Thank you from the Healthy Congregations Task Force
for your attention to the Landscape Assessment and for visiting this page!
Your valued responses will become part of this vital project as we discern mission and develop strategies for living ever more deeply into God’s call for us in the Diocese of Massachusetts.
What is the Healthy Congregations Task Force?
In response to a resolution adopted by the 238th annual Diocesan Convention in November 2023 and serving under the auspices of the Office of the Bishop, a group of lay people and clergy, chaired by the Rev. Lynn Campbell and Dr. Brian Litzenberger, has come together to ask what healthy congregations look like and how to support them.
The task force's work begins by looking at how we are living into our mission and vision as a diocesan community.
Where do we shine and where can we, in collective ministry, find new ways to lift each other up?
The Healthy Congregations Task Force has developed two initial approaches to this work.
First, the task force will collect measurable data through Holy Cow Consulting’s “Landscape Assessment.” This will give insight into the current health of our diocese, identify things that need immediate attention and capture feedback about where people would like to put energy and resources in the future.
Access the Landscape Assessment
"I am delighted to support the work of the Healthy Congregations Task Force, already underway as I am arriving in the diocese. What a wonderful way to begin a season of self-study, discernment and visioning for us all. I do hope you will participate and encourage others to do the same." --Bishop-elect Julia E. Whitworth
Please take some time to fill out the Landscape Assessment, and then spread the word. Everyone's voice is needed! Responses are anonymous; all completed surveys go directly to Holy Cow Consulting.
Click here to complete the Landscape Assessment in English.
Haga clic aquí para completar la Landscape Assessment en español.
Upcoming gatherings and resources
Next, over the first half of 2025, members of our diocesan community will be invited to connect with the Healthy Congregations Task Force at one of a series of gatherings and/or individually in one-on-one meetings to discuss hopes for our future and experiences in the congregations of our diocese.
The task force invites all people in our diocese to participate in this process--lay people and clergy alike. In both approaches described above, confidentiality and safety will be central.
Finally, the Healthy Congregations Task Force will begin to draw in resources for congregational health and to build structures to continue to allow for feedback from across the diocese and support for our diocese's congregations.
Contact the Healthy Congregations Task Force
If you have questions, ideas, recommendations, prayers, the Healthy Congregations Task Force hopes that you will feel free to be in touch by e-mail to HCTF@diomass.org.