Advent begins Nov. 30. Click on the image below to link to an online Advent Calendar and "open" a new reflection each day in Advent.  "The Light Shines in the Darkness: An Advent Calendar of Hope" was prepared by Trinity, Wall Street. It uses music, video, photography, scripture, poetry, and more to show how everyday people are finding hope in unexpected places.

For another Advent calendar, print out the  "Eco-Advent Calendar" produced by the Diocesan Committee on the Environment. Follow the suggestions for each day to help you deepen your Care for God's Creation.

The Bishop's Fund for Children has also created an Advent calendar to use along with a mite box to collect money for the BFC during the season. Read more, download the calendar, request mite boxes.

• For upcoming events, click HERE.

• Camp Washington re-earns ACA accreditation
  Camp Washington, owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese, has once again earned the coveted ACA-Accredited status
• Convention addresses same sex marriage in Connecticut
  Both the bishop, and the convention through one of its resolutions, addressed the new reality in Connecticut that allows same sex couples to marry.
• Bishop Smith announces intention to retire
  Bishop Smith announced in his Annual Address that he plans to retire in 2010. He has called for the election of our next diocesan bishop at next year's annual convention.
• Join the Connecticut Public Policy Network
  Register online to receive action alerts from this new state affiliate of the Episcopal Public Policy Network.

• Lambeth Palace responds to Common Cause Partnership announcement
  A spokesperson for Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has responded to the Common Cause Partnership's December 3 release of a provisional constitution and canons that outline the formation of what they are calling a new Anglican province in North America
• Make Israel-Palestinian peace a priority, Christian leaders tell President-elect Obama
  Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has joined 39 other U.S. Christian leaders in calling on President-elect Barack Obama to make lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace a priority during his first year in office.
• Conservative Anglicans due to announce new province
  Members of several self-identified Anglican organizations were due to announce on the evening of December 3 the formation of what they are calling a new Anglican province in North America.