December 2015

Out in our neighborhoods...

Diocese of Albany
The Oaks of Righteousness ministry expands
The Oaks of Righteousness Ministry is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany dedicated to spreading the Gospel and bringing hope and healing to the North Central neighborhood of Troy, NY....The growth of their ministry has been so great that they have actually outgrown not just the old diner building, but the drop-in café model of ministry they had been using as well.
Read the whole story...

Diocese of Central New York

Remembering that Jesus was born to a refugee family, the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York encourages all members to support and pray for all who are caught up in the current global refugee crisis. In addition to prayer, the diocesan website includes a section on some ways that refugees can be helped. Go see the resources!

Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe

The Convocation has been in the center of both violence and hope. Paris was the scene of the tragic terrorist attacks and of the climate conference. All of Europe is struggling with refugees. Bishop Whalon was at the COP 21 Reception at the Council of Churches in France, a moment of solidarity and commitment for peace and for the climate. See the ENS story: Episcopal COP21 delegates emboldened in climate change advocacy

The Diocese of Haiti
Transformed by service in Haiti
Video - Transformed by service in Haiti: Young Adult Service Corps Ashley Bingaman, a music teacher from Virginia, served as a missionary in Haiti from 2012-2014 with the Episcopal Church's Young Adult Service Corps program. Thanks to ENS for the story!

The Diocese of Long Island
Anonymous Donor Mails Babylon Church $10k
What makes for a great gift this holiday season? For one Babylon church, it's a large donation with no name on the tag. Rev. E. Clare Nesmith, the priest-in-charge of Christ Church, almost threw it away. The plain white envelope looked like yet another piece of junk mail. Read the whole story...

The Diocese of New Jersey
St. Peter's, Spotswood helps welcome Syrian Refugees
The Alteibawi family- two parents and 5 children - escaped to Jordan in 2012 and finally made it to their new home in Paterson, NJ. They had much help along the way, including from the Spotswood parish. The Wall Street Journal covered this family's journey. Read more...

The Diocese of New York
Chief of Finance and Operations of the Diocese of New York appointed
Bishop Dietsche has announced the appointment of Esslie W. Hughes to be Chief of Finance and Operations of the Diocese of New York, effective Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Ms. Hughes, who since 2013 has served as Chief Administrative Officer of St. Bartholomew's Church in Manhattan, will replace interim Chief of Finance and Operations Canon Michael McPherson.

The Diocese of Newark

Scapegoating never works
In recent days there has been enormous public expression to "other" Muslims - to render them suspect, foreign, alien. We need to remember, and honor, the fact that Christianity and Islam are branches from the same religious root. Muslims are our brothers and sisters in the Abrahamic faith. Read the rest of Bishop Beckwith's blog entry...

Find out more about the Diocese of Newark confronting gun violence

Diocese of Rochester
Diocese of Rochester to Join "City Sing" on Dec. 20
A regional coalition of churches, temples, mosques and non-profit organizations will soon gather to sing for peace and stand against the violence that plagued Rochester and the world this year. Read more...

Diocese of Western New York
Garden of warmth
Knitted hats and gloves, insulated coats and boots. It's the kind of gear essential to survive a winter in Buffalo, but for so many it's an unaffordable luxury rather than a necessity. St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral is trying to change that with its Garden of Warmth. Read more...

How do churches and individuals avoid copyright infringement?

That question is answered in a handy infographic by our friends at ChurchMag: Church Copyright Infringement? [Infographic]

Grant Opportunities

2016 UTO Young Adult & Seminarian Grants The United Thank Offering is currently accepting applications for Young Adult and Seminarian Grants. The deadline for submission is January 29, 2016 at 5 pm Eastern standard time. Grant applications and endorsement forms are available at this link.

Justice and Advocacy Fellowship applications accepted for poverty alleviation ministry. Samuel McDonald, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Mission, has announced that applications are now accepted for a one-year Justice and Advocacy Fellowship for poverty alleviation ministry through Asset-Based Community Development for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. Applications and further information are available here. Deadline for applications is December 22. For more information contact the Rev. E. Mark Stevenson at Mstevenson@episcopalchurch.org.

2016 ECF Fellowship Application is Now Available! Innovative scholars and ministry leaders transform lives. Since 1964 the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) has supported over 200 scholars and ministry leaders throughout the Episcopal Church, fostering innovation in theological formation and ministerial leadership in challenging times. The 2016 Fellowship application is now available. The 2016 Fellowship application deadline is March 11, 2016. Click here to learn more and to apply.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has invited more young Christians to join the Community of St. Anselm at Lambeth Palace. Applications opened Decenber 14 for the second year of the program, which offers people aged 20-35 the opportunity to spend "a year in God's time" as they live together as a community inspired by the monastic traditions.

Episcopal Relief and Development's 75th Anniversary Gift Package

The 75th Anniversary Gift Package is the highlight of this year's holiday giving season from Gifts for Life, Episcopal Relief & Development's alternative giving catalog. As the organization celebrates 75 years of healing a hurting world, congregations, families, groups and individuals are invited to give a gift with lasting impact, providing basics for life to strengthen communities around the globe. Find out more...

Coming Soon...

Details and links for all of these are on the Province II website

Trinity Institute: Listen for a Change-January 21-23, 2016

Racial justice is a matter of life or death; we can't afford to stay silent and tacitly accept the (mostly) invisible systems that support inequalities, create suffering, and deny human dignity. Rather, we need to have an open dialogue-a process that starts with listening. Find out more...

Join us for "Be Still and Grow" at the February 19-21, 2016 Conference as we explore how churches can refocus their energies and deepen the faith of their membership. What would it look like if there were a renewed focus on prayer and liturgy? What could the Church become if leadership were more concerned with spiritual well-being than physical or financial? Click here for more information and to register.

Episcopal Foundation Webinars

For the full calendar, information and registration, go to the website