Mission Matters News from the Episcopal Diocese  of Western Massachusetts   CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS

Maundy Thursday April 13, 2017

Bishop's Holy Week Message

Social Justice Commission, Bishop send joint letter to Governor of Arkansas

Stop government-sponsored killing The letter clearly outlines the Episcopal Church’s condemnation of the death penalty in any circumstance.  The Episcopal Church in Arkansas has been mobilizing to raise awareness and create opportunities to pray for death row inmates and for the families of their victims .  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not permit state-sponsored execution but many states still do.  Adding their voices to the cry for mercy, this letter to Little Rock comes with the prayers of the Church in Western Massachusetts. “We understand that each man has been found guilty and sentenced to die in accordance with the laws of Arkansas.  We ask that you consider the mercy that Jesus offers all sinners, a mercy transcending human understanding and the inevitably imperfect system of human justice.” READ THE LETTER

Christ Church Cathedral

Friday, May 19, 2017  6:30 pm Christ Church Cathedral 35 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA  01103  Clergy are invited to vest and process. The liturgical color of the day is red. Reception to follow with live music and dancing!

April 24 -- Deadline for Regional Confirmations

Pioneer Valley:         Saturday May 6th,  10:00 a.m. Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield Worcester:               Saturday May 20th,  11:00 a.m. All Saint's Church, Worcester Berkshires:             Thursday May 25th,  7:00 p.m. St. John's Church, Williamstown

Got Confirmands? Please  email  me the number of confirmands so I may send you the correct number of confirmation certificates in advance of the celebration. Please refer to the  diocesan website  for guidelines and prerequisite forms. If I can be of assistance as you prepare for these celebrations, do not hesitate to contact me. Jill Jill K. Senecal Executive Assistant to the Bishop

May 20 -- Stewardship & Racial Justice Events

REGISTER

Holy Currencies Workshop Join Bill Kruse and  the Rev. Cricket Cooper Saturday, May 20 9:00-3:00 St. Philip's Episcopal Church Easthampton Cost: $15 Lunch included

LAST WORKSHOP THIS PROGRAM YEAR

Talking race in safe space St. Stephen's, Pittsfield Our day will include prayer, presentations, small group discussions, short videos, lunch, and Holy Eucharist. Each parish is encouraged to send at least one clergy or lay leader, and group size is limited, so please register early! Childcare and/or a children’s component is available with participant interest. Facilitator Team from the Social Justice Commission: Lee Cheek, Lisa Green, Harvey Hill, Alexizendria Link, Peter Swarr, Maggie Sweeney REGISTER

Is Renewalworks for you?

Register by August 13   RenewalWorks  will inspire your congregation and leadership to rediscover who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. Through a guided methodology of self-reflection, sharing, and workshop discussion, it will help you refocus on spiritual growth and identify ways that God is calling you to grow   READ MORE When:  September 10, 2017  ( must sign-up by August 13, 2017 ) Cost:  $250   (The cost for the program is actually $500 but our diocese is subsidizing it by half for parishes that make the commitment to participate)            REGISTER

MDI Grants

Round 2 NOW OPEN  Deadline to apply:  6/28 (Don't be Late!!) C'mon--put your thinking caps on. Make a 'Wish List' of ministries and projects you've been dreaming about. Or, simply start dreaming! The Ministry Grants team wants to give away money (well, with some limits of course)! Our budget for 2017 is $80K, and $31,182 has been awarded to date. Here's the plan: Begin asking around...what new ministry have you been wanting and hoping to start, that hasn't yet happened? READ MORE

Safe Church trainings

Does your staff need Safe Church? Volunteer & Full Day, May 13, 9-3 @ All Saints' Church, South Hadley Volunteer, May 31, 6-9 p.m. @ Christ Church, Rochdale Volunteer, June 15, 6-9 p.m. @ All Saints', South Hadley For more information or to register please visit  our webpage.

Social Justice & Creation Care

Creation Care = Climate Justice BEFORE THE FLOODin collaboration with Kestrel Land Trus at Amherst Cinema Thursday, April 20 at 7pm House of Worship Workshop coming to Longmeadow Bishop's Respond to President's Executive Order on Climate Change Peoples' Climate Movement DC WMA bus info WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS MARCH FOR CLIMATE, JOBS & JUSTICEApril 29 in Springfield, Co-Sponsored by WMA SJC Environmental Justice 4 All Leadership Training for Youth

Social Justice Commission   Berkshire Clericus shares sample letters of support for Jewish Community & version for legislators Social Justice Commission recommends... Just Mercy EMM "Stand With Refugees" Sunday A Joint Letter from Massachusetts Heads of Church on the Executive Action Suspending Refugee Resettlement

Enrichment and Education

River of Life Pilgrimage  Join us on the Connecticut River Missional Voices  e-Formation Conference 2017 Learn More about Ministy in the Digital Age Registration open for innovative course: Episcopal Latino Ministry Competency Registration now open for 2017 New Community Clergy and Lay Conference

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