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A Guide for Parishes in Transition

A guide to help parishes through the stressful process of transitioning from a previous clergy person to a new one.

Attachment
File A guide for parishes in transition.pdf

Annual Fund Bulletin Insert

A reproducible bulletin insert to help congregational leadership share information about the Diocesan Annual Fund as a giving opportunity.

Attachment
File Annual Fund Bulletin Insert.pdf

Bishop’s Visit Guide for Children

A fun guide for children, for use with bishops’ visitations in congregations.

Attachment
File Bishop Visit Guide for Children.pdf

Clergy Sabbatical Program

Jesus took himself apart often in his ministry, to pray, to be with God, to be renewed.  The Clergy Sabbatical Program sponsored by the bishops seeks to ensure that clergy in the Diocese of Massachusetts have an opportunity for a time of sabbath, for a renewal of spirit and a reaffirmation of life with God.  A sabbatical can offer opportunities for creativity and discovery for both the clergyperson and the congregation.

All clergy canonically resident in the Diocese of Massachusetts who have been in active, ordained ministry for a minimum of 10 years and in their current parish for a minimum of five years are eligible to apply.  Clergy who are interested in engaging in a process of communal/collegial discernment whose parish is also willing to engage in such a process but who are not able to fund fully a sabbatical together are invited to apply. Please refer to sabbatical material for specific information.

The application document is attached.  For current deadlines and contact information visit the Clergy Sabbatical Program page.

Attachment
File Clergy Sabbatical Application for 2012-2013

Congregational Business Consultants Guides & Policies

These documents have been created by the Congregational Business Consultants of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts to assist parishes with their financial management.

Attachment
File Congregational Business Consultants Brochure.pdf
File Congregational Business Consultants Financial Policies & Procedures.pdf

Episcopal Oversight 2011-2012

An outline of key aspects of diocesan ministries and operations and how responsibility for their oversight will be assigned for 2011-2012.

Attachment
File Bishops' Oversight 2011-2012

Episcopal Times



The Episcopal Times is the award-winning seasonal publication of the Diocese of Massachusetts.  It is currently on hiatus while we reconfigure our strategy for distribution of news and information.    Past issues are available as PDFs below. Please direct mailing list inquiries to tjs [at] diomass [dot] org.

Attachment
File 2008-09 Winter
File 2008 Spring-Summer
File 2007-08 Winter
File 2007 Summer
File 2007 Verano (Articulo en espanol sobre la Iglesia de Gracia en Salem)
File 2006-07 Fall-Winter
File 2006 Winter-Spring
File 2006 Summer
File 2005 Fall
File 2005 Summer
File 2005 Winter
File 2004 Fall

Flu Precautions

Nov. 4, 2009, notes in English and Spanish from the Diocesan Council and bishops regarding precautions during flu season.

Attachment
File Notes from our Bishops and Diocesan Council on worship and workplace precautions
File Notas de nuestros Obispos y el Concejo Diocesano sobre precauciones

FYI

 

FYI is a monthly bulletin of news and announcements published the first Wednesday of the month for clergy and parish and diocesan leaders.

Attachment
File February 2012
File January 2012
File December 2011
File November 2011
File October 2011
File September 2011
File August 2011
File July 2011
File June 2011
File May 2011
File April 2011
File March 2011
File February 2011
File January 2011

Guide to Acquisition, Sale & Encumbrance of Church Real Estate

This guide provides guidance, instructions and checklists related to the process for obtaining diocesan approval from the bishop and Standing Committee for transactions involving church real estate, such as purchases and sales of rectories and consecrated grounds, significant leases and loans secured by a lien on church property.

Attachment
File Guide to Acquisition Sale & Encumbrance of Church Real Estate.pdf

Guidelines for the use of proceeds from sale of diocesan-owned property

These guidelines for the allocation of proceeds from the sale of diocesan-owned property and closed churches were updated and approved by the Diocesan Council in March 2010.

Attachment
File Use of Proceeds Guidelines.pdf

Jubilee - AIDS in Africa Info

These documents provide information about the Jubilee Ministry, which provides support to the nations of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in their fight against AIDS.

Attachment
File Serving the Body of Christ

Liturgy & Music Resources

The diocesan Liturgy and Music Committee serves as a council of advice to the bishops in matters related to liturgy and music, including responding to requests for use of liturgical material outside The Book of Common Prayer; plans diocesan liturgies; sponsors occasional workshops to aid in awareness of newer liturgies, music and liturgical practices; and brings about such awareness in other ways.

Online resources are posted primarily on the committee's Web site, www.diomasslitmus.org.  This site includes material generated by the committee, plus links to other resources.

Contact persons for the committee are :
  • The Rev. Kim Hardy, co-chair    <kimhardy138 [at] comast [dot] net>
  • The Rev. Joseph O. Robinson, co-chair  <jor [at] cccambridge [dot] org>
  • May B. Daw, secretary  <mbdaw [at] earthlink [dot] net>

Resources for the trial observance Andronicus and Junia on May 17 may be accessed here (as well as at www.diomasslitmus.org).

 

Attachment
File Resources for Planning Liturgies March 2011.pdf
File A Proper for the Feast of Andronicus and Junia
File El propio para La Fiesta de San Andrónico y Santa Junia, Apóstoles
File Andronicus and Junia Leaflet

Model Bylaws for Parishes

Sample parish by-laws which parishes may use to set up their own by-laws.

Attachment
File Model bylaws (Word format)

Peace Resources

Nonviolence is a spiritual discipline, a moral framework, a way of life and a strategy for change.  Members of the diocese have formed a Nonviolence Community of Practice and gather to learn together how to live out the practice of nonviolence in their lives and share that passion with others.  Anyone interested in being part of the Nonviolence Community of Practice is welcome, and for more information may contact Jane Cutting at jecutting1115 [at] yahoo [dot] com or the Rev. Beulah Koulouris at bkoulouris [at] comcast [dot] net

Attachment
File International Peace Day Bulletin

The Congregational Coaches Program

This document provides more information about this program for parishes.

Attachment
File The Congregational Coaches Program

Transition Ministry Newsletter info sheet

A form for parishes to fill out to update the transition ministry office about the status of their search.

Vitality, Viability and Mutuality

A set of recommendations to the bishops and the Diocesan Council for how parishes can develop and grow.

  • Vitality: a lively and active participation in mission
  • Viability: stable and strong development and administration of finances and property
  • Mutuality: the emphasis on the interdependence of the Diocese and its parishes
Attachment
File Vitality