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.
During this time as we respond to the spread of COVID-19, parishes may wish to provide live streams of their services so that those who must stay home feel included. Some churches may at some point not be able to gather in person at all, and may want to offer online worship only. Below are…
updated March 18: Bishop Sean has announced that the suspension of in-person worship will extend through Holy Week and Easter. Read more. *********** updated March 13: Bishop Sean has suspended in-person worship, meetings and gatherings until further notice. Read his letter. *********** updated March 11: Dear People of God: As I am sure you know,…
In late February, more than 75 people from around the region gathered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown for a workshop on implicit bias led by Dr. Ursuline Bankhead, a licensed psychologist and member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Buffalo, as part of the partnership’s efforts to combat racism and work toward racial justice…
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…
In February, a new advisory group will begin the next phase of developing a mission strategy for the partnership dioceses. The group, which will be chaired by Craig Dressler of St. Mark’s, Erie, and Twila Smith of St. Simon’s, Buffalo, was appointed by the councils of both dioceses. “I am grateful to the people of…
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…
Last week, more than 225 people from across the region participated in the Emmaus Gatherings, a series of five meetings designed to invite participation in the development of the partnership’s mission strategy. “This was amazing,” said Cheryl Wild of Epiphany, Grove City, and Memorial Church of Our Father, Foxburg. “I felt connected with people because…
