Please see this updated edition of the March Need to Know, which includes additional updates and revised information. | | |
Register for Holy Tuesday - Renewal of Vows!
| All clergy are invited to the 2026 Holy Tuesday Renewal of Vows on Tuesday, March 31st, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Vesting begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Paulist Center, with a procession across Boston Common to the Cathedral for worship at 11:00 a.m. Assisting Bishop Mary Glasspool will preach. A luncheon will follow the service. | Clergy Conference Registration Open! | | |
All clergy of the Diocese of Massachusetts are invited to attend the 2026 Clergy Conference, taking place Monday, April 27th through Wednesday, April 29th at the Devens Common Center.
This year’s conference will feature poet, theologian, conflict mediator, and author Pádraig Ó Tuama, who will guide us through reflection, conversation, and learning centered on story, conflict, faith, and community.
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Poetry and Prayer
We are excited to share that Bishop Julia will be hosting a public poetry reading and conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama after Clergy Conference on April 29th at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Church Cambridge. This collaboration between the diocese, Christ Church, the St. Paul's Center for Theology and Prayer, and the Harvard Episcopal Chaplaincy aims to invite the wider community to engage with this renowned poet and the power of poetry to stir the soul. Be on the lookout for more information so you can promote within your worshipping communities.
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Bishop Julia to Host Talk with Rev'd Canon Stephanie Spellers
Please encourage your worshipping communities to join Bishop Julia and the Rev’d Canon Stephanie Spellers, one of the Episcopal Church’s leading voices, to discuss her new book “Church Tomorrow: What the the 'Nones' and 'Dones' teach us about the future of faith” on Thursday, April 9th at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Doors will open for a reception and book signing at 5:00 p.m., and at 5:30p.m., Bishop Julia will host a conversation with Rev'd Stephanie about building the church of the future. This event is free and open to all!
| | | The Bishop's Appeal will launch during Eastertide this year, with in-gathering on Good Shepherd Sunday. Materials will be mailed to congregations in the coming weeks. | | Wardens Calls with the Canon to the Ordinary | | |
Wardens and lay leaders are invited to join the next monthly Wardens Call on Thursday, March 26th, hosted by the Rev'd Canon Chris Wendell, Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff.
These calls offer space to connect with fellow wardens, share practical leadership tools, and receive reminders about diocesan resources and upcoming deadlines.
12:00 p.m.–12:45 p.m. on Zoom
Register here
Missed the last call? Watch the February recording and find related resources here.
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Join LUCE Immigrant Justice Network for a Faith Organizing Conversation | Parish leaders interested in supporting immigrant communities are invited to join LUCE's Faith Organizing Conversation on Tuesday, March 17th, from 7:00–8:15 p.m. Learn how your congregation can participate in LUCE's immigrant justice network, including by serving as LUCE Supply Hubs. Use this form to sign up. Individuals interested in volunteering with LUCE can also learn more here. | Bridges of Belonging: Latino Ministry and Shared Mission | |
The Rev'd Canon Anthony Guillén, retired director of ethnic ministries and Latino missioner for the Episcopal Church, will lead a three-hour presentation exploring the vitality, challenges, and transformative potential of Latino ministry in the Episcopal Church later this month in Lowell. The gathering will invite participants to reflect on how congregations can build faithful partnerships with bilingual and bicultural communities. All interested congregational leaders and members are encouraged to attend and consider how they might apply these insights within their own communities.
The session will highlight the gifts Latino ministries bring to the wider church, including deep faith, multigenerational leadership, cultural resilience, and evangelistic energy, and prompt reflection on what congregations must do to move from coexistence to true integration in bilingual and bicultural parish life.
Sunday, March 22nd | 2:00–5:00 p.m.
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church
8 Kirk St., Lowell
To register or learn more, email episcopallowell@gmail.com.
| Register for Invite Welcome Connect On Demand | |
To help congregations make the most of the diocese’s new Invite Welcome Connect On Demand subscription, Executive Director of Invite, Welcome, Connect, Steve Welch will host two introductory sessions outlining how the ministry can support congregations in practicing faithful invitation, hospitality, and deeper connection in their communities.
Participants will learn how to access and use the On Demand resources and explore ways congregations can grow their ministries of evangelism, welcome, and belonging. Both clergy and lay leaders are encouraged to attend.
Two identical sessions are offered:
Wednesday, March 25th | 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26th | 3:00 p.m.
Register here
| | Register for Upcoming Lay Eucharistic Visitor Trainings | |
Lay leaders are invited to attend one of two upcoming Lay Eucharistic Visitor Trainings, offered this spring at St. Mary’s, Barnstable and Grace Church, Medford. These trainings are designed for those preparing to serve in this ministry and offer an opportunity to gather, learn, and prepare alongside others from across the diocese.
Upcoming trainings:
St. Mary’s, Barnstable
Saturday, March 21st
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Grace Church, Medford
Sunday, April 19th
2:30–5:30 p.m.
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Join the Bishop’s Office Finance Team for the March Finance Forum on Tuesday, March 24th part of our monthly information series for congregational leaders.
This month’s session focuses on Cybersecurity and practical steps congregations can take to protect parish systems, financial data, and communications.
March 24th 5:00–6:00 p.m. |Join the Forum on Zoom
Meeting ID: 839 1155 6993
Missed February’s forum? Watch the recording and view the slideshow here.
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New EPN Webinar: From Easter
Guest to Belonging:
Turning One Sunday into a Spiritual Home
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Many Episcopal churches see their pews filled on Easter morning — but what happens after that first visit?
This upcoming webinar on Thursday, March 26th, at 3:00 p.m. from Episcopal Parish Network will share practical strategies for helping Easter visitors take the next step toward deeper connection in your parish. The Rev'd Rob Donehue of Grace Church Cathedral in Charleston, the Rev'd Nate Huddleston of Christ Church Georgetown, and the Rev'd Cameron Nations, Canon for Vocations and Community Engagement for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama will discuss how congregations can prepare to welcome well, follow up in meaningful ways, and create clear pathways that move newcomers from a single visit into lasting belonging.
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New Models of Episcopal Evangelism
Discover how and why to use second-class mail effectively as part of your Sunday church operations. Led by Ms. Charlottle Whatley, St. Andrew's, Ayer, and The Rev'd Joyce Scherer-Hoock, Trinity, Topsfield.
Sponsored by The Evangelism Working Group
Wednesday, April 22nd, at 5:00 p.m.
| Join Prep and Pray for the No Kings Rally | |
All are invited to join in public witness. The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Episcopal City Mission, and The Crossing, in partnership with the Massachusetts Council of Churches, are hosting a "Prep and Pray" gathering ahead of the No Kings Action on Saturday, March 28th.
The gathering will take place at 12:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, across from Park Street Station. Together, participants will sing, pray, and ground themselves in community before the public witness at Boston Common.
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The Crossing Turns 20
Celebrate 20 years of The Crossing on Thursday, April 9th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.
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Southern Region
- The Rev'd Cathy Boyd started her ministry as Bridge Priest at St. Mark’s, Foxboro on February 22.
North and West Regions
- Rev’d Joel Almono has been appointed Interim of St. Luke’s/San Lucas, Chelsea beginning April 1, 2026.
- Rev’d Walter Connelly has been called to serve as PIC of St. John’s, Saugus and will continue as Rector of St. John’s, Winthrop.
- Rev’d Ali Lutz will serve as Bridge Priest at Christ Church, Hamilton.
Central Region
- The Rev'd Trey Garland began his ministry as Rector of All Saints, Ashmont in January of 2026.
- The Rev'd Dr. Jay Weldon has accepted a call to serve as Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary, NC. His ministry as Rector of Good Shepherd, Waban will end in April of 2026.
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Initiating the Process
In Self-Study
Receiving Names
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Alternate Liturgies for Holy Week | |
Bishop Julia has issued a pastoral letter introducing an alternate rite for Palm Sunday and highlighting an authorized alternate Good Friday liturgy. These resources are offered as part of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and sensitivity in Christian–Jewish relations.
We are grateful to the Rev'd Dr. Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer, for his leadership in developing these resources.
| | Applications are now open for the Diocesan Scholarship Fund for Children | | |
The Diocesan Scholarship Fund for Clergy Children provides small grants to support undergraduate education for children of clergy who are licensed or canonically resident and serving in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, as well as for orphans of clergy who demonstrate financial need.
Grants may be awarded for up to four years of undergraduate study, with a new application required each year. Awards are based on financial need and the availability of funds.
The application deadline for 2026 is May 15th. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in mid-June 2026.
Questions may be directed to Meredith Rippert, Executive Assistant to the Bishop Diocesan, at mrippert@diomass.org. or 617-482-4826, ext. x407.
| | | Save on Electricity Through Community Purchasing Alliance | | |
High electric bills? The Community Purchasing Alliance (CPA) Co-op may be able to help. For the first time, CPA is combining the purchasing power of its nationwide network to unlock savings, secure better contracts, and connect participating organizations with reliable electricity suppliers.
Congregations interested in participating in the spring bulk electricity purchase program should submit a copy of their current electric bill or contract to CPA.
The deadline to submit materials is March 31st. Submitting a bill or contract does not commit you to participate it simply allows CPA to review your current rate and determine whether savings may be possible.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact Property Stewardship Consultant, Steve Abdow at sabdow@diomass.org.
Submit Your Bill/Contract Here
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Mustard Seed Project Applications
Mustard Seed Project, a new ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, will cultivate regional, non-residential young adult formation and discipleship communities that nurture imagination, faith, and leadership development. These sacred, inclusive, and creative spaces will give young adults the space to worship together, engage in spiritual formation, and explore what it means to follow Jesus to lead lives grounded in God's justice, joy, and love. We are accepting applications and you can find out more here.
For more information or if you have questions, please contact The Rev'd Shannon Kelly, Missioner for Children, Youth, and Young Adult Formation at skelly@diomass.org or 617-482-4826.
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Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) Resources
Need stewardship advice? Considering a capital campaign? The Bishop’s Office offers consulting for congregations. Please reach out to The Rev'd Brian Raiche, Development Consultant braiche@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 515.
TENS stewardship materials are available here, accessible with the password Matthew22:4.
| | Join our Diocesan Clergy Facebook Page | | |
Organizers Needed for Pride 2026!
Planning has begun for our diocesan participation in Pride 2026, and the organizing committee is seeking connectors, organizers, and leaders from across the diocese who are interested in helping with this important public witness.
If you know someone in your worshipping community who might be interested in getting involved, please encourage them to reach out to The Rev’d Liz Steinhauser at lsteinhauser@diomass.org.
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Spread the Word:
New Diocesan Mental Health Resource
| As Bishop Whitworth highlighted at Diocesan Convention, the diocese has partnered with Snug Harbor Wellness at St. John the Evangelist in Duxbury and Care Solace to offer free mental health referral tools for all laity and clergy in our diocese. We encourage you to share this exciting new resource with your worshiping communities. For more information, click here. | | |
Preparing Worshipping Communities for ICE
Episcopal City Mission has prepared resources to help worshiping communities prepare for ICE presence. Click here for ECM's ICE Protocols for Churches.
| | God's Justice: Discerning Our Call to Action | | Rooted in our shared values of courage, justice, and welcome, the Diocese of Massachusetts is focusing our public witness in four clear lanes: provide, protect, pray, and public witness. This framework offers guidance for congregations and individuals seeking faithful, practical ways to respond in this moment. | | | | |
