May 20, 2020
In the News
The good work of two partnership parishes was featured recently in local newspapers.

The Batavian featured a story and photos by Diane S. Cox, a parishioner at St James, Batavia , about the parish’s prayer fence. St. James invites people from across the region, regardless of their religious tradition, to write prayer requests on ribbons, and tie them to the fence in in front of the church. The fence is checked daily, and parishioners include the requests in their prayers until the ribbons are removed.
St. Stephen's, Olean's pet food pantry partnership with Bethany Lutheran Church, was featured in the Olean Times Herald . The Rev. Kim Rossi, who pastors both churches, asked members to raise money for dry dog and cat food. Parishioners and community members responded with almost $3,000 in donations. Future distributions will take place on alternate Fridays at Bethany Lutheran.
Parish Communications Webinar Available on Video
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 and the Rev. Kathleen Moore of Canticle Communications.
Easter Offering for Hunger Relief Continues Until May 31
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

In-Person Worship Suspended until July 1
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.

Summer Camp Canceled; Digital Youth Ministry Planned
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 in the midst of developing digital youth offerings for the summer. If you have ideas, please email Wendy Schumacher or the Rev. Matthew Scott . The dioceses are also conducting a survey to assist in program development. Take the survey here .
Diocesan Convention Update
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.  
A Cry to God Together: Lament in the Midst of COVID-19

The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing in the Diocese of Atlanta is hosting a series of three webinars, titled "A Cry To God Together: Lament In The Midst Of Covid-19." The first webinar, broadcast yesterday, is available on a video posted below. Learn more and register online for the next two sessions, scheduled for May 26 and June 2.
WNY 2021 Clergy Compensation Guidelines Available
The 2021 Clergy Compensation Guidelines for Western New York are now available.
Northwestern Pennsylvania's guidelines will be reviewed at diocesan convention this fall.
Canon Theologian John Downey Preaches Online
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.

Sunday services can be accessed by using this link:  https://zoom.us/j/127336938?pwd=cm8zUWh0Y2loTjYyKy91YURsTVBCQT0 . If you are asked for a password, use  lakeerie . To join by phone instead of video, dial 646-876-9923 and use code 127336938#.

On the sixth Sunday of Easter,  Canon Theologian John Downey 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.
Upcoming Events
Free COVID-19 Community Training Series
The Western New York Council on Safety and Health (WNYCOSH) is offering a series of free COVID-19 community training webinars. The next session, Identifying COVID-19 Health and Safety Issues in the Workplace, will be held May 21 at 12 noon.

As Daylight Fades: An Evening Service of Light & Hope
Beginning today 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.

Worship bulletins can be found on the St. Paul's website , and new r ecordings can be viewed on the St. Paul's YouTube channel beginning on Saturdays at 4 p.m. 
The Church Pension Group is hosting a webinar featuring a World Health Organization-endorsed approach to working with individuals suffering from post-crisis psychological distress. The first webinar was offered earlier today and will be repeated on May 21 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Learn more and register online .
Reminders
Make Gifts and Pledges to Congregations Online
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.

Social Media Resources
The Rev. Twila Smith of  St. Simons, Buffalo  has created images and r esources following weekly lectionary readings for use in parish social media, digital newsletters and websites during the Easter season.  Learn more and download the resources .
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. 

Stay Up-to-Date
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

Updates are also available  on the partnership website.
Shannon Fund Scholarships Deadline Extended
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.
Conferences & Trainings
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.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we will publish a  general newsletter  each Wednesday. 

To contribute photos, stories, or event announcements to the newsletter, please see our  submission guidelines .