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Beloved of God!
May has been rich and full, and fast. After returning from College for Bishops, last week was jam-packed. Highlights included: visitations with All Saints, Chelmsford and Grace Chapel, Brockton; a celebration of new ministry at St. Andrew’s, Ayer; Confirmations with the Crossing at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul; and a service of leave-taking at Grace Church, North Attleboro. This last was bittersweet, to be sure, as the congregation said goodbye to its building and priest-in-charge, the Rev. Kathy McAdams. I admire the faithfulness and care they have all taken in their discernment. It was a privilege to mark this holy transition with them.
Monday night I arrived in Indianapolis, where I am spending a few days being a mom, as my daughter graduates from eighth grade. I worked remotely yesterday, but otherwise I am taking some personal and comp time for much of the week. I’ll be back in Massachusetts on Saturday.
Canon to the Ordinary, Bill Parnell
While I am delighted to see my family, I regret that I am not in the office this week to say farewell to Canon to the Ordinary, Bill Parnell. His last day on staff will be Friday, May 31, before he begins a much-deserved retirement. It was Bill+’s desire not to be celebrated with a party, but I do hope many of you will reach out, via social media, emails, and phone calls, to thank Bill for his years of service to the Diocese of Massachusetts. He has been a source of great wisdom and stability during my own transition year, and I know that he was a loyal and steadfast partner in ministry for Bishop Gates. About Bill, he reflects: “I made plenty of decisions over the course of ten years, some better than others! There was none more fruitful than my invitation to Bill. He was indefatigable, unflappable, and faithful in all things. My gratitude knows no bounds.”
The work of the Canon to the Ordinary can be rather underseen and under thanked. With a portfolio focused upon budget, governance, properties, and discipline, Bill has held all of this and more, with great care, kindness, faithfulness, and love for the entirety of DioMass. On behalf of a grateful diocese, we thank you, Canon Parnell!
Faith, Strategy, and Activism
As we continue to reel from unfolding news all around us, your Cathedral is creating opportunities to learn and be inspired to be agents of God’s justice for all. This afternoon, there are some amazing opportunities with the Rev. Liz Theoharis of the Kairos Center. Following is information:
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1 pm - Faith Leaders Lunch (Ecumenical) with the Rev. Liz Theoharis, Executive Director of the Kairos Center: Strategizing with all people of faith to meet the crisis at hand. Register here.
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3 pm - What Can We Do Here and Now? Gathering of Episcopalians to learn how to support those impacted by recent executive orders, federal budget cuts and legislation. Register here: Event Registration Form
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5 pm - Book reading and conversation with the Rev. Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss- Back, authors of You Only Get What You're Organized to Take: Lessons from the Movement to End Poverty. Ecumenical and fantastic. Register here.
On Friday, you are invited to join members of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and Massachusetts rabbinic leaders in the “Prayers for Liberty” March from Lexington to Boston Common. For more information on the march, a letter from religious leaders I encourage you to read and possibly sign, and other amazing offerings from the Massachusetts Council of Churches, see their newsletter here. They are also collecting data from churches who have seen an impact in their attendance numbers owing to new immigration policies. Please contribute if that applies to your community.
PRIDE
I am so grateful for the amazing work of our Pride Leadership Committee, who are knocking it out of the park this year! Please consider joining a diocesan presence either at the Boston Pride March on June 14 at 10:30am, or throughout the diocese at other celebrations. For information, please click here.
Recently, someone asked me why issues of LGBTQ+ justice and equity are so important to me, personally and to our diocese. For me, the answer is twofold. First, a great deal of the homo- and transphobia which remains deeply entrenched in the US and abroad is tied directly to anti-LGBTQ+ religious teachings. There is a strong correlation between youth and young adult homelessness of LGBTQ+ youth and conservative religious teachings of their parents. We have a great deal of repair to do from the damage caused by violent religious malpractice. Moreover, as our region will continue to welcome more queer and trans folks seeking sanctuary from changes in their civil rights elsewhere in the US, I would hope that we can be a visible space for Christian welcome, truth telling, empowerment, and hope-building. That’s gospel work—to proclaim the justice of Christ, and to respect the dignity of every human being. I hope to see you during Pride Month.
I think I’ll wrap up there. There are some key dates below. I especially hope to see you at the Ordinations on June 7, in our cathedral. It will be a beautiful day.
Blessings, peace, and love,
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