Current Events
Around the Diocese
Current Events
Around the Diocese
American Proto-Shrine -
Our Lady of Walsingham
During the Week of IV Pentecost, Bishop and Mrs. Burgess traveled to Grace Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Bishop Burgess has been invited by Fr. William Bulson, the Rector of Grace Church and Master of the Guardians of the American Proto-Shrine of Our Lady of Walshingham, to serve as Episcopal Visitor of the Shrine. Over the course of the last few years, renewed attention is being given to the American Proto-Shrine to include regular devotions and an annual pilgrimage in October. The Guardians protect and increase devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham at the Proto-Shrine through daily prayer and through the ministries of pilgrimage, healing, hospitality, and education.
The Shrine within the north transept of the Neo-Gothic Church is beautifully maintained and open for prayer, votive Masses, and meditation. The entire experience of Grace Church Sheboygan is one intended on drawing you into their history while including you in the devotions of the Church today. Being an Anglican proto-shrine, the Daily Offices are regularly said, as is expected by our prayer book Calendar and clock.
In 1061, the Lady Richeldis de Faverches, lady of the manor near the village of Walsingham, Norfolk, England, was taken in spirit to Nazareth. There, Our Lady asked her to build a replica, in Norfolk, of the Holy House where she had been born, grew up, and received the Annunciation of Christ's impending birth. Lady Richeldis immediately constructed a house, 23' 6" x 12' 10", according to the plan given to her. Its fame slowly spread and in 1150 a group of Augustinian Canons built a priory beside it. Its fame continued to grow and for centuries it was a point of pilgrimage for all classes and the recipient of many expensive gifts.
By order of King Henry VIII during the Reformation in 1538, the House was stripped of its valuables and its statue of the Virgin taken to London to be burned. The present statue of Our Lady was enshrined in Walsingham in 1922, beginning an era of renewed pilgrimage and cooperation at the shrine between Catholics and Anglicans.
In 1929 the parish priest, Fr. A. Parker Curtiss, launched the installation of the first exact copy of Our Lady of Walsingham at Grace Church. Since that time, there have been daily prayers said at our American Proto-Shrine referencing the prayer requests brought by our parishioners and by the many annual pilgrims that visit every fall when the Grace Walsingham Pilgrimage is held.
For more information on the Grace Church Walsingham Pilgrimage, click here.
III Pentecost
Holy Trinity in Danville is a special place, one that must be experienced to appreciate. Upon pulling into the parking lot of this downtown church, Bishop and Mrs. Burgess were met by two acolytes of their St. Michael’s Guild vested in cassock to assist with the Bishop’s vesture and appointments. The church itself is beautifully appointed, including a well-utilized Marian chapel. This Rite I Mass was supported musically by a skilled musician who perfectly blended the organ with some prerecorded accompaniment. Each time Bishop Burgess has the opportunity to be with the saints of the Church of the Holy Trinity, there are always two or more new families. The children were everywhere! It was quite precious to have the smallest of the small leave their pew to join in the vested altar party’s narthex prayer upon Dismissal and final Hymn; with hands and fingers neatly folded (one with a pacifier) and eyes closed.
Eucharistic fellowship was extended within the welcoming parish hall. New acquaintances were made, stories were told, and Bishop Burgess had a few moments with Vestry leadership to talk about defining outreach priorities within a community that has so many and great needs; to the point of overwhelming their God-given resources. This is a church that understands packed soil conditions. So packed, and unaccustomed to being cultivated, it takes 12 yoke or 24 oxen to prepare for intended growth. And yet, they divest themselves of all that will feed them tomorrow for a heavenly banquet today and as the means of taking up the mantle of God and following resolutely The Way. Thank you, Fr. Richard Lewis, for all that you accomplish on behalf of a kingdom that has come, is here, and will come again.
Community of Episcopal Fellowship
Bishop Burgess had the opportunity to join our Community of Episcopal Fellowship in Effingham for the celebration of Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, June 18th within the Chapel of The Cross. Called The Cross at the Crossroads, this 198 feet cross towers above traffic traveling Interstates I57 & I70 at Exit 159. This Community of Episcopal Fellowship has been meeting for 2 ½ years to worship, participate in social events, and to join in fellowship and mission outreach. Having previously been restricted to worship within the Chapel only on Wednesday evenings due to it being occupied by a Presbyterian congregation on Sundays, that option is now open and these faithful people are considering plans to move to a Sunday expression of worship. Bishop Burgess expressed his deep appreciation toward postulant Danny Shuler, pianist Becky Lusting, Father Mike Clark, and Dean David Knox for their constant offering in sanctifying this place. This is the same congregation and (Eastern) Deanery that did such an exceptional job of hosting the 147th Annual Synod of our Diocese this past October. Following Dismissal, Eucharistic fellowship was extended by filling the seats around a long-table within the Gabby Goat American Pub and Grill in Effingham. “Come and See.”
posted 6/20/2025
Trinity Sunday
Seven adult inquirers met with Bishop Burgess an hour before the Trinity Sunday service and Holy Eucharist offered at St. George’s in Bellville. The final class explored the idea that if you want to know what Anglicans teach, you have to worship with them. This class of candidates has formed a bond of comradery that will serve them well as they step into leadership positions at the parish level. The Principal Feast Day of our Church Calendar was supported by the laity, the exceptional acolytes, and the vested, well-rehearsed Choir. Dean Ohlemeier is a teaching priest who takes every opportunity to engage his congregation in learning and discovery. Bravo! to the many Diocesan leaders who come out of this parish to serve our entire Diocese, whether that be on the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Cursillo Secretariat, or the Commission on Ministry. Trinity Sunday at St. George’s was as it should be; at once, complex and quite simple. “Do this in remembrance of me.”
posted 6/17/2025
The Day of Pentecost
Bishop Burgess had the opportunity to be with a celebrated parish church of our Diocese on The Day of Pentecost. St. Paul’s in Carlinville is historic, faithful, bold, engaged, and setting an example of post-pandemic progress (rather than just recovery). All was in place for absolutely beautiful worship. A Cantor offered a well-rehearsed setting of Psalm 104 and the 8 or 9 voice Choir prepared an anthem appropriate to the day of observance. This is a parish that works hard, leans into the needs of their community, maintains proper stewardship over tremendous gifts, appreciates authentic fellowship, takes risks when it comes to evangelism, and worships with gusto, bringing glory to God in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Carter Aikin duly prepared five candidates for Confirmation. This was meet and right as each is already assuming leadership in certain parish and missional responsibilities. If you have the opportunity to be near Carlinville, consider treating yourself to a truly wonderful parish experience by joining your voice with them in Common Prayer. The priority here is noticeably, “When the Day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” (Acts 2:1)
posted 6/11/2025
Cadet Jesus Robinson
Proud mother Genese Dadzie welcomed her son to the Diocesan Center last week while he was on academic leave from the Missouri Military Academy. Cadet Jesus Robinson is a rising Junior who enjoys the theatrical arts, runs track and cross county, and aspires to one day serving in the U. S. Air Force as a chef. The Missouri Military Academy is a private preparatory school in Mexico, Missouri. Established in 1889, the academy is a selective, all-male boarding school, serving grades 7 to 12. Having had time to meet with Cadet Robinson, Bishop Burgess was quite impressed with the young man’s vision and personal bearing.
posted 6/10/2025
Ascension Day
Ascension Day was spent rightly on the day of its occurrence (Thursday, May 29th) seated upon the cathedra while presiding over the celebration of the Holy Mysteries. The Dominican Order of Christ the Saviour met as the means of inducting three newly professed novices into the Order, bringing their total number of professed to seven. The eight-voice Choir offered the choral aspects of the Mass beautifully, with four-parts sung a capella as the organ went silent ten minutes before the service began. It was wonderful observing a Principal Feast of our Church Calendar in such a beautifully reverent and spiritually uplifting manner, to the glory of God and on behalf of the people He came to redeem.
Photos by Ian Pitchford
posted 6/03/2025
VII Easter
The observance of the Seventh Sunday of Easter began on Saturday morning in Glen Carbon. Bishop Burgess joined Fr. Mark Klamer in presiding over the St. Thomas Episcopal Preschool and Child Care commencement ceremony within the church Nave. Prayers were offered, songs were sung, certificates of achievement were presented, and a final blessing was pronounced over the graduates and their families prior to extending the celebration in the decorated parish hall. Words of appreciation were extended toward Miss Danica and Miss Amanda for their dedicated leadership and professional involvement when it comes to educating and forming students for success in the classroom. St. Thomas Episcopal Preschool is an important ministry of outreach within our Diocese.
Bishop and Denise Burgess then drove to Robinson, Illinois to have dinner with the mission leadership of St. Mary’s on the eve of VII Easter and to join with them in Holy Eucharist. All shared news of progress when it comes to being a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ where they gather and wait, devoting themselves to prayer. One of the great challenges the City of Robinson is facing is a housing market that struggles to keep up with demand as the Hersey’s production plant and the Marathon Oil refinery expand operations. Robinson is the county seat of Crawford County and the largest city in Crawford County.
The 9:30 AM Holy Eucharist on Sunday was offered joyfully. What stood out as different this time was how the foyer to this historic school house, to include the bathroom facility just off the entrance, has been renovated to make that first impression quite welcoming as well as appealing. The renovation includes new wall board, new flooring, trim work, paint, and fixtures. The difference is immediately recognizable and it stands out as inviting and safe. The sacristy has been cleaned and neatly arranged so that it stands in support of sanctifying life, time, and space. This is a forward-thinking congregation that is attractive in their fellowship, patient in their outreach, and energetic in their evangelizing. Stay tuned for more front yard events that communicate to those traveling Illinois Route 33 the invitation to “come and see.”
Thank you to Fr. John Henry for being so generous with his time in retirement as he stands as St. Mary’s regular supply priest; to the Glory of God and on behalf of these disciples of Christ in community.
Rogation Sunday
Rogation Sunday (VI Easter) was spent with the saints of St. Andrew’s in Edwardsville. This parish is adept at navigating challenges with grace and tremendous poise. Case in point: The Saturday before the Bishop’s arrival the organ stopped working which invited plan B – that of a piano being brought into the Nave for the accompaniment of the hymns, anthem, and service music. The Choir and congregation did a beautiful job of offering the Sunday Eucharist in such a reverent and robust manner. This congregation serves as a pipeline for Diocesan and Episcopal Church leadership. They are aware and engaged, committed to the polity of our church and the great benefits of our particular tradition. They fully understand that our Prayer Book tradition suffices as the very best of catholic faith and practice.
Four candidates were “duly prepared” and presented to Bishop Burgess for Confirmation. Their participation within this leading parish has already afforded them the opportunity to serve and be recognized as leaders by their fellow parishioners. A recognizable increase of young families with children is occurring here, as it is with many congregations that define the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield. Bravo! to Fr. John Conner and his parish leadership for navigating the challenges of deep water so well.
V Easter
The Sunday of V Easter began appropriately on Saturday evening by meeting the clergy and wardens of St. John’s Decatur for dinner in a private room provided by The Decatur Club in historic downtown Decatur. Words of thanksgiving were offered and prayer requests were made in the face of growth challenges that lay ahead of these dedicated parish leaders. Sunday morning began with meeting those who would be presented for either Confirmation or reception into this church and Communion. Three were “duly prepared” and presented to Bishop Burgess; one for Confirmation and two for reception from Rome. The liturgy was beautifully offered with all sacred ceremony well-planned, rehearsed, and executed. A choral scholar offered a baritone solo during the Offertory entitled Mache dich, mein Herze, rein (Make yourself, my heart, pure) by J. S. Bach (1685-1750). Upon Dismissal, processional Hymn, and postlude, the Eucharistic fellowship was extended with a parish hall reception wherein Bishop Burgess answered in detail three questions that were prepared ahead of his arrival by the parish Vestry.
Mother Marisa Vogel has been in place just short of four months. Already, great strides are being made in administration, stewardship, evangelism, liturgy, and outreach. Please make plans to join us on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29th) as our entire Diocese comes together for this Celebration of a New Ministry and her seating as rector of this leading parish.
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
posted 5/20/2025
IV Easter
Taking the opportunity to be with a Springfield congregation after two weeks of uninterrupted travel, Bishop and Mrs. Burgess accepted the invitation to be with the faithful of Emmanuel Memorial Church in Champaign for the Sunday of IV Easter and for a service of solemn Choral Evensong. Bishop Burgess took this opportunity to thank the parish for “doing the difficult work of deployment so well” and for “respecting their interim priest so deeply.” The Evensong setting was composed by Richard Shephard (1949-2021) with both evening canticles by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). The Choir Anthem was a paraphrase of Psalm 23 composed by Sir Edward C. Bairstow (1874-1946). The parish Choir is well-rehearsed, refreshingly balanced, and liturgically disciplined. All was offered to the glory of God and to the delight of regular parishioners as well as visitors from other traditions.
Those who sing, pray twice (St. Augustine)
B.E.S.T. Conference and Honorary Doctorate
Bishop and Mrs. Burgess spent Tuesday, May 6th through Wednesday, May 7th at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel and Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Louis, MO attending the B.E.S.T. (Bishop’s Executive Secretaries Together) Conference 2025. This professional organization holds an annual gathering, which this year was hosted by the Province V “besties”. Priorities of this four-day conference include sharing resources, articulating best practices, and supporting each other within a collegial relationship that really knows no other comparison. Our own Erin Anglin had a tremendous part to play in organizing this event and inviting a few of the Province V bishops to be seated on a Bishop’s Panel where they were asked various questions and allowed to share observations, words of thanksgiving, and hopes for the future. Those bishops who were able to participate include: Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, Bishop Anne Jolly of Ohio, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows of Indianapolis, Bishop Matthew Gunter of Wisconsin, Bishop Deon Johnson of Missouri, and Bishop Brian Burgess of Springfield.
Nuptial Mass
Having obtained permission from Bishop Rob Skirving of Eastern North Carolina, Bishop Burgess officiated, preached, and celebrated the Holy Mysteries uniting in Holy Matrimony Catherine Marian Burgess and Christian Gordon Hansen. The Nuptial Mass was offered before the altar of historic Christ Church in New Bern, North Carolina on Friday, May 2nd, the feast of Athanasius of Alexandria. The rector, Fr. Paul Canady, did an excellent job of preparing the couple and opening the doors of Christ Church to those who offered their voices to common prayer and hymns of thanksgiving. The groom is a U.S. Marine who deployed to Spain and Senegal, serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and is now a full-time student at Southern Utah University in Cedar City pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Aviation Sciences. The bride is a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and now serves as a communications manager for International Paper. Having started in New Bern, NC at the cellulose fiber mill, she is now based out of the IP’s International Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
posted 5/09/2025
Diocesan Center Signage
The Diocesan Center, being designed as a round building, presents a few challenges to those visiting the Bishop or his staff. Chief among those challenges is, “Where’s the men’s room?” Taking a cue from various parishes throughout our Diocese, it was decided to install directional signage that welcomes and then moves people throughout the Diocesan Center.
As the rear entrance acts as the main entrance, the Diocesan shield was added as a point of reference to those pulling into the parking lot. Taking into consideration how many doors present themselves when entering that rear door (6 in total), we marked each office and room according to its function.
This is not only a priority of extending hospitality, it is a safety issue. As many of our Diocesan family members can attest to, there are interior circular hallways that seem to go nowhere. It is in the better interest of fire codes to identify interior hallways and the other outside rear door as the mechanical room for those responding to emergencies, especially after regular business hours.
The Diocesan Center staff worked with ACE Sign Company of Springfield to ensure a long-lasting, professional look at a low cost. Thank you to all who support the mission of their home parish/mission as it allows us to be mindful of the treasure granted to our Diocese on South Second Street in Springfield.
“Come and see.”
Holy Week & Easter
Holy Week and Easter Sunday were observed before the altar of the Cathedral of St. Paul the Apostle in Springfield. Major strides were taken to offer the very best of Anglican liturgy this year to include a brass ensemble which offered Hymn arrangements scored for Easter Sunday. Thank you to all who walked the entire pilgrimage from Palm Sunday through the Sacred Triduum and into Easter Sunday morning. As the Dean was out on medical leave recovering from successful surgery, many came forward to ensure that holiness prevailed. Bishop Burgess expresses his deep appreciation for the particular ministries of Susan Beard, Sara Camp, Teresa Beard, Ron DeWese, Jean Diamond, Clare Ribelin, Warren Swaar, Canon David Wells, Mary Ellen Wells, and Peter Roeder, Cathedral Organist. Pictured is a group of friends living in Springfield who are from the Church of England and the Church of Nigeria and who attended the Easter Sunday solemn choral mass at the Cathedral. Together, they insisted on a picture with Bishop Burgess.
As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:5)
Chrism Mass
To the glory of God, 75 priests, deacons, postulants, bishops and laity came together to observe Tuesday in Holy Week before our Cathedral altar. Traditionally observed as the Mass wherein those living under Orders renew their Ordination vows before and with their Bishop, this is also the Mass where the Easter fermentum is consecrated and then sent out to the parishes and missions of our Diocese to be commingled with the consecration of their Eucharistic elements during the first Mass of Easter, connecting each parish or mission altar to the apostolic ministry of their Bishop. This Mass is often called the “Chrism Mass” as Oil Infirmorum and Holy Chrism are blessed and distributed for use in anointing the sick (Oleum Infirmorum - OI) and the sealing of candidates at their Baptism (Sacrum Chrisma - SC). The Cathedral Chapter and their organist did a wonderful job of hosting this annual Holy Week observation. Special recognition and appreciation go out to Mrs. Susan Beard and Mrs. Sarah Camp for making sure that all was in place for a very special offering.
Following the service, the clergy of our Diocese and their spouses were welcomed into the Diocesan Center for a catered Lenten luncheon of soups, salads, breads and small apple cheesecake desserts. That offering began with the a cappella singing of Hymn 686, Come thou font of every blessing and then with Father Bill Howard, the most senior priest of the gathering, leading us in prayer of thanksgiving for such an offering of physical nourishment and collegial fellowship. This was the first time that many of our Diocesan clergy had opportunity to meet Ms. Genese Dadzie, our interim executive assistant, and The Reverend Deacon Sontochena St. Jean who serves the community of Trinity Church in Mattoon and who is from the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti.
"For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." (I Corinthians 1:26-29)
posted 4/17/2025
V Lent
The Sunday of V Lent was spent with the saints of St. John the Baptist in Mount Carmel. With Southern Illinois having experienced record levels of rain and the Wabash River cresting to once in a 100 year levels, the parish leadership spent most of Saturday evening manning pumps, mopping floor, moving hose and vacuuming water that continued to seep up into their lower-level assembly room. The water was too much for the drains to work properly and so a great deal of manual labor was needed to prevent flooding. With food already ordered from a local caterer, it was decided at the last minute to move the Sunday brunch to the Knights of Columbus banquet hall just across town. In the face of that well-planned response, this parish took the time to gather for Holy Eucharist, bring glory to God, present for Confirmation two parish leaders, and extend Eucharist hospitality. Congratulations to Matthew Bruce and James Daubs, who became two of the newest members of our church. Bravo! to Fr. Mike Clark and the leadership of St. John the Baptist for their quick thinking, dedication and sacrificial offering of themselves. God is being greatly glorified in Mount Carmel, Illinois.
posted 4/07/2025
IV Lent
The Fourth Sunday in Lent was spent proclaiming our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead and giving thanks for the 25th Anniversary of St. Michael’s in O’Fallon. Having met in the basement of a home and then in the local Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Michael’s held their first service within their newly constructed church on March 30, 2020. It was the year of Y2K anxiety, when the Windows 2000 computer software was released; Tiger Woods won his first US Open; the fourth book in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was published; and the US Supreme Court announced its decision regarding the US presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, settling the recount dispute in Florida. All the while, God’s Holy Word was truly preached and truly heard; the sacraments of the Church were faithfully administered and received; foreheads were anointed, children were catechized, Hymns were sung, the hungry were fed, the poor were lifted up, the weak were bid to be strong; and this faithful congregation grew in God’s grace together. Those who laid the cornerstone of this majestic church understood it as the New Jerusalem, and those who followed now also experience it as the plains of Jericho; the very last place of our collective sustenance before the journey home.
The leadership of St. Michael’s takes their ministry of hospitality and welcome seriously. Dressed in matching golf-shirts with their church shield embroidered over the pocket, ushers and greeters are at the doors early to ensure that greetings are extended and all is in place for the commencement of Holy Eucharist. This posture is again recognized at the Offertory as the ushers preside over the liturgical act of presenting the offerings and oblations of our lives and labors to the Lord (BCP pg. 344).