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.
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Annual Fund Bulletin Insert
A reproducible bulletin insert to help congregational leadership share information about the Diocesan Annual Fund as a giving opportunity.
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Bishop’s Visit Guide for Children
A fun guide for children, for use with bishops’ visitations in congregations.
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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.
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Compensation & Benefits Resources for Parishes
Guidelines provided by the committee on compensating clergy.
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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.
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Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Massachusetts
The canons (church laws) under which the Diocese of Massachusetts operates.
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Convention Actions & Resolutions
Epiphany Series
This five-part Epiphany study is for individual and group use in preparation for the diocesan Spring Learning Event in March.
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.
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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.
Flu Precautions
Nov. 4, 2009, notes in English and Spanish from the Diocesan Council and bishops regarding precautions during flu season.
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FYI

FYI is a monthly bulletin of news and announcements published the first Wednesday of the month for clergy and parish and diocesan leaders.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Letters of Agreement
These are agreements binding a parish and its clergy.
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).
Model Bylaws for Parishes
Sample parish by-laws which parishes may use to set up their own by-laws.
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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.
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The Congregational Coaches Program
This document provides more information about this program for parishes.
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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
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