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…
On October 25, Bishop Sean Rowe preached on Luke 24: 13-15 at the annual conventions of the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York.
Bishop Sean gave this address on October 25 to the joint convention of the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania: Last October, our two conventions made a bold decision to set into motion a partnership between two dioceses that has led us, and will lead us, on quite a new adventure. We are…
In this new video, Bishop Sean offers an update on what’s happened since April, when the partnership of the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York got underway. He invites everyone to convention in Erie on October 25 and 26, but don’t expect business as usual! Convention begins with registration and continental breakfast from…
It’s summer camp week, and Bishop Sean has flipped the script for this episode of “Ask the Bishop” and is asking the campers questions! Check it out below:
Dear friends, Every Easter morning, I find myself relieved that it was Mary Magdalene, and not me, who was the first one at the empty tomb. She had what it took: a profound faith in what she saw but did not yet understand and a willingness to proclaim the Resurrection without confirmation or analysis. Those…
Dear friends in Christ: Thank you for the generous welcome that you extended to Carly, Lauren and me on Sunday at St. Paul’s Cathedral. I was glad to see so many of you and to have the chance to worship together. I am especially grateful that we were able to begin our ministry together by…
