General Convention Reports
The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will convene in Anaheim, CA July 8-17, 2009. Each diocese elects four lay and four clergy deputies, as well as some number of alternates. Unlike delegates, who might be tasked by their electorate to vote a particular way, deputies are elected to vote according to their own conscience what is best for the whole Episcopal Church.
The Western Massachusetts deputation will provide daily reports from California which will be posted on this site. Check back regularly for photos and reports from our deputation to this important event.
Click on the "General Convention Reports" above for our reports. On that page you can also subscribe to an RSS feed to be delivered to you automatically.
Diocesan Convention Documents Available Online
The First Mailing of Documents for our October Convention, the 108th of the Diocese are now available here. Click here or on the 'Convention of the Diocese 2009' link to the left to download these important materials.
Summer Planning -- Camp and Vacation Bible School Options
Family Camp
The Rev. Len and Hallie Cowan will be leading a "Family Camp" July 26-31 at the InterVarsity Toah Nipi Conference Center in Rindge, NH. Open to people of all ages, the camp will feature activities and Christian Formation for children, the same for adults, and R & R time for all. Contact the Cowans at lencowan(at)churchofthenativity.org for information and a brochure.
Additional Summer Camp Options for 2009
There are several excellent & nearby sites for Christian camping for children and youth of the Diocese. You'll find options in MA, CT, RI and in nearby Upstate New York. There are some wonderful summer opportunities for you and your children. Click here for more.
2009 VBS Planning
If you are beginning to plan for the 2009 Vacation Bible Schools and you would like to know what's available and recommended for programs and curricula, please contact the Christian Formation Missioners in your corridor: Berkshire: The Rev. Jenny Gregg (jgregg@ststephenspittsfield.org) The Rev. Scott Seabury: seabs52(at)aol.com, or The Rev. Jill Williams: jwilliams(at)diocese.org.
News From Dodoma
Here's a photo essay from our Missionary In Tanzania, Peter Prewandowski. Read Peter's story about his daily life and activities.
Pastoral Staff News Highlights - June 2009
Missioonal Church Awards
The Diocese has awarded $7,500 in 2009 Partnership for Missional Church awards to five congregations in Western Massachusetts. Holy Trinity, Southbridge; St. James, Great Barrington; St. Johnís, Ashfield; St. Andrewís, North Grafton; and Christ Church, Sheffield, all received awards of $1,500.
Read more about the Partnership for Missional Church awards in the June Pastoral Staff.
Worcester All Saint's a Good Neighbor
They certainly couldn't put the fire out, but members of All Saints, Worcester, helped extinguish the fears and fill the immediate needs of 80 residents from a nearby burned-out apartment building in early March.
The devastating blaze took place at 167 Pleasant St., a location that All Saints business administrator Harold Stevens describes "as a stone's throw" from our church. Read more in the June Pastoral Staff.