ABUNDANT Times Winter/Spring 2022

Deacons At Our Service

Winter/Spring 2022

Table of Contents 3

From the Bishop

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The Community of Deacons

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Meet the Archdeacon

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Deacons Reflect on Pandemic Ministry

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Welcoming the Stranger: Congregations Collaborate to Support Afghan Evacuee Resettlement

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The 80th General Convention

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Meet Good Shepherd: Merger of Oxford & Auburn

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Young Adult Ministry Network Receives Grant

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Around the Diocese

ABUNDANT Times is the official news publication of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. The diocesan offices are located at: 37 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA, 01103-1787 Call us: (413) 737-4786 Visit us: www.diocesewma.org Follow us: @EpiscopalWMA

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The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher IX Bishop of Western Massachusetts, Publisher The Rev. Vicki Ix Managing Editor Alison Gamache Layout and Copy Editor

At Diocesan House

The Rev. Dr. Richard M. Simpson Canon to the Ordinary Susan Olbon Canon for Administration The Rev. Vicki Ix Canon for Communications

Missioners

The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith Missioner for Spirituality and Leadership The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas Missioner for Creation Care The Rev. Christopher Carlisle Director, Building Bridges Veterans Initiative The Rev. Jennifer Gregg Missioner for Servant Leadership The Rev. José Reyes Missioner for Hispanic/Latino Ministries The Rev. Meredyth Ward Urban Missioner for Worcester

Cover photo: Reimphoto @ Unsplash Licensed to print, purchased

From the Bishop The Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher IX Bishop of Western Massachusetts

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eacons are very popular in our diocese. Here’s how I know: every time I’m about to ordain one, I get at least a dozen requests for the new deacon to be assigned to their church.

Why are they so popular? Let’s consider a few of the many reasons. As part of the ordination of a deacon, the bishop gives this instruction: “In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.”

Who wouldn’t want someone to lead in doing that? I intentionally write “lead” because all Christians are called to that work by our baptisms. Churches without deacons do this, but deacons embody that service and intentionally invite others to that service. Deacons explicitly call us all, as our Presiding Bishop says, “to change the world from the nightmare it is for so many into the dream God has for us.” Deacons bring the world to the church and the church to the world. In other words, they bring the needs of a hurting world to the church, and bring the Good News of Jesus back into that world.

deacon (or a priest) is not a private revelation, but a discernment in community.

the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God forever and ever. Amen.”

Deacons are popular because they enter a rigorous and holy formation program sponsored by the dioceses of New England. It is two years (part-time) of studying scripture, theology, preaching, and developing skills in leadership and pastoral care.

And deacons are popular because they end our worship with an inspiring prayer for all of us. There are a variety of ways that they dismiss us. One that touches my soul is when they say: ”Go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia!” They send us into the world “rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.” In our troubled times we need that reminder to rejoice. Yes, it is very challenging out there. And our God whom we meet in Jesus equips us with the Spirit to meet every challenge. Rejoice in that. Thank you, deacons. I know why you are so popular. And I know why your work is holy. ♦

Deacons are popular because they are committed to living into this prayer the bishop says for them immediately after the words of ordination: “Make her/him, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant, to observe the discipline of Christ. Let her/his life and teaching so reflect your commandments, that through her/him many may come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be served but to serve, may this deacon share in Christ’s service, and come to the unending glory of him who, with you and

+Doug

Deacons are popular because they have been called by the Holy Spirit, working through our Loving The Questions discernment process and our Commission on Ministry. The call to be a

The Rev. Linda Taupier in procession with Bishop Fisher at Christ Church Cathedral.

Photo: Episcopal WMA

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“Diakonia is a Greek word which means caring for those in need, carrying out God’s vision in word, action, and in attending to all of God’s creation. In today’s world where power can be determined by wealth, but resources only available to some, healing and transformation are possible if we examine that call to diakonia.”

"Diakonia: A Statement of Theology", Association for Episcopal Deacons, June 2016

The Ven. Jane Griesbach raises the Book of the Gospels after the proclamation of the text.

Photo: Episcopal WMA

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“As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. You are to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.”

The Book of Common Prayer, 543

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The Community of Deacons “Deacons are to model and lead, by inspiring, empowering, and engaging every baptized person in living out the diakonia of all believers in everyday life.”

"Diakonia: A Statement of Theology", Association for Episcopal Deacons, June 2016

The Ven. S. Jane Griesbach St. Francis, Holden Photo: submitted

The Rev. Beatrice Kayigwa All Saints, Worcester Photo: submitted

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The Rev. Terry Hurlbut St. David's, Agawam Photo: Rev. Eric Elley

The Rev. Rachael "Jac" Essing St. Paul's, Holyoke Photo: Rev. Tanya Wallace

The Rev. Ann Wood Retired Photo: Sts. James & Andrew, Greenfield

The Rev. Audrey Cronin Good Shepherd, Oxford Photo: submitted

”In diakonia, those serving and those served are both transformed; the purpose of diakonia is to make Christ’s redemptive love known by word and example, not to proselytize.”

"Diakonia: A Statement of Theology", Association for Episcopal Deacons, June 2016

The Rev. Linda Taupier Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield Photo: Episcopal WMA

The Rev. Pat O'Connell Family Leave Photo: submitted

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The Community of Deacons

“Christ’s suffering on the cross compels us to identify especially with those of our sisters and brothers who suffer today, moving beyond politeness and pretense, breaking the silence and risking speaking truth to power, even when this threatens the established order and results in hardship or persecution. This is the heart of the prophetic diaconal calling.”

"Diakonia: A Statement of Theology", Association for Episcopal Deacons, June 2016

The Rev. Beth Washburn St. Stephen's, Westborough & St. Paul's, Hopkinton Photo: submitted

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The Rev. Jason Burns St. John's, Northampton Photo: submitted

The Rev. Dianne Wilson St. Michael's-on-the-Heights, Worcester Photo: Episcopal WMA

“Deacons do not – cannot – 'do' diakonia on behalf of the baptized, but they help to lead all people, including the ordained, into the servant ministry of all believers which is the essence of our baptismal covenant.”

"Diakonia: A Statement of Theology", Association for Episcopal Deacons, June 2016

The Rev. Michael Hamilton Holy Spirit, Sutton Photo: submitted

The Rev. Eric Elley St. Mark's, East Longmeadow, Digital Minister of the Southern New England Conference , UCC Photo: SNECUCC @ Facebook

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Meet the Archdeacon: Interview with The Ven. S. Jane Griesbach The Rev. Vicki Ix Managing Editor, ABUNDANT Times

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he Rev. Jane Griesbach was appointed the Bishop’s Archdeacon on April 15, 2021. I spent some time with Jane to find out more about this new role. The following interview has been edited for clarity and scope.

Editor: For our readers and for our culture here in Western Massachusetts, having an archdeacon is exciting and new. What can you tell us about the role of the archdeacon?

Jane: Well, because it’s so new, I’ve been learning as I go along. First and foremost, I see myself as an encourager, someone who encourages on every level. I keep in touch with all the deacons. I listen and help with deployment when that comes up. Now, deacons are allowed to stay six years in one parish. It used to be only three, and then you moved, but Bishop Doug said it can be another three years if everyone is in agreement. So, personally, I will be at St. Francis, Holden for six years because everybody is in agreement and it seems to be working.

Every other month, I hold a Zoom meeting for all the deacons. Everybody gets on, we pray, and we talk about what we’re doing, joys and challenges— personal and with the church. I am also inviting the postulants to join these meetings. I feel that they, more than anybody, need to hear what deacons are doing and see who we are and that we support them and pray for them. I meet with our three postulants every other month. We talk about challenges, what’s going on, and if they have questions.

And, I organize an annual retreat for all the deacons. We do that at St. Margaret’s, Duxbury.

When I became an archdeacon, I learned that there is an annual conference of all archdeacons in US and Canada. It used to be in-person and now it’s on Zoom.

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The theme this year was how to bring younger people into the diaconate. You don’t have to have white or gray hair to be a deacon. There’s also the Province I Network of Archdeacons and we meet once a month. We talk and we share what we’re doing, and that’s where the “Deacon Crawl” idea came from. I’m always trying to make deacons more visible. The Diocese of Massachusetts said that once a year they have the “Day of the Deacon.” The other dioceses are a little bit more grown up than I am. I thought “Deacon Crawl” sounded more fun.

Let me ask a deeper question. What is the archdeacon’s role in assisting the bishop in helping people discern an assignment?

I’m so, so grateful for a bishop who is supportive of deacons. It’s so beautiful.

With deployment, we try to keep the commute time between 30-35 minutes, so I start by looking at the different parishes. I go to their websites and see what they’re doing and, if they are doing a bunch of mission outreach, that percolates in my brain. And then I talk to the bishop. I say, “What about these parishes?” Of course, he knows everything that’s going on better than I do. So he can say, “Well, not this one, but that one.” Then he talks with the priest and I talk to the deacon. I say, “What do you think?” Then the Holy Spirit intervenes and we get a match.

The bishop comes up with ideas of what the deacons could do together. Usually it’s something like, “What can you do together as a group for the diocese?”

And, we brainstorm that.

I recall the Pre-Election 2020 prayer services that our deacons led in Springfield and Worcester. A very powerful witness…

It was freezing in Worcester! Freezing!

And the prayer service was, indeed, powerful.

Let me ask a couple of questions about your journey. How long have you been a deacon?

Since 2008.

How did you discern your call to this order in the Church?

I moved to MA following my secular job.

I worshipped at Christ Church, Rochdale for many years. I got married there, buried my husband from there. When I found out about the diaconate, I asked the rector at the time — who was going through a lot of personal turmoil—”What do you think?” “Keep a journal,” he said. “Keep a journal. It will all become clear.” Well, that didn’t help. So, enter the next rector. And that person said, “Why would you want to work for the church? Deacons don’t get paid.” OK. I guess I’ll give up, I thought; it’s probably not from the Holy Spirit. Enter the next rector—so that’s three—and that was Rev. Meredyth Ward. Meredyth came to me and said, “Have you ever thought about the diaconate?” (I wasn’t going to bring it up again. Three strikes you’re out!) I said, “Actually, I have, but I’ve been discouraged.” She was, and still is, a mentor for me, and an encourager for me. She put my name forth and helped me through the process.

So much has changed. This is a community. The bishop calls it the “community of deacons.” I think that’s so beautiful. It’s just been growing and growing.

Because I went through the process alone—it was just me going through the whole preparation—I said, “That will never happen again.” I would try to get people together and encourage others to look at it. The birth of the Province I

Deacon Crawl School for Deacons opened things up. It is an amazing program. The Dean now is the Rev. Dr. Lynda Tyson from CT. She’s a gift.

How long does that preparation take?

School for Deacons is two years. It’s a very robust program, and the discernment takes at least a year beforehand to go through the formalized steps.

The diaconate today must feel different from 2008 – not just here in WMA, but the place of the order in the Church. Tell me what you’re seeing – what is the overarching place of the deacon now?

What I’m seeing across the United States is that deacons are more aware of the universal call for all people to live into the Baptismal Covenant and to serve. In every sermon I give, which is once a month, the Baptismal Covenant comes up because it’s all right there. Deacons today are called to more prophetic preaching and to call people in the congregation to their Baptismal Vows and into the ministry of diakonia across the board. You don’t have to be ordained to serve.

What do you love most about being a deacon?

All the expensive, uncomfortable clothing we have to buy. (Laughter.) Only kidding. I love most being in the world as someone who can bring God’s love, and using that as an icon calling others to service.

What are your hopes for the community of deacons in our diocese? Ten years, twenty years; what are your hopes?

I read this, so these are not my words: “How will we know when there are enough deacons? It’s when every marginalized person knows the love of Jesus.” So my hope is that the community of deacons continues to grow, in God’s time, of course. And we have all these people just hitting the streets and going out to the world and coming back to the church. You know, Church, this is what we need to do. How can we help these people who need the love of Jesus? A deacon in every church, and a deacon on every street corner. (Laughter) ♦

June 12, 2022

On June 12, our deacons will be travelling to a parish that hasn’t ever had a deacon, or hasn’t had one in a very long time.

Below is the breakdown. All priests and deacons have agreed to these one-day assignments: • St. John’s, Ashfield: The Rev. Jason Burns • Grace Church, Great Barrington: The Rev. Jac Essing • St. Mark’s, Leominster: The Rev. Beatrice Kayigwa • All Saints Church, North Adams: The Rev. Linda Taupier • Christ Memorial Church, North Brookfield: The Rev. Audrey Cronin • Church of the Nativity, Northborough: The Rev. Beth Washburn • Christ Trinity Church, Sheffield: The Rev. Pat O'Connell • Holy Trinity Church, Southbridge: The Ven. S. Jane Griesbach • St. Peter’s, Springfield: The Rev. Terry Hurlbut • St. Matthew’s, Worcester: The Rev. Michael Hamilton Graphic: Association for Episcopal Deacons

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Deacons Reflect on Pandemic Ministry The Rev. Beatrice Kayigwa All Saints, Worcester

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n my mother country Uganda, we have experienced civil wars ever since we got our independence from the British in 1962. We would flee our homes for fear of armed forces attacking us. We hid in other villages, waiting to hear that our own village was safe to go back to.

When COVID-19 attacked the world, it seemed to me like a war between humanity and the virus. We ran away from public life and from our jobs; we stayed away from people who did not live with us; and the churches closed.

Almost everyone was hiding in fear

The Rev. Jason Burns St. Philip's, Easthampton

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was ordained one week before the governor shut down the entire state.

Rev. Michael Bullock, who is the Priestin-charge at St. Philip’s, had just returned from an extended medical leave for knee surgery and, as I had just been ordained, we were both looking forward to returning to a sense of normalcy, which we had lost due to his absence and my anxiety around ordination. But we didn’t get it. Instead, like everyone else, we had to figure out how to maintain a sense of togetherness when our community had to remain apart.

We began by attempting to prerecord worship services with my laptop and a 12

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of the deadly virus. When the health department cleared the world to come out, we looked around; we wanted to check on our church. Is it still there? Did it survive the virus?

Deacons serve in the community. We work with people outside the church walls. My ministry in the world is to visit the sick, the lonely, and the shut-ins by taking them Communion, sitting with them, and listening to what they had to share. As a deacon, not being able to carry out my ministry in the world for 18 months affected me very much. I could not visit anyone in the hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities. I tried to call some of the people I used to visit, but if they could not take my calls,

computer microphone. While it worked, it took a great deal of guesswork, and many hours of video editing since the software we used liked to miss-record the audio track. After about a month of this, we gave up and went the route of Zoom. Ultimately Zoom turned out to be a blessing, at least for a while.

Immediately after morning prayer, we held a check-in and learned a great deal about how people were feeling and the challenges in their lives. We received feedback that people missed seeing the church and that, while they appreciated the services on Zoom, they needed to see St. Philips. So, a small group of us figured out how to do live streaming using an iPhone, a laptop, and a 50’ sound cable which allowed us to connect our sound system to the laptop. We have had some upgrades, thanks to the generosity of

I wondered if they could not hear the phone ring, or did their families move them? These unanswered questions— Is the person I am calling okay? Did something bad happened to them?— affected me and my ministry. I trusted in the Lord to take care of them, even though it was hard not to see or talk to them. ♦

several parishioners, and now St. Philip’s live streams their service every week in HD. Our response to the pandemic has focused on forward momentum, Michael and I refused to allow fear of the future get in the way of our ability to worship God and carry out ministry. That doesn’t mean that the way we worship or the ministries we do haven’t been affected or that they haven’t changed—they most certainly have—but that is likely also a blessing because we can become stubborn and stuck and fail to recognize our potential. The pandemic has confirmed that well-thought-out, spirit driven change is good, and if we keep focused on our God-given purpose then we will pull through even the most challenging of circumstances. ♦

The Rev. Dianne Wilson St. Michael's-on-the-Heights, Worcester

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started my service as deacon at St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights on February 23, 2020. It was the Sunday before Lent started. I attended two Sunday services and two Stations of the Cross. The world shutdown on Friday, March 13, 2020.

My church and my street ministry both stopped. This was a first. How can we have Church? What are we going to do? The bishops of both dioceses came together to unify what we would be doing as Episcopalians. We had a plan. Executing it would take some real ingenuity and new skills. This was the beginning of acquiring a lot of new skills.

The Ven. S. Jane Griesbach St. Francis, Holden ommunity is key. Buildings are optional. One parishioner commented to me “I know we always say the church isn’t a building – it’s the people. Now, I know that’s true”.

on in the pandemic, our church began to have “donation days” on Saturdays to collect items that were needed and difficult to find. At first only parishioners participated. After a short while, the neighboring community came and donated. These donation days continue still and our mission partners are always grateful.

St. Francis has four mission partners that we support in various ways throughout the year. Abby’s House, a women’s shelter; The Mustard Seed, an organization that serves the poor in many ways; Dismas Farm, a residential program for formerly incarcerated men; and the local food pantry help us bring Christ to the world of need. Early

The other ministries I participate in changed in the pandemic as well, but didn’t stop. Walking Together is a storefront that welcomes street people inside for rest, coffee, snacks, and conversation. Folks were no longer allowed to come inside. At first, we bagged up snacks and hygiene products and distributed them from the windows

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In the first few months, only our priest, Rev. Dave Woessner, went to church to do services. They were posted on Facebook. We had a parishioner skilled in A/V step up to help with getting the Good News out.

After a few months we discovered that people could do readings from home, have someone video them and send them to our A/V person and she put them together in a recording of the service. I proclaimed the Gospel from my living room videoed by my granddaughter. We did this until Easter of this year. This was our first in-person service! We held it outside. It was wonderful to see each other after all this time. ♦

of our cars. A quick “God Bless You,” and then we drove off to look for others.

Later on, the storefront became a sort of take-out place, handing out necessities from the front door.

The staff at the laundromat where we hold Laundry Love is beyond fantastic, in particular the owner Jared and the manager Vaneza. We continued to raise money, and Vaneza would call the regulars to come in to do their laundry.

Customers came from shelters and the surrounding neighborhood. The Charlton town food pantry continued as well.

Those in need called in, food was boxed and left outside for them. As time went on, those in need increased and so did our donations of food. ♦ Photo: Unsplash @adamsky1973

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Welcoming the Stranger:

Congregations Collaborate to Support Afghan Evacuee Resettlement

The Rev. Barbara Thrall Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield

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ast November, I wondered aloud among fellow clergy whether anyone was doing anything about helping Afghan evacuees. I had hoped to hear that a church was hosting a family and to learn how the Cathedral could help.

No, no one was hosting a family yet, and so I was asked to do some research and report back to our deanery clergy. Then later, the outreach committee of Christ Church Cathedral was very clear. “We want to host a family,” they said, and the ball started rolling.

Not long after that meeting last November, Deacon Terry Hurlbut and a group from St. David’s, Agawam got on board. We began to build a coalition 14

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of volunteers from the Cathedral, St. David’s, All Saints’ in South Hadley, and among our families and friends. Working with Jewish Family Services of Western MA (JFS) in Springfield, we assembled a team of five leaders to be responsible for the care of an Afghan family in the areas of employment, medical needs, education for children and adults, housing, and community engagement (getting a bank account, learning to ride the bus, grocery shopping, recreation, legal matters). It has been and continues to be a rewarding, revealing ride.

Our family arrived in Springfield from an east coast army base on January 31st. They are a father, mother, and five very active boys, ages 12 to 2. They left Afghanistan late last summer in fear for their lives, as the father’s government service created a threat for them under the new Taliban regime. They still have

family at home and worry for them as the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate.

Here in Springfield, they are safe and well provided for. A team of painters, cleaners, furniture movers, and arrangers fixed up the house that JFS found for the family and, using the items donated, made a warm and welcoming spot for the family to call home. In Afghanistan they had lived with a big extended family in one large house, having perhaps two rooms to themselves. Here they rent a three-bedroom house, and found a stocked refrigerator—their first glimpse into American life.

Over the weeks since their arrival, they have had medical checkups, a trip to a local playground to swing and hang from the zip-line, encounters with Stop & Shop and Sav-a-Lot, an interview

with legal services to see about asylum for the family, English classes for Dad, attending the mosque in West Springfield, educational tests for the four eldest children, and three of the kids started school on March 10th. Dressed in their new uniforms, carrying backpacks loaded with school supplies and a snack, they began their day surrounded by ten attentive adults. Off they went to their new classes, reserved but inwardly bursting at this new opportunity to be

out of the house, learning with other children. Their parents were never given the chance to go to school and have yearned for their children to be educated.

Our community is making that possible and it is a blessing to behold.

What began as a question has grown into a miracle that is touching many lives. Over these months we have been bolstered by the tenets of our faith.

There was no room for this family in

their native inn, and we made room. We are doing unto others as we would have others do unto us. We are giving and are finding ourselves rewarded, our cup packed down and overflowing with the generosity of a family whose cultural hallmark is hospitality. We are expecting miracles and receiving them every day.

We are trusting God to shepherd this process and God is being abundantly faithful. ♦

Opposite page: Going to school.

Photo: Ann Sabato

◄ The Rev. Terry Hurlbut and his grandson, Max, stop by for a visit.

L-R: Wahidullah, Terry, Faridullah, Suliman, Max, and Matodullah.

Photo: Lainey Hurlbut

▼ Left: Practicing alphabet.

Middle: At the playground.

Right: First snowman.

Photos: Ann Sabato

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The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church What is General Convention?

“General Convention is both the church’s primary governing body and its largest churchwide gathering. It typically meets in a different city every three years and is a hub for legislative activity, networking and fellowship. As a bicameral governing body, it splits its authority between the House of Bishops and House of Deputies.”

David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service

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ike many big events in 2021, The General Convention was postponed one year due to COVID-19.

The rescheduled gathering will be held in Baltimore, MD, July 7-14. All deputies of the convention must show documentation of vaccination and booster. They must also adhere to indoor masking in the Baltimore Convention Center.

In order to shorten the length of the in-person gathering, online legislative hearings began on February 17 and will continue through May. Hearings are open to the public to observe or testify: register at least two days in advance in order to receive a Zoom link. Scan the QR code to see the legislative schedule.

Here are the legislative assignments for our diocesan deputation: • Bishop Fisher: Chair, Stewardship & Socially Responsible Investing • The Rev. Tanya R. Wallace: Assistant Secretary, Ministry • Alexizendria Link: Province 1 Member, Program, Budget and Finance

The Rev. Tanya R. Wallace All Saints', South Hadley Chair, WMA Deputation Photo: Episcopal WMA

• Maggie Sweeney: Member, Dispatch of Business • The Rev. Jason Burns: Alternate* • The Rev. Eliot Moss: Unassigned* • Jason Blais: Alternate* • John Cheek: Member, Congregational & Diocesan Vitality • Meg Galbreath: Unassigned* • The Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud: Member, Agencies & Boards • Rebecca Wallace-West: Official Youth Presence**

Scan for legislative schedule

www.vbinder.net/legislative_meetings

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Rebecca Wallace-West, 17 All Saints’, South Hadley Official Youth Presence Photo: submitted

*Unassigned and alternate deputies attend committee hearings that are not covered by assignment. ** 18 young people are selected, two from each province of The Epsicopal Church. ♦

Meet the Deputies

Mr. Jason Blais Saints James & Andrew, Greenfield

Ms. Alexizendria Link St. Luke's, Worcester

The Rev. Jason Burns St. John's, Northampton

The Rev. Eliot Moss St. John's, Athol

Mr. John Cheek Grace Church, Great Barrington

The Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud Church of the Atonement, Westfield

Ms. Meg Galbreath St. Mark's, East Longmeadow

Ms. Maggie Sweeney Saints James & Andrew, Greenfield

Photos: submitted

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Around the Diocese

Good Shepherd stained-glass window, commissioned by George Hodges, the first benefactor of the church, in honor of his beloved wife Sarah Hodges.

Photo: Mimi Royston

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Meet Good Shepherd: Merger of Oxford & Auburn The Rev. Vicki Ix Managing Editor, ABUNDANT Times

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n October 31st, the bishop visited the Jesus movement in Oxford. This Visitation was special, though, as it was his first to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church – the new congregation formed from St. Thomas, Auburn and Grace Church, Oxford.

There is always a story with a new name, and Tracy Stowbridge, Co-Senior Warden, tells it with wonder:

ground. With the help of Deacon Audrey [Cronin] and Carol Uppgard, it looks like the transition house next to us is that [new] joint mission.”

Mergers are complex and feelings are of utmost importance. In the months before the decision to merge was made, Mimi Royston, then Senior Warden of Grace

Church, Oxford, wrote to acknowledge the complexity of closing a church in a pandemic: “St. Thomas had just announced that they would be closing their church in May 2020. They had a plan. Pentecost Sunday would be their last service in their church. Then COVID-19 hit. 'Incomplete

“Behind [the cross, there] were three stained glass windows, but you couldn’t see them. The naming committee toured the church for inspiration to come up with the perfect name. We looked behind the cross and saw the Shepherd [stainedglass window]. We cranked up the cross and revealed the three windows. The next Sunday people were in awe over the windows, asking if we had just put them in. We announced the [proposed] name and people understood why.”

In an earlier piece the Rev. Julia Dunbar spoke about the deeper meaning of the new name. “We believe that the true Good Shepherd led us throughout the process to where we are now.”

“When St. Thomas joined with Grace, Mimi [Royston] was their Senior Warden and I was St. Thomas’,” writes Stowbridge. “We teamed up help blend our churches. It was like The Brady Bunch.

We supported both Auburn and Oxford communities until we could find common

Co-Senior Wardens, Mimi Royston and Tracy Stowbridge.

Photo: Good Shepherd, Facebook

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Around the Diocese The new community of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.

Photo: D.J. Fisher

Grief' (a term used in Psychology Today magazine) or 'Complicated Grief' (a term used for any loss that occurred during COVID-19), stalled the rituals and grieving process for St. Thomas. I am no expert on grief but I am very sensitive to it given the losses in my personal life. I extend my condolences to all St. Thomas Parishioners and ask that they attend church at Grace, Oxford so that we can mourn with you and support you on that day for the loss of your beloved church.”

On the great day of Pentecost, the cross and font that once resided at St. Thomas were blessed for service in Oxford. The Rev. Julia Dunbar led with exquisite pastoral sensitivity as the two communities got to know each other and began to imagine a more long-term commitment.

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“I do want to talk about the joys [of the merger],” writes Mimi Royston, Co-Senior Warden. The many hands that make our work lighter! It is amazing. Our ability to outreach and do ministry activities has been rejuvenating. We have more hands than before and we are so grateful!”

The October visitation was also a Celebration of New Ministry for the Reverend Julia Dunbar who had been priest-in-charge at Oxford before the merger. “I’m grateful,” Bishop Fisher wrote, “to all who did the holy work of bringing these congregations together and welcoming all.” ♦

The Rev. Julia Dunbar Photo: submitted

The Confirmation of Ian James at Good Shepherd, Oxford, October 31, 2021.

Photo: D.J. Fisher

Young Adult Ministry Network Receives Grant The Rev. Vicki Ix Managing Editor, ABUNDANT Times

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n February 24th, The Office of Public Affairs of The Episcopal Church announced the list of young adult and campus ministries that were successful in their application for grant assistance. YAMN, the Young Adult Ministry Network, was awarded a Development Grant of $28,277.34 to further the reach of this creative, collaboration of young adults 18-40 and those who minister with them in Western Massachusetts. Eighteen grant applications were received for 20222023, and 13 were granted funds.

Will Harron, Network Organizer, created a ministry model that succeeds by “connecting campus ministries, parish young adult ministries, ministry outreach centers, and the Lawrence House Episcopal Service Corps in a cross-diocesan network, and in holding and publicizing worship events, sharing resources and job opportunities, and providing spiritual and social fellowship (diocesewma.org/young-adult-ministrynetwork-yamn).” The Network offers retreat experiences, opportunities for social gatherings and shared prayer and conversation via the Discord server.

In addition to organizing YAMN, Will is Province I Coordinator (see page 22).

“I am deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the Episcopal Church and the Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministry,” Harron stated via email. “This grant enables two years of paid staffing for our ministry as we seek to build our presence in the diocese and build community and capacity with young leaders Western Massachusetts.

Two years of funding stability is a lifeline that will help us both build out our ministry and also build up our long-term financial stability. The grant committee was excited about our model of building a diocesan community of young adults and using the tools of community organizing as a template for this work.

We hope to share the good news of our ministry, and hope also that our experience can serve as a model for the church as a whole.” ♦

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Around the Diocese

Ordinations & Appointments The Rev. Anna Woofenden to the Sacred Order of Priests October 17, 2021

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Ellen Lincout

Diocesan Evangelist November 6, 2021

nna is the founding pastor of the Garden Church and Feed and Be Fed Farm in San Pedro California, re-imagining church as an interconnected organism, worshiping, loving and serving together while transforming a plot of land into a vibrant urban farm and sanctuary. Through this process, she has become a leading voice in the food and faith movement. She is the founder and co-host of the Food and Faith Podcast, the author of This is God’s Table: Finding Church Beyond the Walls, and has written for various publications including Christian Century magazine. ♦

Mark Rogers

Acting Director, Human to Human January 1, 2022

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ith over 40 years of experience in finance, business and coaching, Mark is uniquely prepared to lead Human To Human at this critical moment. Created to support new ministries that are reaching people on the margins, Human To Human needs someone who can tell the story and invite others to share in this dynamic, Gospel-based work. Human To Human also needs someone who can help incubate new ministries, nurture and support lay and ordained leaders as they bring creative ministries to life. The Acting Director is responsible for developing and implementing a plan - in collaboration with the bishop, diocesan staff, the Human to Human Committee, and the mission directors - leading to the growth and development of the organization. ♦

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One of the highlights of the 120th Diocesan Convention was the commissioning of Ellen Lincourt as a Diocesan Evangelist.

Ellen is Senior AV Support Specialist at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She lends her digital skills to ministry at St. Michael's-onthe-Heights, Worcester and to our diocese as needed. ♦

William Harron

Province I Coordinator January 18, 2022

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he Executive Committee of Province I is excited to announce the call of Will Harron to be the Coordinator of Province I.

Will is a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst, Massachusetts and lives in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

He holds a Master in Divinity degree from the Boston University School of Theology and spent two years in the Life Together Episcopal Service Corps in Boston before serving in several parishes and campus ministries in the greater Boston area from 2014-2019. In 2020, Will started the Young Adult Ministry Network in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts and he serves on the Episcopal Church Council of Advice for Young Adult and Campus Ministry. ♦ Source: Province I

Welcome to Western Massachusetts The Rt. Rev. Martin Field St. Luke's Episcopal Church Worcester

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he people of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Worcester called The Rt. Rev. Martin Scott Field, Bishop of West Missouri (resigned), to serve as Interim Rector. His service began February 1, 2022.

Bishop Field was consecrated and installed as the 8th Bishop of West

The Rev. Timothy Crellin St. Paul's Episcopal Church Gardner

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he people of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Gardner called the Rev. Timothy E. Crellin to serve as Priestin-Charge. His service began February 1, 2022.

In the early days of Tim's ministry, he founded St. Stephen's Youth Programs. a year round academic-enrichment programs now serving more than 850

Missouri on Saturday, March 5, 2011, by then-Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, but his ministry in the Church spans over 45 years, beginning with youth ministry at age 18 while in college.

After a decade of Naval Chaplaincy, Marty served congregations in West Tennessee and Eastern Michigan. At the time of his election, he was the Rector of St. Paul’s Church, Flint, Michigan and also served as Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan. ♦

Photo: Diocese of Missouri

young people per year at six sites in Boston and Chelsea. He is also a CoFounder of B-PEACE for Jorge Task Force, a diocesan initiative addressing the issue of violence in the city through school partnerships, gun reform efforts, and youth employment. Tim is Chair of the Board of Episcopal City Mission and a Co-Founder of Diocesan Reparations Community of Practice, a group which is leading efforts to acknowledge our history and connection to wealth derived from the labor of enslaved people. ♦

The Rev. Maria "Mia" Kano St. Mark's Episcopal Church East Longmeadow

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he people of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in East Longmeadow have called the Reverend Maria "Mia" Kano to serve as Priest-in-Charge. Mia's first Sunday will be May 8th.

Mia comes to Western Massachusetts from St. Andrew's, Wellesley, where she has served as assistant rector for youth and family since July 2019. At St. Andrew's, Mia transitioned all levels of children and youth formation to refreshed pedagogical approaches, including virtual learning, creative all-ages worship, outreach ministry

integration, and Godly Play.

She also devised and trained clergy and staff on innovative livestreaming and online liturgical solutions for pandemic ministry.

Mia was formed for priesthood at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkley. where she earned the M. Div. She was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Alan Gates on January 11, 2020. In addition to Clinical Pastoral Education, Mia trained in community organizing, facilitative leadership, and prophetic social witness during her two years with Life Together, the Boston-based Episcopal Service Corps program for young adults. ♦ ABUNDANT TIMES

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The 121st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts November 5th, 2022 Photo: Unsplash @purzlbaum