Transitions – March 2023
One-minute read. Details of the churches in transition and the clergy transitions through to the end of March 2023.
Spotlight
Call to Action – Guns in Churches Vote in Missouri House
Six-minute read. We need urgent action TODAY urging the Emerging Issues Committee of the Missouri House of Representatives to vote ‘DO NOT PASS’ on HB 485, which will force churches to allow concealed carry in church buildings unless signage is posted at every entrance banning guns.
Staff Update — New Missioner for Youth Ministry announced
Three-minute read. We are delighted to announce the appointment of a new member of the Diocesan Staff in the role of Missioner for Youth Ministry.
Letter from Bishop Bruce on legislative initiatives targeting transgender individuals and their families
Bishop Diane writes, “In The Episcopal Church, we vow in our Baptismal Covenant to ‘respect the dignity of every human being,’ and to ‘seek and serve Christ in all persons.'” and reiterates The Episcopal Church’s support for transgender individuals and their families.
Meet Transitional Deacon Ryan Zavacky
Three-minute read. Ryan Zavacky is the third of our latest transitional deacons ordained in January this year. Find out more about his path to ministry, faith journey, and how deacon Ryan is serving the Church.
Be SMART gun safety presentation at St. Mary’s Kansas City
One-minute read. Lenette Johnson and Tara Bennett from the Committee for Peace and Justice presented the Be SMART gun safety program at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, on Sunday March 5.
Evangelism can be green
Two-minute read. The people of St Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Belton participated for the first time in the Martin City St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 12.
Missouri Episcopalians join forces with Moms Demand Action for an Advocacy Day at the Missouri state capitol
Three-minute read. On March 7, over 30 Episcopalians across Missouri joined forces with hundreds of volunteers from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America for an Advocacy Day at our state capitol.
Transitions within the Diocese
One-minute read. Following the resignation of Diocesan Secretary Curtis Hamilton, Bishop Diane sends this brief note on personnel changes for the roles of the Diocesan Secretary and Intake Officer.
Transitions – February 2023
One-minute read. Details of the churches in transition and the clergy transitions through to the end of February 2023.
Be SMART: Addressing Firearm Death in Children through Telling Your Peers to Be SMART
Three-minute read. The fifth and final step in the Be SMART program is “T” Tell Your Peers to Be SMART.
Black History Month. Michael B. Curry
Five-minute video. Watch the fourth and final video in the 2023 series recognizing key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. Michael Curry is the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the first African American to hold the position. As Presiding Bishop, Curry has been a prominent voice on social justice issues, and has advocated for marriage equality and immigration reform.
Black History Month. Harry T. Burleigh
Five-minute video. This is the third in the 2023 series of videos recognizing key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. Henry Thacker (Harry) Burleigh (December 2, 1866 – September 12, 1949) is a renowned American composer, baritone singer and was a life-long Episcopalian. He is known for his arrangements of the spirituals of enslaved African Americans, which he collected and transcribed during his travels throughout the South. his music has had a lasting impact on African American music.
Black History Month. Colin Powell
Seven-minute video. This is the second in the 2023 series of videos recognizing key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. Colin Powell (April 5, 1937 – October 18, 2021), was a lifelong Episcopalian and an esteemed public servant who has had a lasting impact on global affairs.
Recording & Photographs – Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration
Three-minute read, 110-minute video. Photographs and video of the 2023 celebration of the Blessed Absalom Jones held at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City. This year’s celebration included guest preacher the Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, and St. Augustine’s liturgical dancers.
Supporting partners in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria after the February 2023 earthquake
Two-minute read. Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with Action by Churches Together (ACT Alliance) to provide emergency relief to people affected by the 7.8- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria.
Be SMART: Recognize the role of guns in suicide
Two-minute read. The fourth step in the Be SMART program is “R” Recognize the Role of Guns in Suicide. Firearm suicide is uniquely lethal — 90 percent of suicide attempts using a gun end in death and half of suicides in the US are gun suicides.
Meet Brittany Sparrow Savage and Ryan Williams, two of our new transitional deacons
Five-minute read. Brittany Sparrow Savage and Ryan Williams are two of our newest transitional deacons, ordained in January this year. Read on to learn more about their unique paths to ministry, their faith journeys, and the roles they now serve in the Church.
Black History Month. Pauli Murray
Seven-minute video. This is the first in the 2023 series of videos remembering key African American figures in the Episcopal Church and beyond. Pauli Murray (November 20, 1910 – July 1, 1985), She was an architect of the civil-rights struggle — and the women’s movement. Why haven’t we heard of her?
West Missouri on the move
Three-minute read. It’s all well and good to discern vision and mission statements. What matters is where we go with them. The diocese’s two primary leadership bodies, the Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee, met February 3 – 4 to take those next steps.
