Bishops United Against Gun Violence Bishops United Against Gun Violence Both of our bishops, the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas and the Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens (as well as our retired Bishop Jim Curry) are members of Bishops United Against Gun Violence, an ad hoc group of almost 60 Episcopal bishops that was organized in 2013 following the mass shootings at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. (Retired Bishop Jim Curry is also a member.) Bishop Douglas, one of three conveners of Bishops United, is a co-author with Bishop William T. Stokes of New Jersey of a new briefing paper that cites overwhelming public support for universal background checks and makes the case for life-saving gun legislation.  In this four-minute video, Bishop Ian T. Douglas gives an overview of the paper's contents.  Bishop Douglas and Bishop Ahrens both urge the lay and ordained leaders in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to read and study the paper, and commend its call to action.  FROM THE BISHOPS' SCHEDULES.    Includes visitations; dinners/luncheons for Bishops and Wardens, Bishops and Laity, Bishops and Confirmands (adults and teens); Confirmations; Clericus meetings; Ordinations; Celebrations of New Ministry; Clergy Retreat; Bishops' Retreat. It does not include all meetings/events at which one or both bishops may attend. Information taken from the online ECCT calendar (at www.episcopalct.org) on 10/29/14. NOVEMBER:  Saturday, November 1, 2014 Confirmations - St. Paul's on the Green, Norwalk, Bishop Ahrens Sunday, November 2, 2014 Visitation - St. Saviour, Old Greenwich - Bishop Douglas Visitation - St. John's, Stamford - Bishop Ahrens Tuesday, November 4 -Thursday November 6 2014 Annual Clergy Retreat at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West  Sunday, November 9, 2014 Visitation - St. Michael's, Litchfield - Bishop Douglas Visitation - Grace Church, Newington - Bishop Ahrens Tuesday, November 11, 2014 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Bishops & Wardens Dinner Thursday, November 13, 2014 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Clericus - Hartford & Central Deaneries 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Clericus - Danbury & Mid-Fairfield Deaneries Sunday, November 16, 2014 Visitation - St. Stephen's, Ridgefield - Bishop Douglas Visitation - St. Francis, Stamford - Bishop Ahrens Tuesday, November 18, 2014 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Bishops & Teen Confirmands Dinner Thursday, November 20, 2014 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Clericus - Bridgeport & Stamford Deaneries Saturday, November 22, 2014 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Clericus - Additional Option 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Adult Confirmands & Bishops Luncheon Sunday, November 23, 2014 Visitation - St. Paul's Fairfield - Bishop Douglas Visitation - St. Mary's, Manchester - Bishop Ahrens Sunday, November 30, 2014 Visitation - St. Timothy's, Fairfield - Bishop Ahrens DECEMBER: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Bishops and Laity Dinner - December 2, 2014 . Thursday, December 4, 2014 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Meriden Community Gathering Saturday, December 6, 2014 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Joint Leadership Meeting Sunday, December 7, 2014 Visitation - Christ Church, East Norwalk - Bishop Ahrens Visitation - Christ & the Epiphany, East Haven - Bishop Douglas Monday, December 8 - Tuesday, December 9, 2014 Province I Bishops retreat Sunday, December 14, 2014 Visitation - St. Andrew's, Madison - Bishop Douglas Visitation - St. John's, Vernon - Bishop Ahrens Tuesday, December 16, 2014 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Clericus - Middlesex & New Haven Deaneries 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Ordination of Patrick Bush to the priesthood - Trinity, Tariffville Sunday, December 21, 2014 Visitation - Trinity, Lime Rock  - Bishop Douglas Visitation - St. James, Winsted - Bishop Ahrens ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER.    This is the second issue of what I hope will be a monthly newsletter from the Bishops of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and is a response to a request for more communication. It may change a bit over time as it matures. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome. Please talk to either of the bishops and you can also email the editor, Karin Hamilton,khamilton@episcopalct.org.  The next issue is planned for mid-November and will feature Bishop Laura Ahrens in a video, talking about the planned Dec. 12 Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath (of Faiths United). She will also reflect on the upcoming season of Advent.