Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts  

CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS 

January 16, 2024

Bending Toward Justice is this Saturday!


Get your Zoom link here

Saturday

Jan 20, 9am - 11:30am

Online


We are moving Bending Toward Justice online - from an in-person event to an online Zoom event. Easily accessible and free of charge, we hope you will come pray in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and discern how we might do the work of God's justice in this place, in our time.

NEW SCHEDULE


9:00 AM

Morning Prayer with Sermon

Presider: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher

Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey Fischer


-10-minute break-


10:00 AM

Retreat: The Rt. Rev. Allen K. Shin


11:30 AM

Bishop's Blessing & optional break-outs by issue until noon




"A Case for Love" Documentary with Bishop Michael Curry

Showing in South Hadley on Jan 23rd

Jan 23, 7pm


"A Case for Love" is a new feature-length documentary inspired by the teachings and

writings of Bishop Michael Curry and produced by Grace-Based Films, a non-profit inspirational film company led by faithful Episcopalians. The film explores whether or not love--specifically unselfish love--is the solution to the seemingly ever-growing societal divide.


On January 23, 2024, the film will be shown in 1,000 theaters nationwide–one night only!


Reserve tickets for the showing in Hadley at Cinemark at Hampshire Mall.


Find out more

Preaching Climate Justice in Lent

Feb 20, 10am

Online


Organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

"As the world awakens to catastrophic threats to our climate and as authoritarian leaders threaten democracy, Lent invites us to join Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem. If we are to engage the greatest moral challenge humanity has ever faced, we need Jesus’ guidance.


This webinar will suggest ways in which our Lenten texts provide an opportunity to shape sermons that offer hope to our congregations, engage their imagination, and inspire them to take action for climate justice."


Speakers:

  • The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the General Minister and President, United Church of Christ
  • The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Missioner for Creation Care, Episcopal Diocese of Western MA & Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ; Creation Care Advisor, Episcopal Diocese of MA


Register here

Upcoming Safe Church trainings

Jan 31, 2024, 5pm - 8pm

Volunteers


Feb 10, 2024, 9am - 2pm

Clergy, Staff, & Lay Leaders


Mar 5, 2024, 5pm - 8pm

Volunteers


Mar 21, 2024, 5pm - 8pm

Volunteers

Bishop's Visitations

  • 01/21/2024 - St. Luke's, Worcester
  • 01/28/2024 - Southwick Community
  • 02/04/2024 - St. Andrew's, Longmeadow
  • 02/11/2024 - St. Mark's, East Longmeadow
  • 02/18/2024 - St. David's, Agawam
  • 02/25/2024 - St. Helena's, Lenox
  • 03/10/2024 - Christ Church, Fitchburg
  • 03/17/2024 - St. Michael's-on-the-Heights, Worcester
  • 03/24/2024 - Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield
  • 03/31/2024 - Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield
  • 04/07/2024 - Trinity Church, Ware
  • 04/14/2024 - Church of the Reconciliation, Webster

From Our Congregations & Missional Partners


WMA & MA Together

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Book Discussion

Mar 13 @ 7pm

Online


The Province I Indigenous People’s Justice Network’s next book discussion in its series is Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe (2022) by David Maraniss. You can read about the book and author here.


The discussion will take place on zoom on Wednesday, March 13 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.; register here. The discussion will be facilitated by Katharine Burnett and the Rev. Richard Burnett. Questions can be directed to Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, mgardner@diomass.org.


The discussion will focus on Maraniss’ book, but the Burnetts suggest for another perspective you may also want to read Kate Buford’s book Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe (2010).​

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. 


To attend the next meeting, email creationjusticeepisma@gmail.com to confirm and to get the Zoom link.


Learn more

Here's what's happening in the Poor People's Campaign: January newsletter

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!

Province 1

Conversations with Noted Speakers

"The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online monthly Conversations with Noted Speakers on Zoom. While hosted by the Episcopal churches of New England everyone is welcome to join these sessions. 


On the third Thursday of most months’ participants will have the opportunity to hear from people at the forefront of Christian Formation. Each session includes time for questions and conversation as we learn from each other new ways of sharing our faith. Below is the information for our 3rd year of speakers."


Jan. 18, 7pm ET 

OutOfTheBox: Playing with stories to bring wellbeing - Kathryn Lord and Lacy Finn Borgo


Feb. 15, 7pm ET  

Helping Hands Across Ages: Intergenerational Service Projects as a Monthly Ministry Model - Melinda Corey


Mar. 21, 7pm ET

Rhythms of Grace at St John's Episcopal Church Chico, CA – Teri Todd


Apr. 18, 7pm ET

Welcoming Trans and Gender Non-conforming folks in our churches - Rev. Kit Wang


May 16, 7pm ET

Re-invigorating Acolyte Ministries through Gamification, Storytelling, and Community Building - Kelsey Aebi


Jun. 20, 7pm ET

Using Children's Literature in Children's Ministry - Elizabeth Christie


Learn more

From The Episcopal Church

Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-9 image

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry released from hospital, continuing recovery at home

January-Huddle-FB image

Jan 17: Evangelism Huddle: Data-Driven Evangelism

Workshops & Resources

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2024 Forma Annual Conference: A Way in the Wilderness

Jan 22-25

Online and in-person


"Forma, a ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, is the professional network for Christian formation leaders in the Episcopal Church and beyond. Our conference offers an intentional time of networking, learning, and inspiration. 


All conference participants will have access to conference recordings. Recordings will include the didactic teaching portion of each plenary and workshop (about 30 minutes each). Discussion, Q&A, and activities will not be recorded.


Learn more and register

Wild Tea with Jesus: A Day Retreat at BCH


Mar 16, 9am

Greenfield, NH


"Spend a day at BCH entering into Jesus’ Lenten journey by engaging in an ancient human tradition- making tea. Our tea will be created from wild ingredients on the BCH property. Through the ritual of foraging, brewing and drinking our tea, we will create an atmosphere where we can dig deep into two separate stories of Jesus staying close with God in his last days."


Register here

Learn more

Ministerio Hispano | Latino Ministries

Ministerio Hispano San Pablo en Holyoke

  • Misa Dominical - 5:00pm en persona


La Catedral en Springfield

  • Misa Dominical - 12:15pm en persona y live-streamed (Facebook y YouTube, link su Catedral sitio web)
  • Estudio Bíblico - (en persona) Miércoles 6:00pm
  • Sabatina - (Segundo, tercer y cuarto sábado del mes) de 10am a 12pm


Ministerio Hispano San Marcos en Worcester

  • Misa Dominical - 12:00pm en persona
  • Marie’s Mission - (diaper distribution program) first Saturday of every month from 10:00am-12:00pm
  •  Thrift Shop - open the first Saturday of every month from 10:00am-12:00pm
  •  Karate Classes - every Wednesday and Friday from 5:30pm-7:00pm
  •  Prayer group - every Friday at 7pm on WhatsApp 
  •  AA meetings - every Tuesday and Saturday from 7:00pm-8:00pm



Para conectar con las actividades de la Catedral mande un email a ap735@earthlink.net.


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

Open Positions

January 2024 Mission Matters Publishing Schedule

View the 2024 Mission Matters Publishing Schedule here.

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