"In the midst of blue":

"In Advent we wait with subdued anticipation for the message of Christmas. We wait to be reminded once again that Christ is born; that God’s love has been made flesh; and that God’s Incarnation is truly a reality—in us, through us, for us, and with us. We wait to hear Zechariah’s prophetic song once more: 'In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us.' [Luke 1:78]

A welcome, posted at St. Paul's Church in Newburyport, in Dari, English and Pashto. Courtesy photo via Facebook

At St. Paul's Church in Newburyport, preparing the way this Advent means just that.

The parish has spent the early days of December getting ready to become the temporary home for an Afghan family of nine that arrived this week, to be followed by a second family of 13 expected in coming days.

These families are among the thousands of endangered Afghans evacuated to American military bases during the chaotic August pull-out of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Massachusetts has been designated to receive at least 900 Afghan evacuees, according to the AP. They began arriving in the Commonwealth in late September, often on short notice to local resettlement agencies which are now pressed to quickly find housing and provide support services as the number of arriving Afghan refugees has increased from the several hundred resettled in Massachusetts over a period of recent years to that many, and more, in the few months since the evacuation.

When the International Institute of New England, a resettlement agency with offices in Boston, Lowell and Manchester, N.H., put out word in the fall of the potential need for temporary housing, St. Paul's offered classroom and meeting space at the church that wasn't being used much because of COVID-19.

"We've been waiting a couple of months to hear back, and then it sort of happened all at once," St. Paul's rector, the Rev. Dr. Jarred Mercer, said. The call came in early December that the agency desperately needed the space to temporarily house large families expected to arrive in a week's time.

"It's a no-brainer, really," he said of the church's decision to open its doors to evacuees until more permanent housing can be found. "This is why we exist, to live as this continued expression of Christ's love and mercy in the world and in our place, today."

A core group of about a dozen St. Paul's volunteers had already gone through an orientation process with the resettlement agency, he said, but it was all hands on deck to convert church meeting rooms into bedrooms and living areas for families who would be arriving with few, if any, personal possessions.

The preparations ranged from the nitty gritty of getting fire safety, municipal building authority and Church Insurance Co. approvals, to installing new locks for privacy and security, to sorting clothing donations and supplies and setting up furniture.

"It's really welcoming," Mercer said of the newly converted space. "It feels light and airy, and people have donated some beautiful things, like brand-new beds. It's turning out really well," he said.

An appeal to the wider community resulted in volunteered professional labor to install a shower, a surplus of donated furniture and clothing, and almost $30,000 raised, to date.

"It's been an amazing response in just a few days," Mercer said. "Everything will go to supporting the families and what they need, which they should be able to speak for once they arrive."

The timing of the Newburyport church's reception of evacuee families seems poignantly resonant, given the season.

"I think it is essentially a playing out of the Advent narrative," Mercer said. "We are told very clearly by Christ that in welcoming the stranger and caring for the vulnerable, we are welcoming and caring for and serving him, so preparing for the arrival of these new neighbors that we're called to love is, in a sense, preparing the way for Christ's coming, this radical in-breaking of God's love among us at Christmas.

"Advent is also a season of turning and of repentance, so being able to find within ourselves the places where we're hesitant to live this out, where we're hesitant to find Christ among us in the vulnerable and in the stranger, and to turn from that towards this offering of grace that's coming our way, that's a great joy."

A refugee family from Afghanistan designated for resettlement in Dartmouth has yet to arrive, but already has a friend in Martin Costa, a member of St. Peter’s Church and that parish’s designated point person for organizing some support.

Leaders at several Episcopal churches on the South Coast have been in conversation about ways to collaborate or get involved in resettlement efforts in their area, according to St. Peter’s rector, the Rev. Scott Ciosek, including the Church of the Holy Spirit in Fall River and Grace Church in New Bedford. 

St. Peter's Church, Dartmouth

He noted that the Immigrants Assistance Center in New Bedford has set up a bank account to accept donations (Immigrants Assistance Center Afghan Resettlement Program, 58 Crapo Street #1, New Bedford MA 02740, with “Afghan Resettlement Program” in checks’ memo line). He welcomes inquiries from others interested in getting involved and can be reached by e-mail at martincosta@charter.net.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, who serves as canon for immigration and multicultural ministries on the diocesan staff, said that a number of churches in the diocese are involved in a variety of ways with refugee resettlement, and that his office will be convening a group in January for conversation with staff from Episcopal Migration Ministries, to foster coordination and mutual support and learning. 

While Episcopal Migration Ministries—the refugee resettlement ministry of The Episcopal Church—no longer counts any Massachusetts agencies among its local affiliates, due to Trump administration cutbacks in 2017, its “Neighbors Welcome: Afghan Allies Fund” is one way to support ongoing churchwide efforts. Find more information here, and read more below.

Episcopal Church to reach 100,000 people served in 40 years of refugee resettlement services [Episcopal News Service]: Episcopal Migration Ministries is nearing a milestone in the church’s 40-year history of participation in the U.S. refugee resettlement program: Sometime this month, the church will have helped more than 100,000 people establish new homes in the United States after fleeing war, violence and persecution in their home countries.

In the 1980s and 1990s, many of those refugees came from East Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe. In recent years, the new arrivals most commonly have been displaced by turmoil in Burma, Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to State Department data. And in the past four months, Episcopal Migration Ministries, or EMM, and its affiliated local organizations have scrambled to welcome thousands of Afghan evacuees who were allowed into the United States after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August.

While each new neighbor has a personal story to share, all 100,000 have benefited from the support of local Episcopalians and a range of federally funded services provided by EMM’s affiliates, including English language and cultural orientation classes, employment services, school enrollment and initial assistance with housing and transportation.

“They all have one underlying common thread, and that is they are people who needed protection. They were seeking safety and security,” EMM Director of Operations Demetrio Alvero told Episcopal News Service. He estimated that the church would pass the milestone in the week leading up to Christmas. “The 100,000 represents 100,000 lives that have changed; they found security in this country, they found hope, opportunities.”

Read the full Episcopal News Service story here.

Episcopalians join communities responding to deadly tornadoes in central U.S. [Episcopal News Service]: Episcopal leaders and church members are working with their communities to provide disaster relief and assistance to areas affected by the powerful storm system overnight Dec. 10 that produced deadly and destructive tornadoes across a wide swath of the central United States.

Communities in western Kentucky were among the hardest hit. At least 64 people there were killed in the storms, Gov. Andy Beshear said in an update on Dec. 13, and more deaths were reported from the tornadoes that ripped through parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

The Diocese of Kentucky, based in Louisville, announced on Facebook that it was working with Episcopal Relief & Development and the staff of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to coordinate assistance to those impacted by the storms.

The Diocese of Kentucky posted this photo on Facebook on Dec. 11, saying: "From Bishop [Terry] White's front yard to everyone across the diocese: 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.'"

Read the full Episcopal News Service story here.

"Encounters in the Holy Land" scheduled for 2022: After two years of postponement due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the fall pilgrimage that Bishop Gayle E. Harris has been leading annually since 2009 is back on the calendar for 2022. She and the Rev. Manny Faria plan to co-lead the "Encounters in the Holy Land" mission pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine, Oct. 17-28, 2022.

Licensed tour guide Iyad Qumri, a member of St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, will join the group for visits to holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Jordan Valley, Nazareth, Galilee, Nablus and Ramallah.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem

There will also be opportunities to learn about active mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem through its school, health care and peacemaking ministries.

The deadline for registering is April 1. The group will meet twice before the trip for preparation and community building. Estimated cost is $4,400-$4,600 per person (double occupancy), with all payments due by Aug. 15.

The pilgrimage is an opportunity for anyone who is interested in experiencing the land of the birth of the Christian faith; who is willing to listen and learn from siblings in God who live their faith in a different culture and context; and who want to engage in the mission of God beyond their doorstep.

Inquiries about joining the mission pilgrimage are welcome. More information is available by contacting David Ames at dames@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 445.

Diocesanwide group to journey "My Way of Love" together in new year: A nine-week diocesanwide program begins in January for anyone who is interested in deepening their spiritual journey.

Each participant will first take a spiritual inventory, and then, using the "My Way of Love for Small Groups" curriculum as a guide, the group will meet weekly to journey the "Way of Love" together. The program is intended for participants who wish to receive some guidance about ways to grow spiritually—deepening love of God and neighbor. Weekly gatherings will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. starting Tuesday, Jan. 4 and concluding Tuesday, March 1.

The Rev. Jen Vath, who serves as the assistant rector at Christ Church in Andover, and Martha Gardner, diocesan staff missioner for networking and formation, are leading the diocesan program.

According to Gardner, "The Way of Love," introduced to The Episcopal Church by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, is more than a program or curriculum. "It is an intentional commitment to a set of practices to follow Jesus: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, rest. Participating in 'My Way of Love for Small Groups' is a great community builder, and we are excited about participants joining from congregations across the diocese."

Those interested in participating should contact Gardner by Dec. 23 at mgardner@diomass.org for more information or to register.

Ministry Discernment Conference for inquirers set for Feb. 5: Registration is now open, here, for the annual Ministry Discernment Conference hosted by the Commission on Ministry, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and currently planned as an in-person event at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. (The snow date is Feb. 12.)

The conference will provide an in-depth look at the 2022 edition of the Ministry Discernment Handbook, and gives potential inquirers an opportunity to learn about the ordination process in the Diocese of Massachusetts as they consider whether their call is to ordained ministry or committed lay ministry. Any person considering applying for admission to the ordination process in 2022 is required to attend the conference, along with a sponsoring priest and at least one member of their parish discernment committee.

For more information, contact the Rev. Canon Edie Dolnikowski, Canon for Ordained Vocations, at edie@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 514.

Priesthood ordination services underway: The diocesan community’s prayers and virtual presence are invited for these upcoming ordinations to the priesthood:

Please contact each hosting congregation or community directly about service details; livestream links are posted on the diocesan Events calendar.

Starry skies beheld in new Advent paraments at St. Paul's, Dedham: The night sky and its heralding signs in this season are captured in new Advent paraments now in use at St. Paul's Church in Dedham.

"It has been many years since a new set of paraments has been commissioned and the aim was to celebrate our love of tradition with a more contemporary feel," reports the Rev. Melanie McCarley, the rector of St. Paul's.

The new set, given by the Lamb, Cracknell and Gilman families in memory of late parishioner John Lamb, is the result of design collaboration between a parish committee and liturgical fabric artist Christina Laberge of Braintree who handcrafted the hangings.

New Advent paraments at St. Paul's Church in Dedham feature stars of silver and gold thread and crystals symbolizing "hope in God's glimmering parament of the night sky." Courtesy photo

"This work of collaboration between the St. Paul's Paraments Committee and Christina Laberge was a joy," McCarley said.

She described the striking "Sarum blue" of the paraments' dupioni silk background as "somewhere between a deep midnight blue and electric blue which invites you to ponder the mystery of the incarnation—it speaks of solemn joy. It is a blue conveying wonderment, peace and stillness in the midst of the frenetic activity surrounding us this time of year."

Many Scripture readings for the season of Advent reference signs in the heavens, McCarley noted, and the stars adorning the paraments--crafted from silver and gold thread and tiny Swarovski crystals—twinkle with symbolism.

"As lights shining forth in the darkness, stars are perfect symbols of Christ, the light of the world, the Bright Morning Star, promised to a world in travail," she said, noting in particular the large star on the new altar frontal representing the Star of Bethlehem. "What's more, stars give direction. They lead us where we need to go. Stars symbolize hope in God's glimmering parament of the night sky."

Read more in McCarley's Nov. 28 sermon here.

Dartmouth Week: Buoys brighten new holiday tree in Padanaram: The Dartmouth Moms Group at St. Peter's Episcopal Church and the Padanaram Business Association wanted to add a tree lighting to the traditional activities of the Dec. 4 village Holiday Stroll. There was only one problem, said Moms Group member Molly Armando. "We walked around the village and there were no [suitable] trees," she said. So, inspired by photos of trees made of nautical items such as lobster pots, she developed the idea of a tree made from buoys. St. Peter's served as the drop-off spot for the decorated buoys that arrived by the cartful. Read more here.

Dec 15: B-PEACE Network Meeting, via Zoom, 2:00pm

Dec 15: Ordination to the Priesthood: Marcia Chanta Bhan, All Saints Episcopal School, Fort Worth, Tex., 2:30pm (Eastern)

Dec 15: Messiah Sing, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 5:00pm

Dec 15: "Healing from Internalized Oppression" Advent Series with Seven Historically Black Churches, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Dec 18: Ordinations to the Priesthood: Lauren Banks Killelea and Hailey Jacobsen, All Saints Church, Richmond, Va., 10:30am

Dec 18: Ordination to the Priesthood: Rowan Larson, Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, 2:00pm

Dec 18: Ordination to the Priesthood: Kevin Neil, Church of St. John the Evangelist, San Francisco, Calif., 7:00pm (Eastern)

Dec 19: Bishop Gates visits the Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading

Dec 21: Finance Forum for Congregational Leaders, via Zoom, 5:30pm

Dec 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Eucharist with Carols and Anthems, Bishop Alan M. Gates presiding and Dean Amy McCreath preaching, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 7:00pm

Jan 2: Christmas Poems and Carols, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 10:00am

Jan 9: Bishop Gates visits Christ Church in Swansea, 9:00am

Jan 11: Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Parochial Report Prep (Financial Portion), via Zoom, 9:00am

Jan 15: Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Parochial Report Prep (Financial Portion), via Zoom, 9:00am

Jan 16: Bishop Gates visits Grace Chapel in Brockton

Jan 16: Bishop Harris visits St. Paul's Church in Natick

Jan 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center & Online, 8:30am

Jan 18: Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Parochial Report Prep (Non-Financial Portion), via Zoom, 9:00am

Jan 19: Global Mission Commission Network Meeting, via Zoom, 4:00pm

Jan 22: Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Parochial Report Prep (Non-Financial Portion), via Zoom, 9:00am

Jan 22: Diocese of Western Massachusetts "Bending Toward Justice Annual Day of Prayer and Discernment," via Zoom, 9:00am

Jan 22: Installation of The Rev. Kapya Kaoma, Christ Church, Waltham, 10:00am

Jan 22: Inter-Congregational Collaborations Workshop, via Zoom, 10:00am

Jan 23: Bishop Gates visits Trinity Church in Concord

Jan 23: Bishop Harris visits Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin in Boston

Jan 25: "Preaching Hope in a Climate Crisis: Epiphany Conversation for Preachers," with Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and Jim Antal, via Zoom, 10:00am

Jan 25: Finance Forum for Congregational Leaders, via Zoom, 5:30pm

Jan 28: Ordination to the Priesthood: Brett Johnson, All Saints Church of the North Shore, Danvers, 10:00am

Jan 30: Bishop Gates visits St. Paul's Church in Brookline

Jan 30: Bishop Harris visits Church of St. Mary of the Harbor in Provincetown

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