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December 2014

This month's news

Open-ended waiting: An Advent message from Bishop Gates

Vigils shine light on gun violence

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Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

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Coming up

Dec 18: LDI Webinar "Being the Body of Christ: Creating Diverse Teams that Work" Part 2, 7:30pm

Dec 19: Christmas Revels for Brass, St. Peter's Church, Cambridge, 7:00pm

Dec 20: Lessons and Carols of Christmas, St. Peter's Church, Cambridge, 5:00pm

Dec 21: Carols, Readings and Music for Christmas, St. Paul's Church, Dedham, 3:00pm

Dec 24: Festival Candlelight Christmas Eve Eucharist, St. Peter's Church, Cambridge, 5:00pm

Dec 24: Christmas Eve with Bishop Gates and the Cathedral Church of St. Paul at Church of St. John the Evangelist, Boston, 7:00pm

Dec 25: Christmas Day Eucharist with Carols, St. Peter's Church, Cambridge, 10:00am

Dec 25: Christmas Day with the Cathedral Church of St. Paul at Church of St. John the Evangelist, Boston, 10:30am

Jan 6: Bethany House of Prayer "Drinking Deeply from the Divine Well" Spiritual Direction Series, Bethany House of Prayer, Arlington, 9:30am

Jan 6: LDI Webinar "Being the Body of Christ: Creating Diverse Teams that Work" Part 3, 7:30pm

Jan 10: Candlelight Concert, All Saints' Church, Attleboro, 7:00pm

Jan 16: Benefit Book Reading: "Razza Freakin' Aliens," Church of St. John the Evangelist, Boston, 7:00pm

Jan 17: SSJE Workshop: "The Holiness of Time", Society of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, (All day)

Jan 17: Regional Youth Event: "Building the Dream/Construyendo el Sueño," St. Luke's-San Lucas Church, Chelsea, 3:00pm

Jan 18: Bonnyman Symposium: "We Still Have a Dream: End Racism," Trinity Church, Boston, 1:30pm

Jan 19: 45th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, 8:00am

Jan 23-24: Diocesan Council Retreat, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, N.H.

Jan 24: LDI "Foundations of Collaborative Leadership" Launch, Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, 9:00am

Jan 31: Safe Church Training , Christ Church, Plymouth, 8:30am

Jan 31: Eucharistic Visitor Training, All Saints' Church, Attleboro, 9:00am

Jan 31: Talking Shop: Youth Ministry and the Internet, Trinity Church, Bridgewater, 9:30am

Open-ended waiting:
An Advent message from Bishop Gates

Photo: Roy Goodwin

In an Advent message to the diocese, Bishop Alan M. Gates writes: "The Advent discipline is unlike our typical experiences of waiting. We wait in line at the grocery store and in congested traffic. We wait for our computer program to download. We wait for our workday to end. Mostly we consider waiting to be a waste of time--lost moments when we could be doing something else. We are apt to be frustrated and impatient.

"Other times, as in the run-up to holidays or when waiting for a vacation to begin, we fill our waiting with a checklist of frantic preparation. This waiting has a different quality than waiting at the traffic light. Rather than frustration, this waiting is characterized by frenzy or even panic.

"Neither frustrated impatience nor self-imposed frenzy is the waiting into which Advent invites us. Waiting for the unfolding of God's presence and direction in our lives is altogether different. Sacred, holy waiting is about being open to unexpected turns and unforeseen possibilities." Continue reading.

Vigils seek to shine light on culture of gun violence and legacy of racism

Bishop Gates gave the opening prayer at the Dec. 11 vigil.

Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Numerous churches, parks and public squares were wreathed in candlelight last week during vigils held across the country on the second anniversary of the Newtown, Conn., school shootings.

The vigils, including local ones co-sponsored by Episcopal churches and organizations in Medford, Boston and Falmouth, were organized under the auspices of the Newtown Action Alliance and other groups to highlight gun violence as a public health issue and to remember all gun violence victims--some 30,000 a year, according to the alliance.

Happening as they did in the context of ongoing unrest nationwide over recent grand jury decisions not to indict white police officers in the deaths of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Mo., and New York City, the vigils also highlighted heightened grief and resolve held in the hearts and minds of many this season.

"This time of Advent is a time of expectation," and those who work against gun violence "do the work of expectation," the Rev. Steven Kendrick, Senior Minister at First Church, Unitarian Universalist, in Boston, said at the Dec. 11 interfaith vigil held at his church and attended by about 100 people. "We expect a world where our fellow citizens are no longer targets," Kendrick said. "Vigils such as tonight's point us to such an eventuality."

At the First Church, Boston vigil there was bell ringing, prayers and music, and organizers lit candles for all 50 states and the District of Columbia while their respective numbers of gun violence victims were read aloud. Candles were also lit for those who died from gun violence in Boston over the past year.

Members of the Diocese of Massachusetts' B-PEACE for Jorge antiviolence campaign were a visible presence at the vigil in their purple B-PEACE T-shirts, including Bishop Alan M. Gates, who gave gave the opening prayer. Read more.

NewsNotes

Consultants of the Year named: David Richardson and Betsey Anderson, pictured at right with Bishop Alan M. Gates, were named Congregational Consultants of the Year at the group's end-of-year luncheon on Dec. 16. The consultants assist congregations in a variety of ways, including as facilitators at vestry retreats, in mutual ministry reviews, strategic planning and conflict management and on business, property and compliance issues. Read more about their work here.

The group will offer its annual business practices workshops in February and March for treasurers and others involved in parish business operations. Sign-up information is available here.

"The Church's One Foundation" Building Workshop: More than 60 people from 33 churches in the diocese gathered on Dec. 6 for "The Church's One Foundation" Building Workshop at St. Peter's Church in Weston.

James Wagner, president of the Real Estate Advisory Committee, began the event with a reflection based on Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world." "Our work [in maintaining church facilities] should be a beacon to Christ," Wagner said.

Bishop Alan M. Gates shared stories and experiences from his decades as a parish priest, and urged all to "let your facilities reflect your priorities, determination and love." Nine congregations gave presentations on a wide range of property issues, from gardens, elevators and solar electricity to managing contractors and phased building upgrades. All who attended received a USB drive containing the workshop PowerPoint presentations; there are some remaining USB drives available to congregations unable to send a representative to the workshop. Contact Esther Powell (epowell@diomass.org) with a mailing address to obtain one of these drives and the workshop resources.

Teams gather to "Discern a Collective Call to Action" at November LDI training: The Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill hosted the Leadership Development Initiative's November "Discern a Collective Call to Action" training event, attended by 22 people from nine teams. Participants used newly learned leadership practices to share their stories of why they feel called to act in their communities, and with LDI's training team, began discerning a concrete project to create the change they seek. Parishes and organizations represented at the training included The Crossing, Boston; Grace Church, Medford; Christ Church, Cambridge; St. Stephen's Church, Boston; the B-PEACE for Jorge Campaign of the Diocese of Massachusetts; Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan; St. Andrew's Church, Framingham; St. Mary's Church, Dorchester; and Beacon Hill Friends Meeting. There is still time and space to attend LDI's January training and project launch on Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill. More information is available from Isaac Martinez (isaac@lditeam.org).

Travel and learning in 2015: Several opportunities for travel and learning are coming up in the new year.

"Drinking from Miriam's Well," May 24-June 4, 2015: Women and men are invited to join this

"Miriam sang to them" original art by the Rev. Pam Werntz

pilgrimage and mission trip to the land where Jesus lived, which will include visits to sites in Israel and the West Bank associated with holy women, both in biblical times and today, to learn about and bear witness to women's work for peace and justice. Bishop Gayle E. Harris, the Rev. Gretchen Grimshaw and the Rev. Pamela Werntz will lead the trip. They would like to hear as soon as possible from those interested in joining them (gsgrimshaw@parishofstpaul.org or werntz.emmanuel@gmail.com); an initial deposit is due by Feb. 1, 2015. To prepare for the journey, participants will gather with the leaders at three Saturday meetings in 2015: Feb. 14, March 28 and May 9. More information is available here.

Bishop Gayle E. Harris will lead an additional trip to the Holy Land later in the year, Nov. 15-27, 2015. More information is available by contacting Marsha Searle at msearle@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 445.

"In Search of the Early Church: Early Christian Art in Rome, Ravenna and Milan," March 3-13, 2015: Trinity Church in Concord invites others to join its group for this exploration of the early Christian church through the art and architecture found in these three major Italian cities. The tour is designed for travelers who are interested in a serious yet accessible introduction to the origins of Christianity in Italy. More information is available from Trinity Church at trinity@trinityconcord.org or 978-369-3715.

"The Theologies of Mission and Development," Oct. 9-16, 2015: Ten scholarships are available to those who would like to join with others in El Salvador for an interactive course on how the church's mission intersects with justice, human rights and development work. A diocesan Mission Tithe Matching Grant covers all expenses in El Salvador. More information is available from Laura Walta at lwalta@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 422.

Book reading and signing event for No Fixed Address Press: Paul Estes will be reading from and signing copies of his new science fiction novel, Razza Freakin' Aliens, with a reception to follow, on Jan. 16, 7 p.m., at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 35 Bowdoin Street, in Boston. No Fixed Address Press is a new initiative of MANNA, the Cathedral Church of St. Paul's ministry to the unhoused and recently housed in the Boston area. Everyone is welcome to attend. Books will be on sale for $15. For more information contact the cathedral's Development Office, 617-482-4826, ext. 580 or agoodman@diomass.org.

Parish Circuit

Las Posadas at Church of Our Saviour, Arlington:

The Church of Our Saviour in Arlington is using an old tradition to build new connections among parishioners and promote prayerful waiting during the Advent season. Las Posadas is a tradition from Mexico and Central America. In Our Saviour's iteration of it, families bring nativity figures to one another's homes and share a snack and some prayers, music and conversation. The nativity figures travel from home to home throughout Advent, arriving back at the church on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Preparing a place for the Holy Family figures and readying the home for guests is an embodiment of this holy waiting and preparation. "It's a very tangible way to think about our faith and stop and slow down, do something a little bit out of the ordinary and enter more deeply into the meaning of Advent," said the Rev. Malia Crawford, Rector of Our Saviour. Read more.

All Saints', Ashmont building renovations near completion: After 18 months of work, All Saints', Ashmont in Dorchester is

Restoring a stained glass window.

nearing completion on a major renovation to the church and parish house buildings, according to the most recent edition of "The Chronicle," the parish newsletter. This renovation includes a two-and-a-half story addition, housing an elevator, a new staircase and a new entrance to the parish house. These renovations make the All Saints' building significantly more accessible: the number of ADA compliant entrances has gone from zero to three, and the elevator aids in the goal of making all of the main public levels accessible.

The existing building, both inside and out, has also been given care and attention. The slate and copper work on the church roof, leaders and gutters has all been replaced. The exterior masonry of the church and cloister hall has been repointed (renewing the mortar joints) and almost all of the stained glass windows have been restored and rebuilt. Inside, the floors have been refinished, carpet has been removed and existing lighting has been refurbished and new light fixtures added.

The chancel organ has been removed, and the chamber refitted for the arrival of a fully restored Skinner Organ Co. Opus, which was purchased from a closed church in Western Massachusetts and restored thanks to an initial gift from a friend of the parish and successful fundraising. The organ should be in place and playable in early 2015, according to a post on the All Saints' Restoration Journal.

Churchwide

Church of England to consecrate first female bishop: The Church of England will consecrate its first female bishop in January. The Rev. Libby Lane, currently the vicar of churches in Hale and Ashley, has been appointed to serve as a suffragan bishop for Stockport in the Diocese of Chester. Read more here.

Reimagining the Episcopal Church final report released:

The Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church, charged by the 2012 General Convention with making restructuring recommendations to the 2015 General Convention, has released its final report. In it, the task force puts forth what it describes as "an urgent agenda of reimagination."

"We believe that the church must reconsider many of its current practices around congregational and diocesan collaboration, congregational and leadership development, clergy formation, Church Pension Fund incentives and initiatives, and the use of our sacred buildings," the task force says in the report.

Along with numerous recommendations, it includes three multi-part resolutions that include a call for, among other things, a unicameral governance model; a lowered but mandatory diocesan assessment; and regional consultative groups around church building usage.

"While structural and technical changes, by themselves, will not be sufficient for reimagining the church in the midst of a changing world, we have come to believe that they are essential to progress--even at the local level. Chosen wisely and implemented well, these changes will give us more time, energy and financial resources for innovation and adaptation; speed decision-making; provide church leadership with a bold and holistic agenda for change; and reinvent the roles of churchwide organizations away from 'doing' mission and toward enabling mission by connecting communities and individuals for mutual support, learning and collaboration." Find the report and read more here.

NewsLinks

Wicked Local: Christ Church, Plymouth celebrates 100 years in current location: One hundred years ago, on Dec. 25, 1914, Christ Church parishioners celebrated their first service at the stone chapel on Court Street in Plymouth. Founded in 1844, the Episcopal parish had built a new, statelier home. And after many years on Russell Street, the congregation moved to a new place of worship designed after the parish church in Scrooby, England, from which the Pilgrims had departed nearly 300 years earlier. On Sunday, Dec. 14, Christ Church celebrated 100 years at its current location and 170 years as a parish. Read more.

Needham Times: New rector installed at Christ Church: The Rev. Nicholas M. Morris-Kliment was installed as rector of Christ Church in Needham on Nov. 12. "It's a community that takes being a community seriously," Morris-Kliment said about Needham, describing the parish in particular as a "solid, vibrant, lively place." Read more.

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