Provincial Ministry Networks are groups of Episcopalians from two or more dioceses in New England engaged in shared ministries. Some ministry networks, including the ones listed below, have been meeting in various forms for several years; other networks form to put on specific events or address specific ministry needs and dissolve afterwards. Ministry Networks are led and run by their participants, with limited administrative support from the Provincial Coordinator, and are eligible to apply for Provincial grants for financial support. If you want to get more involved in a Provincial ministry network or want to see a network come together, or if you are convening a Provincial network and wish it to be included on this page, please reach out to the Coordinator.
Becoming Beloved Community Network
This network works to support Episcopalians in Northern New England and beyond in the act of consciousness-raising, education, and ultimately engagement in action towards racial reconciliation, justice and reparations as part of our commitment to becoming beloved community. This work goes beyond our meetings and extends into transforming our interactions and our communities in a vision of love.
We share resources and experiences in doing this work through the Province 1 website, social media, and quarterly gatherings.
For more information on the network, reach out to James McKim.
Recordings of previous calls may be found on the Province 1 YouTube page.
DIACONAL MINISTRY
The Diaconal Ministry of Province I provides opportunities for networking, support and further enrichment of deacons and various supporters of this servant ministry.
Since the 1980s there have been periodic regional gatherings to provide education, support and fellowship for deacons, deacons-in-formation and those families, friends and colleagues who support deacons and diaconal ministries in New England and neighboring dioceses of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada. Since 2004, there have been biennial regional gatherings planned and conducted by volunteer design teams led by a convener or co-conveners and in coordination with staff and administrative support from Province I of the Episcopal Church. In the Spring of 2015, diaconal leaders piloted a series of web conferences designed to share wisdom and continue conversations between biennial conferences. Deacons Talking on the Road to Emmaus was launched as a monthly web conference series (October to May) after the 2016 conference. In September 2015, after two years of development, diocesan representatives interested in sharing diaconal education, training and formation activities launched the Province I School for Deacons with a two-year deacon formation program.
FAITH FORMATION
Faith formation is the lifelong, life-wide and life deep process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others and all creation. The Christian Formation Network at Province I seeks to collaborate, curate and catalyze relationships and resources to nurture and expand opportunities for faith development across the lifespan.
We know that our world is changing but our God is constant, so we support one another in sharing what’s working, asking big questions, and committing to worship and gratitude to God for the journey. We invite you – lay or ordained; parish-based volunteer, diocesan staff, or something else – to join us at our yearly conference, on our quarterly Zoom check-in calls that feature different aspects of forming Christian disciples in a variety of contexts, or to be in touch in other ways so we can connect and share the gift of the formation work God has given us. To connect with this ministry network, email Bird Treacy.
Indigenous Peoples Justice Network
At these meetings, participants share updates from their diocesan and local contexts on efforts to engage in indigenous justice, connect with regional and national initiatives, and hold prayer and discussion events to deepen our engagement.
Link for Zoom access for January 29.
For additional information about the network, contact the Rev. Vicki Ix, Canon for Communications at the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Young Adult and Campus Ministry Network
The Province 1 Young Adult and Campus Ministry network is a collaboration of campus ministers, young adult ministers, and leaders in those ministries, who gather to share information, build relationships, and build up the presence of Episcopalian and allied ministries for young adults 18-30 across New England.
The ministry network gathers on Zoom monthly for a facilitated conversation; to join those meetings or learn more about the topics, email Will Harron at coordinator@province1.org. This network is also a place to learn about grant opportunities for young adult and campus ministries, and we’re hoping to plan retreats for students, young adults, and chaplains and ministry leaders.