One-minute read. When the current diocesan website was first built over six years ago it had a couple of dozen pages or so. Now it has grown to over 270. With all that growth, the content has become more difficult to find and increasingly difficult to manage and update. This summer we have started work on moving all the administrative content to office.diowestmo.org.
One-minute read. Area confirmations are going to be looking a bit different this year. How different? We are still working that out… Four Area Confirmation services planned between now and early December.
One-minute Read. We have recently received a few inquiries from people and churches seeking information and resources for lessons and bulletins for their churches. As it has been a while since we discussed the resources available for congregations and groups, here’s a quick summary.
Eight-minute read. The latest issue of Diakoneo, the magazine for deacons is available to read online. In this issue: Deacons respond to COVID-19, a brave space for racial healing, who were the deaconesses?
One-minute read. With the increasing likelihood of an online diocesan Annual Convention this year, thought has turned to the legal preparations required to enable online voting.
Four-minute read. Friction. It’s a marketing term used to describe all the little things we do (or don’t do) that make it harder for someone to buy a product, or in the case of our churches and ministries, make a donation. Let’s face it, if it’s too hard, it isn’t going to happen. So what are you going to do about it? Oh, and a minor rant (or two).
Two-minute read. In 2015, the 126th Diocesan Convention passed a resolution regarding the response of the Episcopal churches in West Missouri to the ongoing sin of Racism. One of the provisions was the use the service closest to “Juneteenth” as an opportunity to remind ourselves of the constant vigilance needed to address racism.
Two-minute read. The Sewanee Ministry Collaborative is seeking clergy applicants as participants and conveners. The Collaborative is a mutual mentoring program designed to help clergy flourish in their chosen ministries.
One-minute read. The deadline approaches for educational scholarships from The Episcopal Church for the 2020-2021 academic year. A scholarship applicant must be an Episcopalian and must have the endorsement of his/her bishop.
One-minute read. The diocesan websites are continually updated. This short post provides details of some recent updates that have taken place.
One-minute read. On Wednesday, May 13, Bishop Marty issued an addendum to the Phase Two Pastoral Direction to clergy and lay church leaders. The addendum updated his earlier recommendation regarding singing.
Four-minute read. If your church plays music online you must have a license. Some further notes on broadcasting church music online.
Ten-minute read. Part 5 on Deepening Your Relationship with God by Worshiping with Other Faiths. Is your church welcoming?
Two-minute read. On Monday, May 4, 2020, Bishop Marty issued a new Pastoral Direction to the clergy and lay leaders of the churches of West Missouri.
Eight-minute read The latest issue of Diakoneo, the magazine for deacons is available to read online. In this issue: the work of a prison chaplain, a new deacon looks back, and forward, and a deacon at Standing Rock.
Four-minute read. If you are recording or livestreaming music for use in your services, you need to read this article on music licensing. Please note if you are making hymns and music available online in pdf or any other format you’ll need a license for that too.
One-minute read. The Fund for the Diaconate of the Episcopal Church has created a special Emergency Grant Program, to aid deacons affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Deacons in good standing in The Episcopal Church, who have been laid off, furloughed, or otherwise had their employment hours cut back or eliminated, are eligible to apply.
One-minute read. This Pastoral Direction is published in the interest of public health and supersedes all earlier pastoral directions. All congregations and parishes should abide by this Pastoral Direction for the foreseeable future. It will be lifted as soon as possible.
One-minute read. The Episcopal Churches of West Missouri rely on generous donors to support their missions and ministries. Stewardship can be deeply spiritual, rooted in a desire to reorient our lives towards God, but it also has a practical side. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, includes several provisions that may affect charitable giving this year.
One-minute read, plus linked article and video. Important. Your existing Zoom meetings may be impacted by this security update.
