Dear People of God in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, On Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he is now permitting New Yorkers to gather for worship in groups of ten people or fewer, as long as people wear masks and practice social distancing. Similarly, earlier today Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf moved ten counties…
Dear People of God in the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania: As the governors of our states begin outlining plans to reopen economies after Covid-19 shutdowns, it is clear that the risks of gathering in groups is still significant, particularly for people who are vulnerable to the most serious effects of the…
“This Jesus who is no longer there is now with us and sending us forth with a mission of hope that the world around us will be transformed, that justice will come in its fullness, that joy will come even in the midst of darkness,” Bishop Sean said in his Easter sermon. “This is a…
On Palm Sunday, Bishop Sean preached about the Gospel of Matthew’s account of the passion. “Holy Week has twists and turns,” he said, “but spoiler alert, the ending is really good. God makes something new out of what is a mess.” A partial recording of the online Palm Sunday service led by people from across…
As part of the partnership’s online worship on the fifth Sunday in Lent, Bishop Sean preached on the gospel lesson of the day, John 11:1-45. It tells the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. A full recording of the service is available below:
On March 22, Bishop Sean led worship online with the Very Rev. Melinda Hall of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie and Craig Dressler of St. Mark’s, Erie. Watch the service on YouTube.
March 12, 2020 Dear People of God: Today, I write with regret to tell you that I am suspending Sunday worship effectively Sunday, March 15. The COVID-19 epidemic is spreading so quickly that I cannot in good conscience permit gatherings that could easily hasten the spread of the disease and contribute to the collapse of…
Dear People of God: In a prayer of confession often used in our church, we promise to “repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf.” Understanding sin in this way—as both a personal and collective failing—seems particularly apt this Lent as we continue to…
On February 3, Bishop Sean joined all of the Episcopal bishops in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in issuing an open letter supporting statewide LGBT non-discrimination legislation. To the Honorable Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly: As bishops of the Episcopal Church and citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we urge the General Assembly to update…
In his Christmas message, Bishop Sean says, “It’s been a full year, and now as we end the season of Advent and begin the wonderful season of Christmas, we take this time of watching and waiting for Jesus to come as a child who we will follow, and who will return as a king. We…
Dear Friends, Our partnership is uniquely suited to train leaders for the future of the Episcopal Church, and as 2019 draws to a close, I ask for your help in doing just that. By making a gift to our theological education fund, you can help limit the student debt accrued by our seminarians and clergy…
First Sunday of Advent Dear People of God in Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, You might recall that, as we have been working toward a mission strategy for our diocesan partnership, I have been thinking a good deal about the story of Jesus and his disciples on the Road to Emmaus. I return often…
