“We strongly urge congregations across Massachusetts to pray, learn, act, and advocate as we build a bold and faith-filled response to the greatest moral challenge of our time.”
—From the March 2021 joint declaration from the bishops of the Episcopal dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts.
THE ORIGINS OF THE PATH
2014 - The Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas becomes Missioner for Creation Care in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
2021 - Margaret becomes the Creation Care Advisor for the Diocese of Massachusetts. The two dioceses in Massachusetts begin partnering in the Creation justice ministry, and the bishops issue a joint Declaration of Climate Emergency. The Creation Care Justice Network (CCJN) leads webinars on the four pillars of Pray, Learn, Act, and Advocate.
2022 - After feedback sessions, congregations ask for clear guidance and a specific sequence of steps to follow. The CCJN adopt the proposal to participate in the Green Congregation Challenge and began building a framework for congregations in New England.
2023 - A pilot program for the Path launches for a dozen congregations in New England.
2024 - The Path is available throughout Province One of The Episcopal Church.
2023-2024 PILOT PROGRAM
Thanks to the support of The Episcopal Church’s Task Force on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism, Province One, and the Dioceses of Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts, the Path completed a pilot program from the fall of 2023 through the spring of 2024. In this initial pilot, the Path trained six companions and worked with 12 parishes from the dioceses of Western Massachusetts (3), Massachusetts (7), Connecticut (1), and Maine (1). The pilot allowed the Path an opportunity to test its model and build interest in the region.
At the completion of the Pilot program, parishes were asked questions to describe the Path’s impact on their parish. The majority of parishes stated that the Path was “the most impactful climate change ministry” they had encountered. You can learn more about the Pilot program here.
We would like to thank the clergy, laity, scientists, activists, and the diocesan and provincial staff across the country with whom we have discussed and envisioned this project from 2022-2023. Thank you for being consistently encouraging and eager to collaborate as we work to bring it to fruition as broadly as possible across the Church.