Exploring Common Mission: Reflecting on a Year-Long Conversation

In November 2020, the bishops of both diocese convened the Task Force for Exploring Common Mission, and the group met regularly in the following months. Their charge from the bishops was to be in dialogue and prayer for a year about what collaborations and, potentially, what more formal institutional structures might warrant more exploration. The task force will share their findings with both dioceses for further discernment at their diocesan conventions. ♦

The Rev. Nathaniel Anderson, St. John's, Williamstown

Our work focused on exploring where our dioceses are currently partnering, areas where further collaboration could be possible, as well as looking at models throughout the Episcopal church for work among dioceses. Examples we looked at included dioceses sharing a ministry or canonically required committee, a large diocese with multiple bishops, and two medium sized dioceses sharing a single bishop and staff. Though none of those three examples would necessarily work in Massachusetts, they showed us the great diversity of expression and appetite for experimentation throughout the church.

The most personal and universal experience of the group was how close we all became. We quickly made room for vulnerability and for honest, holy conversation.

We were surprised to learn how little we knew about each other's diocese. Misconceptions were corrected, prejudices put to bed, and instead real learning and growth could occur.

As we wrap up our work and prepare to present our findings to our respective conventions, we do so with deep gratitude for this opportunity. And while we won’t be presenting a blueprint for what we think the Episcopal Church in the Commonwealth should look like in the future, we do feel we’ve gotten a hold of several important insights that will be of benefit as our bishops and our dioceses lead us into the future. ♦

Four people from each diocese, lay and ordained, comprised the Task Force for Exploring Common Mission.

Serving from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts:

• The Rev. Nathaniel Anderson, St. John’s Church, Williamstown, Co-Chair

• The Rev. Heather Blais, Saints James and Andrew, Greenfield

• Ms. Trudy Weaver Miller, Christ Church, Sheffield

• Mr. Mark Rogers, Church of the Reconciliation, Webster

• The Rev. Dr. Richard Simpson, Canon to the Ordinary, staff liaison

Serving from the Diocese of Massachusetts:

• Ms. Claudette Hunt, St. Andrew’s Church, Ayer, Co-Chair

• The Rev. Julie Carson, St. Andrew’s Church, Framingham

• The Hon. Judith Dilday, St. Cyprian’s Church, Roxbury

• The Rev. Pam Werntz, Emmanuel Church, Boston

• The Rev. Canon William Clay Parnell, Canon to the Ordinary, staff liaison ♦