Mission Matters

News from the

Episcopal Diocese 

of Western Massachusetts  


CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS 

October 14, 2025

Bishop Fisher given the Barbara C. Harris Justice Award

Bishop Fisher was given the Barbara C. Harris Justice Award. This honor was given at the Episcopal City Mission Annual Meeting. The Rev. Betsy Fisher was at his side in the beautiful nave of All Saints Episcopal Church Worcester, MA. It was a moment of great joy as ECM recognized the many ways our bishop has advanced God's justice in the Commonwealth and in the wider Episcopal Church.

Meet-and-Greets announced

Meet-and-Greets are a series of open meetings where you can meet and greet the candidates for our next bishop.


You may know Meet-and-Greets by its former name, "walk-abouts." Meet-and-Greets are an opportunity to pray together, learn more about the churches in your local region, and hear the candidates answer questions.


We will have three Meet-and-Greets throughout the diocese during the first week in November. The schedule for Meet and Greets are as follows: 


  • Tuesday, November 4th at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving St., Worcester.
  • Wednesday, November 5th at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 67 East St., Pittsfield.
  • Thursday, November 6th at Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St., Springfield.


Each Meet-and-Greet will begin promptly at 6pm. There will be an informal reception where individuals, especially lay delegates, may greet the candidates, at 5:30pm.


Learn more

Communications Monthly Office Hours

for Parish Admins, Clergy, Digital Ministers, Wardens

Oct 16, 11am

Online


We are pleased to offer a monthly Zoom support call for all who are involved in congregational communications. Each month we will focus on a specific topic, but leave plenty of time for questions. All are welcome! Parish Admins, clergy, digital ministers - this hour is for you! We hope to see you and look forward to supporting you in your ministry of communications.


Learn more

Delegates encouraged to register for the 124th Diocesan Convention with the Election of a Bishop

The 124th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, 2025.


As noted in the first Convention mailing, we are gathering once again at The Conference Center at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. All voting delegates must be present at the convention venue.


Learn more and register

Safe Church Trainings

For full details please visit our webpage. You may register by clicking on the date of your choice below. Thank you for helping to keep our churches safe.



From Our Cathedral

Nov 1, 9:30am

Springfield, MA


The flower guild at the cathedral is hosting a diocesan flower arranging workshop with Master Arranger ,Bob Whitney on Saturday, November 1 from 9:30-12:00. 


The main topic will be using more ecologically safe mechanics as the base for an altar arrangement. Fee is $40 and all participants will take home their arrangement in a vase that they have brought with them. Contacts: Amanda Paradis at the Cathedral office: 413-736-2742 or Susie Shaffer-Bartley : 860-916-9263.

Bishop's Visitations

  • 10/19/25 - St. John's, Athol
  • 10/26/25 - St. David's, Agawam
  • 11/02/25 - Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield
  • 11/09/25 - St. Michael's-on-the-Heights, Worcester
  • 11/23/25 - St. Mark's/San Marcos, Worcester
  • 11/30/25 - St. John's, Northampton
  • 12/07/25 - St. Stephen's, Westborough
  • 12/14/25 - Church of the Reconciliation, Webster

From Our Congregations


Open Positions

Province 1

Save the Date


Dec 10, 6:30pm

Online


Provincial Conference

Elections and Budget Meeting


More info soon

From The Episcopal Church

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Episcopalians invited to first Veterans Day Holy Eucharist and Commissioning of Chaplains

South Dakota bishop apologizes to Crow Creek Sioux for diocese’s involvement in Indigenous boarding schools

Workshops & Conferences

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Transforming Leaders Connecticut Retreat with Becca Stevens

Oct 21-24

Madison, CT


"Together we will take a meandering path through the intimate and messy work of healing on dangerous roads. We will reflect on good Samaritans and the communities behind them. Come walk along the shoreline, breathe in salt air, and let the ocean’s vastness guide you towards deeper compassion and trust in the God who continues to call and equip you in new ways. Through prayer, deep rest, and shared reflections, we trust that new seeds we plant together will produce new fruits as we return to our ministries to love and serve our people with renewed vision and vocation."


Learn more and register

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Spirituality of Aging Facilitator Training

Oct 2025, Feb 2026, or May 2026

Online


Seabury Resources for Aging® will offer online facilitator training for The Path Ahead: Spirituality & Purpose in Later LifeSM three times in the coming program year. Registrants for the October 2025 workshop will be the first to use the newly revised The Path Ahead Facilitator Guide, 2e.


The popular curriculum on the spirituality of aging explores the challenges and rewards of aging in a spiritual context. Designed for small groups, the series rejects stereotypical views that define aging in terms of a singular narrative of decline, and instead reveals this season of life through a lens of spiritual growth, purpose, and meaning.


Learn more and register

Hispanic Ministries

Ministerio Hispano San Pablo en Holyoke

  • Misa Dominical - 5:00pm en persona






La Catedral en Springfield

  • Misa Dominical - 12:15pm en persona
  • Estudio Bíblico - (en persona) Miércoles 6:00pm
  • Sabatina - (Segundo, tercer y cuarto sábado del mes) de 10am a 12pm



Ministerio Hispano San Marcos en Worcester

Sunday Services/Servicios Dominicales: 

Sunday Holy Mass/ Santa Misa Dominical:

  • ​10:00 am English/Inglés
  • 12:15 pm Spanish/Español
  • ​11:00 Bilingual (In special occasions/En ocasiones especiales)

The Rev. Joel Martinez

Rector, St. Paul's, Holyoke

The Very Rev. José Reyes

Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield

The Rev. Ignacio Solano Pickett

Hispanic Missioner

Vicar, St. Mark's/San Marcos, Worcester

isolanopickett@diocesewma.org

Mission Matters Publishing Schedule

Upcoming 2025 Mission Matters publish dates:


  • Oct 28th
  • Nov 11th and 25th
  • Dec 9th and 23rd

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