Faith, Hope, and Love: Reflections on This Year’s Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut

The room where it happened was once again the Bristol Event Centre in Bristol, Connecticut, where for two days delegates representing Episcopal churches from across the state gathered to conduct the business of the Church. Their work ranged from approving a budget of more than $7.1 million, to debating and passing resolutions on clergy compensation—establishing minimum salary bases that account for years of ordination and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)—to a resolution urging that, “to every extent possible,” people of color be considered for ECCT staff positions. Delegates also approved two parish mergers—between St. John’s, East Windsor, and Grace Church, Windsor, and between St. Paul’s, Bantam, and Christ Church, Bethlehem—as well as a long-overdue cost-of-living increase for supply priests who have not received a raise in

ten years.

Over the two-day period, business sessions alternated with presentations from Church leaders. Canon Rebekah Hatch, Canon for Lay and Ordained Vocations, recognized all those currently in the ordination process, including our own Bethany Gugliamino. Bradford S. Babbitt, Chancellor of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and Canon Rosanna Rosado reported on the 2025 budget performance and outlined expectations

for a balanced 2026 budget. Among their priorities: establishing a Clergy Compensation Committee and addressing the “economic stress” faced by many part-time priests.

Archdeacon for the Western Region, Don Burr, gave a stirring appeal for greater support of deacons who serve throughout the Diocese—in food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, prisons, schools, colleges, and even libraries. He spoke movingly of their invaluable ministry and highlighted our own homegrown deacon who serves as a pediatric chaplain at Yale University. Archdeacon Burr also called for continued support

for The Diaper Bank, which distributes some 75,000 diapers weekly to families in need across Connecticut.

Canon D. Littlepage, whose portfolio includes Advocacy, Racial Justice, and Reconciliation, emphasized the ongoing work on Reparations and the need to deepen understanding through two new learning groups—one focused on Communication and Truth-Telling, the other on Truth-Listening. She encouraged parishes to attend events supporting this ministry and to nominate parishioners to join these critical efforts.

Bart Geissinger, Executive Director of Camp Washington, delivered a powerful presentation on why Camp Washington is a retreat center that “creates room at the table for everyone—just the way they are.” He described it as a judgment-free space, “a brave space to try new things,” where people can be themselves “without shame.” He invited parishes to use the camp as a place to be grounded in love and to deepen faith

through shared learning and community.

There was also an engaging presentation on our Cathedral and its mission, both in Hartford and beyond. Dean Miguelina Howell reminded us that the Cathedral is a Ministry of Presence and a symbol of unity within ECCT: “It is a place of hospitality and healing,” she said, “to which all are welcome.”

But Convention was not only about business and resolutions. It was also about worship, fellowship, and joy. The beautiful liturgy, the shared Eucharist, and the sound of 500 voices lifted in hymn—from the lilting Spanish melodies to the familiar a cappella “Amen”—created moments of deep connection. The meeting opened with a moving Land Acknowledgement prayer that set a tone of reverence and gratitude.

There was laughter, too—especially during Trivia Night, which brought out the competitive spirit of clergy and laity alike. Our table, Far Far Away, ably led by the Rev. Marcus Halley and his husband, the Rev. Curtis Farr, and brilliantly supported (especially on the Bible questions) by our own Father Daniel, was a delight to behold.

Convention also offered space for making new friends and reconnecting with old ones over shared meals and late-night conversations that stretched into the early hours of Saturday—building bonds of faith and friendship. For first-time delegate Serafino Carri, the convention was both a learning experience and a source of inspiration. He described it as “very interesting and engaging,” noting that the atmosphere was

“constructive and exemplary as a forum of policy and hopefulness.” Encouraging others to take part in the future, he saw as an opportunity not only to learn about church policy but also to understand “its messaging for our conduct as a church.”

This year’s theme, “Growing in Faith, Living in Hope, Serving in Love,” guided the gathering and will continue to shape ECCT’s mission in the year ahead. In his sermon, Bishop Diocesan, Jeffrey Mello, reminded us, “We are living in a time in which who we are and what we have to offer as the Body of Christ, organized as the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, is critical to the world.” He added that there has never been a more

urgent moment to “proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Episcopal and Anglican traditions.” The key question, he said, is not whether the Church is relevant, but whether it is willing, capable, and bold. Bishop Mello acknowledged the challenges facing many congregations—parishes

without clergy, clergy serving less than full-time, and those struggling to meet growing resource needs. He urged that we do better by our elders who have served the Church faithfully and by our children, youth, and young adults. “Our young people are hungry for the Good News,” he said. “If we are not there to tell them, we can’t complain when they find it somewhere else.” He called on ECCT to speak with “courage, boldness, and clarity” about who we are as the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. “We have a message of love, healing, redemption, and resurrection the world desperately needs,” he said. “As the structures of our common civil life crumble, it becomes even more important for us, through our churches

and communities, to care for the least among us.”

With this call to action, Bishop Mello offered the Convention theme—Growing in Faith, Living in Hope, Serving in Love—as our inspiration for the year ahead. He urged us to continue the work of advocacy, justice, and reconciliation “as though we actually believe it is possible,” and to remain united in serving others “without regard for the differences that threaten to divide us.”

As Convention ended, Bishop Mello’s final exhortation—“Now let’s go tell everyone!”—rang out with energy and conviction. Watching parish members collect their yard signs emblazoned with the Convention theme, hugging and saying their goodbyes with hope in their hearts as they disappeared into the early evening, one couldn’t help but think: Until next year!

Prepared by Gail Bindley-Taylor

Co Warden St Paul’s on the Green

Delegate to the 241st ECCT Annual Convention

10-28-2025