Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts  

CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS 

January 3, 2023

NEW Diocesan Website, Transition Ahead

The Communications Office is pleased to announce the completion of a new diocesan website built in Webflow. This is, primarily, the work of Alison Gamache, Communications Assistant. But we offer deep thanks to the 12 folks who offered feedback during the initial design phase. Our focus group consisted of 4 lay leaders, 4 ordained leaders, 4 diocesan leaders and 4 parish administrators. New look, new menu, designed for best accessibility - our new site is a step in the right direction as we look to improve how we serve our congregations and clergy.


The change-over between the two sites will begin on Friday January 6th.


The new site should appear within 24 hours. In the interim this week, you may receive a message that our site is "not safe." This is simply part of stripping away our existing SSL. Be not afraid!


There is no change to our domain name, so you need not create a new bookmark. We appreciate your patience this week as we make this important move. By Monday, if you cannot access our site, please be in touch. Our web designer and content manager, Alison Gamache, will expect to hear what is missing or needs to be moved. We'll keep tweaking until we've got it right.

Diocesan Discount Available for Youth and Family Ministers, Clergy

Do you teach the faith to children, teens, young adults or in intergenerational settings? We have purchased FORMA conference registrations for folks who form the faithful at any age. Attendees are asked to cover transportation and hotel. If you are interested in the conference below, email Canon Vicki Ix for the super-secret discount registration code. It is just two weeks away!


In-Person at Virginia Theological Seminary: only 2 left


Online access: only 3 left

FORMA 2023 | Called to Covenant - Forma

Join us onsite in Alexandria, Virginia and online (see full schedule for online offerings) Forma Annual Conference The Annual Conference is an opportunity for Forma to encourage and develop Christian educators, inside and outside the Episcopal tradition, to grow in how they educate and minister. This year, our theme is "Called to Covenant."

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January 10: Big Buildings, Big Questions

Jan 10, 6pm

Online


  • Got big buildings?
  • Underutilized spaces?
  • Talking about clean energy?
  • Looking at a sizeable maintenance project?


Join us on the evening of Tuesday, January 10, 2023 as we discuss the gifts and challenges of big church buildings. Bishop Fisher and Canons will host, with the goal of bringing in an "expert" for a second conversation in the spring.


Register here

January 21: Bending Toward Justice

Annual Day of Prayer and Discernment

Jan 21, 9am

South Hadley, MA


Come, meet others who are passionate about the issues.


Listen to the Word and discern how the Spirit is calling the Church to action.


Learn more

Province 1: The Episcopal Church in New England

Conversations with Noted Speakers

The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online conversations. On the third Thursday of each month, participants will have the opportunity to hear from people at the forefront of Christian Formation. Registration required.


2022-23 Schedule


  • Jan 19 - "Using Storywalks for an Intergenerational, Community Event. " Glenys Nellist
  • Feb 16 - "Connecting with College students" The Rev. Nancy Vogele
  • Mar 16 - "VBS on the go: How it worked in one church." Sam Burton 
  • Apr 20 - "Messy Church and how it worked" Dean Kristi Maulden and Becky Moseman
  • May 18 - "Another twist on Confirmation" Josh Hosler
  • Jun 15 - TBD


Register here

WMA & MA Together

The Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts Indigenous Peoples' Justice Network invites everyone to a discussion of Bishop Steven Charleston’s book Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder's Meditations on Hope and Courage  on Feb. 2, 2023, at 7 pm.


The Indigenous Peoples' Justice Network meets on the second Wednesday of the month at noon. Contact Martha Gardner for meeting access.

The Creation Care Justice Network in Massachusetts is a group of Episcopalians from across our state who are committed to faith-based environmental justice and climate action. They draw upon the strong environmental messages from our bishops and The Episcopal Church as well as our diocesan mission to protect creation and seek ways to work collaboratively to address the climate crisis in a just and equitable way. 


The attend the next meeting e-mail creationjusticeepisma@gmail.com to confirm and to get the Zoom link.


Learn more

Book Study - We Cry Justice: Reading the Bible With the Poor People's Campaign. Wednesdays at 9 am on Zoom. To be on the weekly reminder email list, please email Amelia at amelia.slawsby.mappc@gmail.com. Each week is self-contained and no prep work is needed so please join as often as you are able. 


Join the MAPPC Email List. If you do not already receive invitations, news, and updates from our Massachusetts PPC chapter, please sign up here: MAPPC Sign Up. The campaign is in a season of action around the election - voter and candidate education, registering folks to vote, and encouraging voter participation. Hope you can join in events! 


Catch up with the latest news!

From The Episcopal Church

Statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the death of Pope Benedict XVI

With the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, I offer heartfelt prayers for His Holiness Pope Francis and all members of the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world. As followers of Jesus, we know that death does not have the final word.

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Winter Talk - The Episcopal Church

Save the Date! Winter Talk will be held in-person, January 21-23, 2023, in Oneida, Wisconsin. More information regarding the schedule and speakers coming soon. Registration Register here to view Winter Talk 2023 live on Zoom. Past Winter Talks

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Workshops & Resources

Pathways - Bexley Seabury

Spouses of Episcopal clergy gather for for connection, spiritual nourishment, and gifts discernmentthrough heart-to-heart topical engagements with our host and guestas we explore the challenge and the gift of being a clergy person's partner. December 5, 2022 (7:00pm CST) -Conversations on The Partner's Path with Awa Jangha - This workshop will highlight the practice of Visio Divina as a means of self-care.

Read More

Faith and Leadership | A learning resource for Christian leaders and their institutions from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

Faith & Leadership is the online magazine of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity and a learning resource for Christian leaders.

Read More

Ministerio Hispano | Latino Ministries

Para conectar con las actividades de la Catedral mande un email a tcallard@cccspfld.org.


Para conectar con las actividades del Ministerio Hispano en Worcester visite el sitio web ministeriohispanoworcester.org o mande un email a jreyes@diocesewma.org.



Misa Dominical

Ministerio Hispano en Worcester:

  • 12:00pm en la Iglesia de San Marcos en persona


Ministerio Hispano en Holyoke:

  • 5:00pm en la Iglesia San Pablo


La Catedral:

  • 12:15pm en persona


Durante la semana

Ministerio Hispano en Worcester: 

  • Estudio Bíblico todos los martes a las 6:30pm por Zoom
  • Grupo de Oración todos los viernes a las 6:30pm por WhatsApp


Ministerio Hispano en Holyoke:

  • Sábado, Holy Eucharist, The Rev. Joel Martinez, @ 6pm en la Iglesia San Pablo


La Catedral: 

  • Estudio Bíblico (en persona) Miércoles 6:00pm
  • Sabatina (Segundo, tercer y cuarto sábado del mes) de 10am a 12pm

From Our Congregations

Open Positions

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