Meet-and-greets with bishop nominees open to all, May 7-11 | |
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The Transition Committee will be hosting a series of open meetings May 7-11, giving the people of the diocese an opportunity to meet and learn more about the nominees for election as the diocese's 17th bishop diocesan.
All in the diocesan community are invited to attend, particularly those who are voting members of the Special Electing Convention to be held on Saturday, May 18 at Trinity Church in Boston.
The meet-and-greets will be held on:
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Wednesday, May 8, 10-11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Church ( 3055 Main Street) in Barnstable
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Thursday, May 9, 2-3:30 p.m. at Christ Church (1132 Highland Avenue) in Needham
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Friday, May 10, 7-8:30 p.m. at Christ Church (33 Central Street) in Andover (with childcare)
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Saturday, May 11, 10:30-noon on Zoom (with special Zoom rooms for youth and young adults, as well as all others). Register for the Zoom session here.
The Transition Committee also hopes to offer livestream access to one or more of the gatherings. Details and updates will be posted at www.diomass.org/bishop-search/meet-greets as they become available.
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Preliminary slate of nominees, as announced March 15:
Brendan J. Barnicle; Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa; Gideon L. K. Pollach; Julia E. Whitworth
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The Nominating Committee announced the preliminary slate of nominees on March 15; with completion of the petition process, by which additional nominees may be added, the final slate of nominees will be announced soon.
The nominees on the preliminary slate are: The Rev. Dr. Brendan J. Barnicle, rector of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Wilsonville, Ore.; The Rev. Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Th.D., canon for immigration and multicultural ministries in the Diocese of Massachusetts; The Very Rev. Gideon L. K. Pollach, rector of St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; and The Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, rector of Trinity Church in Indianapolis, Ind. Learn more about each at www.diomass.org/bishop-search/bishop-nominees.
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Petition nominee added to slate for 28th presiding bishop
[Episcopal News Service]: Central New York Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe on April 16 was added as a nominee by petition to stand for election as The Episcopal Church’s 28th presiding bishop, joining four other bishops who were announced two weeks ago on the initial slate of nominees to succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
The two-week petition period closed at the end of the day April 15, and Duncan-Probe was the sole petition nominee. She joins Nebraska Bishop J. Scott Barker, Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez, Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright and Northwestern Pennsylvania Bishop Sean Rowe, who also serves as bishop provisional of the Diocese of Western New York.
Electing and confirming a new presiding bishop to serve a nine-year term will be a top order of business for the 81st General Convention when it convenes June 23-28 in Louisville, Ky. Read more.
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Life and witness of Canon Edward W. Rodman remembered | |
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Friends and colleagues across The Episcopal Church are remembering and celebrating the life and witness of the Rev. Canon Edward W. Rodman, who died peacefully, according to his family, on April 2 at home in Framingham. He was 81.
Rodman was known churchwide as a strategist, advocate and activist for social and racial justice, and as an educator and mentor across generations in The Episcopal Church.
“There were very few people who carried as much water in the movement as Ed did — inside and outside of the movement,” the Rev. Ike Miller, a seminary classmate of Rodman's who is now retired from the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia, told The Boston Globe.
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The Rev. Canon Edward W. Rodman
(1942-2024)
Diocese of Massachusetts File Photo: Lou Jones
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“Ed’s legacy is to remind the church as a whole that you can’t sit on the sidelines as an observer,” Miller said. “And he didn’t.”
The Boston Globe obituary is available here.
In the late 1950s, while still in high school in Portsmouth, Va., Rodman worked with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) as field secretary and organized the only high school-based sit-in movement in the U.S. While studying at Hampton Institute, he was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), meeting and working alongside activists such as Ella Baker and Malcolm X.
Rodman was ordained a deacon in 1967 and a priest in 1968, and after initial service at St. Paul's in New Haven, returned to the Diocese of Massachusetts in 1971, where he went on to become canon missioner. He served over several decades under five Massachusetts bishops.
“Ed was the social conscience of the diocese and the bishops who came through the various offices while he was there,” the Rev. Thomas Kennedy, another seminary classmate of Rodman’s and a former dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston, said in the Globe obituary. “He would keep them focused on what was important and what really mattered, particularly with social justice — not just in the diocese, but nationally.”
After leaving the diocesan staff, Rodman was the John Seeley Stone Professor of Pastoral Theology and Urban Ministry at Episcopal Divinity School until retiring in 2009.
Rodman was a longtime member of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, a founding member of the Union of Black Episcopalians and The Consultation, a former urban hearings coordinator for the Urban Bishops Coalition and the coordinator of the Episcopal Urban Caucus.
Byron Rushing, a friend, former state representative and longtime Episcopal Church General Convention deputy and former House of Deputies vice president, told the Globe that Rodman “did everything he could to get The Episcopal Church to be involved in social action — and specifically in the action around involvement of Black people in The Episcopal Church.”
A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. Memorial donations may be designated to World Central Kitchen and Heifer International.
Rodman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gladys Rodman, and daughters Claire, of Manhattan, Alice, of Millbury, Mass., and Sarah, of Los Angeles, and his nephew, Michael Rodman, and niece, Karen Rodman, both of Indianapolis.
Condolence messages are welcome to the Edward W. Rodman Family, c/o The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02111.
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Noted environmental leaders to join Earth Day celebration on April 20: The Creation Care Justice Network is inviting everyone to join on Saturday, April 20 for an Earth Day celebration hosted at St. Mark's Church in Southborough.
Registration for in-person attendance has closed, but a livestream of the program will be available courtesy of Province I via its YouTube channel, here.
It's being organized as a day of fellowship, learning and celebration to the mark the conclusion of the pilot phase of "An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice," a new initiative in development from the dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts to equip churches for the deep and broad work in creation care. The next step for the "Path" program will be open enrollment for interested congregations around New England.
The Earth Day celebration will feature presentations by Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-founder and co-director of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, and, joining virtually, environmentalist and 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben and Braiding Sweetgrass author Robin Wall-Kimmerer. The day will conclude with a celebratory Eucharist with Bishop Carol Gallagher of the Diocese of Massachusetts and Bishop Douglas Fisher of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
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Registration is open for family and youth summer camps at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H.: Families of all configurations can enjoy an extra-long weekend of activities, worship and family-oriented fellowship during the June 29-July 2 Family Camp session. The summer schedule also includes four week-long youth Overnight Camp sessions, running from July 7 through Aug. 2, for those completing 3rd through 12th grades.
Part of the mission at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center is that no child or family be unable to participate in camp due to financial need; camperships are available for those who need them. For details and registration, visit bchcenter.org/bchcamp.
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A 2022 Life Together celebration at
St. Mark's Church in Dorchester, whose rectory houses Life Together fellows.
Courtesy photo
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Life Together and St. Mark's, Dorchester partner for 2nd annual Community Resource Fair: Even as Life Together, the Episcopal Service Corps program in the Diocese of Massachusetts, begins preparing for its sabbath year from July 2024 to June 2025, the current 2023-2024 cohort of fellows invites the broader diocesan community to join them and their partners at St. Mark’s Church in Dorchester on Saturday, May 4, 1-4 p.m., for the second annual Dorchester Community Resource Fair, to be held on the front lawn of St. Mark’s Church. | |
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The Community Resource Fair will bring together a variety of local organizations to provide information and services to the entire neighborhood. There will also be food to enjoy and live gospel music performances by members of both the St. Mark’s congregation and the Life Together community.
Life Together celebration and sabbath blessing coming up in June: Life Together also welcomes all to join on Saturday, June 1 at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston for “Tracing the Journey," an event to celebrate the rich 25-year legacy of Life Together and its predecessor program, The Micah Project, and to bless the program's upcoming sabbath season.
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Summer season begins at Adelynrood with June 1 open house and picnic: Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Center in Byfield has announced its summer program schedule, with offerings ranging from permaculture gardening and knitting to spiritual direction, writing and social justice.
Schedule and registration information is available at www.adelynrood.org.
Adelynrood will kick off its summer season with its Annual Open House, Craft Fair and Picnic on Saturday, June 1, 12-3 p.m. Individuals and families are welcome, with music and children's activities to enjoy.
Adelynrood is operated by the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross and welcomes people seeking resources for spiritual development through conferences, workshops and individual or group retreats. Its 14-acre campus also is available as a retreat or conference location for religious, educational and business groups.
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St. Paul's, Bedford says "Come one, come all! It's a 'Barn' Dance for Haiti!": St. Paul's Church in Bedford is planning this family-friendly social event on Saturday, May 11, 6-8:30 p.m., in the parish hall, and all are welcome. The dance is a fundraiser in support of St. Paul's Haiti outreach partners and will make possible continued funding of student scholarships for Haitian nursing and therapy students. It will also help support the Children’s Nutrition Program in Haiti.
St. Paul's has assembled a line-up of well-known local musicians who will be performing live for the dance, including Alan Kaufman (fiddle), Vern Imrich (guitar), Alice Bouvrie (fiddle), David Gow (fiddle/mandolin) and Gian Criscitiello (bass). In addition, St. Paul’s parishioners Beth Parkes will be the caller and Judy Criscitiello will be on fiddle.
Organizers say that no prior dance experience is required, and those not up for dancing are welcome to come watch the fun and enjoy the music. Light refreshments will be available. Tickets are available for purchase online here.
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Martha's Vineyard Times: Islanders are working together to support the earth and its environment: As part of the island's Interfaith Climate Action Team, the Rev. Stephen Harding, rector of Grace Church in Vineyard Haven, meets with a group of a dozen or so people who have gathered regularly since COVID to brainstorm ideas around climate and ecology, and turn those ideas into action. Most everyone in the group talked about real changes they’ve brought to both their congregations and into their own lives. It’s hard to miss the solar panels on the rectory grounds at Grace Church, and they’ve also converted to using heat pumps. No more Styrofoam coffee cups, plastic tableware, or milk jugs, and no more throwing away food waste. Members are switching to practices that are more ecologically sound.
One way they do this is by offering composting bins to their worship communities, making it easier to get started. Jo-Ann Taylor from St. Andrew’s Church in Edgartown said they’re getting started with a similar program now. Parishioners can pick up and drop off compost buckets on Sundays, then the material is taken to Island Grown Initiative farms. Read more.
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Apr 18: Diocesan Council Meeting, via Zoom, 6:00pm
Apr 18: Refugee Immigration Ministry International Concert, Trinity Church, Topsfield, 7:00pm
Apr 20: Earth Day Celebration, St. Mark's Church, Southborough, 9:00am
Apr 21: Bishop Gallagher visits St. James's Church in Groveland
Apr 21: Bishop Gates visits Christ Church in Harwich Port
Apr 21: Installation of The Rev. Lisa Faber Ginggen at St. James’s Church, Groveland, 3:00pm
Apr 21: Choral Evensong: An Earth Day Celebration, St. Barnabas's Church, Falmouth, 5:00pm
Apr 21: Organ Concert featuring Carson Cooman, St. Michael's Church, Marblehead, 5:00pm
Apr 22: “Generation to Generation: Talking with Younger Adults about the Next Episcopate in the Diocese of Massachusetts" Panel Discussion, via Zoom, 6:30pm
Apr 27: Third Annual Pan-African Conference, St. Thomas's Church, Taunton, 10:00am
Apr 28: Bishop Gallagher visits Emmanuel Church in Boston
Apr 28: Bishop Gates visits St. Anne's-in-the-Fields Church in Lincoln
Apr 28: Saying Goodbye Service, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 4:00pm
Apr 29-30: Clergy Conference, Devens Common Center, Devens
May 1: Massachusetts Episcopal Network for the Poor People's Campaign Online Open House, 7:00pm
May 2: Installation of The Rev. Melissa Howell at Christ Church, Plymouth, 7:00pm
May 4: Confirmation Service: Alewife Deanery, All Saints' Church, Belmont, 10:30am
May 4: Diocesan Altar Guild Annual Luncheon, St. John's Church, Saugus, 10:30am
May 4: Dorchester Community Resource Fair, St. Mark's Church, Dorchester, 1:00pm
May 5: Bishop Gates visits Church of the Advent in Medfield
May 5: Bishop Gallagher visits St. John's Church in Sandwich
May 5: Choral Evensong and Benediction, St. Michael's Church, Marblehead, 5:00pm
May 7-11: Meet-and-Greets with Bishop Nominees
May 12: Bishop Gates visits Christ Church in Medway
May 12: Bishop Gallagher visits Trinity Church in Stoughton
May 16: Diocesan Council Meeting, 6:00pm
May 18: Diocesan Convention to Elect 17th Bishop of Massachusetts, Trinity Church, Boston
May 19: Bishop Gates visits St. Anne's Church in Lowell
May 19: Organ Concert featuring Raymond Hawkins, St. Michael's Church, Marblehead, 5:00pm
May 20: Massachusetts Episcopal Network for the Poor People's Campaign Book Discussion, via Zoom, 7:00pm
May 26: Bishop Gates visits St. Paul's Church in Natick
May 29: Province I Conference, via Zoom, 5:00pm
May 29: Installation of The Rev. James Medley at Church of the Holy Spirit, Fall River, 6:30pm
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