A summary of news and events,
for the people of the
Episcopal Churches of West Missouri
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Yesterday the diocesan staff had the pleasure of having our first staff meeting with the new bishop provisional, the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Bruce. there was lots of laughter, planning, and discussion. Bishop Bruce would like to share the following message. |
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"What a wonderful way to kick off the first of many days with you all here in The Diocese of West Missouri! Being able to meet with the entire diocesan staff, getting to know each other and talk about upcoming events, ongoing and new mission and ministry, and yes, talking about our families. While I will write more in the next New Spirit, I wanted to take a minute to say I look forward to meeting with you, talking with you about mission and ministry in your communities, praying with you, and sharing the good news of what is happening throughout the diocese with you. I will be praying for you all, and I ask you to pray for me.” |
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The Welcoming and Seating of the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, bishop provisional of West Missouri in Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
... will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022. The service will be open for attendance in person and will be live-streamed. There will be a reception afterward. Registration is required to attend the reception. We will be posting and emailing a link to the registration form shortly. Vaccination and masks are required for in-person attendance.
January 6 is also the Feast of The Epiphany and may clash with some church's service plans. Unfortunately, this date was the only date available for several of the bishops attending the Seating.
Gmail users
I've often asked readers to scroll down to read an article. I've recently been reminded (thank you Fr. Isaac), that Gmail truncates email messages, making it even more important that you scroll down to the bottom of this email and click the link to make sure you have seen the additional information that Gmail may have hidden there.
The next issue of the New Spirit Update will be sent out on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
Gary Allman
Communications Director
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One-minute read.
On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce commenced her Episcopate as Bishop Provisional of West Missouri. Bishop Bruce has provided a brief first day message to the people of the diocese.
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Four-minute read.
On the evening of Wednesday, November 10, 2021, Fr. Charles Everson was installed as Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Missouri. The installation was performed by the Very Rev. Charles Marks, Dean of the Northwest-Metro Deanery. Also among those participating was the Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascom, 10th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas.
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West Missouri’s Episcopal churches join together to help refugees and ask others to join them |
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Four-minute read.
With a renewed sense of urgency to care for those fleeing danger in their homelands, a handful of churches in the Kansas City area are teaming together with one another and partnering with Della Lamb Community Services to welcome their new neighbors with a loving embrace.
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Episcopal Relief & Development Launches Year-End Match Campaign to Support Transformative Work in Priority Areas of Women, Children, and Climate
Two-minute read.
Episcopal Relief & Development is kicking off its annual Year-End Match, offering supporters the opportunity to transform lives with twice the impact this holiday season. Thanks to a very generous group of donors, contributions that Episcopal Relief & Development receives between now and the end of the year will be doubled, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $650,000.
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Three-minute read.
If you have driven along Benton Boulevard, between E. 27th and E. 28th Street in Kansas City you will, no doubt, have noticed a large round brick building. This unique structure is St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. Despite its unusual and modern appearance, St. Augustine’s design is inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which dates back to the 4th Century.
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The Episcopal Church & Visual Arts Advent newsletter
One-minute read.
The Advent issue of the Episcopal Church & Visual Arts Newsletter is available to read online.
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November issue of Lamplight
One-minute read.
The November issue of Lamplight, Episcopal Relief & Development’s disaster program newsletter is available to read online.
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Diocesan Office closed for Christmas. |
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Diocesan Office closed for New Year’s Eve. |
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Diocesan Office closed in observance of New Year’s Day. |
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The Welcoming and Seating of the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, bishop provisional of West Missouri in Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. 6 p.m. With a reception in Fellows’ Hall following. Online and In-person. A registration link will be provided shortly. Vaccination and mask required for in-person attendance.
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Conversations on The Partner’s Path is designed to provide a place of connection, spiritual nourishment, and gifts discernment for spouses of Episcopal clergy. Online. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
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December 13 – February 11 |
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Clergy Events and Services |
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2nd Thursday’s Clergy Conversation. Online. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. If you have not received the login credentials for this meeting, please contact your Dean. |
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Finance Committee. Online. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
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Diversity and Reconciliation Commission. Online. 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. |
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Commission on Ministry. Online. 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
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Diocesan Council. Hybrid. Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
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Bishop Bruce and the Women Clergy of the Diocese. Online. 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. |
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Standing Committee. Online. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
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Episcopal Ministry Support Team. In-person. Bishop’s Office, Diocesan Center. 10 a.m. – Noon. |
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Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, and Lay Catechist licenses expire March 1, 2022. |
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Bishop Bruce's Church Visits
A complete list of Bishop Bruce's church visits can be found here. |
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Many churches in the diocese are offering daily prayers, reflections, and Sunday worship online. |
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Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders |
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Lay Licenses Expire March 1, 2022
Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, and Lay Catechist licenses expire March 1, 2022. Additionally, there are changes coming from The Episcopal Church about lay licensing. TEC has been working on updating their safety training modules for lay licensure, which will no longer be called "Safeguarding." Information about these updates is supposed to be available in December. At that time, we will update and publish license guidelines for our diocese and license applications.
However, other than module changes, the other requirements have not changed. Sooner than later, please refer those in your parish who wish to apply for/renew any of these licenses to the guidelines on the diocesan website to give them an idea of what is expected. For instance, background checks (to be completed just one time) are still required to serve as a Eucharistic Visitor and/or Catechist. Diversity and Reconciliation training for EV and Catechist is also required and should be completed as courses become available.
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Recorded Advent sermons ideal for smaller churches from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Two-minute read.
Get pre-recorded sermons for Advent and Christmas from the monks at the Society of Saint John the Evangelist.
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Time is running out to apply for Constable Fund and Roanridge Trust grants!
One-minute read.
The deadline for grant applications is December 12.
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Changing the times of your online services?
Don't forget to let us know so we can keep the list of online services up to date.
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Bulletin Inserts -
We've created a new resource on the church administration site to hold bulletins and flyers. It has all the regular items and also, new this issue:
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Second chance - In case you missed it |
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Diakoneo Magazine November, 2021
Eight-minute read.
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Download this free 2022 Liturgical Calendar from Church Pension Group
One-minute read.
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Episcopal Service Corps seeks applicants for 2022-23 service year
Two-minute read.
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If you haven't already done so please help to spread The Word by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter and Instagram |
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