Episcopal E-News - FEBRUARY 2010

In Wareham, the Church of the Good Shepherd is "Simply Making Room" with a program focused on cleaning out the clutter.

At St. Andrew's Church in Wellesley, it will be all about "The Spirituality of Food," as it will be at Grace Church in Medford, where they're having a hunger justice campaign.  At St. Mark's Church in Burlington they'll be "Rediscovering Values," while the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston asks "Who is God?" and the Harvard chaplaincy's community wonders "What's Sex Got to Do With It?"

 

Meanwhile, on Ash Wednesday, the kids at St. James's Church in Groveland are having a winter morning retreat to learn about being caretakers of the earth, and the art they make will hang in the church from Easter Day to Earth Day.

 

It would seem that there is something for everyone this Lent as Episcopal churches and communities all around the diocese offer these and other special services and devotional activities to help God's people focus on Lenten practices of fasting, giving, study and prayer. 

 

Check out the growing list here, and join with others at a church near you.  All are welcome.

 

On fixing what's broken:  Last summer, the Episcopal Church's General Convention adopted a resolution, sponsored by Diocese of Massachusetts deputy Ian T. Douglas, that asks the Episcopal Church to devote Lenten prayer and study to our broken economic order, focusing hearts and minds on its renewal.  Check out these resources that the network Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation has compiled to help individuals and groups do this.

 

Making the connection between environmental stewardship and the economy, Bishop Bud Cederholm recommends a carbon fast this Lent. 

 

"Fasting from carbon in Lent is a spiritual exercise that is personally transformative as well as transforming for the environment and those who suffer now and in the future from the earth's degradation," he says.  He commends the resources provided by the National Council of Churches on its "Eco-Justice Programs" Web page, here, where you can also sign up for the "Capsules" e-newsletter.

 

 

 

 

Read more. 

 

Bishop Jefferts Schori talks about her visit in a video, available here. 

 

Learn about and give to Episcopal Relief and Development's Haiti response here.

 

 

 

While they explored the question "Who is God to you?" the youth on retreat met in small groups for discussion, rocked with the live band on hand for the weekend and took part in activities that ranged from making Communion bread to stringing prayer beads and creating collage journals to doing yoga.  An altar cloth they made transformed a table at the closing Eucharist.

 

Adult chaperones had their own opportunities to meet together for Bible study and youth mentor training.

 

Photos courtesy of Kathryn Kendrick 

 

 

 

 

"The Road Home":  The New Haven Register featured Douglas in this Feb. 7 article and video, here.

 

 

This year's theme of "Claiming Discipleship" will help participants explore how to live into their baptismal covenant:  How do we turn to Christ in our lives?  In our parishes?  How do we teach and encourage others in their own journeys as they follow Jesus?  The Rev. Chip Stokes of St. Paul's Church in Delray Beach, Fla., will be the morning speaker.  After lunch, participants will have their choice of workshops, followed by a closing time with Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE. 

 
Click here to register by Monday, March 1.

 

 

Mar 6: Diocesan Spring Learning Event: "Claiming Discipleship," Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston (note location change), 9 a.m.  Sign up here.

 

Mar 6: Lenten Day of Prayer, St. Margaret's Convent, Boston, 9:30 a.m.

Mar 10: Green Gathering at Bethany House of Prayer, Arlington, 6 p.m.

Mar 12-13: Pre-Confirmation Retreat, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, N.H.

Mar 13: Godly Play Core Training, All Saints' Church, Belmont, 8:30 a.m.

Mar 13: Eucharistic Visitor Training, St. James's Church, Amesbury, 9 a.m.

Mar 13: Bread and Prayer Retreat, All Saints Parish, Brookline, 10 a.m.

 

Mar 18:  Diocesan Council, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, 5:30 p.m.

 

Mar 19 & 20:  Antiracism Training, St. John's Church, Sandwich

 

Mar 20:  Quiet Day, St. Paul's Church, Brookline, 9 a.m.

 

Mar 21:  B-SAFE Program Orientation for summer 2010 new and returning partners, Church of the Redeemer, Chestnut Hill, 1 p.m.  Read the invitation letter.

 

Mar 23 & 25, Apr 15 & 22:  Diocesan Budget Hearings, various locations, 7 p.m.