Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts  

CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS 

January 7, 2025

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FORMA Conference on-site with Province 1 colleagues

Save the date: Come Away Together

Jan 27-30, 2025

Greenfield, NH


Save the date for this on-site FORMA Conference at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center.


"This year the Province I Faith Formation Network is combining its annual formation conference with FORMA to offer the best of both worlds!


Drawing on this year's conference theme, Come Away Together, we will gather with colleagues from across New England onsite at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center for four days, during which time we will take mornings to meet and connect with our provincial colleagues and afternoons to participate in the FORMA workshops and content, with evenings offering an informal opportunity to share inspiration and learning."


Learn more and register

Defending the Dignity of Trans and Non-Binary People in 2025 and Beyond

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Jan 13, 7pm

Online


"In 2024 alone, 669 anti-transgender bills have been introduced into American legislative bodies at the state and federal levels. Presently, 41 states have abortion bans of some kind on their books.


As the emergence of these conditions have been possible under a Democratic presidency—and as intensified legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ and reproductive justice have been explicitly advertised as goals of the incoming Republican administration—we know that our solution is not a partisan one. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment both politically and spiritually.


Join this webinar to study the present terrain we find ourselves on, examine possibilities for future gender justice struggles, and learn from gender justice leaders both within and beyond The Episcopal Church about the work we can do to uphold the dignity of all God’s children in the face of adversity."


Learn more and register

Indigenous People's Justice Network Book Discussion

Next meeting January 15th

Jan 15, 7pm

Online


The Province 1 Indigenous People's Justice Network's next book discussion will be on January 15, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.


The book to be discussed is The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery by Sarah Augustine. Register for the discussion using the link:

Register for 1/15 Book Group 


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Bishop's Visitations

  • 01/12/25 - All Saints, North Adams
  • 01/19/25 - St. Luke's, Worcester
  • 01/26/25 - Grace Church, Great Barrington
  • 02/02/25 - All Saints, South Hadley
  • 02/09/25 - Holy Spirit, Sutton
  • 02/23/25 - Atonement, Westfield
  • 03/02/25 - St. John's, Ashfield
  • 03/05/25 - All Saints, Worcester
  • 03/09/25 - Sts James and Andrew, Greenfield
  • 03/16/25 - St. Francis, Holden

From Our Congregations

Open Positions

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 speakers for Winter/Spring 2025. To sign up click the links for each session.


Jan 16, 7pm ET

Hierarchies Hurt People - Jennifer Holt Enriquez and the Rev. Will Bouvell


Feb 20, 7pm ET

The Big Way of Love for Kids - Emily Kenniston, Kristin LeMay, and Tina Clark


Mar 20, 7pm ET

Becoming Intentionally Intergenerational - Wendy Claire Barrie


May 15, 7pm ET

The Gifts and Possibilities of a Parish [Lending] Library - The Rev. Angela Compton-Nelson


June 19, 7pm ET

Season of Creation as Congregational Development - The Rev. Amy Slaughter


Read program descriptions here

From The Episcopal Church

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Louisiana bishop responds to New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans

RIP: Fran Toy, first Asian American woman priest, remembered for breaking many barriers

Workshops, Conferences, Opportunities

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Praying, Preaching, and Peacemaking with the Rev. Winnie Varghese

Jan 14

Online and Warwick, RI


"A national leader in The Episcopal Church, Reverend Varghese is widely recognized for her inspired writing, teaching, and preaching. She previously served as priest for ministry & program coordination at Trinity Church, Wall Street in New York City, and before Trinity, as rector at St. Mark’s-in-the-Bowery Church in downtown Manhattan. Winnie also has served with distinction on the Episcopal Peace Fellowship’s National Executive Council."


Learn more and register

BCH Camp 2025

Summer 2025

Greenfield, NH


"Summer Camps at BCH are inclusive Christian formation ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in partnership with the dioceses New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts.


You and your family are welcome here! As an Episcopal camp, we are passionate about being a safe space for all campers and families and we strive for a rich diversity of campers and staff. Each week chaplains participate in all camp activities and lead space for chapel and reflection."


Family Camp: June 27-30

Session 1: July 6-11

Session 2: July 13-18

Session 3: July 20-25

Session 4: July 27- Aug 1


Learn more and register

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
  • 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.

Mission Matters Publishing Schedule

Upcoming 2025 Mission Matters publish dates:

  • Jan 21st
  • Feb 4th and 18th
  • Mar 4th and 18th
  • Apr 1st, 15th, and 29th
  • May 13th and 27th
  • Jun 10th and 24th

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