Languages, cultures, colors, rhythms, histories, dances, traditions, music, races...all are made manifest in our cities. We commit ourselves as a diocese to develop the human, financial and programmatic resources necessary to bear Christ’s life and witness in urban centers so that we all might be transformed in the body of Christ.
Episcopal City Mission
The Episcopal City Mission (ECM), an affiliated organization of the Diocese, works for social and economic justice in Massachusetts with particular emphasis on the urban poor. Using a theological context, ECM explores issues such as housing, community economic development, youth and education, and criminal justice in a theological context and realizes its mission through grant-making, socially responsible investment, and advocacy.
For more information about the Episcopal City Mission please visit the ECM web site.
One of the best ways to show you care is to talk with your legislators and to speak with your vote. Find out who your legislators are.
Urban Residents Program
The Urban Residents Program of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts deploys newly ordained clergy in congregations committed to vital ministry and mission in the city.
The program seeks to address two urgent needs:
- The need to infuse creative energy and leadership into our city parishes
- Urban Residents will help to stimulate growth and missional vitality in urban congregations, working closely with the clergy and lay leadership in order to maximize opportunities for invitation, formation, outreach and service.
- The need to equip clergy to face the challenges and complexities of urban ministry.
- The Urban Residents Program will develop more resourceful, inventive and faithful leaders for the church. We believe clergy formed in the crucible of our multicultural, socio-economically diverse, continuously evolving cities will be well prepared to lead a changing church.
Diocesan Urban Mission Strategy
What does it take to Invite, Form, Send and Serve in urban centers?
- Hire an urban missioner who will serve as a senior-level advocate, resource and facilitator for urban congregational development
- Equip urban congregations to engage in mutual relationships with representatives of the global community who now live in their midst
- Create a $15-million fund to support mission-specific capital expenses so to create 21st-century centers for mission and ministry from 19th-century urban churches
- Recruit and train lay and ordained leaders for urban congregations, including sending clergy assistants to ten congregations
- Plant eight new congregations of Latinos, the unchurched, new immigrants, seekers and young adults
- Identify creative ministry models and pursue possibilities for implementation
- Work together to address issues of social and economic justice that disproportionately effect urban centers in the church, as well as the world
- Develop an urban training center for encounter, enrichment, education and engagement that employs and enhances the gifts of lay and clergy leaders for transformative ministry
- Establish meaningful, mutual partnerships among congregations and/or community organizations that respect the presence, voice and power of all partners.