Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

The diocesan Racial Justice Commission will begin rolling out new resource materials for congregations at Diocesan Convention in November, following a year of deliberative effort by five subcommittees to lay foundations for the long-term work of reckoning with and eradicating racism in the Episcopal Church in eastern Massachusetts.

"This year has been about mapping out what we can offer to churches," the Rev. Natalie Thomas of St. Barnabas's Church in Falmouth said in an interview in August. She and the Rev. Noble Scheepers, interim rector at St. John's Church in Westwood, co-chair the Racial Justice Commission, which is the diocesan body appointed by the bishops to lead and implement the diocese's racial justice and reconciliation efforts.

"This is long work, transformational work, that is about helping our diocese and congregations make systemic changes that will have a lasting impact. With the help and expertise of Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa on the diocesan staff, the Racial Justice Commission has been intentional over these past months about trying to structure the work in a way that leads to long-term shifts in our diocese," Thomas said. "We're really glad that by Diocesan Convention we're going to have some resources for congregations, because our churches are really the holders of culture at the local level. The changes they implement in their local contexts are going to lead to a more racially just church."

In the lead-up to Diocesan Convention, the Racial Justice Commission will be spotlighting the priorities and progress of its five subcommittees. Two such spotlights are featured in September, one on reparations and another on support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) leaders, congregations and communities. (See "Racial Justice Commission spotlights" below.)

October spotlights will provide updates from subcommittees working toward transparency and accountability in organizational practices and processes; the just allocation of financial resources and compensation; and a rethink and re-provision of formation and liturgy resources considered from an antiracist point of view.

"Each of the subcommittees is unique in what it can offer, and it is all a part of courageous conversation that is still gaining momentum, both around truth and reconciliation as well as racial justice," Scheepers said in the August interview. "In addition to the five subcommittees, the Racial Justice Commission is committed to amplifying racial justice work throughout our diocese. That has included participating in and supporting multicultural celebrations and commemorations that have been organized recently at the diocesan level through the Office of Immigration and Multicultural Ministries. That's one of the areas we've been fortunate to be connected and involved with. As a person of color, I see that kind of visibility as really important." Read full article here.

(1 Cor. 13, CEB) In the work of becoming an antiracist church, we see reparations as antiracist love in action. Not love as a feeling or a sentiment, but love as rubber-meeting-road action. Unearthing the shameful, painful truth behind the extent to which the diocese's, diocesan congregations’ and other Episcopal communities’ economic benefits were derived from the forced labor of enslaved people is an important first step, but this acknowledgment is not love in action." Read full spotlight here.

Read full spotlight here.

Twenty-seven Becoming Beloved Community grants supporting the work of racial healing, justice and reconciliation were recently awarded by The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council, two of which will support projects here in the Diocese of Massachusetts.

A $7,000 grant was awarded to the diocesan Hispanic Ministries Committee and St. Mary’s Church, Dorchester, for their project, “Nuestra Verdad” (Our Truth).

In an interview, the Rev. Edwin Johnson--who serves as rector of St. Mary’s in Dorchester and chair of the Presiding Officers’ Advisory Group on Beloved Community Implementation--explained that this work is exploring issues of race and racism within Latino and Hispanic communities both locally as well as on a larger scale.

“There’s this general sense that we all share many common experiences--whether it’s immigration, whether it’s learning the language--and so because of that we don’t have these problems, when in reality we do,” Johnson said. “We wanted a chance to learn more about who we are [and] how everybody identifies--because Latino is an ethnicity, not a race--and so we’re taking this chance to do an audit of sorts, and then, after that, we’re going to start digging into some of these stories and figuring out: What is the racism that we face within the Latino and Hispanic communities? What is the racism we face outside of it?"

A second Beloved Community grant of $8,750 is for Godly Play’s “Beloved Me, Beloved We” initiative, whose goal, according to the grant application, is to “Delightfully and prophetically inspire brave spaces so that every child who comes close to Godly Play encounters a felt sense of their inherent worth and dignity as one uniquely and fully created in God’s image (Beloved Me) and co-creates a way of being and inspiring inclusive communities which celebrate the diversity of God and God’s creation (Beloved We).”

The Rev. Cheryl Minor, the co-rector of All Saints' Church in Belmont, serves as director of the Center for the Theology of Childhood, the academic/publishing arm of the Godly Play Foundation.

In an interview, Minor explained how this grant will fund the first part of the larger “Beloved Me, Beloved We” initiative, beginning with a full audit of Godly Play storytelling and training curricula for implicit bias.

“When George Floyd was murdered in the summer of 2020, the [Godly Play] foundation began to talk about ways that we could make a real difference in society when it comes to that kind of violence against people of color,” Minor said. “We sort of had to come to grips in our complicity in it, if you will, by helping to create implicit bias as we work with children on stories, and we said, ‘OK, well we really need to do some soul searching as an organization.’”

The Season of Creation, Sept. 1 through Oct. 4, is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring relationships to God, one another and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action for climate justice. (Find Episcopal Church Season of Creation and St. Francis Day resource materials here.)

“To be indifferent to climate change is to be indifferent to what God has given us. If we are to be fruitful--that is, productive--we must engage the science of climate change with the commitment and fortitude of faith, Bishop Gayle E. Harris said in a pastoral reflection for this year’s Season of Creation. (Read the full reflection here).

“There are many actions we can each take to address climate change and bring stability and greater sustainability of our environment. Some are small, even daily acts of caring for creation. Other actions we must engage with each other on a larger scale,” Harris said. “This is our hope for our future. This we can do, with the help of God and each other. Faith gives hope. It also gives us the wisdom and energy to act. We do this as the people of God for the creation given from God.”

In the Diocese of Massachusetts, the Creation Care Justice Network has compiled resource materials and suggestions for the season under the theme "Hope Beyond the Heat" that focus on ways to pray, learn, act and advocate. Find them at www.diomass.org/creation-care.

“Ecological Conversion: Falling in Love with Earth”: This online retreat led by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas on Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., is sponsored by both Massachusetts dioceses and is open to all at no charge. The retreat is an opportunity to consider next steps in eco-conversion and how God wants to meet us through the natural world. Find details and register here.

“The natural world is waiting”: Creation care Advent calendar project underway: The Rev. Maggie Arnold at St. Stephen’s Church in Cohasset is working on a hand-drawn Advent calendar for 2021, with a creation care theme. She invites people to send her a picture of nature from their church vicinity, whether it’s flowers on the altar, a dandelion growing through the sidewalk or a pumpkin in the parish garden. She’ll accept anything, she says (close-ups are better than wide landscapes), and she plans to include each picture, labeled with the church’s name, in the calendar, which will be available free to download and print (in black and white, 11 x 17 inches) in November. Send pictures by Oct. 31 to [email protected].

“Experiencing God’s gift of creation is one of the most powerful ways we can open ourselves to the work of the Spirit,” Arnold said by e-mail. “As we move through Advent, I love to think about how all of the natural world is waiting, and announcing Christ’s coming to us, if we would only take the time to look and listen.”

Flowers blooming at St. Stephen's Church in Cohasset. Photo courtesy of parish newsletter

Team by team, ton by ton: This summer, members of the Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester took on the Creation Care Challenge using the Episcopal Church www.sustainislandhome.org online carbon tracker as a creative way to take tangible action to make the earth a more livable place for future generations. Epiphany's two teams competed to reduce their carbon emissions and emerged as the top teams in northeastern Massachusetts. Epiphany’s Team Going Green reduced its carbon consumption by 36 tons, and Team Pollution Patrol, by 21 tons.

“By mother earth my Lord be praised”: The Society of St. John the Evangelist in Cambridge will be incorporating prayer for the environment in monastery worship during this year’s Season of Creation. The brothers invite all to join their 9 a.m. Sunday service via livestream. Find details here.

Members of St. John's with their claimed garden plot. Courtesy photo

One plot at a time: St. John's Church in Arlington is involved in one of the greening initiatives of the town of Arlington and members recently showed their care for creation through claiming a garden plot to take care of and maintain.

"St. John's has claimed one of the mini garden plots in Arlington, and is committed to watering it, putting in new plants and seeds, and weeding it," said the Rev. Diane Wong, the rector of St. John's, in an e-mail. "By doing so, St. John's is expanding its commitment to caring for the environment and building an even stronger relationship with the town."

"Members One of Another": Friday programs open to all as part of Nov. 12-13 Diocesan Convention weekend

Online registration is now open, here, for Diocesan Convention, to be held Friday-Saturday, Nov. 12-13, under the theme “Members One of Another.” Friday plenary and break-out sessions, worship and the evening keynote program will be offered virtually and are open to everyone. Find a publicity flier here, and spread the word.

The regular series of pre-convention forums for clergy and delegates are coming up in October, via Zoom, for learning and discussion about the issues and business to come before the convention. Forums will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18 (Central Region); Tuesday, Oct. 19 (Northern and Western Region); and Thursday, Oct. 28 (Southern Region). A daytime forum will also be offered on Friday, Oct. 29, 2-3:30 p.m.

For links, materials and updates, visit www.diomass.org/diocesan-convention-2021. Questions may be directed to Chelsea Smith, Assistant for Governance and Administration, at [email protected] or 617-482-4826, ext. 406.

AFEDJ brings Archbishop Hosam Naoum to Boston in October: The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston will host the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) and that organization's special guest, the Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, at a reception on Thursday, Oct. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m., and all are invited to attend. Naoum will speak about current conditions in the region and his vision for the Diocese of Jerusalem and its humanitarian ministries in Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon. To attend, RSVP by Sept. 30 to bit.ly/AFEDJ-Boston or 203-655-3575.

Naoum--who was installed in May 2021 as the 15th bishop, and fifth Palestinian bishop, of the Diocese of Jerusalem--will also preach at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Sunday,

Oct. 17 at the 10 a.m. service. All are welcome.

Episcopal Migration Ministries launches "Neighbors Welcome: Afghan Allies Fund": Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry announced on Aug. 31 that The Episcopal Church, through the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), will be assisting Afghans newly arrived in the U.S. through a new support program, and EMM has launched a special appeal, "Neighbors Welcome: Afghan Allies Fund," to meet the financial and in-kind needs necessary to provide adequate housing, basic services and long-term support.

"The ministry of offering welcome to those fleeing violence is nothing less than God’s work—one that calls us to walk the way of love as Jesus of Nazareth taught us, through compassion, through practical care, showing to our newest neighbors that we are neighbors," Curry said. Find the full announcement here, which includes links for additional ways to help, including advocacy, how to make donations and opportunities to volunteer.

Episcopal partners stretch to provide relief during unprecedented disaster season: Episcopal Relief & Development continues to support its development partners in Haiti (The Episcopal Church’s largest diocese) after the devastating Aug. 14 earthquake.

The relief and development organization is also partnering with the Episcopal dioceses of Louisiana and Western Louisiana to provide aid after Hurricane Ida, and with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California as it provides emergency assistance in response to the wildfires there.

Find updates on all these projects during an unprecedented disaster season here; donations to Episcopal Relief & Development are one way to help neighbors in need.

Confirmation services underway: Bishop Gayle E. Harris has been on the road and under the tent top for a series of regional catch-up Confirmation services now underway after many months of pandemic postponement. Congratulations and blessings to the 32 confirmands from 11 congregations at August services hosted by Trinity Church, Topsfield and St. Barnabas's Church, Falmouth. Courtesy photos

More to come: Upcoming Confirmation services will be held: Saturday, Sept. 18 at Christ Church, Swansea; Saturday, Sept. 25 at Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington; and Saturday, Oct. 23 at St. Andrew's Church, Framingham.

Multicultural Gratitude Celebration to honor UTO grant recipients: Though the United Thank Offering (UTO) has decided to postpone its Gratitude Scholars Conference to 2022, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston will host a Multicultural Celebration of Gratitude, as previously announced, on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. All are welcome. Register here.

Three UTO grant recipients will be honored: ProGente Connections in Framingham, St. Stephen’s Youth Programs, Boston and the MANNA community at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. Event proceeds will be donated to the UTO to be redistributed as part of next year’s grant awards.

When the 2021 scholars conference component got postponed, the local planning team decided that there should still be an event at the cathedral that weekend, said Rowan Larson, project manager for the event, in an e-mail.

"We're looking at this celebratory evening as a kick-off to a 'year of gratitude' in the Diocese of Massachusetts," Larson said. "Our hope is that by celebrating gratitude as it shows up in Christianity and in the many cultures that Christians in Massachusetts come from, we might spark some interest in reclaiming a Christian theology of gratitude and Christian gratitude practices.

"We are also hoping to reintroduce the United Thank Offering (UTO) to our diocese," they continued. "I'm the Province I UTO board representative, and since I'm a part of the Diocese of Massachusetts, I feel that making UTO's work known in our diocese is an important part of my work!"

This event is currently designed to offer both in-person attendance and online streaming access. The format will be updated if warranted by evolving COVID-19 metrics and protocols.

“Cracked Open? Now What?” online session with Canon Stephanie Spellers: The laity of the diocese will have an opportunity to gather online for “Cracked Open? Now What?”—a conversation with the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, via Zoom, on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 12-1:15 p.m., ahead of her Clergy Day presentation later in the day.

As the temptation to get “back to normal” beckons in this season of regathering and reopening, how can communities be helped to embrace disruption, dismantle white supremacy and empire, fall in love with Jesus and embody the dream of God? Spellers will draw from her new book, The Church Cracked Open, in leading this special session.

Online registration is open, here.

October Young Adult Retreat: The Young Adult Advisory Committee, Life Together and campus ministries in the Diocese of Massachusetts, along with the Young Adult Network of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, are gathering young adults for an in-person retreat (maintaining COVID protocols, and making adjustments as necessary) on Saturday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Friendly Crossways in Harvard, with a Friday overnight option.

The theme is “Learning to Walk with God in the World,” with a focus on discernment. Those interested in attending may complete this information request form. For more information, contact Jocelyn Collen at [email protected].

Summer regatherings: Congregations around the diocese kept busy over the summer finding ways to stay connected and keep traditions despite ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and concerns: (Top row, from left): St. Barnabas's Church, Falmouth hosted its annual Lobster on the Lawn event; Christ Church, Hamilton hosted a welcome-back event for families; (Second row, from left): St. David's Church, South Yarmouth hosted a "Summer Food Truck without the Truck" event; St. Paul's Church in Dedham held a welcome-back event; (Third row, from left): Christ Church, Swansea held its Harvest Fair; St. Luke's Church, Scituate held a fundraiser for the church where people could pay to have a friend or loved one's yard "flocked" by pink flamingo lawn decor; (Bottom row, from left): St. Luke's Church, Fall River held a back-to-school backpack blessing for students; and St. Paul's Church, Brookline held a "Sundae Sunday" with--what else--ice cream.

Online White Fragility book study series: A book study group via Zoom, focusing on White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo, will be offered on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. for six weeks starting Sept. 29.

This New York Times bestselling book explores the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.

The Rev. John Beach of St. John's Church in Saugus will lead the study group; to participate, contact him at [email protected] to receive the Zoom link to join.

Hopkinton and Westborough parishes journey forward with new shared priest-in-charge: St. Paul’s Church in Hopkinton and St. Stephen’s Church in Westborough welcomed the Rev. Mary Rosendale as their shared priest-in-charge as of Sept. 1—an unusual arrangement because it brings together churches from two dioceses. St. Stephen’s, Westborough, where Rosendale had been serving as an interim priest, is about five miles from St. Paul’s and part of the neighboring Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

“It’s been a joy to assist in bringing these two congregations and Mary Rosendale together. They are remarkably open to a ministry God is calling them into together, and have shown great generosity and flexibility in working out the details,” the Rev. Canon Martha Hubbard, the regional canon for the Northern and Western Region of the Diocese of Massachusetts, said in a news release from the parishes. “This is an experiment that will not only benefit these parishes but also be a model for others who might also be called to collaborate.”

The Rev. Mary Rosendale signing the letter of agreement in July, with wardens Laurie LaBrecque (St. Paul’s, Hopkinton) and Sharyn Philcox (St. Stephen’s, Westborough) and (back) Canon Martha Hubbard of the Diocese of Massachusetts and Canon Rich Simpson of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Photo: Lori Robak

The two congregations signed their letter of agreement with Rosendale in July. She will celebrate 9 a.m. services every Sunday in Westborough, and two 11 a.m. Sunday services a month in Hopkinton, devoting 30 hours and 10 hours a week, respectively, to each parish.

“It is our prayer that the combination of gifts and resources that each parish offers will provide a new way of doing church and a new way forward. We believe that by calling Mary as priest-in-charge for both St. Paul’s and St. Stephen’s, both churches can look with renewed hope to the future,” Westborough senior warden Sharyn Philcox said in the news release.

“We are thrilled that we are able to bring a shared priest to St. Paul’s and join the congregations in a supportive arrangement,” Hopkinton senior warden Laurie LaBrecque added. “We look forward to starting this journey together with St. Stephen’s.”

Cape Cod Times: Somber atmosphere blankets Barnstable during annual 9/11 ceremony: There was a somber quietness as people gathered outside the Barnstable Fire Station. Cub Scouts, police officers and firefighters all lined up by the fire trucks, shoulder to shoulder, as the American and Barnstable flags were held side by side.

The traditional ringing of bells echoed through the air, signifying the fallen first responders, and there was a moment of silence for all the lives lost. People then followed a bagpipe player on a walk toward St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, where the second part of the ceremony would take place.

The Barnstable Fire Department and St. Mary’s Church hosted a 9/11 ceremony on Saturday to honor those who died on that horrific day 20 years ago, while using the events of that day to provide guidance to Americans today. Read more here.

Bedford Citizen: Bedford residents lend a hand in Appalachia: Two teams from local churches, St. Paul’s Episcopal and First Church of Christ, Congregational, recently returned from mission trips to Appalachian communities where each spent a week repairing homes for families in need.

St. Paul’s team went to Wise County, Va., under the auspices of the Appalachian Service Project. The First Church trip was arranged through the Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, W. Va. In each case, the mission trip’s goal was to complete needed repairs to homes while building relationships with volunteers within the region. Read more here.

Dartmouth Week: Church community supplies students with classroom items: As UMass Dartmouth students prepare to return to school, the community at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is working to ensure everyone has the supplies they need. The church coordinated a school supply drive for Arnie's Cupboard, the food pantry at UMass Dartmouth, which serves students, faculty and staff and their families. Read more here.

Boston Globe: In Chelsea, a partnership wrapped in empanada dough: Rosaivette Baez opened her restaurant, Bella Isla Cafe, two months before pandemic shutdowns began. By March of 2020, she had five employees and a bank loan to repay, and federal government aid was inaccessible.

Would her restaurant, named for the beauty of Puerto Rico and created to honor her mother’s love of cooking, be able to survive?

Half a block up Washington Avenue, the Rev. Edgar A. Gutiérrez-Duarte was facing his own crisis. For 13 years, St. Luke’s-San Lucas Episcopal Church had hosted a weekly meal every Saturday, where families in need could come eat something warm and comforting. But with the pandemic hitting Chelsea particularly hard, it was no longer safe to gather that many people into one room. Read more here.

Sep 16: Climate-Crisis Preaching: A Conversation with Jim Antal and Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, 10:00am

Sep 17: 2021 Clergy Professional Development Day Part II, 9:30am

Sep 18: Diocesan Council Meeting via Zoom, 9:00am

Sep 18: Confirmation Service, Christ Church, Swansea, 10:30am

Sep 19: NAVE Voices at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 9:45am

Sep 19: Harvard Chaplaincy's "LadyMass: Immersive Film Experience", Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Sep 19: August Moon Festival, 3:00pm

Sep 21: Diocesan Convention Resolutions Discussion via Zoom, 7:00pm

Sep 21: Harvard Chaplaincy's "LadyMass: Immersive Film Experience", Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 7:00pm

Sep 22: Diocesan Convention Resolutions Discussion via Zoom, 7:00pm

Sep 23: Children's Formation Online Gathering, 3:30pm

Sep 25: Confirmation Service , Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington, 10:00am

Sep 25: Confirmation Service, Church of Our Redeemer, Lexington, 1:00pm

Sep 26: Bishop Harris visits the Parish of St. Chrysostom in Quincy

Sep 28: Online Finance Forum for Congregational Leaders, 5:30pm

Sep 29: St. John's, Saugus Online Book Study Series: White Fragility, 7:30pm

Oct 2: "Ecological Conversion: Falling in Love with Earth" Online Retreat, 9:30am

Oct 3: Bishop Harris visits Trinity Church in Haverhill

Oct 5: Online Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Pandemic Perseverance, 7:00pm

Oct 7: Online Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Support Group for Men, 6:30pm

Oct 12: "Cracked Open? Now What?" Online Conversation for the Laity with Stephanie Spellers, 12:00pm

Oct 12: Clergy Day, 4:00pm

Oct 14: Children's Formation Online Gathering, 3:30pm

Oct 14: American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem: Reception for Archbishop Naoum, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 6:30pm

Oct 16: Episcopal City Mission Annual Meeting, 9:00am

Oct 16: Online Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Congregational Budgets, 9:00am

Oct 16: Multicultural Celebration of Gratitude, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 4:00pm

Oct 17: Bishop Gates visits the Church of the Good Shepherd in Watertown

Oct 17: Archbishop Naoum preaches at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 10:00am

Oct 18: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: Central Region, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Oct 19: Online Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Congregational Budgets, 9:00am

Oct 19: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: Northern & Western Region, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Oct 21: Diocesan Council Meeting, 6:00pm

Oct 22-24: Haydays Weekend, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, N.H.

Oct 23: Confirmation Service, St. Andrew's Church, Framingham, 10:30am

Oct 24: Bishop Gates visits Christ Church in Hyde Park

Oct 24: Bishop Gates visits Iglesia de San Juan in Hyde Park

Oct 24: Bishop Harris visits the Church of St. Mary of the Harbor in Provincetown

Oct 26: Online Finance Forum for Congregational Leaders, 5:30pm

Oct 28: Children's Formation Online Gathering, 3:30pm

Oct 28: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: Southern Region, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Oct 29: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: All Regions, via Zoom, 2:00pm

Oct 30: "Learning to Walk with God in the World" Young Adult Retreat, Friendly Crossways, Harvard, 10:00am

Oct 30: Online Practical Aspects of Congregational Leadership Seminar: Inter-Congregational Collaborations, 10:00am

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