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Bishops call for prayer and action to end gun violence
Episcopal Church bishops are arranging for services of lamentation at churches around the country in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that left 17 students and faculty members dead.  They are also calling for political action against gun violence to end "these lethal spasm of violence in our country."

"The heart of our nation has been broken yet again by another mass shooting at an American school," Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a coalition of more than 70 Episcopal bishops, said in a statement released Feb. 16.  Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris are members of the coalition and have commended the statement to the diocesan community.  Find the full statement here.

Additional links:
"Terrible. Beautiful.":  The sermon given by the Rev. Kate M. Malin, outgoing dean of the Concord River Deanery, at the first service in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul's "From Fear to Hope" Lenten preaching series on Feb. 15, the day following the Parkman, Fla., school shooting. 
 
Boston Vigil to End Gun Violence remarks:  Bishop Gates's remarks at the Boston Vigil to End Gun Violence, sponsored by the diocese's B-PEACE antiviolence campaign and the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, at First Church, Boston on Dec. 14, 2017, the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shootings. 
 
Through our prayers and with our actions, may we be instruments of peace.
Invitation to a holy Lent
The noon Ash Wednesday service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston was celebrated in Spanish and English by the Rev. Edgar Gutierrez-Duarte, Vicar of St. Luke's-San Lucas in Chelsea, and Bishop Gayle E. Harris, with Deacon Ema Rosero-Nordalm: 

"May our fasting be hunger for justice, our alms a making of peace and our prayer the song of grateful hearts./Que nuestro ayuno sea hambre de justicia, nuestros donativos obras de paz y nuestra oración el canto de almas agradecidas."

"From Fear to Hope":  The Cathedral Church of St. Paul's Lenten preaching series continues on Thursdays at noon, featuring a simple service with sermon.  Lunch and conversation follows for those who can stay.  All are welcome.  Find the schedule here.
 
Gather a group for "Brave Conversations" on March 3
This year's annual diocesan Spring Learning Event will engage with the need for dialogue
among people with different perspectives, passions and experiences.  Congregations and worshiping communities across the diocese are invited to gather a group and come together with others to acquire and share techniques and inspiration for establishing the church as a gracious place for dialogue on challenging topics and for expanding the possibilities for reconciliation and transformation.

The Spring Learning Event takes place on Saturday, March 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston.  All are welcome.  Online registration is open through Feb. 26 here.  

Spring Learning Event participants will have the opportunity to experience a gracious dialogue process focused on the topic of race, and will learn how to provide hospitality and prepare people for dialogue, not debate.  They also will learn how to invite people from their church and neighborhood to participate in an initial dialogue to achieve mutual understanding through deep listening.  The event aims to equip participants with new and expanded skills that they can use in their churches and communities.

The Kaleidoscope Institute will facilitate the day's program, adapted specifically for use in congregations and communities in the Diocese of Massachusetts.  

Game Time Challenge raises $40,000 for Episcopal Relief & Development
Episcopalians across New England and Pennsylvania--and beyo nd--joined in a charitable contest in the week leading up to the Super Bowl to see how much money they could raise for Episcopal Relief & Development by game time.

Team Patriots raised $18,502 and Team Eagles raised $21,660, with Episcopal Relief & Development the clear winner.

"Thank you to the host of generous donors to our Game Time Challenge benefiting Episcopal Relief & Development," Bishop Alan M. Gates said.  "The outcome on the field was disappointing for Patriots fans, but the outcome for ER&D was incredible!  Individually and together Episcopalians in New England and Pennsylvania harnessed their team pride to show compassion and help heal our broken world.  Now, there's something to celebrate!"

Learn more about Episcopal Relief & Development and its disaster relief, public health and economic development ministries here. 
ChurchWide

"Reviving God's work in Tanzania":  Bishop Maimbo Mndolwa of the Diocese of Tanga in Tanzania has been elected archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church of Tanzania.  He will continue to serve as bishop of Tanga after taking his new office on May 20.  Read more here.  The Diocese of Massachusetts has a longstanding mission relationship with the Diocese of Tanga.  Bishop Alan M. Gates and others traveled to Tanzania last summer to meet Mndolwa and become better acquainted with ministry partnerships and health-care and school projects that Massachusetts and several of its parishes have long been involved with there.  Mndolwa followed up with a visit to Massachusetts in November and is pictured above (center) with Diocese of Massachusetts bishops and African Clergy Caucus members.

General Convention to consider the how and when of prayer book revision:  Charged with presenting a plan for a comprehensive revision to The Book of Common Prayer, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) will offer two options to the upcoming General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Austin, Tex., July 5-13.  The first option would move the church immediately into a full nine-year prayer book revision process.  The second option would call the church into a period of "unifying discernment" about the current Book of Common Prayer before undertaking any revision, and would include new Book of Common Prayer translations in Spanish, French, Haitian Creole and other languages.  Read more in Episcopal News Service's story here, and find the SCLM's full report to the General Convention here.  (Photo: Episcopal News Service.)


Good Book Club is underway:  Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry has invited Episcopalians to join in a churchwide program for reading the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles during the Lent and Easter seasons this year.  Readings began on Feb. 11 and continue through Pentecost, May 20.  Learn more here.
NewsNotes

Clergy and bishops from the dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts gathered Feb. 6-8 for their first joint pre-Lenten retreat at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in snowy Greenfield, N.H., led by Bishop Eugene Sutton of the Diocese of Maryland.  "How grateful we are to find ever more opportunities for collaboration between our two dioceses in the Commonwealth," Bishop Alan Gates said. (Courtesy photo.)

 Global Mission Summit:  This day-long event on Saturday, April 21 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston will present all aspects of global mission from the dual perspective of the theological and the practical.  Whether new to mission engagement or experienced, participants will hear from thought-provoking speakers, take part in interactive workshops, have plenty of time for networking and participate in a joyous international celebration of the Eucharist.  Register online here.

It's not too early to get ready for camp:  Registration is now open for summer camp at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, N.H.  Five one-week camp sessions run from July 1-Aug. 3 for junior campers entering grades 4-9 and senior high campers in grades 10-12.  Find program, financial aid and registration information at www.bchcenter.org.  Clergy who are interested in volunteering as camp chaplains for a week are invited to contact camp registrar Abby Holmes ( abby@bchcenter.org) for more information.

Life Together is recruiting young adults searching for spiritual growth, meaningful work and connection to community:  Life Together is a diocesan-supported, Boston-based program of the Episcopal Service Corps focused on cultivating the next generation of prayerful and prophetic leaders, through spiritual practice, social justice, leadership training and community building. Life Together fellows range in age from 21 to 32 and come from a diverse range of racial, economic, geographic and religious backgrounds. 

Micah Fellowships in Greater Boston include 32 hours per week of service in mission-driven nonprofit organizations or Episcopal churches; spiritual formation and leadership training for eight hours per week; and life in intentional Christian community with other fellows. Esperanza Academy Teaching Fellows live in intentional community in Lawrence and work at Esperanza Academy, a tuition-free, independent day school for low-income girls grades 5-8. Esperanza fellows teach classes as well as work or coach in the school's extended-day program.

All fellows receive housing, health insurance, and living and transportation stipends. To apply, interested young adults can send a resume and cover letter to apply@diomassintern.org, or fill out the common Episcopal Service Corps application. To learn more about Life Together visit www.lifetogethercommunity.org or follow on Instagram and Facebook.
ParishCircuit

Day of Remembrance in Bridgewater:  For a second year, Trinity Church in Bridgewater marked National Day of Remembrance on Jan. 28 by hosting a candle-lit ecumenical healing service to remember community members who have died from substance use and addiction, and to offer fellowship and support to affected families.  The church was lit with 174 luminaries--the number of overdose deaths per day in the U.S. in 2016, according to Centers for Disease Control statistics. The National Day of Remembrance is a project of the Addiction Policy Forum, a national coalition of organizations focused on increasing awareness about addiction and advocating an improved national policy response that includes prevention, treatment, recovery and criminal justice reform. (Courtesy photo.)

 Sunday evening "Come as you are, go in peace" service:  Christ Church in Needham is now offering a simple Sunday evening, family-friendly service for all ages, held at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel.  "It's perfect for those for whom a Sunday evening worship time better fits their schedules, or who appreciate a more intimate and informal setting," according to an announcement from the Rev. Nick Morris-Kliment, Rector.  "In 45 minutes, we sing, pray and share Communion, and are prepared for the week to come as God's beloved. Come as you are, go in peace."

Getting Dover "Unplugged" at St. Dunstan's:  Dover Unplugged, a new community-focused event series at St. Dunstan's Church, had a successful launch the first week of February. Designed with the entire community in mind, Dover Unplugged aims to provide a chance for community members to unplug and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors.

The series kicked off on Feb. 2 with a screening of "Groundhog Day." Future events, to include speakers on important issues, educational opportunities and service projects, will be held on the first Wednesday or Friday of each month.

"In conversations within our parish and with friends outside of it, we kept hearing the need for people to have more opportunities for face-to-face interactions and time to just simply connect," the Rev. Sean T. Leonard, Rector, said in an announcement about the new series. "Part of our call is to build bridges into the Dover community, to serve the people of Dover and be a resource to the town, regardless of whether people are church members or not. We are really excited to launch Dover Unplugged and welcome all to join us as we pause, unplug and put down our phones, and simply come together in community."

Events are held in the fellowship hall at St. Dunstan's, which is located at 18 Springdale Avenue in Dover.  The events are free, with the opportunity for an optional donation. Upcoming events include a presentation on the Syrian refugee crisis by Nadia Alawa of NuDay Syria on Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.; a service project of packaging meals for people in Puerto Rico with The Outreach Program on Friday, April 6 at 6 p.m.; and a workshop on making Mother's Day flower arrangements on Wednesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. (Courtesy photo.)
NewsLinks

Brockton Enterprise:  The Rev. Harry Walton and warden Deborah Sovinee of Trinity Church in Stoughton were joined by the Rev. Mary Perry of First Congregational Church to offer ashes and blessings to commuters at the local train station on Ash Wednesday.  This is their fourth year of offering "Ashes to Go."  Read more.

Martha's Vineyard Times:  Taking a look at black history through the eyes of Grace Church:  Grace Church in Vineyard Haven--with its stained-glass windows honoring first African-American diocesan bishop John M. Burgess and first African-American priest Absalom Jones, and its chapel mural by revered African-American artist Allan Crite--has recently been added to the African-American History Trail of Martha's Vineyard and is hosting a series of conversations on Wednesday evenings throughout March.  "We're going to find a book to read throughout Lent and have those brave conversations that white people need to have," the Rev. Susan Eibner said.  Read more.
upcomingevents
Coming Up 

 

Feb 21: Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative Lenten Series, St. James's Church, Amesbury, 6:30pm

Feb 22: "From Fear to Hope" Lenten Preaching Series, The Rev. Amy McCreath, preacher, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Feb 24: Safe Church Training, St. James's Church, Cambridge, 8:30am

Feb 24: Lenten Workshop: Telling Our Stories with Bishop Porter Taylor, Parish of the Epiphany, Winchester, 9:00am

Feb 24: Congregational Business Practices Workshop, St. Mary's Church, Barnstable, 9:00am

Feb 24: Eucharistic Visitor Training, St. David's Church, South Yarmouth, 9:00am

Feb 24: Priesthood Ordination: Dan Bell, Grace Church, Medford, 10:30am

Feb 25: Bishop Gates visits St. John's Church in Franklin, 9:00am

Feb 25: Bishop Harris visits Church of Our Redeemer in Lexington, 9:00am

Feb 25: Black History Month Celebration, St. Stephen's Church, Lynn, 3:00pm

Feb 25: Evensong at Groton School, Groton, 7:00pm

Feb 28: Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative Lenten Series, Trinity Church, Haverhill, 6:30pm

Feb 28: Sung Compline with Candlelight, St. John's Church, Sharon, 7:00pm

Mar 1: "From Fear to Hope" Lenten Preaching Series, Bishop Alan M. Gates, preacher, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 3: "Brave Conversations" Diocesan Spring Learning Event, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 9:00am

Mar 3: Priesthood Ordination: Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, St. Stephen's Church, Cohasset, 3:00pm

Mar 4: Bishop Gates visits Trinity Church in Wrentham, 9:00am

Mar 4: Bishop Harris visits Trinity Church in Concord, 9:00am

Mar 4: B-SAFE New and Returning Partners Meeting, Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, 1:00pm

Mar 6: Clergy Preaching Conference: "Naming Death, Claiming Hope," Emmanuel Church, Boston, 8:00am

Mar 7: Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative Lenten Series, St. Paul's Church, North Andover, 6:30pm

Mar 7: Dover Unplugged Series: Presentation by Nadia Alawa, NuDay Syria, St. Dunstan's Church, Dover, 7:00pm

Mar 8: Diocesan Budget Committee Meeting, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 8:00am

Mar 8: "From Fear to Hope" Lenten Preaching Series, Bishop Bud Cederholm, preacher, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 9: Labyrinth Walk, Church of the Holy Spirit, Orleans, 10:00am

Mar 9-10: Antiracism Training, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston

Mar 10: Congregational Business Practices Workshop, St. Paul's Church, Lynnfield, 9:00am

Mar 11: Bishop Harris visits Grace Church in Medford, 9:00am

Mar 15: "From Fear to Hope" Lenten Preaching Series, Bishop Gayle E. Harris, preacher, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 15: Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative Lenten Series, St. Paul's Church, Newburyport, 6:30pm

Mar 16-17: Pre-Confirmation Retreat, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, N.H.

Mar 17: Congregational Business Practices Workshop, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 9:00am

Mar 18: Bishop Harris visits Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading, 9:00am

Mar 18: Bishop Gates visits Trinity Church in Randolph, 9:00am

Mar 20: Lower Merrimack Valley Collaborative Lenten Series, St. James's Church, Groveland, 6:30pm

Mar 22: "From Fear to Hope" Lenten Preaching Series, The Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello, preacher, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 22: Diocesan Council Meeting, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 5:30pm

Mar 24: Congregational Business Practices Workshop, St. Peter's Church, Weston, 9:00am

Mar 25: Bishop Harris visits Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, 9:00am

Mar 27: Holy Tuesday Eucharist with Renewal of Clergy Vows and Blessing of Holy Oils, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 11:00am

Mar 28: Wednesday in Holy Week: Holy Eucharist in Spanish and English, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 28: Sung Compline with Candlelight, St. John's Church, Sharon, 7:00pm

Mar 29: "From Fear to Hope" Lenten Preaching Series, Bishop Barbara C. Harris, preacher, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 30: Good Friday Liturgy, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 12:00pm

Mar 30-31: Good Friday Youth Overnight, Trinity Church, Boston