A Prayer for all who work and serve in faith

from Evening Prayer p. 124 Book of Common Prayer

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

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From your Bishop

Dear Friends in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts,

I'm writing to share with you the fruits of our visioning work as a diocese!

After months of surveys, listening sessions, and discernment, I am excited to reveal our new core values, mission statement, and strategic priorities for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. These will guide us in our life together for the next several years. 

You can explore them in:

• Eight slides, and

• A video of me and our Canon to the Ordinary, Chris Wendell, elaborating on the values, mission statement, and priorities, and their implications for our diocese (see above)



This vision combines the best of who we have been with our collective aspirations for the church of the future. As you explore these materials, I hope you will recognize reflections of and guidance for your individual worshipping communities as well as a sense of a collective direction for the diocese as a whole.  

What we are offering to you today is your work. More than 1,000 of you were involved in the extensive listening and discernment work of the past few years that has led to this vision. Our Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and Diocesan Staff all provided thoughtful input during the drafting process. Thank you to everyone who contributed their voice, experience, and hopes for our shared future as a diocese.

The Holy Spirit has been working in all of us to reveal new directions for our becoming faithful witnesses to Christ in our communities. As I enter my eleventh month as your bishop, I hope that these values, mission, and priorities will offer inspiration and challenge as we shape our common life together in the years to come.

Please join me in praying for our diocese and shared mission.

With joy, courage, and love,

The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth

Bishop Diocesan