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Bishop Ian T. Douglas,
Bishop Diocesan - The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry, Bishop Suffragan
- The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan
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The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens was elected at a special electing convention in 2007 as bishop suffragan and consecrated on June 30, 2007 at Yale's Woolsey Hall in New Haven. She is particularly interested in new initiatives emerging from local communities and helping communities to build new, creative partnerships for mission and for support. See biography below for more info about Bishop Ahrens.
Contact info: The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, lahrens@ctdiocese.org.
Phone: 860-233-4481 or 800-842-0126 in CT, ext. 109.
Appointments, schedule, etc: Contact Julie Burnep, Administrator for the Bishops' Office, at 860-233-4481 ext. 112 (or in CT 800-842-0126, ext. 112), or jburnep@ctdiocese.org. Julie provides administrative support for all the bishops including Bishop Ahrens.
Biography
Laura Ahrens received a B.A. in geology and geophysics from Princeton University in 1984; a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Yale Divinity School/Berkeley Divinity School in 1991; and a Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) from Hartford Seminary in 2000 (the theme of her doctoral work was “Engaging a Generation, Adult Education for Baby Boomers”). She was ordained as a priest in 1992.
Laura served as curate at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Osterville, MA (1991-1993); served as associate rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord, MA (1993-1995); and served as associate rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, CT (1995-2000). Before her election and consecration as bishops she also served on the Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council, Standing Committee, Stewardship Committee, Program and Budget Committee, and as secretary of Diocesan Convention.
From 2000 to 2007, Laura served as rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Danbury, CT. She worked with the city of Danbury in creating the Overflow Homeless Shelter, began a relationship in her parish with Habitat for Humanity, and strengthened her parish’s relationship with Covenant to Care. She is an associate of SSJE (Society of St. John the Evangelist).
In October 2008 Bishop Ahrens received an honorary doctorate from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, during the Annual Convocation. Text of citation here.
Areas of Ministry: Deacons, marriage judgements (see marriage page), ecumenical, college ministries, anti-racism, aging, urban ministry, ministry in higher education, and chaplaincies.
Committees & Organizations:
Aging & Life Planning
Anti-Racism Task Force
Young Adult Network
Commission on Ministry, Committee for the Diaconate
Deacons' Council
Mission Development Fund
Prison Ministry Network
Retired Clergy Association
Social Concerns & Witness
Higher Education
Healthcare/Hospital chaplains
Shared Ministries: Visitations, confirmations, ordinations, celebrations of new ministry, pastoral care and parish consultations
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