Diocesan News

The Office of the Bishop has issued the following notice:Dear Friends and Colleagues,We are saddened to inform you of the death of the Rev. James L. “Dutch” Nelson in Hyannis on Nov. 28, 2016. Dutch served as rector of Church of the Holy Nativity, South Weymouth, was the founding rector of St…

The diocesan community’s prayers and presence are requested for these upcoming services of ordination to the priesthood:• The Rev. Zachary Brooks on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m., at Trinity Church (359 West State Street) in Jacksonville, Ill.;• The Rev. Charles Wynder Jr., on Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m.,…

The Mission Strategy Implementation Organizing Team appointed by Diocesan Council and Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris has been announced:• George Chu, Church of the Good Shepherd, Dedham• The Rev. Gay Cox, Trinity Church, Haverhill • Katie Ernst, The Crossing, Cathedral Church of St…

The Office of the Bishop has issued the following notice:Nov. 30, 2016Dear Friends and Colleagues,We are saddened to inform you of the death of the Rev. Dr. John H. Thomas in Sandwich on Nov. 18, 2016.  When St. John’s Church in Sandwich moved from mission status to parish, John transitioned…

This year’s Diocesan Convention set the Episcopal Church in eastern Massachusetts on a path toward “embracing brave change” by adopting a new mission strategy that calls for reimagining congregations, building relationships and engaging the world.“Strategizing to recreate the church of the past…

Fifteen clergy and lay people from the Diocese of Massachusetts traveled to North Dakota in the first week of November to join the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, environmental activists and people from a variety of faith traditions who oppose completion of the Dakota Access oil pipeline because of…

A group of Christians from across Massachusetts gathered on a hillside at the Heifer Farm in Rutland on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13 to reaffirm their dedication to restoring God’s creation. Led by five Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders, including Bishop Alan M. Gates of the Diocese of …

Churches across this diocese answered the Massachusetts bishops' call to open their doors leading up to Election Day, with at least 70 congregations offering prayers for the nation and election, hosting vigils and special services and offering space for silent prayer between Nov. 6 and 8. Today,…

The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, issued on Nov. 9, 2016, the following message to the diocesan community:Our national election is behind us, leaving in its wake a legacy of bitterness and hostility.  For some, alienation is the apparent reason for…

Anthony Barsamian and the Rev. Daryl Lobban brought greetings from the Massachusetts Council of Churches to the 2016 Diocesan Convention. Barsamian is president of the MCC's board, and Labban is the director of external relationships.