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.
“Advent isn’t just about waiting for the babe in the manger,” said the Rev. Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims in her sermon for the third Sunday of Advent. “It is about bringing the glory of God to all who desire it. But when we do this — when we bring good news to the oppressed, when we…
On December 24, join people from across the partnership dioceses on for a festive online Christmas Eve service and carol sing. The carol sing begins at 4:45 p.m.; the service begins at 5 p.m. Bishop Sean will preach. Use this link to join. If you are asked for a password, use lakeerie. To join by phone instead…
“Advent is our invitation to the edge,” said the Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, canon for strategic change in her sermon for the second Sunday in Advent. “There, in the wild place of our repentance, is the beginning of the good news for us all.”
Dear Friends, Advent, in some ways, came early this year. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us all into a season of self-examination way back in March. We’ve had nine months to figure out how to make straight the way of the Lord, and during that fearful and challenging time, our congregations have responded with creativity, bravery…
The partnership dioceses have undertaken another initiative to streamline governance and administration in the church. At their convention last month, the dioceses voted to join four other dioceses in what will be the largest clergy disciplinary board compact in the church. Handling disciplinary complaints against clergy, filed under Title IV of the Episcopal Church’s canons,…
Dear People of God: I am sorry to share the news that Nancy Lou Betts Bowman, widow of Bishop David Bowman, ninth bishop of Western New York, died this morning after a long illness. Nancy, who was born in Findlay, Ohio, met David at the Church of the Epiphany in Euclid, Ohio, when he was…
Dear Friends: Earlier this week, we heard encouraging news about a COVID-19 vaccine that could begin to be available early next year in limited quantities. I give thanks for this source of hope, especially as the virus is now spreading at an unprecedented rate across our region. Although we hope that 2021 will bring some…
In a joint convention held online on November 7, the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania passed budgets for both dioceses, agreed to undertake congregational conversations on racial justice and reconciliation, formed a joint Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination, and granted convention seat and voice to members of the James Theodore Holly…
The Rev. Martha Ishman will retire on December 31 as canon for transitions after 13 years on the bishop’s staff, but not before being honored at the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York’s recent convention. To mark her tenure, Bishop Sean Rowe named Ishman the diocesan partnership’s honorary canon pastor during an online…
