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From Bishop Stephen Lane
Dear People of God,
Holy Week and Easter is the story of a human tragedy and God’s loving response.
The tragedy is that love for the poor and the marginalized, a commitment to the dignity of every human being, and a belief that human beings have the capacity to create a merciful society – these are never popular with the lovers of power and money. They threaten the very foundations of those who rule by power and money and who take advantage of their power to impose their will on others. Jesus was murdered by an unspoken conspiracy among religious leaders and political leaders, each of whom saw in Jesus the seeds of a new way of living that would deprive them of their privilege and power. And everyone else who had a stake in the system joined in the conspiracy to protect their own places as well.
The power of this tragedy is that it echoes to our own day and through our own lives. We all are fearful of what fundamental change might mean and the losses we might experience if we, as a society, held “all things in common” (Acts 2:44) for the benefit of every member of our society. Yet, love of neighbor was never meant to be limited to positive regard for others. It was meant to lead to action that recognizes the dignity of others as created in God’s image and provides the means for a healthy, productive life. Fearful of that great change, we, too, might find ourselves shouting, “Crucify him!” Holy Week invites us to consider how we benefit from the oppression of others.
That’s shocking to consider, because we don’t think often of ourselves in this way. We think of ourselves as trying to do our best within the limitations imposed by our circumstances, by the forces beyond our control. But Jesus challenges the limitations we accept and asks what God wants. Is this the way God wants us to live?
The Good News which we celebrate this Sunday is that God is not content to let our fears control the divine gift of new life. In the midst of all the pain and loss of our existence, God is at work pulling new possibilities, new life, from sin and death. Resurrection not only occurred once in Palestine, but occurs daily in the midst of our struggles. Moreover, God forgives our inattention and paralysis. The Resurrection of Jesus is a sign of God’s constant restlessness, pulling, pushing, prodding, encouraging us into new life, showing us signs of growth where we thought none could survive.
Ready or not, the Day of Resurrection arrives this Sunday, just as God shows up unexpectedly, again and again, in our daily lives. In the midst of the turmoil of our time, may we draw hope from the loving presence of our God who never ceases to create a new heaven and a new earth.
Blessings in this Easter season.
Bishop Steve
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A New Deacon
The Diocese gathered on March 28th at St. Paul's Cathedral for the ordination of Marc Anthony Gutierrez to the Sacred Order of Deacons.
Congratulations, Marc, on your ordination!
May God bless you and your continuing ministry.
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Racial Healing Circle
Join us for a Healing Circle at the Diocesan Ministry Center on April 11 from 10am-1pm.
This will be a compassionate space to share your own stories and listen deeply to others, finding the common humanity in all of us. Lunch will be included during the event.
To register by April 7, CLICK HERE
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Holy Week at the Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral invites you to their Holy Week services this week culminating on Easter Sunday, April 5th.
Maundy Thursday
7pm: Eucharist and Foot Washing
Good Friday
12:05pm: Stations of the Cross
7pm: Liturgy of the Day
Saturday Easter Vigil: 8pm
Easter Sunday
10:15am: Eucharist with Brass Ensemble
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Chrism Liturgy
Clergy from across the diocese gathered on Tuesday, March 31 for collegiality during the annual Chrism Liturgy and Renewal of Vows.
The gathering at St. Paul's Cathedral included a summary from Bishop Steve regarding the recent House of Bishops meeting, a worship service, and distribution of Chrism and Healing Oil.
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In-Person Safe Church Training
SAVE the DATE
Wendy Schumacher will hold in-person training for the required Safe Church courses on Saturday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 29 at the Diocesan Ministry Center (Tonawanda) from 10am-3pm. Registration will open in June but for now...Save the Date!
Contact Shawn Slother for your Safe Church renewal date, if needed.
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Office Closed
The Diocesan Ministry Center will be closed Monday, April 6th.
We apologize for any inconvenience and will return to the office on Tuesday.
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Episcopal News Service
Stay informed on everything in the wider Church by visiting and/or subscribing to the Episcopal News Service (ENS).
ENS WEBSITE
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Prayer for the Bishop Search
Gracious God, we give thanks for your loving care for the people of the Diocese of WNY and the members of the Bishop’s Search and Transition Committees. Give us wisdom and understanding as we discern your will. We
ask for the gifts of honesty, to speak the truth in love; openness to the gifts and ideas of others and to the Holy Spirit; and willingness, to see your Light shining among us and on the path ahead. Prepare for our Diocese a bishop who will be a faithful pastor, and equip us for the ministries to which we are
called in these changing times. Help us to love and serve your world and one another in the Spirit of Christ, trusting in you to be our steadfast helper and guide; let us pray to the Lord. AMEN.
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Ordination Anniversaries
The Rev. Ellen Montgomery: April 1
The Rev. Canon Meredith Hunt: April 6
We give you thanks, almighty and gracious God, that you have blessed us with their ministry, and we pray that they may continue to exemplify in word and deed the Gospel of your Son. Amen
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YUM Schedule
Join Wendy Schumacher for Youth United in Ministry (YUM) for these upcoming events.
For details and to participate, please contact:
Wendy Schumacher
Missioner for Youth & Children
EMAIL or 716-830-5443
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Youth White Water Rafting Trip
REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY
YUM is planning an adventure on April 19 to white-water rafting at Zoar Valley Rafting in Gowanda. There will be two carpools, to transport youth coming from all around the Diocese:
Please RSVP to Wendy Schumacher by today, April 1. Families are asked to contribute $25 to the cost of the event, and friends are welcome to attend!
YUM events are open to young people in 5th grade and up.
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Do You Know??
A periodic article about things you may not know …
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Diocesan Online Submissions
Do you know that about two years ago, the diocese began using JotForm as our primary tool for online submissions? Today, everything from event registrations to annual congregational reports to lay licensing requests are handled through links to our JotForm account. This has helped tremendously in streamlining the various submissions that we receive each day.
While most of these submissions are for diocesan records only, we understand that congregations may also want to keep copies for their own files. You will receive an emailed copy of your submission automatically, but if you would like a PDF version for your personal or parish records, you’re welcome to reach out to Shawn Slother to request one. Our goal is to make the submission process as simple and efficient as possible—while still supporting your record-keeping needs.
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St. Paul's, Stafford
What are the most vibrant ministries or strengths of your parish today?
In 2022 St. Paul’s celebrated its 180th anniversary and continues today with a small but mighty and devoted congregation. We have continued worship services through years of clergy changes, shortages and sharing; always willing to accommodate the needs of the Deanery. Currently St. Paul’s maintains a community Little Library and Pantry, offers yearly back-to-school supplies for local children, adopts a family for Christmas gifts and is providing...READ MORE
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Community Passion Play & Dinner
St. Paul’s in Lewiston welcomed the community, along with churches of various denominations from across the Niagara area, to share in our annual Passion Play and Dinner. Once held on Palm Sunday, we moved the event three years ago to the Saturday before, creating an opportunity to open our doors wide and invite more people to join us.
The service features a moving dramatic narration, enhanced by symbolic props that are presented throughout the reading. This year, we were especially grateful to have participants from other congregations lend their voices to the choir, help set the display, and share in the fellowship of the pasta dinner that followed.
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The Way of the Cross
Calvary, Williamsville - A meditation in music for Good Friday on April 3 at 7pm.
We'd like to announce the next concert series: The Way of the Cross. The program will feature Josef Rheinberger’s Stabat Mater. Three movements of Franz Liszt’s Via Crucis, alongside settings of Tenebrae factae sunt, will also be on the program.
Admission is free; a discretionary offering will be accepted to support Calvary’s ongoing music ministry.
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Community Good Friday Gathering
St. James, Batavia - Join us for a community worship gathering on April 3 at 6:30pm.
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Lenten Bible Study at the Cathedral
Dean Rebecca will conclude a study on the Gospel of John with the program on the Cathedral Zoom Page from 7-8:30pm on Easter Tuesday, April 7. We will look at an overview of the "Fourth Gospel" while giving greater attention to the readings from the Gospel that are part of the Lenten and Holy Week Lectionary. For more information, please contact Dean Rebecca.
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Blue Note Concert
Trinity, Buffalo - Join us on April 17 for Krista Seddon's Jazz Series presenting Blue Note at 7pm.
Shades of Blue!
Tickets: $30
Students: $10 with valid ID
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Photo of: Amber Sastry, founder of A Storied Life | |
Common Ground Lecture:
Love Your Neighbor As Yourself – It Starts With Listening
Calvary, Williamsville - A free community lecture on the simple, profound act of being there. Join us to explore the practice of offering attention without the impulse to interrupt, fix, or advise. Through teaching and hands-on practice, you'll discover how this simple, profound act can help you experience being deeply heard, create space to listen to your own story with compassion and curiosity, transform your most important relationships, and build the trust and connection we all long for in this uncertain time in which we live.
A light lunch will be offered at 11:30am preceding the 12:15pm lecture on April 19.
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Meat Raffle
St. Philip's, Buffalo - Join us on May 2 at the Knights of Columbus for a meat raffle.
Doors open at 5pm, First Spin 6pm
$15 admission and group table reservations available.
Call Church office 716-833-0442 or email specbuffalo@gmail.com for more information and reserve tickets.
The event info and tickets are also on zeffy
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Spring Tea & Basket Raffle
Christ Church, Lockport - Join us for our Spring Tea and Basket Raffle on May 2 at 1pm.
Tickets: $35 Pre-Sale ONLY
To purchase tickets, download the registration form below & return by April 25:
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