September 23, 2026 | Next eNews: October 7 | | A Prayer to Remember the Innocents | | |
At the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted Resolution C032, which included “A Prayer to Remember the Innocents,” expressing the church’s remorse for its role “in the irreparable harm suffered by Indigenous children who attended Indigenous boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s, and acknowledges that the effect of that harm carries on in boarding school survivors and their descendants.”
Parishes and worshipping communities are encouraged to include this prayer in their service(s) on the Sunday closest to Sept. 30 (Sept. 27, 2026).
A Prayer to Remember the Innocents
Ohiŋni wičhauŋkiksuyapi kte. “We will always remember them.”
Dear Lord, Almighty God, we pray for all Indigenous children who were in residential and boarding schools in Canada and the United States. Some died there; we ask that you give assurance to their descendants that their souls are with you and their ancestors. Some survived there; we ask that you give your healing grace to all who endured hardship while there and are still struggling with those memories. Lastly, we ask you to help us guard our children against harm in this world. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
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Anglican Consultative Council Debrief: Oct. 8 on Zoom
Join ECCT's Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Cn. Ranjit K. Mathews, on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 7–8 PM via Zoom as he discusses the highlights of the June meeting of Anglican Consultative Council (ACC). The assembly engaged in heavy debates regarding structural proposals, including the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals from the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order.
Canon Ranjit was one of five new members chosen out of 17 candidates during the closing sessions of ACC-19 to serve as a member of the ACC Standing Committee. He will outline what the next three years look like to serve in this capacity.
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Understanding Alienations & Encumbrances: Sept. 24 on Zoom
Sometimes the invitation to greater mission and ministry comes in unexpected ways, including through the alienations and encumbrances process.
Whether your parish is ready to take the next step or just wondering about the process, join the Rev. Cn. Ranjit K. Mathews, ECCT's Canon to the Ordinary, Canon Rosanna Rosado, ECCT's Canon for Finance and Operations, and the Rev. Derek Stefanovsky, President of the Standing Committee, on Sept. 24 from 7–8 PM on Zoom to review the alienations & encumbrances process and answer any questions you may have.
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Annual Convention Deadline Approaching: Nominations & Resolutions due Friday
Consider nominating yourself or someone else, with their permission of course, for one of our open positions. Nominations must be completed online by this Friday, September 25.
| Resolutions must be submitted by five members of Convention, in writing, along with explanatory comments of no more than 100 words, no later than Friday, September 25. | | | |
Lay Preachers: Preparing to Preach in Advent, Oct 8–Nov. 5
Lay Preachers are invited to join the Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch, ECCT's Canon for Lay & Ordained Vocations, weekly on Zoom from Oct 8–Nov. 5 from 5:30–7 PM, for a chance to walk through the Sunday lectionary for the season of Advent. The first week will be a broad-sweeping overview of the lectionary for the entire season of Advent, and the subsequent weeks will map on to each week of Advent. Come to one, come to all!
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Region & Ministry Network Happenings
Celebrate! 2026 with the South Central Region
Join the parishes of the South Central region for Celebrate! 2026; an all ages gathering on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 4 PM–sunset at St. John's, North Haven. We'll celebrate a casual Eucharist together and enjoy food trucks, autumn desserts, lawn games, and community. Registration is helpful, but not required. Register online.
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Youth & Young Adult Ministry Update
The Idea Lab was a wonderful experience, gathering participants from 18 parishes across ECCT. One attendee said, "I left there feeling super charged about ways we can engage in ministry." If you're interested in knowing more about the Explorer, Artist, Editor, and Champion phases of an idea, take a look at the slides from the time together. To learn how to participate in future offerings for youth and young adults, contact the Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch, Canon for Lay & Ordained Vocations.
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Bishops' Corner: Ring the "Bells of Hope" on Nov. 1 for National Adoption Awareness Month | | |
In recognition of National Adoption Awareness Month, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), in partnership with the Annie C. Courtney Foundation, is launching "Bells of Hope," a statewide faith-based awareness initiative on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Every Bell. Every Prayer. Every Child.
Bells of Hope invites churches to participate in a way that is meaningful and appropriate for their congregation, such as:
- Ring the "Bells of Hope" once for every child currently featured in the Connecticut Heart Gallery.
- Lift children in prayer, including recognizing the first names of children waiting for permanency.
- Host the Connecticut Heart Gallery* during November, sharing photographs and stories of children and youth waiting for adoptive families.
- Invite a speaker to share information about foster care, adoption, permanency, and ways communities can support children and families. Speakers may include DCF staff, foster or adoptive parents, adults with lived experience, and community partners.
Participating congregations will receive a Certificate of Connection, recognition through Connecticut DCF’s social media during National Adoption Awareness Month, and recognition as a statewide Bells of Hope community partner.
Download the flyer to learn more and register your parish to participate by Oct. 1.
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*The Connecticut Heart Gallery particularly highlights children for whom finding a permanent family can be more challenging, including sibling groups who hope to remain together, teenagers, medically complex children and youth, and children who have waited the longest. | | |
From the Office of Advocacy, Racial Justice & Reconciliation: Immigration Resources
Voter Engagement
On the first Thursday of each month at 1:30 PM through November, The Episcopal Church's Public Policy and Witness team will host a series of “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values. During the calls, hosts will share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms). The next call will be on October 1.
| The Episcopal Church Office of Government also has additional resources for Election Engagement which can be found here. | |
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Annual Convention Update: Don't Miss the Pre-Annual Convention Presentations
As we prepare for our 242nd Annual Convention, everyone across ECCT (whether delegates or not!) is invited to join us for our pre-Convention Resolution listening session.
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Annual Convention Resolution Listening Session
October 9 at 6 PM
Join the submitters of all our 2026 Resolutions to learn more about how each resolution was shaped and how they will invite us to grow in faith, live in hope, and serve in love. Bring your questions! Full resolution text available on ECCT’s website.
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2027 Proposed Budget of Convention Presentation
Recording now available
Join ECCT’s Canon for Finance & Operations, Rosanna Rosado, as she reviews the proposed 2027 ECCT Budget, which will be voted on at this year’s Annual Convention.
| | | | News & Updates from Our Cathedral | |
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Oct. 11
Join Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, October 11 after the 10 AM worship service for a combined hospitality hour and Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
| | | News & Updates from Our Camp | |
Starry, Starry Night—An Early Autumn Evening in the Litchfield Hills
Oct. 3 from 5–9 PM
Join us on Saturday, Oct. 3 for a benefit in support of Camp Washington including a thoughtfully curated Farm to Table Dinner, a Silent/Live Auction, cabaret entertainment, and seasonal desserts.
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Join our Bishops, clergy, and lay leaders around the diocese for a time of discussion and connection Wednesdays from 8:30-9:30 AM.
Mark your calendars!
Warden's Call for Parishes without Clergy resumes on September 23 featuring special guest host Canon Kevin Olds!
Bishops' Call for Clergy & Lay Leaders continues on October 7.
All Warden's Call continues on Oct. 14.
Zoom information is the same for all calls.
By video: https://episcopalct.zoom.us/j/2010776405#success
By phone: +1-646-558-8656 US; Meeting ID: 201 077 6405
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Gather with lay preachers from across the diocese for a time of reflection and conversation as you prepare to preach on Sunday.
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Hours at The Commons
The Commons is open Monday through Thursday from 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM and closes at noon on Fridays during the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
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Sacred Journey to the Great Swamp
Kingston, RI
Learn more
| | | It has come to our attention some in ECCT have received emails and/or texts claiming to be from our Bishops or ECCT staff requesting the recipient to do things like purchase gift/phone cards, run errands, or send funds to the bishop/staff person directly. All such texts, emails, or phone calls are scams. No one at ECCT, including our Bishops, will ever text or email you to request you purchase gift cards or send them funds directly. If you do receive one of these texts or emails, please do not respond to it. If you are able, report the message as "spam" and then delete it. And remember, never purchase gift cards or send funds directly when requested to do so via text or email. | | | |
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203.639.3501
290 Pratt Street, Box 52
Meriden, CT 06450
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