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Fifth Sundays Across ECCT:
May 30, 2021 at 10 a.m.
Join us on ECCT's YouTube Channel and Facebook Page
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9th Annual Spring Training and Gathering
Workshops and Plenary Session materials now available
Did you miss a Spring Training Workshop? Or perhaps you weren't able to attend the Closing Plenary? Good news! Recordings and presentation materials of many of the workshops and Saturday's Plenary Session are now available. Stay tuned and check back as more will be added throughout the week.
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ECCT Stories: Meet The Reparations Task Force
At ECCT's 236th Convention, Resolution #7 called on the bishops to create a “Reparations Task Force.” After soliciting applications from across ECCT, the bishops are honored to introduce you to the "Task Force" members.
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If you would like to contribute a story, reflection, poem, art, etc. to the ECCT Stories blog, please send an email to [email protected] to be considered. Please keep it to under 600 words (in a Word Doc preferred) and any photos/images you'd like included.
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It’s time for a “Safe Church Training and Model Policies” Quiz!
True or False?
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Those serving in specific ministries are required to participate in ECCT’s Safe Church Training (SCT) every three years.
- Parish staff, officers, and vestry members, as well as anyone who visits a parishioner in their home on behalf of the parish are required to participate in SCT every three years.
- Staff and parishioners serving in leadership positions or in ministries with children, youth, and/or vulnerable adults are required to have a public record background check every five years.
If you answered “True” to all the above, well done! Now, the final question, true or false?
- Your parish is in compliance with all of the above.
If you answered “False” or “I don’t know,” you’re not alone—and we’re here to help! To support all parishes as we prepare to regather in-person after COVID and look forward to starting a new program year in September, ECCT has created additional support and resources to assist parishes to come into compliance with the Model Policies.
- By the end of April letters will be sent to clergy and wardens of parishes indicating areas that need further attention.
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Faithful Futures on May 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. will focus on Safe Church Matters and ECCT’s Model Policies. All are welcome to this town hall style event. Come with your questions and concerns.
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The Commons Companion now includes the Model Policies, and supporting documentation including a sample application, waivers, releases, and self-audit forms.
- Region Missionaries will be available to assist parishes in these efforts.
Those parishes needing additional assistance to come into compliance by the beginning of program year in September 2021, please contact Robin Hammeal-Urban, Canon for Mission Integrity and Training.
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2020 Parochial Report and ECCT's RHJ&R Addendum
PAST DUE! Please complete your report by May 1.
The 2020 Parochial Report was due on March 1, if you have not yet completed your report, please do so as soon as possible. It is available on the General Convention website, including instructions in English, Spanish, and French. ECCT's RHJ&R Addendum was also due March 1 and can be completed online. All parochial reports, including the ECCT RHJ&R Addendum, must be submitted online-hard copy submission is not required.
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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.
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Tuesday, April 27, 2021 6-7:30 PM
Evening with Our Bishops: Clergy from Urban Parishes
We invite all clergy serving urban parishes to join us for a conversation about the particular challenges and opportunities of urban ministry at this time. Email Pam Sola to register.
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Thu, May 6, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Faithful Futures: Safe Church Matters and ECCT's Model Policies
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This month's Faithful Futures is an offering by ECCT's bishops and canons to support efforts to understand and comply with Safe Church protocols as set out in ECCT's Model Policies for the Protection of Children, Youth & Vulnerable Adults.
This will be a town hall style event with a brief presentation and ample time for questions. Key speakers include Robin Hammeal-Urban, ECCT's Canon for Mission Integrity and Training and Eric Travis. Eric has decades of experience implementing Safe Church policies as a youth minister on the diocesan and parish levels in multiple dioceses. Eric and Robin served together on the task force that drafted the current Model Polices for all of The Episcopal Church (TEC). Eric continues to serve on the task force charged with developing further policies and training materials for TEC. Register online.
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Fri, May 21, 2021 4:00 PM EST
“An Embodied Spring” Women’s Retreat Weekend
Camp Washington Camp and Retreat Center,
Lakeside/Morris
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Welcome to a joyful sister weekend filled with nourishment and rest for your “COVID-tired” body, mind and spirit. Three inspiring sessions, five beautiful, nutrient rich meals with vegetarian options, including Sunday Brunch. All rooms are single with shared baths, following state COVID safety guidelines. Learn more and register online.
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Tue, May 25, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Retired Clergy and Spouse Event: "Living Life Fully Every Day"
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Bishop Ian, Bishop Laura, and the Retired Clergy and Spouses Steering Committee invite you to join us for this important conversation on "Living Life Fully Every Day." The day will include a presentation by Linda Trum, a PhD level clinical social worker in practice for over 50 years, in health, mental health, and managed care organizations, and in solo independent psychotherapy, coaching, and consultation practice since 1997. Bishop Ian and Bishop Laura will host a Bishops Hour following the presentation. Register online or by emailing Pam Sola.
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Safe Church Training Spring 2021
New dates available!
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.
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COVID-19 Funeral Assistance available from FEMA
FEMA has begun accepting applications for its program to assist families with the financial expenses of funerals for COVID-19 related deaths. The program will reimburse individuals and households for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020. Assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. While the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien, the deceased does not. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply on FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance page.
Episcopal Relief and Development has created a fact sheet for the program, as has FEMA, both of which can be helpful in responding to questions and helping guide people through the application process.
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Living with COVID-19: Protocols and Directions for Clergy and Vestries
Version 3.0
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Click the image above to download the latest protocols and directions |
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Haga clic en la imagen de arriba para descargar los últimos protocolos y directrices |
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Episcopal Toolkit for COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution
Available in Spanish and English
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations has developed a COVID-19 Vaccination toolkit for individuals, congregations and ministries to facilitate and promote COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. This toolkit promotes the ongoing work that parishes and dioceses have already been doing, shares best practices, and offers ideas for ways that communities can help U.S.- based Episcopalians to facilitate vaccination, overcome vaccine hesitancy, and find information from state and local officials. Churches and church leaders (lay and ordained) can serve as an important trusted bridge between public health officials and communities.
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Resources from the Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Ministry Network |
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Recommended events, articles, and videos
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Tools to End Hunger: From Prayer to Action
TODAY! Tuesday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Are you currently involved in a food ministry with your parish or community? Have you noticed that food insecurity is a challenge faced by people in your community but don't know where to start? Join with members from the ECCT Food Ministry Network for a 75-minute Zoom call on Tuesday, April 20 at 7 p.m., discussing how to start a ministry as well as how to effectively ensure that needs are being met. Zoom information available online.
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ECCT Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation Ministry Network gathering
Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join us on Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. via Zoom. Our focus this quarter will be on advocacy. The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell will lead a panel discussion with advocacy experts about a variety of racial justice issues. We will also feature the conveners of the Practical Action Steps Taskforce that grew out of our 2020 ECCT Convention World Café conversations. Register online.
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Faith Behind Bars and Beyond Forum: Incarceration & Re-Entry
During COVID-19
Tuesday, April 27 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Join us on Tuesday, April 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. to hear firsthand accounts from men and women who were incarcerated in a Connecticut prison and released during the pandemic. Learn more about how to get involved in advocating for those incarcerated across Connecticut. Request the link by emailing [email protected].
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Companions in Mission Ministry Network Webinar Series, Bringing Hope: To The Local
Tuesday, May 11 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Join the Companions in Mission Ministry Network on Tuesday, May 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. for the first in a series of three webinars, Bringing Hope: To the Local. Come hear about the hope being brought through local mission during these challenging times. Carrie Amos, President, Jericho Partnership will share the hope that strengthens the organization's plans for the future. Jericho Partnership is an affiliation of laypeople and church groups which follow Jesus in word and deed to serve the at-risk community in Danbury, Connecticut. Learn more and register online.
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American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS 2021)
April 27-29
Celebrating its 10th year, this summit hosted by The Episcopal Church's partner EcoAmerica will bring game-changing future-shaping ideas and a diversity of leaders together to ensure climate change is a local, regional and national priority. Learn more and register online.
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From The FaithX Project, learn more and register online
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Mapping Systemic Racism in Your Community (a rural perspective), TOMORROW! Wed. April 21 at 1 p.m. Systemic Racism is real. Often called Structural Racism, it has been woven into our societal structures over centuries in such a pervasive way that if you are not on the receiving end of it, you may have inherited a cultural blindness to it. In this webinar you will learn how to use missional intelligence mapping not only to identify the specifics of how it affects vulnerable populations in your community, but also how you can confront those issues effectively.
From The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, learn more and register online
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Congressional Chaplains: Leadership in Divided Times, TODAY! Tues., April 20 at 7 p.m. In partnership with the National Institute on Civil Discourse (NICD), the Washington National Cathedral welcomes Senate Chaplain Barry Black and House Chaplain Margaret Kibben for a conversation about ethical leadership. As Chaplains, Black and Kibben have a unique relationship with elected officials. Dean Hollerith and Keith Allred, Director of NICD, discuss public service, the Golden Rule, insights from military chaplaincy, and the role of faith in fostering respect and healing amidst painful division.
From Church Pension Group, learn more and register online
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Dementia Caregivers - What is our Hope? Thurs., April 22 from 2-3 p.m. As a caregiver, looking for the bright points within the realities of care is vital. This webinar will explore “hope”, how dementia caregivers experience hope, and spirituality among caregivers.
From The CEEP Network, learn more and register online
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Millennials Rising: Why Greater Financial Transparency Matters to Your Church, TODAY! Tues., April 20 at 3 p.m. Mainline churches—particularly Episcopal churches—often think about transparency in terms of compliance. But what other opportunities might emerge through a more expansive view of transparency? Join Jim Elrod and Grace Pomroy as they discuss ways greater transparency can open doors to engaging younger givers in your congregation.
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Vaccines: The Church’s Role in Promoting Vaccinations, TOMORROW! Wed., April 21 at 3 p.m. All of our churches are working hard to minister in creative ways during this pandemic. St. Luke’s Church in the Bronx has been uniquely active in the fight against the COVID pandemic. They have served as a testing site, vaccination site, and successfully advocated for many in their community to sign up for vaccinations. Join this discussion with their rector, Father Pierre-Andre and parishioner, Dr. Winsome Grant, to learn more about how they have made this happen and how it has impacted their parish and community.
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Art and the Liturgical Year: Bringing the Church Kalendar to Life, Mon., April 26 at 3 p.m. This workshop explores ways of engaging artists with churches/congregations using the Church calendar. What might inspire artists in engaging with the patterns that underpin the life of many churches and how might engaging with artists open up understandings of faith in new ways for congregations?
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COVID-19 RELATED RESOURCES: |
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GRANT & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
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The Sustainability Development Fund Grant
Applications now open!
Grant applications are due by May 1, 2021. Grants will be announced July 1, 2021. Please contact the Rev. Tom Furrer for more information.
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Summer Camp 2021 Employment Opportunities at Camp Washington
As we re-gather as a community this summer at Camp Washington, we are looking to build a team of energetic, fun, creative, spirit-filled people who are excited to welcome our campers back home to Camp! Join us for the best summer job you will ever have: long days, warm nights, memories to last a lifetime.
We are looking for: Program Directors in Arts & Crafts, Sports, Performing Arts, Wilderness and Waterfront, as well as Cabin Staff and more. Check out all the opportunities online.
People of all races, colors, beliefs, genders, national origins, experiences, and abilities are encouraged to apply.
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