SUNDAY, September 22

Presiding and Preaching on September 22nd

The Very Rev. Rebecca A. Barnes will preside and preach at the 8 and 10:15 a.m. Masses this Sunday morning.

Worship this Sunday: 8 and 10:15 am

• View or download the bulletin here • Read the lessons here

• Watch the livestream on Facebook or YouTube

Today! Stewardship Ice Cream Social

The wardens, vestry and congregation of St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo, invite the people of the partnership dioceses to the installation of the Very Rev. Rebecca Barnes as dean of the cathedral on Sunday, September 15 at 4 p.m. at a service of evensong. Bishop Sean will preside, and a reception in the Walker Room will follow.

Congregations wishing to attend as a group may reserve a pew by calling 716.855.0900 ext. 5, or by emailing office@spcbuffalo.org by Friday, September 6.

Doors Open Buffalo 2024

St. Paul’s will be participating in Doors Open Buffalo 2024 sponsored by Explore Buffalo. This event provides local organizations the opportunity to showcase their building. 

Doors Open Buffalo 2024 will take place on Saturday, September 28. St. Paul’s (and Explore Buffalo) will host visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We’re asking for volunteers to cover shifts with (at least) three people per shift. Shift #1: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon  -  Shift #2: Noon to 2:00 p.m. – Shift #3: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share St. Paul’s history, beauty and grandeur. Please let Teresa Carter know which shift you’d like to cover via email: teresa@spcbuffalo.org or 716-855-0900 x 222 by Monday, September 9th. We hope to hear from you soon!

Evensong for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel

Please join us on September 29th at 4 p.m. for a special Evensong to honor the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel. Music will include selections by Stanford and Bainton's evocative "And I Saw a New Heaven" at the anthem. Our choir will be joined by Dr. Christopher Petit of St. Paul's Cathedral, Erie, at the organ.

St. Paul’s Cathedral Annual Blessing of the Animals

The Cathedral will hold its annual Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis on Saturday, October 5 at 10AM. The service of blessing will include songs and readings, in addition to the blessings of animal friends and companions. All pets are welcome (leashed or in cages, please). Please note: If bringing your animal would cause them undue stress you may bring a picture of them instead.

All are encouraged to bring a donation for the pet food pantry at the Church of the Good Shepherd, which is named in honor of a beloved deacon of the church, Deacon Pete Dempsey-Sims. 

Conversation and Coffee with the Dean 

When I interviewed with the Search Committee last spring, I was asked what would be one of the first thing is that I would do if I was called to the cathedral as Dean. My response - was to set up times to meet with members of the cathedral to get to know you all better. 

Now that we've settled in, and the Insallation service is behind us, I would like to make good on that promise. 

Beginning in October, I will be setting aside time to meet with members of the cathedral community for casual conversation so that we can get to know one other better. I want to hear from you and learn more about what has been your experience in the cathedral, what draws you closer to Christ, and what are your hopes and dreams are as we move forward together. I will be setting up a scheduling form via Google, or you may call the cathedral office to schedule a time. Stay tuned for more information about available time slots.

SJAT Note: Good Shepherd Irving program Sep 28, 2:00pm, Every Child Matters 

From Bob Ludwig for the Social Justice Action Team

Good Shepherd Irving is again this year offering, Every Child Matters, a program of remembrance and reconciliation for the grief inflicted on Indigenous families by separating them from their children. The harm arose from a belief that assimilation to being an American required children be removed from Indigenous culture. Come with us on Saturday, Sep 28. Learn about the history. Join in the dancing to whet your appetite for the free chicken dinner. We will carpool for the drive which takes three quarters of an hour. Speak to Bob Ludwig, Chuck or Chris Casto, Kathy Reiss, Bill or Estelle Siener. We’ll be going. 

SJAT Note: Scajaquada Full Circle

From Bill Siener for the Social Justice Action Team

Scajaquada Full Circle is a 4-part series of discussions about the past, present, and future of the Scajaquada that will take place on Tuesdays in September at the Burchfield Penney Auditorium, 1300 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. Organized by the Black Rock Riverside Alliance in conjunction with the Black Rock Historical Society, and the Scajaquada Corridor Alliance, the series’ focus will be on moving forward with plans for revitalizing the water. For a full description of the programs, including dates and times, click here.

The Scajaquada Creek Corridor has some of the most beautiful spots in Western New York, and is home to an amazing variety of birds and other wildlife. Since it connects the Niagara River, Buffalo and its suburbs to the east, its health is a matter of concern for all of us. In many parts of the corridor, pollution threatens habitats. On Earth Day, volunteers from St. Paul’s and elsewhere picked up a shocking amount of plastic and other garbage along the creek. Long-abandoned buildings along the route are threats to human safety, and rodenticides deployed around them are additional environmental threats. Even in the beauty spots, signs warning of blue-green algae blooms are ubiquitous.

Scajaquada Full Circle is an opportunity to learn about the history of the corridor from the times of Indigenous people who lived her, through the industrial and post-industrial eras, and about the impact of modern transportation systems on the corridor. You’ll also learn about proposals to remediate damage to the ecosystem, and even participate in envisioning and creating a better future for the corridor.

The series is free and open to the public. However, space is limited, so you must reserve seats for each week at https://scajaquada speakerseries.eventbrite.com

Weekday Eucharist Returns

The 12:05 pm Thursday Holy Eucharist has been on hiatus this summer during a time of transition and the arrival of our new Dean. Starting in September, we will resume weekday Eucharists. On Wednesdays, there will be a 12:05 Healing Eucharist with laying on of hands and anointing for healing; on Thursdays, we will offer a Eucharist outdoors as part of our Cathedral Cares Thursdays. 

Prayer and Pastoral Care

We lift up the following in prayer: Carl, Lori, Brandy and family, Willis, Keith, Jaci, Joseph, Tabatha, Lori, Dave, Anne, Tracy, Judy, Thomas, Mark, M’Lou, Patrick, Lisa, David, Judy, Michelle, Amir, Martha, Leonard, Leann, Josephine, Billy, Margaret, Betty Lou, Linda, Barbara, Len, Lenny, Heather, Gail, Rob, Galen, Elaine, Viola, Albert, John, Lindsay, Sharon, Allen, Renee, Shirley, Joni, Jim and Judy, Andrea, Don, Carol, Sue, Rachel. We also remember all those in the life of the Cathedral who have died in years past and their loved ones who remember them.

• If you have requests to add to the weekly Prayers of the People or a name to add for the prayers of clergy and the Pastoral Care Team, please email prayerrequests@spcbuffalo.org.

• If you know someone in need of pastoral care, please contact Judy Elliott or Canon Barbara Price.

Diocesan Partnership and Church News

• See the Diocesan Partnership Newsletter here.

• For more news about the Dioceses of WNY and NWPA and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.

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