News

Videotaped worship services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day are offered here as a diocesan resource for congregations which do not have live-streaming capability and as a complement to the offerings of those that do.  The videos also will be available on…

After losing a loved one, millions of Americans turn to their religious communities for support and comfort. But social distancing measures are changing what that support and comfort looks like. Rev. Bill Parnell, a leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, told me that many people in the…

The following message was shared by Bishop Alan M. Gates with clergy gathered online on Holy Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Good morning, my colleagues and friends.  It is good to be gathered, even in this unaccustomed and virtual way.  It is good to catch a glimpse of one another – and to…

With crowds banned to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, faith leaders throughout the South Shore have turned to the internet to broadcast services and reach out to the faithful.  Even for the Rev. Tim Schenck, who was an early adopter of social media and already does a portion of…

April 3, 2020 These are the times that try our souls.           - Paraphrase of Thomas Paine quote Guide My Feet Lord, while I run this race,  For I don’t want to run this race in vain           - Black Spiritual Often in times like…

This message from Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris was issued by e-mail on March 31 to clergy and diocesan and parish leadership. March 31, 2020 Dear Clergy and Lay Leaders of Our Diocese, Once again we offer our deepest gratitude for the dedication with which you are serving…

The headline is tongue in cheek, but on a practical basis at least it isn’t far from the truth.  Numerous local churches and temples were contacted by The Bedford Citizen for a two-part article querying leaders about what is being done in their organizations in response to the restrictions…

March 27, 2020 Dear People of the Diocese of Massachusetts, The story is told of a man caught in the turmoil of an earthquake.  With the world falling down around him, he fell to his knees to pray.  Fearful, stricken with dread, he could not form the words.  A devout and lifelong…

This message from Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris was issued by e-mail on March 25 to clergy and diocesan and parish leadership. March 25, 2020 Dear Clergy and Lay Leaders of Our Diocese, The season of Lent is always a time for returning our focus to those things which…

This message from Bishop Alan M. Gates was issued by e-mail on March 21 to clergy and diocesan and parish leadership. March 21, 2020 *** Please be aware, as we are, that some guidelines below may be superseded by rapidly changing circumstances. *** Dear Clergy and Lay Leaders of Our Diocese, In…