From Rachel -
 
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability.” Acts 2: 1-4,NRSV
 
It’s hard to believe it has been four years since I started this work as Southeast Region Missionary. I have been sitting with this realization, combined with the energy around coming out of pandemic restrictions, the closing of Christ Episcopal Church in Norwich, and the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd: pondering.
 
How have we changed the way we relate to each other as Episcopal parishes? Have we?
How have we changed the way we relate to the world around us, our neighbors near and far?
How is God’s Spirit inviting us to bring the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ: of forgiveness, of grace, of courage to love others – in new ways?
 
I write just before the day of Pentecost. I note that for many of the parishes in the SE Region, this marks a moment of transition – to a return to in person worship, or to receiving communion, or to closing, all turn towards a new future.
 
As I sit with the description of that day in the Acts of the Apostles, I imagine the force of the wind and fire and sudden languages that emerge. Those poor scared disciples didn’t stand a chance against the power of the Holy Spirit! And I wonder.
 
Perhaps if we are fully vaccinated, Pentecost offers us an occasion to take off our masks, get out of our Zoom squares (and slippers) and pray and go and bless others.
 
May God’s Spirit burst forth in us and among us, giving us new words to speak and new ways to live with those around us. May the Spirit push us ever out of ourselves, into this great, glorious, oppressed world that God has made. May our places of fear not stand a chance against the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
Rachel

June 27th: Join me for the Walk to End Homelessness in support of the Homeless Hospitality Center in New London. The walk begins at 1:00 p.m., though there is usually entertainment and gathering time from noon. More information, and to register here: https://www.nlhhc.org/walk
In this issue:
Prayer and technology
  • St. Mark’s, Mystic
  • St. James, New London
  • St. Ann's, Old Lyme
  • Calvary, Stonington
  • St. John's, Essex
Members of the Bishops' Transition Committee from the SE Region
Reparations: what does it mean to you?
Cherish and Celebrate the Connecticut River: 2 events in June
Opportunities for sharing creative writing and music
Live Stream, In Person, Holy Space
Beverly Olsen, Senior Warden,
St. Mark’s, Mystic
 
A month ago, I met with our priest, Adam Thomas, to learn how to run the YouTube Live Streaming and OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) so that we can remain virtual even as our church moves back to in-person worship. Two weeks later, sitting next to the altar and hidden behind a TV screen, set to project the week’s readers for the in-person congregation, I felt a little bit like the Wizard of Oz – take no notice of the little woman behind the screen. That day the sanctuary and altar still looked like a recording studio to the in-person congregation – it was hard not to notice the electronics; the audience watching the Live Stream, however, saw no change at all. By the time you are reading this, that will have shifted; the electronics will still be there, but the altar will no longer look like a recording studio. ‘
 
Over the last year, we have all adapted our way of being together and praying, but we have been together often, and we have prayed fervently, sorrowfully, joyfully and with one another. We have learned much. The community learned to use the chat box, where we greeted one another – the modern equivalent of the passing of the peace – and where we voiced our prayers – and these became our Prayers of the People. We faced one another, each a face in a box with a name – what a blessing. Each person in box listening to another, hearing and over-hearing conversations, and I learned more about many of the folks in the parish than might have happened in the coffee hour. Far away families joined us in worship and during the Zoom Coffee Hour (we got to know our priest’s parents and my mother-in-law now tunes in weekly). During these Zoom meetings, we all sat in each other’s living rooms. On Thursday mornings, during Morning Prayer, we began to light candles which could be seen on camera; the backdrop behind the priest shifted to reflect the holy space and the season; we met in studies and family rooms and decks and patios. These images became our holy space.
 
During all of this, Adam has run the technology. To do this, he has had to streamline the commands so that he can switch screens, play recordings of the lessons and the anthem, all while he is on camera, leading worship, and singing. He is amazing at multi-tasking! We give thanks daily for his many gifts and his generous use of those gifts.
And when things went awry, he told us to wait a moment, gave a wry grin, and fixed the problem, as we all watched and said a prayer that all could be righted, shouting out on chat that we could all wait. These trials and the troubleshooting have created a system which makes learning to run the Live Stream quite simple; especially since I don’t have to be a priest and musician, too. Working from a script of the service, the tech can switch the camera/audio configuration simply by clicking a single number. The priest can now focus on the breaking of the bread and the prayers and preaching. “It is very different preaching to the people rather than a camera,” says Pastor Adam. Our first service back was emotional; we all choked up a little at that first Alleluia.
 
For two weeks now I have sat behind the computer screens. From Pastor Adam’s tech script, we are attempting to create written template to be used for this new and emerging ministry in the church: the Worship Tech. The script attempts to let those at home see the worship and feel part of the worship alongside those in the building. I can look out over the TV/monitor that hides me from the congregation in the church to check out who is there, recognizing and naming folks I have gotten to know on-line this past year. I can read the chats as they appear during the service from the folks on-line, though I have learned to let the folks at home know my name – as it appears as St. Mark’s, Mystic in the chat – and to let them know someone sitting behind the screen and is still listening. Pastor Adam connects to the Live Stream to add these prayers from the chat to the Prayers of the People in the church. In June, we will no longer record the readings, and I hope that those who read on screen will feel the call to read in the church.
 
I have had the gift and privilege to have a front row seat behind the scenes this year. As the electronics move off to the side of the sanctuary, as we move the people back into the pews, we continue in prayer together wherever we are, hoping that more people are listening to God’s word in all these holy spaces. Alleluia!
St. James New London CMPC Grant Supporting God’s New Missional Age
Chuck Sharp, St. James, New London

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:20

Over the past 14 months, we at St. James have continued to meet and worship together virtually every Sunday. The first few Sundays we experimented with Facebook Live. What we quickly learned was that our internet and WiFi reach was not adequate to support Facebook Live from our main church or Hallam Chapel. In fact, we had no WiFi signal outside our church offices. In April 2020, we abandoned Facebook Live and moved to Zoom. 

There were quite a number of big surprises with worshiping virtually by Zoom. We found that our parish was eager to try on something new. We were eager to gather every Sunday to worship together, sing together, pray together, and fellowship together, even if we were not sitting in the same room. We found that our ministry was reaching far outside our little footprint here in New London, Connecticut. We have people worshiping with us from as far away as Ghana and India, and from Florida, Virginia, Texas and Pennsylvania. 

One of the greatest joys of Zoom is seeing, talking to, and having fellowship with each other during our virtual coffee hour. It was a blessing to provide a space where our homebound and those in nursing care could worship with us, none of whom were able to worship with us in-person before COVID-19. We were surprised how eager everyone was to try on technology so as to be able worship and pray together.

This was a true blessing that we want to be able to continue for those who cannot join us as we resume in-person worship. But, we had a huge challenge: the speed of the Internet and lack of a network supporting WiFi access throughout our church and buildings. 

We applied for and received a CMPC grant to upgrade our network and WiFi equipment. This has allowed us to extend internet access throughout our church and buildings. We have also upgraded our internet package to high-speed data transfer. 

As we move back into our buildings, our plan is to have a blended worship service of in-person with livestream. We plan on providing blended in-person and Zoom church and committee meetings. We also are planning to provide users of our facilities, such as our twelve-step groups, with internet access.

In this new missional age, where two are three are gathered together in Jesus’ name, the Church isn’t exclusively for those who gather in-person, but also for those who gather virtually. For Jesus is with us no matter how we gather together in His name.
St. Ann’s, Old Lyme
The Rev. Anita Schell

St. Ann’s in Old Lyme also received $2000 from the Companions in Mission for Publishing and Communications. The surprise of the year digitally: all the time it, all the skill it takes and the knowledge base necessary. In addition, we need the regular (weekly) commitment of a tech team. 

Our difficulties with technology are familiar to us all: Disruption of our recording on Thursday afternoons and getting sermons totally ready by our new deadline, the recording time at 4 pm.

What is the impact? I think there may be an expectation of online worship by many, and some who live locally will not return to in-person worship. Some people like and prefer the convenience of on-line worship, no matter where they live.
Prayer Group Report from Calvary
Karen McGee, May 17,2021

What was the answer to my prayer for guidance on continuing Prayer Group Meetings at Calvary Church in March of 2020?
Keep on going.”

As the leader of the Prayer Group Team for the last several years, the pandemic was an opportunity to open a new door to a different way of being together. The isolation from one another presented challenges to our group as the number of prayer requests increased. While Zoom meetings were familiar to some, most of us were a bit befuddled by the technology. There was no choice but to give it a try. For the next 22 weeks we have met weekly instead of the usual bimonthly Fridays. The prayer requests rolled in, and we struggled with the right buttons to push. However, six to eight of us persisted, and those of us who had thought we were up with the times humbled ourselves and came to our task with a beginner's mind. With 32 people on the prayer team (delete… there were), extra communication was required to share the names of those we lifted in prayer around the Zoom table. Some of us became comfortable with the format and before long we had created a time for checking in as we were admitted to the meeting. We developed a deeper sense of appreciation for each other as the intimacy of seeing just our faces grew. For a while, it seemed never ending; then on May 14th we sat together again on the benches outside the church for our first in person meeting in over a year. It was good to be together in person once again. We learned that together we can go through whatever challenges lie ahead of us.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Wednesday Morning Prayer Service at St. John’s, Essex 
The Rev. Kate Wesch, Rector

On Wednesday mornings since Lent began, a small group has gathered on Zoom for Morning Prayer here at St. John’s, Essex. We pray for one another, for our congregation, and the world. A couple times, we have been blessed to have José Amaral join us. José is a candidate for holy orders in the Diocese of Lebombo, Mozambique and recently we were able to pray with him in anticipation of his upcoming ordination. This congregation has a long-standing relationship with the Diocese of Lebombo and with José, and Zoom has afforded us the tremendous blessing of seeing one another and praying together across the miles. 

These gatherings have allowed us to stay connected and to get to know our new rector, The Rev. Kate Wesch. After we pray together, we always stay on for a while catching up with one another and providing support. This time of gathering serves as a mid-week anchor, a spiritual port in the storm as we emerge from the pandemic. 

One attendee has this to say about our weekly gatherings, “I started many years ago to add the Wednesday service to my Easter and Lenten disciplines. I have to admit that Morning Prayer has not been one of my favorite services as I am, so Eucharist centered in my worship. However, I have found a new fondness for Morning Prayer. We have a small but spiritual group who seem to be engaged in this simple practice of prayer with a common understanding and support for each other. All I know is that I feel better every Wednesday after we are finished. I also think the extra time Kate takes to engage us in sharing is very important to that sense of community...even if it is a small one!”

Another faithful attendee says, “I would love to invite everyone to the Wednesday morning prayer service. It is very inspirational and very heart warming. Kate leads us in many wonderful prayers and she has some very inspirational music. We do the readings from the Old and New Testament and the Psalms. It is only a little over thirty minutes long so I encourage everyone to think of joining us.”
 
While the Wednesday service has a tradition of being a healing service, it has strayed from that a bit in practice. But when I think about it, this form of gathering, praying, sharing, and supporting is healing. Our souls are healed each Wednesday when we come together in this virtual space and garner strength from one another. Thanks be to God for that!

A Prayer for those who gather
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Interested in knowing more about hybrid life of prayer and technology?
Thu, Jun 3, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Faithful Futures: Exploring the In-Person and Digital Space as Church

Join us for a panel discussion made of clergy and lay leaders throughout ECCT as we explore the ways parishes of various sizes are regathering in-person and in hybrid settings. We will hear from perspectives focused on worship, collaboration, digital communications, ministries, and the challenges we face while still in the midst of a pandemic. Submit questions by June 2nd to ecctcommunications@episcopalct.org.
And if you'd rather explore the in-person space of Gardening and Invasive Plants, that same evening our friends at the Inter-Religous Eco Justice Network will be offering a webinar:
Thu, June 3, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EDT

How to Identify and Remove Invasive Plants

Meet the SE Region’s members of the Bishop Transition Committee
Rebecca Honan, Convener of the SE Region Leadership Team

The members of the Southeast Region Leadership Team, along with the other ECCT Region teams, were charged with selecting two candidates each to join the Bishop Transition Team. We were blessed to receive ten applications from clergy and lay folks around our region. After reviewing all ten applications, we then had the difficult task of deciding who we thought best exemplified the qualities we felt were most important- not an easy job.
We are grateful for those who offered themselves. I am also grateful to Rachel Thomas, who currently supports us and the South Central Region, and especially, to the others on the team. I appreciate our friendships, and being able to do this work together. Thank you all! -- Rebecca Honan
Karen Hatcher-Sneed
St. James, New London
Karen J. Hatcher-Sneed is a life-long Episcopalian who has worshiped in St. James’, New London, for almost 21 years. She writes, “My involvement with St. James has resulted in a renewal of my faith and spiritual connection with God, the courage to embody and live according to the tenets of Jesus Christ, and to give freely to others.”  

She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College and a B.A. from Oberlin College. Her career spans over 35 years of senior leadership experience in government and the non-profit management. She recently retired and is currently enrolled in the UCONN Graduate program working towards licensure for Long-term Care Administration. She has a special interest in health disparities. 

She is a member of Health Equity Solutions, South Eastern CT Fellows group, Intertribal Spiritual Prayer Group, and Integrated Healthcare Tasks for Native Americans. She is also the founding member of St.James' Racial Reconciliation Working Group.
The Rev. Kim Litsey
Grace, Yantic and St. James’, Preston

Kim believes that “ministry thrives when we utilize our passions and gifts and when people who hold a common interest are linked together to support one another in carrying out God’s call to them. She appreciates the richness and complexity of collaborating with others, such as in her work with the Annual Convention Planning Committee of ECCT. 

Citing the generational challenges in the church, she believes an initial focus on formation and faithful stewardship of God’s resources is a priority. A part of the formation includes our theology of God’s intentions for the church and its relationship to the world around us.
 
When it comes to engaging with the call to Acknowledge and Confront Systemic Racism, White Supremacy, and Anti-Black Bias, Kim writes, “Getting people to the table to do this work, and keeping them there when the conversation becomes difficult is important for me... We take small steps, and they remain faithful and the transformation is solid.”
In addition to Kim and Karen, the following people were selected by the ECCT Mission Council after being nominated by the Standing Committee: 
Joy Anderson,
St. Stephen's, East Haddam

Joy’s work in her parish as leader of the mission team led St. Stephen’s to discern a focus on food: from creating a community meal (Harvest House) to contributions to the local food bank, to educational programs within the parish around food systems and food justice, and to a lending program to local businesses involved in food service. Ask her about Applepalooza, where the parish really comes alive! 

In her professional life, she works at a national and global level on church systems and structures around investments to create just social change. She has been involved with the Episcopal Church Fund, and Episcopal Relief and Development. This expertise leads her to bring her theological imagination to how we think about our financial resources/assets: How does God call us to be in economic relationships? 

Joy has been participating in the Sacred Ground program within the region. She writes, “This reflection on racial justice has been an amazing gift as I continue to name my own commitments and I hope, in partnership with our parish, we can imagine new ways to create space for grace and transformation around racial justice and healing in our parish.” 
The Rev. Kate E. Wesch
Rector, St. John’s Essex

This is the church that has raised, formed, and empowered me to be the leader that I am today.

I have spent time in all corners of the church from Oklahoma, to Seattle, to Connecticut. I have worshipped in Episcopal communities of all shapes and sizes: rural to urban, rich to poor, young and old, and always among people with a deep and abiding hunger for Jesus and eager to share the good news of God in Christ.

As a priest these past fifteen years, I have primarily served two congregations: one an urban, rapidly growing, and well-resourced congregation and the other a scrappy and growing congregation with a giant heart. I believe fervently that it is possible for congregations of all sizes and contexts to develop into more faithful, healthy, and effective communities that seek to be transformed and bring about the kingdom of God.

What I bring to this committee is a lifetime of love for this church, hope and vision for its future, and the courage to dream something new. This past winter, my family responded to God’s call, picked up and moved 3,000 miles from coast to coast. We are thrilled to be living in this gorgeous corner of New England. 
Zachary Kohl,
St. Mark's, Mystic
At St. Mark’s, I have participated in the choir and was cantor for four years, contributing to the musical life of the parish. I also served more than once as a mentor to youth participating in confirmation. As an attorney, I volunteered time to advise roughly a dozen parishes on the Paycheck Protection Program, the federal pandemic loan program.

I believe ECCT and its parishes must learn how to “be the church” in the 21st century and post-pandemic...We must address how the ECCT and its parishes have and will engage with the historically marginalized and our Church’s role in such marginalization.

Addressing issues of racial justice has been a large part of my life for a while. I interned for two summers during law school at the American Civil Liberties Union in their Racial Justice Project. Since 2014, I have sat on the Board of the ACLU of Connecticut advocating for issues related to civil rights.
Suzy Burke
St. John’s, Essex
I am deeply involved in the common life of ECCT and benefit from the perspective that brings. I’ve been a member of ECCT’s Mission Council since its inception, and I serve on ECCT’s Finance Committee as well as the team defining the process for awarding the Region Entrepreneurial Fund Grants (TFREF). In addition, I was the transition consultant for St. Luke’s Darien during their search for a new rector, and I am also the co-convener of ECCT’s Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network. At the TEC level, I was a deputy to General Convention, and I often participate in Province I events. Perhaps more importantly, I am deeply faithful, I have a strong work ethic, I do what I say I will do, and my PhD in organizational psychology has given me a comprehensive set of tools to help groups work together effectively. Finally, as a member of St. John’s Joining Jesus ministry since the start, I’ve had the opportunity to think deeply about where ECCT is going, and how our diocese can live into an exciting and lifegiving future
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church,and so guide the minds of those who shall choose those to be considered for Bishop in this DIocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Election of a Bishop or other Minister, BCP p.818.
A message from the ECCT Reparations Task Force
 
Did you know? Work on reparations is not new. The first demands for reparations were made by enslaved people before the Civil War. Several Episcopal Dioceses have already taken up the work of reparations: Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts. Below is the Diocese of New York’s definition for reparations.
 
Reparations is the process to remember, repair, restore, reconcile, and make amends for wrongs that can never be singularly reducible to monetary terms. The process of reparations is “a historical reckoning involving acknowledgement that an offense against humanity was committed and that the victims have not received justice.*”
 
*Passage in quotes offered by Bernice Powell Jackson, Executive Minister for Justice Ministry, The United Church of Christ.
 
What do you notice in this definition of Reparations? Click here to respond.


Note: The Rev. Ronald Steed, Deacon, and Mr. Dick Shriver, member of St. Ann's Old Lyme, serve on the ECCT Reparations Task Force. We look forward to hearing more about their work.
Christ Episcopal Church, Norwich, to close
After months of talking and discerning together, thirty-five parishioners met via Zoom on Sunday, April 25, 2021, for an All-Parish Meeting. After a time of prayer and reflection, followed by the opportunity for questions and responses, a resolution to close the parish was presented and seconded. The vote in favor of closure was unanimous. Christ Episcopal Church, Norwich will have a final service planned for Sunday, May 30, 2021.
 
Bishop Laura Ahrens shared, “I have been inspired by the faithful parishioners of Christ Episcopal Church who have prayerfully walked this holy journey. For centuries, they have shared God’s love with the City of Norwich and beyond. The sadness in this moment is real and so too is the wonder and curiosity about how God is calling us to share the message of new life in new ways. We are a people of hope and resurrection and we will continue to walk together to listen to God’s call.”
Cherish and Celebrate on the Connecticut River
Two upcoming opportunities to worship, explore, and connect
Tue, Jun 15, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Cherish & Celebrate on the Connecticut River
1 Pilgrim Landing Rd, Old Lyme

Using prayers from God's Good Earth, the people of St. Ann's, Old Lyme, together with the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, will lead a time of worship at 6:30 p.m.
 
This will be followed by stories of caring for the Connecticut River, led by Kelsey Wentling of Connecticut River Conservancy.
Sat, Jun 26, 2021 9:00 AM EST
Cherish & Celebrate on the Connecticut River
Riverside Park, Hartford

It's a "Choose Your Own Adventure" day with Connecticut River Conservancy and fellow Episcopalians. Scheduled adventures include a paddle on the river with Bishop Douglas and Steve MacAusland, St. Ann's, Old Lyme; a walk along the riverside with Brett Morrison of Connecticut River Conservancy; planting trees with Hartford’s Tree Advisory Commission; or create your own adventure!


Position OPEN

St. John’s in Essex, CT seeks a Family Life Minister for 15 hours/week. The primary tasks for this position include collaborative ministry to fulfill the vision of full inclusion of children and youth in St. John’s ministries and programs; coordination of the Sunday School program, Youth Group, and Nursery services; providing children with teachings, experiences, and opportunities to deepen and enrich their faith journey, and welcoming new families to the parish. This is an hourly position, paid at $20.00-$22.00/hour, depending on experience. Send resume, cover letter, and two references to kate@stjohnsessex.org
Two upcoming Opportunities to connect with creative arts and skills
Fri, Jun 18, 2021 4:00 PM EST
Writer's Workshop
Camp Washington - Camp and Retreat Center, Lakeside/Morris 

Many of us have gained new insights about ourselves, our country, and the world this past year. Some of us have felt broken in places, in our country and in the world. In this workshop we will Revisit, Repair, Renew, and find our Resilience in words and silence through writing and discovering My Mind Is In The Ink. Learn more and register online.

Make Music Southeastern CT is a part of the international Make Music Day movement which brings free, community-wide, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide! Every year, the celebration is held on June 21, the summer solstice, in more than 1,000 communities around the world.

Make Music Southeastern CT features musicians of all abilities and music from any genre. Everyone is invited to participate virtually and for live performances (in accordance with state and local guidelines), in this international day of music by performing, providing an outdoor space, appreciating, or volunteering.

Register and attend an upcoming online “drop in” information session to find out more!
June 7, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. – Zoom registration/info. HERE
Safe Church Training Information
Safe Church Training Summer 2021
 
All ECCT Safe Church Training (SCT) includes an online course followed by a 3-hour live session on Zoom. This training is grounded in our call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being. It offers an opportunity to increase and enhance our ability to live out our Baptismal Covenant within our communities of faith and in the world beyond.


Fed by Word and Sacraments:
Here's a list of webpages for the parishes
of the SE Region
so that you can find current worship information

The best way to keep up to date: subscribe to each parish's newsletter, and/or visit their website for zoom connections and links to worship, learn, and act.
Parish Websites for the SE Region
 
Calvary Church, Stonington: http://www.calvarychurchstonington.org
St. Mark's, Mystic: https://stmarksmystic.org
St. James', New London: http://www.stjamesnl.org
St. David's, Gales Ferry: http://www.saintdavidsgf.org
Christ Church, Norwich: http://www.cecnorwichct.org
St. James, Preston: https://www.stjamespreston.org
St. John's, Niantic: https://www.stjohnsniantic.org
St. Ann's, Old Lyme: https://www.saintannsoldlyme.org
St. Stephen's, East Haddam: https://www.ststeves.org
All Saints, Ivoryton: https://www.allsaintsivoryton.org
St. John's, Essex: https://stjohnsessex.org
Grace, Old Saybrook: https://www.graceoldsaybrook.org
Holy Advent, Clinton: http://www.holyadventclinton.org
St.Andrew's, Madison: https://standrewsmadison.org

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Church Musicians and Artists, BCP, p.819

Contact for Retired Clergy

The Reverend Diana Rogers 

Clinton Church of the Holy Advent
 81 East Main Street
P.O. Box 536
Clinton, CT 06413-0536

Email: holyadvent@sbcglobal.net
Prayer for the SE Region
Almighty God, Creator and Redeemer, in the midst of the noisy din of the world and these changing times:
We lift our prayers to you for your Church, especially for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and for this, its Southeast Region.
Surround us with the clear assurance of your loving presence,
That we may grow confident in our faith and trust in your will;
Guide and teach each one of us to live in your word and walk in your ways,
That we may be a light of the living Word;
Expand the space in our hearts and in our lives,
That this region may be filled with your love and mercy for all;
inspire us; send your Holy Spirit upon us to fire up enthusiasm,
Create in us willing hearts and hands to serve you.
We pray for our Missionary, Rachel Thomas, that you give her the ears to hear
and the heart to discern your will for the Region.
Hear our prayer.
 We pray for the Leadership Teams to aid in your mission.
Hear our prayer.
 We pray for the priests and deacons in each of the churches in our Region and Diocese.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for each vestry and the leadership of every church in the Region.
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the Bishops and Diocesan leadership of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Hear our prayer.
 Almighty God, we pray that we may proclaim your kingdom in this this Region and beyond, and become ambassadors for your dream of reconciliation and healing, the gift and calling you have given us through your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name we offer these prayers.  Amen
Editorial Staff

Beverly Olsen
Eileen Perron

Click here if you would like to subscribe to enews
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