Ordinary Note October 7, 2025

Two Hundred Attend Clergy Day, First Woman Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, and What is Coming Up

Beloved of God -

Many of you know that I came down with COVID last week and was unable to attend Clergy Day in person. I was so disappointed not to be with more than 200 of our priests and deacons gathered in the Cathedral, but was happy that at least I could connect with all by Zoom. I’m deeply grateful for your prayers and care, and I’m feeling much, much better now, thanks be to God.

I want to thank our cathedral and diocesan staff, especially Jennifer Garrett, along with the rest of the Clergy Professional Development Committee, for organizing such a terrific Clergy Day. We were treated to an inspiring talk from the Rt. Rev. Robert Wright, Bishop of Atlanta, on resisting Christian Nationalism and the “dangerous oddness” of following Jesus. He challenged us to align our churches, our diocese, and our own lives with the Gospel— and “always be willing to give an account of the hope that is within you.”

Hope is Alive and Well

In September, hundreds of Episcopalians gathered outside the Burlington ICE detention center to support a parishioner from St. Peter’s-San Pedro in Salem, thanks to the leadership of Essex County Community Organizing and the Rev. Nathan Ives. All who were present were relieved that the parishioner was given a year stay, and I believe the power of our prayer mattered as much as the power of our witness.

I also witnessed tremendous hope abroad, during the House of Bishops meeting in the Dominican Republic. There, Episcopal congregations run schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and community centers—faithful, creative, outward-facing ministries led by laity, deacons, and priests alike that meet real local needs in Christ's name.

At that meeting, Bishop Craig Loya of Minnesota offered a beautiful theological reflection—drawing on our own Rev. Dr. Regina Walton—about “remnants”: communities that endure after decline, marked by resilience, creativity, and clarified identity. I keep wondering what we might discover about ourselves if we let go of false narratives of supremacy—White, National, or even Christian—and instead moved forward with courage and intention.

Introducing Courage and Joy Awards!

Courage is one of the values most resonating around our refreshed Diocesan visioning work—alongside joy. It takes courage to preach mercy and grace in a world dominated by fear and hate, and courage to face hard conversations about change. 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.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce something new at this year’s Diocesan Convention: Courage and Joy Awards! These will honor lay and ordained leaders who embody those values in their communities. Anyone can nominate someone, and we’ll celebrate the recipients at our Friday night banquet. Check out the wonderful workshops and the speaker, the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, for our keynote, both of which will take place on Friday as well. I can’t wait to gather with you all—it’s going to be a joyful time together. (There might even be music and dancing…). Register today!

First Woman Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

Like many of you, I was thrilled to read that the Rt. Rev. and Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, has been appointed the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury—the first woman ever to serve in that role in its more than 1,400-year history. Before becoming a priest, Bishop Sarah was England’s Chief Nursing Officer, bringing deep pastoral wisdom and a lifelong commitment to healing to her ministry.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is considered “first among equals” among the Primates of the global Anglican Communion, which includes about 85 million people in 165 countries—of which the Episcopal Church is one part. Please join me in praying for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take on this historic role, and for the whole Anglican Communion, that together we may walk in hope, courage, and joy.

Below, please find some important meetings and connections that are coming up for me, and for our diocese.

• Right now, I am in New York City for a Bishops’ Conference with the Clergy Pension Group (CPG), the organization that manages not only clergy and lay professional pensions, but also our benefits and property insurance. This is a time of learning for me, and a key opportunity to give feedback to CPG about its services and participate in its strategic planning.

• On Thursday, I meet with the Diocesan Deans for lunch and look forward to hearing about what’s happening throughout the diocese. Thank you to Dean Amy McCreath and Dean Becky Binns for co-convening.

• On Thursday I am also meeting with the Bishop's Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations for a briefing about our work in those areas. I’m so grateful to the Rev. Dr. Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski and Ms. Jane Redmont for their leadership this past year. Incidentally, the National Council of Churches will be holding its annual meeting in Boston next week, with some key events open to the public in our Cathedral of St. Paul. Here is the schedule.

• Monday is Indigenous People’s Day. The Diocese of Massachusetts and the Diocese of Western Massachusetts will mark the 350th anniversary of the beginning of Metacomet’s Rebellion (King Philip's War) with a sacred journey from Natick, MA, to Deer Island–the internment site where hundreds of Native people from the “praying towns” died from exposure and starvation in the winter of 1675- 1676. While this event is fully subscribed, you can sign up for the waiting list by emailing Jocelyn Collen at jcollen@diomass.org. Thank you to Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa and Deacon H. Mark Smith for their leadership on this effort.

• On October 19, I will be visiting Trinity Episcopal Church in Boston with Confirmations and Receptions at their 10 am service. The 19th also happens to be the anniversary of my Consecration as your bishop at Trinity! It should be a joyful morning. That afternoon, at 5 pm, I will join the Boston Episcopal Charitable Society in celebrating its 300th (!) anniversary in Evensong. Learn more about the society and/or become a member here.

Finally: At Clergy Day we distributed the next six months of my Visitation Calendar and a new Customary for Bishop’s Visitations.

Also, do you have someone in your congregation celebrating a special anniversary or achievement? I am happy to send them a letter of blessings and congratulations. Please contact Meredith Rippert at mrippert@diomass.org with details.

With courage, joy, and love,

The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth

Bishop Diocesan

Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts