Diocesan News | May 6, 2020
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FROM BISHOP SEAN: IN-PERSON WORSHIP SUSPENDED UNTIL JULY 1
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Dear People of God in the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania:
As the governors of our states begin outlining plans to reopen economies after Covid-19 shutdowns, it is clear that the risks of gathering in groups is still significant, particularly for people who are vulnerable to the most serious effects of the virus. As a result, I must ask that we continue our suspension of in-person worship, meetings, and gatherings until at least July 1.
I know that many of us long to be together again, to share communion, and to worship in our sacred spaces. As we continue abstaining from the rituals and sacraments we love, I urge you to find comfort in the knowledge that we are making sacrifices for the common good. As precious as in-person worship is to us, the lives of people in our congregations and communities are infinitely more so.
Between now and July 1, we have many decisions to make together about how we can safely gather in person. I met online earlier today with the clergy of our dioceses to begin these discussions, and I have asked the
mission strategy group
to continue this work as part of its larger exploration of how we will respond to the needs of our communities in the wake of the pandemic. I will be in touch again in the coming weeks to update you on how we will take the first steps toward regathering in person.
In the meantime, I encourage you to continue gathering online for worship, bible study, check-ins and all the other virtual gatherings that people across our partnership have devised to stay connected and to share God’s love. We will continue offering Sunday worship online at 10 a.m. each week with rotating leadership from across our dioceses, and I invite everyone to join. Find
login information on the website
.
I also urge you to continue finding safe ways of serving our vulnerable neighbors through takeout meals, food pantry pickups and deliveries. Even as state restrictions are eased, we must continue to safeguard the health and safety of our faithful volunteers and of those who depend on the meals we serve and the supplies we provide. Our Easter offering continues to support feeding programs across our region, and you can
donate online until May 31
to continue caring for those most in need.
In the last few weeks, a group of leaders on the mission strategy team has gathered to begin defining the values that will guide us as we reopen our buildings. The team is also considering the new ways in which these buildings might be used once they are again places of safety and sustenance. In a draft of their work, they write, “We hold fast to the assurance that when two or three or more gather, even digitally, God has promised to be in our midst. Even in the wilderness of exile or pandemic, we are certain that God is with us and is calling us to new ways of living out our mission.” These words will sustain me for the days ahead, and I hope their assurance of God’s steadfast care will also give you hope.
As we continue this journey in the wilderness of the pandemic, please pray for those who are sick from this terrible virus, those who have died, and all those who are laboring in essential, yet often thankless jobs on the front lines of the response. Thank you for your perseverance and your continued willingness to sacrifice for those most in need.
Faithfully,
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MAY 18 PARISH COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP
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On May 18 at 6:30 p.m., the Rev. Matthew Scott of St. Francis and Trinity Memorial Churches in Youngsville and Warren and the Rev. Kathleen Moore of Canticle Communications will lead a Zoom workshop on parish communications and hosting online worship and other congregational events during COVID-19. The workshop is open to anyone across the partnership dioceses.
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DIOCESAN CONVENTION UPDATE
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The 2020 convention of the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York is currently scheduled for November 6-7 in Niagara Falls. Given
current guidelines
regarding the risk of transmitting the coronavirus at large gatherings, Bishop Sean is consulting with the chairs of the Constitution and Canons Committee and the diocesan chancellors and secretaries about various options should an in-person convention not be possible this year. Watch for an announcement by mid-May.
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Parishes across our dioceses continue to respond to the needs of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trinity, Fredonia
has raised $1,200 to provide meals purchased from a local restaurant to first responders from the Fredonia Police and Fredonia Fire Departments.
The St. Peter's Blessing Box aka "The Mini Pantry" at
St. Peter's, Niagara Falls
is refilled two or three times per week with non-perishable foods and personal care items.
(Photo: The Rev. Helen Harper of St. Peter's, Niagara Falls)
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EASTER OFFERING FOR HUNGER RELIEF CONTINUES UNTIL MAY 31
Our Holy Week and Easter offering has raised more than $6300 to feed hungry people across our region. Your initial donations supported the
Genesis Center
in Buffalo, a program of St. Simon's, Buffalo, and the efforts of the Cathedral of St. Paul and St. Mark's in Erie to provide meals to first responders through Make It Fabulous Catering. Last week, we supported
FeedMore WNY
and
Second Harvest of NWPA
with contributions of more than $1500 each. Most of our congregational food ministries receive food from one of these foodbanks.
Our Easter offering continues through May 31. Future donations will continue to support congregational ministries that are feeding hungry people across our region. If your own income is uninterrupted during this difficult time, please give generously.
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THE REV. TWILA SMITH PREACHES AS ONLINE WORSHIP CONTINUES
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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 the fourth Sunday of Easter,
the Rev. Twila Smith of St. Simon's, Buffalo,
preached at the partnership's online worship service.
Watch the service on YouTube
.
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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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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RESPONDING TO SYSTEMIC RACISM DURING THE PANDEMIC
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect communities around the globe, people of color, especially women, are suffering disproportionately. Across the church, leaders are finding ways for Christians to respond faithfully to the racial and gender disparities that the pandemic has heightened. Learn more at the links below, and find out how you can help:
- Our partnership Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination has posted an update on its January 2020 event with author Richard Rothstein about the racist housing policies and programs now intensifying the effects of the pandemic on communities of color. Read more.
- The Anglican Communion and the Side-by-Side inter-faith campaign for Gender Justice have issued a statement calling for governments to tackle the increase of pre-existing inequalities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read it on the Anglican Communion website.
- The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations is responding to the coronavirus pandemic work on behalf of the most vulnerable among us by carrying out the resolutions of General Convention. Find COVID-19 updates on their website and join the Episcopal Public Policy Network to receive regular updates and tools to advocate with your elected officials.
- May 8, 3 p.m. "COVID-19 and Elder Communities," a webinar with Episcopal Relief & Development on the impact of COVID-19 on elder communities. Register online.
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ROGATION DAYS AND SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES
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The Rev. Vicki Zust of
St. Paul's, Harris Hill
has created a prayer resource for Rogation Days (May 18-20), when people pray for the earth and their neighborhood and especially for a good harvest.
Download the resource
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PRINTABLE BULLETIN FOR HOME WORSHIP
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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PARTNERSHIP COVID-19 UPDATES
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Please encourage members of your congregation to
subscribe
to this newsletter in order to receive messages from Bishop Sean and other important updates on COVID-19. Updates are also available
on the partnership website.
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STAY UP-TO-DATE AT THE PARTNERSHIP FACEBOOK PAGE
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To get updates from Bishop Sean and news about the partnership and our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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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On May 13 at 1 p.m. Sandra Smith and Chris Copeland, certified narrative Enneagram teachers and spiritual directors, will offer a Gifts, Challenges, and Practices for the Enneagram Types in Pandemic Times webinar.
Sandra has presented at two recent clergy conferences in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and is scheduled to make a presentation at the Diocese of Western New York's clergy conference this fall.
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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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The Rev. Alan Coudriet is retiring from his ministry with Grace Episcopal Church in Ridgway.
The Rev. Timothy Dyer will begin as vicar of Grace, Ridgeway on June 1. He is currently serving at the Episcopal mission in Warren County and at St. James, Titusville.
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To contribute photos, stories, or event announcements to the newsletter, please see our
submission guidelines
.
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