Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

Please note: This week's newsletter has lots of information! You may be prompted to click a small link at the bottom left of your email to "view entire message."

Bishop's Podcast: 11 in 11

Bishop Deon Johnson, the 11th Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, is launching a new 11-minute podcast today. The podcast is called 11 in 11.

Bishop Deon will offer reflections, scriptures, prayers, and conversations with special guests in this podcast. A new episode will be released on the 11th and 22nd of every month.

In today's episode, Bishop Deon offers a brief introduction to the podcast. This podcast is produced by Digital Projects Manager AhSa-Ti Tyehimba Ford.

You can tune in to the Bishop's podcast on these platforms (more sites to be added soon):

• Diocesan website: diocesemo.org/podcast-11-in-11/
• Podbean: elevenineleven.podbean.com/

New Year, New Reports

To all parish administrators:

It's that time of year again -- time to fill out the great multitude of required reports for the Diocese and the Episcopal Church! Here are a few to get us started (click on the blue links for info and forms):

• Parochial Reports: The General Convention of the Episcopal Church requires all congregations to submit this report no later than March 1. Start NOW! Contact Rita Benson in the diocesan office with questions.
• Lay Ministry License: Each parish must submit a list of lay ministers to the Bishop no later than March 1. Contact Jillian Smith in the diocesan office with questions.
• Diocesan Convention Delegates: As soon as you elect your 2023 convention delegates at your annual meeting this month, send us a list of your delegates so we can update our convocation records. Contact Janis Greenbaum in the diocesan office with questions.

Reports = boring

Annual Meetings = FUN!

As our churches prepare for annual parish meetings this month, Bishop Deon Johnson shares a list of ways to bring a little fun into the events.

Honestly -- these are great ideas for your meeting!

Read the list of fun tips.

ECM Hires New Executive Director

The Board of Episcopal City Mission has hired a new executive director to take over for Beth Goad, who has retired after 10 years of service in this position.

Nathan Ivy is a St. Louis native and brings a wealth of experience to the ministry of serving children and youth in the juvenile justice system.

Meet the new ECM executive director.

Bishop Adds New Staff Position

Bishop Deon Johnson has hired the Rev. Erin Pickersgill to serve as Ministry Developer for Children and Youth.

Meet Erin and learn more about the new position.

Renewal of Ministry: Bill Nesbit

Saturday, Jan. 14

11 a.m.

Grace Episcopal Church, Jefferson City

Join Bishop Deon Johnson as he celebrates a renewal of ministry with the Rev. Bill Nesbit and the congregation of Grace Church in Jefferson City.

You can watch a livestream of the service on Grace's Facebook page.

Register for Jan. 21 Requiem or Renaissance

Congregations in Cohort #1 should register by Jan. 16 for the first session of our intentional discernment program of 2023.

Learn more and register.

Celebrating Religious Life in the Diocese of Missouri

Retreat: Jan. 20-21, 2023

Marianist Retreat Center, Eureka

Religious Life Sunday: Jan. 22, 2023

Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral @ 5 p.m.

Explore ways to deepen your spiritual life at a 2-day retreat with members of Religious Orders and Christian Communities in the Diocese of Missouri. Then celebrate Religious Life Sunday with at a special Choral Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral.

• Learn more and register for the retreat.
• Get info and resources for Religious Life Sunday.
• Read the story from Episcopal News Service.

Stirring the Contemplative Embers of the Church

Saturday, Jan. 21

10 a.m.

Zoom

This virtual event is part of the Religious Life Retreat (see item above), but available to all on Zoom. The Rev. Dr. Kevin Goodrich is the guest speaker.

Learn more and register.

Diocesan Gospel Choir to Sing at Absalom Jones Event

Rehearsals:

Saturday, Feb. 4 & 11

11 a.m.

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

Diocesan Choir Director Harry Moppins invites everyone who sang at convention along with any additional singers throughout the Diocese to be a part of this annual event honoring the first Black priest in the Episcopal Church. The Absalom Jones service and event will be held Saturday, Feb. 18 at Trinity Episcopal Church in the Central West End.

Learn more about the rehearsals.

Click on the red headlines to learn more about each event:

The Spiritual Practice of Simplicity

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew continues their monthly discussions.

Thursday, Jan. 12 @ 7 p.m.

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

MLK Day of Remembrance

Remembering the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, Jan. 15 @ 9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., & 12:15 p.m.

St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Creve Coeur

Sacred Ground

A film and reading-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith.

Begins Monday, Jan. 23 @ 7 p.m.

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, University City

Be a Parish Partner at the Clay Café

Partner with St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ferguson to serve meals to those in need.

Would you like to invite other members of the Diocese to an event in your church or ministry? Send your info to jgreenbaum@diocesemo.org. 

Annual Prayer for Christian Unity:

Do Good; Seek Justice

Sunday, Jan. 29

7-8 p.m.

St. John Bosco Catholic Parish

12934 Marine Ave., Creve Coeur

Bishop Deon Johnson will join Catholic Archbishop Rozanski and our St. Louis Christian communities in ecumenical prayer for unity on the theme "Do Good; Seek Justice." (Is 1:17) All are welcome to attend a reception following the prayer.

Download event flyer.

Love Yourself as Your Neighbor:

A virtual retreat for those in ministry

Begins Sunday, Jan. 29

1 p.m.

Zoom

Everyone serving in a ministry is invited to feed your own spirit with this meaningful prayer retreat in the middle of your everyday life. You choose your own goals and virtual meeting times to fit your schedule.

Learn more and register.

National Human Trafficking Prevention Day

Wednesday, Jan. 11

6 p.m.

Zoom

Everyone is invited to this virtual event to pray for an end to human trafficking. This event is hosted by Province V of The Episcopal Church.

Learn more and register.

Winter Talk 2023: A Chain Linking Two Traditions

January 21-23

Oneida Nation of Wisconsin or Livestream

begins at 8 a.m. each day (Central Time)

All are invited to engage in this annual conference which highlights Indigenous and Native American traditions and contributions within the Episcopal Church.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala-Harris will join activities on the 21st.

Learn more and register for the livestream.

St. Louis Faith Labor Alliance Breakfast

Tuesday, Jan. 24

7:30 - 9 a.m.

IUPAT Painters District 58 Hall

2501 59th Street, St. Louis

The intent of the St. Louis Faith Labor Alliance is to build public relationships and take collaborative action to build an economy and a democracy that works for all Missourians. All lay and clergy members are invited to these monthly ecumenical breakfast events.

Learn more.

Prayers for the New Year

More than 60 people from throughout the Diocese of Missouri came to the beautifully decorated Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, Dec. 31 for a New Year's Eve Taizé service.

Read the story and see photos from the event.

Journey to the Holy Land

Save the Date:

November 8-19, 2023

Get ready to go on the trip of a lifetime! Join Bishop Deon Johnson as he travels to the Holy Land next November. The trip will be organized by the Rev. Todd McDowell, who has led several Holy Land pilgrimages over the past several years.

Mark your calendars and watch for more information coming soon!

Visit the diocesan website for additional information:

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