SHARE:  
Join Our Email List
January 26, 2021
ECCT eNEWS
THIS SUNDAY AT 10 a.m.
5th Sundays Across ECCT: January 31, 2021, at 10 a.m.
UPDATE! Join us on ECCT's Facebook or YouTube Channel
Our first "Fifth Sundays Across ECCT" liturgical offering of 2021 is here! Coordinated by our Cathedral, we invite you to join Grace Episcopal in Stafford Springs, Holy Trinity in Enfield, and Church of the Good Shepherd in Hartford this Sunday, January 31, at 10 a.m. as we worship together in English and Spanish "across ECCT" live on ECCT's Facebook page and ECCT's YouTube Channel.

Interested in serving on the Reparations Task Force?

Resolution #7 of the 2020 Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut has called on the bishops to create a “Reparations Task Force.” The pertinent resolve in Resolution #7 reads as follows:
 
“Resolved, that this Convention direct the bishops to create a task force whose membership will consist of a majority of clergy and laity of color, with an invitation to all clergy of color canonically resident in ECCT to serve on the task force, in order to study and make specific recommendations to the 237th Convention as to reparations by ECCT and individual Parishes, Worshipping Communities, and Intentional Episcopal Communities in partial compensation for 400 years of discrimination and bias based on race.”
 
The bishops are now soliciting applications from interested individuals in ECCT parishes who might like to serve on the Reparations Task Force. It is expected that the size of the Task Force will be about a dozen individuals and thus not everyone who wants to serve on the Task Force will be appointed. Individual seeking to serve on the Task Force are asked to communicate their interest to the bishops by answering briefly the following questions:
 
  1. Why do you feel called to serve on the ECCT Reparations Task Force and what particular gifts would you bring to the work?
  2. If you are a clergy person, are you canonically resident in ECCT? If so, how long? If not, how long have you been licensed to serve in ECCT?  
 
Please send your expression of interest in serving and the answers to the questions to Alison Hollo and cc: Bishop Ian Douglas and Bishop Laura Ahrens.
Camp Washington in the Snow
ECCT Stories: Joining Jesus: An Update from Camp Washington
Written by Bart Geissinger, Executive Director at Camp Washington.

Thanks to the generosity of participating parishes and individual donors across the regions of the ECCT, Camp Washington is moving forward with plans to enhance programming and improve our facilities as we continue providing opportunities that form disciples of all ages for this new missional age. Read the full blog post here.
If you would like to contribute a story, reflection, poem, art, etc. to the ECCT Stories blog, please send an email to storytelling@episcopalct.org to be considered. Please keep it to under 600 words (in a Word Doc preferred) and any photos/images you'd like included.
ECCT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rev. Lee Ann Tolzmann, Canon for Mission Leadership, announces her retirement

The Rev. Lee Ann Tolzmann, Canon for Mission Leadership, has announced her coming retirement, effective July 1. She has served as Diocesan Transition Minister, working with parishes in leadership transitions and clergy in vocational discernment, since 2015. Previously, she served as the rector of St. Paul’s, Riverside, and in the Diocese of Maryland. We are deeply grateful for Lee Ann’s years of faithful service to ECCT, in particular her recent work helping to re-imagine the Clergy Transition process into "Transition is the New Normal." We look forward to more opportunities to celebrate Lee Ann and her ministry in the coming months.
See ECCT's Calendar for more information and to participate virtually.
CPG Retiree Review is coming to ECCT – Have You Registered Yet?
TODAY! Tuesday, January 26 from 9:30 a.m.-noon, online

Maintaining your overall well-being is so important at this stage of life. The Retiree Review presentation is a unique opportunity to learn about your pension and medical benefits, how to stay healthy, and the programs and services that can support you. Topics will also include the status of The Church Pension Fund, a review of pension and medical benefits, legacy planning, and ways to protect yourself from fraud. Bishop Laura and Bishop Ian will convene a time of check-in and conversation for the last hour. 

This Retiree Review is for beneficiaries of The Church Pension Fund. CPG has sent out an invitation to register for this virtual event. You can log in on your computer, tablet, smart phone, or simply call in to participate. The Church Pension Group in collaboration with your Bishops and the Retired Clergy Chaplains presents this virtual opportunity.

If you did not receive a registration invitation and would like to participate in this event, please contact Sean Scheller at CPG or Pamela Sola at ECCT.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Deadline Extended
New Deadline February 9, 2021

All parishes who employee three or more employees need to provide the two-hour state mandated training to their employees. Employees can participate in the free online CHRO training the state has provided. All employees should be remunerated for participating in this training. All clergy working in a parish need to take this training as well. Additional information and links to the CHRO training can be found on ECCT's website.

Parishes who are not compliant with this state mandate many be at risk for disclaimed Employee protection Liability Insurance among incurring other legislative fines. 
Special Statement from the Standing Committee

At its November 19 meeting, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut strongly recommends that all parishes in the diocese abide by the guidelines of the Connecticut Department of Health such that any parish listed in a red zone refrain from holding indoor or in-person services.
Faithful Futures: Evangelism and Church Growth in These Times
Video available on ECCT's YouTube Channel

A recording of the recent Faithful Futures: Evangelism and Church Growth in These Times is available on ECCT's YouTube channel.

Register today for the next Faithful Futures: ECCT's Ministry Networks-Engage and Resource, coming up on February 4 at 6:30 p.m.
ECCT EVENTS
Special 2020 Parochial Report Form

The 2020 Parochial Report is now available on the General Convention website in English, Spanish, and French. The 2020 report includes a new narrative section, which invites congregations to reflect on the opportunities and challenges encountered in the midst of the pandemic. Also new are questions about online worship and the impact the pandemic has had on congregational life and finances. The report also asks about the congregation’s involvement in racial justice and reconciliation work.
Parochial Report Orientation
First Session Today!
Tues, Jan 26, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Wed, Feb 3, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Thurs Feb 11, 2021 3:30 PM

Please join Rosanna Rosado, Canon for Mission Finance and Operations, and her team to review requirements and best practices for submitting accurate and complete parochial reports for the year 2020.
TONIGHT!
Tue, Jan 26, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Evening with our Bishops Northern Regions Wardens from Parishes w/o Clergy
Thu, Feb 4, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Faithful Futures: ECCT's Ministry Networks - Engage & Resource
Safe Church Training Winter 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.
RESOURCES
“From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference” from The Episcopal Church

“From Many, One: Conversations Across Difference” is a campaign inviting Episcopalians and our neighbors to engage in one-to-one listening and sharing across the many differences that separate us. The conversations center on four questions: What do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? What do you dream? Echoing the Latin phrase on the U.S. seal – E Pluribus (“from many”) Unum (“one”) – and following in the footsteps of Jesus, we trust that the spiritual practice of conversation across difference can help to knit us all into a diverse, more perfect union. Learn more about the questions, suggestions for going deeper, and find additional resources to keep your conversations going. 
The Episcopal Church's Executive Council Virtual Meeting Opening Remarks

The Executive Council of the General Convention, an elected body representing the whole Church, which works to carry out the programs and policies adopted by General Convention and oversees the ministry and mission of The Episcopal Church met online January 22-25. Read the opening remarks from the President of the House of Deputies Gay Clark Jennings, and from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
The Epidemic of Gun Violence Now Threatens Our Democracy: A Letter from Bishops United

Last week, those of us in the United States watched in horror as a violent insurrection put both our government and its leaders in peril. This week, our nation sits on edge, waiting to learn if extremists will make good on threats to mount armed protests at all 50 state capitol buildings and in Washington D.C. between now and Inauguration Day.

The epidemic of gun violence in our country now threatens not just individual Americans, but also our democracy.

The new administration and many members of the 117th Congress have pledged, as we have done, to support sensible gun reform, and we look forward to working with elected leaders of both political parties to bring about meaningful change in our nation’s gun laws. But changing laws will not be enough. Read the full letter.
Resources from the Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network
Have you been watching the Meditations on Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation? Catch up now on YouTube!
The Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation (RHJR) Ministry Network is offering a series of meditations focused on Racial Justice as an effort to raise awareness and provide ECCT with a meaningful space to spark transformative conversations in parochial settings. Our hope is that these meditations will provide a framework for dismantling racism in our midst as well as encouragement to work towards racial healing and reconciliation in our state and in the world. Check out the mediations, including this week's from the Rev. Marcus Halley, on ECCT's YouTube channel and watch for new ones to be posted regularly.
Recommended articles and videos
Other Events
A Collaborative Event Between the NW Region and IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services): Refugee Perspectives on Racism in America
Sunday, January 31 at 6 p.m. via Zoom

As communities throughout the U.S. grapple with racism, we have a lot to learn from new Americans, who are helping to build a brighter future. Two Congolese Americans who came here as refugees will share their experiences of navigating racism in the U.S. Bahati Kamyamanza is Manager of Youth Programs and Education Advocacy at IRIS--Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services. Gladys Mwilelo is completing her B.A. in Strategic Communication at Central CT State University.
COVID-19 RELATED RESOURCES:
GRANT & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Educational Grants for the Children of Clergy and Scholarships for Young People
Applications now open!

Applications for Educational Grants for the Children of Clergy and Scholarships for Young People are now open and are available in English and Spanish. The deadline for submission for both applications is February 28, 2021. New guidelines have been adopted by the Commission on Ministry to ensure a more equitable distribution of diocesan resources. Applicants must be between the ages of 17-25 and planning to enroll in an undergraduate or vocational training institution in the Fall of 2021. Other requirements specific to each application can be found within the applications themselves. Please contact the Rev. Marcus Halley, Dean of Formation, for more information.

Las solicitudes para becas de educación para hijos del clero y becas para jóvenes ya están abiertas y están disponibles en inglés y español. La fecha límite para la presentación de ambas solicitudes es el 28 de febrero de 2021. La Comisión del Ministerio ha adoptado nuevas pautas para garantizar una distribución más equitativa de los recursos diocesanos. Los solicitantes deben tener entre 17 y 25 años y planear inscribirse en una institución de formación profesional o de pregrado en el otoño de 2021. Otros requisitos específicos para cada solicitud se pueden encontrar dentro de las solicitudes mismas. Comuníquese con el Rev. Marcus Halley, Decano de Formación, para obtener más información.
2020 Property Improvement Grant Deadline Extended
New deadline January 31, 2021

The deadline to apply for a Property Improvement Grant has been extended to January 31, 2021. Property Improvement Grants are available for parishes in good standing that demonstrate an existing need for renovation or construction projects in service to the Mission of God. The grant will award reimbursements to parishes for up to 50% of their payments for renovation or construction projects incurred within the current calendar year, with no award exceeding $8,000. Learn more and apply online.
Constable Grant from The Episcopal Church
Application deadline February 15, 2021

Constable Grant Applications are now being accepted by The Episcopal Church through February 15, 2021. The Grant provides funding for the purposes of the Society, preferably for work of religious education not provided for within the budget.
OPEN POSITIONS