June 8, 2017
Clergy Retirements, Appointments
We thank you, we bless you...
  This month we acknowledge the retirement of two good and faithful servants: Barbara Thrall and Don Chamberlain .  Many souls have been touched by their ministries in Western Massachusetts. It has been my privilege to serve with them both. We wish them every blessing as the next chapter of life begins.

Doug+
The Reverend Barbara Thrall will retire on June 25 after 31 years of ordained ministry. The people of St. Paul's, Holyoke invite all to the celebration of Barbara's last Sunday Eucharist on Sunday, June 25 at 10 a.m.  St. Paul’s is located at 485 Appleton Street in Holyoke. 
The Reverend Canon Donald F. Chamberlain has retired after 50 years of faithful service to our congregations. Most recently he has been rector of St. Mark's, Worcester. 
New Dean for Hampden Region
  Bishop Fisher has appointed the Reverend Peter J. Swarr dean of clericus. Peter was ordained priest in 2007, served at St. John's, Plymouth, MI, and at our Christ Church Cathedral before becoming rector of St. Mark's, East Longmeadow.
WMA & MA Conference UCC issue joint response to US withdrawal from Paris Accord
Ready to learn about electronic giving?
Innovative Church Giving web conference

Join Steve Abdow and the CEO of Tithe.ly to learn about electronic giving  
Wednesday, June 14 at 7 PM
Please click the link to join the webinar:  https://zoom.us/j/424729643  

Or by Telephone:     
Dial: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll)     
Webinar ID: 424 729 643 

Deadline for Bishop Denig Youth Intern Online Applications JUNE 15

The Rt. Reverend Robert Scott Denig (1993-1995)

Seventh Bishop – Wanted youth to participate in ministry, churches to be “safe”, and to increase the Diocese’s Hispanic ministry. Bishop Denig succumbed to bone marrow cancer in 1995. He was 48.  

Do you know a young person who should see this?

  In memory of Bishop Denig's call to involve our youth, the Communications Office is offering one Episcopal or Lutheran youth, between the ages of 16-18, the opportunity to apply for this summer internship. 
River of Life Pilgrimage
There are many ways to be involved.
  • If you are interested in being a day-paddler, there are  open spaces on July 3
  • There will be three public events in WMA and all are welcome to attend. Click  here  to find out where and when.
  • You are also asked to invite the prayers of your congregation for the pilgrims safety and for creation during these forty days. You can download "40 Days of Prayer", the pilgrims prayer book,  here .
  • We will be praying with the pilgrims on Facebook & Twitter beginning May 31.
  • A special mention in the Prayers of the People would be most appropriate on  Sunday, July 2 .
  • We'll be covering the pilgrims as they move through WMA on our social media feeds. The hashtag for the pilgrimage is  #RiverOfLife2017 
MDI Grants: 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?



WMA Mission to Dominican Republic 
  Help is needed so watch the video and learn how you can support this wonderful two-week pilgrimage of love.

Please make donations payable to:
"DR Mission-Trinity Church". 
Youth Missioner Announces
Alternative Summer Break  
From the Rev. Hilary Bogert-Winkler
Who: Youth currently in grades 6-8
When: July 30-August 3, 2017
Where: Heifer Overlook Farm, Rutland, MA
How Much: $100/youth (Parishes must commit to a $100 contribution/youth, and our diocese will cover the rest). Scholarship money is available! If you or your  parish needs assistance, please contact Hilary for more information  (hbwchurch@gmail.com).
Deadline: Applications and non-refundable $100 fee must be to Hilary by June 20, 2017.
BCH Camp seeking summer chaplains
The Barbara C. Harris Camp
wants YOU!

Each summer, many clergy members from the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts and New Hampshire volunteer a week of their time to be with us up at camp. Their role is to assist the Head Chaplain in our worship and faith formation program, to co-lead morning and evening worship, to support summer camp staff in leading Bible studies, to join campers for some of their daily activities and to provide pastoral care to campers and staff members. The presence of summer camp chaplains is one of the cornerstones of our camp worship and faith formation programs.  

Safe Church trainings
Does your staff need Safe Church?
  • 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
Social Justice

Becoming Beloved Community  TEC's Commitment to Racial Reconciliation

Social Justice Commission recommends Just Mercy

The Pilgrim Church: We are All Strangers in a Strange Land, Social Justice Commission

EMM "Stand With Refugees" Sunday

Creation Care = Creation Justice

Prayers for the Planet: Reverence and Resistance, June 11 @ 2 PM, B'nai Israel, Northampton

Bishop's Respond to President's Executive Order on Climate Change

Download "40 Days of Prayer," River of Life prayer book

News from our Congregations | Calendar
Click the link for more information.

2017 Franklin Pride Walk Trinity, Shelburne Falls

Celtic Prayer @ St Andrew's, June 10

Bicentennial Events @ Christ Church Cathedral

250th Celebration for St. Luke's, Lanesboro

Cathedral Trip to NYC Monday, October 30

Here's what's ahead...
Stay connected!