"Love wins": A message for Easter from Bishop Gates
|
|
"Love is not the alpha of creation but the omega.
It is not the starting point of the journey, but its final destination." –Cynthia Bourgeault
More than once in my life I have taken a trip that took considerably longer than I had thought it would. Whether from wildly inaccurate map reading at the planning stage or unanticipated delays along the way, the destination was not reached anywhere near as soon as I had hoped.
“Are we there yet?” inquires the tired child from the backseat. “No,” replies the weary parent, adding inwardly, silently: “not even close.”
If, as Cynthia Bourgeault suggests, Love is the destination of Creation’s journey, then it seems we are far distant from our end. Heartless powerplays, normalized falsification, callous self-centeredness, barbaric warfare. The "peaceable kingdom" our world is not. Are we there yet? Not even close.
So it is that we claim, proclaim, and enact our resurrection faith with renewed determination. The destination of our journey–Love–is in its fullness yet distant, and even much embattled. But its centrality to human existence, and its need for devoted pilgrims on the way, is blindingly clear. “The journey is essential to the dream,” said Saint Francis. If Love is our destination, then Love must be made manifest on every leg of the journey, in every step, at every opportunity, in every word and deed.
The Easter truth is that love wins.
Beyond the affirmation of Christ’s definitive victory over death on that Easter morn, we claim that victory for ourselves and our world. Beyond the story of a humble local rabbi triumphing over the self-perpetuating political and religious powers of his day, we declare God’s preferential care for the powerless in our day. Beyond the finery and feast of our Easter celebration, we proclaim this truth: Love wins. The dream is sustained by the journey, and our resurrection hope is sustained by our every glimpse of compassion, sacrifice, repentance, forgiveness, redemption, renewal, and love.
We are not there yet, not even close. But I find my own pilgrimage sustained by the commitment and creativity of weary leaders–clergy and lay–around our diocese; by kind words in the face of anxiety or grief; by the new bloom of chionodoxa and daffodil beneath my window; by the witness of indefatigable racial justice prophets and refugee caregivers; by advocates for truth, love, and beauty in their every genuine manifestation, around this nation and around the world. These are resurrection sightings.
The Easter truth is that love wins. May you be sustained and renewed by this conviction once more! Easter blessings to you.
Faithfully and fondly,
+Alan
The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates
|
|
"Let your voice be heard":
Sign-up is now open for Reparations Listening Gatherings
|
|
Click above for the registration flier, and find an additional publicity graphic here.
|
|
Registration is now open for the series of regional online Reparations Listening Gatherings that the Racial Justice Commission's Subcommittee on Reparations will be hosting, together with the regional canons, throughout May.
Last November’s Diocesan Convention adopted a resolution that 2022 be a year of study and discernment “in the name of repentance, reconciliation and accountability to the descendants of enslaved Africans and their communities.”
A Reparations Toolkit and a Lenten study program have been offered by the subcommittee to help lay a foundation for the work of discernment and deliberation ahead. Now the group is issuing a broad invitation to members of the diocesan community to participate next month in one of nine listening gatherings on Zoom. |
|
"These Reparations Listening Gatherings are not the time for debate or arguing points of view. They are a time to respectfully share your feelings, thoughts, concerns and questions, to listen respectfully and sacredly to the feelings, thoughts, concerns and questions of others, not only with your ears, but also with your hearts and humanity," the subcommittee said in an April 7 letter of invitation.
"As we enter into our collective decision-making process about what form reparations will take in our diocese, we will consider all that we heard from one another during these gatherings, as well as what our subcommittee has heard and learned from a variety of sources during this year."
|
|
June 12 set for diocesan service to celebrate life of
The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris
|
|
The Rt. Rev.
Barbara C. Harris
June 1930-March 2020
Portrait in oil, 2002,
by Simmie Knox /
Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Service details will be announced as plans progress. Please save the date and watch for more in the weeks ahead.
|
|
Planning is now underway for a diocesan liturgy in celebration of the life of Bishop Barbara C. Harris, to be held on Sunday, June 12 at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston.
"Barbara Harris was born on June 12, 1930, which guided our selection of a date for this memorial. It was the date God gave the gift of Barbara to the world, and Barbara always did love a good birthday celebration!" Bishop Alan M. Gates said.
This celebration, long delayed because of the pandemic, will include a memorial service of Holy Eucharist and will be open to the diocesan community for in-person attendance. The service will be livestreamed for the wider church community via the cathedral church's website at www.stpaulboston.org.
"Here in the Diocese of Massachusetts, the June 12 service will be an occasion for this diocesan family to give thanks for Barbara, who was raised up in this place and who was our own faithful pastor and steady companion for more than three decades," Gates said. "We know that Barbara's admirers around The Episcopal Church and around the globe are also eager to honor her and celebrate her life. Though in-person seating at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul is very limited, we warmly invite others to join us via the livestream broadcast."
|
|
DYC gathers peers for first in-person retreat in two years |
|
"It felt fantastic, really": Middle and high schoolers got together for songs, games, conversation and quiet at their first in-person retreat since the pandemic began.
Photos: Tracy J. Sukraw / See more on Facebook.
|
|
The Diocesan Youth Council gathered a group of middle and high school peers for a day-long retreat on Saturday, March 19, hosted at the Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester. It was their first in-person gathering since the pandemic began two years ago.
Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) organizers and adult mentors present at the retreat said the day was about re-centering, finding belonging, thinking beyond one's own personal experiences and doing something actionable to help others.
The youth heard about homelessness from the Rev. Jennifer McCracken, pastor to the MANNA ministry at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston, and learned about food insecurity; later in the day, they filled backpacks with personal care supplies and handwritten notes, to be distributed by MANNA to the homeless community with which it ministers.
The afternoon held games, singing and some meditative activities, including yoga, coloring and paper folding, to help quiet the mind and open the heart. There was also time spent in small groups, talking about pandemic experiences and self care.
"It felt fantastic, really. This is the first in-person retreat I've participated in. It felt really close even though a lot of people here I hadn't met before. I'm so glad this could happen," Cris Latorre, a DYC member and high school junior from Trinity Church in Boston, said.
|
|
Bishops' Appeal for 2022 highlights youth and young adult ministries: The Bishops' Appeal for 2022 has launched, with a focus on youth and young adult ministries.
"With joy, we see our youth and young adult programs are again in full swing. Numerous in-person Confirmation services are planned for 2022. Our Life Together fellowship program is forming its cohort for next year. Church school programs are opening with resourcefulness and care all across eastern Massachusetts," the bishops say in their appeal letter. "All of this requires our deep engagement, because young people are not just the future of our church, they are our present. Your continued support allows these programs to launch, grow and bear fruit."
|
|
|
Find the Bishops' Appeal here, with updates about current youth and young adult ministries and the online giving link to support this work.
|
|
The Rev. Dr.
Yolanda A. Rolle
Courtesy photo
|
|
New missioner for youth and young adults named: The Rev. Dr. Yolanda A. Rolle has been named to serve as missioner for youth and young adults and will begin her new position on the diocesan staff on Aug. 1.
She succeeds the Rev. H. Mark Smith, who retired from the diocesan staff in January.
Rolle will be relocating from Washington, D.C., where she is currently a mathematics teacher at the Sidwell Friends School and also serves as Episcopal chaplain at Howard University and as an associate priest at St. George's Church.
|
|
This is a return to the Diocese of Massachusetts for her, as she was sponsored for ordination by Emmanuel Church in Boston and was ordained a transitional deacon in 2015 by Bishop Gayle E. Harris. She was ordained to the priesthood in 2016 in the Diocese of Washington by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde.
"The leaders of the different constituencies that this position serves and I are very excited that Yolanda has accepted this call," Harris said. "She brings a wealth of experience, energy, wisdom and grace. Our diocese will be enriched with her presence again."
|
|
20s & 30s set to reconnect at Spring Tent Revival: Starting at sunset–7:41 p.m.–on Thursday, April 28, the diocesan Young Adult Advisory Committee and the Episcopal Chaplaincy at Harvard are teaming up to co-host a spring tent revival in the chaplaincy’s backyard at 2 Garden Street in Cambridge, promising an Appalachian string band, The Onlies, performing a bluegrass-gospel repertoire; smoked meats and homemade pies; and the chance to meet new people.
“We’re looking to create spaces where young Episcopalians can find one another and build relationships and lessen both the isolation of the pandemic and also the isolation, sometimes, of being one of only a few people in our age group in many of our parishes,” the Rev. Isaac Martinez, a member of the Young Adult Advisory Committee, said in a Zoom interview.
He said that though “revival” might sound like an old-fashioned word that brings to mind a big church service with headline preachers and more-than-your-usual-Sunday-morning music—this is not that.
“I see this as embracing the springing to new life that a revival calls for. It’s not a concert, it’s not a show, it’s not a performance, the emphasis is really on coming together, reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones,” he said.
|
|
General Convention deputation hosts online discussions: The Diocese of Massachusetts deputation to General Convention is hosting two gatherings for discussion, via Zoom, on April 21 at 6:30 p.m. and May 1 at 3 p.m. (link to join here). All are welcome to come hear about the current work of the convention, learn more about how to get involved through viewing and testifying at hearings, and ask questions.
In the meantime, anyone can sign up to observe and testify during online legislative committee hearings; find that calendar here. The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church takes place July 7-14 in Baltimore.
The Province I Conference (formerly known as Synod) will also offer an opportunity for discussion with General Convention deputies from the New England dioceses, during its opening session on June 7, 6-8:30 p.m., via Zoom. Registration details will be available soon. Questions about Province I Conference may be e-mailed to Will Harron, Province I Coordinator, at coordinator@province1.org.
|
|
Concert for the Human Family to explore Beloved Community through music and storytelling at Cathedral Church of St. Paul: The Episcopal Church-sponsored Concert for the Human Family Tour will make a concert stop at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston on Thursday, April 21 at 7 p.m. Join Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Kory Caudill and Wordsmith, a Baltimore-based hip-hop and spoken word artist, for an evening of genre-crossing music and story sharing. Guided by their music and friendship, Caudill and Wordsmith invite concertgoers into an exploration of Beloved Community and the power of racial reconciliation through relationship. This Boston event is offered in partnership with The Crossing. Find ticket information here. The tour also includes two concerts in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, in Worcester on April 22 and Springfield on April 25. Find details here.
|
|
Mother's Day Walk for Peace to step off in person this year on May 8:
The B-PEACE for Jorge Campaign in the Diocese of Massachusetts has been a lead supporter of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute's Mother's Day Walk for Peace for nearly a decade. This year, the fundraising walk will again be in person, after a two-year COVID hiatus.
Everyone is invited to join B-PEACE and Bishop Alan M. Gates in participating in and/or supporting this year's walk on Sunday, May 8. Registration for the B-PEACE team is online here. Questions may be directed to the Rev. Liz Steinhauser at liz@ststephensbos.org.
|
|
Diaconate Sunday is June 12: The Diocese of Massachusetts will again celebrate "Diaconate Sunday" on June 12. Congregations are invited to request a deacon to preach on that day.
The bishops set aside a Diaconate Sunday for the first time last year as an opportunity to introduce more people to the ministry of deacons and with the hope that more congregations might be inspired to explore how a deacon's servant leadership among them might benefit their communities and outreach.
Because there are more congregations than deacons, those who would like a deacon to be with them on June 12 should make their requests as soon as possible before May 1 to the Ven. Pat Zifcak, Archdeacon for Formation ( pzifcak@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 551). |
|
Boston Globe: Welcome, all who enter (including underdressed out-of-towners with running shoes): This Boston Marathon runner from Dallas received a great Boston welcome on Easter Day from the congregation of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. "Thank you, Boston, for this gem in the city." Read the letter in the Globe here.
ItemLive.com: Lynn food pantry will walk for hunger: St. Stephen’s Food Pantry will participate in Project Bread’s 54th annual Walk for Hunger, which takes place on May 1. Run by St. Stephen’s Memorial Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Food Pantry provides food to people in need in Lynn and surrounding communities. “During the pandemic, we have seen double the need in our community, as we served just over 3,000 households in 2019 and nearly 6,300 households in 2021. Our clients are a diverse community of people, many of whom hail from Central America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Russia and India, and may not know or feel comfortable accessing nutrition resources available to them. We work to build their trust and not only fulfill their need of accessing food right now, but also work to ensure that other needs are met, including housing and clothing,” said the Rev. Gregory Perez. Read more.
capenews.net/Sandwich Enterprise: Bless you, St. Mary's: "Nestled into one of the prettiest corners of the Cape's scenic Route 6A is the inviting St. Mary's Church in Barnstable Village. This Cape Cod-style, cedar-shingled complex of buildings dates from the 1800s, and is both beautiful and highly energy efficient. For economic and environmental reasons, the parish has taken several smart steps in their stewardship of the property—and the Earth." Columnist Judy Holt takes a tour. Read more.
WCAI: Signs of spring in St. Mary's garden: "The St. Mary’s garden is open every day from dawn to 6 p.m., and even dogs are welcome. A sign encourages visitors to approach with gratitude for not only the garden and its gardeners, but for all of God’s creation." Susan Moeller reflects on a recent visit to the garden of St. Mary's Church in Barnstable, on WCAI, local NPR for the Cape, Coast and Islands. Listen/read more.
WickedLocal.com/Scituate Mariner: Social justice group of St. Luke's Church hosts art show: "After two years of uncertainty and feelings of isolation and disconnect, members of the Social Justice Group of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church wanted to not only find a way to bring people together, but to raise awareness about all people subject to prejudice and injustice, especially considering recent events that have taken place around the country and across the world." Read more here and watch the Scituate Community Television video story about the show here.
WickedLocal.com/Cape Cod Times: St. Barnabas's Church hosts crash course on how to talk to children about Ukraine: "Around 60 people showed up at St. Barnabas’s to take part in an event called 'Families Together Support Ukraine,' organized by The Coalition for Children, a support program based in Falmouth and Mashpee for kids and their families." Read more.
|
|
Apr 20: Messiah Sing-Along, from Parts 2 & 3, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 5:00pm
Apr 21: Children's Formation Colleagues Online Gathering, 3:30pm
Apr 21: Diocesan Council Meeting, via Zoom, 6:00pm
Apr 21: Info Session with General Convention Deputation, via Zoom, 6:30pm
Apr 21: Concert for the Human Family featuring Kory Caudill and Wordsmith, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 7:00pm
Apr 22: "Mark's Gospel LIVE" Performance, St. John's Church, Lowell, 6:00pm
Apr 24: Bishop Harris visits St. Mark's Church in Southborough
Apr 24: Bishop Gates visits St. John's Church in Beverly Farms
Apr 25-27: Diocesan Clergy Conference, Babson Executive Conference Center, Wellesley
Apr 25: Transitional Diaconate Ordination: Adam Dawkins, All Saints Chapel, University of the South, Sewanee, 5:00pm Central/6:00pm Eastern
Apr 27: Good News Gardens MA Network, via Zoom, 6:00pm
Apr 27: Creation Care Justice Network, via Zoom, 7:00pm
Apr 28: Young Adult Revival, Episcopal Chaplaincy at Harvard, Cambridge, 7:41pm
Apr 30: Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training, via Zoom, 9:30am
Apr 30: Confirmation, All Deaneries, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 10:30am
May 1: Bishop Gates visits Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole
May 1: Bishop Harris visits St. Anne's in-the-Fields Church in Lincoln
May 1: Info Session with General Convention Deputation, via Zoom, 3:00pm
May 1: Installation of The Rev. Kate Ekrem at Christ Church, Cambridge, 4:00pm
May 2: Reparations Listening Gathering: Central Region, via Zoom, 10:00am
May 2: Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts Indigenous Peoples' Justice Network, via Zoom, 4:00pm
May 3: Installation of The Rev. Nicholas Myers at Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, 6:00pm
May 4: Reparations Listening Gathering: Central Region, via Zoom, 6:00pm
May 4: Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts Poor People's Campaign Network Meeting, 7:00pm
May 5: Children's Formation Colleagues Online Gathering, 10:00am
May 7: Installation of The Rev. Becky Gettel at St. Paul's Church, Natick, 10:00am
May 7: Reparations Listening Gathering: Central Region, via Zoom, 10:00am
May 7: Life Together "Linked Through Love" Gathering, Christ Church, Cambridge, 4:00p.m.
May 8: Mother's Day Walk for Peace, Town Field Park, Dorchester, 8:00am
May 8: Bishop Harris visits St. Michael's Church in Marblehead
May 9: Reparations Listening Gathering: Southern Region, via Zoom, 10:00am
May 11: Reparations Listening Gathering: Southern Region, via Zoom, 6:00pm
May 13: BIPOC Support Gathering, Diocesan Offices, Boston, 5:00pm
May 14: Reparations Listening Gathering: Southern Region, via Zoom, 10:00am
May 14: Confirmation, All Deaneries, St. Stephen's Church, Cohasset, 10:30am
May 14: Installation of The Rev. Matthew Stewart at St. James's Church, Cambridge, 11:00am
May 15: Bishop Gates visits St. Mary's Church in Barnstable
May 15: Bishop Harris visits St. John's Church in Gloucester
May 16: Reparations Listening Gathering: Northern & Western Region, via Zoom, 10:00am
May 18: Reparations Listening Gathering: Northern & Western Region, via Zoom, 6:00pm
May 18: Installation of The Rev. Donna Foughty at Christ Church, Harwich Port, 7:00pm
May 19: Children's Formation Colleagues Online Gathering, 3:30pm
May 19: Diocesan Council Meeting, 6:00pm
May 21: Reparations Listening Gathering: Northern & Western Region, via Zoom, 10:00am
May 21: Confirmation, All Deaneries, Wyman Memorial Church of St. Andrew, Marblehead, 10:30am
May 21: Confirmation, All Deaneries, St. Anne's Church, Lowell, 10:30am
May 22: Bishop Gates visits Emmanuel Church in Braintree
May 22: Bishop Harris visits Christ Church in Harwich Port
May 25: "Faith as a Verb: Peace and Justice and Asians in the Church" Presentation by The Rev. James Kodera, via Zoom, 7:00pm
May 29: Bishop Gates visits St. Mark's Church, Westford
|
|
Stay connected with our diocesan community: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
