DIOCESE AND NATIONAL NEWS

Stewardship Conference

Register now for the 13th annual Bishop's Conference on Stewardship, which will be held Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St James's Church, West Hartford. Bishop Smith will be the luncheon speaker and will lead the workshop on year-round stewardship. The fee is $20.00 per person and will include lunch. If you wish to attend, send your name, parish and town , phone number and check ( made payable to Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut) to Jack Spaeth, Diocesan House, 1335 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, connecticut 06105.

Rental Rebate Energy Assistance

The Connecticut Rental Rebate Program will be accepting applications until September 15, 2009. To qualify you must be 65 years or older or disable at any age. Your income limit is $30,500 for a single person and $37,500 for a couple. The checks will be paid out the first week in November.

Youth Violence

On Monday, September 14, 2009 BET will air a documentary on youth violence, prison and the high rate of high school drop outs. The time is 9:00 p.m. and is sponsored by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Please take the time to watch it; the program will be very informative.

Acknowledging Changing Circumstances

The House of Bishops voted by a margin of 3 to 1 on July 15 "to acknowledging changing circumstances" that call forth a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings. See the August 2009 blog for more information.

Diocesan Day of Awareness and Diocesan Day of Repentance

Bishop Andrew D. Smith sent a document to the clergy and wardens of the parishes of the Diocese of Connecticut regarding the Diocesan Day of Awareness and the Diocesan Day of Repentance. The Day of Repentance will be Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. The morning session will begin at 9:00 a.m. (coffee at 8:00 a.m.). The Service of Repentance will begin at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. For more information call 860-233-4481. Sponsored by the Anti-racism committee. See the July 2009 blog for excerpt of Bishop Smith's document.

Candidates for Bishop

The candidates for Bishop of Connecticut are listed in the July 2009 Blog.