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All over our region, congregations are embracing new ways of working on behalf of the Gospel. If you have a story to tell about work your community is doing, please email us.

Atchison To Return To Teaching, Continue UBE Leadership

Dr. Gabrie’l Atchison, who has served the partnership dioceses as missioner for administration for the past two years, has announced that she will resign her position to return to adjunct teaching at the end of May. “During her time on the partnership staff, Gabrie’l has been a thoughtful colleague and a catalyst for helping to…

Clergy Voice Enthusiasm, See Challenges in Interviews on Anti-Racism Resolution

The findings of almost 60 one-on-one interviews conducted by the Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination (CDRD) indicate that the clergy and aspirants of the partnership dioceses are committed to enhancing their congregations’ ability to work against racism, but aware there may be significant challenges in doing so. The commission conducted 58 confidential interviews between August…

Prayer Services on April 8

On April 8, a number of congregations across the partnership dioceses will host prayer services to prepare for Holy Week. Everyone is invited to participate: 7 a.m.: Prayer on the Partnership in Prayer Facebook Page Morning Prayer at Trinity, New Castle (time to be determined) 10 a.m.: Morning Prayer at Ascension, Bradford (also livestreamed on Facebook) Noon: Stations…

Bishop Sean Rowe

Resuming Use of the Common Cup: A Letter from Bishop Sean

Dear People of God in Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York: Although the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, I give thanks that, according to Centers for Disease Control data, our region is now experiencing low case counts. As a result, I believe that we can resume use of the common cup at the Eucharist…

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…

Diocese to Hold Joint Summer Camp August 7-13

From August 7-13, the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania will hold a joint summer camp at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, Pennsylvania. This marks the first year that the partnership dioceses have shared a summer camp. The camp will take place in August, when the Diocese of Western New York has traditionally held…

Being Reconciled to God: Bishop Sean’s Lenten Message

In a Lenten message recorded at a clergy conference at Olmsted Manor in Ludlow, Pennsylvania, Bishop Sean reminds us that Lent is not a doubling-down on grief and sorrow, but rather a time to take to God all of the suffering and pain we have experienced in the last two years of pandemic.

Lenten Programs for Congregational Leaders

During Lent, three new online programs will provide lay and clergy leaders the opportunity to learn and discuss approaches for our common life. The programs, which will all be held on Zoom, will be led by Canon Twila Smith. Forming New Rhythms of Life in Community: March 22, March 29 and April 5 In this…

From Bishop Sean: An Update on COVID-19 Precautions

Dear People of God in the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania: In the last several weeks, COVID-19 rates in our communities have declined dramatically from the record rates we experienced in December and January. Although transmission rates are still considered “high” across our partnership dioceses, it seems as if the worst of…