Diocese of Springfield (Episcopal Church)

Call Directions Website

Diocese of Springfield (Episcopal Church) The Episcopal Church in Central and Southern Illinois We are Christians

We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. We are baptized into his death and resurrection.

We strive to follow him in all things. We are Catholics

Our faith and practice is grounded in the tradition of the Church–that is, what has been handed on to us– going back to Jesus and the apostles. (No, we’re not Roman Catholics, though we have much in common with our friends in that tradition.) We are Anglicans

Our spiritual ‘DNA’ comes from the Church of England, and we are part of the family of 38 churches, all over the world, in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. We are Episcopalians

The Episcopal Church, established in 1789, is the American expression of Anglican Christianity. We are one of 110 dioceses that mutually support one another in a common doctrine, discipline, and worship. We welcome you …

… to walk with us, worship with us, work with us, and otherwise share our life.

Tomorrow, October 21st at 2:00 PM Fr. John Runkle will be featured as a speaker on a webinar titled, “Sacred Spaces, Liv...
10/20/2026

Tomorrow, October 21st at 2:00 PM Fr. John Runkle will be featured as a speaker on a webinar titled, “Sacred Spaces, Living Stories: What Church Architecture Can Teach Us,” sponsored by the Episcopal Parish Network, the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church and the St. John’s Cathedral Bookstore and Gift Shop. This webinar will act as an excellent addition to Fr. Runkle's address at last year's Pre-Lenten clergy retreat.

Those interested in the webinar can register at https://riverside.com/webinar/registration/eyJldmVudElkIjoiNmFhZDc3Y2YwZTZmM2NiMTRhMzg1MGZiIiwic2x1ZyI6ImVwaXNjb3BhbC1wYXJpc2gtbmV0d29ya3Mtc3R1ZGlvIn0=

The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost was observed before the altar of St. Christopher in Rantoul. This 1968 church is...
10/19/2026

The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost was observed before the altar of St. Christopher in Rantoul. This 1968 church is beautiful in its late modern era charm and fitted for all sacred usage. The lay leadership and regular communicants realize the importance of continuing the work of Jesus Christ on Earth until his coming to the Church again in great glory.

It was announced that Fr. Steven Thorp is now home recovering from recent surgery. Deacon Tim Leighton is only on his fourth week as Deacon Administrator and there are already visible signs of progress. This Holy Eucharist was made special by receiving and placing into occasional service a gold chalice that had been gifted by a regular communicant in thanksgiving for the presence and ministry of this mission church in our diocese. It is quite fitting that such a beautiful appointment is to be used by those who wear the crown of righteousness in Rantoul.

Isaiah Van Meter served quite capably as crucifer and acolyte. His mother, Heather Van Meter, did an exceptional job of leading the congregation in the a ca****la singing of appropriately selected hymns and service music. There were a few new faces and the children had grown at least four inches in a year’s time.

Upon processional Hymn and Dismissal, all gathered for a picture and then spilled into the parish hall for time of extended Eucharistic fellowship.

Our diocese is made complete by those who call St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Rantoul their church home.

Bishop Burgess and Denise spent Sunday, October 11th through Wednesday, October 14th on the campus of Nashotah House The...
10/15/2026

Bishop Burgess and Denise spent Sunday, October 11th through Wednesday, October 14th on the campus of Nashotah House Theological Seminary in interest of visiting seminarians from our diocese, participating in the Strategic Planning Committee meeting and taking part in the 2026 Corporation Annual Meeting. Bishop Burgess holds a seat on the Corporation Board and serves on the Strategic Planning Committee. Others with roots in the Diocese of Springfield who gathered for the conducting of Corporation business, worship and fellowship were Bishop Daniel Martins, Canon Mark Evans, Fr. Ben Hankinson, Fr. Fred Robinson (Linda), Canon R. Brien Koehler (via Zoom), and Fr. Joe Roberts (Cassie).

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost was observed with our two seminarians and their families before the altar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ashippun. Once in the routine of weekday meetings, all joined in the regular worship pattern of the Nashotah House campus within St. Mary’s Chapel.

While on campus, Bishop Burgess spent time with both of our seminarians as an opportunity to check in on their progress, their navigating frustrations and their overall well-being.

Bishop Burgess traveled to the American Proto Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham within Grace Church in Sheboygan, Wiscons...
10/12/2026

Bishop Burgess traveled to the American Proto Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham within Grace Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin for the 75th Annual Pilgrimage Mass held on Saturday, October 10th. Bishop Burgess serves as the Shrine’s Episcopal Visitor and was invited to deliver the Homily. The observance included a procession of the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham led by a brass ensemble, vested children, clergy, seminarians, Choir and pilgrims around two city square blocks. Bishop Matthew Gunter of Wisconsin celebrated the Holy Mysteries which included an asperging (sprinkling) of water from the Holy Wells of Walsingham which is a daily ritual at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, England. Following the Dismissal, all were invited to attend a lunch within the beautiful parish hall of Grace Church. Ave Maria.

The Feast of Saint Francis of AssisiMost high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant thy people grace to renounce gladly the vani...
10/05/2026

The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant thy people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of thee, delight in thy whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Bishop Burgess spent Saturday, October 3rd and the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost with those engaging a Cursillo week...
10/05/2026

Bishop Burgess spent Saturday, October 3rd and the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost with those engaging a Cursillo weekend at ToddHall in Columbia, Illinois. Cursillo is a Spanish term meaning a "short course" in Christianity, designed to help laypeople deepen their faith and become effective Christian leaders. Founded in Mallorca, Spain, during the 1940s by Eduardo Bonnio Aguiló and other leaders within Catholic Action, it expanded to the United States in 1957 in Waco, Texas. Bishop Burgess taught the rollo (short, structured talk) on the Sacraments of the Church, and celebrated the Holy Eucharist on Saturday and the closing Eucharist (Clausura) on Sunday. There are 15 rollos in total over the weekend—10 given by lay speakers and 5 by spiritual directors or clergy.

The Diocese of Springfield is blessed with a Cursillo Secretariat that plans, organizes, promotes and offers these three-day weekends to the glory of God and on behalf of the Church He came to build. Those who serve on the Secretariat act as a servant leadership team rather than a corporate board, ensuring the foundational charism and method of the movement stay intact. Our appreciation is extended toward Dana Harris who served as rectora, Dawn Jung who served as lay-director, and Fr. James Muriuki who serves as the spiritual director.

If you are interested in learning more about Cursillo, please contact your priest, deacon or a Cursillistas, those who have completed a three-day Cursillo weekend.

Bishop Burgess spent September 22nd through the 29th at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas attending the 2026 Episcopal Churc...
09/29/2026

Bishop Burgess spent September 22nd through the 29th at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas attending the 2026 Episcopal Church Fall House of Bishops Meeting. 110 dioceses and specialized jurisdictions were represented by active, resigned and retired bishops, including those bishops-elect who have received the canonically required consents. The week was spent discussing church planting, theological education, the future of the Church regarding the reach and influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and drafting a pastoral message to the wider Episcopal Church. Time was budgeted for a schedule of regular worship, fellowship, provincial gatherings, class dinners, affinity group meetings, and opportunities to be in conversation with our Presiding Bishop. On Friday, September 25th, the House was addressed in person by Dame Sarah Elizabeth Mullally, the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury who took a detour flight to Southeast, Texas immediately ahead of her planned engagements in the Northeast.

Attending House of Bishops meetings is foundational to the episcopal vocation entrusted to Bishop Burgess. These gatherings of bishops serve as a visible sign of unity, proving that diverse local bodies answer to a shared apostolic mission.

Group Photo L-R: West Virginia, Nevada, Chicago, Iowa, Pittsburg, South Carolina, Springfield, Upper South Carolina.

The Feast of Saint Michael and All AngelsO everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels a...
09/29/2026

The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as thy holy angels always serve and worship thee in heaven, so by thy appointment they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Feast of Saint Thecla of IconiumGod of liberating power, who didst call Thecla to proclaim the gospel and didst not ...
09/23/2026

The Feast of Saint Thecla of Iconium

God of liberating power, who didst call Thecla to proclaim the gospel and didst not permit any obstacle or peril to inhibit her: Empower courageous evangelists among us, that men and women everywhere may know the freedom that thou dost offer us in Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Thecla, pray for us.

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost was spent with those making their Holy Communion before the altar of St. John the...
09/21/2026

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost was spent with those making their Holy Communion before the altar of St. John the Baptist Church in Mount Carmel. This is a parish of tremendous resources that shares a great deal of that abundance with parishes and missions of our diocese through an aptly administered grant program. Over the past 18 months, an administrative reorganization has taken place that focuses their outreach, their mission reach and their stewardship priorities on their promised future.

Bishop Burgess expressed words of thanksgiving for two specific lay leaders, Carolyn Peach and Don Kensel, who have incessantly articulated the right vision and right concern for this parish. Their navigating professional relationships with those who can manage such sophisticated finances allows the laity to become even more engaged in the mission field. Great strides are being made in community involvement, ecumenical relationships and outreach that brings glory to God.

To continue reading, click the link below.

https://episcopalspringfield.org/news/current-events

Address

821 S 2nd Street
Springfield, IL
62704

Telephone

+12175251876

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Diocese of Springfield (Episcopal Church) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category