Provincial Synod and Conference: “Together in God’s Mission in New England”

Anyone passionate about God's Mission in New England is invited to All Saints’ Church, Worcester, on Friday, May 10 from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm to explore God's action in our dioceses, our churches, and our lives. Everyone – everyone! – is welcome and invited to add to stories which our provinvial Bishops, lay delegates and clergy delegates from each of the dioceses will offer.

The gathering will be an opportunity for ministry groups to share stories of what God is doing in our midst and to meet with people from similar ministries in the dioceses of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.

For instance, Episcopalians involved in Earth Stewardship, Education for Ministry, Forma, the Global Episcopal Mission Network, Green Mountain Witness, Racial Healing and Reconciliation, Stewardship and similar ministries are invited to come and share your work with colleagues around the province.

Attendees will begin gathering at 9:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 10 as Province President Kit Wang of Maine welcomes and leads an opening devotion. Vice President Bishop Ian Douglas of Connecticut will lead Dwelling in the Word, a lectio divina process with a biblical passage. The major part of the morning will be devoted to hearing stories of what God is doing around the province – open mic!

Ministry groups will gather over lunch (provided by the Province) to share experiences and learnings in their respective areas, whether in education, environment, reconciliation, evangelism, global mission – whatever! Come to share the gifts you’ve experienced.

In the afternoon we’ll discuss proposed revisions in the Province I canons. Tom Little, chancellor of the Diocese of Vermont has been asked by the provincial executive committee to draft the proposed canons. Our goal is to have the province defined for more collaborative and mutually supportive networking around God’s mission and less focused on governance and juridical structure. For instance, we’re proposing that “Provincial Synod” be replaced by an annual “Provincial Conference” and that each diocese have three instead of two representatives, with all serving staggered three-year terms.

The day will end at 3 p.m.

Please register below to help in planning lunch. Questions can be directed to the Executive Director Julie Lytle: executive.director@province1.org.