October 1, 2020
A twice monthly curated summary of news, events, and information for the people and leaders of the Episcopal Churches of West Missouri.
News
For the latest news and information between issues visit the New Spirit Front Page
Area Confirmation Service at St. Andrew’s
Five-minute read.
On Saturday, September 19, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City hosted the first diocesan Area Confirmation Service of 2020, and we have lots of pictures!
An Announcement from the Standing Committee
Two-minute read.
A letter from the Standing Committee outlining the process for finding a Bishop Provisional, leading up to the search for the Ninth Bishop of West Missouri.
Special Convention Resolution updated
One-minute read.
Following an open meeting of the Constitution & Canons Committee on September 29, further changes to the submitted resolution were made.
Love Is The Way: Today Show Interview
Six-minute video.
Did you catch Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s recent interview on the Today show?
The minutes of July’s special meeting of the Diocesan Council available to read online
Ten-minute read.
Diocesan Council minutes for the council’s special meeting held on July 6, 2020, have been published on the diocesan website.
Features
Faith and casting our vote
Four-minute read.
Holy Scripture is very clear that we are not to put our trust in rulers (Psalm 146:3), though we can take our political beliefs seriously and with passion.
There is still time to plan your pledge program
Three-minute read.
2020 Stewardship Resources are ready for download. Register for webinars on Planned Giving & People-Focused Giving.
Let’s get planting!
Two-minute read.
The 130th Diocesan Convention made it our goal is to see at least five hundred trees planted within the boundaries of West Missouri before by November 2020. September and October are a great time to plant!
Public Theology Matters? This sounds interesting
Two-minute read.
Feeling discouraged or frustrated and wondering how you can make a difference? Attending the Basics of Public Policy Advocacy is an easy something we can do to get started.
Christian Formation
Friluftsliv – free air life
One-minute read.
Embrace friluftsliv! It’s a fun word and once you get the pronunciation down friluftslive practically flies off the tongue.
Announcements
Diocesan COVID-19 Webpage

The COVID-19 webpage to provides links to all the key resources you need.
What's Happening
Many churches in the diocese are offering daily prayers, reflections, and Sunday worship online. We've compiled a list of all we know about. If you know of others, please let us know.
Special Convention of the Diocese of West Missouri

A Special Convention of the Diocese of West Missouri will be held at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m.

The convention will be broadcast on social media.
The 131st Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri
One-minute read.
God willing and the Special Convention (October 3) approving, the 131st Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2020.

The convention will be broadcast on Social Media.
Growing in Holiness — Clergy Retreat 2020

Where: Zoom meeting.
When: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. October 12-14.
For: Diocesan clergy (priests and deacons) only.

St. Francis of Assisi called his followers to become “pray-er” rather than just pray. We believe we can become the “pray-er” so that we can transition into the next phase of our common life of The Diocese of West Missouri as one people, healed and blessed.
Youth Events
October 3
Fall Regional Event – Kansas City Area. Join Meredith at The Church of the Good Shepherd from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. If you can’t make it in person, a virtual option will be available via Zoom on October 4 at 8 p.m. in the WEMO Youth Community Zoom Room.
October 4
Fall Regional Event – Southern Area. Join Madi at two different locations; St. James in Springfield from 1:30pm – 3 p.m. and Grace Episcopal in Carthage from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. If you can’t make it in person, a virtual option will be available via Zoom on October 3 at 8 p.m. in the WEMO Youth Community Zoom Room.
Church Events
October 17
Area Confirmation. St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Joplin. 2 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Online. (Rehearsal 1 p.m.)
November 21
Area Confirmation. Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Rehearsal 1 p.m.)
November 26-27
Diocesan Office closed for Thanksgiving.
December 5
Area Confirmation. St. John’s, Springfield. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Rehearsal 1 p.m.)
External Events
October 30-31
New Community 2020 Virtual Conference. This gathering of Asian, Black, Latino/Hispanic and Indigenous clergy and lay leaders provides a safe place to explore mission in ethnic ministries, share resources and best practices, hopes and dreams, needs and concerns, gifts and ministries, suffering and joy in the context of “Weaving Our Diversity and Forming Life-Giving Relationships for the New Reality.” The gathering is scheduled for the two evenings of Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m (EDT)
Education and Training
October 10-11
BKSM - Details TBA
October 27
Annual Convention Technology Training Session 1 at 10 a.m. Online.
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Annual Convention Technology Training Session 2 at 7 p.m. Online.
October 28
Annual Convention Technology Training Session 3 at 3 p.m. Online. Online.
October 29
Annual Convention Technology Training Session 4 at 7 p.m. Online. Online.
November 14-15
BKSM - Details TBA
Clergy Events and Services
Every Wednesday
Compline. Online. 9 p.m.
October 12-14
Clergy Retreat.Online. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. each day.
Meetings
September 19
Central Deanery Council. Online. 10 a.m. - Noon.
October 3
Special Convention. Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. 10 a.m. - Noon.
October 6
Episcopal Ministry Support Team. Online. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Finance Committee. Online. 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
October 9
Commission on Ministry. Online. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
October 10
Diocesan Council Meeting. Online. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
October 12-14
Clergy Retreat. Online. 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day.
October 14
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission. St. Augustine Church, Kansas City. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
October 17
Central Deanery Meeting. Online. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
October 18
Standing Committee. Online. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
November 3
Episcopal Ministry Support Team. Online. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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Finance Committee. Online. 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
November 7
November 11
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission. St. Augustine Church, Kansas City. 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
November 15
Standing Committee. Online. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
December 1
Episcopal Ministry Support Team. Online. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Finance Committee. Online. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
December 2
Diocesan Council Executive Committee. Online. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Deadlines
October 7
Nominations, Reports and Resolutions for the 131st Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri.
October 10
Online registration closes for the 2020 Clergy Retreat.
October 20
Online registration closes for the 131st Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri.
For all the latest information about events around the diocese visit the Events Home Page.

Spot an error or omission? Let us know: [email protected]
Keep in touch - Tell us what you are doing
The next News Update will be published on Thursday, October 15 , 2020
Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders
Reminder - Bishop's Staff available weekdays 11 a.m. - Noon, to answer your questions

But not on Friday October 2. Join us any other weekday with your questions.
Wednesday Compline
There's a new easy to remember link for the weekly clergy Compline service held at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. diowestmo.org/compline
Grants available for Young Adult and Campus Ministry
Three-minute read.
The Episcopal Church announces its 2021 grants program for Young Adult and Campus Ministries currently engaged in or seeking new relationships with young adults on or off college campuses.

Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
Episcopal Evangelism grants available for local and regional efforts
Three-minute read.
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.

Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
Changing the times of your online services?

Don't forget to let us know so we can keep the list of online services up to date.

Email any changes to [email protected]
Bulletin Inserts - 
Bulletin & church newsletter inserts for you to consider and include.
Inserts from The Episcopal Church

These weekly bulletin inserts provide information about the history, music, liturgy, mission and ministry of The Episcopal Church, and may be of help to churches with limited time and resources to prepare weekly bulletins.
Lesson, sermon, and bulletin resources for churches and groups
In Case You Missed It
The Diversity and Reconciliation Commission to hold a second series of book study sessions online
Two-minute read.
Sponsored by The Diocese of West Missouri’s Diversity and Reconciliation Commission, The Beloved Community’s Second Book Study, God of the Oppressed by James H Cone, explores this landmark text in the development of Black Theology.
2019-2020 Bishop’s Ball Awards
Three-minute read.
For the past 14 years youth, their families, clergy, volunteers, and others have gathered to celebrate the previous year at the Bishop’s Ball. Unfortunately, we were unable to reschedule the Bishop’s Ball this year. There was still some celebrating to do though.
Bishop Marty’s Visitation Schedule

Bishop Marty’s visitations were halted in March due to the Coronavirus. Based on the poll responses from church leadership, a new visitation schedule has been established for October 2020 through March 2021.

Clergy or Wardens in Charge, please review the schedule and let Emily Davenport know if you have any conflicts. This schedule will remain in draft status until Friday, September 25. At that point, unless Emily has been contacted, this schedule will be set.
 
Please make note that all weekday visitations are scheduled for Wednesdays, which is Bishop Marty’s preference, but it is not required. If another day of the week will work better for your leadership, please contact Emily to arrange a different date.
Spread The Word