Diocesan News | May 13, 2020
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MINISTRY MEETS UNSPOKEN NEEDS: TAMPONS, DIAPERS, WIPES
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When she first realized that her church, like others across the country, would be closing its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenn Campbell of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church in Warren, Pa., thought of her diapers and feminine hygiene ministry clients first. “I broke into tears,” she says. “And it wasn't me I was worried about, it was the recipients. I'm thinking, ‘if they can't come in, how do I meet their needs?’ People need diapers whether there's COVID-19 or not.”
The
Diapers & Such Ministry
helps people in Warren County who are in need of toilet paper, feminine hygiene items and disposable baby diapers. Started six years ago, the program served 100 families in 2019.
“It was born out of my own personal struggles,” Campbell says. “I don't have kids, but I've lived in poverty pretty much my entire adult life because I have a permanent disability. I see my family and friends that struggle to afford diapers. And for me personally, I struggled to afford feminine products and I thought ‘I wonder if there's anybody out there who helps with this?’”
She contacted the local Salvation Army and a local pregnancy support center, both of which were well aware of the needs she described. “They said, ‘You'll probably be inundated if you start this.’ That was kind of the general consensus. Everybody said, ‘Yes there's a need, and we get requests, but we can't meet the need.’ And that was kind of the final straw. I said, ‘Okay, nobody in town's doing this, I'm going to see if I can make it happen.’”
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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.
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2020 SUMMER CAMPS CANCELED
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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.
The dioceses are eager to develop other plans "to help young people to see and know the love of God and make connections with one another," said Wendy Schumacher, missioner for youth and children.
You can help by filling out this survey
.
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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 the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 the end of May.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parish has had to cancel its annual Strawberry Festival, scheduled for June 20, for the first time since World War II. But, rather than withdraw an order for 110 quarts of strawberries from their longtime suppliers at Coulter Farms, the parish decided to donate the fruit to the Care-N-Share food pantry in Ransomville, another local organization St. John’s has supported for many years.
(Photo: Strawberry picking at Coulter Farms)
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The Rev. Erin Betz Shank, vicar of
Trinity, New Castle
spoke with Episcopal News Service about the threats and insults people of Asian descent are encountering as the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in China, spreads across the United States. Shank, who is of Asian origin, said national leaders should “think carefully about the words you are using and the ramifications that your words as a leader have on other people, negatively or positively."
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EASTER OFFERING FOR HUNGER RELIEF CONTINUES UNTIL MAY 31
Our Holy Week and Easter offering has raised more than $8,900 to feed hungry people across our region. Your donations have supported the
Genesis Center
, a program of St. Simon's, Buffalo, the Cathedral of St. Paul and St. Mark's in Erie’s efforts to provide meals to first responders and our region’s major food banks
FeedMore WNY
and
Second Harvest of NWPA
The 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. AL JOHNSON 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 fifth Sunday of Easter,
the Rev. Al Johnson, congregational development consultant on the bishop's staff,
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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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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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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