Rest for the weary being somewhat limited, I’ll be headed off this Saturday to our Diocesan Convention, the annual legislative meeting of clergy and elected lay delegates from the 160-something Episcopal parishes and congregations in Eastern Massachusetts, taking place this year in Danvers. I’ve previously waxed poetic about the wonders of democratic governance in our church, so there’s no need to repeat myself about what an amazing thing this sometimes-tedious event is. I thought instead, I’d share with you a few items on the agenda, as an index of what’s going on right now in the wider life of our church:

• Hearing and approving plans for the election of our next Bishop on May 18, 2024- Updates from the members of the diocesan Racial Justice Commission on their work to
  • provide opportunities for training in antiracist practices to congregations and individuals, including seminarians and other future clergy in formation
  • examine the role of racism in shaping our diocesan structures
  • support the lives and leadership of people of color in our diocese
  • continue to develop structures for the Diocesan Reparations Fund established at last year’s convention
• Updates on the work of the Indigenous Peoples’ Justice Network of the two dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts, describing their work to connect with members of local Native communities and nations and the several local partnerships they’re pursuing
• An amendment to our Constitution & Canons regarding the processes of congregations transitioning in status between parish (self-supporting congregations with independent governance by a Vestry) and mission (non-self-supporting congregations in which the Bishop exercises greater control), and formaliIng the place of Intentional Episcopal Communities (non-traditional/non-parish congregations) within our governance
  • I’m not a canon lawyer but as far as I can tell the intent here is to increase flexibility both for parishes in danger of closing and for new or innovative ministries in non-traditional forms
• Establishing a Healthy Congregations Task Force to support the lives of clergy and congregations
• Proposed guidelines for the Reparations Fund created last year, and the creation of a Reparations Fund Committee to oversee it
• Reports from working groups on Collaborative Ministries, the Creation Care Justice Network, and other ministry networks of our Diocese

As you can tell, the business of the Church is both active and varied! I’ll look forward to sharing more news next week.

But to be honest: I’m most excited for the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends from around the diocese, to share the more-local stories of good news, hope, and faith from our own communities.