SUNDAY, MAY 3

Worship this Sunday: 10:15 am

• View or download the bulletin for this Sunday

• Read the lessons here

• Watch the livestream on Facebook or YouTube

FIRST TUESDAY RETURNS

On May 5th we celebrate the First Tuesday of the month. Grab your favorite beverage, and sit back and enjoy some chit chat with old and new friends at the SPC Zoom Coffee Hour. One never knows what topic will come up. Join in with the Zoom link at SPCBuffalo.org anytime between 7:00 and 7:45 pm when there is no particular agenda. Compline begins at 7:45 and we adjourn by 8:00. 

Announcement from the Dean and the Property Committee

Alleluia! Christ is risen! And...the long awaited refurbished ramp is finally finished. The only final touches that need to be completed are some cosmetic finishing and a railing, but he ramp is now usable, and the elevator is fully operational.

We know that this has been a problem for many and are so relieved that this much needed project has finally been completed.

We can't wait to welcome you back!

Children’s Christian Education: “Godly Play”

St. Paul’s offers “Godly Play: is a Montessori-based program on Sundays at 10am in the Bishop Scaife Room on the lower level of the Cathedral. Making meaning through story, wonder, and play, the program nurtures spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children.

Pastoral Care Ministry at St. Paul's

Two weeks ago, the Pastoral Care team met to pray and reflect on our shared ministry. It was also an opportunity to meet with Mother Liz Grohowski, who has recently been called to the Cathedral to serve in a limited capacity as Associate for Pastoral Care. Mother Liz will be taking care of the responsibilities previously covered by Mo. Barbara Price. 

At our meeting, we made a decision to modify the Cathedral Prayer lists. Going forward, there will be a change in the intercessions that are offered during the Prayers of the People. Names may be submitted for those who are in acute or critical need. Names will remain on the list for six weeks. Should you wish to have them remain on the list longer, that request may be made to the Dean. We will maintain a separate Pastoral Care prayer list for those who are homebound and in nursing homes, or may request ongoing prayer. This list will remain in the announcements and on the eNews, but individual names will not be included in the intercessions. We do ask that the entire congregation remember these beloved of our community in your prayers and join with us in praying for them. We hope that this will shorten the prayers while holding in our hearts and prayers, all those in need and absent from us.

In a Pastoral Emergency, please contact—The Very Reverend Rebecca A. Barnes, Dean at 646-533-1836/e-mail at deanrebecca@spcbuffalo.org; or The Reverend Elizabeth Grohowski, 212-222-8109. If you, or a family member, are in the hospital, a healthcare facility, or are home bound and would like to have a visit from one of the clergy or a member of our Pastoral Care Committee, please contact the cathedral office at 716-855-0900 or at office@spcbuffalo.org. Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, hospitals no longer automatically provide churches with names of admitted parishioners. If you or a family member are hospitalized or in a healthcare facility, you or someone acting on your behalf will need to notify the church to assure that proper pastoral care may be offered. St. Paul’s complies with all HIPAA requirements and cannot provide personal information for sick or injured members without permission of the member or his or her close family member. Additionally, if you or a loved one are hospitalized or homebound and desire regular Eucharistic visitation, please notify the parish office. Eucharistic Visitations are customarily made once per month; weekly visits may be scheduled upon request.

– Dean Rebecca

SJAT Note

From Bill Siener for the Social Justice Action Team

There’s a slight change of plans for the program on May 3 after worship. A last minute opportunity to screen the 40 minute documentary, “Ripples of Plastic” has come up. The documentary is about the impact of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes and adjacent waterways. It will be an opportunity to give a local context to our discussion of A Poison Like No Other on May 10. Jay Burney, and his friend and fellow environmentalist, John Whitney will present the documentary and lead a discussion afterwards.

SJAT Note

From Bill Siener for the Social Justice Action Team

This is a reminder that on May 9 OR 21, Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper is holding a Nurdle Patrol training. Nurdles are small plastic pellets, about the size of a lentil, used in plastics manufacturing. This plastic pollution has been found on the shorelines of several waterways within the Niagara River Watershed. In the training sessions at Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda, you’ll learn more about nurdles and how to collect them. You only need to attend one of the sessions. Sessions are on Saturday, May 9 from 10-11 a.m. or Thursday, May 21. From 5:30-6:30 p.m. You can register at the Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper website.

Parking at St. Paul's 

Street parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays. There are also several nearby parking garages. We recommend:

• Main Place Mall Parking (221 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY 14202, https://www.mainliberty.com/parking) - This is our prefered garage for those coming to St. Paul's. We suggest that you use the entrance directly across from the Rath County Office Building, 166 Pearl, (you will notice the skywalk above) which is only a 1/2 block north of the Cathedral. Weekend parking is $6 all day. Weekday rate: $5 for 1 hr or less; $7 for 3hr or less; $12 full day. Accessibility: ADA-compliant spaces and elevator access available and 24/7 surveillance, well-lit areas, and patrolled security. EV Charging: Electric vehicle charging stations available.  

Need help covering parking fees? We've got you covered! Bring your ticket from the Main Place Mall Parking with you. At the end of the service just see an usher for a voucher for your card. (If you can afford to pay, we kindly ask that you please leave this limited fund for those who can’t, thank you!)

Additional ramps we suggest are:

• Adam Ramp (343 Washington St., Buffalo, NY 14202) - 1 1/2 blocks behind the Cathedral. Weekend parking is $6 all day. Weekday rate: $2.50 hr/ $10 max.

• 93 Pearl Street Garage (93 Pearl St. Buffalo, NY 14202) - A block south of the Cathedral. Daily Parking (Mon - Fri, 6 am - 6 pm) - $10 Max

There are also several open/uncovered Premier Parking parking lots near the Cathedral. These require payment at a kiosk; fees are higher. Please note, when there are special events at Sahlen Field and the KeyBank Center, area lots charge Event Rates which are significantly more than daily rates.

Prayer and Pastoral Care

We lift up the following in prayer especially Jim, Bill, Kevin, John, Mariann & Tom, Elle & Reid, Alex, Clark, Lisa and family, Andrea, Byron, Chris, Joe, Lori, Larry, Carol, Renee, Sharon, Elaine, Anne, Jim, Judy, and Shirley. We also remember all those who have died, especially Jeannette, and those whose anniversaries of death we mark this week. We pray for them and their loved ones who remember them.

ACROSS THE DIOCESE AND THE CHURCH

From Bishop Stephen Lane

Dear People of God,

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to view the service broadcast by Washington National Cathedral. If you’ve seen that service before, you know that the music is wonderful and the preaching is pretty darn good.

This past Sunday, Dean Randy Hollerith preached on Jesus as the sheepgate from the Gospel of John. In his sermon, he said something I think is very important. He asked, “Amidst all the voices claiming to speak for Jesus in our world, how do we know what Jesus truly wants?” He answered his question, “We read the words of Jesus in the Gospels.” We know because Jesus tells us in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

I think that’s a key thing for us to understand as Christians. We honor the whole of Scripture: the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms, the Wisdom literature, the Epistles. We consider Scripture to be inspired, to be the Word of God. We understand these sacred texts to be the means by which God has spoken to God’s people through the ages. Yet, for Christians, the Gospels stand as paramount. In the Gospels we meet the Word made flesh, who is the standard by which the rest of Scripture is judged. It is Jesus’ words – “Love God, love your neighbor.” “Love one another as I have loved you.” “Love you enemies.” “Turn the other cheek.” “Blessed are the peacemakers.” – that inform our behavior in the world. We know what Jesus wants because Jesus tells us what he wants.

We Episcopalians are especially blessed in our incarnational theology, our belief that God is with us through the Spirit. Not only do we find Jesus in Scripture, but we find him in our midst as we meet together, as we break bread and share the cup. The words of Scripture are held in tension with the Word made flesh; Jesus as we meet him in the Gospels, and Jesus as we meet him in one another. The words we read must resonate with the Jesus we know.

Therefore, for us, faith is a dynamic exercise. With Jesus’ words ringing in our ears, we confront the realities of our time and ask, what would Jesus have us do? What does Jesus tell us to do? How do we bring the love, the justice, the mercy of Jesus to bear on our situation?

You may have noticed that our President and the Pope have been having a bit of a conversation about this issue. The Pope has been critical of the US war with Iran. The President has responded that the Pope is wrong about Iran and about military strategy and should not speak about things he doesn’t know. The Pope has responded that he is speaking of neither political or military strategy, but simply the Gospel words of Jesus. “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

“An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” is found in Exodus 21:24. In its day that was a great advance in ethics, saying that retribution had to be proportional to the injury. It was not appropriate to wipe out a village in revenge for the murder of one person. In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus advances God’s mercy even further: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”

We may find it difficult to do as Jesus asks. It may confront us and challenge our behavior. We may argue that our context requires other actions. But we know what Jesus wants. And that’s where we begin. May God enliven your own reflections.

Easter Blessings,

Bishop Steve

A Message from the Standing Committee about the Bishop Search Process

Dear Friends in Christ,

As published April 17th...We are entering a season of reset in our bishop search process. 

This decision has not been made lightly. It comes from a growing recognition that, while much good work has already been achieved, the process itself needs strengthening—particularly in clarity, communication, shared expectations, and broad diocesan engagement. We believe this reset will allow us not simply to continue the work, but to do it well.

To read this letter in its entirety, please visit the BISHOP SEARCH PAGE of the Diocesan Website.

Dignity Book Study Schedule

I’m delighted so many have expressed an interest in being part of the study of Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict, by Donna Hicks, PhD. Remember that the books you have reserved are available for pick up at the Diocesan Ministry Center between 9am and 4pm Monday through Thursdays. 

We will read the book together over the next three weeks. To aid in our reflection on the material, we will meet on Zoom for four Tuesdays, our first one was held last night and our next is Tuesday, May 5 at 7pm, for one hour, and continuing on May 12, and 19 at 7pm each Tuesday evening.

To register for one or more sessions, CLICK HERE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session. Please keep this information for all future sessions.

The schedule for reading is as follows:

Week Two: The last five Essentials (May 5)

Week Three: The first five Temptations (May 12)

Week Four: The last five Temptations and the Conclusion (Healing Relationships) (May 19)

If you miss a session, they will be recorded, and viewing links will be provided each week in the newsletter.

Week One: April 28 Recording

If you are part of a parish group, you may have local sessions as well, and join the weekly Zooms. I will try to organize questions for discussion when we meet.

There are still books available. If you would like one, please be in touch with Shawn Slother. Please let Shawn know the email address of each participant so we may send them the zoom registration link.

I look forward to our being part of this conversation with you.

Bishop Steve

CDRD Virtual Workshop Series with the Rev. Isaiah "Shaneequa" Brokenleg

What does it mean to be Two-Spirit and why are they given a revered role as healers and spiritual leaders? Episcopal Indigenous Ministries speak of "living in right relationship with humanity and all of creation." What is meant by the theology of relationship? Have you ever reflected on your personal theology of relationship?  

The WNY & NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism & Discrimination invites you to join us April 30 and May 28 from 7pm-8:30pm to explore these questions and more.

For more information, CLICK HERE

To register for the Virtual Workshop Series and receive a Zoom link, REGISTER HERE

Episcopal Diocese of WNY and Church News

• For news about the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.

• The Episcopal Church website offers resources for individuals, congregations, and various ministries.