Dear People of Christ Church,

This week, I actually am writing to you on Sunday in advance of mailing this out later in the week, sharing news of our diocesan convention. This week I'm on retreat, spending days at the Campion Center in Weston, a Jesuit retreat center. Rev. Norm Faramelli, our longtime friend, is filling in on Sunday the 13th. (He is a faithful 8:30 attendee and his wife, Lucie, started Grandma's Pantry almost 20 years ago). Norm is also on the board of Refugee Immigration Ministries and we'll be distributing "mite boxes" to save our pennies to help their important work with asylum seekers and immigrants. Thank you, Norm!

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts comprises our state east of Route 495 and the Cape and Islands and around 180 parishes. This year there weren't any big-issue resolutions, though there was some conversation on a proposal to create committees and research on ministry to seniors in the diocese. An amended version passed to uphold and celebrate ministries with the aging, but not to require any reporting or mandated action.

The big thing of convention this year was the closing Eucharist, Bishop Cederholm's last as he is retiring. Bishop Bud was (officially, the Right Reverend Roy F. Cederholm) elected 11 years ago as the suffragan bishop (a fancy word for assisting), and has been a wonderful and grounded presence over the years. The decision has been made not to elect a replacement, so Bishop Tom Shaw remains the diocesan bishop and Bishop Gayle Harris will be the only Bishop Suffragan. Canon Libby Berman will help with some of the congregational work that Bud did, and he'll be back a few days a week as a "consultant." As he says, [My wife] Ruthann wants more of me, but not all of me!" First he'll have a few months sabbatical rest, though, to fully retire before coming back. On Friday night Bud the diocese had a party celebrating his ministry, complete with hot dogs and tours and his face lit up on the screen (see below). At the closing Eucharist he preached and closed the service by returning his crozier (Bishop's staff) to the church. It was quite moving and doubtful that there was a dry eye in the house.

The other major component of Diocesan Convention was the roll out of the Comprehensive Campaign, which donors to our own Capital Campaign are well aware of. last weekend was the official announcement of the project and invitation to parishes to give and participate in collaborative campaigns of their own (as we are now). They also showed a film, which had a few split-second screens of Christ Church at worship, as their videographer was at Christ Church a few weeks ago. Jonathan Duce and Mike Balulescu are our delegates--each parish gets two--thanks to them for their service.

Blessings,

Sara+