March 2, 2022

The Holy Season of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday -- the beginning of Lent. We encourage everyone to participate in a worship service - whether at home or at one of our churches - to mark the beginning of this Holy Season.

The Diocese is offering book studies, video series, reflections, special liturgies and more to add to your Lenten observance.

Learn about all the resources here.

Please contact jgreenbaum@diocesemo.org if you would like to add parish or ministry events or resources to our 2022 Lent page.

The Bishop's 2022 Appeal

Begins TODAY!

Lent - Easter

The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson is asking for our financial help to bring our new diocesan vision to life. Please consider contributing to the Bishop's 2022 Appeal.

Your donation will help help us transform the lives of young people, heal the wounds of racial division, and empower clergy to serve congregations in need of revitalization.

Every gift, great or small, becomes ministry and mission and helps us to continue to live the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Learn more about the campaign, the ministries that will benefit, and how to contribute to our new Diocesan VISION.

Diocesan Sabbatical Week

March 7-11

Bishop Deon Johnson invites all churches and members of the Diocese of Missouri to take a break from your regular routines and find time to feed your spirit during a special Diocesan Sabbatical Week.

We're collaborating with leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Society of St. John the Evangelist, the Order of St. Helena, and more to offer virtual opportunities every day for you to engage.

Choose what you need and what fits your schedule. Breathe deep and know that God is with you.

See the complete virtual schedule for Diocesan Sabbatical Week.

Sign up for a one-hour private spiritual direction session with a member from the Society of St. John the Evangelist or the Order of St. Helena.

Episcopal Service Corps

Open House

Thursday, March 3

6 p.m. (Central Time)

Zoom

Young adults (ages 21-32) are invited to learn more about how spending a year with the Episcopal Service Corps could change their lives at this virtual open house.

Members of our own Deaconess Anne House will be featured in this event!

Learn more and RSVP.

The Christian Response to War

Meeting of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Thursday, March 10

7 p.m.

Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton

OR on Zoom

In light of the situation in Ukraine, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at the Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton will dedicate their next meeting to exploring the Christian response to war.

You are invited to attend in-person or online.

Learn more.

Building a Latinx Ministry

Tuesday, March 15

6 p.m.

Zoom

You're invited to be part of a new Latinx ministry in the Diocese of Missouri! Spanish- and non-Spanish speaking people are welcome.

This informational meeting is led by the Rev. Dr. Valori Mulvey Sherer, the Diocesan Missioner for Hispanic/Latino Ministry Engagement.

Learn more and get the meeting link.

First Fridays:

Hybrid Communications

Friday, March 4

1 p.m.

Zoom

How are you combining virtual and in-person services and events in your parish or ministry? This month's communications gathering will focus on best practices for hybrid communications during Lent... and beyond.

All church communicators are welcome. Bring your questions and ideas to share!

Join the Zoom discussion.

Apply Now:

Deaconess Anne House

The Deaconess Anne House, the St. Louis branch of the Episcopal Service Corps, is now accepting applications for young adults (ages 21-30) who are interested in devoting a year to service in their community. Create change in the world while you change yourself!

Learn more.

Apply Now:

ECW Scholarship

The Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Missouri (ECW) supports women in furthering their education in an area that focuses on service others by awarding a $1,000 scholarship to one woman each year.

Learn more.

Apply Now:

Episcopal Church Educational Scholarships

Applications are now being accepted for a wide variety of educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline to apply is April 10. All applicants must be Episcopalian.

Learn more.

Safe Church Policies and Training

The Episcopal Church and The Diocese of Missouri are in the process of updating our training for congregations, clergy, and diocesan leadership to prevent sexual misconduct.

We now have updated policies and training information on our website. We encourage ministry leaders to review the information on this page and make sure your parish and ministries stay in compliance.

Visit the updated Safe Church webpage.

Lent Madness for Deaconess Anne House

Deaconess Anne House, the St. Louis branch of the Episcopal Service Corps, invites you to participate in the (best ever) Lenten devotion of Lent Madness, a March Madness-inspired devotional brought to us by Forward Movement.

Enter into Lent, learn about the Saints, and raise money for DAH!

Learn more and join the fun.

Get to Know:

Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Charles

Founded in 1836, Trinity Church in St. Charles is the second oldest parish in The Diocese of Missouri. In this week's #GetToKnowDioMO series, you'll find out the many ways this "old" parish is staying new and relevant in 2022.

Read the feature story and see pictures.

Lenten Reflections:

Temptation and Salvation

Each week during Lent the Diocese will be offering several video and written reflections from members who are currently discerning a call to ordination. As you'll see, each discerner has a unique perspective to share with us!

We'll be posting the reflections on our website as well as our social media pages. We hope you will add these reflections to your Lenten observance.

Read and Watch the Lenten Reflections.

Hymn of the Week:

Now let us all with one accord

David Sinden, Organist and Music Director at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, introduces us to the tradition of Office Hymns -- one in particular that is perfect for the beginning of Lent. 

• Read this week's article.
• Read past articles in this series.

Last Call for these Parish Requirements:

Parochial Reports

Due March 1

The information you provide now will be essential to the church's discernment and planning for mission and ministry in the future!

Find downloadable forms, instructions, and video tutorials on the Episcopal Church / General Convention website.

Lay Ministry Licensing

Due March 1

Every parish is required to submit the names of their lay ministers each year so they can be licensed by the bishop.

Complete and submit the online form.

Church Information Sheets

Due March 1

Tracy Grigsby sent individual forms to each parish, asking you to update your staff and leadership info for the new year. These lists are vital to our diocesan organization.

Please return your updated lists to Tracy.

If you have news, announcements, or pictures you'd like to share with the diocese, please send your information to Communications Director Janis Greenbaum.