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Stronger with Others: a Regional Ministry Grows in Northwestern Pennsylvania

When families with young children visit Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle, Resurrection Church in Hermitage, or Church of the Epiphany in Grove City, they will find a “soft space” set aside that allows kids to relax and play during church services. These congregations all have a long-held commitment to welcoming children, and their developing…

A Ukrainian Sponsor Circle – and Pierogies – at St. James and St. Peter’s

Jesus gave us two important commandments: ”Love your neighbor” and “Welcome the stranger.”  The congregations of St. James, Batavia and St. Peter’s, Eggertsville are doing just that. Deacon Tom Tripp of St. Peter’s first learned of the work of Ukrainian Sponsor Circles at a meeting hosted by Jewish Family Services of Buffalo. The Sponsor Circle…

An Interview With Mr. Thomas Ashford of St. Peter’s, Niagara Falls

In his 2022 convention sermon, Bishop Sean mentioned Mr. Thomas Ashford, warden emertius of St. Peter’s Niagara Falls and the thurifer for this year’s convention Eucharist. When Mr. Ashford first came to St. Peter’s in 1951, he was rebuffed by the parish’s leaders and told that he would have to have a white sponsor in…

“The Need Isn’t Going Away”: Food Ministries Pivot During Covid

Feeding people has always been part of Christian ministry, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more essential. Two congregations in our diocesan partnership have responded to the need by adapting their feeding ministries in creative ways. St. Mark’s in LeRoy, New York, is home to about thirty families, and in 2009, long…

A Welcome Home for Tim Kroh

Holy Trinity, Brookville, and Church of Our Saviour, DuBois recently welcomed the Rev. Timothy Kroh as their new vicar. Actually, the welcome was as much a ‘welcome home’ as anything. Tim Kroh was baptized at Church of Our Saviour as a teenager and is delighted to be back in the area. “I’ve always loved both…

Oil Region Episcopalians Begin Collaboration to Serve Their Communities

A picture of the Episcopal Church’s future – and how to get there – may well be seen in a budding collaboration among four congregations in the Oil Region area of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Collaborative Oil Region Episcopal Ministries is in its formative stages, but some things are already clear. First, there is…

Embodied Anti-Racism: How Mindfulness Practices Combat Racism

“Each of us is carrying racism,” said Gabrie’l Atchison, “and the way that racism exists within society is carried within each of our bodies.” Last Sunday, Atchison, who serves as both missioner for administration on the staff of the partnership dioceses and president of the Bishop James Theodore Holly Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, offered…

“It’s Like A Fish Not Knowing He’s in Water”

Joseph Croskey, a member of Christ Church in Oil City, is experienced in the slow work of dismantling racism in a predominantly white community. “Even close friends here in rural western Pennsylvania will say ‘I don’t understand what Black people are talking about. I’ve got it hard, so does everybody else, and I don’t do…

Four Partnership Priests Blend Ministry in Church and on Campus

by Melodie Woerman The season when congregations ramp up their program schedules and students head back to school is an especially meaningful time of year for the four priests in the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania who teach, or have taught, at local universities. The four are: The Rev. Shawn Clerkin, vicar…

A Partnership to Feed the Multitudes in Jamestown

St. Luke’s Church in Jamestown, New York, is not just trying to change the way the city eats, it’s trying to change the way it thinks about food. Led by its rector, the Rev. Luke Fodor, whose passion for fresh vegetables is such that people send him produce-themed birthday cards, the parish has donated money,…

New Technologies, New Members at St. Andrew’s, Burt

Like members of many worshipping communities, the people of St. Andrew’s, Burt have become well-versed in the art of Zoom church during the past pandemic year. But even as in-person worship resumes, the congregation has no intention of returning to its pre-pandemic ways. “We’re not going back,” says St. Andrew’s senior warden Doug Wintersteen. “We’re…