Diocesan Convention to Take Place Online
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In consultation with the chancellors of both dioceses, Bishop Sean has determined that the annual conventions of both dioceses will be held online this year, rather than in person, so that we can continue to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities from the risk of COVID-19.
Bishop Sean will meet with the diocesan councils and standing committees of both dioceses later this summer to discuss the details of holding convention online. Watch future issues of the newsletter for more details, and continue to hold the dates of November 6 and 7 for online convention meetings and activities.
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Bishop Sean recently wrote an
op-ed for the Erie Times-News
about our Christian obligation to address the racial disparities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic:
"Sunday, when many of us log in for online worship, we will hear the prayer for unity that Jesus offered for his disciples just before he was betrayed. 'Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.' The disproportionate suffering of people of color as COVID-19 has ripped through our community makes it clear that we are falling short of Jesus’ vision. Even as Christians plan to resume in-person worship, we must remember that God calls us to use our voices and our votes to ensure that some things never return to normal."
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Bishop Sean and the Rev. Luke Fodor of
St. Lukes, Jamestown
were featured in a
Spectrum News piece
about how church leaders are preparing to reopen their buildings.
"Our number one priority right now is serving our communities; it is not about getting back into buildings. It's not a tragedy. It's a tragedy that people are dying in a pandemic," Bishop Sean said.
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Sconiers Testifies on Unequal Impact of COVID-19
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The Hon. Rose H. Sconiers, first vice-chair of the Diocese of Western New York’s Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination, testified on May 18 at a joint hearing of the state legislature exploring solutions to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. Sconiers testified in her role as chair of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable. The Roundtable was convened in 2015 by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and includes Bishop Sean among its members.
“This current COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare longstanding inequities in Greater Buffalo’s communities of color which have resulted from centuries of institutional oppression,” Sconiers said.
Public health data demonstrates the COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging communities of color that are already struggling with poverty and conflict. The rates of infection, hospitalization and fatalities are significantly higher in communities of color than in white communities based on rates from the disease.
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Parish Communications Webinar Available on Video
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A
recording of the May 18 webinar
on hosting worship and congregational events online is now available. The presenters were the Rev. Matthew Scott of St. Francis and Trinity Memorial Churches in Youngsville and Warren, Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Kathleen Moore of Canticle Communications.
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Easter Offering for Hunger Relief Continues Until May 31
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Our Holy Week and Easter offering has raised $21,200
to feed hungry people across our region, thanks in part to recent gifts of $6,000 from the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Erie and $5,000 for St. Mark’s Church in Erie. The appeal remains open until May 31. If your own income is uninterrupted during this difficult time
please give generously
.
The appeal most recently provided meals for essential workers at seniors homes, medical centers and other businesses through a partnership with local caterers and bakeries. The final disbursal, to be made when the appeal concludes, will support City Rescue Mission in New Castle, Pa., and Foodlink in Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties in New York
.
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A Message from Bishop Sean: Keeping Each Other Safe
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Bish
op Sean wrote to the people of the partnership on May 22 renewing his request that congregations refrain from in-person worship until at least July 1.
Dear People of God in Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania,
On Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he is now permitting New Yorkers to gather for worship in groups of ten people or fewer, as long as people wear masks and practice social distancing. Similarly, earlier today Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf moved ten counties in our partnership into the state’s “green phase” of reopening, effective May 29. That phase permits gatherings of more than 25 people with appropriate social distancing. President Trump has also expressed the opinion that houses of worship should reopen immediately.
While I am glad for these indications in both of our states that we are making progress against the COVID-19 pandemic, and while I too think that faith communities are essential, this does not alter my request that our congregations refrain from in-person worship until at least July 1.
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Summer Camp Canceled; Digital Youth Ministry Planned
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Bishop Sean has announced that the diocesan summer camp previously scheduled for August 9-12 at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center in Bemus Point, NY, will not take place this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. He had previously announced that the diocesan summer camp scheduled for June 14-20 at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, PA, was canceled due to the pandemic.
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A Cry to God Together: Lament in the Midst of COVID-19
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The Rev. Luke Fodor Preaches Online
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While our buildings are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Bishop Sean and other leaders from across the partnership dioceses are leading worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays via the Zoom platform.
On weekdays, a group of lay and clergy leaders is leading noonday prayer online. Find the weekday services on the partnership
Facebook page.
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WNY 2021 Clergy Compensation Guidelines Available
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Northwestern Pennsylvania's guidelines will be reviewed at diocesan convention this fall.
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As Daylight Fades: An Evening Service of Light & Hope
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On Wednesdays at 7 p.m.,
St. Paul's, Buffalo
will offer a 30-minute service incorporating elements from Evening Prayer and Compline. The meditative experience includes a reflection, poetry, art and familiar hymns and other music. Participants are encouraged to light a candle as the hymn "O Gracious Light" is sung.
This service will be offered live via Zoom every Wednesday at 7 p.m. The service can be accessed by using this link:
bit.ly/SPCzoomwebinar
and the password 4cathedral.
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Make Gifts and Pledges to Congregations Online
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Although church buildings are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of congregations continues, and the need for pledge income and gifts is urgent. The bishop's office is maintaining an online giving platform that accepts
gifts and pledge payments for any congregation
.
While in-person church services are suspended, the partnership dioceses will absorb payment processing fees so that your entire gift will go to your congregation for local mission. Please support our congregations during this unprecedented time by keeping your pledge payments current if your own income is uninterrupted.
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Printable Bulletin for Home Worship
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The Rev. Claudia Scheda and the Rev. Steve Lane have prepared simple worship service bulletins that can be printed and distributed to people without access to the internet.
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To get updates from Bishop Sean and news about the partnership and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please encourage members of your congregation to
subscribe
to this newsletter and
follow the partnership
Facebook page
,
where all new updates, stories and photos will be posted. The individual WNY and NWPA Facebook pages will continue to exist but won't be updated, so stay up-to-date with all the diocesan news, events and postings by liking
The Episcopal Dioceses of Western New York & Northwestern Pennsylvania
.
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Shannon Fund Scholarships Deadline Extended
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The Shannon Fund is a scholarship trust that gives annual grants for daughters of Episcopal clergy who are canonically resident in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These grants are for undergraduate study only and are awarded in mid-June of each year. To apply, contact Ms. Edna Rauco at 570.622.8720 or
by email
.
PLEASE NOTE: The application deadline for this year has been extended until June 1.
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May 30 Partnership Resource Day Canceled
The May 30 Partnership Resource Day at the Cathedral of St. Paul has been canceled. Watch future issues of the newsletter for a rescheduled date for this day of practical, informative workshops on topics like congregational finance, communications, music and liturgy, and more.
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To contribute photos, stories, or event announcements to the newsletter, please see our
submission guidelines
.
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