Diocesan Council special meeting paves way for online Annual Convention
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.
Church Leadership
Just how easy is it to give money to your church?
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).
Juneteenth — liturgy and history
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.
Sewanee Ministry Collaborative seeks clergy participants and conveners
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.
Deadline approaches for Episcopal Church’s 2020-2021 academic year scholarships
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.
Diocesan Website Updates
One-minute read. The diocesan websites are continually updated. This short post provides details of some recent updates that have taken place.
Addendum to the Phase Two Pastoral Direction issued providing further recommendations on singing in public gatherings
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.
Music Licensing: Church Publishing and the Presiding Bishop’s Chancellor share information
Four-minute read. If your church plays music online you must have a license. Some further notes on broadcasting church music online.
Welcoming? Or Not?
Ten-minute read. Part 5 on Deepening Your Relationship with God by Worshiping with Other Faiths. Is your church welcoming?
Phase Two Pastoral Direction for Clergy and Parishes of The Episcopal Church in West Missouri
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.
Diakoneo Magazine May, 2020
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.
Music licensing: what you need to know
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.
Covid-19 emergency grant program for deacons
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.
Bishop Marty Issues New Pastoral Direction to the churches of West Missouri
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.
The Cares Act and Charitable Giving
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.
Zoom Meetings may be Impacted by Account Security Changes
One-minute read, plus linked article and video. Important. Your existing Zoom meetings may be impacted by this security update.
Online donation collection help for churches
One-minute read. If you do not have a donate button, an option to collect donations, or a way to set up recurring payments, we can help you add a button to your church website, and provide a payment link you can send out via email.
Can you and your church help the American Red Cross?
One-minute read. The Red Cross is doing everything they can to support an escalated need for blood, and blood drives are essential. There is an urgent need for healthy blood donors and an anticipated need for locations where blood drives can be held.
CEEP Network Resources – Church Fundraising & Communications
The CEEP Network and partners are working to connect and equip their network members and the church. Of particular interest are the two webinars on Church Funding and Communications featured here.
Episcopal Asset Map adds livestreaming worship option
2-minute read. You can now add information about your church’s livestreamed services to your Episcopal Asset Map entry. The information will be used to build list of livestreamed services in the Episcopal Church.
