OCTOBER 2020
Pre-Convention Resolution Discussions
10/07 - The RHJR Ministry Network will host a workshop on Oct 7 from 6-7pm to learn more about their resolution, "Acknowledging and Confronting Systemic Racism, White Supremacy, and Anti-Black Bias in Our Nation and the Episcopal Church in Connecticut: Continuing the Season of Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation" Register here to attend.
10/08 - Translation of Diocesan Resources, Documents, & Events to Spanish. The sponsors of this resolution will hold an online workshop on Oct 8 from 7-8pm for anyone interested in learning more about this resolution, asking questions, or engaging in conversation around it. To join the meeting on Zoom click here.
NC Region Food Resources
Last week members of the NW & NC Regions gathered to hear from state social workers tasked with building capacity to address food insecurity. Guests included: Dan Giacomi, SNAP Program Administration Manager; Jason Jakubowski, Foodshare; Angelique Pearson, Social Worker from the Division of "Money Follows the Person"; and Mike Corey, CT Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. A recording of the meeting is available to the right of this text. It is a great resource. If you wish to be in touch with any of the speakers please connect with our RM for emails.
Opportunities to Gather
NC Clergy Coffee Hour is Back! 3-4 PM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. This is an informal, no stress, come as you are invitation to gather as a region clergy group. There is no agenda, we can co-create the space that we need together to share, connect, and pray. Next gatherings are Oct 13 and Oct 27.
10/27 NC Region Wardens Gathering from 6-7 PM. This upcoming program year will be like no other. Join with other wardens from the region to share best practices, lean on each other's learning, share opportunities for connection and collaboration, and wonder together what God is up to in our world today.
Opportunities to Learn & Grow
10/20 - Deacon Day from 6:30 - 8 PM - The Deacon's Council of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut is sponsoring a Deacons Day. This event is for all those who are sensing a call to the diaconate or interested in exploring ministry that centers advocacy and support for the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the lonely. During this 90-minute online gathering, participants will hear from a variety of deacons serving in contexts around Connecticut as well as from members of the Commission on Ministry and the Province I School for Deacons to explain what formation for the diaconate entails. This event will take place via Zoom. For more info. contact the Rev. Don Burr at churchoutthere@gmail.com to register click here.
10/19 or 10/24 - Discerning My Path, Info Sessions: This is a course ECCT is developing in collaboration with other dioceses in Province I and Bexley Seabury Seminary. This course invites participants into a time of deep listening, practice of ancient and modern spiritual disciplines, and offering and receiving insight regarding individual gifts and passions — all within a brave/safe circle of trust. In addition to monthly online meetings in small groups, participants will engage spiritual reading, videos and articles on discernment, spiritual practices, and the ministry of the baptized. This opportunity is open to all the baptized in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Scholarships and grants are available. More details, here.
Starting 11/01 - Four-week preaching course (a collaboration of Trinity Collinsville & Trinity, Torrington) is designed for beginners or existing lay preachers looking for additional practice. Working our way through Karoline Lewis's "A Lay Preacher's Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon," the sessions will cover how to craft content for a sermon within your own context, and practical tools for organizing, writing, and delivering a sermon. An optional preaching cohort will meet after the class is finished to hear each other's sermons and provide feedback. Members from the Region are welcome to join! To participate contact the Rev. Carrie Comb before Nov. 1st at rector@trinitycollinsville.org
11/10 - St James, Farmington & the Spiritual Life Center present a year on Christian Spiritual Practices. Part of walking the way of Jesus and truly living the Christian life means drawing forever closer to the Divine presence. In our busy lives, however, finding new, creative, AND practical ways to live the Christian life and engage in our spiritual journey (we are all on one, by the way) can be very challenging indeed. Next gathering, Nov. 10 from 6:30– 8:30 pm will focus on Lectio Divina. Members from the region are invited to join in via Zoom, here. Read about the year long series here.
7 Week Course running from 10/06 - 12/01 @ 6:30 PM, Next meeting 10/20 - Join the Companions in Mission Ministry Network as they journey through the Way of Love in Global Mission, a seven week opportunity to network, learn, reflect, and converse with some of the leading voices in Global Mission across The Episcopal Church. Questions regarding the series can be directed to the Rev. Amjad Samuel at asamuel@stpaulsct.org. Register & learn more here. Note: there may be issues registering with Airmeet on a phone or tablet. First try on a desktop/laptop.
Becoming Beloved Community Webinars now available! Thousands of racial justice and healing leaders and practitioners across The Episcopal Church gathered to build community, craft strategy and equip each other for action during a series of “Becoming Beloved Community NOW” online gatherings at the end of July 2020.
 Convened by the Presiding Officers’ Advisory Group on Beloved Community Implementation, the three gatherings focused on three urgent themes:
• Truth • Justice • Healing. To watch all three webinars click here.
Resources for Families
Monthly, Starting 10/06 - Saint John’s West Hartford: Anti-Racism Parenting Group, 9:00 pm on Zoom, St. John's will be hosting a monthly parenting discussion group on raising antiracist children. Each month, we will have short preparation work— think a podcast or a documentary. We will gather at 9pm in Zoom (after the children are asleep) and talk for an hour or less. The hope of this group is that we will learn together, practice what we have learned in our families and schools, and then do it all again the next month. Contact Margie@sjparish.net for details.
10/08 - Parenting in the Wilderness: moves to monthly! A Sacred Space for Connection & Fun (2nd Thurs. of the month at 9:00 am.) ECCT invites you into a sacred space of compassion, grace, and fun, hoping to provide some support and fellowship to those of us struggling to make it all work, as we care for children. Gather with clergy and lay facilitators to hold one another up. Join Zoom conversations here! Please be sure your name in your Zoom “square” displays your name & your parish affiliation, so that we can safely be in conversation. Upcoming leaders: Tracy Johnson Russell on Oct. 8 • Rebekah Hatch on Nov. 12.
Care for Creation
10/16 & 10/17 - Hartford Composter (and Rain Barrel) Sale. There will be a special sale of composters and rain barrels coming up, with distribution on October 16 and 17 in the parking lot of Church of the Good Shepherd. These are excellent compost bins. The price is about half of normal retail. For more info visit the Good Shepherd Facebook Page, here.
Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation
Are you are engaging in the work of Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation in your parish? Hosting a book study or film series; inviting a guest speaker or engaging in community action? Are you willing to open those opportunities to others in the Region? Please email our Region Missionary so we can share opportunities to engage in healing work together. Not engaging in this work yet, but looking to collaborate? Let's get you connected with another parish. Not sure where to get started? Ask. It will take all of us working together to end racism.
Building your Racial Justice library? In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement, ECCT has partnered with the Connecticut based Key Book Store as our main provider for print and digital educational text. The Key Bookstore is a fully interactive bookstore experience. Their focus is to lead readers on a path to Self Mastery and the cultivation of connection on and offline with respect to the mission, “Divine liberation one page at a time.”
LOOKING FOR MORE RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES?
• Every week new resources are being shared in the ECCT Weekly eNewsletter
to receive the eNews -- Sign up here.
• JOIN the Racial Healing Justice and Reconciliation Ministry Network Here.
To receive valuable resources from RHJR in your inbox, send an email to ecctrhjr@gmail.com.
Region Resource Reminders
  • Looking for a place to try online worship? For an ongoing list of ECCT Parishes hosting livestream services click here

  • Governor Lamont issued a press release stating FREE infrared thermometers for houses of worship. CLICK HERE to read the release and apply for yours! 

  • 2-1-1 is a one-stop connection to the local services folks in your community may need, from utility assistance, food, housing, child care, after school programs, elder care, crisis intervention and much more. For more info click here. 

  • 3-1-1 It is similar to 2-1-1 but region specific to the city of Hartford. More info here. If you need a ride to get tested for Covid-19 and you live in Hartford, you can call 3-1-1 for a free ride to your testing appt. For ride info in English & Spanish. ** Please note, you can’t reach 311 by dialing that number on a mobile phone. You need to dial 860-757-9311**

  • Foodshare - (Serving Hartford & Tolland Counties) visit www.foodshare.org/coronavirus to learn more about locations or to donate. People who are in need of food can text FOODSHARE to 85511 to identify locations where food is being distributed near them. 

  • CT Food Bank - (Serving Middlesex County and 5 others) visit ctfoodbank.org to learn more about locations or to donate. 
ECCT Resources
Fall workshops in Graphic Design and Social Media for Churches! Thanks to our friends at Caffeinated Church for offering these three workshops throughout the fall. More information on the workshop descriptions on their website here.
ECCT Resource for COVID-19 are continually being updated, including:
  • Messages from our Bishops
  • Financial Resources
  • Self-Care Resources
  • Digital Communications Resources
  • Worship Opportunities
  • And More...
Camp Washington Opportunities
Final Reflection
Below is a 2 minute video meditation compiled by the Rev. Rachel Thomas , SE Region Missionary, with a view of the river near her house and the voices of the first Region Missionary cohort.

The chant is simple, Be Still and Know that I am God.  May it bring you peace.
Communications for the North Central Region
* Subscribe to this Newsletter to have stories from the Region delivered straight to your inbox at www.episcopalct.org/enewsletters

* Join the NC Region Facebook Group, a community bulletin board for the region. This is your place to share parish/community events, photos, videos and more.

* Like and follow the NC Region Facebook Page. This is where the Leadership Team will post news of upcoming Region events, gatherings, conversations, resources, etc.

* If you want to know what your Region Missionary is up to, follow her Facebook Page.

* Check out the Region Calendar on the ECCT website.
The intent of the Monthly Snapshot is to raise awareness of region gatherings, ministry network events, opportunities for parish collaboration, and invitations to participate in God's mission together! Each Snapshot looks two months ahead. For your announcement to be included in the next Snapshot be sure to contact our Region Missionary, Erin Flinn, by the last week of the month at eflinn@episcopalct.org