From the Rev. Matt Lincoln: Pledge of Faith and Action Against Racial Injustice Zoom Meetings on June 8 and 14 |
|
above: In a new video, Denise Clarke-Merriweather of St. Philip's, Buffalo, leads The Pledge of Faith and Action Against Racial Injustice |
|
A letter from the Rev. Matt Lincoln, chair of the partnership dioceses' Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination:
Dear Colleagues in Christ,
Many of us are searching for ways to approach our society’s persistence of racism and violence with our congregations. We are horrified by the evil of another mass shooting, this time at a Texas elementary school. While that shooter’s motive remains unclear, we know the shooter in Buffalo was motivated by deep racial hatred.
I write today on behalf of Bishop Sean and The Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination to announce that the Commission is reintroducing The Pledge of Faith and Action against Racial Injustice as a resource you can use to open conversation. We have created a video and are sharing it with you first, before sending it to the Partnership e-newsletter for wider circulation. The video can be accessed here.
We invite you to present the Pledge to your vestries for affirmation before sharing it with your congregants and to consider ways to support the Pledge through congregational ministries of learning, prayer and action. The Pledge of Faith and Action against Racial Injustice, itself, is intended as a personal commitment and as a way to inspire your congregation to pray and discern what more can be done.
None of us can do this in isolation; the Commission is here to help. The Pledge is accompanied by a brief resource list and action overview with options on the individual and congregational levels. That document is available here.
To support parishes affirming the Pledge:
-
We are making available 4×6 Pledge cards for distribution to your membership. The cards display the pledge on one side and the words, Learn-Pray-Act, with the Episcopal shield on the other. To request cards, contact the Rev. Stacey Fussell in NWPA or the Rev. Diana Leiker in WNY.
- Coming this summer, we will be opening up training for Racial Healing Circles, a story sharing conversational program. Look for more details to be forthcoming.
|
|
Community Foundation Funds to Support Buffalo |
|
Applications for Chief Financial Officer/Canon for Finance Accepted Through June 15 |
|
The Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania are seeking a Chief Financial Officer/Canon for Finance. The Canon for Finance is responsible for the financial operations in both dioceses. The new Canon for Finance will be trained by the current canon before her retirement.
|
|
Western New York Grant Proposals Due August 1 |
|
The next deadline for the new Diocese of Western New York unified grant application is August 1.
The new application includes:
- Clear definitions and guidelines for each grant within the document.
- Clear instructions on how to use the grant application.
- A general information portion that applies to all grants.
- Additional portions for each grant.
- A shared set of deadlines for all grants.
- A page of expectations in the process for both applicants and Diocesan Council, so the expectations are clearly defined and each group can hold the other accountable.
The grant committee will receive grant requests three times a year and take its recommendations to Diocesan Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
|
|
Partnership Counties Experiencing High COVID-19 Levels |
|
If you have questions or would like to discuss your congregation’s continuing COVID response, please talk with Canon Twila Smith or Canon Vanessa Butler. Thank you for your continued faithfulness to our congregations throughout this long pandemic.
|
|
Partnership Summer Camp August 7-1o
Registration Now Open
|
|
From August 7-10, the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania will hold a joint summer camp. Due to changes in staff availability and facilities, the camp will now be held at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center in Bemus Point, New York. Registration is now open.
Camp will start at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 7 and end with a closing Eucharist, to which families are invited, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10.
Camp will cost $200 to attend. People who need financial assistance can contact Wendy Schumacher.
|
|
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the history and struggles of LGBTQ+ people across the world. If your congregation would like to share news about a Pride event, please email communications@episcopalpartnership.org.
|
|
"The Warmth of Other Suns" Discussion June 16
Bishop Holly Chapter, Union of Black Episcopalians
|
|
Isabel Wilkerson Field Trip with UBE |
|
Best wishes to the following clergy who are celebrating ordination anniversaries:
The Rev. Nicholas Evancho, June 2
The Rev. Jeffery Edmister, June 4
The Rev. Elizabeth Hadaway, June 4
The Rev. Gloria Payne-Carter, June 5
The Rev. Rebecca Lash, June 6
The Rev. Joann Piatko, June 6
The Rev. Bruce Gillies, June 9
The Rev. Michael Hadaway Jr., June 10
The Rev. Zachary Irwin, June 10
The Rev. Mary Norton, June 10
The Rev. Alice Turner, June 11
The Rev. Pauline Bowen, June 11
The Rev. Richard Nygaard, June 11
The Rev. Adam Trambley, June 12
The Rev. Robert Burke, June 12
The Rev. Michael Bauschard, June 13
The Rev. James Clement, June 14
Special congratulations to the Rev. Paulette Carney who celebrates 35 years ordained on June 13 and the Rev. Sue Boyd-Ellis who celebrates 35 years ordained on June 13.
|
|
Resuming Use of the Common Cup: From Bishop Sean |
|
On April 6, Bishop Sean announced that congregations may resume the use of the common cup.
Dear People of God in Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York:
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, I give thanks that, according to Centers for Disease Control data, our region is now experiencing low case counts. As a result, I believe that we can resume use of the common cup at the Eucharist beginning Palm Sunday, April 10.
|
|
Partnership in Prayer on Facebook Live |
|
The bishop's staff invites people across the partnership dioceses to join them online Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. for virtual prayer on the Partnership in Prayer Facebook page. The next service will be June 2.
|
|
Join the Union of Black Episcopalians |
|
The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) is an Episcopal organization supporting Black institutions and Black leadership in the U.S. and throughout the world. The diocesan partnership has a local chapter dedicated to providing programming for the region with a focus on spiritual development, education and anti-racism advocacy.
Become a member of the local chapter with an annual commitment of $25. A contribution will go far to help UBE in its work. Congregations can also become members for a suggested donation of $100. Congregational members can borrow the documentary, John Lewis Get In The Way for small groups to screen and discuss.
|
|
Make Gifts and Pledges to Congregations Online |
Though many congregations are now meeting in person, the bishop's office will continue to maintain an online giving platform that accepts gifts and pledge payments for any congregation. The partnership dioceses will absorb payment processing fees so contributions will go entirely to local mission.
|
|
Anyone can subscribe to the leadership newsletter and the general newsletter, which are published on alternate Wednesdays.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
