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Highlights of 240th Annual Convention
A spirited, engaged crowd of more than 500 clergy and lay members of our diocese gathered in Burlington on November 14 and 15 to participate in the Diocese’s Annual Convention!
Highlights:
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An inspiring keynote by The Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, most recently Bishop Provisional in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, on congregational development and the importance of churches understanding their purpose.
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Bishop Whitworth’s address, which focused on the diocese’s important visioning work and key commitments that emanated from this work, and called on the diocese to “expect more, proclaim more, bear more for the world and to the world, more hope, joy, and courage. We can do it!”
- Presentation of the diocese’s first Courage and Joy Awards to four outstanding recipients.
- Workshops on a range of topics, from Invite, Welcome, Connect to Managing Church Property for Mission, tied the diocese’s strategic vision.
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As part of its public witness, several resolutions were passed, including affirming human rights for all people in US prisons and detention centers; supporting the Massachusetts’ immigrant community, especially those at risk of losing temporary protected status; and affirming support for the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda.
Read the full summary of Convention events and activities.
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The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell Elected 10th Bishop Diocesan of Western Massachusetts
On November 15th, The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell was elected the 10th Bishop Diocesan of Western Massachusetts. Congratulations Very Rev. Howell! And, thank you Right Rev. Dr. Douglas J. Fisher for your faithful and loving leadership as 9th Bishop Diocesan of Western Massachusetts. Read Bishop Whitworth’s statement.
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Cathedral’s MANNA Program: Accompanying the Unhoused for 40 Years
For 40 years, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul has been reaching out to the unhoused, first through its Monday Lunch Program (started in 1985) and now through MANNA (Many Angels Needed Now and Always), which offers a range of programs—including a writing group with features published in The Atlantic and on public radio, Monday lunches, a recovery group, and worshipping and meditation opportunities. These programs are all led by members of the unhoused community with facilitation from MANNA staff. Read all about the program and consider contributing a pie or volunteering to help at next week’s Thanksgiving meal.
| | Exploring Faith and Politics Sermon Series guest speakers The Rev. Liz Steinhauser, Priest and Lead Organizer, The Crossing; The Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma, Rector of Christ Church Waltham; and The Rev. Tina Rathbone, Executive Director of Ecclesia Ministries. | | |
Making Space for Open Conversation
Grace Church Newton Launches Faith and Polities Series
| | The diocese has been talking about its values in recent months as it lives into the core values, mission, and priorities outlined in its recent visioning work. What does it mean to welcome? What does love look like in our pews? And, what does courage look like in this time of turbulence, uncertainty, and political polarization? Grace Episcopal Church Newton is taking on these questions in a series it is launching this month called Exploring Faith and Politics. Learn about the series and take part! | | Byron Rushing, pictured center, at reception following an October 17 panel at the Boston Atheneum. | | |
Byron Rushing Reflects on Artist Allan Crite’s Life at Atheneum Gathering
Byron Rushing, member of St. John’s, St. James’ Church in Roxbury, former president of the Museum of African American History, and former Massachusetts state representative, participated in a panel on artist Allan Rohan Crite’s life at the Boston Athenaeum on October 17. The panel was hosted in conjunction with two concurrent exhibitions of Crite’s work at the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum and the Boston Atheneum, Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory and Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston, respectively. A lifelong Episcopalian and member of St. Stephen’s, Boston, Crite illustrated liturgical artworks for St. Stephens, St. John’s St. James, and other churches in the region. Read Rushing’s, and other panel members' reflections.
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Marsh Chapel at Boston University Marks 75th Anniversary
On November 16, Bishop Julia Whitworth joined Bishop Nathan Pipho of the New England Synod (pictured on the right in photo), Bishop Bickerton of New England United Methodist Church (pictured on the left in photo), and a congregation of more than 500 in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Marsh Chapel at Boston University, an ecumenical “heart in the heart of the city, a service in service of the city” and home to a vibrant Episcopal chaplaincy.
Reverend Raphael Warnock (pictured with Bishop Whitworth) delivered a fiery sermon on Isaiah and the God’s promise of justice and equity.
| | Massachusetts Council of Churches Executive Director the Rev. Laura Everett preaching. | | |
National Council of Churches 75th Anniversary Event Attracts Hundreds to Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul hosted one day of the National Council of Churches’ 75th anniversary gathering in Boston this fall. More than 125 leaders from judicatories around the nation as well as more than 100 local participants attended the cathedral events. Highlights of the day included a stirring sermon by Massachusetts Council of Churches Executive Director, the Rev. Laura Everett, calling on members to deepen their commitment to Christian unity in a time of deep division in our nation and a presentation by Harvard researcher Gina Zurlo, PhD, encouraging churches arising from western European cultures, which are in decline, to learn from churches arising from African and South American cultures, which are growing quickly.
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In the News
Nantucket Magazine Names Father Max Wolf Person of the Year
Father Max Wolf, Rector at St. Paul's Church Nantucket, has been named Person of the Year by Nantucket Magazine for the church's many contributions to the community, including delivering more than 1,000 bags of groceries to the food pantry, donating 200 bicycles to J1 employees, launching a reading and toy-lending program for children, and more. Read the feature article.
| | Check out the wide range of events, retreats, and meetings coming up this winter! | | |
Episcopal Advent and Christmas Resources
Find free resources from The Episcopal Church, based on invitation, the Way of Love, racial reconciliation, faith formation, and more here.
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Correction
An article in the October 2025 E-News regrettably referred to the Sacred Journey to Deer Island in October as "the first step in the journey toward repair and healing" in the relationship between the Diocese of Massachusetts and Native peoples. In fact, the first steps in recent memory in that long journey began some five years ago under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher and others, on whose shoulders our ongoing efforts stand. Read the corrected article.
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