January 5, 2023
A summary of news and events,
for the people of the
Episcopal Churches of West Missouri
News
Eighteen of West Missouri’s Episcopal Churches to open for prayer on the National Day of Racial Healing
Seven-minute video.
Eighteen of West Missouri’s Episcopal Churches will open their doors on Tuesday, January 17, from 9 a.m. until noon for people to pray and reflect during the National Day of Racial Healing. Churches in Belton, Independence, Joplin, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, Sedalia, Springfield, and St. Joseph will be taking part.
Features
Lift Every Voice and Sing: more than a mere hymn
Five-minute read.
Many of the hymns in the Hymnal 1982 have very interesting histories. However, hymn 599 stands out as one that embodies the history of African American people.
Be SMART: Addressing firearm death in children through modeling responsible behavior around firearms
Four-minute read.
The second step in the Be SMART program is M Model Responsible Behavior. Every law-abiding adult has the right to decide whether or not to have a gun in the home. But, you can’t rely on curious kids not to find a gun.
Budget Process 2024 - Ponder anew what the Almighty can do…
Four-minute read.
In an email sent out late December Bishop Diane and Fr. Isaac Petty outlined some of the work already undertaken on developing a new budgeting process and they provided advance notice of a request for input.
Announcements
Diocesan Center Closed
The Diocesan Center will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2023.

The next New Spirit Update will be published on Thursday, January 19, 2023.
Church and Clergy Transitions 2022
Two-minute read.
Details of the churches in transition as of December 2022, and a month-by-month summary all the clergy transitions that took place in 2022.
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) January 2023 Newsletter
Three-minute read.
Read The Episcopal Network for Stewardship’s January 2023 newsletter.
Young Adult Civil Rights Pilgrimage
One-minute read.

DEADLINE TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST EXTENDED TO JANUARY 15, 2023

Are you a young adult between the ages of 25 & 40? Do you enjoy travel? Do you enjoy learning? Do you enjoy volunteer work? Are you looking to deepen your spiritual connections through prayer and worship? Are you looking to help build the community of young adults in the diocese? Would you like to join an incredible adventure?
What's happening
Ordinations of Brittany Renee Sparrow Savage, David Sidney Wilcox, II, Jon Ryan Williams, and Ryan Anthony Zavacky to the Sacred Order of Deacons

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 2 p.m., God willing and the people consenting, Brittany Renee Sparrow Savage, David Sidney Wilcox, II, Jon Ryan Williams, and Ryan Anthony Zavacky will be ordained into the Sacred Order of Deacons. You are invited to join them at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, or watch live online.
January 14
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. In-person and Online. 4 p.m. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City.

The service will be preceded by a video recording of a 1967 interview with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 11 months before he was assassinated. If you would like to see the interview, please come to the cathedral or join the live stream at 3:30 p.m.
January 17
National Day of Racial Healing. In-person. 9 a.m. -- Noon. Churches across the diocese.
January 24 -
February 14
The Beloved Community of Care and Love Book Study. Online. Every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
January 26 -
February 16
The Beloved Community of Care and Love Book Study. Online. Every Thursday at 7 p.m.
January 31
Annual Stewardship Campaign Webinar. Online. 7 p.m. St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City.
February 5
Absalom Jones Celebration. In-person and Online. 4 p.m. St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City.
Events & Meetings
There is lots more to see on the diocesan Events home page.
Check out the diocesan calendar and our full list of forthcoming events and meetings.
Deadlines
January 15
Deadline for expressing an interest in attending the Young Adult Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Many churches in the diocese are offering daily prayers, reflections, and Sunday worship online.
Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders
IRS mileage rate update, and a new Expense Reimbursement Form has been published
One-minute read.
On January 3, the 2023 diocesan Expense Reimbursement Form was published. The new form includes the revised federal mileage rate of $0.655 per mile for qualifying mileage claims on trips taken after December 31, 2022.
New Year — Any Payroll Changes?
One-minute read.
Please contact Elaine Gilligan [email protected] with payroll changes for employees of your organization. It is important for correct information to be input online in a timely fashion for correct pension billing and benefits.
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 and flyers

Do you have any bulletin inserts or flyers of interest to the Episcopal Churches of West Missouri? Send them in!

  • Added this week, flyers and other resources for the National Day of Racial Healing.
Second chance - In case you missed it
Diocesan Audit Report for 2021 Published
One-minute read.
The Diocesan Audit Report for 2021 is available to read and download in PDF format. A link to the file has been added to the Diocesan Council Minutes & Diocesan Audits page.
Church Leaders, now is a good time to update your Asset Map profile
One-minute read.
There is still time to get your Church’s Asset Map entry updated. The Episcopal Asset Map has its highest traffic days on Christmas with an almost 70% increase of users on December 24.
Spread The Word