Mission Matters
News from the
Episcopal Diocese 
of Western Massachusetts  

CELEBRANDO LA ABUNDANCIA DE DIÓS 

April 25, 2023

One Creation Banner still missing

We need your help in locating one of the four Creation Care banners, as well as all four poles and stands.


The primarily green banner (second from the left in the above photo) is still missing.


Please contact Saints James and Andrew, Greenfield with any information.


Once all four banners are returned to SsJA in Greenfield, it will again be possible to borrow them for liturgical use.

It's All About Love

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Jul 9-12

Baltimore, MD


"'It’s All About Love' is a churchwide festival of worship, learning, community, and action for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, to be held Sunday, July 9 through Wednesday, July 12, at the Baltimore Convention Center. Register by May 8 for Early Bird rate of $185.


'It’s All About Love' features three Jesus Movement festival 'tents' – Evangelism, Creation Care, and Racial Reconciliation. Each tent will offer an evening revival worship service and major plenary speaker, plus dozens of day-time workshops, panels, practice opportunities and other ways to engage." 


Learn more and register

Appalachian Trail Day of Kindness

Summer 2023

Sheffield, MA


Pick a day this summer and bring 4-5 volunteers to Sheffield to offer some hospitality to Appalachian Trail hikers from 10am to 3pm. 


Learn more

Good News Garden Seedling Blessing

May 21


On Sunday, May 21, congregations, households, and individuals are invited to join together in a seedling (or seed packet!) blessing to start the growing season. The Good News Gardens team has prepared a liturgy for use in parishes, homes and community gardens, or by individuals.


Why are we blessing seeds or seedlings? The Rev. Rachel Field, coordinator of the Good News Gardens Network of Massachusetts, says the following: “We are remembering the generative power of love that God pours out into the world. We rejoice in the nourishment that sustains our bodies and spirits. We affirm the right of all persons to have access to healthy, delicious and abundant food.”


Here is a link to the liturgy (please feel free to share widely). And please send pictures of your seed/seedling blessing to goodnewsgardensma@gmail.com. The network would love to feature your photos in its upcoming newsletters and celebrate the good work that is happening in our communities. 

Save the Date: H2H Golf Tournament

Sep 18

South Hadley, MA


Human to Human Golf Tournament at the Ledges Golf Club in South Hadley, MA


Funds raised are committed to frontline ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts which address the needs of the most vulnerable among us. Come play a few rounds with friends and make the kind of difference you can only make Human to Human.


More information to come.

Province 1: The Episcopal Church in New England

Conversations with Noted Speakers

The Province 1 Christian Formation Network is hosting a series of online conversations. On the third Thursday of each month, participants will have the opportunity to hear from people at the forefront of Christian Formation. Registration required.


2023 Schedule


  • May 18 - "Confirmation: The Lost Sacrament Finds Fresh Purpose" - The Rev. Josh Hosler
  • Jun 15 - "Atrium for Everyone: Incorporating practices from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or Godly Play into any program" - The Rev. Joyce Scherer-Hoock


Register here

WMA & MA Together

The Indigenous Peoples' Justice Network meets on the second Wednesday of the month at noon. Contact Martha Gardner for meeting access.

The Creation Care Justice Network in Massachusetts is a group of Episcopalians from across our state who are committed to faith-based environmental justice and climate action. They draw upon the strong environmental messages from our bishops and The Episcopal Church as well as our diocesan mission to protect creation and seek ways to work collaboratively to address the climate crisis in a just and equitable way. 


The attend the next meeting e-mail creationjusticeepisma@gmail.com to confirm and to get the Zoom link.


Learn more

MA Poor People's Campaign Statewide Meeting

Apr 29, 12pm

Springfield, MA


Community members and leaders from Western Massachusetts and across the state will be convening for a time of conversation & learning, arts & music, and to share testimony and our demands for the Third Reconstruction. Lunch will be provided.


The meeting will be building toward a broader statewide and nationwide movement to make our collective power known and demand our legislators support the Third Reconstruction, a revival of our constitutional commitment to establish justice, provide for the general welfare, end decades of austerity, and recognize that policies that center the 140 million poor and low-income people in the country are also good economic policies that can heal and transform the nation. You can view the demand video here: Our Demands – Poor People's Campaign.


Learn more and rsvp

Join the MAPPC Email List. If you do not already receive invitations, news, and updates from our Massachusetts PPC chapter, please sign up here: MAPPC Sign Up. The campaign is in a season of action around the election - voter and candidate education, registering folks to vote, and encouraging voter participation. Hope you can join in events! 


Catch up with the latest news!

From The Episcopal Church

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Creation care, youth outreach among church priorities emphasized in listening session on 2025-27 budget

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Presiding bishop preaches at Boston’s Old North Church for 300th anniversary celebration

Workshops & Resources

Cultivating Refugia: Building the Resilient Church

A Small Church Leadership Community for Northern New England churches


June 2023 - May 2024

Online


As an expression of The BTS Center’s commitment to the health and vitality of small churches, this Small Church Leadership Community is offered as a gift to congregations, without an enrollment fee.


Congregations from Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts) are invited to form a team of 4-5 persons and to apply for participation in this program. Six congregations will be accepted as part of this 2023-2024 Small Church Leadership Community.


Twice monthly Zoom gatherings on Tuesdays, 4-6 pm, for learning and conversation

In-person Day Retreats on July 22, 2023, November 4, 2023, and May 4, 2024.


Applications are due May 8, 2023.


Learn more and register

Ministerio Hispano | Latino Ministries

Para conectar con las actividades de la Catedral mande un email a tcallard@cccspfld.org.


Para conectar con las actividades del Ministerio Hispano en Worcester visite el sitio web ministeriohispanoworcester.org o mande un email a jreyes@diocesewma.org.



Misa Dominical

Ministerio Hispano en Worcester:

  • 12:00pm en la Iglesia de San Marcos en persona


Ministerio Hispano en Holyoke:

  • 5:00pm en la Iglesia San Pablo


La Catedral:

  • 12:15pm en persona


Durante la semana

Ministerio Hispano en Worcester: 

  • Estudio Bíblico todos los martes a las 6:30pm por Zoom
  • Grupo de Oración todos los viernes a las 6:30pm por WhatsApp


La Catedral: 

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

From Our Congregations

Open Positions

  • Chaplain, Worcester County Sheriff's Office
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