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News from the Episcopal
Diocese
of Western Massachusetts
CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS
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NEW Training Manual for Eucharistic Visitors!
Eucharistic Visitors are lay members of a congregation who take the Holy Communion to shut-ins under the supervision of their parish clergy. Eucharistic Visitors are proposed by the Vestry, approved by their Rector or Priest-in-Charge and licensed by the Bishop for this important and life-giving ministry. Training for Eucharistic Visitors may be provided in parishes using materials approved by the Diocese.
We are happy to share the revised
Eucharistic Visitor Training manual. It has been adapted for parish priests, if they choose, to train their own Eucharistic Visitors. The manual includes a theological framework for this ministry, respect for boundaries, appropriate form for sharing Communion and a sample visit record sheet. The revised manual can also be found on the diocesan website under "Spiritual Formation" and under "Parish and Clergy Resources."
Eucharistic Visitors must also have current Safe Church Training and CORI check. After training is completed, applications should be sent to
Lainey Hurlbut
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Corridor trainings are also in the planning stages for congregations who wish to have their ministers trained by diocesan instructors. Information will be available as this program takes shape.
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Want to start "Messy Church" at your parish?
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Support our Veterans Ministry
Building Bridges is proud to announce that a new lunch for veterans will begin in Holyoke at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Holyoke, MA, this coming September. Led by Gina Nelson, a St. Paul's member, an ardent veterans supporter, and the Vice President of the Holyoke-based nonprofit Community Roots, this free luncheon will be modeled after the successful lunches for veterans in Northampton, Springfield, and West Springfield.
On May 3rd, many people across Western Mass will donate to their favorite organizations through ValleyGives, a big day of giving put on by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Building Bridges will be participating in ValleyGives to raise our startup funds for the new lunch on Holyoke. In order to provide top-quality food, a great atmosphere, publicity, and proper services, Building Bridges needs to raise $15,000 by September! We ask you to consider giving to Building Bridges on May 3rd through ValleyGives. All the money raised through ValleyGives will go toward getting this new lunch in Holyoke off the ground.
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WMA Joins the Episcopal Asset Map
Rectors and Priests-in-Charge Encouraged
to Take the Parish Survey during the Great 50 Days
The Episcopal Asset Map is an open-source platform to direct seekers to every church, every ministry and every emergency resource. Anyone can take a survey for a congregation in WMA, but we are encouraging rectors and priests-in-charge to take the parish survey first. Our goal to have every congregation and ministry on the map by Pentecost.
Need assistance?
Contact Vicki.
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2016 Regional Confirmation Procedures
Below is the schedule of our 2016 regional confirmations. If your parish plans to send candidates to one of this spring’s regional confirmations, please contact the “host” church
at least three weeks in advance to inform them with the candidates’ correct first, middle, and last names for inclusion in the service bulletins.
Each respective parish attending a regional confirmation is responsible for the “Regional Confirmation Form” to be completed and sent to our office after the service. You may use the attached form (
click here), which is also available on the Diocesan
website.
Certificates: The Host Parish will contact Cozette Haggerty in The Bishop’s office for the final number of certificates needed for the service. (737-4786 x 123, or email:
chaggerty@diocesewma.org).
Reminder: bring your parish register to be signed by The Bishop.
Regional Confirmations
Sat., 5/7/16 @ 10 am Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield (Valley Corridor)
Sat., 6/4/16 @ 11 am All Saints', Worcester (Worcester Corridor)
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Retired Clergy Luncheon
for clergy, spouses, and surviving spouses
Bishop Fisher invites all our retired clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses to choose from one of two upcoming luncheons planned in your honor.
One gathering will be on Tuesday, May 10 in Sturbridge. If that is not convenient for you, we will have a second lunch on Tuesday, September 27 in Pittsfield. Details for the Pittsfield lunch will be sent along later in the year but you may save the date if that one is best for you.
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All Senior and Junior Wardens serving congregations in Western Massachusetts are cordially invited to a dinner and conversation at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke, to be held on Sunday, May 22, 2016, beginning at 5:00 p.m., with dinner at 6:00 p.m. There is no charge for the dinner. You will be contacted shortly via email for on-line registration details.
For questions please contact Cozette Haggerty.
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Social Justice & Advocacy
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For Those Who Had No Funeral
Saturday, April 30
3443 Black men, women and children were lynched in America between 1868 and 1968 The
"Ashes to Ashes" project was created to remember these people with prayer and ritual.
Read all about this powerful liturgy happening in Springfield this weekend.
Bishop Fisher will walk in the 10 am procession and attend the 11 am funeral at St. John's on
Saturday, April 30.
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Creation Care Newsletter for April
How do we handle our climate grief? Is the climate movement part of the Jesus Movement? What new educational resources on faith and science are available? For answers, read this month’s newsletter. To download the pdf, visit here.
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The Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas is one of the workshop presenters!
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More information
here
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Opportunities for Enrichment and Education
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Interested in deepening your knowledge of Scripture and church history? Wondering how it all applies to your daily life? Trying to determine what your “ministry” is? Come and explore the Education for Ministry program at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden.
Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people from all walks of life with the education “to be” Christians and to carry out their ministry. EfM is designed to support adults as they seek to live out their faith at home, at work and in the world. To learn more or RSVP,
contact Robin Carlo
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Holy Currencies: Stewardship 365
May 4-7, 2016
Barbara Harris Conference Center
Learn to develop and sustain year-round holistic stewardship that increases Money as well as the other holy currencies of Time/Place, Gracious Leadership, Wellness, Truth, and Relationship.
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Communications Office | Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts | 413.737.4786 |
Email |
Website
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