When the Diocesan Center in Springfield was built in 1962, a series of gas lamps lined the two front sidewalks leading to the main entrances facing South Second Street. Over time, the lamps were removed and low-maintenance landscaping was put in to augment the sidewalk. To the rear of the building is a garden with one remaining gas lamp still standing. The Bishop’s office has a large floor to ceiling window that looks out over that garden, where the gas lamp was either originally placed or put there when the lamps out front were removed. We like to believe it was the former. Over time the lamp had fallen into disuse and was subjected to petty vandalism. The globe was cracked and the gas filaments were damaged beyond recognition (we thought the lamp was electric). Staring at a fixture intended as a statement of beauty, connectedness, security and stability now in total disrepair was not the priority of stewardship we intend to continue or communicate.

With the assistance of our friends at O’Shey Builders in Springfield, the lamp was inspected, the gas line repaired, new filaments and a globe were ordered and the lamp was brought back to full operation. Like the gas lamps adorning homes in Louisiana, especially within the French Quarter of New Orleans, the lamp burns 24/7; at all times and in all seasons. It is a fitting daily reminder to our Bishop of the story from I Samuel, where we are told that in the days of grave disobedience, and as the eyesight of Eli the temple priest had started to fail, the Lamp of God had not yet gone out (I Samuel 3:3); referring to the lamp in the temple at Shiloh, where Eli was the high priest and Samuel was a young boy ministering. It signifies the ongoing presence of God and the potential for renewal, even during a time of spiritual decline.

Thank you for your faithful stewardship as it allows the mission of the church to be experienced in every place that we find ourselves proclaiming the resurrection of Christ our Lord.

posted 3/20/2025

Bishop Burgess is pleased to announce the hire of Ms. Genese M. Dadzie as full-time Office Assistant while Erin Anglican is out attending to Family Leave priorities. Ms. Dadzie grew up in Springfield, graduated from Springfield Senior High School and spent most of her early adult life in the Chicago area. She has taught in the Chicago and Springfield Public School districts and she has experience as a Lead Case Investigator for the Cook County Department of Public Health. Having earned her MBA from Franklin University in Columbus, OH and her BA from North Park University in Chicago; Ms. Dadzie is currently a medical student at the St. James School of Medicine on the Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines working toward her Medical Degree (MD). Genese grew up in the Evangelical Church tradition with a grandfather who was a Methodist bishop. She is extremely motivated, organized, bright, professionally poised, and looking forward to assisting us in our mission within the Diocesan Office. The Diocesan Office continues to be staffed from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Please take a moment to welcome Genese to the Diocese of Springfield and to thank her for her life and ministry among us.

posted 3/17/2025

Ash Wednesday was spent with the Cathedral community before the altar at St. Paul’s.  Peter Roeder, cathedral organist, assisted in planning the appropriate music for the service, which included the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist. Ms. Diane Gietz, soprano, offered Pie Jesu from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and the Kontakion [Kievan chant] from the Eastern Orthodox Memorial Service. Assisting Bishop Burgess were Canon Sean Denney, serving as Deacon of the Mass, and Clair Ribelin, serving as Subdeacon. The Cathedral altar guild did a beautiful job of transforming the Sanctuary and Chancel into the proper form for the First Day of Lent, making it a wonderful place to enter in a Holy Lent.

The Clergy of our Diocese gathered for their annual Pe-Lenten Clergy Retreat at King’s House at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Snows in Bellville. Beginning with Mass at the beautiful Shrine church on The Feast of St. Matthias (February 24th), the two-day, two-night retreat focused on fellowship, worship, renewal, reconciliation, and education. Dr. Ryan Burge offered three retreat addresses centered on statistical trends that are driving evangelical priorities of the church today. Dr. Burge is an American political scientist, statistician, and for 17 years until Summer 2024, an American Baptist pastor.  An Associate professor at Eastern Illinois University, he is best known for his work on religion in the United States. 60 Minutes has termed him one of the “leading data analysts on religion and politics” within the United States. Also joining our Diocesan clergy was Fr. Peter Speropulos, who was invited by Bishop Burgess to serve as retreat Confessor. Fr. Speropulos has served as associate rector of The Church of St. Michael & St. George in St. Louis since August 2017. The retreat was well attended and appreciated by those making the time and effort to attend. To the benefit of all, quite a few retired clergy participated, adding a depth of vocational grounding. Bishop Burgess extends his deep-seated appreciation toward all our parishes and missions for their faithful and sacrificial stewardship which invites such offerings, intended for the wellness of our clergy and their growth in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat (Mark 6:30-34).

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany was observed before the high altar of Trinity Church in Jacksonville. Having served Trinity Church as parish secretary for over 20 years and upon being duly prepared by many thankful rectors, Mrs. Jo Ann Nelson was presented by her husband for reception into this Communion of catholic faith and practice. The Choir added greatly to the expression of Holy Eucharist by their musical offering and liturgical posture. Many children filled the Nave, being instructed in how heirs behave within the kingdom of our heavenly Father. The donation baskets were filled to overflowing for their “Souper Bowl” Sunday canned soup collection day. Trinity Church takes seriously its calling to be a place of right worship, mission, outreach, generous hospitality, and right teaching. The Very Reverend Fr. Zach Brooks has navigated well a post-pandemic recovery with all elements of expected churchmanship being put back firmly in place.

Deo gratias.

The commemoration of Charles Stuart, King and Martyr was observed before the altar of St. Paul’s Church in Alton on Thursday, January 30 while observing the Celebration of a New Ministry by a most reverently offered Rite I Holy Eucharist. Father Garron Daniels was presented by his Vestry to The Right Reverend Brian K. Burgess, DD of Springfield, for Institution as the XXI rector of the Episcopal Parish (St. Paul’s Parish and Trinity Chapel) in Alton, Illinois. In addition to the exuberant laity, clergy from the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield lent their voices to common prayer and Hymns of high thanksgiving for all that the Christ of God is doing within this historic parish. The Right Reverend Deon Johnson of Missouri was vested, seated in Choir, and assisted in the celebration of the Holy Mysteries. The Reverend Dr. Nathan Hayden of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ladue, Missouri and clerical member of the Diocese of Missouri’s Commission on Ministry stood as Homilist. Father Daniels is a graduate of The University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, TN (MDiv.) and has already had a tremendous impact on the spiritual health and missional vitality of this East St. Louis parish within the Diocese of Springfield.

Deo gratias.

posted 2/03/2025

Bishop Burgess observed The Feast of the Holy Nativity on Christmas Eve before the Cathedral altar in Springfield. This is the first Christmas that the Cathedral community enjoyed Peter Roeder, their recently seated organist and choirmaster who did a wonderful job of accompanying the rite musically. Both the 5:00 PM and the 11:00 PM services were beautifully offered with traditional carols, appropriate rite and ceremony, and the elegance that our cathedral has long been known for. Christmas Day began with a trip to All Saints’ in Morton for the Holy Eucharist at 9:00 AM with the Rite of Confirmation. Casey and Caitlin Lore from Trinity Church in Lincoln were presented for Confirmation by their rector, Fr. Chris Simpson. In the hope of getting Casey back to his full-time government position on the east coast and with Bishop Burgess being this close to Lincoln, this particular expression of the Church was welcomed. The congregation lent their voices to common prayer and Christmas carols sung a cappella. Upon Dismissal, those who had peered into the face of Holy Nativity quietly returned to their flock and fields to do the work that the Christ of God has given them to do. In dulce jubilo (In sweet rejoicing).

posted 12/28/2024

Ember Wednesday in the Week of III Advent was observed with the faithful of St. Barnabas’ in Havana during their offering of A Ceremony of Nine Lessons and Carols. The service of Lessons and Carols was first drawn up by Archbishop Edward White Benson when he was Bishop of Truro, England. The service was later simplified and modified for use in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, in 1918 by its then Dean, The Very Reverend Eric Milner-White. Since the early 1900's, English cathedrals and collegiate chapels have programmed Lessons and Carols as a means of marking the season of Advent with a communal gathering and celebration. Bravo to Fr. Dante Anglin, organist Kim Wiese, and the leadership of St. Barnabas’ for inviting their community into the very best that our tradition has to offer in this time of holy anticipation.

posted 12/21/2024

The Sunday of II Advent was spent with those of St. James’ Chapel in Marion and St. Andrew’s Church in Carbondale. Saturday evening’s Vigil Mass was offered within the beautiful Chapel of St. James. Bishop Burgess took time before the service to meet with a local contractor and Don Monty of St. Andrew’s in Carbondale in the interest of articulating plans for moving forward with evangelical zeal in the fastest growing county in Illinois. This beautifully appointed chapel is a true treasure containing many well-placed memorials ready to be brought forward into a promising future.

Sunday morning was observed before the altar of St. Andrew’s in Carbondale. This leading parish has been through a great many challenges lately that have required much of their capable leadership, including the collapse of their interior ceiling within the Nave. Two “duly prepared” candidates were presented to Bishop Burgess for Confirmation. Fr. Jerry Anderson and a few of the parishioners had traveled to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia where Fr. Anderson was being recognized by his alma mater for exceptional work done in the mission field among AIDS victims and the LGBT community. The Mass was beautifully offered while inviting prayer for continued faithful stewardship on this, their Consecration Sunday. Evidence of this parish’s Outreach priorities was seen in the placement of collection baskets for food, socks, and other items needed to sustain others within their immediate community. A delicious reception was offered upon Dismissal in thanksgiving for this parish’s faithful stewards, in recognition of the two who were Confirmed, and as a welcome to Bishop Brian and Denise Burgess.

posted 12/10/2024

The Eve of Thanksgiving was spent with the saints of St. Barnabas’ Church in Havana. This beautiful campus is wonderful to behold during the day and spectacular at night. A well-maintained rectory, beautifully illumined Carpenter Gothic church, and inviting parish hall that places at its center worship, evangelism, and faithful stewardship. The Holy Mysteries were reverently offered before their historic altar with their vicar Fr. Dante Anglin standing as Celebrant. St. Barnabas' is entering into the liturgical season of Advent this year with a greater attentiveness toward expectation as Fr. and Mrs. Anglin are expecting twins.

How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts, to me!

My thirsty soul desires and longs within thy courts to be;

my very heart and flesh cry out, O living God, for thee.