CT teen is part of General Convention’s “Official Youth Presence”

David Karpf, 16, of Trinity Church in Wethersfield, is one of 18 youth who will attend General Convention as part of the “Official Youth Presence (OYP).”

These young people, two from each of the nine provinces of The Episcopal Church (TEC) have a seat on the floor of the House of Deputies (HOD) and voice – but not vote – in deliberations. A young woman from Massachusetts is the other person representing represent Province One.

The youth and their adult chaperones/advisors will be at the entire event. The teens have been preparing by familiarizing themselves with the convention procedures and reading through the resolutions in the famed “Blue Book” of reports and resolutions from all of TEC’s committees, commissions, agencies, and boards (CCABs). The advisors encourage the youth to identify specific topics or resolutions that interest them and to prepare statements in advance, which the youth can read at legislative committee hearings and in legislative sessions.

Read full story here.

The Iran Debate: Can The West Win?

At 7 p.m. on July 12 Temple Sholom and Congregation Agudath Sholom will host Wall Street Journal Foreign Affairs editor Bret Stephens, who will discuss the Middle East and the crisis Israel is facing both from a foreign and domestic perspective.

Stephens writes the Journal’s “Global View” column on foreign affairs, which runs every Tuesday in the U.S. and is also published in the European and Asian editions of the paper. He is a deputy editorial page editor, responsible for the editorial pages of the Asian and European editions of the paper, the columnists on foreign affairs, and the Far Eastern Economic Review. He previously worked for the paper as an op-ed editor in New York and as an editorial writer in Brussels for The Wall Street Journal Europe.

The discussion will be held at Temple Sholom, 300 E. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich.

Please RSVP to Alice Schoen at alice.schoen@templesholom.com.

Active Jewish Singles to host summer concert

Active Jewish Singles, a group of 55-70 year-old singles in the Hartford area, will hold a summer concert and picnic on the Rose Garden Lawn of Elizabeth Park at 6 p.m. on July 11.

Performing will be River City Slim. Guests are encouraged to bring their own blanket and picnic dinner. Dessert will be provided.

RSVP by emailing sholtzberg@mandelljcc.org.

In the event of rain, the concert will be held July 18.

 

 

U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petition to Review Case Involving Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church in Groton

On Monday the United States Supreme Court declined to review the Connecticut Supreme Court’s decision that the property of Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church was held in trust for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut and The Episcopal Church in the United States and that former parishioners of the parish could not take that property with them to another church. This ruling brings the litigation over the property to its final conclusion: the judgment entered in favor of the Parish, the Diocese and The Episcopal Church is now fully enforceable.

Bishop of Connecticut Ian T. Douglas expressed satisfaction with the decision.  “This has been a long and difficult process that has taken away from our common witness to the Good News of God in our Savior Jesus Christ. With the decision of The Supreme Court we can now put this matter behind us and once again turn our full attention to the work of proclaiming and making real God’s mission of restoration and reconciliation in all the world.”

In the fall and winter, Bishop Douglas met several times with current leadership of the former parishioners to discuss their options in light of the Connecticut Supreme Court’s decision.  Those discussions concluded with the former parishioners’ decision to seek further review at the U.S. Supreme Court.  Now that the high-court has refused their petition, Bishop Douglas anticipates working through the options with the group.

The dispute arose when the former ordained and lay leadership of the parish chose to leave The Episcopal Church but refused to relinquish possession of its property. Those individuals, named as defendants in the action, first argued to the Connecticut State Court and later, in an appeal, to the Connecticut Supreme Court that they could choose who would control the parish property and that the property was not subject to the doctrine and polity of The Episcopal Church. As it did in 1993, the Supreme Court last September 2011 rejected that claim, ruling instead that The Episcopal Church has the right to govern itself and that courts should respect and enforce the trust in which church property is held for the Diocese and for the wider Church. While we are all blessed with the right to worship as we choose, the court’s ruling joined the many other states that have also ruled that those who leave The Episcopal Church cannot take property of the Church with them.

The people and worshipping communities of the Diocese of Connecticut look forward to restored unity with our sisters and brothers in Groton as we continue to serve God’s mission of reconciliation and healing.

Outdoor Yoga and Summer Wine Tasting

Outdoor Yoga

Saturday, June 16, 10:30-12pm

Celebrate Spring with some inspiring outside yoga!   Come renew your spirit and  enjoy the beauty of nature with this    Kripalu yoga class.  Practicing yoga     outside, we will focus on our connection to nature and to the  larger world.  This class will include yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation and will be appropriate for all levels,          including beginners.  In addition to strengthening the body, yoga can help relieve stress, improve health and provide a path for deepening your relationship to spirit. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a towel or yoga mat to practice on if you have one.    We will meet outside the Spiritual Life Center’s     entrance then move to the location we will be practicing in. Offering:  $15-20 Facilitator:  Nancy Murray

Where:  Spiritual Life Center * 303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107

* We will meet outside the entrance to the Spiritual Life Center

To Register contact Sarah Annis 860-243-2374 or programs@spiritlifectr.org

 

 

 

Solstice of Wine and Roses Wine Tasting

Friday, June 22, 6:30-8:30 pm

 

Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy. – Benjamin Franklin

 

On Friday evening, June 22,

the Spiritual Life Center will host its first (and hopefully annual)

Solstice of Wine and Roses Wine Tasting.

 

Come and celebrate one of the year’s longest days as Sommelier David Rudman shares his wine-wisdom and four delectable summer wines (with paired appetizers) with us.

Where:  Spiritual Life Center  303 Tunxis Road West Hartford, CT 06107

 

Cost: $30

 

To Register contact Sarah Annis 860-243-2374 or programs@spiritlifectr.org

Education Under Fire

On June 16 the Plainville Public Library will show, “Education Under Fire” at 1 p.m.

“Education Under Fire” is a documentary that explores the creation, inspiration and challenges of the semi-underground Baha’i Institute of Higher Learning ❨BIHE❩. BIHE was formed to offer higher education to members of the Baha’i Faith in Iran, as Baha’is there have faced systematic persecution, and been denied access to college education. Following the documentary we will have a brief discussion and opportunity to explore the themes and issues presented in the film.

For information call 732-272-5689.

Concert to benefit volunteer mission trip

The “Come as You Are” worship musicians of Simsbury United Methodist Church will hold a celebration of contemporary Christian music on Saturday, June 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. They will be joined by the church’s children’s choir for several special songs.  Held at the church, 799 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, the concert will benefit a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission trip to Africa. Suggested donation is $10 per person ($25 family maximum).  Light refreshments will be available.

Twelve volunteers will travel to Ghana, Africa October 5 – 16, 2012 to work on hospital facilities. Call 860-651-3356 or visit www.simsburyumc.org for more information.

Greenwich church to host chamber music concert

The Chamber Music Concert, sponsored by Blueberry Music & Art House, will be June 16 at 8 p.m.

The event will be at First Lutheran Church, 38 Field Point Road in Greenwich, and will feature Beethoven Cello Sonata No.3, in A Major, Op. 69, Franck Violin Sonata in A Major and  Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.2, in C Minor, Op.66

Advanced tickets are $25 and can be reserved by emailing flcgreenwich@gmail.com or calling  203-869-0032. Tickets at the door are $25.

Holder of 2 world records visits Glastonbury

Contributed Article

Bob Holmes is a one man volleyball team who has taken on and beaten the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles with Cal Ripkin and on three occasions the Buffalo Bills. He has appeared in over 5,000 gymnasiums before close to four million people.

He has been featured as a top story for CNN, on CBS This Morning Show and in the USA Today Newspaper. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not just finished a second story on Bob for having played more games than any athlete in the history of the world in any sport and for having tallied over 17,000 wins.

Bob Holmes is often in demand to speak to teens across the nation with an anti suicide, bullying drugs and drinking and driving message. A video of his amazing work can be seen at www.beatbob.com.

Everyone is invited on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 7pm, to Smith Middle School located at 216 Addison Road in Glastonbury, CT, where Bob Holmes will play against competitive teams, followed by a talk about the events that radically changed him from a young man not at all interested in sports or athletics into a world champion. Seating is limited to the number of people the gymnasium holds so come early. Doors open at 6:45pm. Pizza for all who attend. One large drawing prize will be given.

Glastonbury Baptist Church is sponsoring his visit.

Seven Men to be Ordained as Priests on May 12th

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell will ordain seven men to the Holy Priesthood on May 12, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford at 11 a.m. The ordinands are: Henry Alexander Avendaño Varon, Didier Juliàn Cardona Marín, Jorge Eliecer Castro Morales, Mathieu Isaac, Robert Nelson Landback, Timothy Edward Ryan, Nicola Nghĩa Hũu Trân.

In their spiritual journey toward receiving Ordination to the Priesthood, these men have completed Bachelor of Arts degrees in philosophy and four years of studies in Theology, and for the past several months have been training with priests at different parishes, and learning how to provide pastoral care.

During the ordination,  Mansell will make public the parishes where the new priests will begin their priestly ministry.

“We praise God for the talents, experience, and commitment of these seven men. They bring great hope and encouragement to our archdiocese. We assure them of our support and prayers as they serve our communities,” said  Mansell.

The public is encouraged to attend the Mass of Ordination.