February 26, 2025 | Next eNews: March 12 | | |
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By Duo Dickenson, Trinity on the Green (New Haven)
For me, Lent has become about poetry.
Lent is a conundrum for the few of us who think about it. After the Council of Nicaea 1,700 years ago, it was said by some of the newly connected church leaders that six weeks of fasting, prayer, and contemplation were a necessary way to focus our lives on the salvation of the world by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As with many deeply devoted rituals, humans evolve them. Easter is now part of every CVS pharmacy's shelf space commitment after Christmas - usually involving chocolate bunnies. Lent, in turn, has evolved away from fasting, prayer, and contemplation, to the denial of eating said chocolate before Easter, to, now a vague pretext for Mardi Gras.
Keep reading...
| And find resources for Lent on ECCT's Liturgy & Music webpage as well as from Communities for Spiritual Vitality, a Province 1 devotional for Lent that focuses on Isaiah and features the writing of Valarie Stanley (St. Luke's, New Haven), the Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch, and Cn. Sarah Louise Woodford! | |
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Clergy Retreat Quiet Day: March 13
Join Bishop Jeff, Bishop Laura, and all your clergy colleagues for a time of rest, prayer, unstructured conversations, quiet time, and refreshment (and good food) at Camp Washington on March 13 from 9:30 AM—2:30 PM. The day away is offered at no cost to clergy and registration is required.
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If you would like to stay overnight the night before or the night after, please reach out to Camp Washington directly to make arrangements. | | |
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Public Forum: Public Legislative Testimony as Christian Witness
Are you wondering what concrete action you can take to bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice? Raising your voice about legislation in the Connecticut General Assembly is one way of advocating in favor of legislation that aligns with Christian values of love and justice while speaking against legislation that does not. Join the Rev. Canon D Littlepage, ECCT's Canon for Advocacy, Racial Justice & Reconciliation on March 13 from 7—8 PM via Zoom to learn more about the importance of public testimony and how to do it.
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Reminder: Parochial & Non-Parochial Reports Due March 1
Parochial Reports for parishes and Non-parochial clergy reports for those who are canonically resident in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and are not affiliated with a parish, are due this Saturday, March 1.
Please note: The Parochial Report portal will close at 12:01 AM on March 2. For questions or assistance submitting your Parochial Report contact ECCT's Data Analyst Manager, Gigi Leackfeldt.
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HR Update: Preparing for I-9 Audits
With immigration front and center in the news, it is a good time for parishes to review their I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification forms, which establish a new employee’s identity and ability to work in the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may ask to inspect your Form I-9 records in connection with a raid, a lead, a complaint, or other factors, and parishes should be prepared.
I-9 forms must be kept for three years after the employee’s date of hire or one year after their employment ends, whichever is later. Regularly review, remove, and destroy I-9s that are no longer needed per this guideline.
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Holy Land Reunion with Canon Iyad Qumri with Bishop Jeff
Join St. Mark's, New Canaan, for a Holy Land Reunion on March 6 from 6:30—8:30 PM. The evening will include time to connect and reminisce with other pilgrims followed by a facilitated presentation led by Bishop Mello and Canon Iyad, and moderated by the Rev. Peter Walsh, focusing on the current state of pilgrimages to the Holy Land, reflections from Bishop Jeff on his January trip to the Holy Land, and the good, continuing work being done by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
A buffet dinner is included and registration is required.
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Province 1 Indigenous People's Justice Network
Book Discussion: March 19
The next book group discussion of the Province 1 Indigenous People's Justice Network will be held on March 19 from 7—8:30 PM via Zoom. We will be discussing Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko.
From the publisher: "Thirty years since its original publication, Ceremony remains one of the most profound and moving works of Native American literature, a novel that is itself a ceremony of healing."
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The Legacy of Bishop Theodore Holly | |
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An interview with Joseph Carroll, Jr. & The Reverend Judith Alexis by Canon Sarah Louise Woodford
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of Zooming with Joseph Carroll, Jr., of St. Luke’s (New Haven) and the Reverend Judith Alexis, co-chairs of the upcoming Celebration of the Life and Ministry of The Right Reverend James T. Holly, First Black Bishop of the Episcopal Church, which will be held at St. Luke’s, New Haven on March 16 at 4 PM. Below is an excerpt from our time together.
Cn. Sarah Woodford: "Can you tell me about Bishop Holly and his legacy?
Joseph Carroll: "I think it's so critical that the masses learn who Bishop Holly was because he was really instrumental in the formation of this church. My ancestors that came over and worship here, and the ancestors of the Reverend Judith, and so many others, are sitting on the shoulders of Bishop Holly. He left the Roman Catholic Church because of racism. They wouldn't recognize or ordain black folks. He came to us, and as you know, the Episcopal Church welcomes everyone. And it's important that the generation now, and even the generations to come, know who he was. We need to pass our history on to those who came after him. And I think this service is a great starting point."
The Rev. Judith Alexis: "The wonderful thing about the Reverend Theodore Holly, that it is not well known, is that he was very ecumenical in his ministry. He was sent. Well, nobody sent him. He went. I remember reading somewhere that he went to Liberia first. I cannot find the backup to that. But I remember clearly reading that he went to Liberia first and then came back to the Caribbean Basin. So, there is a level of dedication, a very clear: 'this is what I am called to do whatever obstacle the world puts in front of me; this is what I'm called to do, and I will seek every, every path to achieve that.' When I think of Bishop Holly, the first song that comes to mind is 'From the Rivers of Babylon'—'How do I sing this song in a strange land?' His entire life, he sung the Lord’s song in a strange land: outside of the Roman Catholic Church, into the Episcopal Church, outside of the Episcopal Church of the US in Haiti."
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News & Updates from Our Cathedral
We're Hiring!
Associate for Congregational Development & Pastoral Care
The Cathedral seeks a full-time Associate to assist the Dean in the general life, ministry, pastoral care, outreach, and worship of the Cathedral Congregations. The Associate will provide leadership in areas of Evangelism, Stewardship, Children, Youth, and Young Adult Programs as well as pastoral care for the Cathedral English speaking members.
Full-time Office Manager & Event Coordinator
The Office Manager ensures the efficient operation of the office by overseeing administrative tasks, managing office resources, and supporting staff and leadership. This position also oversees event coordination for all events hosted by or at the Cathedral.
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News & Updates from Our Camp |
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Upcoming Events
March 2
Camp Washington Sunday
A special day set aside for parishes from all over ECCT to come together and celebrate the incredible resource Camp Washington is for youth and adults across ECCT. Resources available online.
March 2
Youth Group on the Move
Join us at Christ & the Holy Trinity, Westport Register online
March 7-8
Youth Confirmation Retreat
Join confirmation classes from around CT for a weekend of fun, food, discussion and exploration with Bishop Jeffrey Mello and the CW staff.
Register online.
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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.
Wednesday Bishops' Call for Clergy & Lay Leaders: March 5
All Wardens' Call: March 12
Wardens' Without Clergy: February 26
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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Leadership Gathering & Mission Council
Christ Church, Pomfret
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Spring Training & Gathering 2025 begins!
Online & on-site
Learn more
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Clergy Renewal of Vows
St. John's, Waterbury
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203.639.3501
290 Pratt Street, Box 52
Meriden, CT 06450
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