May 6, 2021
A twice monthly summary of news, events,
and information for the people of the
Episcopal Churches of West Missouri
News
To get the latest news and information between issues of New Spirit Update, visit the New Spirit Front Page
Easter Area Confirmation Service Photographs
Area Confirmation Service at St. Andrew's, Kansas City. April 24.
Area Confirmation Service at Grace, Carthage. April 17.
We've lots of pictures from the two Area Confirmation services held in April at Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Kansas City.

Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage; St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church, Noel; St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Joplin, and Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Branson, presented candidates on Saturday, April 17.


Churches Presenting candidates on April 24 were: Alban’s, Bolivar; St. Andrew’s, Kansas City; St. Christ Church, Saint Joseph; Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Kansas City; Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City; Grace Episcopal Church, Liberty St. Mary’s, Kansas City, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Kansas City.

Features
Rogationtide, three special days before the Ascension
Two-minute read.
Rogationtide happens for a few days just before Ascension Day. This year, that means on Monday, May 10 through Wednesday, May 12 we are encouraged to add special prayers for God’s blessing on the fruits of the earth and the labors of humankind, especially those that fall within our boundaries.
Sainthood for Justice Thurgood Marshall
Four-minute read.
The Feast of Thurgood Marshall is celebrated on May 17, its evolution began when St. Augustine’s in Washington DC sponsored a resolution at the 2006 General Convention.
On the 22nd Anniversary of Columbine, Not Nearly Enough Has Changed
Three-minute read.
On April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, two teens went on a shooting spree. I share my concerns with those of my sister and brother bishops from Bishops United Against Gun Violence, that in the intervening years we have not done enough to introduce common sense laws and make efforts to prevent such tragedies.
Join us in reading ‘The Book of Joy,’ starting
May 1
Announcements
American Red Cross needs Disaster Chaplains, ordination is not required, Spanish speakers needed. Can you help?
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Bishop Marty’s Recent Sermons available to listen to online
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Bishop Marty’s recent sermon for the fourth Sunday of Easter is available to listen to online.

Pentecost season to open with Way of Love Revival Weekend

Sharing Stories of Baptismal Living — monthly web conferences from Bexley Seabury Seminary

What's Happening
Announcing the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry Summer Session 2021
Youth Events
None at present.
Church Events
May 15
BKSM Commencement. Grace Episcopal Cathedral. Topeka, Kansas. 10 a.m.
May 29
Isaac Petty, Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests. 11 a.m. Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City. Online.
May 31
The Diocese of West Missouri office will be closed for Memorial Day. 
External Events
April 18-May 23, Sundays
Project Resource: Spring 2021 Stewardship Training. Online. 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Click here for more information and to register.
May 22
Way of Love Revival Weekend. Virtual worship and concert for the Human Family and "From Many, One" Community Conversations. Online. 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 
May 23
Way of Love Revival Weekend. Churchwide Pentecost Revival Worship from Philadelphia, Navajoland, Seattle, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Online. 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Education and Training
April 17 – May 22 on Saturdays
Diversity Workshop: Undoing Racism. This training fulfills the intent of several General Convention resolutions, which call for leaders at all levels of The Episcopal Church to receive training on the Church’s teaching about racial diversity and other forms of diversity present within the human family. Online. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
May 4 - 25 on Tuesdays
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission’s fourth online series of book study sessions. Caste – The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. Online. Each Tuesday, May 4 – May 25, 2021, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
May 8-9
Bishop Kemper School for Ministry May 2021 course: Anglican Spirituality, Doctrines of the Third Person, Diversity, Justice, and the Church’s Mission, and New Testament. Online. Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
May 8-9
Bishop Kemper School for Ministry Summer Session 2021. BKSM's summer session offers a variety of continuing education opportunities, whether you are ordained, a current seminarian, or a lay leader. Classes will be offered both face-to-face and on Zoom.
Clergy Events and Services
Every Wednesday
Compline. Online. 9 p.m.
Every 2nd Thursday
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.
Meetings
May 12
Diversity and Reconciliation Commission. Online. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
May 16
Standing Committee. Online. 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
May 26
Council Executive Committee Meeting. Online. 3 pm. – 4 p.m.
Deadlines
None at present.
Bishop Marty's Church Visits
A complete list of Bishop Marty's church visits can be found here.
Many churches in the diocese are offering daily prayers, reflections, and Sunday worship online.
For all the latest information about events around the diocese through June 2021, 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 issue of the New Spirit Update will be sent out on May 20.
Clergy, Administrators, and Church Leaders
Website Updates
One-minute read.
Details of some administrative updates to the diocesan websites.

Recording of the Memorial Service for the Rev. Kathy Hall
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
Soulcraft: the value of working with our hands

Hope & Faith in a time of Discouragement

Episcopal Church Executive Council announces diocesan relief grants

Spread The Word