Dispatches

Dispatches is a monthly update that seeks to keep you advised of news, developments, and resources that support our shared mission across the diocese. 

EARLY Registration discount ends SEPTEMBER 19th!

Church planter, pastor, and preacher Rev. Ethan Magness is back by popular demand!  Drawing on his robust college ministry experience, Ethan will help us dive into the power of God’s promises in Jesus to awaken faith, release you in your gifts, and equip you to minister to an exhausted and divided world.

We are meeting this year at the new, improved, and larger venue of Grace Chapel (59 Worthen Rd, Lexington, MA 02421). 

Conference highlights:

• Music led by Dave Edwards with musicians from across New England

• Workshops on various topics from hope for anxiety and depression to creative ways to reach your community

• Worship, Art and Intercession service Friday evening 7pm - 8:30pm open to the public

• Children's Program (Pre-K to 5th grade) available Saturday

• Teen dinner Friday night

• Group Art Show, "Promise”

In our efforts to make the conference more accessible for everyone and more affordable for families we have created a new menu of registration options from which to choose. Please note the early registration discount is available until September 19th!

Standard Registration: This covers the entire conference for Friday & Saturday - $189 $169 until Sept. 19

NEW! - Family Registration: Standard Registration for 2 adults and 2 children under 18 - $369 $349 until Sept. 19

Saturday Registration: Attend Saturday only - $139 $119 until Sept. 19

This year we want to encourage you to bring more guests so we are going to make the Friday Evening of Worship, Art, and Intercession FREE!  This is a great opportunity to show friends and neighbors what the ADNE is all about!

ADNE Clergy can take advantage of Standard Registration or the Family Registration: the Bishop requests you to be present for the entirety of the conference.

St. Nicholas House Farm Camp Wrap Up

By: The Rev. Brian Barry and Jackie Barry

This summer we celebrated our fourth annual Farm Camp. For a week, we opened our home up to children age 5+ for mornings of song, farm experiences, crafts, games, Scripture, stories, folk dances, and more. This year’s theme was “All Creatures Great and Small,” and we highlighted the many living things with whom we partner as we care for the earth. We love approaching simple, everyday things with joy, inviting children to find gratitude and awe all around them. We sifted compost, fed kitchen scraps to chickens, took goats out foraging, built bird houses, watched pollinators at work, and each of these was an occasion for joy and wonder. They also provided natural opportunities to open the Scriptures and surprise the children with lines like, “Did you know that Jesus once compared himself to a chicken?” Sharing Jesus agricultural parables, we reflected with children on God’s kindness— his nurture, protection, and provision, and patience.

We had broader participation from our congregation than ever before. Members of our congregation came every day and helped with so many of the practical tasks involved in hosting so many children. Working together as a body, we were able to offer a wonderful gift to our neighbours.

Of the 40 children and youth participating, more were from the local community than in any previous year. Some of them had never visited us before. One new family, for example, had first been introduced to Saint Nicholas House when Jackie and one of the boys took baby goats to the library last Spring. We hadn’t heard from them since, but when they heard about camp, they knew who we were and decided to participate. Even when it seems like many things we do in town are just isolated interactions with no long-term significance, nothing is actually wasted. Relationships are growing, trust is deepening, and our roots in this community are deeper every year.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES AND PRIORITIES OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF NEW ENGLAND.

The Anglican Diocese in New England wants to be on mission together: every parishioner, every leader, and every church. As a family of churches reaching across the breadth of New England, God is calling us to serve in the reawakening of the Northeast. 

We can do so much more in God when we work together.

As of January 22, 2025, our online giving is now through the platform Aplos. The portal will look different, but is legitimate and secure. To access your previous giving account through the Realm portal, click here.