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Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese
of Western Massachusetts
CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS
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Presiding Bishop, in House of Bishops sermon, promotes voting, Christian love over divisions |
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[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, in an opening sermon for the Sept. 16 online meeting of the House of Bishops, urged Episcopalians to vote in the upcoming elections and to “encourage others to vote as their conscience leads them.” And he affirmed that The Episcopal Church’s positions on political issues, though nonpartisan, should not be confused with “moral neutrality.”
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Bishop and Diocesan Leadership Urge Faithful to Support Voter Registration, and #VoteFaithfully |
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Dear friends in Christ,
The November election gives Americans a precious opportunity to support candidates and policies that will build up communities, protect public health, encourage racial and social justice, and restore the web of life. This election will set the course on climate change and other critical issues that are central to our faith. Many of us consider it the most significant election of our lifetime.
We encourage every eligible voter in our diocese to ensure that they are registered and, if possible, to vote early (in person or by mail), thereby avoiding long lines at polling places.
Taking part in elections and casting a vote is an important way for Christians to express our values and priorities. As Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has reminded us, “It is a Christian obligation to vote.”
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Delegates can now Register for
the 119th Diocesan Convention
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November 2-7, 2020.
Convention this year will be conducted entirely online, and portions will take place over the week of November 2-7.
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Ministerio hispano
Latino/Hispanic Ministries
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Cuando San Pablo termina su carta a los de Gálatas, les ofrece un último mensaje: “No nos cansemos de hacer el bien, porque con el tiempo tendremos una cosecha si no nos damos por vencidos. Entonces, trabajemos por el bien de todos siempre que tengamos la oportunidad ... ”[Gálatas 6: 9-10]. Mientras nuestro país continúa abriendo escuelas y negocios, no olvidemos seguir cuidándonos unos a otros en medio de esta pandemia. Cuando usamos nuestras máscaras y la distancia social, no solo nos protegemos a nosotros mismos, sino que también protegemos a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo en la comunidad. Es tan fácil cansarse. Yo estoy cansado. Esta pandemia ya ha durado tanto tiempo. Pero superaremos esto juntos. A continuación se presentan oportunidades para conectarse con su iglesia durante este tiempo. Si hay alguien que necesite ayuda o apoyo, háganoslo saber. Estamos aquí para servirles.
Misa Dominical
La Catedral: 12:15pm en personal o por Facebook Live
Ministerio Hispano en Worcester: en nuestro sitio web ministeriohispanoworcester.org.
Oración Vespertina
La Catedral: Todos los martes y jueves a las 6pm por Facebook Live
Ministerio Hispano en Worcester: sábado, 26 de septiembre y sábado, 10 de octubre as las 8pm por Zoom.
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As St. Paul ends his letter to the Galatians, he offers them one last message: “Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity…” [Galatians 6:9-10]. As our country continues to open schools and business, let us not forget to continue to care for each other in the middle of this pandemic. When we wear our masks and social distance, we are not only protecting ourselves, but also protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ in the community. It is so easy to go tired. I am tired. This pandemic has lasted so long already. But, we will get through this together. Below are opportunities to connect with your church during this time. If there is anyone who needs any help or support, please let us know. We are here for you. |
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From The Episcopal Church |
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Walking with Asylum Seekers: A Training Series for Congregations |
In the month of October, join Episcopal Migration Ministries, in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains (LFSRM), for a three-part training series for congregations interested in supporting and walking alongside asylum seekers. The three 90-minute virtual events will provide advocacy updates, resources for group discernment, ministry models, and important considerations when engaging in ministry with asylum seekers.
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Episcopal Evangelism grants available for local and regional efforts |
Deadline: November 15, 2020
Episcopal institutions can now apply for the next round of the Episcopal Evangelism Grants Program, designed to fund local and regional evangelism efforts in the Episcopal Church. The application deadline is November 15. The new grant cycle will focus on projects that explore new methods of evangelism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Preaching Gospel Hope in a Time of Climate Crisis
October 16-17, 2020
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"Next month I will lead United Theological College’s annual KJ Campbell Workshop on preaching. There’s no need to head to Montreal – the whole event will be held online. All preachers are invited!
Climate change is called the moral challenge of our time, yet many preachers avoid discussing it. Through a mix of presentations, small group conversation, and whole group discussion, we will discuss the spiritual/moral imperative to preach about climate change, identify obstacles to climate preaching, share the latest research on how to communicate about climate, discuss theological keystones, consider the links between climate, poverty, race, and other justice issues, and receive theological and homiletic resources."
Registration deadline is October 9, 2020.
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Get the Creation Care Network newsletter in your inbox every 1st of the month
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Read this month's newsletter
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Missioner for Creation Care
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Social Justice Commission |
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Kentucky bishop balances calls for peace and justice after grand jury finds police killing of Breonna Taylor justified |
[Episcopal News Service] On Sept. 23, just a few hours after the announcement that a Kentucky grand jury declined to charge the police officers involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor with her death, Kentucky Bishop Terry Allen White presided over a penitential Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville to mark the occasion.
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Beloved Community Commission |
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Baltimore church, founded as ‘memorial’ to slaveholders, seeks to atone for racism in its past |
[Episcopal News Service] While congregations across The Episcopal Church are confronting examples of historical racism, the history of Memorial Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, stands out as “particularly sordid,” the Rev. Grey Maggiano, the church’s rector, told Episcopal News Service.
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Virtual Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency course |
Oct 12-16, 2020
Jan 25-29, 2021
“Combining academic learning with hands-on experience, the purpose of this multi-faceted intensive course is to provide cultural competency of the history, culture, socio-demographic, and religious aspects of the Latinos/Hispanics in the United States,” explains the Rev. Canon Anthony Guillén, Episcopal Church missioner for Latino/Hispanic Ministries.
The five-day VELMC includes 20 hours of online classroom presentations, worship services, and group dialogue, with comfortable breaks and an ample lunch time factored in from 11:00am to 5:30pm (EDT) each day.
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Nurturing Clergy Resiliency, Creativity & Wellness
with Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund
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Jan 26-27, 2021
Zoom
Pastors & Chaplains, when was the last time you found time to take a deep breath and tend to your body and your spirit? With the extra demands of ministering in the midst of a pandemic, many ministers are in need of respite and self-care. Join us for presentations, workshops and conversations around building resiliency, attending to mental wellness, and nourishing the spiritual life of faith leaders.
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Find a Sunday service online |
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Keep an eye on the calendar here.
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