Spotlight
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Farewell from Bishop Marty
Five-minute read. Bishop Marty reviews his Episcopacy in West Missouri.
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In Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrate West Missouri’s Hispanic Ministry
Two-minute read. Hispanic Heritage Month has just begun and here in West Missouri there are ministry milestones to celebrate!
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Celebrating their first Holy Eucharist since the pandemic, St. Philip’s, Trenton held a ‘Thanksgiving Sunday’ and donated $1,380
One-minute read. To celebrate St. Philip’s first Holy Eucharist service since the pandemic began, the congregation designated it as a “Thanksgiving Sunday” and doubled donations to the Trenton Good Samaritan Fund.
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Episcopal Relief & Development Partners with Episcopal Dioceses to Provide Emergency Assistance After Hurricane Ida
Three-minute read. Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Episcopal dioceses of Louisiana and Western Louisiana to provide aid such as temporary housing, food, gas money and other emergency supplies to communities in storm-damaged areas and to people who have evacuated their homes due to the flooding and power outages.
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Looking back at the career of the Rev. Canon Edward L. Warner former rector of St. Augustine’s, Kansas City
Seven-minute read. Brett D. Kynard of St. Augustine’ reviews the life of his friend and mentor, the Rev. Canon Edward L. Warner, a former rector of St. Augustine’s, now resident in Atlanta, Georgia.
News
In Brief
Don’t miss the twice-monthly New Spirit Update of all the news, events, information, and ideas from the Episcopal Churches in West Missouri.
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New Spirit Update, September 16, 2021
In this issue: A farewell from Bishop Marty, Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Philip’s Trenton’s fund-raising efforts, and much, more!
Upcoming Events
Visit the Events home page.
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West Missouri News
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Farewell from Bishop Marty
Five-minute read. Bishop Marty reviews his Episcopacy in West Missouri.
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Diversity and Reconciliation Commission’s fifth online series of book study sessions
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book: How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice” by Jemar Tisby. October 5 – 28 on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
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Celebrating their first Holy Eucharist since the pandemic, St. Philip’s, Trenton held a ‘Thanksgiving Sunday’ and donated $1,380
One-minute read. To celebrate St. Philip’s first Holy Eucharist service since the pandemic began, the congregation designated it as a “Thanksgiving Sunday” and doubled donations to the Trenton Good Samaritan Fund.
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Calling for volunteers!
One-minute read. The diocese is currently looking for both lay and clergy people to serve in a variety of roles. We need nominations to be elected to both the Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee. We also need nominations to serve in several other capacities.
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Is your stewardship campaign ready to go?
Three-minute read. For many of our congregations, September is the re-start of the program year, as we ramp up youth and adult education programs, return from our summer of rest, and begin to reawaken our plans for growth.
For all the news from the churches of the diocese click or tap here. For all the diocesan news click or tap here.
Youth
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2019-2020 Bishop’s Ball Awards
Three-minute read. For the past 14 years youth, their families, clergy, volunteers, and others have gathered to celebrate the previous year at the Bishop’s Ball. Unfortunately, we were unable to reschedule the Bishop’s Ball this year. There was still some celebrating to do though.
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Episcopal Youth Event canceled/EYEx Planning Underway
Two-minute read. The Episcopal Church Department of Faith Formation, in collaboration with the 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20) planning team and Episcopal Church leadership, announced today that the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) will not be convened this triennium due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Note: the following information is presented in English and Spanish Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
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MissionPalooza @Home Day 5 Civic Engagement Day
Today is the 5th and final day of MissionPalooza @Home. Thank you to all that have taken time out of your week to participate. Remember the smallest acts can have the biggest impact. I hope you have had fun this week collecting items or making stuff for donations. Our theme for today is a new one for MissionPalooza, Civic Engagement. We have three focuses for today, knowing your officials, writing about a cause you believe in, and registering to vote(if you are of age).
Read about all the youth news and events – click or tap here.
The Episcopal Church
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Pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on 20th anniversary of September 11
One-minute read. While 20 years have passed, I also want us to pause and remember the days that followed these tragic events. There was a moment in the aftermath when people came together. We were praying, grieving, and also working together. Because in that moment, however fleeting it was, we knew with immediacy and vulnerability that we need God, and we need each other.
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry highlights ways to help Afghan refugees through Episcopal Migration Ministries
Four-minute video. As Episcopalians, as followers of Jesus, as people of faith, we mourn the recent loss of life in Afghanistan, the ongoing chaos and instability, and the risk that many Afghans face, in particular women and girls. Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages Americans to get vaccinated: “Do this one for the children”
Two-minute video. Join @PB_Curry by sharing your own “I Got Mine” story. Post your photo or video with the #igotmine hashtag, tag and invite your friends, and tell the world what getting the COVID-19 vaccine means to you.
Únase a @PB_Curry y comparta su propia historia “Yo ya me la puse”. Publique su foto o video con el hashtag #igotmine #yoyamelapuse, y etiquete e invite a sus amigos a hacer lo mismo, y cuéntele al mundo lo que significa para usted haberse podido poner la vacuna contra el COVID-19.
For more news from The Episcopal Church – click or tap here
The World-Wide Church
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Episcopal Relief & Development Partners with Episcopal Dioceses to Provide Emergency Assistance After Hurricane Ida
Three-minute read. Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Episcopal dioceses of Louisiana and Western Louisiana to provide aid such as temporary housing, food, gas money and other emergency supplies to communities in storm-damaged areas and to people who have evacuated their homes due to the flooding and power outages.
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Supporting Partners in Response to Hurricane Ida
Two-minute read. Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and other regional partners in the path of Hurricane Ida.
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The Cross – August 2021
One-minute read. In this issue: Planned giving opportunities. How to keep the ministry strong during the “between times.” Brotherhood ministry with veterans & restorative justice efforts. Critical “what if” news from National President, Conrad Jones. Order information from our supply list.
For all the Church-wide news, click here.
Español
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In Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrate West Missouri’s Hispanic Ministry
Two-minute read. Hispanic Heritage Month has just begun and here in West Missouri there are ministry milestones to celebrate!
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Palabra pastoral del Obispo Presidente Michael Curry en el 20º aniversario del 11 de septiembre
One-minute read. Si bien han transcurrido 20 años, quisiera hacer una pausa y recordar los días que siguieron a estos trágicos acontecimientos. Fueron tiempos de mucha unión. Rezamos, lloramos y también trabajamos juntos. Porque en esos momentos, por muy fugaces que fuesen, supimos con inmediatez y vulnerabilidad que necesitamos a Dios y que nos necesitamos unos a otros.
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry highlights ways to help Afghan refugees through Episcopal Migration Ministries
Four-minute video. As Episcopalians, as followers of Jesus, as people of faith, we mourn the recent loss of life in Afghanistan, the ongoing chaos and instability, and the risk that many Afghans face, in particular women and girls. Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry encourages Americans to get vaccinated: “Do this one for the children”
Two-minute video. Join @PB_Curry by sharing your own “I Got Mine” story. Post your photo or video with the #igotmine hashtag, tag and invite your friends, and tell the world what getting the COVID-19 vaccine means to you.
Únase a @PB_Curry y comparta su propia historia “Yo ya me la puse”. Publique su foto o video con el hashtag #igotmine #yoyamelapuse, y etiquete e invite a sus amigos a hacer lo mismo, y cuéntele al mundo lo que significa para usted haberse podido poner la vacuna contra el COVID-19. -
Video: Introduction to Bishop Bruce
Five-minute video. Bishop Bruce, the nominee for Bishop Provisional of West Missouri, has shared a brief video introduction in both English and Spanish. La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
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Candidato Obispo provisional para West Missouri anunciado por el Comité Permanente
El Comité Permanente de la Diócesis de West Missouri ha anunciado su selección de un candidato para Obispo Provisional de West Missouri. La selección formal del candidato será el tema de la primera resolución que se presentará y se votará en la convención anual diocesana de este año, que está programada para el sábado 6 de noviembre de 2021.
Ver todos los artículos disponibles en español aquí
Announcements
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Diversity and Reconciliation Commission’s fifth online series of book study sessions
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book: How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice” by Jemar Tisby. October 5 – 28 on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
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Palabra pastoral del Obispo Presidente Michael Curry en el 20º aniversario del 11 de septiembre
One-minute read. Si bien han transcurrido 20 años, quisiera hacer una pausa y recordar los días que siguieron a estos trágicos acontecimientos. Fueron tiempos de mucha unión. Rezamos, lloramos y también trabajamos juntos. Porque en esos momentos, por muy fugaces que fuesen, supimos con inmediatez y vulnerabilidad que necesitamos a Dios y que nos necesitamos unos a otros.
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Pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on 20th anniversary of September 11
One-minute read. While 20 years have passed, I also want us to pause and remember the days that followed these tragic events. There was a moment in the aftermath when people came together. We were praying, grieving, and also working together. Because in that moment, however fleeting it was, we knew with immediacy and vulnerability that we need God, and we need each other.
You can see all the announcements on our Announcements Page.
IN-DEPTH
Feature Articles
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Diversity and Reconciliation Commission’s fifth online series of book study sessions
Please join us as we resume our book study on Undoing Racism with our next book: How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice” by Jemar Tisby. October 5 – 28 on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m.
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In Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrate West Missouri’s Hispanic Ministry
Two-minute read. Hispanic Heritage Month has just begun and here in West Missouri there are ministry milestones to celebrate!
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St. Francis Day: Blessing of the Animals
Three-minute read. The Episcopal Church has long believed that animals (and all creation) are gifts from God, and that people are responsible for being good stewards of the earth and all its inhabitants. Add your voice through a Blessing of the Animals.
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Want children in church? Put them in charge
Three-Minute read. There is sound reasoning for why children should be included in every aspect of church life and it’s vital to the life of a congregation.
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God, make me a tree
One-Minute read. What can we learn from a tree?
Want some in-depth information? See all the online featured articles listed here.
Church Leadership
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Hurricane Ida bulletin insert
The following bulletin text has been supplied by Episcopal Relief & Development. Please consider including it in your electronic and printed bulletins.
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Is your stewardship campaign ready to go?
Three-minute read. For many of our congregations, September is the re-start of the program year, as we ramp up youth and adult education programs, return from our summer of rest, and begin to reawaken our plans for growth.
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Church Connect drop-in sessions, schedule changes
Starting Friday, September 3, we are changing the daily drop-in, online Church Connect schedule.
Information, news and tips picked especially for church leaders — both lay and clergy. Click or tap here to see all the articles.
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Interested in applying for a United Thank Offering grant?
When: Tuesday, September 21, at 6 p.m Where: Online (Webinar) Join us for an informational webinar on the United Thank Offering’s 2022 focus on Tuesday, September 21, at 6 p.m., with the Rev. Melanie Mullen.
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Infrastructure bill includes energy efficiency grants for houses of worship
Three-minute read. Deferred maintenance at aging sanctuaries has become an ever-increasing burden. A $50 million pilot program would award grants of up to $200,000 for energy efficiency.
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Episcopal Church Women are accepting scholarship applications through Friday, August 7, 2021
One-minute read. The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) have scholarship opportunities available to women who are at least twenty-three years of age, a member of a parish or mission in The Diocese of West Missouri and who are studying for the diaconate or priesthood.
To see all grant and scholarship-related articles, click or tap here.
Church Admin Announcements
- Adjusted the text regarding the Bishop Provisional. The term nominee is the preferred qualifier. Place holders added for text regarding photo captions, text titles, and headings.
- The prayer cycle for Pentecost has been updated. Many thanks to the people who pointed out the errors in the previous list.
- This new page provides resources to consider as you contemplate your annual giving program.
- This afternoon we noticed some unusual account activity on one of the accounts on our bulk emailing service – Constant Contact. As far as we can determine, none of the data on the system has been tampered with. However, we can not rule out that some data may have been copied.
- The diocesan style guide has been updated to include the correct way to refer to our candidate for bishop provisional, Bishop Bruce, and how to refer to the standing committee when they are acting as the ecclesiastical authority.