“We Cannot Be Silent” Statement from the Bishops of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut

"Racism and the resulting violence against people of color perpetrated by those who have power in our nation and state has led recently to the tragic and inexcusable deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota, Jose Soto in Connecticut, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. Such violence is unacceptable and contrary to the will of God and the promise of justice and freedom central to our country’s ideals. We must not let the realities of COVID-19 distract us from speaking out against, and working to dismantle, the forces of racism and white supremacy that continue to infect our lives and our nation. It is that very inaction and silence that feed into the legacy of white supremacy. Silence is complicity and we must not participate in the forces of evil that divide us. 

The Episcopal Church in Connecticut is committed to the work of Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation. For us to be the Beloved Community in Jesus that we are committed to becoming, we must act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

Continue reading the bishops' statement here.

A Time for Reflection and Prayer

Thursday, June 4, 3:00 - 4:00 pm Online

We invite you to join us for a time of reflection and prayer. We are heartbroken and outraged by the ongoing violence against people of color in America, and we believe it’s important to offer the people of ECCT pastoral care as well as an opportunity to share the feelings of sadness, anger, grief, despair, and disillusionment we’re all experiencing.

This event is in collaboration with the Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network. It will be moderated by the Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell and Rev. Linda Spiers, and hosted by ECCT Racial Justice Resource Coordinator Kelli Ray Gibson.

Register here

Religious leaders use Lamont’s coronavirus event to rail against racial injustice

[CT POST] HARTFORD — Religious leaders came together in Hartford Friday for the stated purpose of backing Gov. Ned Lamont’s easing of restrictions for religious and social gatherings. They used the platform to condemn the death of an African American man at the hands of the Minneapolis police — an outrage all the worse, they said, in light of racial injustice in the coronavirus crisis.

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Watch this video at the 18:55 mark for Bishop Ian's remarks.

Wear Orange on June 5

The Bishops of ECCT and the Bishops United Against Gun Violence invite you to wear orange on June 5. "This 6th National Gun Violence Awareness Day, organized by Everytown and community partners across the country, honors both those killed by gun violence and those who have survived it. Everytown is holding virtual events across the country June 5-7 to raise awareness for gun violence prevention." Learn more at wearorange.org .

Please see these resources gathered together by the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn of Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown and the Rev. Erin Flinn, North Central Region Missionary.

Pentecost 2020: This Pentecost a new language gathers us as the church.

Thank you to all who contributed to these videos and to the Rev. Stacey Kohl for her expertise!

Coffee Hour at the Commons:

Christ Church Cathedral Renovations

In this episode, Jasree chats with Architect Duo Dickinson and the Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford about the ongoing renovations to the cathedral. Listen to this episode here .

Faithful Futures: Virtual Worship and Gatherings in the Time of Covid-19, June 4, 6:00 -7:30 pm Online

This Thursday- As we continue to connect digitally and look towards phasing into dual online and in-person gatherings, join ECCT's Office of Communications and innovative individuals across ECCT for an in-depth panel discussion and follow up Q&A.

Have questions? Email them to  [email protected] .

Register Here

ECCT Region Town Hall Meetings

Join Bishop Douglas, Bishop Ahrens, our Region Missionaries and Region Leadership Teams for one hour conversations to explore What are we learning?  and  What is God saying to us?  During the coronavirus pandemic.

Northeast Region Town Hall Meeting

June 4, 2:00 p.m.

South Central Region Town Hall Meeting

June 9, 2:00 p.m.

Southwest Region Town Hall Meeting 

 June 9, 6:30 p.m.

All are welcome. No registration required.

Links to each individual meeting available here.

Digital Communications Office Hours! Thursdays, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Join Canon for Mission Communications and Media Jasree Peralta and Digital Media Coordinator Alli Gannett for online office hours via Zoom. Bring your specific questions regarding all things communications and media. Registration is required, no limit on sessions. For June dates, please register here.

Free webinars offered by NYDIS (New York Disaster Interfaith Services)

Webinars include crisis spiritual care for congregations, public health emergency planning, and pandemic plan writing. More information and registration can be found on Eventbrite here.

Statements from the Presiding Bishop regarding the violence and racial justice protests.

Webinar: The Disaster Response and How You Can Help today, June 2 at 12:00 pm

Mike Corey, a student in Hartford Seminary’s Master of Arts in Transformative Leadership and Spirituality program, has been on the front lines of the disaster response to Covid-19 in Connecticut.

As Chair of the  Connecticut Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster , Mike has been involved in issues from food insecurity to volunteer management to the election process.

“It is amazing how many aspects of life this is impacting,” he said.

Join us to hear how the whole community has responded and what you can do to help make a difference. Register here

Hartford Seminary is offering these webinars for free to help our community in a time of need. If you are able, please donate to help offset costs.

Effective Leadership in Times of Anxiety and Pandemic (recording and resources)

You can access the recording and materials used by Canons Lee Ann Tolzmann and Robin Hammeal-Urban from their discussion here: Access the files.

Ready for an Oasis?

Each year, the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries hosts a Leadership Conference in June. This annual conference to be held June 23-26, 2020 is an opportunity for Episcopal leaders in ministry with young adults (ages 18-30) on and off college campuses to meet and connect with one another and to be nourished and nurtured in their ministry.

This year, given the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference has moved to an online format and will be offered free of cost. Registration is required to get the sign-in information, updates, and schedule as we develop them. Registration deadline is: June 8, 2020 . Click here  to register.

For self care resources for you and your family, visit our

self care resources page.

Educational Scholarships from The Episcopal Church

Scholarships for Young People from The Episcopal Church

Parochial Reports were due March 1. If your parish has not completed their parochial report, please do so ASAP.

Questions? Contact Karolyn Nicolaides .