The Diocese of Connecticut
The basic unit of the Episcopal Church is the diocese, a geographic area. It is headed by a bishop. (The word "Episcopal" comes from the Greek "episcopos" meaning overseer.) The Diocese of Connecticut includes the entire state. There are currently 174 parishes in the diocese, plus several worshipping congregations. Our diocesan bishop is the Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, who is assisted by the Rt. Rev. James E. Curry and the Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, both bishops suffragan.
Based on 2003 data, there are about 68,500 baptized members in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut; 2004 data report a different statistic, average Sunday attendance, and reports 21,314 for Connecticut. The annual business meeting of the diocese is called the Annual Convention, and takes place in late October. The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut is one of 110 domestic and overseas dioceses in the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church USA is one of 38 Episcopal or Anglican churches around the world that comprise the worldwide Anglican Communion.