Our dioceses are on a journey to discover how collaborating can help us transform our congregations and communities through the power of Jesus Christ. In our churches, everyone is welcome, without exception.
Welcome! God is calling us into a new reality here on the southeastern shores of Lake Erie. We hope you will join us in answering this call as we reach out to people who do not know the transformational power of Jesus Christ, people who have been pushed to the margins, and people who feel like they aren’t worthy to step into one of our big stone churches. The road to transformation may be rocky at times, but we hope you will walk it with us.
In 2018, our dioceses pledged themselves to an unprecedented collaboration because we believe that God was calling us to embrace new ways of working on behalf of the Gospel here along the southeastern shores of Lake Erie. We are 90 congregations, spread across 20 counties, but we are one church, united by faith and dedicated to serving our communities and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Here in this part of the country that many have forgotten, we believe that we have the potential to lead the church into a new season of growth.
It isn’t always easy to find our way to God. The disciples we encounter on the road to Emmaus were heading in the wrong direction! They didn’t even recognize Jesus, whom they had followed for years—until he broke bread with them. Our church finder was created to make your search a little easier. Use it to locate congregations, ministry centers and church-related organizations across the region. You don’t have to be a member to attend our services, get involved in our work, or find solace and sustenance through our ministries.
Dear People of God in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania: In May, I wrote to you in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police officers and the protests that followed. I called for primarily white churches such as ours to examine ourselves and acknowledge the ways in which we benefit from an entrenched…
“I remember when I was a child in church, whenever I heard or read the words ‘heavy burden’ in Scripture, what came to my mind as a picture were many people walking along a road carrying large sacks that seemed way too heavy,” says the Rev. Helen Harper in today’s sermon. “When I think back…
Leaders of the Diocese of Western New York’s Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination and the diocesan Mission Strategy Advisory Group have agreed to co-sponsor the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground program across the partnership dioceses. Sacred Ground, a dialogue series about race, is grounded in faith and includes readings, documentary film and short videos. “Small…
Sacred Ground, a dialogue series about race, is grounded in faith and includes readings, documentary film and short videos. “Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity,” reads the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground webpage.
In our partnership dioceses, facilitated Sacred Ground discussion groups will meet twice each month via Zoom for a total of 10 sessions. Participants can choose one of these options:
July 21-December 1: First and third Tuesdays of each month from 3-4 p.m.
Three Sacred Ground preview sessions are available:
The Sacred Ground program was launched last year by Becoming Beloved Community, the Episcopal Church’s long-term initiative on racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Created by Katrina Browne, producer and director of the documentary “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,” Sacred Ground is especially intended to help white people talk with each other about racism past and present, their own racial identity, and issues of class, region and ideology.
Learn more about Sacred Ground on the Episcopal Church website, and register to participate in a Sacred Ground discussion group.
Leaders of the Diocese of Western New York’s Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination and the diocesan Mission Strategy Advisory Group have agreed to co-sponsor the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground program across the partnership dioceses.
Sacred Ground, a dialogue series about race, is grounded in faith and includes readings, documentary film and short videos. “Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity,” reads the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground webpage.
In our partnership dioceses, facilitated Sacred Ground discussion groups will meet twice each month via Zoom for a total of 10 sessions. Participants can choose one of these options:
July 21-December 1: First and third Tuesdays of each month from 3-4 p.m.
July 16-December 3: First and third Thursdays of each month from 7-8 p.m.
Register online for Sacred Ground.
Three Sacred Ground preview sessions are available:
July 14, 3-4 p.m.
Register online for a preview session.
The Sacred Ground program was launched last year by Becoming Beloved Community, the Episcopal Church’s long-term initiative on racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Created by Katrina Browne, producer and director of the documentary “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,” Sacred Ground is especially intended to help white people talk with each other about racism past and present, their own racial identity, and issues of class, region and ideology.
Learn more about Sacred Ground on the Episcopal Church website, and register to participate in a Sacred Ground discussion group.
Leaders of the Diocese of Western New York’s Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination and the diocesan Mission Strategy Advisory Group have agreed to co-sponsor the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground program across the partnership dioceses.
Sacred Ground, a dialogue series about race, is grounded in faith and includes readings, documentary film and short videos. “Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity,” reads the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground webpage.
In our partnership dioceses, facilitated Sacred Ground discussion groups will meet twice each month via Zoom for a total of 10 sessions. Participants can choose one of these options:
July 21-December 1: First and third Tuesdays of each month from 3-4 p.m.
July 16-December 3: First and third Thursdays of each month from 7-8 p.m.
Register online for Sacred Ground.
Three Sacred Ground preview sessions are available:
July 14, 3-4 p.m.
Register online for a preview session.
The Sacred Ground program was launched last year by Becoming Beloved Community, the Episcopal Church’s long-term initiative on racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Created by Katrina Browne, producer and director of the documentary “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,” Sacred Ground is especially intended to help white people talk with each other about racism past and present, their own racial identity, and issues of class, region and ideology.
Learn more about Sacred Ground on the Episcopal Church website, and register to participate in a Sacred Ground discussion group.
