In this Easter season, Bishop Julia invites you to join in supporting the 2026 Annual Bishop’s Appeal. This year’s appeal centers on Good Shepherd Sunday and seeks to highlight the ways that we, as a collective diocesan community, support shepherds – lay and ordained – who are strengthening congregational vitality.

Printed materials are being mailed to each worshipping community. Please promote the appeal, including announcing the Bishop’s Appeal on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 26, the day the campaign launches, and distribute materials directly to your flock. 

Additional materials will be available on our diocesan website, including:

• PDF downloads of the newsletter, bulletin announcements, and appeal poster.
• Appeal video from Bishop Julia.
• Social media toolkit.
• Appeal logo.
• Spanish translations of the appeal materials.



We are mindful that so many in our diocese already lend their talent and treasure to support our shared ministry. As Bishop Julia highlights in her appeal letter, through our mutual care for each other, shared ministries, and generosity, our individual congregations are bound together as the body of Christ.

If you have additional questions, please contact Canon Clayton or the Rev'd Brian Raiche.

Clergy Conference

April 27–29 ~ Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens

Bishop Julia looks forward to welcoming clergy from across our diocese to this year's Clergy Conference. We have the largest number of clergy registered for conference since before COVID! See the agenda.

Clergy Professional Development Day

May 2 from 9am-3pm ~ Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St., Boston

LGBTQIA+ Clergy Gathering

May 13 at 4:30pm ~ Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St., Boston

Clergy in the Central Region who identify as LGBTQIA+ are invited to gather for a time of mutual care and support, including prayer, food, and fellowship. Hosted by the Rev'd Dorie Goehring and the Rev'd Canon Marissa Rohrbach. Contact Canon Marissa with questions.

Diaconal Ordinations

May 30 at 10:30am ~ Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St., Boston

Clergy are invited to vest; the color of the day is red.

The Regional Canon for the Northern/ Western Region posting has been extended. View the description.

We have a new part-time position: Latino Missioner. View the description.

Growing Green Leadership Program

Growing Green Leadership is a six-month pilot formation program for Episcopal clergy in EcoRegion One, focused on spiritual grounding and effective leadership in a climate‑changed world. Through retreats, monthly online gatherings, and peer connection, participants gain practical skills, theological insight, and resilience for faithful ministry amid ecological and social change. They're seeking 3-5 clergy from our diocese.

The program adapts curriculum from Trinity Wall Street's online Faith & Leadership campus and includes:

1. Asset-Based Community Development & AntiRacist Organizing Principles
2. Project Management and Church Administration 
3. Conflict Mediation 
4. Faith, Values, and Leadership: Understanding Yourself As A Leader
5. Adaptive Leadership and Systems Thinking 

Apply here by May 1.

Interim Ministry

Interim Training qualifies priests to serve as Interims in this diocese and across the Church and can sharpen the skills of clergy in longer-term positions. Continuing education grants can be used to subsidize the cost of the training modules, and scholarships may also be available. If you have questions or want to share your interest, be in touch with your Regional Canon.

Good Friday Trial Rites Feedback

Clergy are invited to provide feedback on the trial rites for Good Friday. Take the survey.

Forward Movement Survey on Church Growth

The Rev'd Dr. Christopher Corbin, in partnership with Forward Movement, is conducting a denomination-wide study on Episcopal church growth. The study explores patterns of sustained in-person attendance growth and seeks to better understand what contributes to thriving congregations. Each link is unique and will come directly from Rev'd Corbin. If you haven't received an email and would like to, contact Rev'd Corbin.

Scholarship Fund for Children of Clergy

Applications are open for the Diocesan Scholarship Fund for Children of Clergy. This fund provides small grants to support undergraduate education for children of clergy who are licensed or canonically resident and serving in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, as well as for orphans of clergy who demonstrate financial need. Apply by May 15. Read more.

Finance Forum Series: Communications, Witness & Engagement

April 21 from 5-6pm via Zoom

In April's installment of the monthly information series, the Rev'd Canon Clayton McCleskey will talk about how to strengthen parish storytelling, digital presence, messaging, and engagement. Join the Zoom.

New Models of Episcopal Evangelism

April 22 at 5pm via Zoom

Discover how and why to use second-class mail effectively as part of your Sunday church operations. Led by Ms. Charlottle Whatley, St. Andrew's, Ayer, and the Rev'd Joyce Scherer-Hoock, Trinity, Topsfield, and sponsored by The Evangelism Working Group. Register.

Wardens' Call with the Canon to the Ordinary

April 30 from 12-12:45pm via Zoom

Wardens and lay leaders are invited to join monthly Wardens' Calls hosted by the Rev'd Canon Chris Wendell, Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff. These calls offer space to connect with fellow wardens, share practical leadership tools, and receive reminders about diocesan resources and upcoming deadlines. Register.

Scholarships for Theological Education

Society for the Increase of the Ministry invites those preparing for the presbyterate, the diaconate, or lay leadership to apply for scholarships. Theological education may be pursued in Episcopal seminaries, in university divinity schools, and in diocesan schools for ministry. Application deadline is May 18. Learn more. 

ECM's Third Season of Advocacy

Episcopal City Mission invites all to take part in the 2026 Season of Advocacy—a focused, faith-rooted opportunity to take meaningful action on issues across Massachusetts. Each area will be the focus of a two-week campaign:

• Immigration Justice: April 8–21 (Review the 1st Toolkit here)
• Affordable Housing: April 22–May 5
• Reparations: May 6–20

Register here.

Sustainable Compassion in Challenging Times

April 18 from 10am-3pm ~ St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 15 St. Paul St., Brookline

This contemplative training intensive is for religious activists and faith leaders engaged in justice work and care for vulnerable communities. Drawing on Christian and Buddhist meditation traditions, participants will learn practices for grounding in the body, accessing God's boundless compassion, and mindfully processing difficult experiences in ways that foster healing and inner freedom. Read more.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor Training

April 19 from 2:30-5:30pm ~ Grace Church, 160 High St., Medford

Read more.

Faithful Resistance Training

April 26 from 2-5pm ~ Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St., Boston

This free training invites participants to explore how we respond faithfully amid rising challenges to our communities and democracy. Through song, discussion, and skill-building, attendees will reflect on their role in collective action, discern levels of risk, and learn practical tools for community care, nonviolent resistance, and organizing. Read more.

The Poetry of Prayer

April 29 at 7pm ~ Christ Church, 0 Garden St., Cambridge

After Clergy Conference, Bishop Julia will host a poetry reading and conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama. Please announce this event — which invites people to engage with poetry as a source of spiritual reflection — to your congregations. Read more.

Intersecting Identities: Asian American, LGBTQIA+, and the Church

May 2 from 9am-1pm ~ All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon St., Brookline

All are invited to the Asian Pacific Islander Network Annual Celebration. The Rev'd Patrick S. Cheng, Ph.D, Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, will deliver the keynote address followed by a panel discussion featuring voices from the APIA, LGBTQA+ Episcopal community.

The Rev'd Dr. Jim Kodera, the first Asian American ordained to the priesthood in our diocese, will be celebrant at the Eucharist, and the Rev'd Jo Ann Jaén Lagman, Asiamerica missioner for The Episcopal Church, will preach. Lunch is included. Register.

Fireside Chat on the Future of the Anglican Communion

May 4 at 9am ~ The Church of the Advent, 30 Brimmer St., Boston

All are welcome to this event, which begins with Sung Matins at 9am and continues at 9:30am with a diocesan and ecumenical fireside chat with the Rt. Rev'd Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. RSVP by April 29.