New Spirit Update, July 1, 2021
In this issue: an Episcopal priest’s experience of the 1968 Holy Week riots, St. Matt’s Community Dinner, Reach Out Challenge, and much, much more.
Gary Allman
Gary Allman is Communications Director with The Diocese of West Missouri.
I’m here to tell the people of West Missouri what you are doing, and help you do the same within your local community.
Send me your news, details of your events, and bring me your questions. We can talk about your website, social media, livestreaming, promotions, marketing, and church administration tools too!
Contact
Office: (816) 471-6161 Ex 107.
Direct: (816) 226-4887
Links
www.diowestmo.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/diowestmo/
St. Matthew’s holds first Community Dinner since COVID shutdown
One-minute read. St. Matthew’s held their first community dinner since they stopped serving weekly meals because of COVID. Over twenty guests arrived for the opening meal.
New Spirit Update, June 17, 2021
In this issue: A summer sizzler at St. Matt’s – Ozark, a celebration of 12 years’ work at Christ Church – Springfield, LGBT+ Pride Month, Juneteenth and much, much more.
Juneteenth to become an official federal holiday
One-minute read. As federal employees are granted a paid holiday to celebrate Juneteenth, learn more about this commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Community dinners recommence at St. Matthew’s, Ozark
One-minute read. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, St. Matthew’s, Ozark are restarting their long-running community dinners on June 23 with an old-fashioned picnic.
The Fall and Rise of St. Margaret’s
Four-minute read. I saw it coming in 2014, the closing of my Home church. And here it was being dismantled in 2019. But was all what it seemed?
The Ordination of Isaac Petty to the Sacred Order of Priests
Two-minute read. On Saturday, May 29, 2021, Isaac Ross Petty was Ordained into the Sacred Order of Priests at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, Missouri. Here is a selection of the pictures taken.
The Re-Dedication and Consecration of St. James, Springfield, and three baptisms
Two-minute read. Over the past year the people of St. James have been comprehensively remodeling the sanctuary and renovating other areas of the church buildings. On May 12, 2021, Bishop Marty led the Re-Dedication of St. James, baptized two children and one infant, and celebrated the Holy Eucharist.
Episcopal Church Executive Council announces diocesan relief grants
One-minute read. In a recent press release The Episcopal Church announced that its Executive Council had approved a resolution allocation up to $40,000 to any diocese requesting assistance. The statement included suggestions for ministries and programs that dioceses could consider.
Area Confirmation Service at Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage
Two-minute read. On Saturday, April 17, Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage hosted the first Area Confirmation Service of 2021. Presenting candidates were: Grace Episcopal Church, Carthage; St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church, Noel; St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Joplin, and Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, Branson.
Four dioceses of The Episcopal Church and a Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hold a joint service to renew baptismal and ordination vows and to bless oils
Two-minute read. On Holy Tuesday, March 30, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, Missouri, hosted an interdenominational service to renew baptismal and ordination vows and to bless holy oils. Representing three dioceses of The Episcopal Church were bishops Cathleen Bascom, Bishop of Kansas; Deon Johnson, Bishop of Missouri; and Martin Field, Bishop of West Missouri. They were joined by Susan Candea, Bishop of ELCA’s Central States Synod.
Bishop Marty – Celebrating ten years in West Missouri
One-minute read. Congratulations to Bishop Marty on the tenth anniversary of his ordination and consecration as the eighth Bishop of West Missouri.
Photo and video release resources for churches to use
Two-minute read. As many churches consider a return to in-person worship with livestreaming, it’s an appropriate time to plan for how you will tell people that you may video or photograph them. You will also need to let them know that you may use their images on social media, newsletters, and promotional materials.
Church Leadership Essentials resources available online
One-minute read, two-hour video. Over One-hundred church leaders from across the diocese gathered for Church Leadership Essentials, an online event replacing our traditional in-person Bishop’s Days training for church leadership. Here is a link to the material presented, and you can also watch a recording of Saturday’s session if you wish.
New Google Business Feature
Churches may be interested in taking advantage of a new Google business profile feature called ‘attributes.’ Here’s a very brief introduction to what they are and a reminder of what a Google business profile is.
Apply now – Free Email and Microsoft 365 for up to 26 Churches
Two-minute read. We are offering a free email account, the Microsoft Office Suite, and 1 TB of online file storage to churches with limited resources. The 2020 Communications budget includes providing up to twenty-six churches with an email address based on their website address and a license for the Microsoft 365 suite of programs.
The Church Year
Four-minute read. If you are new to the Episcopal Church, and even if you are not, the changing colors of the robes the clergy wear, the names and reasons for the changing seasons can be quite mysterious. Especially confusing is the way the seasons move around the calendar seemingly at random from year to year. Well, here are some answers!
A Beginner’s Guide to The Book of Common Prayer
Six-minute read. Things I wish I’d been told when I first became an Episcopalian. The Book of Common Prayer can appear quite daunting at first. The good news is that with regular use it becomes very familiar.
Area Confirmations at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Springfield, Missouri
One-minute read. On Saturday, December 5, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Springfield hosted diocesan Area Confirmations. Churches presenting candidates: St John’s Episcopal Church, Springfield, and Christ Episcopal Church, Springfield.
Area Confirmations at St. Peter & All Saints
Two-minute read. On Saturday, November 21, St. Peter & All Saints Episcopal Church, Kansas City hosted the second of this year’s area confirmation services.
