Spotlight
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Meet the Access for All God’s Children Team
Eight-minute read. Seen and unseen. All manner of human disability is present in our communities. For those living with disabilities, barriers are everywhere. This Fall Bishop Bruce convened a group of persons living with disabilities to address the need we all have for making our churches accessible and accommodating. Our work is to assist the church in doing just that.
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Be SMART: Addressing shootings by children through asking about unsecured guns in other homes
Three-minute read. The third step “A” Ask About Unsecured Guns in Other Homes. There are approximately 4.6 million US children living in a household with at least one loaded, unlocked gun. That’s why you need to Ask about firearms in other homes your child visits.
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Transitions – January 2023
One-minute read. Details of the churches in transition and the clergy transitions through to the end of January 2022.
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Registration open for 2023 Episcopal Youth Event delegations
Two-minute read. The Episcopal Church Youth Ministries Office announces open registration for delegations of young people and chaperones planning to attend the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) July 4-8 at the University of Maryland in College Park.
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Recording & Photographs – A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Three-minute read, 105-minute video. On Saturday, January 14, the diocese held its first annual service in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City. The recording of the service includes a 1967 interview with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made 11 months before he was assassinated, and an extract from a sermon he delivered at the Washington National Cathedral.
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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, February 2, 2023
In this issue: A pastoral message from the Presiding Bishop, a message from the Presiding Bishop nominating Committee, Meet the Access for All God’s Children Team, and loads more. In fact, there’s so much you’ll need to browse through to make sure you haven’t missed anything. There’s news, feature articles, lots of announcements, events, plus messages for clergy and church administrators.
Upcoming Events
Spring 2023 Diversity Workshop: Undoing Racism
Kurt Knecht and Forrest Pierce in Dialogue
Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration
Visit the Events home page.
Don’t Miss out — Sign up!
Sign up now to receive the New Spirit Update in your inbox twice a month.
For information about General Convention (July 8 -11, 2022), visit the Diocesan General Convention webpage.
West Missouri News
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Job Opening – Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City
St. Andrew’s in Kansas City are looking for a part-time Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator.
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Letter from Bishop Bruce on Canon requirements for clergy over 72 and still in active ministry
On January 18, 2023, Bishop Diane wrote a letter to clergy to ensure The Diocese of West Missouri continues following the Constitution and Canons regarding clergy over 72.
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Meet the Access for All God’s Children Team
Eight-minute read. Seen and unseen. All manner of human disability is present in our communities. For those living with disabilities, barriers are everywhere. This Fall Bishop Bruce convened a group of persons living with disabilities to address the need we all have for making our churches accessible and accommodating. Our work is to assist the church in doing just that.
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Be SMART: Addressing shootings by children through asking about unsecured guns in other homes
Three-minute read. The third step “A” Ask About Unsecured Guns in Other Homes. There are approximately 4.6 million US children living in a household with at least one loaded, unlocked gun. That’s why you need to Ask about firearms in other homes your child visits.
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Transitions – January 2023
One-minute read. Details of the churches in transition and the clergy transitions through to the end of January 2022.
For all the news from the churches of the diocese click or tap here. For all the diocesan news click or tap here.
Español
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Una palabra pastoral del obispo primado Michael Curry sobre La muerte de Tyre Nichols
Four-minute read. No se le puede encontrar sentido al asesinato de un joven a manos de cinco hombres cuya vocación y llamado es proteger y servir. Esto fue una acción malvada y sin sentido. — obispo primado Michael Curry
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Las Meditaciones Cuaresmales de Episcopal Relief & Development – la Agencia Episcopal de Alivio y Desarrollo preguntan: “¿Quién es mi prójimo?”
Three-minute read. La Agencia Episcopal de Alivio y Desarrollo invita a los episcopales y a las personas de todos los credos a reflexionar sobre la pregunta “¿Quién es mi prójimo?” esta Cuaresma a través de las Meditaciones Cuaresmales de 2023.
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Se abre el periodo para enviar el informe parroquial de 2022 en línea. El plazo queda abierto hasta el 1 de marzo
Two-minute read. A partir de este momento queda oficialmente abierto el periodo para enviar en línea el Informe Parroquial 2022. El plazo está abierto para todas las congregaciones de la Iglesia Episcopal. Los informes deben presentarse antes del 1 de marzo.
Ver todos los artículos disponibles en español aquí
The Episcopal Church
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Episcopal Church Lent resources – available online
One-minute read. The Episcopal Church has provided new and updated Lenten resources for individuals, small groups, and congregations.
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Una palabra pastoral del obispo primado Michael Curry sobre La muerte de Tyre Nichols
Four-minute read. No se le puede encontrar sentido al asesinato de un joven a manos de cinco hombres cuya vocación y llamado es proteger y servir. Esto fue una acción malvada y sin sentido. — obispo primado Michael Curry
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A pastoral word from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the death of Tyre Nichols
Four-minute read. Sense cannot be made of the murder of a young man at the hands of five men whose vocation and calling are to protect and serve. This was evil and senseless — Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
For more news from The Episcopal Church – click or tap here
The World-Wide Church
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Las Meditaciones Cuaresmales de Episcopal Relief & Development – la Agencia Episcopal de Alivio y Desarrollo preguntan: “¿Quién es mi prójimo?”
Three-minute read. La Agencia Episcopal de Alivio y Desarrollo invita a los episcopales y a las personas de todos los credos a reflexionar sobre la pregunta “¿Quién es mi prójimo?” esta Cuaresma a través de las Meditaciones Cuaresmales de 2023.
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Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten Meditations ask, “Who is my neighbor?”
Three-minute read. Episcopal Relief & Development invites Episcopalians and people of all faith backgrounds to reflect on the question “Who is My Neighbor?” this Lent through the 2023 Lenten Meditations.
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January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month; Support #WearBlueDay
Every year, the President proclaims January as a month dedicated to the awareness and prevention of human trafficking. Read this bulletin for details of the National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and #WearBlueDay
For all the Church-wide news, click here.
Announcements
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Job Opening – Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City
St. Andrew’s in Kansas City are looking for a part-time Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator.
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From Church Publishing: A complete digital Book of Common Prayer
One-minute read. Did you know that there is now a Book of Common Prayer smartphone app? The eCP app from Church Publishing is a complete, digital Book of Common Prayer. Ideal for personal devotion and liturgical use.
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Transitions – January 2023
One-minute read. Details of the churches in transition and the clergy transitions through to the end of January 2022.
You can see all the announcements on our Announcements Page.
Feature Articles
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Lenten book discussion and reflection guide
One-minute read. This reading guide was developed to be used weekly during the five weeks of Lent in-between, Ash Wednesday and Holy Week.
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Be SMART: Addressing shootings by children through asking about unsecured guns in other homes
Three-minute read. The third step “A” Ask About Unsecured Guns in Other Homes. There are approximately 4.6 million US children living in a household with at least one loaded, unlocked gun. That’s why you need to Ask about firearms in other homes your child visits.
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Lenten Resources for Church and Home
One-Minute read. Encourage a meaningful Lenten experience at home and in the congregation by using highly recommended and easy to use resources that stir our souls to….
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Chalking the Door: A New Year House Blessing
Three-Minute read. Start 2023 by Chalking the Door as a way to celebrate and physically mark God’s blessing on our lives and home throughout the year.
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Lift Every Voice and Sing: more than a mere hymn
Five-minute read. Many of the hymns in the Hymnal 1982 have very interesting histories. However, hymn 599 stands out as one that embodies the history of African American people.
Want some in-depth information? See all the online featured articles listed here.
Church Leadership
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Letter from Bishop Bruce on Canon requirements for clergy over 72 and still in active ministry
On January 18, 2023, Bishop Diane wrote a letter to clergy to ensure The Diocese of West Missouri continues following the Constitution and Canons regarding clergy over 72.
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Episcopal Church Lent resources – available online
One-minute read. The Episcopal Church has provided new and updated Lenten resources for individuals, small groups, and congregations.
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Episcopal Relief & Development’s Lenten Meditations ask, “Who is my neighbor?”
Three-minute read. Episcopal Relief & Development invites Episcopalians and people of all faith backgrounds to reflect on the question “Who is My Neighbor?” this Lent through the 2023 Lenten Meditations.
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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Las becas para los Ministerios de jóvenes adultos y universitarios ya están disponibles
Two-minute read. Se invita a los episcopales a analizar la forma en que su comunidad podría atender a los jóvenes adultos -dentro y fuera de los campus universitarios- y a solicitar una beca (subvención) de la Iglesia Episcopal para el Ministerio de Jóvenes Adultos y Universitarios para el año académico 2023-24.
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Episcopal Church Young Adult and Campus Ministry grants now available
Two-minute read. Episcopalians are invited to consider how their community might serve young adults — on and off college campuses — and apply for an Episcopal Church Young Adult and Campus Ministry grant for the 2023-24 academic year.
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Episcopal Church Women are accepting scholarship applications through Friday, September 30, 2022
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
- The Constitution and Canons have been updated.
- The following changes have been made to the Documents Page.
- The Clerical Directory has been updated. All entries are up to date as of 11-11-2022.
- The federal mileage rate has been revised to $0.655 per mile for qualifying mileage claims on trips taken after January 1, 2023. A new claim form is available.
- The Diocesan Audit Report for 2021 is available to read and download in PDF format.