Bishop Scruton Says Economy Affects All of Us and Our Congregations
In his Convention address to delegates in Springfield, Bishop Scruton talked about our nation's economic crisis and its impact on our personal and congregate lives. "God has a message for the whole world in the economic collapse if we will pay attention and learn from it. The future God invites us to embrace will require letting go of many habits and things we have treasured. It will also involve discovering new and more sustainable ways of living as Americans and as congregations and dioceses." Click here for the complete text of the Bishop's address. Click here or on the "Convention of the Diocese 2009" link to download Convention materials and Bishop Scruton's address to the delegates. Complete convention coverage will be available here online in the near future and in the December edition of the Pastoral Staff.
The 108th Convention of the Diocese
Here are a few scenes from our recent Convention in Springfield. More convention coverage and an extensive photo gallery here online soon. Check back often and look for the latest edition of the Pastoral Staff for extensive coverage and news from this important event.
New Financial Documents for 2010 Available Now
The 2010 Budget Package for parishes is online now. Just click here for the complete package of planning materials and documents for your 2010 Parish Budget planning.
Congregational and Regional Ministry Grants: 2010
The 2010 Congregational Development Investment Team has set the process of allocating financial resources available to all the congregations of the diocese. We remind you and the leadership of your church to be bold and dream of an area of new mission development for next year. These funds are earmarked for new initiatives and responses to God’s call in your local ministry setting. The final deadline for 2010 applications is November 16, 2009. Read more here ...
Safe Church Training Session Scheduled for St. John's
11/21/09 Basic Safe Church Training, St. John's, Northampton
Click here for more information and registration forms for this important training session.
Advent Day of Reflection - 2009
Join us for a day of meditations, discussions and spiritual refreshment sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women and the Daughters of the King. The Quiet day at Christ Church Cathedral on December 5 is open to all. The registration form and more information is available here.
Stop Predatory Gambling in Massachusetts
The debate on legalizing predatory gambling in the form of casinos and/or slot machines is heating up again at the State House. We have the power and the right to do something to protect the most vulnerable (the poor, the addicted, and the elderly) that gambling targets and to protect the business communities and neighborhoods that would be affected by having a casino near them.
Our diocese has been on record for many years in opposition to gambling. Parishes of our diocese have had a significant impact on the State Legislature by taking an active role in contacting their local legislators and expressing our strong opposition to state sponsored gambling.
We hope and pray that your church will come together to help defeat these efforts. Write to your elected politicians and to your newspaper and let them know how you feel. Here are some links to the websites of groups that are working to prevent the legalization of casino gambling. These links can help you articulate the case with clarity.
www.masscouncilofchurches.org/Casinos.htm
www.stoppredatorygambling.org/
www.casinofreemass.org/
Thank you for joining in this ministry.
October 2009 Pastoral Staff is Online Now
Healing Harvest: Youths grow garden to feed the hungry. Young people at St. James’, Great Barrington, grow a dream, sowing seeds for produce that is harvested to feed people in need in the region. Download the October Pastoral Staff.
Woman of Honor: Eleanor "Andy" Park is recognized as a Woman of Honor at the 46th Triennial Meeting of the Episcopal Church Women. Download the October Pastoral Staff.
New Clergy: Church of the Atonement, Westfield and St. Mark's, East Longmeadow, announce the calling of new rectors. Download the October Pastoral Staff.
Bishop Scruton - Fix It: A Poem: What are you learning about fixing and accepting what can’t be fixed? Download the October Pastoral Staff.
New Structure for Campus Ministry Launched for Diocese
As a result of eighteen months of evaluation and planning by the Ark Five College Episcopal Chaplaincy Board of Directors, an exciting new structure for campus ministry has been launched this fall. With the goal of greater service to the Diocese as a whole, campus ministry is leaving its thirty-five year home in Amherst to move from a single, building-based model for campus ministry to a multi-campus, parish-based model designed to more comprehensively address the higher education needs of the Diocese. Read more ...
Bement: Property Update
Read this latest report from the Bement Property Discernment Group. Click here!
