March 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.
Featured stories
Marked by Mercy: Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent in the Anglican Diocese in New England
As the winter chill continues to hold New England in its snowy grip, congregations across the Anglican Diocese in New England (ADNE) gathered this week to begin the journey of Lent. From meeting places across the breadth of the Northeast, Ash Wednesday services served as a powerful reminder of human fragility and the overwhelming reach of God’s grace.
At All Saints Cathedral, a full church entered into God's presence as Bishop Drew led the service, inviting the congregation into a season of reflection and renewal.
The Scandal of Being Grass
Drawing from Psalm 103, the Bishop’s teaching addressed the "scandal" of human mortality. He reflected on the liturgical reminder that we are "dust" and our lives are like "grass" that flourishes and then withers. While these words can initially feel demeaning, the Bishop shared how they have become his greatest source of gratitude.
"Jesus wasn’t demeaning us; He is reassuring us. He is saying, 'I know exactly what you are made of, and I love you anyway'".
He noted that there is profound relief in realizing that God is never surprised by our weaknesses or disillusioned by our failures, because He never had any illusions about us to begin with. Our salvation, the Bishop noted, does not depend on our own sturdiness, but on the fact that in God's hands, our "fragile state is exactly where His saving love proves to be more than enough".
From Failed Promises to the Seal of Victory
The Bishop explained the profound symbolism behind the ashes themselves. In the tradition of the church, these ashes are created by burning the palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. These palms represented our best intentions, our loudest hosannas, our mixed motives, our promises to follow Jesus to the end. By Ash Wednesday, these symbols of our "failed promises" have withered into dust and soot. Yet, the Bishop noted that Jesus does not sweep this soot away in disgust. Instead,
"He uses the very evidence of your failure to trace the sign of His victory. He takes the 'dust' of your broken promises and turns it into the 'Seal' of His eternal covenant".
Not a "Bad Dog" Sticker, but a Royal Seal
Addressing the physical mark, the Bishop challenged the idea that the soot-covered cross is a mark of shame. Instead, he described the ashes as a Passover mark—a sign of spiritual set-apartness and a "No Entry" sign to the powers of sin and death.
"These ashes are not a 'bad dog' sticker; they are what St. John Chrysostom called the 'Trophy of the King.' When the mark of the cross is placed on you, it is a royal seal. When a soldier sees the royal seal, he does not tremble in fear of punishment but stands tall in the knowledge of his protection. The cross on our brow says: "Yes, as you are, you cannot save yourself; but in love, Jesus has done this for you".
Rising as Oaks of Righteousness
The message concluded by highlighting the "great paradox" of Lent: that by admitting our own brokenness and fragility, we are positioned by the Holy Spirit to be transformed.
"On the same “grassy” heads that feel the weight of the winter snow, He places a crown of unwavering love, grace and mercy".
As the ADNE enters these forty days, the Bishop’s message serves as a reminder that we do not have to pretend to be strong. Instead, we can rest in the scandalous truth that we are fully known in our soot and dust, and yet, in Jesus Christ, we are fully and eternally beloved.
The Fire of Ugandan Praises and Prayers on a Wintry New England Night.
The New England winter did its best to keep people home, but snow and frost were no match for the fiery praises and prayers of the Ugandan Archdeaconry. This past week, members from across the Anglican Diocese in New England (ADNE) gathered in a powerful display of faith and fellowship to welcome Bishop Drew for an evening of worship, intercession, and strengthening.
Despite the treacherous roads, the sanctuary was filled with a spirit that defied the freezing temperatures outside.
Worship that Transports the Soul
The evening was anchored by the vibrant worship of St. Paul’s Lexington, whose leadership, praises, and dance ushered the congregation immediately into God’s joyful presence. Archdeacon Venerable Micheal Kafeero led the evening, welcoming guests from across the Ugandan Archdeaconry with the warmth and hospitality that define this community.
The gathering was further strengthened by words of encouragement from the Reverend Christine Nakyeyune. She reminded those present of the steadfast nature of The Creator, echoing the promise that God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in our lives.
Seven Years of Partnership
When Bishop Drew spoke, he shared reflections on his seven-year personal partnership with the Archdeaconry. He spoke of his many visits to Uganda, where the diocese has been blessed to work alongside some of the poorest communities to establish wells and water harvesting projects.
In a moving moment, the Bishop remarked that when he heard the praises and saw the dance, "I closed my eyes and was immediately transported back to Uganda!"
A Vision for the Future: Centenary School
The Bishop also shared current plans for the diocese to support the Centenary School in Muhubura Diocese, a school dedicated to the care of abandoned children. The ADNE is hoping to support two vital initiatives:
Rebuilding Classrooms: Providing a safe and inspiring environment for children to learn.
Water Sustainability: Establishing a roofing system designed to harvest and store clean rainwater, ensuring the school thrives even during the dry season.
The Message: A Living Parable of Freedom
The focus of the evening turned to the "living parable" of the fish and the coin in Matthew 17:24–27. This miraculous sign signals the profound truth that, because of Jesus, the children of God go free. In this account, Jesus illustrates that the Kingdom of God is not a system of debt and merit, but one of radical grace. The teaching challenged the idea that we can ever fix our brokenness through religious effort or moral striving. Instead, the congregation was reminded of the depth of God's mercy:
"He will come to the world's sins with no list to check, no tests to grade, and no debts to collect... Jesus came to save all the stone-broke deadbeats and over-extended children of this world".
The message concluded with the declaration that through the death and resurrection of Christ, the "sweatshop" of performance-based religion has been closed forever. Quoting Robert Capon, Bishop Drew said:
"Jesus has literally placed a ‘Gone fishing’ sign over the sweatshop of all religion and for all the debts of all the sinners who ever lived, he provides exact change for free".
A Warm Departure
The evening closed with a beautiful sense of God’s peace. Before heading back out into the snow, the community gathered for hot and spicy Chai tea and Mandazi—delicious East African "doughnuts." Unlike the Western version, these triangle-shaped treats are subtly sweet and aromatic, seasoned with cardamom and coconut milk. Light, fluffy, and served warm, they provided the perfect taste of home and a final moment of strengthening for the journey ahead. The people of God departed not as people burdened by the long winter, but as children of the King, walking in the warmth of their freedom in Jesus Christ.
Upcoming events
Check out our new events page!
Check out our new events page!
Marriage Seminar for Clergy and Spouses/Fiances
March 16-17, 2026
Abbey of The Way | Worcester, MA
"The Significant Marriage", normally a three-day on-site marriage seminar for couples (coming up in Westfield, MA, March 20-22), will be held exclusively for clergy and spouses/fiances on Monday-Tuesday, March 16-17, 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Abbey of The Way in Worcester, MA.
The Seminar consists of teaching by Mary and Dave Gothi, followed by conversations around the presented topics, and informal interactions with the other couples. Visit here for further details. Registration is limited, so please do so soon!
ADNE Prayer Ministry Training Conference
April 17–18, 2026
All Saints Cathedral | Amesbury, MA
Discover the heart of healing prayer and learn how to minister with confidence, compassion, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit at the ADNE Prayer Ministry Training Conference. Building on the success of Becoming Whole New England, we are pleased to welcome Amanda McGann and Tamara Cameron of the Isaiah Forty Foundation.
This training will explore the biblical foundations of healing prayer, why Jesus invites all believers into this work, and how to pray in ways that honor people’s stories and create safe, Spirit-led spaces. Whether you are part of an existing prayer ministry, considering starting one, or simply want to learn how to pray for family and friends, this conference is designed for you.
Annual Missional Planning Summit
June 13, 2026
All Saints Cathedral Amesbury | Amesbury, MA
Each year, parish leaders gather for the Annual Missional Planning Summit. This is a time to reflect on God's faithfulness in the past, ask where He has us right now, and where He is leading us in the future. Through prayerful listening, a proven framework, and supportive coaches, each of the ADNE parishes will leave the Summit with a plan that lays out the actions and timelines required to achieve God's best for His kingdom.
The Missional Planning Summit is open to rectors, wardens, and any other key leaders.
Registration will open April 1.
6th Annual Reawakening Conference
October 23-24, 2026
Grace Chapel Lexington | Lexington, MA
We are so excited for Reawakening 2026! On the new dates of October 23-24, we will return to Grace Chapel to hear 1517.org Old Testament scholar and author, Chad Bird, speak on the theme of The Freedom of Forgiveness. In addition, we are thrilled to announce special guest Director of Creo Arts, painter, and author, Dr. Winfield Bevins, who will speak about art in ministry. Also, new this year, we will have Saturday programs for children, middle school, and high school. There will be excellent worship, prayer, art show, and a robust slate of workshops. We can't wait to see you there!
"For freedom Christ has set you free!" (Gal. 5:1)
Priority: reawakening
Calling All Hands on Deck for Reawakening 2026!
Reawakening is coming (October 23 and 24) and we need you to make it happen!
Our conference has grown, we are serving more people, and we need more hands! If you're someone who loves to roll up your sleeves, show up, and make things work, we have a place for you.
We're building volunteer teams in the following areas:
Greeters & Guides — Welcome people at the doors and help attendees find their way
Registration Desk — Check people in and hand out name tags
Setup Crew — Get everything ready before the conference
Teardown — Pack up and clean up at the end
Meal Service — Set out food, clean up after meals, and handle trash
Workshop Room Monitors — Be present before and during sessions to help things run smoothly
Supplies Team — Keep track of supplies, get them where they're needed, and receive deliveries
No experience necessary — just a willing heart and a can-do spirit.
As a thank-you, volunteers receive a discount on their registration fee.
Questions? Reach out to kathryn.miller@adne.org
Let’s do this!
Restful Work
The Bible differentiates between two kinds of work.
One derives from our Fall from grace, that "painful labor" or “toil” which is the universal consequence of sin (Gen. 3:16-17). From a distasteful chore at home to a mind-numbing task in a paid job, we all groan as we think of this kind of work. Instead of grumbling, this Lent we can invite God to give us Grace to bear up under it and find Him at work in and through it.
But we can also pray for that kind of work which is not toil, that which originates with God, Who is working still (John 5:17) and yet is also at rest from all His Labor (Genesis 2:2). There are those chores at home that we find joy in, or those aspects of a job which we find fulfilling. This is the kind of restful work which God desires to give us, and which will be a part of the life yet to come in the Kingdom of God fulfilled.
Restful labor occurs when we invite God into our work, including our toil. Some of us tend to separate the “spiritual” from the “mundane” or “commercial”, forgetting that God is all in all (1 Cor. 15:28). But Jesus says, Come to Me, you who are weary and burdened, and I give you rest (Matt. 11:28). This could involve taking brief breaks with Him while working, or taking that rest offered on the seventh day, the Sabbath. Heeding Jesus’ Call to come away and rest awhile (Mark 6:31) is another Lenten practice that can give us restful work.
But Jesus also invites us to be yoked to Him while working: Take My Yoke upon you and learn from Me…and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:29). Jesus knew how to work alongside his father as a carpenter. And so He can work alongside us as we yoke ourselves to Him, hearing His whispers of encouragement or specific directions on how to work. A Lenten discipline of “Practicing The Presence” of God can allow Him to inject our work with that restfulness which is His and ours in Him.
Let’s pray that we could enter into some of that restful, fulfilling, and even joyful work which is our present calling and eternal vocation. Whatever [we] do, whether in word or in deed, [let's] do it all in The Name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God The Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).
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.