February 22, 2023
Becoming Beloved Community: Here and Now
Lenten Study Now Available
The Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination has developed a five-part Lenten study titled "Becoming Beloved Community: Here and Now."

The materials, which are based on the 2020 diocesan convention resolution titled "Framing the Journey to Beloved Community" are now available: Download the Lenten study.

For more information, email Canon Twila Smith.
Joint Clergy Conference March 19-21
Register by February 27
Clergy from the dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York will gather for a joint clergy conference at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron, NY from March 19 at 5:30 p.m. until midday on March 21.

Canon Abbott Bailey, the partnership's new canon for strategy and chief operating officer, will lead the retreat. The program will also include time with Bishop Sean.

Register online by February 27. Registering for the conference will ensure a room at the hotel; there is no need to reserve a room directly with the hotel.
Reports Due in March
Congregational Information Form
Congregations in both Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York are asked to complete the online congregational information form by March 15 to ensure that diocesan records are updated.

Parochial Report
Online filing for the 2022 Parochial Report is now available. Each congregation must file a report by March 1. Resources for filling out the parochial report are available on the Forms and Instructions page on the General Convention website. Please email Jeff Mills, CFO, or Maria Manocchio, missioner for finance, for assistance.

Non-Parochial Report
Clergy who serve in settings other than congregations must report on their ministry by March 15 using the non-parochial report form.
Save the Date: Chrism Liturgy and Vow Renewal April 4
St. Luke's, Jamestown
The Chrism Liturgy and Clergy Renewal of Vows will take place on April 4, the Tuesday of Holy Week, at St. Luke's, Jamestown. Watch future newsletters for more information.
2023 TENS Materials Now Available
The 2023 TENS pledge campaign materials are now available on the TENS website. This year's theme is Rooted in Abundance. When prompted, enter this password: Jeremiah17:8

Please note, this is a case sensitive password, and there are no spaces.
Donate to Earthquake Recovery in Turkey and Syria
February 26 is Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
Episcopal Relief & Development is working with Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT Alliance) to provide supplies, hot meals and other emergency support in response to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria that have killed over tens of thousands of people and caused widespread damage. 

Donations to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development continue responding to this disaster.

This Sunday, February 26, is Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday. Download bulletin inserts and other resources on the Episcopal Relief & Developments website.

photo courtesy of the ACT Alliance
Episcopal Youth Event 2023
Partnership Delegation Applications Due March 10
The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE), a triennial gathering of high school aged youth and their mentors, will be held July 4-8 at the University of Maryland in College Park. Youth in grades 9 to 12 are invited to apply to be part of the partnership's EYE delegation. Applications must be submitted by March 10.

Province III of the Episcopal Church will also hold an event just before EYE, which will include an opportunity to tour Washington National Cathedral.

To learn more about EYE, email Wendy Schumacher, missioner for children and youth, at or call her at 716.830.5443. She is also available to visit congregations and youth groups.
Save the Dates: Summer Camp 2023
This summer, the partnership dioceses will hold two camps for students finishing grades 2-12:



Watch future newsletters for more information.

image: a family camp day at Camp Nazareth in 2021
Make Updates to the Episcopal Asset Map
More people visit the Episcopal Asset Map during Holy Week than any other time of the year, according to a recent update from asset map staff. Congregational leaders are encouraged to review the information on their congregation's Asset Map page so they can be ready to welcome people searching for a new church home:

  • Navigate to the Episcopal Asset Map
  • Click on your congregation and click on "More Details."
  • If anything needs to be changed or added, click "Update this Place."
  • After you click "Save and Submit" changes will go to the diocesan Asset Map administrator for approval, and changes will be published.

Episcopal Relief & Development has released a video walk-through of this process.

Contact [email protected] with questions or to learn more.
Visit the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
Join March 19 Tour
On March 19, people from across the partnership are invited to join Calvary, Williamsville, St. Paul's, Harris Hill and St. Matthias, East Aurora for a tour of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Museum Heritage Center. The tour is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Those interested should contact Emily Sityar by March 2 to reserve a place.

During 2023, Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination will continue to provide grants for groups from partnership diocese congregations to visit the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Museum Heritage Center. Both transportation and entrance fees will be covered by the grants.

To book a tour or for more information, contact the Rev. Helen Harper at 808.840.3021.
Events
Ecumenical and Interfaith Advocacy Days in February
New York State Council of Churches
The New York State Council of Churches will hold Ecumenical and Interfaith Advocacy Days in Albany on February 27 and 28. This year, the advocacy focus will be New York's immigration and housing crisis.
Godly Play Core Training March 24-26
Diocese of Pittsburgh
St. Paul's, Mt Lebanon in the Diocese of Pittsburgh has invited interested members of the partnership dioceses to a Godly Play Core Training from March 24-26. 

The Core Training is recommended for those leading Godly Play sessions and for program administrators and clergy.

Please contact the Rev. Laura Di Panfilo by email with questions. Learn more and sign up online.
Clergy News
Ordination Anniversaries
Best wishes to the following clergy who are celebrating ordination anniversaries:

The Rev. George Hough, March 1
The Rev. William S. Crittenden, March 1
The Rev. Otis Hovencamp, March 1
The Rev. Allen W. Farabee, March 1
The Rev. Jason Miller, March 2
Job Openings
Missioner for Operations
Dioceses of Western New York & Northwestern Pennsylvania
The partnership dioceses seek a Missioner for Operations. Cover letters and resumes can be submitted to Canon Vanessa Butler and will be considered on a rolling basis beginning February 23.
Food Access Coordinator
St. Luke's, Jamestown
St. Luke's, Jamestown, seeks a food access coordinator to oversee the congregation's Mobile Market, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and community garden programs.

Office Administrator
St. Stephen's, Fairview
St. Stephen’s, Fairview is looking for an experienced office administrator.

Interested applicants should submit a resume to [email protected].
Reminders
Masking Recommendation
The CDC continues to recommend that vaccinated people wear a mask indoors in areas of substantial or high COVID transmission, and that unvaccinated people over age 2 should wear a mask indoors at all times.

Make sure to monitor county-level data in assessing risk. Find Centers for Disease Control county-level data.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your congregation’s continuing COVID response, please contact Canon Twila Smith or Canon Vanessa Butler.
Partnership in Prayer on Facebook Live
The bishop's staff invites people across the partnership dioceses to join them online Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon for virtual prayer on the Partnership in Prayer Facebook page.
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. 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 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.

Publication Schedule
Anyone can subscribe to the leadership newsletter and the general newsletter, which are published on alternate Wednesdays.

The general newsletter contains stories, congregational event listings, and other news of general interest. The leadership news focuses on governance and administrative updates and reminders, leadership events and clergy news. Updates are also available on the partnership Facebook page and the partnership website.

Please send news about your congregation's ministry, mission and events to [email protected]. To contribute photos, stories, or event announcements to the newsletter, please see our submission guidelines.