Class Descriptions

Virtual: April 28, 2:30–4 PM
 
Financial administration, budgeting, and year-end reviews are essential for the stewardship of God’s resources. These best practices provide structure, internal controls, and insights into the parish’s financial health. This ultimately leads to informed decision-making and long-term financial stability.  We will discuss ensuring the church’s financial health and long-term stability in the context of its Financial Administration, Budgeting, and Year-End Reviews. Who should attend?  Priests, Vestry Members, and Treasurers are invited to join ECCT Staff in exploring the intricacies of accounting’s best practices.  

Facilitators: Candace Naudé, ECCT’s Accounts Manager, manages all aspects relating to Accounts Payable as well as Accounts Receivable, which includes ensuring vendors get paid in a timely and respectful manner. She is responsible for the daily oversight, financial accuracy, and timeliness of transactions within all primary and subsidiary accounts, financial reports, the management of schedules to generate and interpret essential financial information that is consistent with the prudent management of the institutional funds. Candace is an Army Veteran with a tour of duty in Afghanistan. She has a bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Music and Philosophy.  

Derrick Da Silva, ECCT’s Controller, is responsible for the oversight and reviews of all financial related activities within the organization. He works with ECCT’s external auditors and ensures that internal financial controls are in place and in compliance with General Acceptable Accounting Principles GAAP. 

 Kathy O’Hearn, ECCT’s Senior Staff Accountant, supervises the Accounts Manager, processes ECCT staff payroll, processes month end close entries, reconciles bank accounts, and assists with audits and financial reporting for ECCT. She came to ECCT five years ago with over 20 years of business experience, including corporate and small business accounting and operations management. Kathy graduated from Marist University with a Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. She also has a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting from Southern Connecticut State University.

Virtual: April 29, 2:30–4 PM

Technology is the bridge that connects us to the future, and platforms like Zoom have transformed the way we communicate, collaborate, and create. They are not just tools for today—they are paving the way for a more connected and flexible tomorrow. 

FACILITATORS: Charles Judware serves as the Parish Administrator at St. Paul’s Willimantic, where he has been managing the technology and hybrid services for over six years, consistently adapting to new challenges and leveraging technology to meet evolving needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed strong expertise in managing Zoom for virtual communication and services. He became skilled in hosting, screen sharing, optimizing audio and video settings, and managing participants. This proficiency has allowed him to successfully organize and run online meetings, services, and collaborative sessions for the church, ensuring smooth and productive remote experiences for all involved.

Liz Charron was raised in the Episcopal Church in Maryland and became a member of St. Paul’s Willimantic in 1991.  During her time at St. Paul’s, she has served in many roles:  Church School leader, Vestry member, Treasurer and is currently Senior Warden. Liz recently retired from her financial advisory business that she started 25 years ago.  The timing on this is a blessing since she is leading her congregation through a transition following the retirement of their longtime priest at the end of last year. Liz lives in Lebanon CT where she and her husband, Joe, raised their two children.  During the summers, they spend time at their property on Lake Champlain in VT.  St Paul’s interactive hybrid services allow her to fully participate while enjoying the sun and water in VT.

Virtual: April 27, 5–6:30 PM

Parishes with as few as one employee need to be familiar with human resources practices as well as their obligations under employment laws. Even the smallest employers are covered by laws governing matters such as minimum wages and overtime, meal breaks, reporting of new hires, timekeeping, personnel files, electronic monitoring, employee classification, family and medical leaves of absence, anti-discrimination, and sexual harassment prevention training. This workshop will cover the basics of human resources and compliance issues throughout the employment relationship, including hiring, wage and hour matters, personnel files and policies, documentation, leaves of absence/time off, and the end of the employment relationship. There will be time for Q&A; bring your questions!

FACILITATOR: Carla Harris is an active and dedicated member for many years at Trinity Church, Portland. She’s served in various roles, including on the vestry, teaching Sunday school, helping with fundraising, and supporting outreach efforts. In her professional life, Carla has built a career in human resources, working in different roles to support teams and organizations. She has experience in HR operations, change management, culture transformation, and talent management. Currently, Carla is the VP of Total Rewards and People Operations at American Eagle Financial Credit Union. She works to create rewarding experiences for team members, overseeing benefits, compensation, recognition, wellness programs, and tools like HR software and survey platforms. She also manages vital processes like leave of absence, payroll, and status changes. Carla is passionate about helping people thrive — whether by supporting her colleagues at work or contributing to the life of her church community.

Virtual: April 28, 5–6:30 PM
In-Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Not thinking about a merger? Join us for a conversation about imaging a new future for your parish…. honest conversations about moving forward listening to the Holy Spirit, telling the truth, and building connections in new and life-giving ways.

FACILITATORS: Bishop Laura Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, is passionate about exploring with congregations how parish leadership, lay and ordained, can engage God’s Mission in their local context through prayerful discernment and collaborative partnerships. With Bishop Jeff, she seeks to create vibrant and engaging spaces where Christians can deepen their understanding of God’s love and try on new ways of speaking about and sharing that love with others.

Joy Dorin was the junior warden at St. John’s, Vernon, and the prior senior warden at St. Mary’s, Manchester. In her role as senior warden, she was part of the team that guided the activities and discussions of possible options for St. Mary’s that led to the eventual union between St. Mary’s and St. John’s and created the new St. John’s in October 2023. It’s a privilege for Joy to share her experience with other parishes as they pray about their future.  

The Reverend Mark Santucci is the Priest-in-Charge at Grace Church, Yantic. He was the priest at St. John’s, East Hartford, when they joined with St. John’s, Vernon, in a merger that helped establish procedures in the diocese. Since then, Mark has worked with several parishes as they navigated the merger process.3. It’s a privilege for Joy to share her experience with other parishes as they pray about their future.

Virtual: April 28, 10:45 AM–12:15 PM

Please join us for an informative session on the fundamentals of legacy giving and its importance in fundraising.  We will touch on topics such as the current landscape of giving in America, philanthropic trends, planned giving vehicles, donor advised fund basics and donor motivations. With the greatest wealth transfer in history underway and an estimated $84 trillion in assets expected to move from Baby Boomers to younger generations and charitable organizations in the next 30 years, understanding how to talk with generous supporters about how they can leave a meaningful legacy to your organization has never been more crucial.  We look forward to sharing information and tips to help you navigate this important moment. 

FACILITATORS: Elizabeth A. Barnette is a Managing Director and Senior Philanthropic Strategist with the National Consulting and Advisory Practice at Bank of America Private Bank.  She has over 25 years of experience working with nonprofits. Managing a team of philanthropic professionals who provided planned giving, administrative, and fiduciary oversight services to more than 500 nonprofit clients, including colleges and universities, churches and other religious organizations, community foundations, hospital systems, and arts and culture organizations. Elizabeth specializes in planned giving, sub-fund accounting, donor-advised fund administration, and board governance.  

Martin Morrissey is Treasurer of Saint Paul’s Church in Southington and a life-long Connecticut resident. His professional career involved healthcare administration and finance serving in executive positions in the hospital and behavioral healthcare arenas. Those responsibilities included oversight of various investment, self-insurance, and endowment portfolios. Early in his career he also spent fifteen years as president of a family-owned commercial printing company. Currently retired, Martin is a Boston College graduate, a CPA, and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

Theresa Dupont has been a member of the board of trustees of Donations and Bequests (D&B) since 2014 where she is the Secretary and Director of Operations servicing the D&B participants. Theresa has participated in Big Brothers and Sisters of America and volunteers in her community. Theresa graduated from Sacred Heart University with a B.S. in Accounting. 

In-Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Discover new ideas and resources to spread God’s work on fertile soil using efficient tools to market your church. Make your marketing more effective by knowing who you are trying to reach, how to reach them, and what to say. The topics will include audience identification, communications for church newcomers, newsletters, using social media, and creating simple marketing plans. Come sow the seeds of church communication with Baby Boomer Gail Lebert and Elder Millennial Canon Sarah Louise Woodford!

FACILITATORS: For over 25 years, Gail Lebert has worked as a Consultant to ECCT. She has helped parishes in transition and vestry teams recognize their gifts and discern where God is calling them to be. Gail was formerly the Publisher of Hartford Business Journal and led the talented HBJ team to evolve from a weekly newspaper into a business information company.     

Canon Sarah Louise Woodford is ECCT’s Canon for Communications & Media. She has over ten years of experience in religious and non-profit communications. She particularly enjoys helping religious organizations find new and creative ways to make communications and technology work for them.

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

After learning the basics in Sowing Seeds 1, come gather with Baby Boomer Gail Lebert and Elder Millennial Canon Sarah Louise Woodford for conversation and learnings around marketing strategies for newcomers to your church and event planning for your church community as well as for the community your church is a part of. There will also be time for peer-to-peer learning and problem solving with the results of your church’s completed communications audit. Please complete a communications’ audit for your church here (coming soon) a week prior to our workshop.

FACILITATORS: For over 25 years, Gail Lebert has worked as a Consultant to ECCT. She has helped parishes in transition and vestry teams recognize their gifts and discern where God is calling them to be. Gail was formerly the Publisher of Hartford Business Journal and led the talented HBJ team to evolve from a weekly newspaper into a business information company.     

Canon Sarah Louise Woodford is ECCT’s Canon for Communications & Media. She has over ten years of experience in religious and non-profit communications. She particularly enjoys helping religious organizations find new and creative ways to make communications and technology work for them.

Virtual: April 28, 9–10:30 AM
In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

This presentation will cover the significance of managing parish archives, what kinds of parish records need to be stewarded for long-term preservation, and the best practices for doing this work. Focus will be on the management of electronic and analog records using application tools such as cloud storage and artificial intelligence. 

FACILITATOR: Greg Farr serves as the Director for Archives and Record Management for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Greg majored in Religious Studies at the University of Montana and has also received master’s degrees in theology (MTS) at Boston University and library information science (MLIS) at Drexel University. Since 2010, Greg has worked professionally as a corporate archivist and is both a member of the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) and a certified Digital Archive Specialist through the Society of American Archivists (SAA).  Greg lives in the NW corner of CT (Colebrook) and is an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington.

Virtual: April 30, 5–6:30 PM

Join us for the Checklist Challenge! Best practices and good standing aren’t just about compliance—they’re about stewardship, transparency, and building long term trust.  This practical, engaging training invites leaders to take part in the Good Standing Checklist Challenge, a guided walkthrough of best practices that strengthen governance, financial accountability, and operational health. Together, we’ll break down essential requirements into a clear, usable checklist—helping you assess where you are, identify gaps, and leave with concrete next steps you can put into action immediately. Whether you’re new to leadership or simply want to ensure your parish’s practices align with current standards, this session offers clarity, confidence, and tools you can use year-round. Come ready to check the boxes, ask questions, and strengthen your ministry for the future.

FACILITATORS: Rosanna Rosado serves as the Canon for Mission Finance and Operations and the Treasurer for Donations and Bequests (D&B) for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Finance and a Certificate in International Business from Iona. She is currently pursuing her credentials as a Certified Management Accountant. She brings 20 years of leadership experience in non-profit finance and operations management and diverse work experience with numerous religious and not-for-profit organizations. Rosanna’s core strengths are in management and operations, finance for the maximum utilization of resources, strategic planning, identifying opportunities and building alliances, establishing sound financial footing, improving business structures, ensuring compliance, establishing systems and internal controls, reducing budget deficits, mitigating risks, and augmenting revenue streams.

Gigi Leackfeldt is the Data Analyst Manager for The Episcopal Church in Connecticut, with 13 years of experience in nonprofit data strategy, analysis, and operational improvement. She holds a B.A. from the University of Hartford and a Data Analytics Certificate from Cornell University. Her work emphasizes data integrity, process optimization, and trend analysis. At ECCT, she oversees data strategy for major initiatives, including the five‑year Joining Jesus campaign, and supports statewide financial and administrative projects for parishes.

In-Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

ECCT parishes have historically experienced great variations in their Stewardship results, which have had little to do with income levels of the communities they serve. Our parishes have tremendous variation in the levels of pledge participation. In addition, parishes serving communities with comparable income levels have considerable variations in average pledge amounts.  Effective Stewardship Appeal campaigns can affect both these important drivers of parish finances. This session touches on Stewardship Appeal campaign content and practical and effective process management. The Reverend Adam Thomas and former ECCT Canon for Mission Finance and Operations Louis Fuertes discuss: 

• Defining your parish’s Stewardship Appeal goals and focus
• Recruiting a Stewardship Appeal Team
• Defining the scope of Stewardship Appeal activities
• Developing and delivering an impactful central message
• Augmenting it with messages for different current and prospective pledgers
• Utilizing different media channels for conveying these messages
• Creating a work plan, schedule and responsibility map
• Embracing spreadsheet madness! (for focusing, tracking and reporting)
• Conducting a candid “after action” evaluation to guide next year’s Appeal

Adam and Louis hope that leaders of ECCT parishes – both large and small – will benefit from this session, and the opportunity to network with colleagues whose Stewardship efforts do so much to advance God’s mission in their parishes and in communities across our diocese. We encourage discussion and sharing at the conclusion of our presentation.

FACILITATORS: Louis Fuertes served as Canon for Mission Finance and Operations for the Episcopal Church from 2014–2019, following earlier work coaching parishes on financial issues under Canon (now Bishop) Audrey Scanlon. He previously served as his home parish’s Treasurer and has co‑chaired its stewardship appeal for the past three years. Before church work, he spent 20 years in commercial banking and nine years as a management consultant. A spry Baby Boomer, he enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening, music, and time with his three grandsons. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in Engineering and an MBA.

The Reverend Adam Thomas began his ministry with the people of St. Mark’s in February of 2014, after having served two previous parishes in Massachusetts and West Virginia. “The best part of ordained ministry,” says Adam, “is walking with people through the most important moments of their lives – both the joyful and the sorrowful.” He has a passion for preaching, writing novels, and playing board games.

Virtual: April 30, 6:45–8:15 PM

In the online world, websites are a church’s digital front door—it is the first thing online visitors notice about not only when your service is, but what the “spirit” of your worshipping community may be like. This workshop will look at website essentials for parishes and how to make them happen with little to no cost and minimal volunteer time. It will also connect attendees with TEC and ECCT website resources. Come learn how to develop and maintain your website with Baby Boomer Gail Lebert and Elder Millennial Canon Sarah Louise Woodford! 

FACILITATORS: For over 25 years, Gail Lebert has worked as a Consultant to ECCT. She has helped parishes in transition and vestry teams recognize their gifts and discern where God is calling them to be. Gail was formerly the Publisher of Hartford Business Journal and led the talented HBJ team to evolve from a weekly newspaper into a business information company.       

Canon Sarah Louise Woodford is ECCT’s Canon for Communications & Media. She has over ten years of experience in religious and non-profit communications. She particularly enjoys helping religious organizations find new and creative ways to make communications and technology work for them. 

Are you encountering problems balancing next year’s budget? Raising a special fund to fix the roof? Planning a capital campaign?  Your prospects for success will improve materially if you set the stage properly for members and prospective members. We will examine the connection between mission and money and offer solutions that can improve parish financial sustainability.

FACILTATOR: Jim Elrod helps lay and ordained church leaders identify and address the strategic and financial challenges their parish faces. He is on the faculty of Yale Divinity School where he teaches courses on finance and crisis management. Jim also serves on the governing boards of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Christ Church Greenwich, The Church of the Ascension (Saranac Lake, NY), Yale New Haven Hospital, and Yale New Haven Health System. His most recent book ‘Creating Financially Sustainable Congregations’ was published in 2021.

In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Who says Camp is just for kids? Can you name four programs Camp offers that don’t involve youth? You may be surprised to learn that there are programs for every age. In this interactive workshop we will explore opportunities to experience rest, renewal, learning, and hope at your diocesan Camp and Retreat Center. Radical hospitality is at the core of everything we do at Camp Washington- providing a welcoming, affirming, inclusive, safe space for ALL God’s people to come away from the demands and pressures of the world. Our table is big enough for everyone, and there is a seat waiting for you! Whether you are from a big or small parish, you will come away from this workshop with concrete examples of programming that works, and an invitation to consider how you and your parish might make better use of the wonderful resource of Camp Washington.

FACILITATOR: Bart Geissinger is the Executive Director at Camp Washington, the Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center of the ECCT (Episcopal Church in CT). Bart experienced the magic of Camp and community at a very young age and attributes his deep faith to the seeds planted at Camp Washington. After a career in fundraising and development for non-profit schools and organizations, he found his way “back home” to Camp Washington to lead this organization into its second century. “As leaders in camp and retreat ministry, we are called to share by example- radical hospitality to all God’s people whoever they are, wherever they are in their journey, and it is a privilege to provide places of rest, renewal, and action.” A cradle Episcopalian, Bart has served in every capacity of lay leadership in numerous parishes, currently worshipping at St. Paul’s Woodbury with his partner David, and their son Dylan.

Virtual: April 30, 12:45–2:15 PM
In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

Why is this the time to launch a Capital Campaign? When do you announce your Campaign? What are the resources needed for a Capital Campaign? Who will work on your Campaign? How do you move the Campaign from idea to action? These are some of the topics that come up when a parish considers a Capital Campaign.  The Rev. Ryan Fleenor, Rector of St. Luke’s, Darien, and Barbara Roos, Program Administrator to the Canon to the Ordinary at ECCT, will share their Capital Campaign experiences leaving time for questions and discussion.

Facilitators: The Reverend Ryan Fleenor became Rector of Saint Luke’s Parish in July 2020. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Ryan came to Saint Luke’s after ten years as a priest at St. James’ Church, Madison Avenue, in New York City. He studied history at the University of Virginia, taught English literature at a Roman Catholic high school in New Orleans, and prepared for the priesthood at Yale Divinity School. As Rector, Ryan gets to be involved in nearly every aspect of life at Saint Luke’s, from preaching, teaching, pastoral care and leadership development, to budgets, administration and financial stewardship. As Rector, his focus is on creating a culture in which people of all ages can grow in faith and be equipped as disciples who will know, love, and follow Jesus. 

Barbara Roos is the primary support person to the Canon to the Ordinary (C2O), Canon Ranjit Mathews, at ECCT. Along with managing the C2O’s calendar, she holds processes particularly related to Alienations and Encumbrances. She has spent 14 years serving parishes in Rhode Island and Connecticut as a parish administrator and capital campaign administrator and joined the staff of ECCT in 2024. Prior to her move to church administration, Barbara worked for financial institutions in NYC and Rhode Island.   Barbara and her husband, Pieter, have two grown daughters. In her free time, she enjoys hand-writing long letters to friends and family and traveling.

Virtual: April 29, 9–10:30 AM
In-Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

For the past four and a half years, Grace and St John’s Episcopal Church and Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, located about a mile from each other in Hamden, have been collaborating in a wide variety of ways—sharing, to one extent or another, worship, prayer, study, outreach, hospitality, music and garden projects.  In this workshop, we will discuss how the two parishes initiated and have nurtured their relationship. As well, we will help attendees consider how their communities might move in a similar direction.

Facilitators: The Reverend Bob Bergner is the Rector of Grace and St John’s Church in Hamden, home of the Dinner for a Dollar and Swords to Plowshares ministries among other innovative church programs. Bob is also a lecturer at Yale Divinity School where he leads a practicum seminar for second year MDiv students fulfilling their parish internship requirements. As a musician, dancer and educator, he is an active member of the Greater New Haven performing arts community, working with dance and theater students at Educational Center for the Arts, New Haven Ballet, Choate Rosemary Hall and Neighborhood Music School.  Bob is a relentless cyclist and a general outdoor athletics enthusiast.

Born in 1985, The Reverend Joshua N. Sullivan grew up in small towns along the Connecticut River valley. Formed first as an artist and musician living in New York City, through these he discerned God’s call to the ministry of word and sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He was trained at the Rhode Island School of Design and has earned theological degrees from Yale Divinity School and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music as well as United Lutheran Seminary. Pastor Josh has been serving at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hamden, CT since 2021.

In-Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

What does it mean to belong not only to a parish, but to a diocese, a province, and a global church? This session explores how our Episcopal identity in Connecticut connects us beyond our local congregations; shaping our governance, our shared ministry, and our common life. Together, we’ll rediscover the gifts of being part of something larger than ourselves, and we’ll take a closer look at how our Regions and Ministry Networks serve as vital sources of collaboration, leadership, and support across the diocese. Whether you are new to diocesan life or have served for years, this session will deepen your understanding of how we belong — and why that belonging matters.

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Jill Morrison hails originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and Katy, Texas, and has long encountered God through the arts and through the Episcopal Church, where beloved community and storytelling continue to shape her ministry. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre with a Minor in Religion from Texas Christian University and an M.A. in Art and Religion from the Graduate Theological Union. She earned my M.Div. at Yale Divinity School and a Diploma in Anglican Theology from Berkeley Divinity School. In 2023, she was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. She now serves as Director for Congregational Development and Networking in ECCT, partnering with Regions, Ministry Networks, and congregational leaders to strengthen connection, cultivate collaboration, and imagine new possibilities for growth. Her work focuses on helping communities clarify their identity in Christ, discern emerging opportunities, and build relationships that sustain vibrant ministry across the diocese.

Virtual: April 29, 12:45–2:15 PM

This presentation is designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and innovative ideas for managing church properties effectively. The session is divided into three key parts:

1. Being New to Church Property Management: This section will guide newcomers through the basics of church property management, including how to get started and what is expected of them in this role.
2. Navigating alienations & Encumbrances: We will delve into the process through ECCT (Episcopal Church in Connecticut) for handling Alienations & Encumbrances, along with an overview of other valuable resources and grant opportunities available through ECCT.
3. Thinking Outside the Box for Property Use: In this segment, we will explore innovative and creative ideas for utilizing church land and building assets. Attendees will be encouraged to think beyond traditional uses and consider unique ways to make the most of their property.

FACILITATORS: The Reverend Derek Stefanovsky serves as rector of St. Peter’s Grace, Monroe. A native of Michigan, he received his Master of Divinity and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale/Yale Divinity School. He was ordained deacon and priest in 2019. Prior to serving St. Peter’s Grace, Derek served for three years as associate rector of St. Luke’s in Darien, Connecticut. Before that, Derek served as interim chaplain of St. Thomas’s Day School in New Haven, Connecticut. Apart from his ministry at St. Peter’s Grace, Fr. Derek is active in diocesan leadership. He has served on the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut since 2022, and as president of the Committee since 2023. Derek also serves on the board of directors of our diocesan camp and retreat center, Camp Washington. It is Derek’s joy and privilege to function in all aspects of priestly ministry in both parish and diocesan contexts. He believes in the importance of faith formation and development for all ages as they seek to grow as disciples of Jesus and is committed to walking with parishes of all sizes as they seek to flourish in their own contexts.

Jon Heflin serves as ECCT’s Property Manager. Jon has a background in commercial and residential development for over 30 years. He is certified in solar electric systems and home energy assessments. When not working, Jon enjoys skiing, photography, cooking, being outdoors and above all, spending time with his wife.photography, cooking, being outdoors and above all, spending time with his wife. 

Virtual: April 28, 6:45–8:15 PM
In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

Stewardship Realty is a mission-driven real estate firm providing advisory, asset management and property development services exclusively to faith-based organizations. This workshop presentation will introduce congregational leaders to options that create financial sustainability for ministry through the creative redevelopment of church real estate assets. We will review topics such as the various types of real estate transactions, strategies to create value for church space and land, assessing property challenges and opportunities.

FACILITATORS: Dan Panitz, Principal, brings over 20 years of experience in community and faith‑based real estate projects, including joint ventures, leasing, and acquisitions involving religious institutions and private investors. As Senior Asset Manager for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, he worked closely with clergy, trustees, and parish leaders, managing 20+ development projects across more than 130 churches. Dan has also supported property development in dioceses nationwide. He founded Knight Properties, LLC, specializing in acquisitions, development, and brokerage, participating in over one million square feet oftransactions in the NYC area. He also volunteers as a Board member of Bricks & Mortals.

Haiko Cornelissen, Principal, has extensive experience in spiritual and community‑focused real estate. As Director of Real Estate for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, he led the Asset and Construction Management divisions, overseeing dozens of renovations and more than 20 church development projects, including affordable and senior housing, schools, offices, new churches, and parish halls. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of Episcopal Real Estate Long Island. Haiko worships at St. Mark’s Church in Jackson Heights and has long served on the Vestry. His background reflects a family legacy of community building, spanning three generations of architects and designers.

In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

At a time when many congregations from different denominations are struggling with sustainability, this presentation shares the journey of Peace of Prince Lutheran Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Augusta, Maine.  Guided by the Holy Spirit, the two congregations became a federated congregation, known as Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, fully Lutheran, fully Episcopal. Led by Betty Balderston, lay leader at Emmanuel and the Rev. Suzanne Colburn, Episcopal Priest, formerly the Priest in Charge at Emmanuel.  This presentation is intended to provide attendees with hope and guidance to discover where the Holy Spirit may be leading congregations for the future. 

FACILITATORS: Betty Balderston currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Care in Maine for the New England Lutheran Synod.  As a lay leader with Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church in Augusta, Maine, Betty has served in a variety of leadership positions within the congregation for more than 30 years, which included helping to lead the federation process of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in 2017. Betty resides in Leeds, Maine with her husband, Lloyd, who also serves as a lay leader at Emmanuel Church.  They both enjoy the beauty of Maine by hiking, kayaking and visiting coastal areas throughout the state.

The Reverend Suzanne Colburn is a part-time Priest-in-Charge at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Wiscasset, Maine and a part-time Mentor Priest at Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, Maine. Suzanne specializes in interim and transitional ministry as well as what she refers to as “blended ministry”- working with leadership and congregations exploring partnerships across the denominations. Suzanne served as Priest-in-Charge during the federation process that brought St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church together in 2017. Originally ordained and served in The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts with The Right Reverend M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, Suzanne now lives and serves in Maine.

Virtual: April 29, 6:45–8:15 PM

Seeking to study the Bible and how to apply it to your daily life? Education for Ministry (EfM) helps us understand how we are called into relationship with God, neighbor, and creation wherever we are – at home, at work, in all the places we spend time. Learn about this 36-week adult formation program developed by the School of Theology at the University of the South. Experience how we study Christian tradition: the Bible, Christian history, ethics, and spirituality while reflecting theologically on our lives and where God is calling us to live out our baptismal promises in our communities.  

FACILITATORS: Sharon Ely Pearson is an EfM graduate (1998) and has mentored numerous groups in ECCT over the course of 20 years. She worships at St. Mathew’s in Wilton which hosts an online group with individuals from 7 congregations in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, she believes in empowering the laity for ministry in daily life. Before her retirement she served as an editor and formation specialist at Church Publishing Incorporated.  

Victor Friedrich, a retired neuroscientist, is a member of Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown, where he is active as a musician and lay preacher. He graduated from EfM in 2008 and has served as a mentor ever since, currently leading two online EfM groups with a diverse membership scattered between the two coasts of the U.S. and Mexico. 

In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

Eucharistic Visitors play a pivotal role in the church community, serving as a bridge between the Church and the World, serving those who are shut-in, sick, or unable to be inside the church to worship. We hope to inspire and guide attendees by introducing the many aspects of this sacramental ministry as well as offering a guide, using a standardized order of service for taking the Church (Body of Christ) to such members. We will also discuss some of the difficult and/or unusual challenges as well as the joys the Eucharistic Visitor encounters while encircled with the busyness and speed bumps that encroach on our lives today.

FACILITATORS: The Reverend Pat Jackson and The Reverend Liz Knauff are graduates of the final Ministry Education and Exploration Program (MEEP) held in 2005. They went through Deacon Formation together and were part of the largest group of (ten) Deacons ordained in ECCT in 2007. Pat and Liz are both members of the Deacons Council. Pat holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, NY and is now retired after serving 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry. She served as Deacon for four years at Trinity, Hartford, eleven years at Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown and is currently on assignment at St. Andrews, Meriden. Liz is on the staff of Warehouse Point Library, East Windsor, where she has worked for 24 years. She is currently Children/Youth Services staff member along with a wide range of responsibilities including front desk. She served as Deacon for four years at Trinity, Tariffville, nine years at Church of The Good Shepherd, Hartford. Currently she is a member of Grace Church, Windsor.

Virtual: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

As the adage goes: “Necessity is the mother of all invention.” In part-time ministry the way we’ve always done it can be killer, setting up unrealistic expectations and tipping us toward failure. If we only focus on what we can’t do, we risk feeling defeated and lacking. Part-time ministry requires a shift in mindset to be successful, even joyful! And there is so much opportunity for joy and creativity in part-time ministry. This workshop will look at the gifts of part-time ministry. We will use appreciative inquiry to consider together what practices are working well in our parishes. What resources are there for us to tap into within the community, neighborhood, and our network. What we are doing well. Where we might want to focus our energy in the year ahead. And, how we can use flexibility to our advantage as part-time leaders.

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Erin Flinn currently serves as a half-time rector at St Stephen’s, East Haddam and an all-the-time mum to an exuberant four-year-old. For Erin, part-time ministry is full of gifts and potential as long as she maintains a posture of holding things lightly, giving and receiving heap loads of grace, and staying nimble. Prior to St Stephen’s she served as the North Central Region in ECCT from 2017 through 2020, before that she worked as a professional lighting designer in opera. Erin is a big believer that relationship and flexibility are everything! She keeps a list of phone-a-friends in her back pocket and pivots often. She delights in creative ministry, growing vegetables, fishing, working with her two Newfoundland dogs, and sitting on the back deck with her family.

Virtual: April 29, 10:45–12:15 PM
In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Preaching is a gift from God’s Spirit to all who will receive it. As more parishes in our Diocese have part time clergy or no clergy while in transition, the need for lay preachers has grown. The benefits are: helping to avoid clergy burnout, new voices for the congregation to hear, and growing confident new leaders for the parish. The workshop will be presented by Ginnie Glassman who has been leading Lay Preacher Training sessions for six years and Roger Coutant, who is a long-time lay preacher. 

You will learn how lay preachers get started preaching (call of the Spirit, nudge by their clergy, challenge to themselves?). We will discuss how preaching has shaped our lives of faith. We will share an overview of the eight-week lay preacher training sessions with some resources to help as speakers of God’s word. It is open to any who are interested; no previous experience required. 

FACILITATORS: Ginnie Glassman is a parishioner at Christ Church Tashua in Trumbull, where she serves as Vestry member, worship leader, and lector in addition to preaching (3-4/year).  For the last six years, she has been leading Lay Preacher Training sessions over Zoom, helping ninety people encounter and practice the basics of preaching. Her joy comes in seeing lay leaders grow and develop, and hearing their insights into Scripture and the resulting sermons. 

Roger Coutant is a parishioner at Trinity, Torrington, where he serves as a Vestry member, lay reader, usher, and lay preacher (3-4/year).  He has had the pleasure of serving in a number of ways over time, with teaching Sunday school and Journey to Adulthood being close to his heart. 

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

Reading scripture in the context of worship can be a deeply spiritual practice. How we share the Word of God in our communities matters. Join Bishop Jeff for this workshop in which we will share tips and tools. We’ll get on our feet and take turns reading for one another.

FACILITATOR: The Right Reverend Jeffrey W. Mello is the 16th Bishop Diocesan of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, elected in May 2022 and ordained bishop in October 2022. As Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Jeff oversees and is responsible for the spiritual and temporal needs of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut as, together, we participate in God’s Mission.

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life. For lay people, the Daily Office offers a time-tested model for liturgical leadership, and an opportunity to empower the laity to take ownership of their local life of prayer. Praying the Daily Office in its fullness requires training. While the BCP contains all that is necessary to pray the office, it does require some close reading to learn how to do it. This workshop is designed to streamline that process. Participants will learn the structure and rubrics of the Office, how to use the lectionary, practical guidance for leading worship, and tools for training and mentoring lay officiants. Common challenges with be addressed (such as confidence, consistency, and liturgical variation), offering adaptable templates for contexts of varying size and resources. Attendees will leave with a replicable training framework and renewed vision for their role as leaders in their local life of prayer.

FACILITATOR: Sean R. Glenn, a member of Haven Religious (Hartford), serves the church by sharing vocational gifts for composing, singing, spiritual direction, retreat-leading, preaching, teaching, writing, and liturgy. Sean earned his Master of Theological Studies from the Boston University School of Theology and his MA in Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College (CUNY). For six years, he lived and worked as a brother of the society of St. John the Evangelist (Cambridge, MA). He has served the church as a musician, scholar, preacher, and administrator. He presently serves his community, Haven Religious, as Sacristan, Precentor, and Clerk.

In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

Discernment is the faithful work of listening for where God may be calling us next. This workshop will offer a simple introduction to what discernment means in our life of the Church and how it can take shape in our parishes and personal lives. Join in conversation about the support available across the diocese, and the different pathways people may explore as they listen for God’s call. This session is meant to reassure you that discernment is not something you have to do alone. There are resources and people ready to be engaged as you seek clarity and direction on how to live out God’s will more deeply. 

FACILITATOR: Marsha Adell is the Director for Lay Vocations and Ministry. Her charge is to provide vital support and resources for the development and formation of lay leaders across the diocese. She brings both knowledge and experience as a consultant, building strong teams to the role. Driven by a deep sense of servant leadership, Marsha continues to answer the Spirit-led call to serve others by fostering growth, inclusion, and spiritual formation within the Church. She has held key leadership positions within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, including serving as a member of the Commission on Ministry, Co-Chair of the ECCT Bishop Transition Committee, and Deputy to the 81st General Convention. She has served the wider Church as an Election Consultant and is a parishioner at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford. She has a master’s degree in public administration from Purdue University and is a Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Leadership Fellow.

Virtual: April 28, 12:45–2:15 PM
In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Have you ever wondered what a Vestry does? Have you ever thought of offering your gifts and serving on your parish’s Vestry? Please join this workshop as we engage these questions and others.    

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Canon Ranjit K. Mathews has served as Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff since October 2023, following nearly two years as Canon for Mission Advocacy, Racial Justice, and Reconciliation. Previously, he was rector of St. James, New London, where he was recognized in 2019 as a Community Partner by the local NAACP. He also served on the Presiding Bishop’s staff as Partnership Officer for Africa, working with Anglican provinces and dioceses south of the Sahara on shared mission priorities. As a clergy deputy from ECCT, he served as secretary of the Social Justice and International Policy Legislative Committee for the 80th General Convention and chairs the interim Task Force on Dialogue with South Sudanese Anglicans in the diaspora. He sits on the boards of Episcopal Relief & Development and the Episcopal Evangelism Society and serves on The Episcopal Church’s delegation to the Anglican Consultative Council.  

Virtual: April 29, 5–6:30 PM
In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

This course focused on steps to take when you’re leading a church without settled clergy. Join Vicki MarkAnthony as she shares her wisdom and experience as a lay leader in a parish without a priest.

Vicki MarkAnthony is a retired teacher and has served Christ Church Easton as Lector, Chair of Mission and Outreach, Chair of Concerts on the Hill, Stewardship, Lay Leader, and Preacher. She is currently serving as Senior Warden. Being without a priest-in-charge has been an education and a challenge that has brought her closer to the congregation.

Virtual: April 27, 2:30–4 PM
In-Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

The type of polarization we are experiencing now in America is appropriately referred to as “toxic polarization” because we don’t just disagree but see each other as “the enemy.” Toxic political polarization involves ridicule, contempt and disdain for people who vote differently.

Why Christians Should Care About Political Polarization
For Christians, polarization is particularly bad because it increases hatred and anger and dehumanizes people. Also, we are told by Jesus that we are to be peacemakers. We will look at political polarization from a spiritual rather than a political perspective and ask ourselves four questions:

1. Which Christian teachings help us understand how to respond to toxic polarization?
2. How am I doing in my own political attitudes and actions towards others?
3. In what specific ways can my faith help me combat polarization in daily life?
4. How do I want to respond to what we have discussed together?

The program has three goals:

• Understand why political polarization is a serious moral problem for Christians
• Learn how our Christian teachings can help combat political polarization
• Identify some specific ways we can be peacemakers and help bridge divides between people of different political views.

FACILITATORS: Paul Manfredi has been a member of Braver Angels since 2021 and a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in New Milford. He is an approved Ambassador, Workshop Moderator and Debate Chair. He is committed to the Braver Angels method and find their process enables him to have deeper conversations about difficult topics. He believes in Democracy and thinks it works when we can freely share our thoughts without fear.  We are at our best when we can openly communicate and can understand our differences. We all can learn something from one another and if we listen carefully we might learn something new too. 

Ken Steller has been a member of Braver Angels for 7 years. Over the past 2 years he has become an Ambassador and Workshop Moderator for the CT Braver Angels State Alliance. He believes that Braver Angels has taken a leadership role in providing the knowledge, skills and strategies for individuals, communities, and organizations to move beyond divisive partisanship to a deeper understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives on challenging issues. Braver Angels programs provide everyone with opportunities to freely express their perspectives without fear through a supportive environment that promotes dignity and respect for each person.

In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

This workshop seeks to renew and strengthen the work of the Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation in parishes and worshipping communities in ECCT. Sponsored by the RHJR Ministry Network, we will share information about the network followed by a panel with representatives from justice ministries in four parishes sharing the work unfolding in their own congregations. Through conversation and guided dialogue, we will explore areas of common ground, opportunities for collaboration, and ways to support one another across the Diocese of Connecticut. Our hope is to generate fresh energy, deeper connection, and a clearer path forward—so that racial healing and justice work in our congregations is not isolated but strengthened through shared commitment and mutual encouragement.

Facilitators: Jilda Aliotta is an active lay member of Christ Church Cathedral. In the early 1990s she was one of the founding members of the Cathedral’s Uyeki Forum on Social Justice and Unlearning Racism.  She is currently a member of the Racial Healing Justice and Reconciliation Ministry Network’s Core Team.  Dr. Aliotta has also been active in racial justice work in her professional capacity as a faculty member at the University of Hartford. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Minnesota.

Gail Bindley-Taylor is a member of the Racial Justice, Healing, & Reconciliation Ministry Network Core Team with a focus on supporting and encouraging advocacy among parishes of ECCT. At St. Paul’s, Gail has launched the Justice Ministry team, organized the parish’s initial Black History Month and Juneteenth celebrations, and she is the team leader of the parish’s history project team which has recently completed research on the first third of the parish’s 287- year history. In the wider community, Gail has previously been active as a sexual assault advocate with the Centre for Sexual Assault Crisis Counselling in Stamford and as a mentor with Family ReEntry in Bridgeport and as a member of the KAIROS Prison Ministry Women’s Inside team. More recently, she continues to serve as a part of the school-based Norwalk Mentoring Program. In her professional life, Gail has had a long career in broadcast media and communication, including decades of service in the Public Information Offices of the United Nations. She remains actively engaged with the United Nations community as Chair of the Communications Committee of the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS/NY).

Virtual: April 27, 2:30–4 PM
In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

White Christian nationalism is a political ideology and cultural framework that says America should be a Christian nation and that good Christians must be American nationalists. In the U.S. context, Christian nationalism is rooted in whiteness, is usually (though not exclusively) used to prop up right-wing policies, and is a major driver of authoritarianism, political violence, patriarchy, homophobia, and antisemitism. All of this is done in the abused and misused name of Jesus Christ, making white Christian nationalism one of the greatest threats to both democracy and the church today. In this presentation, we will explore the following questions and more:

• What is Christian nationalism, and how widespread is it?
• Where does Christian nationalism show up in American politics?
• Where does Christian nationalism show up in Episcopal churches?
• How can our Episcopal parishes bear witness and organize against Christian nationalism?

FACILITATOR: Before becoming priest-in-charge at St. PJ’s in New Haven, the Reverend Nathan Empsall was executive director of Faithful America from 2019-2025, a national Christian organization with nearly 200,000 members working for social justice and against Christian nationalism. Nathan’s resources against Christian nationalism have been highlighted by the Southern Poverty Law Center. He has written about the issue for NBC, Newsweek, Time, Red Letter Christians, and more. Faithful America victories during his tenure included persuading Fisher Price to change the white Jesus toy in its Nativity playset, convincing multiple stations to drop the Jim Bakker Show, and counter-protesting Christian-nationalist events across the country. Originally from East Texas and North Idaho, Nathan worked for the Sierra Club and Organizing for America in DC before attending seminary. He has also interned for the Episcopal Church’s public-policy and United Nations ministries and with the dioceses of Louisiana, Nebraska, and Spokane.

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

In this presentation I will share best practices as well as resources for including social justice topics in children and youth formation. Our young people hunger for a just faith. How can we use scripture, saints, history, and the present moment to help children of all ages live out their baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons and respect the dignity of every human being?

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Margie Baker is the Associate Rector at St. John’s West Hartford and a former public high school teacher. She has written articles for Building Faith and is the author of God, Gospel, and Gender: A Queer Bible Study for Teens. When she’s not at church, Margie enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her wife, children, and dog.

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

The Reverends Anita Schell and Rachel Field will offer an overview of An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice. This presentation will offer practical skills for building a transformative culture of climate justice in your parish setting that is rooted in anti-racist organizing principles.

FACILITATORS: The Reverend Rachel Field lives on a small regenerative farm in a cold hollow in the Green Mountains of Vermont surrounded by maple, ash, and hemlock. She is the Program Manager for An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice as well as the Priest Associate at St Mary’s in Northfield Vermont. She has been leading retreats in the Episcopal Church for 20 years and has a deep love of working with the more-than-human world to deepen relationships with Christ and heal from internalized racism. When she’s not gardening or wrangling chickens, she can be found curled up with a good book (probably the Lord of the Rings) and her cat, Eowyn.

A native of Lancaster, PA, the Reverend Dr. Anita Louise Schell has for over 40 years served in congregations and schools in New York City, Philadelphia, Vermont and Rhode Island. She holds degrees in music, English literature, and world religions from Brown University, General Seminary and the Episcopal Divinity School, where she wrote her doctorate thesis on the topic of environmental justice. Most recently Anita served for four years as President of RI Interfaith Power & Light. She is a Board Director for the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence. She currently serves as the Convener of the Environmental Network of the Episcopal Church in CT. Anita is a member of the Alumni Executive Committee of the General Theological Seminary.

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

Is your congregation thinking about flying a pride flag? Does your congregation fly a pride flag, and you’re wondering what else you can do? Are you an individual who wants to be a more effective ally to LGBTQ+ people? Do you have questions (like why are pronouns important?) that you’ve been too embarrassed or didn’t know who to ask? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then we invite you to join us for this workshop! Participants will leave this workshop with concrete tools for discernment, discussion, and deepening of your live-giving witness that ALL are beloved children of God. 

FACILITATORS: The Reverend Deacon Jessie Ackerson has been an ordained deacon for 8 years and had the privilege of serving with several parishes.  She is a proud parent of a trans daughter and trans daughter-in-law.  When not serving as deacon, Jessie works for Community Mental Health Affiliates, ensuring their clinicians have the resources to care for the community.

The Reverend Canon D Littlepage serves on the staff of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut as the Canon for Mission Advocacy, Racial Justice & Reconciliation. Prior to becoming a Canon for ECCT, Rev. D served as Rector of Trinity Church, Hartford. While at Trinity, Rev. D was an active member of the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) Clergy Caucus, the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association, and the ECCT Title IV Taskforce, among other endeavors. Before serving at Trinity, they served as the Director of Roxbury-Dorchester Power in Community, a collective founded by four Episcopal parishes and the Diocese of Massachusetts. Throughout their ministry, Rev. D has served with a clear sense of God’s call to celebrate the holiness of God in the margins and to equip and support communities in living the Gospel of God’s love in the world around them.

In Person: May 2, 12:30–2 PM

This workshop will help you get ready to remember the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people of Connecticut and North America (Turtle Island).  Learn about why this is an important time for our Indigenous neighbors, and how to show your solidarity with their goals. Watch a short video and take away information and ideas; hear how others are marking the week.

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Diana M. Rogers serves as co-convener of the Journey of Discovery with Indigenous Peoples Ministry Network for ECCT, Priest in Charge at Christ Church Middle Haddam, member of Mission Council, member of Province I Finding a Way Ministry Network, member of Province I Indigenous People’s Justice Network, and advocate for justice for all peoples.

In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

Christianity is growing in leaps and bounds in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania. Numbers of Christians are declining in Europe and barely holding steady in North America, thanks to our immigrant populations. Given this new reality, what does it mean to do mission in the church today from the standpoint of a western church? How do we find a way to do mission with our brothers and sisters in the Global South that create relationships rooted in attentive listening, mutual respect, vulnerability, transparency, and love? This session will describe some of the projects that Companions in Mission Network has funded this year as examples of a renewed vision for mission in today’s church. We will offer information on grants available to ECCT churches for mission projects to fund travel, sustainable development projects, and communication and publishing initiatives. Come discover how your church can be more involved in local and global mission!

FACILITATORS: For the past 20 years, Bill Schrull has been involved in mission projects supporting the work of two Anglican Dioceses in Tanzania and Kenya.  The projects have ranged from helping implement computer technology at their colleges to building a mission boat to serve the transportation needs of people living on a remote island on Lake Victoria.  Bill and his wife Cathy remain active in working with the two dioceses and annually travel to East Africa to continue to build relationships and cultivate mutual support with their mission partners.

Michele Sigg, PhD grew up a missionary kid in France. She has been studying mission history for the last fourteen years and has a doctorate in the History of World Christianity from Boston University. She has been leading and supporting mission initiatives through her church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, New Haven, including the Blessed Peace Foundation Children’s Home and (soon to be built) School in Makindu, Kenya. She is also the Executive Director of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography (DACB.org), a project that documents the stories of the Mothers and Fathers of African Christianity to serve the church and theological education in Africa.

In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

In 2006 The Episcopal Church began discussions in support of federal reparations studies and churchwide initiatives to address the long-term impact of slavery, segregation and injustices within its communities of faith.  Since then, a number of Dioceses throughout the country have initiated efforts to fund projects for Black and Indigenous communities. In this session, the ECCT’s historical connection to, and benefits from, slavery will be reviewed. There will also be a discussion on the Diocese’s efforts, through the establishment of the ECCT Reparations Task Force and later the Reparations Fund Board, to use methods such as “truth-telling and listening” to both uncover the harms created through slavery and to build mechanisms to address the root causes which allowed these inequities to be sustained.

FACILITATORS: The Rev. Rowena J. Kemp is the 9th Rector (first female and first Person of Color) of Grace Episcopal Church, Hartford and Dean of the North Central Region.  She is also the National Chaplin of the Girls’ Friendly Society USA. She previously served as the Assistant Rector at the historic Trinity on the Green in New Haven, and as a Presbyter in the Middlesex Area Cluster ministry of the Episcopal churches in Northford, Higganum and Killingworth, CT while employed full-time in the Program of Applied Translation Research at the Yale School of Medicine.  She is a native of the Bahamas who received her M.DIV and diplomas in Anglican Studies from Yale Divinity School and the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.  She is the mother of two boys and loves photographing people. She served on the ECCT Reparation Task Force and is a member of the Reparation Fund Board.

Stephanie Lightfoot attends St. Monica’s Episcopal Church, in Hartford, where she has been a member since 1984, and is a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Senior Warden.  She retired from The Travelers Insurance company in 2015, as Director of Worker’s Compensation Statistical Reporting after 34 years of service. She is the mother of two sons and grandmother of three granddaughters. She comes to this work on the Reparation Board with an open mind and heart to address long standing hurts and divides as we move forward toward reconciliation and healing.

Colleen Foster-Bey attends St. Stephen’s Church, in Bloomfield, where she has been a member since 1989. She’s served on the Vestry and Altar Guild, and as Eucharistic Lay Minister and Sunday School Teacher. Colleen worked for 22 years at UConn’s Center for International Community Health Studies in Farmington where she retired as Assistant Director. She also worked 9 years as Research Associate and Intervention Coordinator at the Institute for Community Research in Hartford. She’s married with two daughters. Colleen’s participation on the Reparation Fund Board allows her to work with a cross-section of dedicated members of ECCT in acknowledging and addressing the hard truths of its history.

In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

The Doctrine of Discovery established a religious, political, and legal justification for colonization and seizure of land not inhabited by Christians, thus allowing nations to enter the New World of the Americas seizing the land and murdering the Native inhabitants. The effect of this series of papal bulls beginning in 1493 is still felt today by Indigenous Peoples everywhere.  The Episcopal Church in General Convention 2009 repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, but the work for justice continues.  Come watch “Doctrine of Discovery: In the Name of Christ,” and learn about its history. 

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Diana M. Rogers serves as co-convener of the Journey of Discovery with Indigenous Peoples Ministry Network for ECCT, Priest in Charge at Christ Church Middle Haddam, member of Mission Council, member of Province I Finding a Way Ministry Network, member of Province I Indigenous People’s Justice Network, and advocate for justice for all peoples.

In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

This seminar explores the enduring call, courage, and leadership of women in the life of the Church. From Mary Magdalene, the first witness to the Resurrection, to trailblazing leaders such as Barbara Harris, Catherine Waynick, and Laura Ahrens, women have continued to teach, preach, lead, and prophetically witness often in the face of resistance. 

This presentation reflects on authority, perseverance, and the movement of the Holy Spirit across generations. While contexts have changed, the challenges and the calling remain strikingly familiar. Through biblical reflection and contemporary examples, we will explore the parallel threads of faith, resilience, and divine purpose that connect women leaders then and now. The more things change, the more they stay the same yet the Spirit continues to move powerfully through women in ministry.

FACILITATORS: Dr. Paulette Blythe-Russell, is a devoted Christian, educator, and servant leader. A member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Hartford since 2005, she has served as Superintendent of Christian Education, Altar Guild member, vestry member, and currently as President of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) for Connecticut. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford in 2014. A passionate advocate for diversity and restorative justice, Dr Blythe-Russell, has supported at-risk students and young mothers in achieving academic success. An award-winning TESOL educator and mentor, her global outreach and community service continue to impact lives locally and internationally.

The Reverend Evelyn Wheeler was ordained a priest in December 2011 by the then-bishop of the Diocese of Virginia. She served in the Diocese of Indianapolis for nine years and, since her retirement, has been a supply priest in ECCT. Previously, she was a Foreign Service Officer, working in China, Mongolia, Russia, and on a variety of issues, including environmental policy, trade, energy, border security, and human resources. She graduated from Berkeley Divinity School and holds advanced degrees from Gonzaga Univ School of Law and Johns Hopkins. She loves to travel, has two cats, and reads history and theology.

Virtual: April 27, 12:45–2:15 PM
In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

In the past, we’ve explored Elder Friendly Worship; in this presentation, we will discuss other aspects of Elder Ministry—what happens when a parishioner can no longer be present at worship; how to talk about when it’s time to let go of a beloved ministry; how to manage parishioners who are aging without adequate support.  

Facilitators: The Reverend Marta Rivera-Monclova, PhD is a priest in the diocese and founder of Haven Religious—an Intentional Episcopal Community within ECCT. Curate at Grace in Hartford, Chaplain at Armsmear in Hartford, and Head of Haven Religious, Mtr. Marta comes to ordained ministry from a career in teaching English and a number of side careers in technology. 

Virtual: April 30, 2:30–4 PM

Join Bishop Laura and The Reverend Margie Baker as they share thoughts, ideas, resources and best practices for youth confirmation. Bring your questions, ideas, curiosities and ideas. We promise a good conversation!

FACILITATORS: The Right Reverend Dr. Laura Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, is passionate about exploring with congregations how parish leadership, lay and ordained, can engage God’s Mission in their local context through prayerful discernment and collaborative partnerships. With Bishop Jeff, she seeks to create vibrant and engaging spaces where Christians can deepen their understanding of God’s love and try on new ways of speaking about and sharing that love with others.

The Reverend Margie Baker is the Associate Rector at St. John’s West Hartford and a former public high school teacher. She has written articles for Building Faith and is the author of God, Gospel, and Gender: A Queer Bible Study for Teens. When she’s not at church, Margie enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her wife, children, and dog.

Virtual: April 30, 9–10:30 AM

This presentation will talk through what summer camp has to offer to congregational youth programming, and what congregational youth programming has for camp! Join Rev. Kate Mckey-Dunbar from Trinity, Trumbull and James Williams from Camp Washington to talk through a full approach to youth in the church.

FACILITATORS: My name is James Williams; I am a cradle-Episcopalian and have been engaged in the whimsical work of camp for 8 years. I grew up attending camp in the Diocese of Virginia, where I experienced a deep sense of belonging and community.  At camp we find out together what is possible, do the hard/fulfilling work of growing in Christ’s love, and HAVE FUN! I was born in Denver, CO, raised both there and in rural Virginia. I come from a family of 5 (I’m the youngest….) and after high school earned my bachelor’s degree from Goucher College. I have worked in jobs from legislative advocacy to being a Barista! In my personal life, I am dedicated to climate and social justice, love to rock climb, and travel.

The Reverend Kate McKey-Dunar hails from Minnesota but has made Connecticut her home for the last decade or so. Growing up in the Episcopal Church, Kate had a deep sense of God’s love and church being a safe place to ask questions and be truly herself.  This was especially true as a camper at Cass Lake Episcopal Camp in MN, staff at many other Episcopal Music Camp in MN, Director of Camp Webb Episcopal Camp in WI, and as a chaplain at Camp Washington in CT. The camping tradition in the Episcopal Church was and continues to be vital in her faith. Rev. Kate is now serving at Trinity, Trumbull where she is supported by her husband, Edward, along with their two young children.

In Person: May 2, 2:15–3:45 PM

Gather for a chance to retool around spiritual practices and reflection, and a chance to find ourselves in Scripture. Leave with some tangible next steps for how you might strengthen your support system and set about incorporating discernment practices into your ministry.

FACILITATOR: The Reverend Canon Rebekah Hatch is the Canon for Lay and Ordained Vocations in ECCT and a founding member of the Small Churches Big Impact Collective.

In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Spend time in church circles in this country and you’ll soon encounter a disarming truth. Nearly every congregation, regardless of denomination, has witnessed an uptick in “deaths of despair”. That is, deaths where the cause was related to substance abuse or self-harm. Despite our many material comforts, we are an increasingly despondent population. Where does this despair come from, how does it express itself, and what resources might we in the church draw upon to address it? In this workshop we’ll explore, with abundant compassion, what ‘hope for the hopeless’ actually looks like.  

FACILITATOR: David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird website (www.mbird.com), and co-host of both The Mockingcast and The Brothers Zahl podcasts. He and his family live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Zahl is the author of Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What To Do About It and Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself). His latest book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World came out in April 2025 from Brazos Press. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Plough, Christianity Today, and The Guardian, among other venues.

Virtual: April 30, 10:45 AM–12:15 PM
In Person: May 2, 9:45–11:15 AM

Since the COVID pandemic, clergy, lay leaders, and congregations are experiencing the challenges of ministering to the mental health needs of church members and others for whom congregants and leadership care about and love.  Beginning with our scriptural direction to care for body, mind, and spirit, this workshop will discuss the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual health with psychological well-being, co-led by an experienced rector and educator (the Rev. Todd FitzGerald) and a bivocational psychiatrist/Episcopal priest (the Rev. Mary Lynn Dell). Suggestions for recognition of mood disorders, referrals for formal mental health care, and how the church ministers to and includes those with depression and other concerns will be discussed.  Useful resources will be shared with attendees.

fACILITATORS: The Rev. Mary Lynn Dell, MD, MTS, ThM, DMin, MHA, is Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Living/Hartford Healthcare, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut, and Professor of Psychiatry at the Frank H. Netter School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University. She graduated from Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Indiana University School of Medicine, where she completed general psychiatry residency. She also completed a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Emory University, and has served on the faculties of several medical schools. She maintains board certifications in general, child and adolescent, consultation liaison, and forensic psychiatry.  She obtained theological education at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Columbia Theological Seminary. An ordained Episcopal priest, she currently serves as non-stipendiary Priest Associate at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford, CT, focusing on adult faith formation

For most of his 30 years in ordained ministry, the Rev. Todd FitzGerald has served as a chaplain in several Episcopal schools. While school chaplaincy is primarily focused on the spiritual lives of young people, its broader lens is educating the whole person to excellence. Thus, chaplains must collaborate across disciplines in pursuit of spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical flourishing for each child. Currently, Todd serves as rector of St. John’s, West Hartford, where he is attentive to opportunities to practice ministry in as many holistic ways as possible. At St. John’s, Todd is working with other leaders to explore possibilities for ministry that address the whole person thriving in mind, body, and spirit. To improve his skills and augment his knowledge for holistic ministry, Todd is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counseling for ministry at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago.