A twice-monthly summary of news and events,
for the people of the
Episcopal Churches of West Missouri
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As the weather (hopefully) brightens heading into this Independence Day Weekend, we can start drying things out and mopping up.
Has your church or community been affected by flooding or water damage? Drop me a line - [email protected]
Now's a good time to dust off (or wring out), check, and update those long-forgotten Disaster Plans you made. You didn't make any? Oops. Oh well, it's never too late to start. There's a whole bunch of resources here.
The Diversity and Reconciliation Commission recently set me off on a mission to obtain permission to reproduce an article about the 1968 Holy Week Riots in Kansas City. With the help of the internet, Emily Davenport (Bishop's Assistant), and the 'Red Book,' we tracked down the Rev. David Fly, the priest who wrote the original article. He has put together a new piece for us based on a recent interview. Scroll down for the link.
As promised in the last Update, I couldn't resist the lure of the bar-b-que, and I popped down to St. Matthew's in Ozark to sample the food at their first post-COVID Community Dinner. Scroll down for a link to the pictures.
We've had to postpone the Out of the Pandemic & into the Woods WEMO Family Camps. That's a shame as I was looking forward to going along and hanging out in my hammock (not to mention the chance of more burgers and hotdogs). Josh Trader (Assistant to the Bishop for Youth Ministry Development) wants to get them organized again in the fall.
If you are a part of your church's leadership, there's an article on post-COVID stewardship and giving. Scroll waaay down to the foot of this email to find out about some updates to the diocesan website and a short survey we are conducting.
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So far, it's 100% in favor of these 'mini-editorials.' But I'm not going to let on how big the sample size is. Love them? Hate them? Let me know.
Send your news to [email protected], and share what your church is doing in the New Spirit Update.
If you want to promote or help with your events, contact Jamillah Duckett at [email protected].
That's it for now. Scroll down for all the latest news and events updates. We'll be back on Thursday, July 15.
Gary Allman
Communications Director
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One-minute read.
St. Matthew’s held their first community dinner since they stopped serving weekly meals because of COVID. Over twenty guests arrived for the opening meal..
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New prayer book translations into Spanish and French available, feedback from native speakers sought
One-minute read.
The Episcopal Church has announced the release of draft translations of the Book of Common Prayer in Spanish and French, with Haitian Creole to follow. Feedback is sought from native speakers of those languages by October 15.
Note: the following information is presented in English and Spanish
Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
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Executive Council advances church’s work on racial justice issues at June virtual meeting
One-minute read.
Themes of racial justice, including the experience of people of color within The Episcopal Church, the persecution of indigenous peoples in North America and plans to extend and magnify the church’s existing truth and reconciliation efforts, dominated the work of the church’s Executive Council during its June 25-28 virtual meeting.
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Ten-minute read.
April 4, 1968, was a normal workday for me, starting at 8 a.m. and ending around 5:30 p.m. when I would rush in the door and plop down in front of the television for the evening news. At 6:01 p.m. that evening, the world changed for many in America and was on the verge of changing for me.
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Reach Out Challenge
One-minute read.
Serving in the military can be stressful and lonely, so most service members love getting mail from loved ones and strangers alike. Accept the Everything Holy July Reach Out Challenge!
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At the Table: Gathering Community
One-minute read.
Imagine how good it feels to be at a table that is warm and welcoming. That is the kind of table At the Table hopes to create in your home or within your congregation sometime soon.
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Pandemic prompts stewardship innovation, offers lasting lessons for church giving, panel says
Five-minute read.
The suspension of in-person worship services early in the pandemic made the traditional passing of the offertory plate impossible, churches, they should commit to maintaining the spirit of innovation in church stewardship, especially with digital tools, according to the clergy and lay leaders who participated in a recent panel discussion hosted by the CEEP Network.
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Explore Scripture: Deepen Faith through Education for Ministry in West Missouri
People need the kind of theological education which supports their faith and which also trains them to express that faith in day-to-day events. “This is a class I wish I had ‘discovered’ at a much earlier time in my life. It is rewarding beyond anything I ever thought it would be.”
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The Cross – June 2021 Issue
The June edition of The Cross, the magazine of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, a worldwide ministry to men and youth in the Episcopal and Anglican communion is available to read online.
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When: Sunday, July 18, 2021, at 4 p.m.
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 416 SE Grand Avenue, Lee’s Summit.
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When: Saturday, July 17 & 31, 2021, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: In-person at Good Shepherd, Kansas City and St. John’s, Springfield
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Out of the Pandemic & into the Woods Postponed until Fall.
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Join us At the Table to gather in community. Gather around a community table as households or in small groups to hear five stories where Jesus breaks bread with others, reminding us that when we gather in his name, we are living as God’s family.
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The Diocesan office is closed in observance of Independence Day. |
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Installation of the Rev. Isaac Ross Petty as Priest in Charge of St. Luke’s, Excelsior Springs. 7 p.m. |
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Installation of the Rev. James Harris as Rector of All Saints, West Plains. 6 p.m. |
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Diversity Workshop: Undoing Racism Session I & II. 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City (Northern location) and St. John’s, Springfield (Southern location). Registration details coming soon… |
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Clergy Events and Services |
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2nd Thursday’s Clergy Conversation. Online. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. If you have not received the login credentials for this meeting, please contact your Dean. |
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Diversity and Reconciliation Commission. Online. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
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Standing Committee. Online. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
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Diocesan Council Executive Committee. Online. 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. |
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Deadline to register for Summer Diversity Workshop |
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Last day to sign-up to receive materials for At the Table |
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Bishop Marty's Church Visits |
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A complete list of Bishop Marty's church visits can be found here. |
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Many churches in the diocese are offering daily prayers, reflections, and Sunday worship online. |
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Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders |
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Website updates
One-minute read.
Details of some administrative updates to the diocesan websites
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One-minute read.
To aid in future planning, we’re asking one leader from each church to please take this short, 2-question survey to let us know what day of the month your Vestry or Bishop’s Committee regularly meets.
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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.
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Bulletin Inserts -
Bulletin & church newsletter inserts for you to consider and include.
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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.
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There is space for conversation ‘At the Table’ why not come and join us?
Read More
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Taking Pride – a personal reflection
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Have your say, survey on the impact of COVID-19 on The Episcopal Church
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If you haven't already done so please help to spread The Word by liking our Facebook page and following us on Twitter and Instagram |
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