Photos: Diocesan Convention 2023

October 30, 2023

Bishops Carol Gallagher and Alan Gates with Archdeacons Chris Beukman and Pat Zifcak at 2023 MA Diocesan Convention

The Rev. John Beach checks in with diocesan staff members Laura Simons and David Ames.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Diocesan staff operations manager Matthew Jarrell gets set to livestream the proceedings.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Diocesan staff members the Rev. Margaret Lias, Administrator for Governance and Grants, and Jennifer Garrett, Administrator and Events Coordinator, get prepped and ready.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

The Rev. Rachel Wildman introduces Friday afternoon's program focused on the convention theme, "In Christ, Called to Collaborate."
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Diocesan staff member Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation, was among the leaders and organizers of Friday's program focused on the fruits of collaboration.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Friday panelists: (back, from left) The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers; Jane Emack-Cambra, Our Saviour, Somerset; The Rev. Joel Almono, Grace, Lawrence; The Rev. Lee Bluemel, North Parish of North Andover, UU; Laurie Labrecque, St. Paul's, Hopkinton; Jamie Shore, Emmanuel, Boston & CRECHE Emmanuel House; The Rev. Isaac Martinez , moderator; (front) Jenn Paiva, Our Saviour, Somerset; The Rev. Mary Rosendale, St. Paul's, Hopkinton & St. Stephen's, Westborough; Rebekah Rodrigues, Emmanuel, Boston & CRECHE
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Friday evening's guest speaker, the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers, Presiding Bishop's Staff Officer for Church Planting, challenged and inspired convention participants to think and talk together about collaboration in terms of being in solidarity and mutual, co-creative relationship with our neighbors. "Collaboration is a deeply spiritual practice," she said. "Spiritual transformation always involves some kind of inversion of power...and God wants that for us."
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Friday evening's keynote congregation was challenged and inspired to think and talk together about collaboration in terms of being in solidarity and mutual, co-creative relationship with neighbors.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Bishop Alan M. Gates gives his annual convention address.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

The Convention Eucharist: The Rev. Benjamin Njoku of Christ Church, Hyde Park and The Rev. Christopher Capaldo of St. Chrysostom's in Quincy
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

The Rev. Dr. Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries, at the Convention Eucharist
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Bishop Carol J. Gallagher, celebrant at Holy Eucharist
Photo: William C. Boyce

"We're marching to Zion": Archdeacons Christiaan Beukman and Pat Zifcak, with Bishop Carol Gallagher and Bishop Alan Gates, sing the closing hymn.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Diocesan Altar Guild members Louise Gant of Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan and Diane Grondin of Christ Church, Quincy
Photo: William C. Boyce

Visiting the ministry exhibits: St. Stephen's Youth Programs, Boston
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Visiting the ministry exhibits: Ugandan handcrafts from St. Peter's, Waltham
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Visiting the ministry exhibits: Education for Ministry program
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Conversation break: Jane Redmont, The Rev. Isaac Everett, The Rev. Regina Laba Walton
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Starr Anderson, Claudette Hunt, The Rev. Kit Lonergan
Photo: William C. Boyce

Racial Justice Commission co-chair the Rev. Will Mebane of St. Barnabas's Church in Falmouth presents the resolution on funding for ongoing racial justice work for the diocesan and cathedral staffs.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Katie Sugg-Martinez of St. John's Church, Westwood and Alexia Etienne of Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan share their story of ministry partnership and freindship during the Racial Justice Commission report.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Table conversations during the Racial Justice Commission's session
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Diocesan staff members Jennifer Garrett and Laura Simons help tally a close vote.
Photo: Julie Shea

The outgoing Standing Committee vice president and president, the Rev. Kate Elledge and Louise Gant, give a report on the bishop search process.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Juliet Stewart gives the Diocesan Youth Council report.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Margaret Walker shares her story during an introduction to this year's Life Together program fellows.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

The Rev. Spencer Hatcher, Executive Director of the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, brings greetings to the convention. The center celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Bishop Gates honors Chris Meyer of St. Gabriel's, Marion for his decades of volunteer service as coordinator of the Congregational Consultants.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Bishop Gates also recognized the outgoing secretary of the diocese, the Rev. Rachel Wildman, for her volunteer service. She is the priest-in-charge of Trinity Church, Canton and Trinity Church, Stoughton.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw

Convention acknowledges Bishop Gates as he completes his final annual convention and looks forward to the busy program year ahead.
Photo: Tracy J. Sukraw