News

By about 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dennis Bates had already been in the kitchen at Christ Church Episcopal in Quincy for 6 1/2 hours.  Clad in an assortment of Patriots apparel, the 68-year-old calls the shots in the kitchen, dispatching his volunteer troops armed with ladles of turkey,…

The Office of the Bishop has issued the following notice:Nov. 30, 2016Dear Friends and Colleagues,We are saddened to inform you of the death of the Rev. Dr. John H. Thomas in Sandwich on Nov. 18, 2016.  When St. John’s Church in Sandwich moved from mission status to parish, John transitioned…

  Advent is often understood as a time of waiting expectantly.  Our scriptures focus on Mary in her faithful pondering and Zechariah in his mute vigil.  Yet Advent is a time not only of waiting, but also of preparing.  Indeed,…

This year’s Diocesan Convention set the Episcopal Church in eastern Massachusetts on a path toward “embracing brave change” by adopting a new mission strategy that calls for reimagining congregations, building relationships and engaging the world.“Strategizing to recreate the church of the past…

Fifteen clergy and lay people from the Diocese of Massachusetts traveled to North Dakota in the first week of November to join the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, environmental activists and people from a variety of faith traditions who oppose completion of the Dakota Access oil pipeline because of…

A group of Christians from across Massachusetts gathered on a hillside at the Heifer Farm in Rutland on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13 to reaffirm their dedication to restoring God’s creation. Led by five Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders, including Bishop Alan M. Gates of the Diocese of …

Churches across this diocese answered the Massachusetts bishops' call to open their doors leading up to Election Day, with at least 70 congregations offering prayers for the nation and election, hosting vigils and special services and offering space for silent prayer between Nov. 6 and 8. Today,…

Grace Chapel in Brockton will celebrate its sixth anniversary as a ministry in the Diocese of Massachusetts on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church (900 Main Street) in Brockton.  Bishop Alan M. Gates will be the celebrant. Grace Chapel began with a small group of…

The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, issued on Nov. 9, 2016, the following message to the diocesan community:Our national election is behind us, leaving in its wake a legacy of bitterness and hostility.  For some, alienation is the apparent reason for…

Anthony Barsamian and the Rev. Daryl Lobban brought greetings from the Massachusetts Council of Churches to the 2016 Diocesan Convention. Barsamian is president of the MCC's board, and Labban is the director of external relationships.