September 2023

Let your voice be heard:

Listening sessions scheduled for diocesan bishop search

The Bishop Nominating Committee announced on Sept. 18 that it has scheduled a series of listening sessions to gather input from the people of the diocese regarding "our vision for our future and the qualities we seek in our new bishop. Feedback from these sessions will help to guide our search process and will be incorporated in the diocesan profile that we will share with the prospective nominees."

To maximize opportunities for participation, 15 sessions have been scheduled, between Sept. 21 and Oct. 14, in churches in every region of the diocese, at varying times and days of the week, and for both the laity and clergy. Dedicated sessions have also been created for affinity groups to ensure that their voices are included; members of those groups are invited to attend other sessions as well. Two Zoom sessions will be offered for those who cannot or prefer not to attend a session in person. 

Registration for the in-person sessions is not required but will be appreciated for planning purposes. Registration is required for the Zoom sessions in order to receive the meeting link. Questions about the listening sessions may be directed to the Nominating Committee at co-chairs@mabishopsearch.org.

For more information about the bishop search process, visit www.diomass.org/bishop-search.

Diocesan Convention program to focus on collaboration as central component of Christian discipleship: Online registration is open for Diocesan Convention, to take place Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Danvers.

Convention is open to all in the diocesan community and includes non-business programming on Friday exploring this year's theme, "In Christ, Called to Collaborate," with guest speaker the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers, Staff Officer for Church Planting for The Episcopal Church.  

Rengers will open Friday's afternoon session, also featuring a panel of presenters representing different ministry contexts around the diocese who will talk about the challenges and blessings of collaborating with partners in and outside of the church, followed by small group break-out conversations.

The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers

Courtesy photo

“We are purposely drawing our panelists and guest speaker from very different, yet equally compelling collaborative Episcopal contexts to spark people’s imaginations about what can be possible when ministry is centered in collaboration," the Rev. Rachel Wildman, Secretary of Convention, said of the Friday program. "We hope the day will give attendees ideas and questions to bring back to their own contexts, and the inspiration to think about collaboration as life giving.” 

Rengers also will give the keynote address, "Declaring the Dream, Borrowing Courage, Muddling Toward Our Vibrant Future," at 7 p.m. following dinner on Friday.

Diocesan Convention continues on Saturday with Holy Eucharist, the annual address by Bishop Alan M. Gates and all business sessions. Materials, including resolutions and the proposed 2024 diocesan budget, will be available soon.

The Diocesan Convention is the primary representative governing body of the diocese. It convenes annually in the fall to conduct diocesan business, including election of officers and members of various leadership bodies; approval of a budget for the upcoming year; setting mission strategy; and establishing diocesan policy and procedure by considering and voting on resolutions and approving changes to the diocesan constitution and canons. It is also an occasion for communication and teaching from the bishops; learning about and participating in shared mission and ministry; fellowship, community building and common prayer; and celebration of the Holy Eucharist together as a diocesan community.

Prepare for Diocesan Convention at October forums: Pre-Convention Forums, online via Zoom, offer an important opportunity for discussion about the issues and business to come before the Diocesan Convention, including the proposed 2024 diocesan budget and resolutions. Participation by region is recommended, but all are welcome at any forum. Forums take place on:

• Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. (Central Region)

• Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. (Northern and Western Region)

• Friday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. (All Regions)

• Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. (Southern Region)

Find registration and more details at www.diomass.org/diocesan-convention-2023.

"Devotion, community, faith":

Bishop Bud Cederholm's life and ministry celebrated

Members of the diocesan and churchwide community gathered at Christ Church in Needham on Sept. 8 to remember and celebrate the life and ministry of the late Bishop Roy F. "Bud" Cederholm Jr., who served as bishop suffragan of the diocese from 2001 until his retirement in 2011. Cederholm died on Aug. 27 at age 79.

In the funeral sermon, Bishop Alan M. Gates recollected aspects of Cederholm's vocation and ministry in terms of devotion, community and faith, describing symbols depicted in a stained glass panel at the Cederholm Cottage, built in the late bishop's honor at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H., as a retreat house for clergy and lay ministers.

Cederholm Cottage stained glass panel, crafted by

The Rev. W. Michael Hamilton

Photo courtesy of Alan M. Gates

"If Bud the Red Sox fan displayed devotion, how much more will God be devoted to one who served so faithfully. If Bud the priest and bishop strove to nurture community, how much more fully will God draw Bud into that mystic sweet communion," Gates said. "If Bud the creation care warrior yearned to refresh and renew the world, how much more will God effect the reversal of all the diminishment Bud latterly suffered, and grant him refreshment and eternal life. If Bud the camp song leader wanted us all to know that we are never forgotten, always loved, how much more will God receive him as the apple of God’s eye."

The full text of the sermon and a recording of the service livestream, courtesy of Christ Church, are available here. The Boston Globe's remembrance is here.

Dioceses of MA and WMA again join to mark Indigenous Peoples' Day, this year in Worcester: Everyone is invited to take part in the second annual Indigenous Peoples' Day Gathering sponsored jointly by the Episcopal dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts. Last year's inaugural joint gathering was hosted by Christ Church in Plymouth. This year's host will be All Saints Church in Worcester in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. The gathering takes place on Monday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The day will include a focus on sacred listening and responding, with lunchtime conversations and a worship service. In addition, there will be a formation component for children, and opportunities for advocacy will be featured. All are welcome. Register here.

The gathering is sponsored by the Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts Indigenous Peoples’ Justice Network, the Beloved Community Commission of Western Massachusetts and the Office of Immigration and Multicultural Ministries of Massachusetts.

This Land is Their Land book discussion coming up in November: The Province I Indigenous Peoples' Justice Network has a book study series underway, with its next Zoom session scheduled on Nov. 8 for the discussion of This Land is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving by David J. Silverman. Contact Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation, at mgardner@diomass.org for details on how to join.

New regional canon for Central Region named: The Rev. Gregory G. Perez has been named regional canon for the Central Region of the diocese, which comprises the 60 congregations and other church-related institutions in the Boston Harbor, Alewife, Charles River and Neponset River deaneries. He starts on Oct. 1.

For the past three years Perez has been the priest-in-charge of St. Stephen's Memorial Church in Lynn.

"Gregory Perez is a deeply experienced priest with a gift for organization and a keen pastoral sensibility," Bishop Alan M. Gates said. "In our diocese, his work with the Racial Justice Commission and with the Mission Strategy Committee's project on clergy mental health have been but two ways he has show how effective he will be in the role of regional canon."

The Rev. Gregory G. Perez Courtesy photo

Perez will join the diocesan staff as one of three regional canons, each serving a geographic area of the diocese encompassing four deaneries. Regional canons provide transition ministry with congregations and clergy involved in search processes for new ordained leadership; clergy wellness and family support; and lay leadership support and development in congregations. Read more.

Dr. Rowan Williams

Courtesy photo

Join Dr. Rowan Williams for "The Learning Church": On Saturday, Nov 4, the St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer is hosting former archbishop of Canterbury and prominent theologian Dr. Rowan Williams, whose subject will be “The Learning Church: Theology and Christian Maturity.” The event will be hosted at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with Williams speaking at 10 a.m. and available for questions and discussion until noon. He will join the event virtually from his home in Wales. 

The full day at the cathedral will be a time to grow in community, learn with one another and be resourced for the task of forming disciples in congregations. The program will also include Eucharist, lunch and an afternoon workshop, “Becoming the Learning Church Locally."  

Those unable to attend in person can attend Williams’s talk and Q&A online. Find details and registration at www.stpaulboston.org/rowanwilliams.

In preparation, there will be an online discussion of Williams’s book Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Register for the Oct. 18 book study here.

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry

Episcopal Church Photo

Presiding Bishop Curry to undergo surgery: Episcopalians continue to hold Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, his family and medical care team in their prayers as Curry prepares to undergo surgery on Sept. 20 to remove an adrenal gland and an attached mass. He expects to resume his regular work schedule after an estimated recovery period of two to three weeks, according to news releases from the Office of Public Affairs.

O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and all infirmity:

Be present in your goodness with your servant Michael that his weakness may be banished and his strength restored; and that, his health being renewed, he may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)

Massachusetts-grown "An Episcopal Path to Climate Justice" to begin pilot phase this fall with support of Episcopal Church Creation Care Grant: "An Episcopal Path to Creation Justice," a new program developed by members of the Creation Care Justice Network in the two Episcopal dioceses in Massachusetts, has received a $20,000 Episcopal Church Creation Care Grant from the Task Force on the Care of Creation and Environmental Racism. The project is one of 12 new Creation Care Grant recipients announced in August, and aims to resource congregations for creation justice prayer and formation, advocacy and action. 

The grant will fund a pilot phase for "An Episcopal Path to Climate Justice" over a six-month period beginning this fall, during which, 12 selected participant congregations will receive individual coaching on how to deepen their engagement with creation care theology and climate justice around four areas: pray, act, learn and advocate.

The Path program will provide individualized support for congregations to take meaningful steps in response to the declaration of a climate emergency by Massachusetts bishops in 2021.

It will be customized for each congregation to celebrate what is already happening on the congregational level as well as encourage deeper levels of commitment.

Celebrate the Season of Creation: Sept. 1 through Oct. 4 is celebrated by Christians around the world as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring relationship to God, one another and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action culminating in the Feast of St. Francis on Oct. 4. Find more from The Episcopal Church here and the Creation Care Justice Network in Massachusetts here.

The pilot phase involves two main components: the training of a core team of companions to accompany congregations as they complete their process of self-study, and the enrolling of congregations in the program itself. Upon completion of the pilot, Creation Care Justice Network members will work together, using participant feedback, to review and make any necessary changes, and will then share the Path program churchwide at General Convention in 2024.

For more information about "An Episcopal Path to Climate Justice," contact the project coordinator, the Rev. Rachel Field at rachelf2000@gmail.com.

Episcopal Relief & Development disaster response continues worldwide: Episcopal Relief & Development continues in efforts to bring the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world by providing disaster relief and promoting sustainable development. Visit www.episcopalrelief.org for updates on these efforts and more information on how to offer support following a summer of disasters and extreme weather events around the world, including Typhoon Mawar in Guam, cyclones in Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania, wildfires in Hawaii and, most recently, the earthquake in Morocco and flooding in Libya.

Salem Patch: Collaborative youth program offered by four Marblehead churches: Four Marblehead churches have joined together to build an active Christian youth program that will begin this fall with a series of events open to middle and high school youth in the community.

Lay leaders from Clifton Lutheran Church, Old North Church (United Church of Christ), St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church have formed a leadership board that is currently seeking a full-time youth minister for the Marblehead Youth Cooperative Ministry. Each of the churches will offer a special youth event within the next few months as they await the new leader.

The first event, Hope for Haiti, is set for Sunday, Sept. 24 from 1 to 2:30p.m. at Clifton Lutheran Church, 150 Humphrey Street, Marblehead. Read more.

Newburyport Daily News: Jeanne Geiger Center annual walk coming soon: Since 1982, the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center has been helping individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. What first began as the compassionate mission of several volunteer parishioners of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Newburyport has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit organization serving adult and child survivors of domestic violence from Newburyport to the Merrimack Valley and providing tools and strategies to reduce domestic violence homicides across the country. The center's Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence is coming up on Oct. 1. Read more.

Gloucester Daily Times: St. John's to introduce new priest: After a two-year search, St. John’s Episcopal Church announced that the Rev. Marya DeCarlen is its new priest-in-charge, or as she prefers to call herself, “priest-in-collaboration.” She most recently served as rector of All Saints of the North Shore in Danvers and previously at St. James's Church in Groveland. Read more.

Cape Cod Chronicle: Brian McGurk steps down after two decades: The rector at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church for the past two decades, the Rev. Brian McGurk led his last worship service at the downtown Chatham church on Aug. 27.

Although he “quietly” announced plans to retire about a year ago, the transition will take a bit of getting used to, he said. “It’s been a wonderful 20 years,” McGurk said. Read more.

Sippican Week: St. Philip's celebrates longtime clergy at hymn sing: While some Mattapoisett residents celebrated Labor Day weekend at the town beach, parishioners at nearby St. Philip’s Episcopal Church closed its 139th summer season by recognizing the contributions of three longtime priests on Sunday, Sept. 3. Read more.

Sep 21: Bishop Search Listening Session: Clergy of Color, St. Peter's Church, Cambridge, 5:00pm

Sep 23: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay Session, Northern and Western Region, St. Stephen's Church, Lynn, 10:00am

Sep 23: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay Session, Southern Region, Grace Church, New Bedford, 10:00am

Sep 25: Bishop Search Listening Session: LGBTQ+ Laity Session, Church of the Good Shepherd, Watertown, 6:30pm

Sep 26: Bishop Search Listening Session: Clergy Session, Central Region, Emmanuel Church, Boston, 5:00pm

Sep 26: Creation Care Justice Network Meeting, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Sep 27: Bishop Search Listening Session: Clergy Session, Southern Region, St. Mary's Church, Barnstable, 3:30pm

Sep 28: Bishop Search Listening Session: LGBTQ+ Clergy Session, St. Paul's Church, Malden, 5:00pm

Sep 30: SSJE Saturday Workshop: "Discernment in Prayer for Young Adults," Society of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, 9:00am

Sep 30: Confirmation Service, St. Gabriel's Church, Marion, 10:30am

Sep 30: Confirmation Service (Bilingual in Spanish and English), St. Luke's-San Lucas Church, Chelsea, 10:30am

Oct 1: Bishop Gates visits St. Peter's Church in Osterville

Oct 1: Bishop Search Listening Session: Sesión Laica en Español, Grace Church, Lawrence, 11:30am

Oct 2: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay Session, Central Region, St. James's Church, Cambridge, 6:30pm

Oct 3: Diocesan Clergy Day, The Link at Kendall Square, Cambridge, 9:30am

Oct 3: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay Session, via Zoom, 6:30pm

Oct 4: Bishop Search Listening Session: Clergy Session, Northern and Western Region, St. Andrew's Church, Framingham, 5:00pm

Oct 4: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: Central Region, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Oct 5: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay People of Color, Trinity Church, Boston, 6:30pm

Oct 5: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: Northern and Western Region, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Oct 6: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: All Regions, via Zoom, 2:00pm

Oct 7: Bishop Search Listening Session: Clergy Session, via Zoom, 10:00am

Oct 8: Bishop Gallagher visits Church of Our Saviour in Milton

Oct 8: Bishop Gates visits St. Peter's Church in Cambridge

Oct 9: Indigenous Peoples' Day Gathering, All Saints Church, Worcester, 10:00am

Oct 10: Installation of The Rev. Brett Johnson at Emmanuel Church, Wakefield, 6:00pm

Oct 10: Pre-Diocesan Convention Forum: Southern Region, via Zoom, 7:00pm

Oct 11: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay Session, Southern Region, Christ Church, Quincy, 6:30pm

Oct 14: Episcopal City Mission Annual Meeting, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 9:00am

Oct 14: Bishop Search Listening Session: Lay Session, Central Region, Christ Church, Needham, 1:30pm

Oct 15: Bishop Gallagher visits St. David's Church in South Yarmouth

Oct 15: Bishop Gates visits St. Mark's Church in Burlington

Oct 19: Diocesan Council Meeting, via Zoom, 6:00pm

Oct 20: Installation of The Rev. Suzanne Wade at Trinity Church, Bridgewater, 6:00pm

Oct 20: Installation of The Rev. Christopher Whiteman at St. Peter's Church, Beverly, 7:30pm

Oct 21: MA Poor People's Campaign Episcopal Network Social Justice Group Leaders Meeting, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 9:00am

Oct 22: Bishop Gallagher visits St. Bartholomew's Church in Cambridge

Oct 22: Bishop Gates visits Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill

Oct 27-28: Diocesan Convention, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Boston North Shore, Danvers

Oct 28: SSJE Saturday Workshop: "Loving Listening," Society of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, 9:00am