elm city vineyard

This Week at ECV: 2/1-2/7

2012-01-31T20:56:00.003-05:00

This Week

Society of Vineyard Scholars Annual Conference Registration

The Scoop

We are gathering the thinkers and scholars of our movement to “think theologically” in community—both in order to address the critical questions of the moment and to put down theological and intellectual roots for the long haul. Our expectation is that doing this well involves building a diverse, interconnected community of scholars, pastors, and scholar-pastors within our movement.

Theme: The Kingdom And Ecclesiology: Learning From, Learning With, Learning As The Church

Location: Minneapolis, MN - Mercy Vineyard

Event Website: Click here for more information and registration

Dates: 04/26/2012 - 04/28/2012

If you are interested in submitting a paper contact Matt@elmcityvineyard.org.

On Deck

Artist Circle, February 6th
Gospel Choir Home group, February 9th
Worship Team Open House, February 12th

This Week at ECV: 1/25-1/31

2012-01-24T21:49:00.006-05:00

This Week

Prayer Ministry Training: Sunday, 1/29 after Sunday gathering, downstairs in the Bradley room

The Scoop

Want to learn to...

hear from God?

pray for healing?

pray for folks at ECV Sunday gatherings?

This is the training for you! The training will introduce you to prayer models for listening to God for yourself and listening to God for others. You will also be equipped to pray for others at ECV Sunday gatherings. The meeting is downstairs right after church, and diner will be provided. For more information contact josh@elmcityvineyard.org.

On Deck

Elm City Voices Homegroup launch
Artist circle, 2/6
ECV Worship Team Open House, 2/12

ECV Sprouts Volunteer Signup!

2012-01-22T11:49:00.002-05:00

***Sign-Up to Volunteer for ECV Sprouts!*** (Click Link to Google Form Here)

Here at ECV we give you many opportunities to join in with what God is doing here in our church community, in our city, and in our world. We do this because we believe that God is using these opportunities to form us (both as individuals and as a community) as the people He wants us to be.

This is my challenge to you: Join the ECV Sprouts Team! Teach kids what it is to love and follow Jesus. And in the process experience how God transforms you! The kids need you—they can't teach themselves—though you'll probably learn a thing or two from them.

We have a few different ways that you can be involved:

ECV Sprouts Teachers teach at one month intervals (but not more than 3 times a year) on a team of 3 teachers (one for each age group) who will work together to plan exciting lessons based on a curriculum that will engage the kids and also teach them more about prayer, ministry, and following Jesus! (It's OK if you can't teach the entire month, if you have to miss a week or so, you can sub with other teachers...) - Teachers help create stability, consistency, and support for our children in the classrooms... Plus, it's a great way to get to know our adorable kids!
ECV Sprouts Helpers assist the Teachers at weekly intervals (about once a week every 5 or 6 weeks, depending on the number of helpers).
ECV Worship Leaders engage the kids in a kid-friendly worship time (usually during the announcements time upstairs), helping our kids to experience God through musical worship!

So, maybe you're thinking, I'm interested... What should I do NOW?- Sign-up to Volunteer for ECV Sprouts!

For more info about ECV Sprouts visit: http://elmcityvineyard.blogspot.com/p/kids.html

Hope you can join us in continuing to help our children learn to love and follow Jesus!

Last but not least: Thanks so all who have dedicated their time to loving our kids and teaching them to become ever-growing followers of Jesus! (Also, thanks to those who signed up last Sunday - I'll be contacting you shortly about joining in!) - If you are currently volunteering or signed up to volunteer already, you don't have to sign-up again.

This Week at ECV: 1/18-1/24

2012-01-17T22:10:00.003-05:00

This week at ECV

Sacred Text Reading: Wednesday, 1/18 at 7 pm, 810 Elm Street

The Scoop

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, which have been really rich times together.

The basic structure involves a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation together.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Wednesday evening at 7pm. We will be meeting at the Hartleys' place at 810 Elm St. We look forward to seeing you there.

On Deck

Prayer Ministry Training: 1/29 after the Sunday service

Artist Circle

2012-01-05T21:30:00.003-05:00

Are you a Writer? Songwriter? Painter? Poet? Sculptor? Photographer? Musician? Designer?

Join us Monday night, January 9th - 7:00pm at 546 Chapel St. Bring one piece of art to share with the circle, as well as any instruments or supplies you need to do some creating on the spot. That simple!

The Holidays with ECV

2011-12-20T16:42:00.006-05:00

Join us for the Holidays!

Christmas Eve at Dwight Hall Chapel, 6:00-7:00 pm

Join us for a candle-light service of scripture readings and carols in anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Childcare will be provided.

Christmas Day Service, 4:00 pm

We will be meeting on Christmas day for a family-centered Christmas celebration service. The service will be fun for all ages and focused on Jesus, the best Christmas gift ever. This special service will be held in the downstairs meeting room at our usual place, United Church on the Green.

New Year's Day Service, 4:00 pm

We will meet at our usual time and place on New Year's Day. Join us as we reflect on the blessings of 2011. There will be a time of sharing and testimonies of how we have seen God moving in our lives and in the life of ECV. Come ready to share your own stories of God's love and work in your life.

This Week at ECV: 12/7-12/13

2011-12-06T20:38:00.003-05:00

This Week: 12/7-12/13

Kingdom Cafe - Saturday, Dec. 10th 8:00 at New Haven YMCA
Christmas Giving Opportunity - partnering with New Haven Vineyard and Christian Community Action

The Scoop

Kingdom Cafe

The youth ministry team is hosting a Spoken Word open mic night on Saturday, December 10th at the New Haven YMCA, 52 House Street, at 8:00pm.

Christmas Giving Opportunity

ECV will be buying Christmas gifts for 15 children who currently live in Steppingstone's Transitional Housing units. The parents of these families are working hard to find jobs and more permanent housing to provide for their families, and often don't have money left over to buy presents for their kids. We will purchase and wrap the gifts for them and then give those gifts anonymously to their parents, who will then give the presents to their kids.

So, how can you help out?

Give Money: We will be collecting donations during the NEXT Sunday Gathering on the 11th. We hope to spend $25 per kid, so you can choose to "sponsor" part of a gift or more! If you can't make it on a Sunday, email Hannah to arrange sending your donations to her (checks payable to ECV, write "CCA Christmas" in memo).

Buy/Wrap Gifts: We will provide you the name, age, gender, and wishlist of kid(s) that you want to buy gifts for and we will be collecting wrapped gifts on Sunday, 12/18. Email Hannah if you are interested in doing this.

Meet the families at Steppingstone Christmas Reception: On Tuesday, 12/20, from 5:30 - 7:30pm at 660 Winchester Ave., we will be co-hosting a Christmas reception at the Steppingstone building to meet the families who've received our gifts.

Email Hannah if you are interested in helping out or have any questions.

On Deck

Christmas Eve Service: Dwight Hall Chapel, 6-7 pm
Christmas Day Service: 4pm

The Holidays with ECV

2011-12-03T15:34:00.011-05:00

Join us for the Holidays!

Christmas Eve Service at Dwight Hall Chapel, 6:00-7:00 pm

Join us for a candle-light service of scripture readings and carols in anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Childcare will be provided.

Christmas Day Service, 4:00 pm

New Year's Day Service, 4:00 pm

ECV Christmas Giving Opportunity - for CCA (with NHV)!

2011-12-01T15:29:00.001-05:00

ECV Christmas Giving Opportunity - 3 ways to help out!

Give $$ to purchase Gifts for kids at CCA's Steppingstone Transitional Housing Program! ($25 = 1 kid's gift) - collecting donations on Sundays (12/4 & 12/11)
Buy Gifts for the kids! - wrapped gifts collected on Sun. 12/18
Volunteer and Meet the Families at Steppingstone Christmas Reception! - Tuesday, 12/20 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at 660 Winchester Ave. (need 4 - 5 volunteers)

I'm so excited to share with all of you a wonderful opportunity to share some Christmas love to local children in New Haven this holiday season!

We'll be partnering with the New Haven Vineyard Church (located in West Haven, the church we planted out of) to provide presents for the kids in Christian Community Action's Stepping Stone Transitional Housing Program!

The idea is this - ECV will be buying Christmas gifts for 15 children (in 9 families - half of the families who live in the housing units), ages ranging from 6 months - 17 years, who currently live in Steppingstone's Transitional Housing units. The parents of these families are working hard to find jobs and more permanent housing to provide for their families, and often don't have money left over to buy presents for their kids. So, we have a list of kids (and their wishlists!) who we will purchase and wrap the gifts for, which we will then give anonymously to their parents, who will then give the presents to their kids - it imparts a sense of dignity for the parents to do it this way.

So, how can you help out? There are 3 ways (you can do one, more or all of the below)!

Give Money: We will be collecting donations during our NEXT TWO Sunday Gatherings (12/4 & 12/11) - We hope to spend $25 per kid, so you can choose to "sponsor" part of a gift or more! If you can't make it on a Sunday, then feel free to email Hannah to arrange sending your donations to her (checks payable to ECV, write "CCA Christmas" in memo).
Buy/Wrap Gifts: If you LOVE shopping (and/or wrapping gifts), we are looking for people who will buy the actual gifts for the kids! We will provide you the name, age, gender, and wishlist of kid(s) that you want to buy gifts for and we will be collecting wrapped gifts on Sunday, 12/18. You can shop alone or with friends/kids/your homegroup! Email Hannah if you are interested in doing this.
Volunteer and Meet the families at Steppingstone Christmas Reception! - On Tuesday, 12/20, from 5:30 - 7:30pm at 660 Winchester Ave., we will be co-hosting a Christmas reception at the Steppingstone building to meet the families who've received our gifts! We'll provide punch and cookies, etc. We need about 4 or 5 people from ECV to represent us at the reception, so if you are interested in attending/helping out with this (this is a great opportunity to meet the people we've bought the gifts for), then let Hannah know.

If you are interested in helping out in any way or have any questions about this, just email Hannah.
Hope you can help out and share the love this Holiday Season!

This Week at ECV: 11/30-12/6

2011-11-29T16:32:00.011-05:00

This Week

Worship Encounter Night: Friday, 12/2 - at United Church on the Green, 8:00pm
ECV Potluck: Sunday, 12/4 - downstairs after the service
Artist Circle Meeting: Monday, 12/5 - at 546 Chapel Street., 7:00pm
Kingdom Cafe: Saturday, 12/10 - at New Haven YMCA, 8:00pm

The Scoop

Worship Encounter Night: Come for a night of worship and prayer co-sponsored by ECV and United Church of Westville.

ECV Potluck: Join us after church for a potluck dinner in honor of our ministry partner, Audrey Lin. While we dine Audrey will share more of her experiences in Taiwan, and we will have a time of prayer and blessing to send her back into her work. Bring yourself, bring your family, and bring a friend! Check the instructions below to see how you can contribute to the dinner.

1. If your Last Name starts with the letters N-Z: Bring a Main Dish for 8 - 10 people

(ex. Casseroles, Soups, Lasagna, Stir Fry, etc. - Vegetarian & Gluten free dishes would be great as well!)

2. If your Last Name starts with G-M: Bring a side dish for 8-10 people (ex. salads, veggies, fruit, potato dishes, etc)

3. Last Name starts with A-F: Bring a Dessert for 8 - 10 people

4. No Kitchen?: Bring a drink or a few dollars to contribute to the miscellaneous costs of the dinner.

* Help us reduce waste by bringing your own tableware if you are able.

Artist Circle

Are you a Writer? Songwriter? Painter? Poet? Sculptor? Photographer? Musician? Designer?

Join us Monday night - 7:00pm at 546 Chapel St. Bring one piece of art to share with the circle, as well as any instruments or supplies you need to do some creating on the spot. That simple!

Kingdom Cafe

The youth ministry team is hosting a Spoken Word open mic night on Saturday, December 10th at the New Haven YMCA, 52 House Street, at 8:00pm.

If you would like to help out, please contact

George Black at 203-508-4834 or george@elmcityvineyard.org by December 4th.

On Deck

Christmas Outreach with New Haven Vineyard and CCA's Stepping Stone Transitional Housing

This Week at ECV: 11/23-11/29

2011-11-22T20:27:00.004-05:00

On Deck:

12/4 - ECV Potluck
12/10 - K Street Cafe - Youth Ministry Outreach
Christmas Outreach partnering with New Haven Vineyard and CCA's Stepping Stone Transitional Housing

This Week at ECV: 11/16-11/22

2011-11-15T21:35:00.003-05:00

This week at ECV: 11/16-11/22

Sacred Text Reading: Wednesday, 11/16 at 7pm at 810 Elm Street

The Scoop

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, which have been really rich times together.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Wednesday evening at 7pm. The focus of the readings this month will be worship, providing a broader perspective on ECV's current teaching series. We will be meeting at the Hartleys' place at 810 Elm St. I look forward to seeing you there.

On Deck

K Street Cafe - Youth Ministry Outreach, 12/10
Christmas Outreach partnering with New Haven Vineyard and CCA's Stepping Stone Transitional Housing

Agape Church Footwashing

2011-11-02T15:43:00.005-04:00

On Friday November 11, from 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., Agape Church will be running a footwashing station at "Project Homelessness Connect", an event that will bring together many organizations and service-providers for the homeless population. We need volunteers to work rotating shifts at the footwashing station. We especially need volunteers from 9 - 11 a.m., but help at any time during the event would be great.

You can also help out by praying for people at the Agape table, or by being part of the acoustic band that will be providing live music for the event. Again, all volunteers will be greatly appreciated!

Please email juliet.buesing@gmail.com ASAP if you are interested in helping out during part or all of the time frame, or if you have any questions about the event. More details about location and time assignments will be sent out to volunteers closer to the event. Thank you so much for considering blessing the homeless community in this way.

ECV Harvest Party! (THIS Sunday, 10/30)

2011-10-25T21:25:00.001-04:00

ECV Harvest Party!
Sunday, 10/30
6:15pm (shortly after Worship Gathering)
Bradley Room (downstairs in United Church - corner of Temple and Elm Streets)

After our Worship Gathering on Sunday, please stay and join us for some Fall Festivities together - There will be Pizza, Yummy Treats and Prizes, Games (and possibly even a Costume Contest!)

The Harvest Party will include fun for the kids, even for the "kids at heart" - People of all ages are invited to join in!

Also, if some of you are wiling to help out with overseeing games, setting up/cleaning up, OR even taking pictures (it'd be nice to grab some costumed family portraits!), please let Hannah know.

Hope you can join us (with or without costumes)!

This Week at ECV: 10/19 - 10/25

2011-10-18T23:46:00.001-04:00

This Week at ECV: 10/19 - 10/25

Sacred Text Reading: CANCELLED
Conversation on Bible and History: TOMORROW (Wed. 10/19), 7:30pm
ECV A/V Club: THIS Sunday (10/23), 2pm at United Church

*****
The Scoop:

Sacred Text Reading CANCELLED

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, which have been really rich times together.

The basic structure involves a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation together.

In looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start has been in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

***

Conversation on Bible and History
THIS Wednesday (10/19), 7:30pm
Email Matt for more info

Matt Croasmun, Todd Kennedy, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz are hosting a discussion group about the Bible and the questions aimed at it by modern criticism. The discussion will seek to do justice to both sides of the questions and will seek to bring each question into interaction with what it means to follow Jesus.

Topics will include:

Historical content of Scripture, including both Old and New Testament
pseudepigraphy
redaction
formation of the canon
cultural influence and divine inspiration

The goal for this series is that the leaders will both seek to acknowledge the full force of the critiques offered by modern Biblical studies and to challenge the idea that such an approach to the Bible prevents us from seeing the Bible as God's Word, or more importantly, from loving and following Jesus.

***

ECV A/V Club
THIS Sunday (10/23), 2pm
@ United Church (Corner of Temple and Elm Sts.)

Interested in the technical side of ECV's Worship Gatherings? Want to help out with the sound board or slides, but not sure if you had the skills to do it?

Join the ECV A/V Club! THIS Sunday (before the Worship Gathering), we will be training you in the vitally crucial tasks of using the sound board to record the sermons, make the worship team (and the teacher) sound awesome, and making sure that people see the words to songs so that they can join in and worship!

Hope that many of you can join us in serving our community in this very important way!

***
What's on Deck?

10/30: ECV Harvest Party! - 6pm (after worship gathering) at United Church

This Week at ECV: 10/11 - 10/18

2011-10-11T20:11:00.000-04:00

This Week at ECV: 10/11 - 10/18

Life with a Living God Conference: 10/14-10/15 – Register today!
ECV Youth Ministry Intern: George Black! - Also, join the Youth Ministry Team!
Join Elm City Voices - Practices on Sundays from 2-3pm at United Church
Support Famine Relief in East Africa: Purchase "Serenity" by Tina Colon Williams (at www.tinacolon.com)

*****
The Scoop:

Life with a Living God Conference:
a Practical Workshop on Hearing from God and Praying for Healing

Friday, 10/14: 7:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday, 10/15: 2pm-5:30pm, dinner (provided), 7:30-9:30
@ United Church on the Green (corner of Elm St. and Temple St., New Haven)

Take the plunge! Come and see what God has in store for you and our community through this conference. Register today! (It also helps us plan some of the logistics when we know who’s coming.)

What if God is real? What if God is at work in the world? What if God wants to work through us? Whether you've been following Jesus for years or are just beginning to explore life with God, this conference will be an opportunity to explore what life could look like in God's presence.

Speakers
Jamie and Michelle Wilson, Coast Vineyard (San Diego)
Robin Morrison, Basileia Community (Hollywood)

Cost
$20/person
undergraduate discount: $10/person
please don't let cost keep you from coming; feel free to pay what you can.

Saturday dinner and childcare will be provided.

***

Introducing... our ECV Youth Ministry Intern - George Black!

This past Sunday, we were so excited to welcome George Black as our new ECV Youth Ministry Intern! Many of you probably know George either from hearing his awesome voice singing in Elm City Voices or on the worship team, or from his leadership in WyldLife Club (the Jr. High group that is part of Young Life New Haven, an ECV Partner) or even in his work with LEAP, a local youth development non-profit.

This year, George will be working with a team to start planning events and activities that will reach the youth (ages 11- 17yrs) in New Haven! He is currently looking for folks who are interested in dreaming and planning with him to build a youth ministry in ECV!

If you are at all interested in working with youth, please contact George for more info.

***

Elm City Voices
Rehearsals on Sundays starting on 9/18
2:00 - 3:00 pm@ United Church (downstairs in the Bradley Room)

As you all heard on Sunday, the Elm City Voices are singing, having fun and praising Jesus!

All Singers are welcome to join ECV's fabulous Choir (singing Gospel music, etc.) - Rehearsals are on Sundays at 2pm! If you love music and want to find a way to connect with people at ECV, this is a great opportunity to do that. Also, if you have musical friends from the New Haven community, invite them to sing with us!

All rehearsals will be held downstairs in the Bradley Room at the United Church on the Green. If you have any questions feel free to email Shyla.

***

Support Famine Relief in East Africa: Purchase "Serenity" by Tina Colon Williams (at www.tinacolon.com)

As many of you have probably heard, the horn of Eastern Africa-- specifically the nation of Somalia-- is currently suffering from a devastating famine. According to NBC, 11 million (other sources say up to 13 million) people in the Horn of Africa need food assistance.

As we heard during Announcement on Sunday - In response, Tina and Juliet have decided to release a new studio recording of "Sincerity," written by Tina and produced by Juliet, and give all proceeds to responsible and proven organizations working against the famine in Eastern Africa.

For more info (and to purchase the song), visit: www.tinacolon.com

***
What's on Deck?

10/23: ECV A/V Club - 2pm at United Church
10/30: ECV Harvest Party! - 6pm (after worship gathering) at United Church

This Week at ECV: 10/4 - 10/9

2011-10-04T22:09:00.001-04:00

This Week at ECV: 10/4 - 10/9

Life with a Living God Conference: 10/14-10/15 – Register today!
King's Keep + ECV: Sat. 10/8 from 12:30-2:30pm @ 79 Kensington St.
Sunday Homegroup is Starting! - Sun. 10/9 at 10:00am at 6 Woodland Dr. (Woodbridge)

King's Keep + ECV
Saturday, October 8th
12:30-2:30pm
@ 79 Kensington St.

This Saturday (10/8), we will be assisting the volunteers at King's Keep - a ministry to children and families in New Haven, particularly in the Dwight-Kensington neighborhood.

We will be joining those living at 79 Kensington Street (including some fellow ECVers!), in playing games with the children, leading them in Worship and a short bible lesson, and also praying for the parents who come with the kids. (Plus, we have lunch with the kids!)

It looks like it is going to be a sunny, lovely fall day on Saturday, so join us as we serve and bless the families in the Dwight neighborhood!If you are particularly interested in either setting up, planning the games or helping out with worship, please contact Hannah

***
Sunday Homegroup is Starting!
Sundays (starting 10/9) at 10:00am
6 Woodland Drive,Woodbridge, CT

As we heard in the announcement last Sunday, our newest homegroup (which will be on Sunday mornings!) will be starting this Sunday (10/9). They will be studying the book of Hebrews (written to the first followers of Jesus), particularly examining the themes of perseverance, finding encouragement and assurance to press on in our faith by following the great examples of biblical faith, most of all, Jesus.

The Sunday Homegroup is led by Steve and Tamara Fitzgerald and Pat and Bill Croasmun. For more info,contact: Jen Hartley

If you haven't had a chance to go to a homegroup yet, we hope you can make it to this one OR one of our other homegroups throughout the week - Click Here for more info on ECV Homegroups!

Life with a Living God Conference

2011-10-04T10:24:00.000-04:00

Life with a Living God: a Practical Workshop on Hearing from God and Praying for Healing
you've been hearing about this for a while; make a "pre-made" decision now by registering today

What if God is real? What if God is at work in the world? What if God wants to work through us? Whether you've been following Jesus for years or are just beginning to explore life with God, this conference will be an opportunity to explore what life could look like in God's presence.

Speakers
Jamie & Michelle Wilson, Coast Vineyard (San Diego)
Robin Morrison, Basileia Community (Hollywood)

Sessions
Friday, 10/14: 7:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday, 10/15: 2pm-5:30pm, dinner (provided), 7:30-9:30

Cost
$20/person
undergraduate discount: $10/person
please don't let cost keep you from coming; feel free to pay what you can

childcare will be provided

Artist Circle This Monday!

2011-09-29T13:44:00.006-04:00

Artist Circle is Back!

546 Chapel Street
Monday October 3rd
7:00pm

Are you a Writer? Songwriter? Painter? Poet? Sculptor? Photographer? Musician? Designer?

Join us this Monday night (and every first Monday of each month)- 7:00pm at 546 Chapel St. Make sure you bring one piece of art to share with the circle, as well as any instruments or supplies you need to do some creating on the spot. That simple!

The ECV Artist Circle has been a place of awesome creativity, insight, and growth for many of us in the past year. Take a risk and bring your art to the circle- all skill levels welcome!

September Happenings! Sept 28 - Oct 1

2011-09-28T10:10:00.007-04:00

What's happening this week?

Life with a Living God Conference – 10/14-10/15 – Register today!

ECV + Kensington: Softball Saturday - Sat. 10/1, 3:30-5:30pm @ Goffe Street Park

*****
The Scoop:

Life with a Living God:
a Practical Workshop on Hearing from God and Praying for Healing

Friday, 10/14: 7:30pm-9:30pm
Saturday, 10/15: 2pm-5:30pm, dinner (provided), 7:30-9:30
@ United Church (corner of Elm St. & Temple St., New Haven)

Take the plunge! Come and see what God has in store for you and our community through this conference. Register today! (It also helps us plan some of the logistics when we know who’s coming.)

What if God is real? What if God is at work in the world? What if God wants to work through us? Whether you've been following Jesus for years or are just beginning to explore life with God, this conference will be an opportunity to explore what life could look like in God's presence.

Speakers
Jamie & Michelle Wilson, Coast Vineyard (San Diego)
Robin Morrison, Basileia Community (Hollywood)

Cost
$20/person
undergraduate discount: $10/person
please don't let cost keep you from coming; feel free to pay what you can

childcare will be provided

***

ECV + Kensington Softball Saturday
3:30-5:30pm
@ Goffe St. Park (Corner of Sherman Ave
& Goffe St)
All skill levels welcome

There are only a few more weekends of warmth until cold air from up north (or from wherever it comes from) sweeps into New Haven for the winter.

What can you do to cherish the warmth?? Come play softball THIS Saturday!
There will be pizza at the park after the game. Get to know the city and our neighbors in Kensington, and have a little fun!

Email Alan (a.d.wesson@gmail.com) with questions and/or if you want to play.

***

What's on deck?

King's Keep + ECV
Saturday, Oct 8 12:30-2:30pm
79 Kensington St.

ECV is Hiring!

2011-09-24T09:00:00.012-04:00

The Elm City Vineyard is seeking a part-time (15 hours/wk) administrator to work with our Staff Team and church leadership to support our Lead Pastor and Board of Trustees. Job responsibilities include managing Sunday logistics, church communications, and data input for finances (see full job description for detailed list of responsibilities). The pay is $1,000/month. Applications are being accepted until October 10. Please send your resume with a short cover letter pasted in the body of the email to matt@elmcityvineyard.org. To help our sorting, please title your email: “ECV Admin Job”.

Full Job Description

September Happenings! Sept. 21-25

2011-09-20T22:02:00.006-04:00

What's happening this week?

Homegroups have started!
(Click Here for more info on Homegroups)

Sacred Text Reading - Wed. 9/21, 7–9pm, @ 810 Elm St (Click here for more info)

City Tour: Newhallville/Beaver Hills neighborhoods - Sat. 9/24, 1pm @ St. Andrews Church, 262 Shelton Ave. New Haven *Please note location change!*

ECV 101 - Sun. 9/25, 6-7:30pm @ United Church (Bradley Room)

*****
The Scoop:

City Tour: Newhallville & Beaver Hills
THIS Saturday (9/24)
1:00 - 3:00pm
@ St. Andrews Church, 262 Shelton Ave.
New Haven
*Please note location change!*

Join us on this tour and prayer walk of two adjacent New Haven neighborhoods to learn more about what God is doing in this city. The tour will be jointly led (and attended) by folks from St. Andrews Church & ECV. It will be a great opportunity to get to know our New Haven neighbors of faith and pray together for the flourishing of the Elm City. Be sure to wear your walking shoes!

Questions? For more info, contact Josh.

***

ECV 101
THIS Sunday (9/25)
6:00-7:30pm @ United Church (Bradley Room)

You might be wondering...

What's the Elm City Vineyard all about?
What's the Vineyard, anyway?
Who's in charge around here?
How do I get connected and involved?

Over a tasty dinner, ECV 101 will provide answers to all these questions and more. Come and find out more about us!

For more info, contact Hannah.

***

Elm City Voices
Rehearsal on Sundays
2:00 - 3:00 pm@ United Church (downstairs in the Bradley Room)

Calling All Singers! Rehearsals for ECV's fabulous choir (singing Gospel music and other styles) are on Sundays at 2pm! If you love music and want to find a way to connect with people at ECV, this is a great opportunity to do that. Also, if you have friends from the New Haven community who love to sing, invite them to join us!

All rehearsals will be held downstairs in the Bradley Room at the United Church on the Green. If you have any questions feel free to email Shyla.

****

What's on deck?

Baptism - Sat. 10/1 @ Lighthouse Point

Softball & Dinner w/ Kensington crew - Sat. 10/1, 3:30-5:30 @ Goffe Street Park

"Life with a Living God" Conference: Oct 14-16 @ United Church

Sacred Text Reading WEDNESDAY

2011-09-20T11:18:00.000-04:00

I forgot to make the following announcement on Sunday. In my humble opinion, this sacred text reading is one of the greatest things we do at ECV; I experience something new of God there every month. Come check it out!

Sacred Text Reading
THIS Wednesday, 9/21, 7pm
@ 810 Elm St (the home of John & Jen Hartley)

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, which have been really rich times together.

The basic structure involves a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation together.

In looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start has been in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Wednesday evening at 7pm. We will be meeting at the Hartleys' place at 810 Elm St. I look forward to seeing you there.

Events for Sept. 14-18

2011-09-15T09:45:00.001-04:00

What's happening this week?

Homegroups are Starting 9/20! (Click Here for more info on Homegroups)
Party in the Park - Sat. 9/17, 10am-1pm at Edgewood Park
ECV + Agape - Sun. 9/18, 9-11am @ New Haven Green (behind United Church)
Elm City Voices - First rehearsal! - Sun. 9/18, 2-3pm @ United Church (downstairs)

*****
The Scoop:

Party in the Park!
THIS Saturday (9/17)
10:00 am - 1:00pm
Edgewood Park (Corner of Edgewood Ave. and Ella Grasso Blvd.)

Join us and invite your friends to come to Party in the Park!

There will be food, friendly folks, arts/crafts for the kids...

...and we're bringing back the BOUNCY CASTLE!

This family-friendly event will give our ECV community an opportunity to welcome and engage with our friends and neighbors from the greater New Haven community.

We are also looking for a few people who are willing to volunteer to staff the food table or help supervise an activity with the kids (we can work in shifts if necessary). Let Hannah know if you're interested in helping out!

***

ECV + Agape
THIS Sunday (9/18)
9:00 - 11:00am @ New Haven Green (behind United Church)

ECV has a special opportunity to partner with the folks at Agape Church for the Homeless this coming Sunday. Agape meets each Sunday on the Green during the summer, taking time to worship and study the Bible together. There are several people in ECV who are closely involved in the ministry. ECV folks are welcome any Sunday, but we want to make a special effort to come out this week in particular.

Questions? For more info, contact Josh.

***

Elm City Voices
Rehearsals on Sundays starting on 9/18
2:00 - 3:00 pm@ United Church (downstairs in the Bradley Room)

Calling All Singers! ECV's fabulous Choir (singing Gospel music, etc.) is resuming rehearsals on Sundays at 2pm starting on September 18th! If you love music and want to find a way to connect with people at ECV, this is a great opportunity to do that. Also, if you have musical friends from the New Haven community, invite them to sing with us!

All rehearsals will be held downstairs in the Bradley Room at the United Church on the Green. If you have any questions feel free to email Shyla.

*****
What's on deck?

Sacred Text Reading - Wed. 9/21, 7–9pm, @ 810 Elm St
City Tour: Newhallville/Beaver Hills neighborhoods - Sat. 9/24 @ 47 Dyer St.
ECV 101 - Sun. 9/25, 6-7:30pm @ United Church (Bradley Room)
Baptism - Sat. 10/1 @ Lighthouse Point
"Life with a Living God" Conference: Oct 14-16 @ United Church

Homegroups are Starting!

2011-09-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

Homegroups are starting!

Homegroups are central places of connection in our church--where we get to know each other, pray for each other, worship, and read the Bible together. They are great places to get connected and plugged in to life together.

All to say: get connected with a homegroup! It will change your life (for the better). Most groups get started next week (9/19 and following). Dates, times, locations, and contact info are over at the homegroups tab.

THIS SATURDAY (9/17) - Party in the Park!

2011-09-11T22:10:00.002-04:00

Party in the Park!
Saturday, September 17th
10:00 am - 1:00pm
Edgewood Park
(Corner of Edgewood Ave. and Ella Grasso Blvd.)
*****

Join us and invite your friends to come to Party in the Park!

There will be food, friendly folks, arts & crafts for the kids...

...and we're bringing back the BOUNCY CASTLE!

This family-friendly event will give our ECV community an opportunity to welcome and engage with our friends and neighbors from the greater New Haven community.

We are also looking for a few people who are willing to volunteer to staff the food table or help supervise an activity with the kids (we can work in shifts if necessary). Let Hannah know if you're interested in helping out!

September Happenings! Sept. 8-12

2011-09-06T22:28:00.000-04:00

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

GAME NIGHT
THURSDAY, SEPT. 8
8 PM
@ 47 DYER ST, NEW HAVEN

The Scoop:

Join us at the home of pastors Matt and Hannah Croasmun for an evening of games and fellowship on Thursday night. We welcome serious strategists and light-hearted gamesters alike. There will be a range of games from Settlers of Catan to Balderdash to Boggle... Game on!

***

HEALING PRAYER ON THE GREEN
SATURDAY, SEPT 10
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
MEET: IN FRONT OF UNITED CHURCH
(CORNER OF TEMPLE AND ELM STREETS)

The Scoop:

Take it to the streets! As we pursue 'Knowing God' during the next few Sunday gatherings, we can respond by taking a risk and 'hitting the streets' like Jesus did, praying for healing for people in our city.

On Saturday morning at a corner of the New Haven Green, we will set up a "Healing Prayer and Free Lemonade Stand", and we invite you to come, help pass out lemonade and pray for those who want healing/prayer.

For me, personally, this is a great step of courage to bring the healing power of the Holy Spirit outside the walls of our church and I hope that we can start seeing God's power at work together in New Haven!

If you want more info about this, feel free to contact me (Hannah) directly.
Hope to see you there!

***

ECV POTLUCK DINNER
SUNDAY, SEPT. 11
6:15 PM
BRADLEY ROOM, UNITED CHURCH (CORNER OF TEMPLE AND ELM STREETS)
(a.k.a. downstairs after the church service)

The Scoop:

Food...It's good! Fellowship...It's good! Put them together for a winning combination on September 11th. Join us after church for a potluck dinner to reconnect or connect for the first time with our ECV family. Bring yourself, bring your family, and bring a friend! Check the instructions below to see how you can contribute to the dinner.

1. If your Last Name starts with the letters A - M: Bring a Main Dish for 8 - 10 people
(ex. Casseroles, Soups, Lasagna, Stir Fry, etc. - Vegetarian & Gluten free dishes would be great as well!)
2. If your Last Name starts with N - R: Bring a side dish for 8-10 people (ex. salads, veggies, fruit, potato dishes, etc)
3. Last Name starts with S - Z: Bring a Dessert for 8 - 10 people
4. No Car/No Kitchen?: Bring a few dollars to contribute to the miscellaneous costs of the dinner.

* Help us reduce waste by bringing your own tableware (plate, utensils, and cup) if you are able.

If you have any questions or want to help with set-up/clean-up, please contact Sarah (Sarah Macky (203) 907-5240 or sarahkmacky@gmail.com)

***

MOM'S GROUP
MONDAY, SEPT 12
7:30PM
@ 389 NORTON PKWY, NEW HAVEN
(meets 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month)

The Scoop:

Moms' Group is back in action! Moms of all ages and stages are invited to join us for some laughter, encouragement, and prayer as we meet to share the joys and challenges of motherhood. Newcomers are welcome at any time during the year. We will be meeting the second and fourth Mondays of each month beginning September 12th. We aim to start at 7:30, but late arrivers are always welcome after kids have been settled down for the night. For September and October we'll be meeting at Julianne Kaphar's house, 389 Norton Pkwy, New Haven. Feel free to bring a friend. If you have questions, want directions, or would like to be sent an email or text reminder of meetings please let me know. ~ Sarah Macky (203) 907-5240 or sarahkmacky@gmail.com

**************************************************************************************

WHAT'S ON DECK?

PRAYER AND WORSHIP IN KENSINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD
TUESDAY, SEPT. 13
7:30pm – 10:00pm
@ 79 KENSINGTON ST., NEW HAVEN

***

PARTY IN THE PARK
SATURDAY, SEPT. 17
10AM - 1PM
@ EDGEWOOD PARK (CORNER OF EDGEWOOD AVE. & NORTON ST., NEW HAVEN)

***

CITY TOUR: Newhallville & Beaver Hills Neighborhoods
SATURDAY, SEPT. 24

"Knowing God" Series Starting Sunday (9/4)

2011-08-29T11:00:00.002-04:00

This Sunday (9/4), we'll be starting a new teaching series on "Knowing God."

Over the next several weeks, we'll ask important questions like:

Is it possible to know God?
What kind of knowledge can we hope to have?
How can we hear from God?
How can we tell God's voice from others?
How can we know God through the Bible?

This will be a great series for skeptics, believers, and everyone in between. So, it'd be a great time to invite a friend, co-worker, neighbor, etc.

Starts THIS Sunday…

See you there.

Sunday Worship Gathering CANCELLED

2011-08-27T07:53:00.000-04:00

Perhaps not surprisingly, with Hurricane Irene expected to make landfall mid-day tomorrow, we will not be having our regular Sunday worship gathering. So, our new teaching series, "Knowing God," will instead launch next Sunday, 9/4.

So, stay safe and stay dry. See you next week.

Special Offering for Famine Relief

2011-08-10T11:57:00.005-04:00

UPDATE: Thanks so much to those who gave and gave generously! Together, we were able to contribute more than $1,000 to the IRC to provide emergency assistance. Thanks again and let's continue to be in prayer. If you would still like to give, you can do so directly the the IRC website.
---
Right now, a severe drought is plaguing East Africa, and an estimated 10 million people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are facing starvation. Many of you may not be aware of the extent of the food crisis, but what's happening is devastating, and the facts are overwhelming.

For the first time in over 20 years, the UN has declared a famine in southern Somalia.
Somalia is in the middle of a political crisis, and those who hold power in the region have been frustrating much-needed efforts to bring humanitarian aid.
Well over 1,000 Somali refugees are fleeing into Kenya and Ethiopia each day in a desperate search for food, water, and security.
Conditions in neighboring countries have been deteriorating as the famine worsens, and the worst effects are being felt by the most vulnerable. An estimated 29,000 children under the age of 5 have already died in the crisis.

It could be easy to let the statistics overwhelm and paralyze us. Instead, we have the option to choose prayer and loving action. In our sermons and worship songs, we acknowledge a God who "upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry" (Psalm 146:7). That same God is constantly extending us an invitation to join him in that work, and this is no exception.

This Sunday, we as a church have the opportunity to collectively respond with generosity. During the service, we will be taking a special offering for those suffering through this drought. The money collected will go directly to the International Rescue Commission (IRC), a crisis response organization that is working to provide emergency humanitarian assistance in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. To learn more about the famine and the IRC, click here.

Please consider giving generously this Sunday. And please keep the people of East Africa in your prayers.

August Happenings!

2011-08-02T17:07:00.010-04:00

The month is almost out. This Saturday is our last event of the month:

8/27 School Supply Giveaway with Masjid Al-Islam
324 George Street| 11-1pm
Join us as we partner with a local mosque in providing school supplies to some of the young people of the Kensington Neighborhood. Contact Hannah if you'd like to be there!

This Week: Twice the Summer Fun!

2011-07-28T11:10:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to remind you about TWO exciting events happening in the next TWO days!

TODAY (Thurs. July 28th): Ice-Cream Off @ The Kennedy Home (290 Fountain St)--7.30pm
This event has now become an annual tradition, complete with voting and prizes. Bring your own home-made ice cream (or brought-home ice cream if that's more your speed) to compete in this night of laughter, cheer, and extra-delicious ice-cream consumption. Think you can beat the Champion strawberry gelato from last year? Come on over and find out!

TOMORROW (Friday 7/29): Arts in the Park @ Edgewood Park--4pm
This will be the culmination of the Picnics in the Park series, and it promises to be an extra wonderful afternoon of family friendly fun! We'll provide some picnic fixings, but feel free to bring other things to share. So bring your friends, bring your artistic selves, and join us for Arts in the Park!

We are also looking for a few people who are willing to volunteer to staff the food table or help supervise an activity with the kids (we can work in shifts if necessary). Let Hannah know if you're interested in helping out!

ECV 101 - 7/24

2011-07-23T20:56:00.000-04:00

Join us for a fun and informative evening as we eat together and talk about what the Elm City Vineyard Church is all about.

What is a "Vineyard?"

What is ECV all about?

How can I get involved and connect with this community?

How can I serve this community?

To get answers to these and other questions, please join us THIS Sunday (7/24) following the Worship Gathering in the AIR-CONDITIONED Bradley Room (in the basement of United Church).

There's sure to be a delicious dinner (!), worthwhile conversations, and a general giood time to be had by all. See you then.

Splendid Summertime Shindigs!

2011-07-05T20:47:00.005-04:00

Come hang out with ECV during the month of July! We've got lots of great stuff lined up, and we'd love to have you join in.

FRIDAY July 8th: Picnic in the Park @ Edgewood Park--4pm
Come join us for some fun-filled, family friendly activities at Edgewood Park. Bring some food/drinks to enjoy and some to share!

FRIDAY July 15th: Picnic in the Park @ Edgewood Park--4pm
Come join us for some fun-filled, family friendly activities at Edgewood Park. Bring some food/drinks to enjoy and some to share!

FRIDAY July 22nd: Picnic in the Park @ Edgewood Park--4pm
Come join us for some fun-filled, family friendly activities at Edgewood Park. Bring some food/drinks to enjoy and some to share!

THURSDAY July 28th: Ice-Cream Off @ The Kennedy Home (290 Fountain St)--7.30pm
This event has now become an annual tradition, complete with voting and prizes. Bring your own home-made ice cream (or brought-home ice cream if that's more your speed) to compete in this night of laughter, cheer, and extra-delicious ice-cream consumption. Think you can beat the Champion strawberry gelato from last year? Come on over and find out!

FRIDAY July 29th: Arts in the Park @ Edgewood Park--4pm
This will be the culmination of the Picnics in the Park series, and it promises to be an extra wonderful afternoon of family friendly fun! We'll provide some picnic fixings, but feel free to bring other things to share. So bring your friends, bring your artistic selves, and join us for Arts in the Park!

Give Generously! - ECV Helps Fund & Wish List

2011-07-01T14:01:00.000-04:00

Give to folks in need within the ECV community via the ECV Helps Fund and Wish List
Have a need or know someone that does? Email helps@elmcityvineyard.org

At ECV, we are committed to helping each other in our church community. In fact, we created the ECV Helps Team and ECV Helps Wish List in order to provide some structure for discernment and the disbursement of funds and materials that will assist those among us with pressing needs. This past fiscal year (since last July), we have given over $2000 and fulfilled most of our material requests on the ECV Helps Wish List so far! Thanks so those of you who have given so generously to those with material needs in our community!

We just wanted to let you know that there are now TWO specific ways to give through ECV Helps to those with pressing needs!

1. ECV Helps Fund: The Helps Fund allows us to provide financial assistance to those with specific, urgent needs - In the past, we have been able to assist with medical bills, utility payments, phone payments, etc. The ECV Helps Team has a discernment subgroup that allows us to provide funds (based on what is available) in a timely manner to those who need it.

In order for us to continue to give generously to those of us with monetary needs, please prayerfully consider giving to the ECV Helps Fund in addition to your regular giving. If you would like to give, just write "ECV Helps" on the memo line of your check and put it in the Cans of Love on a Sunday OR write "ECV Helps" in the Comments section if you're giving online.

2. ECV Helps Wish List: The Helps Wish List is for specific material needs within our community (e.g. a bike for transportation to work, a suit for a job interview, toiletries or baby supplies that food stamps can't cover, etc.). We collect these material requests and then on a bi-monthly basis (as needed), we email the church with the Wish List requests and make sure to arrange for items to be picked up and delivered to those who have requested them. Please be on the lookout for items on the Helps Wishlist that you might be able to donate!

Just so you know: The Wish List differs from a request on the Community List in that all Wish List requests are anonymous and the items on the Wish List are for pressing needs only.

*****
If you, or someone in ECV that you know, would like to request assistance from the Church in either of these ways, please email helps@elmcityvineyard.org, and we will make sure to prayerfully discern and address your request in a timely manner.

WEDNESDAY, 6/29: BBQ @ Fitzgerald's

2011-06-22T21:38:00.002-04:00

This coming Wednesday, June 29th, the Fitzgerald Family has kindly agreed to host a BBQ at their home! They'll provide some of the more basic fixings, but you should bring your favorite kind of meat to grill, and sides and beverages to share.

We've seen these informal gatherings be really great times of fellowship and refreshment, and we'd love to see you there. Bring friends, and get ready to have a great time amongst friends.

Wednesday, June 29th
5.30-8.30pm
60 Allene Dr., Hamden

See you then!

Prayer Walk @ SCSU CANCELLED

2011-06-19T14:35:00.001-04:00

CANCELLED

Prayer Walk @ SCSU
Friday, 6/23 @ noon
Student Center (345 Fitch)
meet at the 2nd Floor Dunkin Donuts

As many of you will know, through the ministry of ECVers Tom Sharp and Leon Powell, ECV partners with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's work on Yale, Western Connecticut State, and Southern Connecticut State's campuses. InterVarsity's goal is to build witnessing communities on these campuses that will help students encounter the reality and love of God. As is the case whenever we aim to partner with God, perhaps the most important thing we can do is pray.

To that end, ECVer Jasmine Wilborne writes to invite us to participate in a prayer walk to seek God's best for the SCSU campus:

In response to a recent InterVarsity retreat, I and a few other Southern Christian Fellowship (SCF) members have decided to hold a prayer walk at Southern. For the past years Southern has been consumed by darkness most readily identifiable through: suicide, sexual and physical assaults, alcohol abuse, financial issues, stress, racism, assault against the LGBTQ Community etc. We want to call on God to help us, through the Light of Jesus Christ, to expel the darkness so that this upcoming fall, SCF can partner with God to reclaim lives unto Him.

EVERYONE IS INVITED AND WELCOME TO BRING FRIENDS! The Prayer Walk is on Friday, June 23 beginning at 12 p.m. @ 2nd Floor Dunkin Donuts in The Adjanti Student Center (345 Fitch Street, New Haven). Come ready to interact with God in a hands-on and creative manner, seek the Lord, worship in his name and intercede for our local University! There will be light refreshments served!

Parking is available in front of the Adjanti Student Center: It says 30 minute parking, but this is not enforced.

So, if you're flexible during the day or could even strategically time a lunch break, I would encourage you to come join us as we pray for God's best for New Haven's largest university.

6/12: ECV @ Trinity Lutheran (292 Orange St.)

2011-06-06T09:05:00.003-04:00

ECV at Trinity Lutheran Church

292 Orange St.
(corner of Orange St. and Wall St.)
Sunday, 6/12, 4pm

THIS SUNDAY, 6/12, at 4pm ECV will meet at Trinity Lutheran Church, at the corner of Orange and Wall, just 3 blocks from where we normally meet.

If you are driving, you can park on Orange or Wall (meters are free on Sundays).

ECV @ Agape 6/5

2011-06-03T23:01:00.001-04:00

Agape Church for the Homeless
This Sunday, 6/5
9am behind United Church on the Green

As the temperature rises, Agape Church for the Homeless leaves its usual home of Trinity Lutheran Church to travel to the Green, right behind United Church. We also move back an hour to 9am! This will last until the end of the Summer. ECVers are always welcome to Agape, but we try to select one Sunday a month for newcomers to experience what God is doing at Agape. Now, you also get one more hour of sleep. :)

We're on our second to last teaching from our series on the fruit of the Spirit. We'll be looking at Goodness on Sunday. Specifically, we will reflect on how trusting and experiencing that God is good changes how we view the world, other people, and, of course, God. Come enjoy the warmth, the community, and breakfast at Agape on the Green this Sunday.

Sacred Text Reading THIS Thursday, 6/2, 6:30pm

2011-05-31T13:04:00.000-04:00

Sacred Text Reading
THIS Thursday, 6/2, 6:30pm
@ 530 Norton Pkwy (home of Robb & Asha Evans)

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, which have been really rich times together. This month we will also have some folks from the Pathways summer institute joining us, further broadening the conversation.

The basic structure involves a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation together.

In looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start has been in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Thursday evening at 6:30pm. We will be meeting at the Evans' place at 530 Norton Pkwy. I look forward to seeing you there.

matt

Healing Prayer on the Green - 5/28

2011-05-25T11:03:00.000-04:00

Healing Prayer on the Green
THIS Saturday, 5/28
11:00am - 12:30pm
Meet front of United Church (Corner of Elm and Temple Streets)

As we've been exploring in our Sunday Gatherings the idea of taking courage in following Jesus, one immediate way we can practice this to use what we're learning and experiencing on Sundays and in homegroups and take it to the streets!

On Saturday morning at a corner of the New Haven Green, we will be setting up a "Healing Prayer and Free Lemonade Stand", and we invite you to come, help pass out lemonade and pray for those who want healing/prayer in our city!

For me personally, this is a great step of courage to bring the healing power of the Holy Spirit outside the walls of our church and I hope that we can start seeing God's power at work together in New Haven!

We are hoping this might become a more regular event, so if you want more info about this, feel free to contact me (Hannah) directly.

Hope to see you there!

This Weekend @ ECV

2011-05-19T16:18:00.000-04:00

In addition to our Sunday Gathering, 4pm @ United Church, there are a couple of other great things happening this weekend that you won't want to miss:

ECV Senior Night - Friday, 7pm, United Church - Come celebrate our graduating college seniors. Light refreshments will be served.
Ordination of Josh Williams - Sunday, 6-7pm, United Church - after our Sunday Gathering, we'll celebrate and confirm God's call in the life of our pastoral intern, Josh, as he steps into a new season as our associate pastor. There will be cake.

See you this weekend.

ECV Senior Night Celebration on 5/20!

2011-05-13T13:58:00.000-04:00

Friday, May 20th | 7pm
United Church on the Green (corner of Elm and Temple Streets)
Bradley Room (in the basement)

Hey ECV!

Come join us as we congratulate and bless the undergraduate seniors in our midst, who have truly become a part of our community. We want to support, encourage, and send them out well into life after college.

There will be a time of sharing, reflection, and prayer. Food will also be provided.

Hope to see you there!

Songwriters Circle

2011-05-06T15:39:00.003-04:00

Saturday, May 7, 2011

4:00

'The Music Box' (532 Norton Parkway)

You may not have been able to make it to our last songwriters circle gathering a couple of months back. You may not consider yourself a musician, or a poet, or an instrumentalist at all, and you may have never fully completed an original song. None of those things should stop you from coming to the second ever songwriters circle gathering tomorrow at 4pm.

The songwriters circle is intended to be a space of sharing, brainstorming, and workshopping the melodies, chords and lyrics God has put inside of each one of us, with the goal of creating worship music that can serve the broader community. We have met once before, and as we listened to one another's songs, things that began as fragments ended up being developed and completed. Some of the songs from the gathering have since been used in communal worship at ECV and elsewhere, and we were all able to be part of the creative process.

The hope is for the Circle to be a safe space to share song ideas, and to result in worship songs that express the heart of people in the ECV community and help us as a group connect to God. If you have an idea for a song that's been brewing for a while, or some lyrics written, or any parts of a song at any stage of the process, you are more than welcome to come and share tomorrow. Bring a friend, all skill levels are welcome.

If you have any questions, or if you have a song idea but won't be able to make it to the gathering tomorrow, feel free to email me at tina@elmcityvineyard.org.

Chapel on the Green - Sunday, 5/8!

2011-05-02T08:00:00.003-04:00

Chapel on the Green!
Trinity Episcopal Church
(129 Church Street - Use Side Door)
12:30pm - Putting together Lunches
2:00pm - Worship Gathering and Sharing Lunch Together

Join us as we worship with and also serve the homeless and other fellow New Haven residents on the Green!

This Sunday (5/8), ECV will be providing lunches (and volunteers to serve the lunches - hopefully, that's you!) for those gathered on the Green!

About Chapel on the Green...
Every Sunday at 2:00 pm folks gather on the Upper Green (directly behind Trinity Episcopal Church) for a brief (25-30 minute) service of Holy Eucharist - in all sorts of weather!

This service has attracted a wide variety of people from across New Haven and beyond: those interested in social justice, the homeless, or anyone that does not feel comfortable in a church building. There is a welcoming drum circle before the service at 1:30 pm. Following the service bagged lunches are distributed to all those in need.

What I particularly love about Chapel on the Green (and why I think it's great that we're partnering with them) is that they really are a ministry of presence. This is more than just another service project - this is about joining a community, even if just for the afternoon.

Godʼs grace is woven among the community formed by the housed and unhoused on the Green. This is our time, together, to break down isolation and worship God. All attendees: volunteers, regular parishioners, clergy, staff, are welcome to lunch together.

Come and be a part of this affirming and life-changing ministry... yours and theirs! We know you will not forget it or regret it. Feel free to invite others to come with you - imagine what we can do together!

We hope to see you here!

If you are coming - Please let Hannah or Josh know, so we can make sure we have enough volunteers to help out!

Conversation with Scott Bessenecker on Thursday (4/28)

2011-04-26T21:25:00.000-04:00

Living with and Learning from the Poor: Pizza & Conversation with Scott Bessenecker
Thursday, April 28th
6:00 PM (Pizza Provided)
Dwight Hall Library (67 High Street)

Sponsored by: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and ECV

InterVarsity Christian fellowship and ECV has invited IVCF National Director of Global Projects and author Scott Bessenecker to lead a thought-provoking discussion over dinner at Yale’s Dwight Hall Library on Thursday, 4/28 at 6 PM.

Author of The New Friars, How to Inherit the Earth, and Living Mission, Scott has been witness to and participant in an emerging movement of mainly middle-class highly educated men and women who are seeking a shared life among the poor. After visiting intentional communities as diverse as Old Order Mennonites in Wisconsin, Jesus People in Chicago and those who have relocated to the slum communities of the developing world, he has learned a few things about how life together can be transformational – for those who embrace community as well as for the world around us. Scott has spent significant time in global urban centers, leading student teams who live with, partner with, serve, and learn from some of the poorest slum communities in the world.

Come join us for dinner and conversation - format is casual and dialogue-centered, so please contribute your own dreams, thoughts, and experiences.

Good Friday Service (4/22)

2011-04-19T09:34:00.000-04:00

Date: Friday, April 22 (Good Friday)
Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm
Place: Afro-American Cultural Center - MP Room (211 Park St. - between Edgewood and Chapel Streets)

“It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord… to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it.” (Lamentations 3:26, 28)

Please join us for our ECV Good Friday service at Yale's Afro American Cultural Center. There will be scripture and poetry readings and reflection on the significance of Jesus' death.

Childcare will be provided.

In case you need them - Directions to the AFAM House:

Yale's Afro American Cultural Center is located at 211 Park St, between Edgewood and Chapel Streets. The building is set off the street a little bit, so you'll need to walk down the sidewalk (as though headed toward York St), to gain access to the building. The MP Room is the room to the left on the first floor after one enters the building.

If you need a detailed map of Yale Campus, click here and search for "211 Park Street"

West River Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday (4/16)!

2011-04-13T22:03:00.000-04:00

West River Easter Egg Hunt
THIS Saturday (4/16) from 11am - 1pm
West River Memorial Park Rugby Field
(near the Corner of Derby Ave. and Ella Grasso Blvd.)

Bring your Kids! Or Volunteer to Help Out (email Hannah)!

Just sent out an email about this before, but this is a fun event that we'll be co-sponsoring with the West River Neighborhood Services Corporation and we hope you can join us!

On Saturday morning, there will be an "healthy-alternative easter egg" hunt - meaning that the eggs will be filled with fun toys, stickers, stationery items, etc. instead of candy/chocolates, which is great if you're getting tired of all the sugar for your kids!

In addition to hunting eggs, there will be relay races and games, easter bag decoration, healthy snacks, a DJ and tons of fun! ALSO: At the same time, right on the basketball courts next to egg-hunting grounds, there will be the "Hoopin' Not Shootin" Basketball Tournament Kickoff which is open to Teens (11+ yrs), so this will truly be FUN FOR ALL AGES!

If you would like to join me in volunteering for this event (we're even having an egg-stuffing party the day before!), please email Hannah.

Budgeting Workshop - THIS Sunday after Church

2011-04-13T14:34:00.000-04:00

Budgeting Workshop
THIS Sunday, 4/17, after church
Dinner provided
RSVP to matt@elmcityvineyard.org

A couple weeks ago, we talked about giving as a spiritual practice that helps reform our relationships with money in ways that open us up to right relationship with God and with our world. Specifically, I talked about tithing (giving 10%) as a first step towards using all of our resources in ways that advance the good things that God is doing in the world.

In thinking about "the other 90%" (and how to make giving a practical possibility), we thought we'd offer a workshop on budgeting this Sunday, 4/17, after church. We'll meet over dinner downstairs. Ryan & Heidi McAnnally-Linz and I will be facilitating the workshop. It'll be super-practical and encouraging. You should come. :-)

See you then.

Kings Keep Prayer Initiative

2011-04-12T17:21:00.009-04:00

As most of you know by now, we are in the middle of Lent, a time when we as a church are focusing on our pursuit of God through spiritual disciplines and asking for God to move in our lives and in the lives of our friends in a powerful way. It's also a time where we are dedicating ourselves to pray for children and youth in our city. At multiple prayer gatherings, many of us who help lead ECV have sensed pretty strongly that God wants to do something beautiful in the youth of this city, and he wants us to be a part of it.

This Thursday, April 14th, Kings Keep is hosting a gathering of multiple churches throughout New Haven to pray for young people (a group they're referring to as the '4-14 window', people between the ages of 4 and 14) around the world. Kings Keep is a ministry that reaches out to at-risk youth in a few of the rougher neighborhoods in our city. A few ECVers are deeply involved with Kings Keep, and really good things are happening through their ministry. The event on Thursday will be a combination of prayer and worship (I'll be helping lead worship), and the prayers will be oriented toward blessing what God wants to do in the lives of children in the city and abroad, which fits perfectly into what we've been hoping for as a church during this season. I would encourage you to come and join hands in prayer with us and with other local communities this Thursday. God loves when His people are unified, so together, let's ask for transformation in the lives of children this Lent.

Thursday, April 14

6:30-9:30pm

CCRN, 260 Bull Hill Lane, Orange CT

If you have any questions about Kings Keep or are interested in coming to the event, feel free to email me at tina@elmcityvineyard.org.

ECV Gospel Choir

2011-04-07T23:29:00.001-04:00

ECV Singers!

Our first ever choir Sunday will be this Easter (April 24th)! We will be learning some great music, including original songs written by members of our community. Whether you are a professional singer or are simply (and most importantly) a lover of music, the ECV Gospel Choir is a great place for you!

Rehearsals are going to be held at 532 Norton Pkwy, and the schedule is as follows:

Saturday April 9 ~ 7:30-9pm

Thursday April 14 ~ 8-9pm

Saturday April 23 ~ 7:30-9pm

Easter Sunday April 24 ~ 2-4pm

Attendance at three of the four rehearsals is strongly encouraged. If you want to sing, but have to miss more than that feel free to email me (Shyla) at shyla.norful@gmail.com and I will be happy to work something out!

Looking forward to singing with you!

Sunday Guest Speaker: Bob Ekblad

2011-04-06T22:48:00.001-04:00

This Sunday at ECV we will have a guest speaker: Bob Ekblad, Executive Director of Tierra Nueva Ministries in Burlington, WA. Bob's talk will be "Being with God Being with the Poor," continuing our series on Spiritual Practices.

Bob has an amazing life story that weaves together pursuit of social justice, engagement with the power of the Holy Spirit, and vibrant scholarship. Bob has been a blessing to ECV in a homegroup context in the past and was one of the keynote speakers at this year's Society of Vineyard Scholars conference. Gideon, Josh, Hannah, and I have visited Bob's ministry in Washington and were inspired and challenged. Heck, even the coffee we have on Sundays is sourced through a fair trade agriculture project started by Tierra Nueva.

Bob is a friend and there's a partnership that God is building between our communities. In the spirit of what we said about giving this past Sunday, we will take a special offering to support Tierra Nueva's ministry, so be ready for that.

All to say, come on Sunday and invite some folks to come with you.

In addition, Bob will be doing a whole bunch of things you may want to connect to:

"Pursuing Social Justice Sustained by the Spirit" - Saturday, 4/9 @ 7:30pm, Dwight Hall Chapel
Preaching at Agape Church for the Homeless, Sunday, 4/10 @ 8am, Trinity Lutheran Church
Prayer and Worship (more extended time of prayer ministry), Sunday, 4/10 @ 7:45pm, Dwight Hall Chapel

Public Lecture at Yale on Healing Prayer

2011-04-05T18:10:00.002-04:00

Can Science Prove the Healing Power of Prayer?
Empirical Perspectives on Modern Pentecostal-Charismatic Healing Networks and the Revival of Global Christianity
THIS THURSDAY, April 7, 5:30-7:20
Yale Divinity School, Niebuhr Hall
409 Prospect Street
PDF Flyer

I want to invite you to a public lecture at the Yale Divinity School on a topic of significance: healing prayer. It's a public lecture for a course taught by ECVer Scott Dolff (cf. "Dr. Dolff" below); friend-of-ECV Michele Kinrade will be one of two respondents. It should be a lively conversation. More below:

Prof. Candy Gunther Brown of Indiana University (PhD, Harvard) is one of the world’s leading researchers on global healing practices, and the recent recipient of a $150,000 Templeton grant for conducting such research.

Can healing prayer make a real-world difference? Are there empirical ways to measure the efficacy of prayer on health? Are attempts to study prayer inherently unscientific? Do people apparently healed through prayer stay healed, and are their long-term beliefs and behaviors affected? Prof. Brown has addressed such questions in her books and articles and will do so at Yale as guest speaker of “Theology and Spirituality of Neo-Charismatic Christianity in America” (REL 655, Dr. Dolff).

Ninth Anniversary Celebration of Agape Church for the Homeless

2011-04-02T07:58:00.003-04:00

Agape's 9th Anniversary Celebration
Trinity Lutheran Church (292 Orange St.)
Corner of Orange and Wall
Right after ECV this Sunday

This Sunday, Agape Church for the Homeless is celebrating its 9th anniversary! As you might know, this is the second year ECV has been involved. A group of ECVers regularly lead worship, teach, and facilitate prayer. In addition, we get to know our friends at Agape rather well and have seen God do lots of cool stuff in our lives and in theirs. We have seen people receive jobs, enter recovery programs, get housing, experience physical healing, and form friendships across lines of race, class, and language. God is at work in this place, and it's been fun to join him in this adventure.

The 9th anniversary celebration starts during ECV's Sunday service so just make your way over to Trinity Lutheran Church on the corner of Orange and Wall (292 Orange St. where Agape meets) after ECV wraps up. There will be a few more presentations (you might even catch our ECV/Agape crew speak and see Tina and Juliet do some worship) and then there will be an informal time of fellowship accompanied by a HUGE AMOUNT of delicious food. Last year, people feasted on a variety of Korean dishes and desserts. Anyway, the anniversary is a great way to hear about what Agape is doing, see its supporters and attenders, and grab some great dinner. Hope to see you there.

As always, you are also invited to Agape @ 8am on Sunday. There will be a joint teaching by my friend Will and me on Love that marks the official start of our series on the fruit of the Spirit.

ECV @ Agape

2011-03-25T18:17:00.003-04:00

Come join us at Agape Church for the Homeless this Sunday, 3/27, at 8am on the second floor of Trinity Lutheran Church (on the corner of Orange and Wall).

For those of you who aren't familiar with Agape, God has been doing some pretty amazing things in and through this community, and it's been a powerful place for people from all walks of life--Yale students, high schoolers, and people without a steady place to live--to come together to encounter God. Agape has been around for 9 years this April, and ECV has been connected to the ministry for the past two years now.

Each Sunday, we gather in a circle for worship, and then we have a conversation about a particular passage in scripture, followed by prayer and a meal. People bring stories and testimonies of what God has done in their lives, and those of us who come have learned a lot about God's character from the things people have shared about their lives. Agape truly is a community that breaks down societal and spiritual walls, and is a place where I've seen the kingdom of God at work. Whether or not you've encountered faith alongside those who are homeless before, if you would like to, please consider taking the opportunity to join us in pursuing Jesus among the poor this Sunday.

If you have any questions, reflections, or ideas, feel free to contact tina@elmcityvineyard.org.

Encounter Night 3/26

2011-03-22T23:36:00.003-04:00

This coming Saturday, ECV will be hosting an evening of worship, reflection, and prayer. The hope for these 'Encounter Nights' is to create a space to rest in God, to hear from Him and to reorient ourselves toward his purposes. Setting apart time to communicate with God through song and through prayer together is a powerful way to do that.

So come this weekend expecting to meet with God. Bring a friend (or two. or three.). Let's pursue everything he has for us in this Lenten season.

Encounter Night (2)

Saturday, March 26

7:30-9:00pm

Dwight Chapel (Yale Campus)

Lent 2011 Is Underway - Get Connected Online

2011-03-14T10:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, we kicked off Lent @ ECV. If you weren't able to be there, please check out the talk online; it'll help you get a sense of where we're headed during this season. You can also send the talk around to other folks who you'd like to invite to be a part of our Lenten "faith experiment."

We also distributed a written guide to the various things that we'll be doing during Lent. You can check that out online as well.

In the guide, you'll find a more in depth invitation into the things we're doing during Lent:

Engaging in Spiritual Practices: The talk on Sunday kicked off this series on the intentional ways that we can invest in relationship with God, in the spiritual life we desire. Join us each Sunday as we learn about "The Spiritual Life and How to Get It."
Reading the Bible: During Lent, the ECV Bible Guide will be leading us through the life of Moses, one of the great heroes of the bible, a man with a deep spiritual life, called by scripture a friend of God. I have great hope that God will really meet us as we read scripture together. Check out the bible guide online. You can also sign up to receive daily emails with the day's reading along with some thoughts and suggestions for prayer or download weekly pdfs (including, this week, a more extensive introduction to the bible guide).
Praying for:

One thing you'd like to see God do in your life. Think of one thing that it'd take God to do in your life that you'd like to see happen and commit to praying for it during this season. Every year we do this, we see prayers answered in amazing ways.
Six folks you'd like to experience more of God's blessing in their lives. This week, ask God for whom you ought to pray. There's a worksheet for this as part of the orientation guide.
The children and families of our city. As we’ve been preparing for this season, asking God what we ought to pray for, God has led us really clearly to pray for the children and families of our city and to pray specifically that more and more kids would be added to our church and encounter God in ECV Sprouts. The best way to love a family is by loving their kids. Perhaps the best way for us to love our city is to love the kids of our city. Want to pray about this together? Join Hannah and me at our place (47 Dyer St) Thursdays at 9:30pm during Lent to pray together and see how God leads is in this.

In summary:

Listen to Sunday's Talk
Download the Guide to Lent @ ECV
Check out the Bible Guide
Pray for something in your own life, for your friends, and for the kids in our city

I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in this season.

TODAY (3/13): Daylight Savings Time and St. Patrick's Day Parade

2011-03-13T13:52:00.002-04:00

Just a couple of things to know about TODAY, Sunday (3/13):

1. Daylight Saving Time has started (again) today! So, don't forget to move your clocks ahead one hour or else you'll be at Sunday Gathering at the wrong time!

2. St. Patrick's Day Parade:
Just a quick heads-up that today is also the New Haven's St. Patrick's Day parade. The parade is set to start at 1pm and end around 4pm. From the parade route, it appears that Elm Street will be closed from College to Orange, and Temple will be closed from Grove to Crown. Here's my best guess (parade route in green, street closings in red):

The police said they'll start opening up streets even while the parade is still going, so some streets will already be re-opened by 4pm (hopefully).

Anyway, plan accordingly. Come a bit early (come downtown and watch the parade!) and we'll see you at 4.

Sacred Text Reading Thursday (3/17) @ 7:30pm

2011-03-13T10:12:00.000-04:00

Sacred Text Reading
Thursday, 3/17, 7:30pm
@ 810 Elm St (home of John & Jen Hartley)

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, the first few of which have been great successes. This month we will be digging deeper into the topic of forgiveness.

The basic structure will involve a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation in mixed small groups.

It seems to me that in looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start is in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Thursday evening. We will be meeting at the Hartleys' place at 810 Elm St. I look forward to seeing you there.

matt

Lent @ ECV Starts THIS SUNDAY (3/13)

2011-03-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

As I announced last week, this coming Sunday, 3/13, we'll be kicking off the season of Lent here at ECV.

Over the past couple years, many of us have found that this season has been a really valuable time of (re)connecting with a God who is real and at work in our lives—lots of answered prayers and transformative encounters with God in scripture.

This year, we'll again be taking some specific steps to invest in life with God: daily Bible readings from the life of Moses, some specific prayer challenges, and a teaching series on Spiritual Practices.

I'm especially excited about what God will do through our consideration of spiritual practices. Each teaching will have specific challenges—specific "experiments" we can engage regardless of where we are on our faith journey. So, if you're someone who is still trying to figure out who God is or whether God is or whatnot, this will be a great season to come and experiment with us. Or if you know someone who's in that boat, this would be a great time to invite them.

Remember, it all kicks off this Sunday, 3/13.

Let's dig in.

Teaching on Prophetic Prayer (3/9)

2011-02-28T09:01:00.006-05:00

Teaching on Prophetic Prayer

7pm Wednesday (3/9)

801 Edgewood Ave. (additional parking at Edgewood Magnet School, 737 Edgewood Ave.)

Please RSVP to josh@elmcityvineyard.org

One of the most enjoyable things about life with a living God who loves us is the fact that God speaks to us. God speaks to us about our own lives, but He also uses us to speak into the lives of others on His behalf. If you have heard some of the testimonies we share at ECV on Sunday or in homegroups, then you know people hearing God's voice has completely changed situations for the better. Because of this, we have felt God call our community to grow in praying prophetically. Then, we can offer words from God's heart as a blessing to ECV, to our friends and co-workers, and to the streets of our city.

We have a special opportunity to practice coming up next week. Another church in the city, The Haven Church, invited us to a teaching on prophecy led by Kevin Butterfield, a lead pastor of a Vineyard Church over in Melbourne, Australia. Whether you've gone to ECV prayer training events or are new to prayer, you're welcome to join us at 801 Edgewood Ave. on March 9th at 7pm to experience more of what God has for us in prayer.

Please RSVP to josh@elmcityvineyard.org

Vineyard Women's Retreat

2011-02-26T00:01:00.003-05:00

To all the ladies...

You might be interested in an opportunity that's going to be taking place this coming week, from March 4-5, in Ocean City, MD. The event is a Vineyard women's conference entitled "Our Unlikely Stories: Blessing the Variety of our Gifts, Callings, and Cultures." It's super-last minute, but if you would like to go, the registration deadline is February 28th, and the cost is $35.

There is more information at the link below, and you can register online.

http://vineyardwomeneast.snappages.com/home.htm

Feel free to suggest this retreat to any ladies who live in that area, or to anyone who might want to go.

ECV @ Agape 2/27

2011-02-25T10:43:00.004-05:00

Join ECVers @ Agape Church for the Homeless

THIS Sunday, 2/27

8am @ Trinity Lutheran (Orange & Wall)

Join fellow ECVers this Sunday in what God is doing at Agape Church for the Homeless. This community is becoming a blend of the jobless and homeless and those who are curious to what God has for those on the margins. We're discovering God's heart for placing the lonely into families and we realize that's a promise for all people, not just a few.

At Agape, we come together to worship and discuss a God who desires to heal our wounds and addictions. We also see that God likes us even when we don't like ourselves. We have been going through the book of Mark, and it has been fun to react to Jesus' sayings and actions in our conversational teachings. Even though anyone is welcome to join us every week at 8, we want to provide a monthly opportunity for ECVers to see what God is doing at Agape. This Sunday come and be a part of this ongoing partnership and see what God has for you.

Additionally, if there's any way you seek to contribute to this partnership by way of ideas, resources or questions, then please let me know at josh@elmcityvineyard.org.

Elm City Gospel Choir

2011-02-20T11:50:00.005-05:00

After a brief winter hiatus, The ECVGC (elm city vineyard gospel choir) is back in action.

If you love to sing, even if you've never sung before, or if you would like to learn to love to sing & to do so in harmony, please consider coming to the gospel choir practice that is happening

This Saturday (2/26) at

7:30pm at

532 Norton Parkway.

We've rehearsed twice before, but you are more than welcome to come even if this is your first time. Feel free to bring your kids, your friends, anyone else you know who might enjoy learning some music--it's a non-intimidating space to celebrate God through song.

Homeless Ministry Opportunity: Abraham's Tent

2011-02-18T19:05:00.000-05:00

Abraham's Tent

Volunteer to eat with and hang out with the homeless!

March 21 - 28th

@ United Church on the Green

Organizational Potluck: Sunday 2/27 at 6:30pm
MANDATORY On-site Training: Wednesday 3/16, 7pm
Sign-up to Volunteer to eat with homeless, host evening activities, or stay overnight: various dates, 3/21 - 3/28. (Sign-up online or email Hannah.)

At ECV, we know that God hasn't just called us to build a great church, but in fact to help build a great city for all people. In pursuing that vision, I'm really excited to invite you to be a part of Abraham's Tent.

Abraham's Tent is an initiative by a group of congregations in the New Haven Area to provide housing to the homeless in the cold winter months. The Columbus House shelter does not have room for all the homeless men who need housing during the winter. Each congregation that is part of Abraham's Tent commits to housing and feeding 10 men for one week. We will be partnering with United Church on the Green, Shalom UCC, Metropolitan Community Church, and the Yale Divinity School to host a group of 10 men at United during the week of March 21-28.

1. Volunteers from these congregations and beyond will gather for a get-to-know-you organizational potluck supper after our Sunday gathering on February 27 at United. If you've signed up already or are thinking about volunteering, bring a simple dish to share and come get more information and meet the neighbors with whom we'll be partnering.

2. There is also a mandatory on-site training with Columbus House staff on Wednesday, March 16 at 7pm at United.

3. Volunteer Opportunities:

Eat dinner with those who are staying at the church,
Organize evening activities: Game night @ Abraham's Tent?! This would be a great outreach event that homegroups can do together!
Stay overnight at the church: At least one man should be present, but both men & women are invited to stay overnight.
In particular, ECV has already signed up to eat dinner and host activities on the evening of Sunday, March 27th. Contact Hannah if you're interested in volunteering that night.

If you are interested in another slot - Sign up on the online sign-up sheet (click here for link), OR Contact Hannah if you're interested in coordinating with other ECVers for a particular night.

ECV Community Dinners

2011-02-13T12:44:00.004-05:00

As was announced in service last Sunday, we are going to be starting up ECV Community Dinners in the coming weeks! These dinners are designed to be an opportunity for people who haven't yet had a real opportunity to get to know each other to spend some time doing just that. And we've found that one of the best ways to facilitate conversation and relationship is through food.

We've created two online forms, one for Hosting and the other for Being Hosted.

The idea is that some people can sign up to host (and you can limit how many people you're comfortable having over), providing a meal for some folks within the community as an opportunity to get to know them. You can work out the details with the people you are matched with (the staff will go through the submissions and try to put people together who don't know each other, based on mutual availability) of who will bring what, what time and day you'll share a meal together, etc.

Others can sign up to be hosted, and can put down important information about allergies, access to cars, availability, etc.

You should know that it's also totally ok to sign up for both! We sincerely hope that this will increase the sense of community within ECV, and provide everyone the chance to get to know someone that they might not have even met before. As we try to get this first set of community dinners set up, please try to submit the online form by February 23rd!

Couples' Workshop 2/19 - Register Now!

2011-02-10T12:22:00.000-05:00

Deepening Communication: Loving and Fighting Well
Saturday, 2/19
9am to noon (lunch to follow)
47 Dyer St
Childcare provided
Register online (it's free)

Communication is perhaps the core challenge for any couple trying to make a relationship work. How do you know if what you mean is what your partner hears? Communication in the best of situations can be difficult—in conflict… well, that usually doesn't go so well.

The members of the Pastoral Care Team invite you to come to a couples' workshop, Saturday, 2/19 from 9am to noon at 47 Dyer St. (There will be a children's program as well.) The workshop is free, but it'll help us plan if you register online.

Sacred Text Reading TONIGHT (2/9) @ 7:30pm

2011-02-08T14:57:00.003-05:00

Sacred Text Reading
Wednesday, 2/9, 7:30pm
@ 810 Elm St (home of John & Jen Hartley)
[NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION]

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, the first two of which have been great successes. This month we will be digging into the topic of forgiveness.

The basic structure will involve a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation in mixed small groups.

It seems to me that in looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start is in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Wednesday evening. We will be meeting at the Hartleys' place at 810 Elm St. I look forward to seeing you there.

matt

Parking & ECV Today

2011-01-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

As you may have heard, there's a parking ban on the streets downtown today, so, if you can, plan on parking at the Yale lot on Temple St (just north of Elm) or, of course, at United Church (though that lot will fill up).

See you soon!

ECV Sprouts Pizza Party (for kids)!

2011-01-27T11:02:00.002-05:00

Dear ECV Parents,

Since January is a 5-week month, the January ECV Sprouts Teachers thought it might be fun to reward hard work from such fantastic kids with a bit of a party this Sunday. We're planning to make party hats, play games, make our own individual pizzas, and serve fruit popsicles. Please let us know (Email Heidi) if there are any food allergies we should be aware of beforehand and any restrictions on sugar in the evening. We also plan to roll our own dough, so if you have a rolling pin, please bring one!

Hope you are all enjoying your snow day!

Best,
Mia, Asha, and Heidi (ECV Sprouts January Teachers)

Encounter Night

2011-01-25T15:43:00.003-05:00

Saturday, 01/29/11

United Church on the Green

8:00pm

Every Sunday at the Elm City Vineyard, we take time to connect with God through song and through prayer. Gathering together for worship has led to some pretty powerful moments, and week after week has created space for God to speak to us as individuals and as a community.

This Saturday night, we want to set apart some time to press into worship together. We'll be meeting in the sanctuary of United Church, where we have our Sunday gathering; there will be an extended, more free-flowing time of music, combined with personal and group prayer ministry. This will hopefully be one of many regular 'Encounter Nights', open to anyone who wants to experience more of God and of His love. No matter where you are in your walk with God, there is always so much more that He wants to show us and tell us, so we invite you to come and pursue God together with us this weekend.

Songwriters Circle

2011-01-21T02:22:00.000-05:00

This Sunday, 1/23/11

7:00PM

532 Norton Parkway

If you are in any way a worship leader or a songwriter, whether you have written a couple of lines or recorded an album, you are invited to come join together with other songwriters and potential songwriters after service this Sunday to share musical ideas and create songs for worship. At 7, we'll be gathering at 532 Norton (there will be guitar(s) and piano(s) available) as a songwriters circle, which will hopefully be a non-intimidating space to develop music that we could use for communal worship at ECV and elsewhere. Bring a song you have been working on and would be willing to share-- it doesn't matter how complete or incomplete it is, we can work on it. There may be cookies. :)

Couples' Workshop Rescheduled for 2/19

2011-01-18T16:35:00.000-05:00

Deepening Communication: Loving and Fighting Well
Saturday, 2/19 (NEW DATE!)
9am to noon (lunch to follow)
47 Dyer St
Register online (it's free)

Communication is perhaps the core challenge for any couple trying to make a relationship work. How do you know if what you mean is what your partner hears? Communication in the best of situations can be difficult—in conflict… well, that usually doesn't go so well.

The members of the Pastoral Care Team invite you to come to a couples' workshop, Saturday, 2/19 (note the new date) from 9am to noon at 47 Dyer St. The workshop is free, but it'll help us plan if you register online.

Ephesians: God Invites Us In

2011-01-10T14:38:00.000-05:00

In my talk yesterday, I introduced a new teaching series that will be happening on Sundays for the next eight weeks, going through the biblical book of Ephesians.

The plan is to read through the entire book individually and together on Sundays. If you were at ECV on Sunday, you got an Ephesians Study Guide with the full text divided by week and some space for some notes as you study. If you weren't there, you can access and download the study guide online. Download it, print it out, mark it up; get your hands into the text.

In addition to the study guide, over at the ECV Bible Guide, we'll have a daily portion of the week's chapter with some specific questions to think about, suggestions for prayer—things to take directly to God. Today's bible guide is below, so you can get a sense of what that's about. Know also that you can sign up to have that guide sent to your inbox every day; just head over to ecvbible.blogspot.com and enter your email address in the spot in the sidebar on the right.

My hope is that, as we each read individually, it'll really inform our time together on Sundays—I want to experiment a bit with a more interactive format for at least a little bit of our time on Sundays, so that we learn from one another. My assumption is that God will be speaking to each of us as we encounter Him in Ephesians.

So, let's dig in, ask the tough questions, listen carefully for God's voice, and be changed in God's presence.

---
Bible Guide for Ephesians 1:1-6

¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. ⁵ He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Questions to Consider

Who is the primary actor in this passage? (Who is the subject of most of the verbs?)
Three times (vv. 1, 3, 4), the author uses the phrase “in Christ” (this phrase is used some 20 times in Ephesians, including 7 times in this chapter). What does this mean? How ought we imagine this? (spatially? figuratively (if so, how)? some other way?)
Where in your life do you see the spiritual blessings God has given you?
What does it mean to you that God chose you before the foundation of the world?
What would it look like to “be holy and blameless” before God? (“Holy” means “set apart.”) How is that different from what your life looks like now?

Possibilities for Prayer

“Chosenness” is a tricky idea for a lot of people. Often we can wonder whether we are “chosen” at the expense of someone else not being chosen. Just sticking within the text in front of us, Ephesians doesn’t seem to worry much about folks that aren’t chosen. For Ephesians, this much is clear: “we” were chosen. God thought of us—thought of you—before the world was founded, and has offered you every spiritual blessing in heaven. Have you accepted these gifts? Have you accepted your adoption as a child of God? Why not pause and ask God what it might look like for you to walk into those blessings and into that adoption?

Does your life reflect an abundance of spiritual blessing and a regular awareness of your adoption as a child of God? I wonder if we would experience more of those good things if we lived into the holy, blameless life that God desires for us. How could your life be more plainly “set apart” for God, dedicated to His purposes? Pray for the conviction of God’s Spirit to show you where you can walk in greater obedience to God’s will.

Testimony Sunday (1/2)

2011-01-02T07:52:00.000-05:00

After a week huddled inside from the snow, we'll begin our 2011 worship life together with a "testimony Sunday," just a chance to reflect on what God did last year, what we're still waiting for, and what we hope to see this coming year. We'll share, worship, pray, receive communion. It'll be casual and, I hope, a great way to center ourselves for the new year.

See you at 4 at Elm & Temple.

Sunday Worship Gathering CANCELED (12/26)

2010-12-26T12:29:00.001-05:00

Due to the coming snow storm, we're going to cancel our regularly scheduled Sunday worship gathering today. Stay home, stay warm and we'll see you next week, which will be an opportunity to share together what God did this year and what we're hoping to see God do in the new year.

See you in 2011…

Reminder: Christmas Eve Service

2010-12-22T14:13:00.000-05:00

Date: Friday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)
Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm
Place: Dwight Hall Chapel (67 High Street - between Elm & Chapel Streets)

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel..."

Please join us for our ECV Christmas Eve gathering in Dwight Hall's Chapel (right on Yale's Old Campus)! There will be singing, reading, and reflecting on the mystery of the incarnation of Jesus.

Childcare will be provided.

Hope to see you there!

In case you need them - Directions to Dwight Hall at Yale:
Dwight Hall is located on the Yale University Old Campus, which may be entered via Phelps Gate, on College Street between Elm and Chapel Streets. Dwight Hall is directly across the courtyard from Phelps Gate and our offices are in the wing of the building that features an accessible wheelchair ramp entrance.

If you need a detailed map Yale Campus, click here and search for "Dwight Hall."

Join us as we celebrate Christ's birth on this earth.

P.S. For those in town Sunday, December 26th, we'll have a special family service together in the basement at United for our regular Sunday Gathering at 4pm.

Elm City Artist Circle

2010-12-17T11:48:00.002-05:00

The Last Artist Circle Meeting of the Year

This Friday (December 17) at 7:00 pm at 546 Chapel St.

The Elm City Artist Circle is a place of gathering for any and everyone who creates (or desires to create) art. Any kind of art--visual, written, graphic, musical, anywhere in between--at any level.

If you fall into that category, and will be around on the evening of the 17th, you are invited to join for the last meeting of 2010. Bring a piece of art that you have created, and be willing to share--we'll be swapping pieces and creating based on what we've chosen. (It may sound intimidating, but it doesn't have to be.)

If you have nothing you want to share, still come! You can create while you're there. No pressure to be 'phenomenal'-- we're all learning and growing here. Feel free to bring your artistically inclined friends along with you.

Hope to see you there.

Christian-Muslim Sacred Text Reading THIS Thursday (12/16)

2010-12-14T16:20:00.000-05:00

Sacred Text Reading
THIS Thursday, 12/16, 7:30pm
@ Neighborhood Housing Services (Main Conference Room)
333 Sherman Ave.

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, the first of which was a great success back in November. This month we will again be digging in to the topic of repentance, with a bit more of a lean towards forgiveness.

The basic structure will involve a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV, with the majority of time reserved for conversation in mixed small groups.

It seems to me that in looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start is in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Thursday evening. We will be meeting at Neighborhood Housing Services at 333 Sherman Ave. We will meet in the conference room, which is accessible through the main visitor’s entrance. I look forward to seeing you there.

matt

ECV @ Agape 12/12

2010-12-09T15:26:00.000-05:00

Join ECVers @ Agape Church for the Homeless

THIS Sunday, 12/12

8am @ Trinity Lutheran (Orange & Wall)

Have you heard the buzz? I kept hearing ECVers talking about all the great stuff God's doing at Agape Church for the Homeless, the church led by ECVers like Josh Williams, Tina Colón, Juliet Buesing, Gideon Mausner, Eoin Burke, and Alan Wesson, along with Agape Church founder Jackie Yu. If you came to Gideon's baptism last year, you heard that Agape was a significant space in which he first encountered God.

I kept hearing all these great things… so, last Sunday, I finally went to see for myself. And what I found was an amazing space in which God was honored, community was built between people from very different walks of life, and the Spirit was at work. This was no "service project"; this was the Body of Christ, including the "least of these, [Jesus'] brothers and sisters." Tina led a discussion of Mark 5 and there was wisdom in that room and real wrestling with who Jesus is and what it means to have faith in Him. But perhaps most impacting were the stories of God's faithfulness in difficult, even impossible circumstances. And, like we do at ECV, we ended with a time praying for folks who responded to what it seemed God was doing in the room.

We've spent a lot of time this semester reflecting on what it looks like to follow Jesus in the city. What I experienced Sunday was an exhilarating step in that direction…

So, look, every week you have an opportunity to join the folks at Agape in friendship, in pursuit of Jesus. But I know sometimes it takes special encouragement to do even what you're already convinced will be a good thing… to say nothing of doing it at 8am on a Sunday. So, once a month, we're going to extend a special invitation to check out what God's doing at Agape with other ECVers.

This Sunday, 12/12, is this month's ECV @ Agape week. Come, connect with other ECVers and with what God's doing at Agape.

ECV-New Haven Worship Night

2010-12-09T02:16:00.002-05:00

Recently, some of us at ECV have been talking about the need for a space for worship outside of Sunday gathering, where people can interact with God in a more free, less structured way. The worship team will be starting up a series of regular 'Encounter Nights', which are basically designated times of worship to free us up to engage with who God is and what He is saying.

The first of these worship nights will be happening this Saturday, December 11, at Trinity Baptist Church (630 State St.) from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. We'll be worshipping together with a diverse group of churches from around New Haven as part of a 24-hour worship and prayer event for the city that the Burn Project (another ministry in New Haven, you can find out more on www.theburnproject.com). There will be worship happening from Friday (12/10) at 7:30pm until Saturday (12/11) at 7:30pm. Feel free to stop by at any point during those hours, but ECV will be leading a main set from 3:30-5:30pm, with a smaller set from 1:30-3:30.

Come and worship, pray, reflect, and spend time with God as a community. If you can't make it out, please pray for the event, that it could be a place of unity and vision for us and for the city.

Christmas Eve Service

2010-12-08T17:24:00.000-05:00

Elm City Vineyard Gospel Choir

2010-12-01T14:32:00.005-05:00

Gospel Choir Practice

Saturday, December 4

7:30 pm

532 Norton Pkwy

This Saturday, there will be a gathering (the second of many) to learn and sing gospel songs in three-part (or four-part) harmony. You don't have to be a diva to join-- the group is laid-back, with an emphasis on celebrating and creating music with people of all levels of experience. If you love to sing, whether you perform all the time or whether you only sing by yourself in the car, you are welcome to come. Bring your friends, your kids, and songs you'd like to the choir to learn. We'll do some warm-ups, listen to a couple of songs, learn parts and sing them together. Cookies may be provided :)

If you're planning on coming, send a quick email to tina@elmcityvineyard.org so we can get a sense of how many people to expect. See you there!

Parents' Forum

2010-11-24T17:59:00.002-05:00

UPDATE: Len & Hallie will not be able to join us due to a medical emergency. We will still be gathering and anticipate having a challenging conversation…

ECV Parents' Forum

Saturday, 12/4, 9:30am-Noon

47 Dyer St

(children's program @ 389 Norton Pkwy)

Each Sunday we pause and thank God for the blessing that our kids are to our community. Indeed, kids are sources of tremendous blessing—and also tremendous challenge—in the life of parents. We want to be a community in which parents and kids are growing in following Jesus. But how?

Next Saturday (12/4), we're excited to have ~~Len and Hallie Cowan facilitating~~ a time of learning and conversation for parents pursuing Christ-likeness for themselves and their kids.

So, come and join us 12/4 at Hannah and my place (47 Dyer St), 9:30-noon. The kids will have a great time of their own just down the street at 389 Norton Pkwy (Titus & Julianne's place). Please RSVP so we can plan an awesome children's program.

Thanksgiving Food Donations!

2010-11-11T06:54:00.006-05:00

Food Donations for Children's Community Programs of CT on Sundays (11/14 & 11/21)!

As we announced last Sunday, we will be collecting non-perishable food items (& meats) for the Children's Community Programs of CT to create Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need in New Haven!

Donations we will be collecting include: canned goods, boxes of stuffing, mixes and other things that will not spoil.

We will also be collecting TURKEYS (or chickens, or ham!) Donations of these meats are great, because the number of turkeys donated is really the limiting factor for how many families can be served.

We will have a box at the church during the next two Sunday Gatherings (11/14 & 11/21), so please remember to bring your donations then to help families in need in New Haven!

If you can't bring your donations on those Sundays, please feel free to contact Jillian to arrange a time to drop of your donation to her.

In addition: I'm sure many of you had received an email (through our ECV Community List) about food donations & volunteer help for IRIS for their Thanksgiving Celebration for Refugees on 11/20, so if you have any questions about that, please contact Margaret at volunteer@irisct.org

These opportunities are a great and easy way to help our neighbors in New Haven during this Thanksgiving season!

The First Ever ECV Gospel Choir

2010-11-11T01:39:00.003-05:00

This Thursday (11/11/10) at 7:30, we're going to be having an 'interest meeting' for an ECV gospel choir at 532 Norton Parkway. We'll talk a bit about what a choir could and should look like, and spend a little bit of time singing.

Extraordinary vocal ability is not a requirement. Whether you sing all the time on the worship team or whether you've never sung in a group before, all are welcome to come and participate. I would love to see you there!

Christian-Muslim Sacred Text Reading THIS Wednesday

2010-11-08T17:07:00.000-05:00

Sacred Text Reading
THIS Wednesday, 11/10, 7:30pm
@ Pathways for Mutual Respect
315 Whitney Avenue

In a talk I gave a few weeks ago in our series on Following Jesus in the City, I talked about the sense I've had (along with others) that God is challenging us to take intentional steps to love and bless the Muslim community right here in New Haven.

Our friends at Pathways for Mutual Respect have invited members of ECV and Masjid Al-Islam to engage in a series of sacred text readings, the first of which will be this Wednesday, 11/10 @ 7:30pm @ the Pathways office, 315 Whitney Ave. Having met this past week with the Pathways folks and my co-facilitator, Ashir, from Masjid Al-Islam, I'm really excited about these readings—especially on this week's topic: repentance.

The basic structure will involve a reading from the Qur'an with some explanation from a leader at Masjid Al-Islam, a reading from the New Testament with some explanation from a leader from ECV (this week, I'll serve in this role), with the majority of time reserved for conversation in mixed small groups.

It seems to me that in looking to love and bless the Muslim community here in New Haven, a good place to start is in establishing understanding and conversation in dialogue with the texts in which we encounter God.

So, let me encourage you to come and join the conversation Wednesday evening. I look forward to seeing you there.

matt

Following Jesus in the City: Agape Church for the Homeless

2010-11-05T15:12:00.003-04:00

Agape Church for the Homeless
Trinity Lutheran Church (292 St. Corner of Orange and Wall)
Sunday 8am

A group of us at ECV serve at Agape Church for the Homeless at 8am on Sunday mornings. It's a space for prayer, worship, teaching, conversation, food and resources. Everyone's story is different. Some have lost their homes in the financial crisis, others are addicted, some have been through gang violence and survived. We bring our own stories even as we share in the mourning and joy of others. We worship together and then have a time of conversational teaching about who God is: A loving Doctor? A tyrannical boss? Someone with power? Someone who can intervene and change our situation? After that, we pray and talk over a meal.

We've seen God change others. We've seen God change us. God has given people homes and jobs, hope and power for struggles with addiction, bigger hearts for loving enemies, more desire to see their friends experience God. God has given us a community.

So, this Sunday come to experience this community ECV has blessed and been blessed by. It will be a regular Agape service simply with a broader invitation and expectation that more folks from ECV will come. Hope to see you there.

If you have any questions, please contact Josh.

A Cause to Die For | A Young Adults Conference

2010-11-03T22:54:00.000-04:00

A Cause to Die For
Worcester, MA
November 12-13
Cost: $25

We are all giving our lives to something, whether we realize it or not—which cause are you serving with your life?

Next weekend (11/12-13), Jay Pathak will be speaking at a Vineyard conference for young adults (defined as ages 17-30) in Worcester, MA. Having just recently spent a week hanging out with Jay, I can say without hesitation that it'd be worth making plans to go up and hear him speak. Jay and his wife planted a Vineyard church out in Denver, and have learned a ton in the process about what it means to follow Jesus in the city. Basically, Jay just loves people and believes God does, too. And his passion is to help folks learn how to become people who love people—and by extension, neighborhoods and whole cities—well.

So, basically, here's the deal: If you're under 30, if it all possible, make plans to get up to Worcester next weekend. It will be well worth the trip.

More from the conference website:

Jesus said that to save our lives, we must lose it. God is looking for people who are willing to lose their lives, to lay them down, for the sake of Jesus. You are invited to 2 days of intense soul searching and seeking of God’s will for our lives. We will be asking God to challenge us and move us out of our comfort zones. There will be worship, prayer, prophecy, and ministry as we share together in God’s stories of faithfulness and power in our lives. Come take a second look at God’s purpose and destiny for your life.

Finances Forum

2010-11-01T19:36:00.000-04:00

As we announced a couple Sundays ago, we'll be gathering for a conversation about ECV finances tomorrow night (11/2) @ 5:30 pm @ Hannah and my place (47 Dyer St). We're doing this for a couple reasons.

First of all, we want to have a culture of transparency and openness about our finances as a community and forums like the one we'll have tomorrow help us develop that culture of openness.

Second, as we're in the process of seeking God about what He has for us next as a church, we want to gather together to talk about the financial piece of the puzzle, about where we've been and what God might be calling us to down the road.

So, come one, come all. Let's eat some pizza and talk finances and the future. God's calling us forward; let's step out in courage and in faith.

Following Jesus in the City: Healing on the Green

2010-10-29T17:20:00.003-04:00

Healing on the Green
2:30pm THIS Sunday
Steps of United Church on the Green (corner of Temple and Elm)

As a church, we have recently finished our 'Following Jesus in the City' sermon series. We hope it has encouraged you to see New Haven as a place where Jesus is alive and at work. Though the series is over, we still want to continue loving our city through concrete opportunities open to the whole church. The latest opportunity we have is THIS SUNDAY right in front of our church at 2:30pm. We will be walking around the New Haven Green offering to pray for physical healing or other needs people might have. Whether this is something you already practice or something you feel Jesus calling you into recently, we encourage everyone to come out and pray for our city. There will be a brief training at 2:30pm on the steps and then we'll start walking to the Green so be on time!

If you have any questions, please contact Josh.

ECV Potluck - THIS Sunday (10/31)!

2010-10-27T09:30:00.003-04:00

ECV Potluck

Sunday, 10/31

6:00pm

Bradley Room (Downstairs, after Sunday Gathering)

This Sunday, ECV will be having a Potluck Dinner right after the Sunday Gathering! This will be a great time to gather together as a community, kick back, and get to know one another better. Also, this is a fabulous opportunity to invite friends to join us!

In addition, since the potluck happens to fall on Halloween, we will also be having a few fun activities for the kids - It'll be fun for all ages! Costumes welcome!

So, what should we bring to this potluck? See below:

1. If your Last Name starts with the letters A - R: Bring a Main Dish (for 8 - 10 people)

(ex. Casseroles, Soups, Lasagna, Stir Fry, etc. - Vegetarian Dishes would be great as well!)

2. Last Name starts with S - Z: Bring a Dessert (for 8 - 10 people)

3. No Car/No Kitchen?: Bring a Drink, Bread or Chips

If you have any questions (or if you are interested in helping with the kids' activities), please contact Hannah.

Can't wait to share dinner with you all!

Following Jesus in the City: Prayer for Peace in Dwight Neighborhood

2010-10-25T13:10:00.005-04:00

Prayer for Peace in Dwight Neighborhood
TONIGHT Monday (10/25)
6:00pm
Garden Street Playground

As we've been talking about on Sundays, one of our core values as a church is seeking the peace of our city. So, in response to yet another tragic youth shooting in New Haven, let's join Lenny & Brittney Hernandez from the Burn Project to worship, pray and show support for the Dwight/Kensington neighborhood (where the shooting took place, and where we volunteered with their King's Keep ministry a couple weeks back).

If you have any questions about the gathering this evening, please contact Josh.

Following Jesus in the City: "Fair Haven Prayer in the Streets"

2010-10-19T13:40:00.006-04:00

Fair Haven "Prayer in the Streets"
THIS Saturday (10/23)
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Columbus School Family Academy (255 Blatchley Ave.)

In this season, while we're talking on Sundays about what it means to follow Jesus in the City, we thought it would be important to take some concrete steps out of our comfort zones into some of the things God is up to here in New Haven.

This Saturday, we will be joining Lenny & Brittney Hernandez from the Burn Project to worship, pray for the Fair Haven neighborhood and pray with residents in Fair Haven!

We will be meeting in front of the Columbus School Family Academy (corner of Grand & Blatchley Aves. - There is parking behind the school at the Police Substation) and walking to a nearby bus stop, where we will be worshiping and praying for the Fair Haven neighborhood as well as for people who would like prayer at the bus stop. This will be a great opportunity to experience Fair Haven and join with another local ministry in praying for our city!

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Hannah.

Baptism THIS Saturday (10/16) at Lighthouse Point

2010-10-11T14:23:00.009-04:00

Baptism of Alyssa Stovall and Sandra Giramahoro
THIS Saturday (10/16), 3:00 - 4:30pm
@Lighthouse Point Pavilion

Need a ride? Could you give rides? Let us know and we'll make sure everyone can be there!

Come celebrate! We are very excited to be baptizing Alyssa and Sandra on Saturday and we would love to have you come support them as they take this important next step in following Jesus and into our community! (If you're interested in getting baptized, there is still time to jump in; email Matt to find out more…)

Immediately following, there will be a reception with light refreshments and you are welcome to stick around and play on the beach!

Here are the details again:
THIS Saturday (10/16), 3:00 - 4:30pm
@Lighthouse Point Pavilion

Directions:
I-95 North to exit 50, Woodward Avenue
At second stoplight, turn right on Townsend Avenue
Turn right on Lighthouse Road

Need a ride? Could you give rides? Let us know and we'll make sure everyone can be there!

Prayer Ministry Training TOMORROW (10/10) after church

2010-10-09T17:34:00.000-04:00

Want to learn to…

hear from God?
pray for healing?
pray for folks on Sundays?

Come to the prayer ministry training tomorrow (Sunday, 10/10) after church (~6pm). Yummy dinner will be provided (plus childcare).

We'll talk about how to be a part of what God is doing in people's lives in our city: bringing freedom, healing, comfort, and encouragement. We'll talk about hearing God's voice, praying with authority and with power, loving and honoring people well in prayer ministry contexts, and how to take it all with you into "real life": praying for the city, on the streets, in our places of work and neighborhoods.

So, come one, come all. Stick around after service, eat some yummy food, and take a next step forward in learning to follow Jesus in prayer. Know folks interested in seeing God work? Invite them to come join us as well.

God is at work in our world and does that work through people like you and me. Let's dig in.

"Following Jesus in the City" Service Opportunity: King's Keep

2010-10-05T16:45:00.008-04:00

King's Keep THIS Saturday (10/9)
12:30pm - 2:00pm
79 Kensington Street (backyard)

In this season, while we're talking on Sundays about what it means to follow Jesus in the City, we thought it would be important to take some concrete steps out of our comfort zones into some of the things God is up to here in New Haven.

This Saturday, we will be assisting the volunteers at King's Keep - a ministry to children and families in New Haven, particularly in the Dwight and Fair Haven neighborhoods. We will be gathering on Kensington Street, in the Dwight neighborhood and we will be playing games with the children, leading them in Worship, and praying for the parents who come with the kids.

It looks like it is going to be a sunny, lovely fall day on Saturday, so join us as we serve and bless the families in the Dwight neighborhood!

If you are particularly interested in either setting up, planning the games or helping out with worship, please contact Hannah or Josh.

ECV Baptism: Rescheduled to 10/16

2010-10-01T00:00:00.006-04:00

Due to some unforeseen conflicts, we've rescheduled the previously mentioned ECV Baptism from October 9th to October 16th. So mark your calendars! And fear not--this change in date only means that you have an extra week to get in on the baptism! As always, if you're interested in finding out more about getting baptized, Matt would love to chat with you about that.

So, in sum:

ECV Baptism
October 16th, 2010| 3pm
Lighthouse Point, Harbor Pavilion

Contact Matt for more information about getting baptized.

Hope to see you there!

Entry through the Side Door...

2010-09-26T11:42:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to send out a general "heads up" that the stairs at the front of United Church will not be accessible today, which means we'll need to enter the building through the side door. As far as I know, parking in the lot is a-okay, but we'll not be able to use the front door.

See you in a few hours and enjoy the autumn-like weather we're having!

ECV 101 (THIS Sunday, 9/26)

2010-09-24T15:34:00.003-04:00

Join us for a fun and informative evening as we eat together and talk about what the Elm City Vineyard Church is all about.

What is a "Vineyard?"

What is ECV all about?

How can I get involved and connect with this community?

How can I serve this community?

To get answers to these and other questions, please join us THIS Sunday (9/26) following Worship Gathering in:

The Bradley Room
(In the basement of United Church)

There's sure to be a delicious dinner (!), worthwhile conversations, and a general good time to be had by all.