In her January 25, 2025 statement regarding diocesan ministries to and with immigrants, Bishop Whitworth restated our commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our midst. She is also quoted in an Episcopal News Service article Massachusetts Episcopalians rally behind immigrant church member before ICE appointment – Episcopal News Service saying that “The measure of our own humanity is how we treat the most vulnerable among us.”
As a diocese, we aim to foster inclusive, diverse, and sustainable worshipping communities. Through several strategic priorities, we are increasing diocesan-provided support to worshipping communities, offering structured congregational development approaches that respond to local needs and encourage public Gospel witness to dismantle systems of oppression. These approaches include partnerships, advocacy, and community engagement. In alignment with these goals, the diocesan office of Immigration and Multicultural Ministries is launching or intensifying a number of activities, as highlighted on this page. Immigration & Multicultural Ministries Video
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Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa
Are there individuals or groups in your congregation or community who would benefit from connection with these ministry efforts?
Questions, suggestions and participation are welcome!
Contact: The Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa jbntagengwa@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 400.
BIPOC Dinners ft.Latino Community of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Join us for a night of fellowship and
learning as we celebrate the
Latino/Hispanic community in our
Diocese.
RSVP HERE
Sunday January 11th 5-7PM
St. Lukes/San Lucas
201 Washington Ave. Chelsea, MA
Immigration resources and advocacy
With changed and changing federal immigration policy causing uncertainty and concern in communities and congregations, a list of training opportunities, advocacy resources and worship and study materials has been compiled to help the people of our diocese respond. Use the button below to access the list.
Bishop Alan M. Gates African Anglican-Episcopal Mission Center
The Bishop Alan M. Gates African Anglican-Episcopal Mission Center was dedicated in Everett on Oct. 12, 2024, and serves as a focal point for cultural exchange among individuals of African descent and other diverse cultures, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and cultural perspectives. The center will soon offer cultural orientation programs tailored to newly arrived Africans, including students, as well as Americans preparing to travel to or work in Africa.
The center sponsors activities aimed at clergy of color and their families within the Diocese of Massachusetts and beyond, preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of African- and Afro-American folk stories, creating a repository of written and recorded information for future generations to explore, and offering educational opportunities such as Episcopal 101 courses for individual Episcopalians and congregations within the diocese, etc. The center has plenty of space that can be used by the community for retreats, weddings, etc. Please contact the Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa at jbntagengwa@diomass.org for information about the center and scheduling of events.
Black Churches United
Courtesy Photos
Among Black Churches United are (top, from left): Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin in Boston; St. Bartholomew's Church in Cambridge; St. Mark's Church in Dorchester; St. Mary's Church in Dorchester; and (bottom) Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan; St. Cyprian's Church in Roxbury; and St. John St. James Church in Roxbury.
Black Churches United (which includes our historically Black churches) in the Diocese of Massachusetts are listed below, alphabetically by location:
- Church of St. Augustine and St. Martin in Boston
- St. Bartholomew's Church in Cambridge
- St. Mark's Church in Dorchester
- St. Mary's Church in Dorchester
- Dinka Community, worshiping at the African Mission Center in Everett
- Christ the King Church in Lynn
- Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan
- St. Cyprian's Church in Roxbury
- St. John St. James Church in Roxbury
- St. Peter's Anglican Church in Waltham
These congregations are seeking to work collaboratively and develop the capacity to flourish through a discernment process of deep listening and study of shared histories, mutual goals and collaborations.
A resolution adopted by the 2020 Diocesan Convention--"A Call to Address the Neglect of the Seven Historically Black Churches of the Diocese and to Strengthen Their Interrelationships"--is an important action. Find the text of the resolution here.
Contact: The Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa jbntagengwa@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 400.
African Ministries
As our bishops in the Diocese of Massachusetts reaffirmed in their response to the January 2016 Anglican primates’ action, our diocese claims in its fullness our identity as Christians in the Anglican Communion: “Here in the Diocese of Massachusetts we rejoice in that identity, as manifest in mission partnerships and fruitful relationships with our sister and brother Anglicans in El Salvador, Honduras, Tanzania, Jerusalem and elsewhere around the Anglican world.” That partnership manifests itself both here and beyond.
We have been able to connect with other dioceses in the Anglican Communion. We have been in conversation or mission relationships with bishops from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola and Zambia; some have been able to visit our diocese.
Our diocese currently has six worshiping communities whose members are mostly of African descent and who arrived recently. These worshiping communities (listed alphabetically by location) are:
- Grace Chapel in Brockton
- Christ Church in Hyde Park (Nigerians)
- Christ the King in Lynn (Kenyans)
- South Sudanese congregation meeting at the African Mission Center in Everett (67 Norwood St., Everett MA 02149)
- Trinity Church in Randolph (Nigerians)
- St. Peter's Church in Waltham (Ugandans)
Courtesy photo
Members of the African Clergy Caucus and their families at a recent retreat at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center
These worshiping communities receive or are eligible to receive diocesan African Ministry Grants that help them to do their ministries as they express their faith through their cultural heritages and languages. A grants committee of the African Clergy Caucus awards those grants at its usual April meeting.
The African Clergy Caucus came into existence in 2011. It is a voluntary association of African clergy in the diaspora who serve in the Diocese of Massachusetts. The caucus is the venue through which African clergy of this diocese encourage, pray for and celebrate each other's ministries and hold each other accountable to the mission of the diocese. This body views itself as a bridge between the Diocese of Massachusetts and the Episcopal/Anglican church on the continent of Africa.
The African Clergy Caucus meets virtually on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. for prayer, and in person once a month for dinner and fellowship. Contact the Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa jbntagengwa@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 400 for information.
Asian Ministry
Currently, our diocese has one Asian ministry: the Chinese congregation that worships at our Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. This community continues to create relationship-building opportunities through Christmas concerts and other activities. It is now being served by Pastor Ryan Lun, an ELCA pastor.
There is also a network of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans that meets regularly. Contact the Rev. Diane Wong at dianeckwong@gmail.com for meeting information.
Clergy of Color Fellowship and Intercultural Education
Efforts to bring together ordained indigenous people and people of color for fellowship, exchange of ideas and intercultural education are underway. Past examples of note are the dinner held with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry when he visited our diocese in April 2019, and the pilgrimage in October 2019 to the Tracing Center at the Cathedral of St. John in Providence, R.I. This group holds regular retreats and a yearly luncheon for mutual support, gifts and promotion acknowledgment as well as retirement recognitions. It’s a great affinity group.
Immigration legal services
Regarding our diocesan ministries to and with immigrants and people of color, Bishop Whitworth is committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our midst. Knowing that some members of this population are at different stages in their immigration processes, and for many of them, related legal processes may be unaffordable. To respond to this pressing situation, the Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries, has completed the process for recognition by the U.S. Department of Justice to offer some limited legal services to individuals who meet certain guidelines. He can offer, among other services:
- Initial consultation
- Help to file change of address
- Representation at USCIS interviews
- DACA renewal
- Non-Immigrant Religious Visa (R-1)
- Petition for Religious Worker
- Adjustment of Status
- Extend/Change Status – V Visa
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Application for Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
For more information, contact the Rev. Canon Dr. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa at jbntagengwa@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 400.
Ministry of Immigration Partnership
The Ministry of Immigration Partnership (MIP) was formed out of wanting to respond to the 2018 Federal decision to cage immigrant children. In 2019 a trip to Washington DC was made by 19 Episcopalians from Province One to talk with our legislators. Upon returning MIP established a mission to educate the diocesan community about immigration matters and continued to convene through the diocesan Office of the Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries to plan and host local events. During its retreat at Bishop Alan M. Gates African Anglican-Episcopal Mission Center in Everett on July 18, 2026, MIP resolved to shift its mission to focus efforts on ad hoc direct support for individuals affected by the changing immigration landscape. MIP exists to encourage Episcopalians to live in their baptismal covenant with their neighbors through ad hoc ministries that meet urgent needs. The Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries builds relationships and grows networks to strengthen MIP’s mission. The members of MIP make educational or liturgical offerings when needed. MIP remains flexible and nimble to strategize its response to meet the needs of immigrants, according to the varying politics of the moment.