News from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts

Warden's Gathering
at AIC

There were workshops and plenary sessions and a beautiful day in Springfield for the 2010 Gathering.

workshop

For more photos click here!

The Story of Camp Bement
 “…the greatest good, for the greatest number, over the long run.”

The closure and impending sale of Camp Bement has stirred many responses and this is understandable given the long and often nostalgic history many have had over the years with the camp. During this transition time the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, clergy and a number of parishioners are working to meet their leadership responsibilities, especially to provide regular and factual information.

We hope that we can provide fellow members of our church and fellow citizens of our state with a clear and rational statement of our history, experience, and goals with respect to Camp Bement.  The leaders of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts are determined to find and follow a path that leads to an overtly possible outcome.

Read this  complete report on Bement here or download a PDF copy of it here.

Safe Church Training Courses

Canon Sarah Shofstall will present a Basic Safe Church Training workshop  April 24th. This session is open to all church employees-lay, ordained and volunteer.  Read more here ...

Congregational Development Funds Available:
Application Deadline: 3/24/10
2010 Congregational Development Investment Team that has set the process of allocating financial resources that are available to all the congregations of the diocese. The Diocesan Convention approved Diocesan Operating Budget shows that significant grant money of Congregational Development Investments is still available to be allocated for 2010 and funds are still available in Regional Ministry Initiatives for congregations looking for financial assistance. If there is a new mission initiative you are planning for next year, this is the place to look for a diocesan co-investment.  Read more ...

2010 Golf Tournament to benefit Haiti Relief

The seventh Annual Diocesan Golf Tournament will be held at the Southwick Country Club in Southwick, on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Tee-off time will be 9:30 a.m. Download the registration form here.

Proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit Haiti Relief.  Click here for the most up-to-date and detailed information concerning Episcopal Relief & Development's disaster response in Haiti.

As always this event will be a day of fellowship, fun, and a fabulous dinner!

Invitation letters to rectors and golfers as well as registration materials and bulletin inserts will be mailed out early in May.

For further information on the tournament call John DeBonville at (413) 205-3090 or Karen Warren at Diocesan House, (413) 737-4786, ext. 18.

Legacy Recognition Sunday - April 25th, 2010
During the season of Epiphany we give thanks for the light of Christ shining forth in the world.  Therefore it seems appropriate to give thanks, during Epiphany, for those who have manifested their love of Christ with legacy gifts over the years.

Legacy Sunday materials are available here for downloading and parish use.

Episcopal Church Women respond to Haiti earthquake
$500.00 was sent  to St. Margaret’s Convent, Boston  for their sister convent whose building was destroyed in Haiti.

The Western Massachusetts ECW also has sent  $525  to the Diocese of South Dakota for a Native American ministry in honor of the Rt.  Rev. John Tarrant, newly elected bishop of the Diocese of South Dakota and former priest in our diocese.

This money was made available by the our Bishop Brooks Endowment Fund,  which requests the income to be given to a Native American ministry once every four years.

In the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development is providing critical emergency funds to Haiti and is accepting donations to the Haiti Fund to support this assistance.

New Financial Documents for 2010
The 2010 Budget Package for parishes is online now.  Just click here for the complete package of planning materials and documents for your 2010 Parish Budget planning.

Cycle of Prayer for 2010
The Diocesan Prayer Cycle is available for downloading.  To get this PDF document now, click here.

The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts37 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01103413.737.4786 - fax 413.746.9873
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