Diocese Announces Candidates for Ninth Bishop
The Search, Transition, and Standing Committees of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts joyfully announce the candidates for the 9th bishop of the Diocese:
The Very Rev. Richard A. Demarest, 55, Dean, St. Michael's Cathedral, Boise, Idaho (Diocese of Idaho)
The Rev. Dr. Douglas John Fisher, 57, Rector, Grace Church, Millbrook, New York (Diocese of New York)
The Rev. Nancy Gossling, 60, Rector, St. James' Church, Glastonbury, Connecticut (Diocese of Connecticut)
The Very Rev. Ron W. Griffin, 58, Rector, Christ Church, Eureka, California (Diocese of Northern California)
The Very Rev. Mark B. Pendleton, 49, Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, Connecticut (Diocese of Connecticut)
All candidates will come to the Diocese of Western Massachusetts for four public gatherings during the week of May 21. The "Walkabouts" schedule is here.
The election of the 9th bishop of Western Massachusetts is scheduled for June 2 at Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield. Because the election falls within 120 days of the start of the July meeting of the Episcopal Church's 77th General Convention, that body must consent to the bishop-elect's ordination. The bishop-elect will be ordained December 1 at the MassMutual Center, also in Springfield.
A document introducing the slate of candidates can be viewed here.
The Rt. Rev. Gordon Paul Scruton announced in June 2011 that he would retire in December 2012, after 16 years serving as the diocese's 8th bishop. Three services of thanksgiving for his ministry will be offered throughout the diocese in September and October.
There is a website here devoted to the bishop search and transition.
Clergy and lay delegates to the Diocesan Convention, please click this link to register for the special convention to elect the 9th bishop of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Ninth Annual Diocese Golf Tournament
Attention all golfers! The ninth annual Diocesan Golf Tournament will take place at Southwick Country Club in Southwick, MA on Saturday, June 30, 2012. Tee off time is 9:30 a.m. sharp, and golfing fun will be followed by a buffet dinner and awards! More information and the registration form is here. Register by June 21.
Deborah Johansen Harris Named
Communications Missioner for Diocese
Bishop Gordon Scruton is pleased to announce that Deborah Johansen Harris has been selected as the new communications director and missioner for the Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Deborah will be responsible for creating and directing a strategic, integrated communications program for the diocese and for serving as a resource to parishes throughout the diocese in matters of communications and outreach to their parishioners. In addition to producing E-Matters and Pastoral Staff, she will manage the web site.
Deborah has been a journalist and editor for more than twenty-five years and is co-author of five books. Prior to joining the diocese, Deborah was Communications Director at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She lives with her husband, The Reverend Doctor John Edward "Ted" Harris, a retired Episcopal priest, and is co-mentor of the Education for Ministry program at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden. She is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children in the court system through the CASA Project of Worcester.
Diocesan Archives:
100 years of
Pastoral Staff
As we prepare to say ‘goodbye’ to 100 years of Pastoral Staff and envision new forms of communication for the future, read more about the first issue of Pastoral Staff, printed in 1912, and Bishop Thomas F. Davies’ comments and thoughts on communication within the Diocese. Read more...
"I look forward to meeting the many people in our diocese and working with them to improve our communications and outreach," says Deborah. "Congregations learn from congregations, and I think there is a lot we can accomplish together to strengthen our parishes and our diocese. I welcome your ideas!"
Deborah may be reached at djharris(at)diocesewma.org and at (413)737-4786, ext. 24.
Basic Safe Church Training Scheduled for June
The Rev. Tanya Wallace will lead a Basic Safe Church Training workshop on Thursday, June 7, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in South Hadley. This session is open to all clergy, church employees and lay leaders. For more information and the registration form, click here.
Canon Shofstall Called to Ohio
Canon to the Ordinary Sarah Shofstall, in a letter to the Diocese, has revealed that she has been called to serve a parish in a Cleveland suburb. She will begin her new duties in July.
"It is with a mixture of great joy and great sadness that I tell you that I have accepted a call in the Diocese of Ohio as priest in charge of St. Barnabas Church in Bay Village, a suburb of Cleveland. I begin my duties there on July 1.
"St. Barnabas is recovering from the loss of most of its former members who have left the Episcopal Church. A small group of long-time parishioners and people new to the town have begun rebuilding an Episcopal presence in the town and offering Episcopal worship that is welcoming to all. It is exciting to imagine what God is calling us to do together.
"Leaving the Diocese of Western Massachusetts will be truly heartbreaking. My preferred way of saying good-bye is to sneak away during the night to avoid the pain of last good-byes. My Bishop tells me I am not going to do that. The Bishop and the executive team have been working for the past couple of months to plan for my transition, and we think we have the bases covered. There will be an opportunity for me to say good-bye in May."
Cycle of Prayer 2012
2012 Audit Materials Available Online
The packet of materials for the audit of the 2011 parish financial records is now available and contains all the documents each parish needs to complete its work. Diocesan Finance Officer Steve Abdow noted that last year every congregation in our diocese completed an audit.
He said it is a point of great pride for our diocese that we do such an excellent job with the annual audits. An annual audit is required by canon and the Diocese has assured our state legislators of our goal of full financial transparency, with an annual audit being a cornerstone of that transparency.
The audit materials can be downloaded here.
Diocesan Giving Opportunities using PayPal
We know that in addition to the regular Eucharistic offerings you make at your local parish, from time to time you wish to make offerings to support the mission and ministry of the Diocese. Learn more here.