We have nam
 
The Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Rooted in Jesus
Utah Diocesan Convention 2024
The Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Joyous in Discipleship
Utah Diocesan Convention 2024
The Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Abundant in Spirit
Utah Diocesan Convention 2024

Click above to watch Bishop Phyllis Spiegel’s Good Friday message.
Para ver el video con subtítulos en español, haz clic en CC y luego en “Español”.

A reflection from our Bishop:

As we journey through Holy Week, I am making an appeal to be especially mindful in your meditations and prayers of the devastating living circumstances in Gaza. 

I expressed in a recent post that this Holy Week demands much from us. 

Peace brought about by the catastrophic and preventable deaths of children is no peace. There are many ways to betray the Prince of Peace; the silence of the world in this moment must surely be one of them. 

I am offering three ways to break the silence:

– Lift our Voices
– Act out of Prayer
– Give out of God’s Abundance

How can we lift our voices? How can we be agents of peace? First, we lift our voices to God. In addition to praying for all who are suffering and in danger, we pray intercessory prayers: for those making political decisions; for the protection and strength of those who are providing aid and recovery efforts; for those who could have left for safety and yet stayed to help.  We pray for those who are unseen by us and risking all to lend aid.

How can we act out of our prayers? We send supportive messages to the Diocese of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem.  We share our hopes and prayers with those in authority. 

Reach out to those on the news:  UN Security Council member Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and others in positions of power. All can be reached via mail and Facebook/Twitter.

How can we give out of God’s abundance?  It is a century-old Good Friday tradition to support the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.  This support is now done through the plate offering at our services and donations by electronic means or credit card for the humanitarian efforts in the war-torn area.  More on this financial appeal is in my Good Friday video, so I share here the sentiments of the Presiding Bishop who wrote in his message to The Episcopal Church, “We will not forget those caught in the crossfire between warring factions in the land where our Lord walked, we mark our Lord’s passion and death on Good Friday, we remember those whom he loves facing injustice and oppression today, and remember the urgency of love—true, sacrificial love.” 

The Diocese of Utah has created a special account to donate to the Diocese of Jerusalem via clicking on following icon.  

We journey together through Holy Week in prayer, action, and giving. 

A photo of Ahli Arab Hospital, which is supported in part by efforts of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday marked the end of Lent and starts off Holy Week. This week lets us reflect on the journey of Christ leading up to His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Throughout the Diocese, churches are preparing to host a range of important services that commemorate Holy Week events. From solemn Maundy Thursdays, to contemplative Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and finishing with the joyous celebrations of Easter Sunday, each service is a step along the path of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

For those interested in the specific events and times, we invite you to visit the Episcopal Diocese of Utah’s website by clicking above. On our site you will find a comprehensive list of Holy Week services across our churches. This list will be updated with any changes and additional information as it becomes available, ensuring you have the most current details to plan your Holy Week journey with us.

Good Shepherd/El Buen Pastor in Ogden Installs Lutheran Pastor the Rev. Lisa Mensinger as New Rector 

Jean Reid Norman – Church of the Good Shepherd/El Buen Pastor — A Lutheran minister who completed her training in Ogden is returning to the city to lead the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd/El Buen Pastor. The Rev. Lisa Mensinger was installed March 13 as rector of Good Shepherd Church, at the corner of Grant Avenue and 24th Street, during a bilingual celebration of new ministry led by bishops of both denominations.

This bridge between two faiths can be an example of the bridges faith can build in a fractured society, both bishops said.

“I think the church coming back together and the denominations finding accord with one another is a great symbol for the hope that God has for the restored wholeness of all humans,” said the Right Rev. Phyllis Spiegel, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, who called Mensinger “divinely curious” in her remarks to the nearly 100 assembled people.

The Rev. Jim Gonia, bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, noted there’s a lot of talk about churches declining, but “Oh my lord, what we have to offer the world right now matters more than ever in a polarized world and society in which we live. Is the church not called to be the bridge builders in a place in a time where people are being marginalized because of who they are?”

For the past three years, Mensinger led two small churches in McCook, Nebraska, one Lutheran and one Episcopalian. She completed her training at Elim Lutheran Church, blocks away from Good Shepherd in Ogden, before being called to Nebraska. During her time at Elim, she also volunteered with Shepherd’s Bowl, an outreach at Good Shepherd that provides lunches for hungry people.

Mensinger said when she visited Good Shepherd, she saw that parishioners were good people just like her congregations in Nebraska.

“I was like, oh, maybe all Episcopalians are really kind of friendly and have a good sense of humor,” she said. 

Mensinger is still getting to know Good Shepherd and learning the needs of Ogden, she said. But she sees opportunities to build bridges with the predominant faith in Utah, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after serving as youth director of Zion Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City.

“There are places where we do connect,” she said. The love of music is one thing shared between the faiths, she said. The importance of family is another.

For now, she is eager to see where the spirit leads her and her new congregation.

“God’s already been working here,” she said, noting that she is listening deeply to see where she is being led. “The Holy Spirit’s inviting us into those places.”

Utah Diocesan Convention Website
Nominations Available; Keynote Speaker Announced

St. James Episcopal Church in Midvale | April 19-20, 2024

We are excited to announce that the Utah Diocesan Convention 2024 website is now live! As we prepare for the event to be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Midvale, Utah from April 19-20, 2024, we invite you to explore the site for important resources and updates, including forms for nominations and a Pre-Convention meeting summary. 

We are particularly thrilled to welcome The Right Rev. Robert Christopher Wright, the 10th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, as our keynote speaker. Bishop Wright is celebrated for his extensive contributions to the church and community, including his service in the U.S. Navy, advocacy for children’s rights in Washington D.C., and teaching at the Candler School of Theology. Bishop Wright also hosts the popular podcast For People

Utah Epodcopalians: The Unique Way We Govern Our Church with Guest Kurt Cook

Click above to watch the podcast.

The Episcopal Diocese of Utah is governed by both a strong laity, the clergy and a Bishop operating in a structured system. Several committees handle financial and operational matters in tandem with the Bishop. Officers are elected at an annual convention. The outgoing President of the church Standing Committee, Kurt Cook, joins our Craig Wirth to explain and appeal for all to get involved in the church government.

Prayer for Convention

The Book of Common Prayer for this Almighty and everliving God,source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel for the renewal and mission of your Church.

Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Communications Department

The Rt. Rev Phyllis Spiegel

12th Bishop of Utah

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The Episcopal Church in Utah

Bishop Daniel S. Tuttle formally started the Episcopal Church in Utah with his arrival in Salt Lake City on July 2, 1867. The Church became known for its social justice ministry with the creation of Utah’s first school system for children of all religions. Bishop Tuttle also started St. Mark’s Hospital to serve the thousands of miners who had no other health care options. He tirelessly traveled by stage and horseback to establish churches from Montana to Arizona.