Today, to reinforce my little diatribe in the last issue about disaster planning, you can scroll down to find a link to an article about Episcopal Relief & Development's response to Hurricane Ida. For church admins, there's also a link to a bulletin insert you can use.

Episcopal Relief & Development isn't the only ministry of The Episcopal Church that's very active at the moment. Episcopal Migration Ministries are racing to cope with the influx of refugees from Afghanistan. Scroll down for a link to a short video from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the situation.

With the annual Stewardship cycle about to begin, we've included information from TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship). Is your stewardship campaign ready to go? You know the drill. Scroll down to find out.

We've articles from two churches close to me (Springfield). Christ Episcopal Church held a Community Dinner and had a vaccination clinic on site. They provided 174 meals, and 10 people were vaccinated. St. Matthew's has been busy since my last visit building a new parking lot. I was there to join them in Evening Prayers and watch Bishop Marty bless the new parking lot. 

Before I sign off, the annual Diocesan Convention is looming large on the horizon, and the deadline for nominations is just around the corner. We are looking for both lay and clergy to serve in a variety of roles. Interested? Keep scrolling.

I'll be back again in a couple of weeks, on September 16. If you'd like to share your church's news and activities with West Missouri's Episcopalians, send me an email at [email protected].

Don't forget, if you want to promote or help with your events, contact Jamillah Duckett at [email protected].

Gary Allman

As Episcopalians, as followers of Jesus, as people of faith, we mourn the recent loss of life in Afghanistan, the ongoing chaos and instability, and the risk that many Afghans face, in particular women and girls. Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español.

At its recent community dinner, Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield delivered 174 to-go boxes and 10 members of the community were vaccinated by the health department.

Brett D. Kynard of St. Augustine’ reviews the life of his friend and mentor, the Rev. Canon Edward L. Warner, a former rector of St. Augustine’s, now resident in Atlanta, Georgia.

There is sound reasoning for why children should be included in every aspect of church life and it’s vital to the life of a congregation.

What can we learn from a tree?

The diocese is currently looking for both lay and clergy people to serve in a variety of roles. We need nominations to be elected to both the Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee. We also need nominations to serve in several other capacities.

In this issue: Planned giving opportunities. How to keep the ministry strong during the “between times.” Brotherhood ministry with veterans & restorative justice efforts. Critical “what if” news from National President, Conrad Jones. Order information from our supply list.

Bishop Marty’s sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost given at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Joplin, is available to listen to online.

A complete list of Bishop Marty's church visits can be found here.

Seen an error or omission? Let us know: [email protected]

For many of our congregations, September is the re-start of the program year, as we ramp up youth and adult education programs, return from our summer of rest, and begin to reawaken our plans for growth.

Starting Friday, September 3, we are changing the daily drop-in, online Church Connect schedule.

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 -