The people and congregations of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts are marking April 27 as "Gratitude Sunday," part of a "Season of Service and Celebration" honoring Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE as he prepares to retire.
A letter of gratitude to the people of the diocese from Bishop Shaw will be read during Sunday services on that day.
The season continues with congregations, groups and individuals invited to organize or participate in community service projects and events in Bishop Shaw's honor; it culminates with a diocesan community celebration on June 21, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Pinebank Promontory on Jamaica Pond. More information is available here.
The text of Bishop Shaw's letter of gratitude follows.
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Just a few weeks ago I went to one of the pre-Confirmation retreats at our Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center. There were over 190 people present for the retreat. During my time with them they asked me questions, they told their stories of faith and they asked me questions about my journey in our life with Christ. We prayed some, we laughed quite a bit and it was an opportunity for me to hear what these young people were receiving from their parishes and the Diocese of Massachusetts. As I was driving back home to Cambridge I was soaring.
And, of course, because I was in the car by myself and it was quiet, God used the joy of soaring as an opportunity to draw me into my gratitude for the life of Christ given to us through our community in congregations, in the diocese. Gratitude for how God has given us, through our life together, the power to bring God’s power for transformation to all of eastern Massachusetts and beyond. How for almost 20 years I have had the opportunity to watch our community in congregations and in the diocese spread the reality of God’s love across the world.
For almost two hours during that drive, God brought to mind how pleased God was with all the sacrifices, vision and dependence on God that I have experienced in the last 20 years through all of you. I sat in my car at the end of the trip, in the parking lot of our monastery in Cambridge, thanking God for all of you in our diocese and what you have done to bring the reality of God into the world. Thank you for all the lives you have touched with God’s love.
This isn’t something that has happened just once. It’s happened many times over the years I have been with you. You have shown me so much over the time we have had together of the reality of God’s love and the creativity in each of you and your congregations. You have expanded my knowledge and experience of God through your faithfulness. You have made Scripture and creeds come alive. You have taken me to a deeper place in my life with God in prayer. Thank you. And know of my prayers for you as I leave my responsibilities as your bishop.
Faithfully,
M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE