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.
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…
“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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
In February, the partnership dioceses will host a new, three-part online program, called the Explorers’ Series, for people discerning a possible call to ordained ministry. “This is called an “Explorer” series because you do not have to be certain of a call or certain of a particular type of ministry to attend,” said Canon Twila…
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…
In a video recorded at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Buffalo on December 15, Bishop Sean reminds us that Jesus came to share our humanity in an uncertain and changing world, and that God’s comfort goes with us, even in difficult times.
