet Margaret Clark: the importance of perpetual care

By ECCT Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett - Posted August 12, 2019
I first heard of Margaret Clark and the Cemetery on Hope St. in Stamford from a former co-worker, Don [Dupont]. He told me of the history of the cemetery and Margaret's initiative and dedication to its perpetual care.
So, I drove to Stamford with my camera and recorded Margaret's story.
Here it is (click on video)
Margaret Clark is the sole surviving member of the Clark Family plot, the last plot to be completed at Hope Street Cemetery. The plot has her mother, father, grandparents, great-grandparents, and other relatives. 
When the parishioners of the former Emmanuel Episcopal Church passed away, and the church eventually merged and moved in 2003. The church building was purchased by a Seventh Day Adventist church, but they did not purchase the cemetery. The cemetery then fell into disrepair . 

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
Thanks to Canon Louis Fuertes,
Canon for Mission Finance & Operations

While we welcome our new Canon for Mission Finance & Operations (announcement later today), who will start September 3, we are equally sad to see Louis Fuertes depart into retirement as our current Canon for Mission Finance & Operations, effective September 2. 

Louis came to work at the Episcopal Church in Connecticut five years ago at a crucial time of transition in our finance department. He stepped up faithfully, and without hesitation, when ECCT urgently needed a new Canon for Mission Finance & Operations. Over the last five years Louis has moved our financial management and oversight forward in incredible and important ways. He has brought new levels of transparency, trust, and openness to the financial affairs of the diocese. And, because of his experience as a parish treasurer himself, Louis has built bridges of understanding and collaboration with countless parishes and worshiping communities. 

Utilizing PowerPoint with a flair never before seen in ECCT, Louis has raised the financial acumen and knowledge of lay and ordained leadership across the diocese. Louis’s love of God in Jesus and his care for God’s people undergirded all he did. And through it all, his good humor and irrepressible dedication to Texas and baseball kept a smile on all of our faces. We will miss you, Louis. Well done, good and faithful servant. Prayers and blessings on a well-earned retirement.

--The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Bishop Diocesan
Clergy Retreat registration now open, click here .
September bulletin insert ready
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 the Rev. Diana Rogers priest-in-charge of Holy Advent, Clinton, and a member of the RHJR Ministry Network.

Click here for the September insert as text-only in MS Word
Pilgrimage November 16-17, 2019
Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
Travel by motor coach or travel on your own; registration opens soon!
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. for Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17.

Travel will be by motor coach, departing Hartford Nov. 16 at 4 a.m. and stopping in Riverside at approximately 5:30 a.m. en route. The bus departs D.C. at 2 p.m. on Sunday for the return trip.

The cost for bus riders is $80 per person. The Network has an additional 20 tickets available for individuals who wish to make their own travel arrangements. They must be present with the rest of the group to have their timed-entry tickets accepted. Attendees will be responsible for making their own reservations at a nearby hotel, discounted rates are available. Lunch on both days, and Saturday dinner, are also separate. There is no admission fee to the Museum; you need the timed-event tickets.

Group size is limited and will be first-come, first-served. More details are on this page and registration will open very soon.
Free programming to ECCT parishes
The Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network is offering congregations or groups of congregations a series of programming opportunities. The Network will provide the materials and the trained facilitators and work with the dates and locations you request. Presentations will be customized to meet the needs of your congregation or group.

Options may include Sunday morning forums, book studies, or evening/weekend series, or other.

Resources include feature-length movies; briefer, thought-provoking videos; and all sorts of articles and books to suggest as points of departure for an engaging discussion about a sensitive and complex topic.

Link here for an August 26, 2019 letter from the Network with more details and more specific suggestions for programming.

For more information or to organize a program, contact the Rev. Don Hamer, convener of the RHJR Speakers Bureau, at 860-614-1360 or dlhquadzilla2@yahoo.com .
Ring to Remember: Commemorating 400 years of African American history and culture

Many ECCT congregations participated in the August 25 bell-ringing to commemorate and honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in English North America in 1619. ECCT Digital Storyteller Alli Gannett was live on Facebook at St. Peter's, Milford on Sunday 8/25 at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Matt Lindeman, who started by reading, "A Litany for Those Not Ready for Healing," by Dr. Yolanda Pierce. Link here to view/listen.

Photo at right from St. Peter's, Milford.
ECCT PODCAST
Listen to episodes at Coffee Hour at The Commons , or on iTunes , Google Play , and Stitcher !


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

Here's a list of archive guests by date with name/s and topic in case you want to check out past episodes. The podcast is now taking a break and will return Sept. 6.

Know of an interesting individual or unique ministry in ECCT? Maybe something going on at your parish, or someone there? Let us know!!
ECCT IN THE NEWS
The online local media Patch published a photo and article on 8/8 about the new chaplain for the Canton Volunteer Fire Department: It's the Rev. Linda Spiers, recently retired rector of Trinity, Collinsville. Patch had a great photo of Linda with a fire truck with the media release. Click here to read/view.

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?
"Second Sunday" - Sept 8, 4:30 p.m. retired CT Bishop Suffragan Jim Curry short presentation on "Swords to Plowshares," followed by worship and meal. $10 donation; Register by phone, 860-567-9623.




Fourth annual Youth Festival, September 7-8, for grades 8-1 2: fun, music, games, great food, worship, and friendship.


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

October 5, St. Francis Day & Blessing of the Animals, Bushnell Park, 2 p.m.
October 6, Canon Jones Award, 10 a.m.
October 26*, Centennial Evensong and Reception ( more info and registration here )
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. 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. 5, Faithful Futures: Stewardship (registration full and closed)
  • 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, Quarterly ECCT Leadership Gathering
  • Sept. 15, SE Region Convocation
  • Sept. 17, East Regions (SE, NE) Budget of Convention Review
  • Sept. 20, Joining Jesus in a New Missional Age; Clergy Mtg; Coaches Mtg
  • Sept. 24, Retired Clergy, Spouses, & Partners Gathering
  • Sept. 24, (Clergy) Evening with the Bishops: East Regions (NE, SE) Visitation Conversation
  • Sept. 25, Central Regions (NC, SC) Budget of Convention Review
  • Sept. 26, West Regions (NW, SW) Budget of Convention Review
  • Sept. 28, NE Region Parish Communication Workshop

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 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. 29, Community Bicentennial Pot Luck Dinner, Sharon
Sept. 4, Healing Service, 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, Harvest Fair, East Haven
Sept. 7-8, Apple Festival, Monroe
Sept. 14, Town-wide tag sale, Middletown
Sept. 15, Making Sense of the Bible series starts, Enfield
Sept. 15, Community Concert/Block party, West Hartford
Sept. 22, Miles for Mission Road Race (5k) & Dogapolooza, Stamford
Sept. 22, Healing Service, Brooklyn
Sept. 22, Choral Evensong (come & sing!), West Hartford
Sept. 22, "Paris to Pittsburg" movie event
Sept. 28, Church Fair, Bolton
Sept. 28, "Little Black Dress Fashion Show & Tea Cup Auction," Windsor
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 .