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Bishop's Annual Appeal
Dear Beloved Friends in the Diocese of Massachusetts,
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is affectionately known as Good Shepherd Sunday, and this year, our Gospel for that day reminds us that Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” That is what shepherds do - they guide, support, and walk alongside their flock so that God’s people may live abundant lives.
As bishop, I am reminded of my call to serve as shepherd every time I carry the crozier and walk among you in your congregations. Through your faithful witness and ministries, you remind me again and again of the power of our faith in Christ to transform our lives and the communities in which we live.
During this Easter season, I invite you to support the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, which this year highlights key ways we support shepherds, lay and ordained alike, who are strengthening congregational vitality throughout our diocese.
Your generosity helps strengthen congregations and ministries across our diocese. For example, diocesan support is helping to nurture collaborative Latino ministry between Trinity/Trinidad in Haverhill and St. Anne’s/Sta. Ana in Lowell, strengthening bilingual worship and outreach in their communities. Through the work of our regional canons, we are offering innovative resources for congregations to discern pathways to vitality. Congregations such as St. John’s in Sandwich are growing through tools like Invite, Welcome, Connect. Diverse clergy mutual support groups are serving a wide variety of communities. All of these ministries bind us together as one church, as the collective body of Christ.
Lay leaders are also essential shepherds in the life of our diocese. Through initiatives such as the Finance Forums and new wardens’ gatherings, we are equipping parish leaders with tools, resources, and connections that strengthen the ministries of local congregations. We are creating a new lay preaching certification program that will help support the development of prophetic voices among our laity.
And perhaps most important of all - our newest shepherds. One of the great strengths of our diocese is that we continue to raise up talented people for ordained ministry - we have 39 people in the ordination process! Yet fewer congregations are able to support clergy in the early years of ministry. Through the Strategic Curacies Initiative, we are investing in the formation of newly ordained priests so that they can grow into wise and faithful leaders for Christ’s Church.
In this season of resurrection and renewal, I ask: will you support the growth of our shared ministry by donating to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal? Your Easter gift will help ensure the Church continues to raise up faithful shepherds and vibrant congregations for generations to come. Together we are already doing important work - and with your help we can do even more to nurture leaders and care for Christ’s flock.
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth
Click on the green "Donate Now" button above to make a gift.
Bishop's Annual Appeal resource materials:
Support the Immigrant Legal Emergency Fund
Across the diocese, immigrants are experiencing their presence in this country being questioned and threatened. Growing numbers are struggling to get critical legal services as well as meet basic needs, such as rent and food, which are especially difficult to secure when it is frightening to pursue employment or assistance.
To help clergy quickly respond to these urgent needs, our diocese has established the Immigrant Legal Emergency Fund to support immigrant families with costs related to:
- Immigration status applications.
- Emergency legal representation.
- Other immediate expenses necessary for families affected by legal emergencies.
Clergy will be able to request funds from the diocese, and funds for approved requests will be rapidly transferred to the congregation’s discretionary fund for dissemination to those in need.
The Immigrant Legal Emergency Fund is being seeded with a gift from the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund and further contributions will be doubly matched.
“As followers of Jesus, we are called to advocate for justice and mercy in the face of discriminatory policies,” says Bishop Julia Whitworth. “This fund is urgently needed by immigrants—in many cases serving as a lifeline. I hope you will consider making a gift today.”
To make a direct gift with a credit or debit card, please, click the "donate now" button above.
If you are interested in contributing a stock gift, please contact Tom Hamel at thamel@diomass.org.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact the Rev. Brian Raiche, Development Consultant, at braiche@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 515.