A Youth Confirmation Retreat will be held March 12 - 13 at St. Francis in Holden. Complete details and registration forms are here for this special event.
Safe Church Training Courses
Canon Sarah Shofstall will present a Basic Safe Church Training workshop April 24th. This session is open to all church employees-lay, ordained and volunteer. Read more here ...
Update on Bement Property - February 2010
The Diocesan Council last year commissioned the Next Generation Discernment Team for Christian Formation to make recommendations for using the Bement Future Fund, which will receive all sale proceeds from the Bement Camp and Conference Center. This summary (PDF Document) is the latest update.
More background information on this process is available here.
Congregational Development Funds Available:
Application Deadline: 3/24/10
2010 Congregational Development Investment Team that has set the process of allocating financial resources that are available to all the congregations of the diocese. The Diocesan Convention approved Diocesan Operating Budget shows that significant grant money of Congregational Development Investments is still available to be allocated for 2010 and funds are still available in Regional Ministry Initiatives for congregations looking for financial assistance. If there is a new mission initiative you are planning for next year, this is the place to look for a diocesan co-investment. Read more ...
Legacy Recognition Sunday - April 25th, 2010
During the season of Epiphany we give thanks for the light of Christ shining forth in the world. Therefore it seems appropriate to give thanks, during Epiphany, for those who have manifested their love of Christ with legacy gifts over the years.
Legacy Sunday materials are available here for downloading and parish use.
Episcopal Church Women respond to Haiti earthquake
$500.00 was sent to St. Margaret’s Convent, Boston for their sister convent whose building was destroyed in Haiti.
The Western Massachusetts ECW also has sent $525 to the Diocese of South Dakota for a Native American ministry in honor of the Rt. Rev. John Tarrant, newly elected bishop of the Diocese of South Dakota and former priest in our diocese.
This money was made available by the our Bishop Brooks Endowment Fund, which requests the income to be given to a Native American ministry once every four years.
In the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development is providing critical emergency funds to Haiti and is accepting donations to the Haiti Fund to support this assistance.
New Financial Documents for 2010
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.
Cycle of Prayer for 2010
The Diocesan Prayer Cycle is available for downloading. To get this PDF document now, click here.