November 3, 2025

Blessings on Monday!

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen

Our congregations are helping neighbors who suddenly need food.

Soup kitchens and food pantries across the Diocese welcome guests every day. Because of the federal government shutdown, three million New Yorkers lost food assistance on Saturday. We’ve heard from every region of the Diocese that the number of guests at feeding programs dramatically increased this weekend.

Weekend court orders have mandated continuing benefits— but re-launching could take weeks. We’re supporting resources that our congregations need right now.

Immediate food. Our programs need additional food. You can give a $100 for a gift card or other emergency food assistance to help our neighbors across the Diocese get immediate food— and to support our local outreach programs in their response. Episcopal Charities will coordinate. You can donate safely here.

You can also support the Cathedral’s efforts to give $100 grocery cards to guests of Cathedral Community Cares. You can donate safely here.

Ongoing benefits. The court orders provide a stopgap solution. Call your member of Congress and tell them to immediately authorize SNAP benefits and reimbursement of local food support. You can find information here.

Opening our doors and responding to need represents a foundation of our faith. We seek and serve Christ in all persons.

Our clergy and volunteers at feeding programs are carrying the mission of the Diocese by providing food — and calling for a civic fabric that cares for people who are vulnerable.

I’m proud of their ministries and hope that you’ll help.

Thanks to Episcopal Charities, the Cathedral, and the Public Witness Task Force for their coordination of our support.

Grace & Peace,

Hurricane Melissa

We’re responding in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, Haiti, & Cuba. We have deep connections to the Anglican Church in the Caribbean — and with the Caribbean community in the Diocese.

You can give directly to the Diocese/ general diocesan fund. We’ll dedicate for hurricane relief. You can donate here.

The Rev. Dr. Pierre-Andre Duvert and St. Luke’s Church in the Bronx will help coordinate donations for relief to the Diocese of Jamaica and other dioceses.

2024 Audit.

At its October meeting the Trustees of the Diocese formally approved the 2024 audit.

Because of our commitment to financial transparency it’s now our practice to share our audited financials each year.

Here is the 2024 audit.

As we re-organize and modernize our financial functions as a Diocese, we have completed two audits this calendar year.

Thanks to Trustee audit chair Mary Farley, interim chief of finance & operations Judi Allen, and controller Beth Ganss for their work.

Across EDNY.

On Saturday morning we hosted the regular retreat for diocesan governance & leadership bodies.

Members of the Standing Committee, Trustees, Council, & Deans gathered at the Cathedral to talk through how we manage change together as leaders in the Diocese.

Thanks to Canon Alissa Newton and special projects coordinator Ashley Gonzalez for coordinating.

Religious Orders in New York.

Last week we gathered leaders from religious orders based in the Diocese of New York at Ogilvie House for lunch.

This year’s gathering included a new order— the Siblings of Bethany, based at Church of the Atonement in the Bronx. Thanks to Arlene Bullard & Ashley Gonzalez for coordinating.

West Point Chaplaincy.

Last week we joined the weekly Canterbury Club meeting at West Point.

It was terrific to be with the Rev. Jan Nunley, the Rev. Deacon David McDonald, and Sheila Conklin, who guide the chaplaincy.

Gratitude & Recognition.

Most congregations are launching their stewardship campaigns for the fall.

We give thanks for stewardship chairs across the Diocese and for the faithful work of inviting gifts for our mission.

> Are you honoring someone in your community this fall?

Celebrating a milestone for years of service, a retirement, or a major birthday? Let us know. My colleague Arlene Bullard and I will send letters of appreciation.

My schedule this week.

Yesterday, I visited Christ Church Bronxville for their centennial celebration.

Thanks to the Rev. Dr. Kurt Gerhard for his welcome. It was nice to serve with the Rev. Dr. Katherine Reinhard and the Rev. Leanne Dodge.

Yesterday afternoon the Cathedral hosted an evensong for the Haiti Project. The Rev. Sr. Promise Atelon offered a sermon. Thanks to Canon Sam Owen, Canon Steven Lee, and Ashley Gonzalez for their leadership in planning.

This week and next we are preparing for convention.

Tonight, I’ll participate in the Episcopal Charities Tribute Dinner. Thanks to Lauren Chung for coordinating.

On Wednesday, I’ll participate in a vigil for sanctuary in Sullivan County with Rural & Migrant Ministry. Thanks to the Rev. Richard Witt for coordinating.

On Wednesday night, I’ll participate in the final pre-Convention online budget session. Thanks to Zach Tallman for coordinating.

On Saturday, I’ll participate in the next Bronx leadership discussion about mission. Thanks to Canon Victor Conrado for coordinating.

What's ahead.

> Clergy Recovery Meetings- Wednesday mornings @ 7 am.

Canon Sam Owen is facilitating a clergy recovery meeting every Wednesday at 7:00 AM on Zoom. The meeting is completely confidential.

Here is the link.

Care for each other is the most important thing we do. This meeting is open to anyone who has a desire to recover from an addiction, including but not limited to alcohol, drugs, food, codependence, or shopping.

> November 15 from 9 am until 4 pm: Diocesan Convention.

Diocesan Convention is an annual opportunity to discuss the diocesan budget, elect representatives to diocesan offices, and discuss major policy issues.

Click below here to visit the Convention website.

We’ll have a third and final opportunity next week to discuss the 2026 diocesan budget:

November 5 @ 7 pm: Find the link here.

For questions, please contact Zach Tallman: ztallman@dioceseny.org or The Rev. Julia Offinger: joffinger@gracechurchnyc.org

Prayers.

On Thursday night, we participated in the installation of the Rev. Chris Lee as rector of St. Mary the Virgin in Chappaqua.

The Rev. Julia Offinger preached.

Please pray for Chris and his family in the next chapter of ministry.

On Saturday afternoon we held the closing service for All Saints Church on Staten Island.

All Saints was consecrated on All Saints Day 1889. It’s had six locations over its life. Bishop Horace Donegan dedicated the current worship space in 1964.

The Standing Committee and I placed the congregation under Canon 29 supervision last spring.

We named an Administrative Authority that helped All Saints members connect with other Episcopal congregations on Staten Island this summer.

Our congregations offer safe belonging across generations. Our clergy and congregational leaders work so faithfully. Letting go of a community that you love is hard. The service offered a moment of closure.

And, the main feeling that I took from the service was life.

The Staten Island Episcopal community across congregations came to the service to support All Saints. All the clergy attended. The message was: All Saints members won’t have to face these challenges alone. Participation in the service reflected increased connection and collaboration across Staten Island congregations over the last several years. I found the experience hopeful and profoundly moving.

The All Saints campus will continue as an Episcopal ministry center for Staten Island, supported by rental revenue for the space.

I’m grateful to clericus dean Hank Tuell, inter-parish council chair Cathy Carlson, missioner Kirstin Swanson, Canon Victor Conrado, Chancellor Patrick Cheng, Canon Alissa Newton, and interim chief of finance & operations Judi Allen for their careful work through this year.

Please pray for everyone connected with All Saints and the Episcopal community on Staten Island.

Find the zoom link here.

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