News from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts

Pre-Convention Meetings Scheduled

Please make a note of our very important Diocesan Pre-Convention Corridor meetings:

Worcester Corridor - Tuesday, September 14 from 7-9 PM 

Pioneer Valley Corridor - Tuesday, September 21 from 7-9 PM

Berkshire Corridor - Thursday, October 7 from 7-9 PM

Exact locations to be announced.

Smart Giving

If you are considering giving a gift to your church or diocese, you may want to consider making a donation of appreciated stock or mutual fund shares rather than a cash gift.

Read more here.

Golf Tournament Benefits Haitian Relief

Our Annual Diocesan Golf Tournament was held in June at the Southwick Country Club in Southwick, MA with 79 golfers in attendance for a fun day of golfing and fellowship, followed by a banquet dinner. 

This year's tournament was designated by Bishop Scruton to benefit Haiti Relief, following January's devastating earthquake. The Bishop chose The Society of St. Margaret (SSM) as this year's recipient because of the Sisters' inspiring mission with the Haitian people. SSM is an Episcopal women's religious order based in Boston, whose mission in Haiti began with the establishment of a convent in Port-au-Prince in 1927.

The Sisters work tirelessly there, providing educational scholarships to needy children, and directing a home that includes hospice care for the elderly indigent people of Haiti. The net proceeds of $2397.80 from the Golf Tournament have been sent to the Sisters to help them rebuild their ministry in Haiti, with a special thank you to Sisters Claire Marie Charles and Grace Gallant for speaking to the golfers at the tournament banquet about their work in Haiti, and to Sister Adele Marie for her assistance in coordinating their visit.

To learn more about The Society of St. Margaret, please visit their website at www.ssmbox.org.


The 109th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts

For one hundred and nine years now, Episcopalians throughout the five western counties of the Commonwealth have gathered to discern God’s call to mission as the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

This year, we will gather as “a Convocation of Missionaries” over two days - still leaner and greener as last year but with substantial work to accomplish.  While all the details are not yet settled, we are planning

a two day Convention on Friday / Saturday, October 22-23, 2010 in Springfield.  Read more here or click on the Convention link in the menu above.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land January 2011

This adventure is an exploration into the land where Jesus walked, and into God’s healing for the conflicts in Israel/Palestine. The leaders are The Rev. Len Cowan and The Very Rev. James Munroe.  The dates are January 1 through 12 and it is open to everyone in the Diocese.

Read details of this visit to the Holy Land by downloading the brochure here.

EYE:  2011 Episcopal Youth Event! 

The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) will take place in St. Paul, Missesota

June 22 - 26 and will be attended by 32 youth and adults from the Episcopal

Church in our area.  This national gather will talk about Mission, with a mission

opportunity to follow.  Appication to the Diocese must be made by October 1.

For more details, click here.

Safe Church Training Courses 

Course dates for 2010 and 2011 have been announced. Read more here ...

Mission to the Dominican Republic and Haiti Summer 2011

A team of 16 from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts will travel to Jimani, Dominican Republic, a community located on the border with Haiti. The team will stay at a Diocese of the Dominican Republic (DR) conference center currently under construction. Lead Vacation Bible School (VBS) with local Dominican Episcopalians for 100-400 children for one week teaching biblical stories and the Christian faith. Many of these local children will be Haitian immigrants. 

In addition to a VBS, team members will participate in a building/repair project to be determined in the Diocese of Haiti(in the Croix des Bouquets area) to help that diocese and country recover from the disastrous earthquake of January 12, 2010.

This trip will be co-led by the Very Rev. Jim Munroe, Christ Church Cathedral and The Rev. Peter Swarr, St. Mark’s, East Longmeadow. For details, click here.  For an application form, click here.

Apply today for this trip as space is limited! Applications are available by contacting Fr. Swarr at St. Mark's. 

Next Meeting: August 29, 5:00 PM at Christ Church Cathedral.

Cycle of Prayer for 2010
The Diocesan Prayer Cycle is available for downloading.  To get this PDF document now, click here.

The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts37 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01103413.737.4786 - fax 413.746.9873
Site Map | Contact Us