September 9, 2026 | Next eNews: September 23 | | Understanding Alienations & Encumbrances: Sept. 24 on Zoom | | |
Our parish spaces are far more than buildings; they are places of mission and ministry. As we open our arms in welcome and stretch out our hands in service, God continues to invite us to explore new ways to engage our parish spaces, buildings, and properties for mission and ministry in the 21st century.
Sometimes the invitation to greater mission and ministry comes in unexpected ways, including through the alienations and encumbrances process. Our buildings require financial support to maintain them, often resulting in the diversion of precious funds and energy from ministry and mission. Perhaps, though, our buildings can serve as sources of revenue. By exploring creative ways to transform and redevelop our spaces, we can diversify income for the future of our parishes and their missions and ministries.
- Is your parish considering new ways of utilizing your parish buildings or property?
- Are you stuck wondering what the difference is between an encumbrance and an alienation?
- Unsure how the application process work?
Whether your parish is ready to take the next step or just wondering about the process, join the Rev. Cn. Ranjit K. Mathews, ECCT's Canon to the Ordinary, Canon Rosanna Rosado, ECCT's Canon for Finance and Operations, and the Rev. Derek Stefanovsky, President of the Standing Committee, on Sept. 24 from 7–8 PM on Zoom to review the alienations & encumbrances process and answer any questions you may have.
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Safe Church Training: New Parish Volunteers? Register Now for Fall Semester Dates
With the start of the new "program year," it's a good time to ensure all of our volunteers are up-to-date on necessary trainings, including Safe Church! Fall Semester dates are open for both in-person and virtual trainings.
As followers of Christ, we all share responsibility for creating safe spaces in our worshipping communities. ECCT’s Safe Church policies & training are grounded in our baptismal call to “seek and serve Christ in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being.”
Safe Church Training is required by The Episcopal Church for all ordained persons and lay leaders who work with children, youth, or vulnerable adults.
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Notes from The Commons: New Christian Community Grant Re-Launch!
A New Christian Community grant is one that is used to foster koinonia (Greek for Christian fellowship): the formation of ongoing groups that bring believers together in equal partnership and mutual participation, in concert with Christ’s presence and activity in the world. This is a broad enough understanding to encompass both a traditional church plant and an as-yet-unrevealed form of Christian community.
What you need to know:
- Maximum grant award of $10,000.
- Maximum of three (3) awards per project.
- Relaunch or renewal projects could qualify depending on specifics.
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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Season of Creation Celebration Guide
The Season of Creation, September 1 through October 4, is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing, and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation.
The Season of Creation Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes, Perennial Edition, is a curated liturgical resource of prayers, readings, and liturgies authorized for use in ECCT by our Bishops. No additional permissions needed!
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Season of Creation Daily Devotions Continue
Most of us know very little about the great web of life that surrounds us. Through October 4, the Province One EcoRegion is offering daily devotions throughout the "Season of Creation" designed to open our eyes to some of the “created ones” with whom we share common ground. These devotions highlight a different keystone species in our Province One EcoRegion each day, including a photo, a brief description, and thoughts on how the species reflects our image of God followed by a closing prayer. The devotions are prepared by Episcopalians from around Province One.
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Region & Ministry Network Happenings
Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry Network Outdoor Worship Service
Join the Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry Network for a shared outdoor worship service on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 10 AM at Allen Brook Pavilion, Durham.
Northwest Region Convocation Postponded
The Northwest Region Convocation, originally scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13, has been postponded. Watch eNews for the rescheduled date coming soon!
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Apply for a 2027 UTO Grant: We are the Gifts of God for the People of God
The United Thank Offering (UTO) Board was inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer's book, "The Serviceberry," and the liturgy for the Holy Eucharist, in the creation of the 2027 focus which asks churches, dioceses, and provinces to dream about what "connecting the unique gifts of the church/diocese/province with the unique needs of the community" around them might look like. We hope to see applications for projects that are specific to the place the applicant is located, as well as projects that will generate something that can be shared back to the community beyond.
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Bishops' Corner: Are you called to serve?
Annual Convention: Nominations Open Until Sept. 25
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Do you know someone whose gifts, experience, and skills could benefit ECCT? Do you feel called to serve in leadership?
Consider nominating yourself or someone else, with their permission of course, for one of our open positions. Nominations but be completed online by September 25.
Open Positions include:
Learn more about open positions and find the link to the nomination form online.
| | Please note: Other bodies such as the Commission on Ministry, Ministry Network representatives to the Mission Council, Camp Washington Board, Cathedral Chapter, and Title IV Disciplinary Committee are nominated by the bishop and voted on at convention. If you would like more information on running for these positions or to be considered for nomination, please contact the Secretary of Convention & the Diocese. | | |
From the Office of Advocacy, Racial Justice & Reconciliation: Immigration Resources
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and ECCT have compiled resources for parishes wishing to support immigrants in America.
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Annual Convention Update: Don't Miss the Pre-Annual Convention Presentations
As we prepare for our 242nd Annual Convention, everyone across ECCT (whether delegates or not!) is invited to join us for our pre-Convention Budget and Resolution listening sessions.
2026 Proposed Budget of Convention Presentation
Three Zoom Sessions Available: Sept 15, 16, or 17
Join our Bishops and ECCT’s Canon for Finance & Operations, Rosanna Rosado, as they review the proposed 2026 ECCT Budget, which will be voted on at this year’s Annual Convention.
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Annual Convention Resolution Listening Session
October 9 at 6 PM
Join the submitters of all our 2026 Resolutions to learn more about how each resolution was shaped and how they will invite us to grow in faith, live in hope, and serve in love. Bring your questions! Full resolution text available on ECCT’s website.
| | | | News & Updates from Our Cathedral | |
Cathedral welcomes new Vicar/Chaplain
The Cathedral is delighted to announce the arrival of the Rev. Melina Dezhbod, the Cathedral’s new Vicar/Chaplain.
| | | News & Updates from Our Camp | |
Autumn Community Dinners at Camp Washington
Sept. 12 & Nov. 14 from
5–7:30 PM
Begin the evening with a service of music, inspiring words, and Holy Communion, followed by a time of community, conversation, and wonderful food! Register online.
In lieu of a ticket price for dinner, we welcome your generous donation at the table. All proceeds will go the CW Campership Fund, offering need-based financial assistance to our campers & retreatants.
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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.
Mark your calendars!
All Warden's Call will resume on September 9.
Bishops' Call for Clergy & Lay Leaders continues on September 16.
Warden's Call for Parishes without Clergy will resume on September 23.
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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Gather with lay preachers from across the diocese for a time of reflection and conversation as you prepare to preach on Sunday.
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Hours at The Commons
The Commons is open Monday through Thursday from 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM and closes at noon on Fridays during the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
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ECCT's Leadership Gathering & Mission Council
The Commons, Meriden
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Annual Convention Resolutions & Nomination Due
Learn more
| | | It has come to our attention some in ECCT have received emails and/or texts claiming to be from our Bishops or ECCT staff requesting the recipient to do things like purchase gift/phone cards, run errands, or send funds to the bishop/staff person directly. All such texts, emails, or phone calls are scams. No one at ECCT, including our Bishops, will ever text or email you to request you purchase gift cards or send them funds directly. If you do receive one of these texts or emails, please do not respond to it. If you are able, report the message as "spam" and then delete it. And remember, never purchase gift cards or send funds directly when requested to do so via text or email. | | | |
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203.639.3501
290 Pratt Street, Box 52
Meriden, CT 06450
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