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NORTH CENTRAL REGION MONTHLY MISSIVE



November 2023

Want to see your community here?


If you have an event or story you'd like to share with the Region, please send details (and pictures!) to Maggie ([email protected]) by the 15th of the month BEFORE your event or before when you want your story featured.

Greetings friends in Christ,

I'm writing to you at my desk at The Commons, just a few days before our annual Convention. There is an absolute buzz in the air here; lots of things to be done before the Big Event; the constant hum of the printer. I like this kind of energy before an event - it's a tangible and physical manifestation of our collective work.


Sometimes, when all of our focus is on church and all the ways we do that work, it can feel like we just run around in circles trying to look busy! But I am reminded that this, too, is God-work. God is in this pre-Convention hustle and bustle just as much a God is in our quiet prayers, our joyful thanksgivings, and our contemplative moments. The work of God is not found in only one place and at only one time. It's certainly part of what we do on any given Sunday, but it's also how we raise our families, how we engage with our jobs, how we spend our free time, and in any other way in which we move and have our being in this Earthly Kingdom.


During these glorious fall days (dodging rain showers) be sure to pause for a few minutes and take stock of all the ways in which you do your God-work. Maybe even write down all the ways in which you are helping to build the Kingdom of God. And, if it feels like something you might want to do, consider if there are ways in which you could try something new, think about something differently, or commit to existing in a way that aligns better with what you wish to be doing.


And, as always, I'm here if you ever want to talk about your God-life! Those are my favorite conversations!! :)rases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

Free to a Good Home!


Would a piano benefit your parish community? Mark Ricci of Trinity, Portland is looking to donate the piano that belonged to his mother and thought that an Episcopal church might like one. He's willing to deliver it. Please contact Mark directly at [email protected]

Upcoming Events and Resources

Is Your Parish Hosting An Event?


Please be sure to add your parish events to the ECCT calendar. This is for any events your parish is hosting or is doing with another organization. You can add your event by using THIS FORM.

Your NC Region Leadership Team would like to share the following information with you:


The North Central Regional Leadership Team met October 11:

  • please join your NC RLT for a potluck dinner on 26 November, beginning at 4pm, at Trinity Church in Portland. No RSVP needed. Bring your favorite dish to share!


  • Dean Lina Howell from our Cathedral joined our meeting to talk to us about Mission Council and what that body does for the wider ECCT.


If you have any questions, you can contact MAGGIE anytime, or one of our leadership team members: Robert Pearston (secretary) of St. Gabriel's, E. Berlin; Stephen Karwowski of Good Shepherd, Bristol; Casey Rousseau (Convener) of Trinity, Hartford; Shannon Demerest of Holy Trinity, Middletown; Katy Forline of Epiphany, Durham; and Rev. Val Miller of Grace, Newington

Join us for a weekend of connecting with old and new friends! A time of learning how to care not just for ourselves & those close to us, but all people. More information and registration can be found HERE.

Silent Movie:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

3 November 2023, 7p

St. James, W. Hartford


Come see a FREE showing of Lon Chaney in the original silent movie "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" with Jason Roberts playing the organ LIVE.


Questions - please contact the church directly at 860-521-9620

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Autumn Leaves Fair

Christ Church, Middle Haddam

4 November 2023, 9a-2p


This decades long tradition is a wonderful opportunity for you to start your Christmas shopping. Enjoy baked goods, pickles, james, gift baskets, hand-crafted items, and much more.


Questions - contact the church directly at 860-267-0287

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Christmas Fair & Turkey Dinner!

11 November 2023, 10a-2p

St. James, Higganum


Come and enjoy a festive holiday dinner from 11-1 and begin your Christmas shopping from 10-2 with the Holiday Fair.


Questions - contact the parish directly at 860-345-0058




Please join the NC Region Leadership Team for a festive potluck dinner. We will meet at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, on Sunday 26 November, at 4pm for potluck dinner and conversation. Bring your favorite dish to share! If you have any questions, please reach out to Maggie at [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE

Audrey Mae Concert (Bluegrass)

18 November 2023

Old St. Andrews, Bloomfield


First concert of the 2023-2024 music series at OSA! For more information, contact the church directly at 860-242-4660

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Quality Street Fair

18 November 2023 10a-2p

Trinity, Collinsville


Come and see this annual tradition - gift baskets, jellies and james, homemade candies, and much more. This is another opportunity to start your Christmas shopping!


Questions - contact the church directly at 860-693-8172



Join in the fun - Next crafting in proximity will be Wednesday, 29 November, 2023 at 6:00p. The link can be found hereNo need to register, just show up with a project (or not) and enjoy some fellowship.

Youth Presence at GenCon 2024


Episcopal teens ages 16 to 19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention’s Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies and can testify at hearings before and during the summer 2024 convention. The deadline to apply is Nov. 17.

Applications and nomination forms—in English and Spanish—can be found online, as well as additional criteria and information for potential applicants. Nominators must not be related to the applicant.




Hope of Loving Concert

Trinity, Hartford

5 November 2023, 7p


 

Ekklesia will be presenting our distinguished and impactful work, Dark Night, as well as two newly commissioned pieces. These works will be performed with live music and singing by the Choir School of Hartford. The combination of these emotional and dynamic works with the powerful live music is sure to be sensational. 


For more information, contact Ekklesia at 860-985-2085

United Thank Offering

FREE Gratitude Resources


The UTO offers free resources to help individuals, families, and groups focus on gratitude throughout November. Materials include: 30 days of text reminders, liturgy for Thanksgiving Day, bulletin inserts, gratitude journals, crafts, children's sermon prompts, and much more!


Download your free resources HERE


Summer 2024

25% off at Camp Washington


Register by 15 November to get an awesome 25% discount. Make new friends, reconnect with old ones, explore your faith, learn from nature, and so much more!


Don't miss this opportunity to send a young person in your life to Camp Washington!


CLICK HERE for more information.

You Are Invited to our Holy Land



Join Bishop Jeffrey W. Mello and Bishop Laura J. Ahrens on a phenomenal pilgrimage to our Holy Land along with local guide Iyad Qumri of Qumri Pilgrimages. The 12-day pilgrimage is April 22 to May 3, 2024. Sponsored by our Bishops and the Holy Landers Ministry Network, pilgrimage details are now available!

 

We’ll stay at St. George’s Guest House while to and from Jerusalem and at the Sisters of Nazareth while to and from Nazareth. You’ll walk the holy sites of our faith, experience the renewal of Baptismal vows in the Jordan River, follow Jesus’ footsteps and travel throughout ancient lands, experience modern day living of our sister and brother Palestinians, pray the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem, deepen understanding of our Abrahamic siblings through prayer and presence, and much more. Walk with us. Pray with us. Be with us for an unforgettable pilgrimage.

 

For more information and to get the registration form, click here.


Looking Ahead: Mark Your Calendars


June 7-14, 2025 - Pilgrimage to Iona with Hartford International University School of Earth and Soul. For more information, click here.

Registration Now Open: NC & NE Region Convocation


Join folks across the NC & NE Regions on Saturday, 2 December, for fellowship and conversation, workshops and time with our Bishops. You can register for the event HERE, learn more about our workshops, submit questions you may have about our ECCT website, and let us know if you have special dietary needs for lunch.


If you have any questions, please reach out to Maggie at [email protected]


And don't forget to tell your friends to REGISTER.

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You can reach Maggie Breen, NC & NE Region Missionary, the following ways:
US Mail: The Episcopal Church in Connecticut, The Commons, 290 Pratt Street, Box 52, Meriden, Ct 06450
PHONE: 203-639-3501 x154 (o) 860-214-0085 (c)
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