April 2025

Renewal and blessing in this Holy Week:

Diocese of Massachusetts clergy, together with Lutheran colleagues, made a grand procession across Boston Common, stopping traffic on Tremont Street as they made their way to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, where they were welcomed by Bishop Julia Whitworth and New England Synod ELCA Bishop Nathan Pipho for the annual Holy Tuesday Eucharist with Renewal of Ordination Vows and Blessing of Holy Oil. More photos on Facebook here. Photos: David M. Rider

Martyrs & their witness to resurrection:

Massachusetts pilgrims reflect on El Salvador pilgrimage honoring Óscar Romero

Vivian Ruiz of St. Anne's Church in Lowell participates in a justice march during a Cristosal-hosted pilgrimage in El Salvador marking the 45th anniversary of Óscar Romero’s March 24 martyrdom. Courtesy photo

During the 45th anniversary week of Óscar Romero’s March 24 martyrdom, the Episcopal-affiliated independent nonprofit Cristosal hosted an ecumenical group on a four-day pilgrimage in El Salvador to commemorate his life and teachings.

The Rev. Max Sklar, who is serving a diocesan-supported curacy at two parishes, Trinity Church in Haverhill and St. Anne's Church in Lowell, and Vivian Ruiz, also of St. Anne's Church, were among the 14 people taking part in the March 21-24 pilgrimage.

"In Greek the word martyr originally meant 'witness.' In a Christian context, this became quickly adapted to emphasize not primarily the death of a martyr itself, but on how that death is a witness to the resurrection, and the vindicating and liberating justice of God in Christ," Sklar writes in a reflection on the experience. "In El Salvador we met countless people keeping the legacy of Romero alive including living witnesses to Romero’s life and times, some of whom had met him. It was profound to hear them share their experience of living through the civil war—stories of displacement, imprisonment and disappearances, but also stories of communities resisting unspeakable evil with protest, prayer, song and mutual aid. We witnessed how Romero’s legacy is lived today."

Read the full reflection here. 

 Read Episcopal News Service's story about the pilgrimage here.  

Cristosal is a 2025 recipient of a $25,000 Sustainable Development Grant from the Diocese of Massachusetts. Founded in 2000, Cristosal, from its base in San Salvador, assists internally displaced people and provides legal and accompaniment services to individuals and families whose human rights have been violated. It also has operations in Guatemala and Honduras.

Cristosal's humanitarian assistance program was curtailed in February, and most of its staff cut, when the Trump administration put a freeze on some $60 billion in foreign aid. Cristosal is continuing its humanitarian assistance work through philanthropic support and individual donations. Churches in the Diocese of Massachusetts that have supported Cristosal include the Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton, Christ Church in Cambridge, St. Andrew's Church in Edgartown, St. Paul's Church in Natick and St. Paul's Church in Newburyport.

Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City Episcopal News Service Photo: Mary Frances Schjonberg

Global faith leaders condemn latest Gaza attacks as blasts damage Anglican hospital: [Episcopal News Service] Anglicans and other global faith leaders have condemned Israeli airstrikes that on Palm Sunday struck an Anglican hospital in the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, destroying or damaging several of the hospital’s departments.

Al Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the Diocese of Jerusalem, had been struck several times previously by blasts in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas since Hamas attacked Israeli communities and massacred hundreds on Oct. 7, 2023. 

The hospital has been described in international news reports as the last fully functioning hospital in northern Gaza.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe released a statement after the attack, asking for prayers for the hospital staff and their patients.

“No matter how we understand the causes of violence in the Holy Land, we can surely agree that we must support our fellow Anglicans in alleviating the devastating humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Gaza,” Rowe said.

Rowe also encouraged Episcopalians to give generously to the Good Friday Offering, the church’s annual collection in support of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the other dioceses that make up the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Episcopalians also can write to their representatives in Congress, asking them to support a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian aid for Gaza and a just and sustained peace in the Holy Land, Rowe said. He shared resources provided by the church’s Washington, D.C.-based Office of Government Relations. Read the full story here.

Old North Church in Boston joins commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution: The Old North Church's traditional Lantern Service, on Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m., takes on special significance this year as it marks the 250th anniversary of the famous "two-if-by-sea" lantern signal from the church's steeple and rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes at the American Revolution's start.

Author and historian Heather Cox Richardson will deliver the keynote address, with prayers for the nation and a blessing to be offered by Bishop Julia Whitworth. The evening culminates with the lighting of the steeple lanterns. The service is organized by the church's clergy and congregation as an offering to the wider community. While in-person seating is sold out, the service will be livestreamed here. 

There's more: On Saturday, April 26, Old North's steeple lamp will be lit again—this time in green—as the iconic church hosts a "Green Light for Climate Justice" multifaith service that evening at 6:30 p.m.

The service aims to light the way forward with spirit, song and solidarity, ahead of the "Sun Day" nationwide climate mobilization coming up in September. Leaders participating in the April 26 Green Light for Climate Justice service include Bill McKibben, the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Diana Butler Bass, Rabbi Shoshana Friedman and Grammy-nominated vocalist Antonique Smith. Bishop Julia Whitworth will offer prayers and a benediction. All are welcome. Find details and RSVP here.

The Rev. Kathy McAdams

Courtesy photo

"Keep Awake with Me" in Franklin: Inspired by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker's record-setting 25-hour speech on the Senate floor March 31-April 1, the rector of St. John's Church in Franklin, the Rev. Kathy McAdams, is planning her own overnight "filibuster of prayer," as she describes it.

In an adaptation of the traditional vigil at the altar of repose, McAdams will be reading Scripture, praying, singing and speaking for the 24 hours between 8 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 17 through 7 p.m. on Good Friday, April 18. 

She hopes others will drop in at the church at any time during the vigil, or join the livestream  via Facebook at stjohnsfranklinma.

"I'm calling it 'Keep Awake with Me' because that's what Jesus asked his disciples to do, and I think it's really important at this time that we keep awake to what's going on in our country and in the world, and remember and trust that Jesus is concerned about vulnerable people. Keeping awake with him means that we too share that concern and try to do something about it," McAdams said in a Zoom interview.

One thing that struck her about Booker's feat, she said, was the way he summoned up "champions of justice, like John Lewis and Martin Luther King, and also just that he would do something so extreme to call attention to the moment that we're in right now."

Unlike Booker, she said, if she needs a bathroom break or a snack, she'll have one. "I might even sit down," she added. "Fortunately, I don't have to worry about Senate rules or anything like that. And maybe other people will come and want to get up and say something. I can yield the floor!" 

"Maybe others would like to do something similar," she added. "It doesn't have to be on that night, and it doesn't have to be for 24 hours. It's about finding ways of holding space, being present, showing up."

Planning underway for diocesan Pride presence and participation this June: Plan to join Bishop Julia Whitworth and hundreds of Episcopalians witnessing for love during Pride celebrations this June.  

From the diocesan planning group: "We are living in a time when people in the LGBTQ+ community are being harmed by hate-fueled public policies, violent events and alienating language. Often, these actions are rooted in misguided interpretations of Christianity. 

"Having a loving and visible presence of Christians—including members of the Diocese of Massachusetts—is more important now than it has been in decades. We have an opportunity to offer care to those who have been harmed and make the church meaningful to those who have been pushed away.

"The Diocese of Massachusetts plans to have a large delegation of LGBTQ+ people and allies walk, march, sashay (take your pick!) in the Boston Pride for the People parade on Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. (meet near Copley Square). Parish delegations and banners welcome! There will be T-shirts! Our diocese is also looking to have a presence at Pride celebrations in other communities on other dates. Stay tuned for details." In the meantime, questions can be directed to the Rev. Liz Steinhauser at lsteinhauser@diomass.org.

The Rev. Daniel Bell, presiding at a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at Boston College's Clough School of Theology and Ministry in January.

Photo via Facebook

Episcopal faculty and staff speak out at BC on Trans Day of Visibility: A group of Episcopal faculty and staff members at Boston College signed on to a statement of support and solidarity on Trans Day of Visibility on March 31. Read the statement here.

"As Episcopalians, rooted in our baptismal call to 'strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being,' we unabashedly affirm the dignity of trans, nonbinary, two-spirit and gender-nonconforming people, especially those here in our Boston College community. Sharing in the Jesuit tenet of cura personalis and recognizing the image of God in all people, we are here to tell you that we support you, we love you and—most importantly—that God loves you. Your identities are sacred, your existence is holy and we as a community are made better by your witness," the statement said. 

The Rev. Daniel Bell, the affiliate campus minister for the Episcopal Community at Boston College, and the Rev. Dorie Goehring, a Ph.D. candidate at the college, drafted and set the statement in motion.

"Like so many, we definitely see the connection between our faith and making a public witness in terms of justice issues," Bell said in a Zoom interview. "We wanted to say and do something positive, especially given the current political climate, as a way to articulate our values to the BC community and to those who have not felt as welcome as they should."

And while the statement was intended for the BC community, he said, the hope is that its message can have a wider reach beyond a one-day commemoration.

"Opportunities like Trans Day of Visibility are reminders of how we should be living and articulating our values day in and day out, raising awareness to these issues, being in solidarity with those who are experiencing marginalization right now. It's important to think about how we integrate all of that into our everyday lives," he said.

Interim youth and young adult missioner appointed: The Rev. Shannon Kelly has joined the diocesan staff as interim missioner for youth and young adult formation.

She most recently served on the presiding bishop's staff as officer for young adult and campus ministry and grant director for the Camino Project. She brings a long vocational history of advocating for and ministering with children, youth and young adults, and has served congregations and ministries in California, New York and Wisconsin.

She says her passion for ministry was formed in the Diocese of Idaho where she worked at the diocesan camp, assisted with youth programs and taught children during Sunday morning formation time. She completed a bachelor’s degree in English literature at the University of Idaho and her Master of Divinity degree at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1999. Throughout her ministry she has written curriculum and created and shaped formation programs for people of all ages.

Bishop Julia Whitworth said in announcing the appointment, "We are blessed with this unique opportunity to welcome a talented leader with extensive, churchwide formation experience onto our diocesan staff in a three-quarters-time role. During this interim time, Shannon will bring immediate operational leadership to our diocesan youth ministry, companion those discerning future young adult ministry opportunities and offer her extensive experience in faith formation to us as we continue developing our diocesan vision and strategy."

The Rev. Shannon Kelly can be reached at skelly@diomass.org. She invites those who minister with youth and young adults in congregations and communities of the diocese to be in touch with her to get connected or to reconnect with diocesan youth and young adult ministry.

Evangelism Working Group offers "New Models of Episcopal Evangelism" series: The Evangelism Working Group of Diocesan Council is hosting an ongoing series of monthly presentations via Zoom that celebrate creative examples of evangelism happening in the congregations and worshiping communities of the Diocese of Massachusetts.

The featured ministries are being described as “real, not ideal,” and are being shared to inspire, encourage and connect the people of God in the collaborative work of evangelism.  

The upcoming session, “Essential Spiritual Practices for Evangelism and Parish Vitality,” on Tuesday, May 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m., will be presented by the Rev. Becky Zartman-Carpenter (details and registration here). All are welcome.

"What Does It Mean to be Asian American in the Church and Our Society?": Asian Pacific Islander American Episcopalians of the diocese are hosting this celebration during Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, to take place on Saturday, May 17, 3-7 p.m., at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. All are invited and welcome!

The program will include a keynote and panel discussion featuring Bishop Suffragan Allen Shin of the Diocese of New York; the Rev. Jo Ann Lagman, Episcopal Church Missioner of Asia American Ministry; and Dr. Eunil David Cho, Associate Professor, Boston University School of Theology. Holy Eucharist and dinner will follow the program. Registration is requested by May 10 here.

Upcoming Spring Work Weekend readies BCH Center for summer season: The Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H., is organizing a Spring Work Weekend to complete various projects on the property ahead of the summer season. Individuals, families and church groups are invited to take part, for a day or overnight, in this weekend of both work and play, May 9-11. People of all ages and abilities are welcome. This is a no-cost event. The Spring Work Weekend overlaps with the BCH Center's middle and high school youth retreat the same weekend, with the groups sharing in closing Eucharist on Sunday. Find details and registration at bchcenter.org/retreats.

Registration is open for family and youth summer camps: Families of all configurations can enjoy an extra-long weekend of activities, worship and family-oriented fellowship during the June 27-30 Family Camp session. The summer schedule also includes four week-long youth Overnight Camp sessions, running from July 6 through Aug. 1, for those completing 2nd through 11th 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 hardship; camperships are available for those who need them. For details and registration, visit bchcenter.org/bchcamp.

Harvard Crimson: As state resources strain, houses of worship fill the gap to host unhoused immigrants: As the state works to adapt and find alternative solutions to divert families from shelters, a network of nearly a dozen churches in the Greater Boston Area has collaborated with the Brazilian Workers Center—an immigrant support and advocacy organization—to fill in the gaps.

“We began working with the Brazilian Workers Center, which runs one of the family welcome centers, to identify when there were families falling through the cracks,” Hannah Hafter, an organizer at Episcopal City Mission, said. Read the article here.

WBZ News: Franklin vigil offers support to Jewish community after acts of vandalism: Dozens of people gathered on the town common in Franklin April 6 to share song and prayer at a vigil in response to two hateful acts of vandalism in town the previous week, including one that targeted a Jewish temple.

"The acts of vandalism to the temple this week are acts of violence," said Rev. Kathy McAdams of St. John's Church. "They are meant to terrorize and silence Jewish people and we cannot stand for that." Full story here.

Apr 17: Maundy Thursday at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 6:00pm

Apr 18: Good Friday at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 5:15pm

Apr 18: Lantern Service, Old North Church, Boston, 7:00pm

Apr 18: "Meditations on the Passion," St. Andrew's Church, Marblehead, 8:00pm

Apr 19: Holy Saturday at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston

Apr 20: Easter Day at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, Bishop Julia Whitworth preaching and presiding, 10:00am

Apr 24: Diocesan Council Meeting, via Zoom, 6:00pm

Apr 26: Eucharistic Visitor Training, Grace Church, Medford, 9:00am

Apr 26: Green Light for Climate Justice Multifaith Service, Old North Church, Boston, 6:30pm

Apr 27: Bishop Whitworth visits St. Mark's School in Southborough

Apr 27: Confirmation Service, Trinity Church, Concord, 5:00pm

Apr 28-30: Clergy Conference, Devens Common Center, Devens

May 3: Eucharistic Visitor Training, St. David's Church, South Yarmouth, 9:00am

May 4: Bishop Whitworth visits Church of the Good Shepherd in Dedham

May 4: Confirmation Service, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 4:30pm

May 6: New Models of Episcopal Evangelism Series: Essential Spiritual Practices for Evangelism and Parish Vitality, via Zoom, 5:30pm

May 7: Celebration of New Ministry: The Rev. Won-Jae Hur at St. Paul's Church in Brookline, 6:00pm

May 10: Eucharistic Visitor Training, Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington, 9:00am

May 10: Diocesan Altar Guild Annual Meeting, Christ Church, Quincy, 11:00am

May 11: Bishop Whitworth visits St. John's Chapel at Groton School, with Confirmations, 10:30am

May 15: Diocesan Council Meeting, via Zoom, 6:00pm

May 17: Clergy Professional Development Day, Grace Church, New Bedford

May 17: APIA Heritage Month Celebration, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 3:00pm

May 18: Bishop Whitworth visits All Saints' Church in Chelmsford

May 18: "The Singer's Guide" Hymn Festival, St. Michael's Church, Marblehead, 5:00pm

May 21: Clergy Professional Development Day, St. Peter's Church, Weston

May 24: "Revival and Resilience: Worship in a Time of Climate Crisis," sponsored by Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission, St. Andrew's Church, Ayer, 9:00am

May 25: Bishop Whitworth visits Grace Chapel in Brockton

May 31: Open House, Neighborhood Picnic and Craft Fair, Adelynrood Retreat and Conference Center, Byfield, 12:00-3:00pm