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.
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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.
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Parish Communications Webinar Available on Video
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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.
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Easter Offering for Hunger Relief Continues Until May 31
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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
.
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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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Summer Camp Canceled; Digital Youth Ministry Planned
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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.
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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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A Cry to God Together: Lament in the Midst of COVID-19
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WNY 2021 Clergy Compensation Guidelines Available
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Northwestern Pennsylvania's guidelines will be reviewed at diocesan convention this fall.
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Canon Theologian John Downey Preaches Online
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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 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.
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Free COVID-19 Community Training Series
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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.
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As Daylight Fades: An Evening Service of Light & Hope
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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.
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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
.
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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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Printable Bulletin for Home Worship
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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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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
.
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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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To contribute photos, stories, or event announcements to the newsletter, please see our
submission guidelines
.
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