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Sacred Journey to Deer Island First Step in Journey Toward Repair and Healing
With a Nor’ Easter blasting up the coast, almost 150 Episcopalians and Native people headed to Deer Island in Boston Harbor on Indigenous Peoples’ Day for a long-planned sacred journey—tracing the path that was forced on Native people when they were expelled to the island in 1675-1676. Hundreds of Native people from “praying towns” died from exposure and starvation that winter—in the midst of King Philip’s War. This journey was part of a broader call made by Bishops Fisher and Whitworth in their joint letter last June charging us to become active allies with Natives across Massachusetts and “begin to repair what has been broken.”
A Sacred Ceremony
On the island, Native ceremonial leader Peter Silva provided an introduction to all present on what they would be witnessing. Members of the Nipmuc tribe and others then gathered in a circle and held a sacred ceremony—commemorating the forced removal of their ancestors during King Philip’s War—which concluded with a round dance, in which all were invited to participate.
“This was not a field trip,” says The Rev. H. Mark Smith, convenor of the Right Relations and Allyship Working Group for the Diocese of Massachusetts. “It was an important step in a journey through lamentation towards repair and reconciliation, in hopes of healing. We want to create a movement of local worshipping communities building their own relationships with Native people.”
Opening the Doors for More Dialog
For some of the Nipmucs present, the day offered a moment of reflection and an opening for all to learn about the Nipmuc’s history. “I was really happy that people wanted to know more about what happened,” says Carolyn Hasgill, a lifelong resident of Natick who identifies with the Nipmuc Indian tribe and is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Natick. “When I recently saw that mural [John Eliot Speaks to the Natick Indians] in the post office, it got me thinking about my ancestors. They were taken out to Deer Island. Why did this happen? After we taught the colonists how to survive, they took over, wanted our land, and wanted to get rid of us. I think people had a better understanding after Monday. The smudging, water ritual, and drumming—they reached people. We accomplished something—people learned and it opened doors for more dialog.”
Maria Turner, Nipmuc tribal council chairwoman, says that it was important for people “to know that we are still here and not going anywhere.” While she says it is hard not to have open access to lands where Natives were interned, to offer sacred offerings and prayers, Maria comments that “Some people want to know the real story because history doesn’t teach the whole story, and that is why I thought it was important to do this sacred journey. I hope that what we experienced on Monday can become bigger and better. Maybe it starts with Natick and we pull in other towns and councils and supporters and allies. Some still have regrets about churches because of the assimilation. But we have to grow here and I hope this might be an opening for us to talk about our lifestyle, in schools for example.”
Building Deep Listening, Relationship, and Respect
“It was a remarkable privilege to join three busloads of Episcopalians and our Native siblings to remember and repent of the history of atrocity at Deer Island,” says The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. “We were reminded that our job is to be a part of mutual healing and repair, built on deep listening, relationship, and respect. I’m so grateful for this important work and the opportunity to be a part of it.”
The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, calls on us to be truth-tellers in our communities: “For the past three years, it was our practice to listen. We spent Indigenous Peoples’ Day listening to the stories of Native people. This year, with the strong, faithful leadership of the Diocese of Massachusetts, we encountered one another in a different way, in a different context, in a spirit of prayer. The sacred ritual we shared together was very powerful. Now we have to be truth-tellers in our communities and make sure the story we heard is remembered.”
Continuing the Conversation
All who participated in the sacred journey are invited to a virtual meeting on October 30 for further reflection together. “I saw our dance at the end of the ceremony as a sign of unity in our journey towards healing,” says The Rev. Smith. “The conversation will continue on the 30th and beyond.”
“This sacred journey, which was the beginning of a long healing pathway, was touching in many ways,” says The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries at the Diocese of Massachusetts. “Many thanks to our siblings, Native people who made this possible and welcomed us in their midst. Let’s continue the journey.”
Those interested in information on how to join the ongoing work of developing allyship with Native people in our midst should contact Deacon Smith at hmsmith46@gmail.com.
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Convention features Keynote by the Most Rev. Melissa Skeleton, Workshops, Courage and Joy Awards, and more
Convention, to be held November 14-15 at the Boston Marriott Burlington Hotel, features a keynote on developing congregations by the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton (bio), workshops, and a night of fellowship on Friday and the bishop’s address and Convention business on Saturday. The expanded agenda is designed to provide opportunities for deeper connection, learning, and exploration of this year’s convention theme: The Hope to Which We are all Called.
This year, the diocese is introducing Courage and Joy Awards to be announced at the Friday night banquet! “It takes courage to preach mercy and grace in a world dominated by fear and hate, and courage to face hard conversations about change,” says Bishop Whitworth. “But when courage meets joy, something holy happens. I really believe that joy is an act of resistance against the darkness and despair that surround us.” The awards will honor lay and ordained leaders who embody these values in their communities. Anyone can nominate someone before November 7.
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Pre-Convention Forums, October 18, 21, and 22
Pre-Convention forums offer an opportunity for discussion about the issues and business to come before the Convention, including the proposed 2026 diocesan budget, resolutions, and other important convention components. You are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions online. All attendees are asked to view the pre-recorded video reports that will be available here ahead of the forums.
Pre-Convention Forums will be held:
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Convention, Friday, Nov. 14
Keynote by the Most Rev. Skelton, most recently bishop provisional in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. The Holy Spirit works in local congregations to invite people to wade into the depths of their Baptismal identity and purpose. Archbishop Skelton will describe the ways in which we, as congregational developers, can help congregations be more faithful and fruitful in this sacred work.
Workshops on the following topics relevant to our diocesan priorities. Register for workshops.
- Stewardship Fundamentals for Small- and Medium-Sized Parishes
- Explore Invite-Welcome-Connect
- We Stand with the Vulnerable
- Managing Church Property for Mission
- Exploring Anglican Identity: An Interactive Workshop
- Keys to Faith Formation
- Stronger Together: Building Collaborative Parishes
- Communities of Care: Building Support with LGBTQIA+ Youth & Adults
Reception and dinner, followed by festive fellowship.
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Convention, Saturday, Nov. 15
As in past years, Saturday's program will include a Eucharist, the Bishop's address, and the business sessions of Convention. Among the business coming before the Convention is a $9.9 million proposed budget for 2026 and the following resolutions:
- Three resolutions respond to the current political moment in the United States, asking Episcopalians in the diocese to live into and act out of the promises made in their Baptismal Covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice and peace respecting the dignity of every human being:
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A Resolution Affirming Human Rights for All People in U.S. Prisons and Detention Centers.
- A Resolution in Support of Massachusetts’ Immigrant Community with Special Emphasis on Those at Risk of Losing Temporary Protected Status.
- A Resolution for Due Process for All.
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A Resolution in Allyship with Those Working on the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda builds upon the episcopal letter co-authored in June by the Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, Bishop of Massachusetts, and the Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, Bishop of Western Massachusetts, and asks Episcopalians in the diocese to affirm support for the Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda.
- A Courtesy Resolution in Honor of Jerome Woods Berryman (1937-2024) asks Episcopalians in the diocese to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Berryman who was the founder of Godly Play, a program that has had deep and far-reaching formative impacts on Episcopalians in the diocese and around the world.
Find full text of the resolutions in the Convention Handbook.
The entire Convention is open to everyone in the diocese, though please note that on Saturday participants who are not official members of the Convention may be seated in overflow rooms, if need be. Visit the Convention page for links, materials, and other details related to Convention. Questions? Reach out to the Convention Office at convention@diomass.org.
We hope to see you there!
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Diocese Welcomes Canon for Communications, Witness, and Engagement and other New Staff
The diocese is pleased to announce the calling of our Canon for Communications, Witness, and Engagement, as well as other critical staff at the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
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Canon for Communications, Witness, and Engagement
Over the past eight months, our diocese underwent an extensive visioning process, yielding core values, a revised mission statement, and new strategic priorities. To implement the priority of “Reframing Communication, Evangelism, and Prophetic Witness,” the diocese identified a need for a senior staff member to lead in establishing a strong values-based public presence, cultivating strategic partnerships, and strengthening development, fundraising, and internal communications.
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After a long and thorough national search, on September 24 Bishop Julia E. Whitworth announced that Clayton McCleskey has accepted the position of Canon for Communications, Witness, and Engagement and will be joining the diocese leadership team on November 5.
Clayton joins the diocese from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, where he has served since 2022 as Director of Engagement and External Relations, leading a combined communications, community engagement, and donor relations team. A former Fulbright Journalism Scholar in Germany, Clayton began his career as a Europe-based staff writer for The Dallas Morning News. In 2013, he joined the U.S. Department of State as a Presidential Management Fellow and served in multiple roles across the Federal government, including Spokesperson for the U.S. Agency for International Development. He holds a MSc in History from the London School of Economics and a BA from George Washington University.
Additionally, Clayton is a candidate for ordination in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, where he has advised Bishop Mariann Budde in some recent strategic and complicated moments in her episcopacy. He currently serves as a Seminarian at the Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester.
“I am very excited about Clayton’s professional skills, leadership experience, and deep commitment to our Church—all of which will position him well to serve our diocese at this pivotal time in our life together,” says Bishop Whitworth.
Clayton shared the following: “I am so excited to support Bishop Julia and worshipping communities across the diocese in strengthening our collective voice, evangelism, and witness in Eastern Massachusetts. I look forward to working with clergy and lay leaders to develop the strategy, tools, and resources needed for us to live into the Gospel’s call to be visible agents of love, hope, and grace, especially in this time of doubt, division, and fear.”
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Executive Assistant
On October 1, Meredith Rippert joined the diocese as the Bishop’s Executive Assistant. Meredith comes from the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, where she had been serving as Executive Assistant to the Chief Operations Officer. Prior to that, Meredith worked as Administrative Coordinator in the Religion Department and as Administrator in the Muslim Studies Program at Boston University. Meredith holds a BA in Communications from Boston University. Meredith can be reached at mrippert@diomass.org.
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Accounting Assistant
On September 16, the Finance team welcomed Ryan Tham as Accounting Assistant. A May graduate of UMass Lowell with a BS in Business Administration Accounting, Ryan will be supporting the diocese on a number of accounting functions.
“Building a high-functioning team to implement our mission and vision is of critical importance right now,” says Bishop Whitworth. “I am especially grateful for all who helped in the recruitment, screening, and interview processes to create an applicant pool of diverse and talented candidates for these positions. I hope you will join me in welcoming these staff to the diocese!”
| | Charting the Long Road Toward Reparations | | |
Reparations Fund Committee Develops Work Plan, Drives Forward Critical Exploratory Efforts
The Reparations Fund Committee has been meeting monthly over the past year and in June developed a nine-month workplan for September 2025-June 2026. The Reparations Fund’s purpose is “to provide a vehicle of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts to come together in acknowledgement of our communal responsibility as followers of Jesus Christ for repairing the legacies of American slavery.” The workplan is designed to guide the committee in its charge of discerning how to raise, invest, and disperse funds “to help repair the breach of systemic racism in the life of our diocese, region, and nation, by resourcing Black communities to flourish in myriad ways.”
“We are working at a deliberate pace intended to engage with our constituents in a thoughtful and thorough manner to inform our process,” say co-chairs The Rev. Hall Kirkham, Rector, St. Michael’s Church, Milton, and Constance R. Perry of Trinity Church’s Vestry. “A key priority for the committee over the next nine months is to host listening gatherings with Afro Caribbean and African American communities located within the geographic region of the diocese—connected to churches and beyond—to begin to understand what form the fund might take and how resources could be disseminated for greatest impact.” The timing of pilot distributions will depend on what the committee learns through these listening gatherings and other research.
The fund totaled just above $2.5 million on June 30, 2025, and the committee aims to grow it to $11 million over time through contributions and investment of assets. With a goal of funding “systemic solutions in response to the ongoing legacies of racism resulting from American slavery that continue to harm our society through unjust outcomes in a variety of systems” (i.e. housing, education, healthcare, criminal justice), the Reparations Fund will support both church-based organizations and those located outside of church settings that are addressing systemic change.
To support the development of the fund’s guidelines and structure, the committee established four workgroups at its June meeting:
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Development Investment Disbursement: This group is tasked with establishing a:
- Process for receiving donations to the fund from congregations, individuals, and organizations.
- Statement of investment objectives and policies.
- Process for disbursement of Reparations Funds.
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Communications: This group is charged with establishing a plan for reporting regularly, within and outside the diocese, on Reparations Fund developments.
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Listening Gatherings: This group is working on:
- Drafting a document that outlines the purpose, goals, and processes for listening sessions.
- Determining how and where to conduct listening gatherings.
- Identifying community foundations, nonprofits, and other entities with whom the committee can collaborate on community participation.
- Engaging diocesan parishioners via regional missioners.
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Research: This group is researching how dioceses in other states have structured Reparations Funds, as well as African American and Afro Caribbean demographics in the Diocese of Massachusetts region to help inform the committee’s efforts.
The committee’s creation was authorized by the annual Diocesan Convention in 2023. The Reparations Fund that the committee will administer was created by the convention in 2022 after two years of study and preparation. Within the guidelines of the committee’s organizing authorization, membership is made up of a majority of African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans—a mix of lay persons, clergy, and members drawn from all three regions of the diocese.
Current members and updates on the Reparations Fund can be found here.
If you have questions, please reach out at reparations@diomass.org.
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Invite, Welcome, Connect:
Church Development Designed to Meet the Specific Needs of the Episcopal Church
Want to deepen engagement among parishioners? See more people in your pews? Reach younger audiences? Check out Invite, Welcome, Connect (IWC), a program that outlines a pathway, with many options for execution, for intentionally reaching out and welcoming people to your community. The diocese has purchased a subscription to the program, providing congregations with free access the toolbox, including a book, checklists, videos full of ideas, webinars, and more, and allowing churches to hire an IWC leader at a discount to conduct a workshop in their community.
“I’ve explored a lot of church growth approaches over the years, but most don’t speak Episcopalian,” says The Rev. Kelly O’Connell, Regional Canon for the Southern Region. “Invite, Welcome, Connect, though, was created by an Episcopalian—Mary Foster Parmer—and has been tested in Episcopal churches. The program is really effective, regardless of whether you have a congregation of 10 or 500.
“We know that people are looking for community—and the Episcopal Church is magnificently poised to meet their needs. We are willing to talk about, and lead on, social justice, DEI, poverty, and so many topics that are front and center for those in our communities. Invite, Welcome, Connect presents a storytelling approach to outreach, which helps those who are seeking see the relevance of our work. I would love to see more churches explore this program.”
Canon O’Connell encourages all who might be interested to join her IWC workshop at Convention, learn more, and hear from those in the diocese who are using the program. Register today.
Here are some ways that congregations in the southern region are using Invite, Welcome, and Connect:
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St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sandwich: A few years ago, a group of parishioners purchased the IWC book and began faithfully following its guidance. “We want to be relevant in society,” says The Rev. Alan Hesse (Fr. Al), Rector. “Invite, Welcome, Connect is a way to invite people into our community and intentionally engage with them. This is what we are called to do.” St. John’s has:
- Hosted social events, including a baked potato bar after Saturday service, summer concert series, hors d’oeuvres and beverages on the weekend.
- Purposefully introduced people who don’t know one another, mixed older and younger individuals.
- Offered a prayer card to those who are new, asking what/for whom they would like the congregation to pray, as well as welcome bags.
“It takes commitment to welcome people,” says Fr. Al. “People are at different places along the religious journey, and you have to be thoughtful about meeting them where they are. The group in our congregation has done a fantastic job of doing this, following the Invite, Welcome, Connect suggestions. I think this whole approach is contagious!” Fr. Al says he has seen an increase in participation: Saturday service attendance has expanded from 9-23; Sunday services have also grown from 55-60 to 70-80. Among these individuals is a teen “who just showed up looking for a parish and never left,” says Fr. Al. He recently baptized this teen.
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Christ Church Plymouth: When The Rev. Melissa Howell, Rector, came to Christ Church, she brought the IWC book to her stewardship and ministry leadership committees and asked, “Is this something we should do?” Every leader said yes. “So many other congregational development processes are focused on numerical growth,” says The Rev. Howell, “but Invite, Welcome, Connect concentrates on spiritual growth: inviting people into deeper relationship with Jesus, deeper relationship with our neighbors, which felt right to us.” The parish is now exploring the book’s content and beginning to try different forms of connection, including posting a table with warm, welcoming information in the church’s thrift shop.
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St. David’s Episcopal Church, Yarmouth: After Robin Ward of the Vestry at St. David’s attended an IWC seminar offered by the diocese, she went back to the church and began implementing a number of approaches aimed at strengthening connection:
- Every visitor to the church receives a loaf of bread with a welcome packet.
- At the time of peace, parishioners welcome newcomers again and remind them about coffee hour or a brunch for newcomers happening after the service.
- The church has joined the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and posts its events on the chamber’s electronic sign as well as the local high school’s sign.
- This fall, the church will host movie and game nights.
“We have found that these approaches are working and that people are coming back,” says Ms. Ward. “And we are beginning to see our community grow, with Sunday services attracting 75-80 versus the high 60s.”
To access the diocese’s IWC subscription, email Canon Kelly O'Connell at koconnell@diomass.org.
We hope to see you at the workshop on November 14th!
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Clergy Day Speaker Rt. Rev. Wright Calls on All to Become Active Witnesses in this Time of Division
"Jesus's politics were not right and left: they were vertical and horizontal: vertical in devotion and horizontal in neighborliness,” said the Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, our guest speaker at Clergy Day, October 1.
To the gathering of nearly 200 in the Cathedral, Bishop Wright addressed a spiritual and biblical response to Christian nationalism—and stimulated a rich conversation about our church’s role in addressing the problematic, widespread conflation of Christian faith, patriarchy, and politics. Calling us to personal renewal in a truly Jesus-centered faith, he encouraged all to become active, compassionate witnesses in this time of deep division and transformation.
In the afternoon session, Bishop Whitworth connected these same values of public witness, courage, and formation for missional lives to aspects of our newly-released Diocesan Strategic Vision, and shared other updates about the liturgical and programmatic life of our diocese, as she nears the one-year mark of her time as our bishop.
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Ministry Discernment Day Participants Consider How to Live into Vocations
More than 60 people gathered in the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul on September 27 for Ministry Discernment Day—to listen to God and one another, and consider how they might want to live into their vocations. This year’s program, which was open to those considering entering the ordination process and those discerning a call to lead as lay persons in the church and the world, emphasized tools for discernment. A panel of presenters shared how intentional community, spiritual direction, and the Education for Ministry Program can help people reflect theologically and deepen their awareness of how God is speaking. A list of resources for discernment, curated by The St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer (TSPC), is available here.
In her remarks, Bishop Julia Whitworth talked about the ways discernment of vocation is important to our shared mission as a diocese. She emphasized the need for good, skilled, faithful leadership as we live into our refreshed mission and strategy together.
The Commission on Ministry, Canon for Vocations, and TSPC collaborated on planning and leading the event. The next Ministry Discernment Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026. There will be no Ministry Discernment Day in February 2026.
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Diocesan Youth Leadership Council Plans for Year at Retreat
The Diocesan Youth Leadership Council (DYLC) began its year with a retreat in September at which members got to know one another, planned the year ahead, dreamt about what might be possible, and had fun! Members of the DYLC pictured above: Front row—Madeleine, Anorah, and Anjeli. Back row—Linnea, Liam, and Marissa. Not pictured: Juliet. Please join DYLC for the Fall Youth Retreat at the Barbara C Harris Camp and Convention Center, October 24-26!
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ECM Annual Meeting Mobilizes Attendees to Boldly Stand for Justice — Together
Nearly 100 people gathered on October 4 for the Episcopal City Mission’s (ECM’s) Annual Meeting “Meet the Moment: Rise, Resist, and Rebuild” to discuss how ECM, churches, and individuals can join grassroots communities in responding to God’s call to resist forces that are dehumanizing our communities, and work together to rebuild a world where all belong and thrive. In addition to its efforts to close the racial wealth gap, ECM is following the call of grassroots partners to support immigrants being targeted with violence and advocate for affordable housing.
The meeting stimulated engagement, surfaced ideas, and reinforced a commitment to collaborative action in addressing today’s critical justice issues. ECM’s mission is to build relationships and collective power across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for racial and economic justice as the expression of God’s transforming love.
Highlights of the meeting included:
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Presentation of the Barbara C. Harris Award for Social Justice to the Rt. Rev. Dr. Douglas Fisher, Bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, in recognition of his leadership—championing justice on a range of issues, particularly gun violence—and support of ECM. “Bishop Fisher embodies the spirit of Bishop Barbara Harris, serving as a beacon of the church at its finest through his servant leadership, unwavering commitment to positive change and outspoken advocacy for justice, peace, and public witness against injustice within the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement and globally.”
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Breakout small action groups that explored:
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ECM’s Emergent Action Network: Reinforced a spiritually-grounded and collaborative strategy among groups. Committed to alerting those in the network to actions that anyone can take, on any given day, to address urgent justice challenges. Launched last spring, the network aims to serve as a hub for ways to take action, spiritual grounding and sustenance, and guidance from BIPOC-led grassroots initiatives leading the resistance.
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Immigration Action: Explored how to support immigrants through Temporary Protected Status campaigns, rallies outside ICE offices, and other efforts. Actions people can take: 1) View the documentary Mass TPS Responds to Trump Threat to Deport Venezuelans and fill out this form if you would like to host a showing to raise awareness. 2) Join the LUCE (Immigrant Justice Network of Mass) network at lucemass.org (ICE Watch Interest Form). LUCE will connect you to a training (in-person or Zoom) and add you to a local hub.
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Housing Ballot Campaign to stabilize rent and protect tenants. Reviewed the upcoming campaign and provided access to training on signature collection in your community. To learn more, see the ECM Rent Stabilization toolkit.
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Preaching on Justice: Discussed how clergy can preach prophetically about justice and mobilize congregations toward action. This group generated the idea of an Advent justice series and monthly lectionary for sharing. To learn more, contact the Reverend Edwin Johnson at edwin@ecmteam.us.
“We must be in solidarity because changes can happen at any moment and we need to be prepared to rapidly respond—resist— as well as be pro-active—rebuild,” says Rev. Arrington Chambliss, Executive Director of ECM. “I am grateful for all who contributed to the conversation at the annual meeting and am excited about the concrete steps that were developed to drive forward our collective agenda across housing, immigration, and a range of other pressing matters.”
To get involved, visit ECM’s website volunteer page and/or reach out to Hannah Hafter, Lead Organizer, at hannah@ecmteam.us.
The Annual Meeting took place at All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester.
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Katherine Emily Hoyer Ordained to Sacred Order of Priests
On October 4, The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of Newark, ordained Katie Hoyer (Katherine Emily Hoyer) to the Sacred Order of Priests on Bishop Whitworth’s behalf at St. Luke’s Church, Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Katie was sponsored for ordination in the Diocese of Massachusetts by St. Michael’s Church in Marblehead. Join us in congratulating Katie!
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Braver Angels: Building Bridges Across Political Chasms
It is hard to have a conversation with anyone these days without politics weaving itself into the discussion—intentionally or unintentionally. And, many of these conversations—including those in our congregations—surface deep divisions in values, perspectives, and opinions. How can you maintain your faith-based values in these situations, and how and why is it important to reach across political lines to hear one another and “disagree better”? These topics and more were addressed in a Braver Angels workshop, presented to clergy as part of annual professional development programming this year. Similar workshops are available free of charge to congregations across the diocese.
Being in Relationship
“People have different ways of understanding what truth is,” says The Rev. Dr. Daphne Burt, a Lutheran minister licensed in our diocese who has served as clergy in some of our parishes and who helps lead Braver Angels workshops in Massachusetts. “The goal is not to erase our differences, but to respect the other person’s point of view. Do we want to be right, or in relationship with each other? Jesus was really good at being in right relationships—he ate with the sinners. Through these workshops, we help people listen in a different way, acknowledge, and embrace new perspectives, with the goal of being or staying connected with those with whom we disagree. When we are in this type of relationship, lots of things are possible.
“Braver Angels is not about being nice. It is about being courageous enough to listen and build a bridge. We show you how to do this. I witnessed lots of ‘ah hah’ moments in the professional training and many clergy said their participation in the workshop was helpful. We are a movement, not a skill set, and would love to see it spread throughout the diocese.”
Restoring People to Unity with God
St. John the Evangelist in Duxbury is offering a three-part workshop series led by Braver Angels through its Snug Harbor Wellness Program at the encouragement of The Rev. Deacon Mary Beth Emerson, who took the diocese’s professional development workshop. In last week’s session in Duxbury, Rev. Deacon Emerson participated in a small group that discussed big government—and whether it is good or bad. “Even in this very politically diverse group, I realized that we agreed on so many points, and we were able to laugh, rather than be angry,” says Rev. Emerson. “I can’t tell you how liberating—and productive—that was. If this work is done intentionally, I believe it can really change a divided community.” Rev. Deacon Emerson sees this work as being directly related to the church’s mission “to restore all people to unity with God and each other.”
To learn more about the Braver Angels workshops visit the website. To schedule a free workshop for your congregation, reach out to Daphne Burt at dburt@braverangels.org
2026 Clergy Professional Development Day
The topic and speaker for 2026 Clergy Professional Development Day, a presentation geared toward supporting the practice of ordained ministry, has already been confirmed. The Rev. Miguel Escobar, Curate, San Andrés Episcopal Church in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and author of The Unjust Steward: Wealth, Poverty, and the Church Today will present the program “Beyond Stewardship: Exploring Alternative Approaches to Christian Giving.” All diocesan clergy will be invited to take advantage of this opportunity offered by the diocese at no cost. Dates, locations and registration will be available in January 2026.
Please reach out to Jennifer Garrett, Administrator for Events, Hospitality, and Engagement at the diocese, at jgarrett@diomass.org if you have questions.
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Cathedral Music Proclaims Hope, Grace to the City
In 1919, Bishop William Lawrence, the 7th Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts, envisioned St. Paul’s Cathedral as more than a place of worship. In The American Cathedral, he wrote that from its doors would pour “the sound of prayer and praise,” carried into the streets, making the cathedral a living symbol of Christ’s mercy. Today, standing at the heart of Boston Common near the State House, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul continues to embody this vision. Its open doors and rich musical tradition proclaim hope and grace to the city, fulfilling Bishop Lawrence’s call for the Church to echo through Boston’s streets. Join us for a variety of musical offerings this fall! Details can be found on the cathedral’s website.
- Saturday, October 25, at 4pm: Family Halloween Organ Concert featuring members of the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. A fun, festive program for all ages!
- Sunday, November 2, 5 pm: Renaissance Reimagined, a concert by the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble, the Cathedral’s resident choir. The program blends timeless works of the Renaissance with fresh contemporary perspectives.
- Wednesday, December 17, 5:15 pm: Messiah Sing-Along with organist Fred MacArthur. Join our Schola and raise your voice in this beloved annual tradition.
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Ghosts! Explaining the Paranormal
In the center of Salem, those at Saint Peter’s-San Pedro hear a lot of talk about ghosts and the paranormal. Naturally, an historic city, especially one with such a sad and unjust history as the Salem witch trials, would tend to be have ghost stories associated with it, but what is one to believe? Can the varied sources of this information be trusted? And what does the church universal say about ghosts? Saint Peter’s-San Pedro hopes to offer some much-needed insight and truth to this fascinating and much-talked about subject.
Join Saint Peter’s-San Pedro for a weekend course, November 7-9, during which they will explore how the church defines, understands, and explains ghosts through readings from holy scripture, church mothers and fathers, and experts in parapsychology and exorcism. The course will take place at 24 St. Peter Street, Salem, and the cost is $45. Learn more and register here or by calling 978-745-2291 by October 24.
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The Making of a Witch
Also at St. Peter’s-Saint Pedro Church, Salem: A one-act play, The Making of a Witch — how wealthy merchant Philip English became the accused—takes place Saturdays through November 1 at 2 and 4 pm. The play is performed at St. Peter’s Chapel on Brown Street, behind the church (located at 24 St. Peter Street); a historic church tour follows the performance. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit the ministries and historic preservation of St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church. Visit the church website for more information and tickets.
| | Christ Church Music Series—Jazz in the Sanctuary Presents The George Russell Jr. Quintet and the Reimagined Project | | |
On October 18 at 7:30 pm, Christ Church, Needham, will present The George Russell Jr. Quintet and the Reimagined Project: Hymns and Spirituals reimagined with jazz harmonies. George Russell Jr. is Chair of the Harmony and Jazz Composition Department at the Berklee School of Music and an award-winning performer, teacher, and mentor. Tickets are $20. All proceeds benefit Christ Church’s Haiti Music and Education Fund serving our partner parish, St. Luc’s, Lazille. Purchase tickets here or at the door, as available.
| | Displaced Palestinians gather on the coastal road near Wadi Gaza in the central Gaza Strip on Oct. 9 during an attempt to return to Gaza City after the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting. Photo: Associated Press | | |
Religious leaders welcome Gaza ceasefire, lament Israel’s imprisonment of Anglican Palestinian [Episcopal News Service] As a potential ceasefire takes shape in Gaza, Episcopalians and Anglicans hopeful for peace are also lamenting the news that an Anglican Palestinian woman has been imprisoned in a closely watched case that has raised concerns of Israeli overreach.
Layan Nasir, 25, spent eight months last year in administrative detention by the Israeli government without charge. Nasir, a member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church in the occupied West Bank city of Birzeit, was released in December 2024 but was convicted last month on unclear grounds in a court case that Anglican leaders said “lacks any legal or moral justification.” The court sentenced her to 7 1/2 months in prison. Read article.
London Bishop Sarah Mullally chosen as next archbishop of Canterbury [Episcopal News Service] London Bishop Sarah Mullally has been chosen as the next archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to serve in the historic leadership role for both the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Mullally will succeed former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who stepped down in January under pressure from a scandal in which he was accused of not appropriately addressing allegations of child abuse by a prominent church member.
The archbishop of Canterbury, as the most senior bishop in the Church of England, is seen as an “instrument of communion” among the 42 autonomous, interdependent provinces that make up the 85-million-member Anglican Communion, all of which, including The Episcopal Church, have historic ties with the Church of England. Read the article.
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The Living Church Bishop’s Meeting Concludes with Renewed Commitment Bishops reflect on their experiences during the House of Bishops meeting, September 10-15, in the Dominican Republic. “In a letter to the wider church, the House of Bishops expressed collective gratitude to Mota [Rev. Moisés Quezada Mota, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic], his wife, Jeannette, and Presiding Bishop Rowe, pledging to ‘renew our commitment to the work of missional partnership and collaboration as together we seek to be a wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.’” Article highlights that Bishop Julia E. Whitworth left the meeting early to accompany a parishioner to a meeting at a regional ICE facility. Read the article.
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The Cape Cod Chronicle The Real Heroes Run out of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, Food 4 Kids saw a dramatic increase in demand in its 10-week program this summer and provided approximately 10,000 more meals this year than last. This opinion piece suggests that the program’s volunteers are “the true heroes of this particular time in history…” Read the opinion piece.
| | Check out the wide range of events, retreats, and meetings coming up this fall! | | Stay connected with our diocesan community: | | | | |
