Church leaders — Four things you should know
One-minute read. A list of four resources to help church leaders in West Missouri.
Church Leadership
Diocesan Prayer Cycle images are now available to churches in advance
One-minute read. Images of the prayer cycle text are now available in advance for churches to download and share.
Taskforce announces training updates to Safe Church curriculum
Two-minute read. Three new courses related to safe church policies within The Episcopal Church will be released July 14, with webinars planned soon to help dioceses transition to a new learning platform. All new courses will be launched to create a new program called Safe Church, Safe Communities.
Note: the following information is presented in English and Spanish
Aviso: La siguiente información se presenta en inglés y en español
Approved Diocesan Council minutes for October 2020, December 2020, and April 2021 available to read online
20-minute read. The approved Diocesan Council minutes for the meetings held in October 2020, December 2020, and April 2021 have been published.
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.
Short survey
To aid in future planning, we’re asking one leader from each church to please take this short, 2-question survey to let us know what day of the month your Vestry or Bishop’s Committee regularly meets.
Website updates
One-minute read. Details of some administrative updates to the diocesan websites.
Pandemic prompts stewardship innovation, offers lasting lessons for church giving, panel says
Five-minute read. The suspension of in-person worship services early in the pandemic made the traditional passing of the offertory plate impossible, churches, they should commit to maintaining the spirit of innovation in church stewardship, especially with digital tools, according to the clergy and lay leaders who participated in a recent panel discussion hosted by the CEEP Network.
Explore Scripture: Deepen Faith through Education for Ministry in West Missouri
Three-minute read. People need the kind of theological education which supports their faith and which also trains them to express that faith in day-to-day events. “This is a class I wish I had ‘discovered’ at a much earlier time in my life. It is rewarding beyond anything I ever thought it would be.”
Evangelism Matters Conference sessions are now available for anyone to view
One-minute read. We hope that those who participated felt inspired, encouraged, and challenged, and are now ready to proclaim the Good News of Christ through word and example! Even though the conference is officially over, the learning and gathering doesn’t have to end.
132nd Annual Convention of The Diocese of West Missouri,November 5-6, 2021
We are busy planning this year’s Annual Convention, and we would like to know how people would prefer to attend. We emailed all clergy and delegates with a link to a short survey. Unfortunately, a large number of churches are still to provide their slates of delegates, so we ask that you share this post with any delegates that we may not have been able to reach via email. Thank you.
Children and Family Ministry Gathering
One-Minute read. Join a growing number of churches within our diocese that offer active ministries for children and families to get acquainted!
Episcopal Church Task Force Develops New Training for Safe Church, Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies
One-minute read. A task force created to develop materials for The Episcopal Church related to anti-sexual harassment and safe church policies announces the upcoming launch of nine new training modules.
Website Updates
One-minute read. Details of some administrative updates to the diocesan websites.
Diakoneo Magazine May, 2021
Eight-minute read. The latest issue of Diakoneo, the magazine for deacons is available to read online.
Worship Leader training workshop opportunity
One-minute read. Bexley-Seabury seminary has developed a course for Worship Leaders. The course is entirely online with videos and reading materials and 8 live sessions using Zoom. If this is something of interest, we commend it to you.
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.
Hybrid Church – A Way Forward for Church Leaders
Two-minute read. One of the unfortunate realities of pandemic ministry is that church leaders have, by necessity, spent too much time scrambling and not enough time reflecting. That certainly describes my own experience as a parish priest who literally had to turn a brick and mortar institution into a virtual one overnight.
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.
