March 9, 2022

The Bishop's 2022 Appeal

NOW through 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

NOW through Friday, March 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 this 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.

Gratitude for Parochial Reports

We are extremely grateful to the 25 parishes who have completed their annual parochial reports and the 3 additional parishes that are in progress.

That leaves 13 parishes who have not yet filed their reports, which are now more than a week past-due.

Check out our gratitude list -- if your parish isn't on that list, please complete your report as soon as possible!

Contact Rita Benson in the diocesan office for assistance with your parochial report.

Updating COVID Guidelines

The Diocesan Pandemic Task Force and the Bishop's office will be releasing new safety guidelines for our parishes, following new recommendations from the CDC and local health departments. Our new guidelines will go into effect March 15, 2022.

Until then, we continue to be cautious, using face masks and social distancing in our churches throughout the Diocese.

Need Masks?

The Diocese is grateful to Missouri Jobs with Justice for donating 2,500 KN95 face masks to share with our churches.

If you would like to get a supply for your parish, please contact Jillian Smith or Tracy Grigsby in the Diocesan office to arrange a pick-up (for those in the St. Louis area) or arrange a shipment (for those outside the metro area).

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.

Apply Now:

Sant Memorial Scholarship for Theological Studies

The Church Service League at The Church of St. Michael & St. George is now accepting scholarship applications for those seeking a theological degree and attending a seminary/divinity school. The scholarship can be awarded to any member of the Diocese of Missouri.

Learn more.

Lenten Speaker Series

Tuesdays in Lent

• Bible Study: 10:30 a.m.
• Holy Eucharist: 11:30 a.m.
• Lunch: 12 p.m.
• Speaker Series: 12:30 p.m.

The Church of St. Michael & St. George, Clayton

The Church Service League (Episcopal Church Women) of The Episcopal Church of St. Michael & St. George in Clayton invite all to their weekly gatherings for Bible study, worship, lunch, and a Lenten Speaker series. Come for any or all parts of the event each Tuesday through Lent.

Learn more.

Lenten Book Study

A Practical Christianity: Meditations for the Season of Lent

Tuesdays in Lent

6:30 p.m.

St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville

Or on Zoom

How might it be if we thought of Christianity as something we do, rather than something based on mere faith or belief?

St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Ellisville invites you to join them for a weekly discussion.

Learn more.

List of Lenten Events

Visit the Lent 2022 page of our diocesan website for our collection of Lenten events hosted by the Bishop's office and parishes throughout the Diocese. If you would like to add a program or service to our list, please send your information to Janis Greenbaum.

The Christian Response to War

Meeting of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Thursday, March 10

7 p.m.

The 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.

Webinar: Supporting Migrants & Refugees in our Region

Monday, March 21

12 - 1 p.m.

Zoom

Hear from local faith and organizational leaders about ways you can support migrants and refugees in our area in this webinar titled "They Welcomed Us with Unusual Kindness: Supporting Migrants and Refugees in Our Region."

The Rev. Canon Doris Westfall, our Canon to the Ordinary, will be one of the speakers at this event.

Learn more and register.

Virtual Workshop:

Finding Sanctuary in the Midst of Alzheimer's

Tuesday, March 22

6 p.m. (Central)

Zoom

Province V invites all to this special event featuring Dr. Elizabeth Shulman to answer questions related to demential caregiving. Special attention will be given to how pastors and other church leaders can best support families in their congregations who are caring for a loved one with dementia.

Register here.

Hymn of the Week:

Creator of the Earth and Skies

Music Director Ed Hanson from Calvary Episcopal Church in Columbia brings us the story of a hymn that marries a modern text with a Baroque tune to create a Lenten hymn with a real punch.

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

Get to Know:

Trinity Episcopal Church, St. James

The congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church in St. James honors its history, while looking toward the future. Learn more about this parish and see pictures in this week's feature.

• Get to Know Trinity Episcopal Church in St. James.
• See all articles in this series.

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