Spring Regional Confirmations: Are you ready to be confirmed?

Regional confirmation services are taking place across ECCT and are open to anyone interested in being confirmed in The Episcopal Church.

Spring dates and locations:

• May 17 at Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport (SW)
• May 31 at St. David's, Gales Ferry (SE)
• June 7 at Christ Church, Greenwich (SW) and Christ Church, Guilford (SC)
• June 14 at Christ Church, Pomfret (NE)

For more information contact Alison Hollo, Canon for Bishops' Support & Administration

52 Young People in ECCT Awarded Scholarships & Grants for the 2025-26 Academic Year

ECCT distributed $143,247 in scholarship funds to 52 young people connected with parishes, worshipping communities, schools, and clergy in ECCT to offset the cost of tuition in Episcopal schools, undergraduate, and graduate institutions.

These funds are made available each year due to the generosity of Episcopalians who pledged support to the education of young people in The Episcopal Church in Connecticut. The application opens early in the calendar year.

Bishop's Book Study continues tonight! All are welcome.

Join Bishop Laura for a Bishop’s Book Study reading Cynthia Bourgeault’s thoughtful book, Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God.

Each week we will explore Bourgeault’s teachings on hope, grace, and mercy, and reflect on our own lives and spiritual journeys. Join us for a discussion of her major themes as we pick the threads from this text which illuminate our own spiritual journeys. Please join us, even if you have not read the book or the chapters we will be discussing.

We will meet on Zoom from 5:30-6:30 PM on May 7 (Chapter 4) and May 14 (Chapter 5).

Spring Training & Gathering 2025: Virtual Class Recordings Now Available

Did you miss a Spring Training & Gathering Virtual Class? Or, perhaps, you'd like to re-watch one you already attended?

All of the Spring Training & Gathering 2025 Virtual Classes are now available on ECCT's YouTube channel.

Class descriptions are still available on ECCT's Spring Training & Gathering webpage as well.

Due to an audio recording issue, the 2025 recording of "Exploring the Ministry of Eucharistic Visitors" is not available. However, we have included the recording from 2024's Spring Training & Gathering which presents much of the same great information.

Life Insurance Updates: Corrections & Clarifications

Effective May 1, ECCT transitioned our life insurance to a policy with CPG. Below are some corrections and clarifications regarding this change.

• No reduction in current coverage of $75,000 for lay employees working at least 20 hours per week and clergy employees working at least 10 hours per week. (Value of coverage reduces to $18,750 at age 70).
• Reduction in premium from $30 per month to $25.50 per month. (Reduces to $8.93 at age 70).
• Parishes are required to pay the full life insurance premium for eligible employees and will be billed directly by CPG in their monthly CPG bill.
• Employees active with CPG as of March 20 will be automatically enrolled in the new coverage.
• Employees enrolled with CPG after March 20 will need to be enrolled by your parish administrator.
• Clergy participating in the Church Pension Fund also have access to a separate life insurance plan, the details of which are available CPG's website.

Connecticut Laws Affecting Leaves of Absences: Key Takeaways for Parishes

The Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (CT FMLA) and Connecticut Paid Leave (CTPL) are two separate and relatively new laws meant to help eligible workers who need to take leave from their job due to their own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, or for certain other circumstances do so.

• Realize these laws likely apply to your parish.
• Make sure you have been taking the payroll deductions for CTPL and sending the funds to the CTPL Authority quarterly.
• Revise your leave policies to account for the new requirements or draft a policy if you don't already have one.
• Inform employees and post any required posters about these, and other, employment laws.

News & Updates from Our Cathedral

Dear Siblings in Christ,

I write to extend my deepest gratitude to all who generously donated cooking essentials (flour, sugar, and oil) to our neighbors at CT State Community College – Capital Food Pantry. Throughout Lent donations of cooking supplies were gathered each week. Enough to fill more than six carts of supplies!

Randall Ward, the Director of Student Activities wrote, “The kindness and support mean so much to us and to those we serve. These generous donations truly make a meaningful impact on the lives of our students here at CT State Capital.”

Because of the quantity and various sizes of supplies, the Food Pantry will be able to meet the needs of individuals, and small and large families for approximately six months.

As we celebrate the Easter Season, your kindness has demonstrated that Jesus is alive and is shown to others in loving our neighbors. Alleluia! 

May God’s Peace be with you,

Archdeacon Bonnie Matthews

News & Updates from Our Camp

Summer Camp Open House May 18 at 3 PM

Thinking about summer camp but want to know more? Join us for Open House! Take a tour of camp, see where campers will be eating and sleeping, enjoy a meal; check out the waterfront, outdoor chapel, arts & crafts and more. Meet some of the staff, learn more about CW and make plans for the summer!

Registration required

Night (Star) Watch

May 30-31

Our first year of Youth Group on the Move wraps up with a great overnight for ages 12-17. Join friends old and new for a time of wonder, awe, calm, peace, and reflection. An overnight celebration of creation and each other-under the stars. Combined with great food, Nuke’m, friendship bracelets, games, s’mores, and more.

Registration required

Clergy and Family Day

May 31, 10 AM - 3 PM

A day of food, relaxation, games, crafts-and all the fun of Camp Washington for our clergy and clergy families. Meet and gather with clergy and old friends, or make new friends from all over the ECCT! All ages are welcome. There is no charge to attend this clergy day of gratitude from the CW community.

Registration Required