Weekly News & Updates

August 26, 2026

Diocesan News & Updates

What Do the Trustees Do?

Dear Keepers of the Faith,

Who is this behind the scenes, quiet, never seen diocesan governance body called the; Trustees of the Diocese of WNY?

The Certificate of Incorporation of the Diocese of Western New York (1922) and the diocesan canons provide for the diocesan trustees, which consists of the bishop, two members of the clergy, and four lay persons which are elected by the annual convention.

All funds and property of the Diocese of Western New York held for investment are entrusted to the Trustees. The Trustees hold title to the real property of the diocese and its missions, as well as funds that are available for loan to congregations and agencies of the church. They also sponsor the Western New York Episcopal Diocesan Investment Trust, available to congregations and agencies of the church for investment purposes. Additionally, the Trustees will act as custodian for a congregation and agencies of the church who want to create a true “Endowment” fund.

What does this mean?

Funds held for investment: The Trustees accept donations, bequests and funds received from the sale of properties. Ensuring that the funds are used and managed for their stated/intended purpose.
Title to real property: When a congregation abandons their parish facilities it becomes incumbent upon the Trustees to ensure the property is secure, maintained and eventually sold as a last resort.
Loans: The Trustees maintain a loan fund to which loans are made available to parishes for capital maintenance projects. A loan application must be made and approved.
Diocesan Investment Trust (DIT): This is an investment vehicle made available to all congregations and agencies of the church for an extremely low cost and professionally managed place to invest long term savings. Guided by Trustee established policies the DIT is managed by the Episcopal Church Foundation which uses State Street of Boston as the investment advisor. Four Funds are available for investment choices. There is no minimum amount of investment needed to participate in this program.
Endowment Custodian: Should a congregation wish to establish a true “Endowment Fund” a fund to which the corpus of the investment cannot be raided, the Trustees can work with your congregation to establish an endowment policy and fund. There is a minimum amount of an initial $25,000 deposit required to establish an endowment fund. Endowment funds are held in Fund A, a balanced fund, in the DIT.

The Trustees also manage the Episcopate Fund. Income from this fund goes towards the annual diocese operating budget to fund the bishop’s office. This fund is managed by a tight set of policies and investment guidelines. The Trustees also provide other income sources to help fund the annual operations budget as well as annual grants.

In addition, the Trustees manage a fund that benefits the Anglican Diocese of Belize. It is managed similarly to the Episcopate Fund.

Two trustees are elected each year to serve for a term of three years. There are two lay person positions up for election at the upcoming convention. The Trustees meet periodically and report annually to the diocesan convention on the funds committed to their care.

If you have some investment savvy, a background in finance, are willing to adhere to strict operational and investment guidelines, a long term planner or have a passion for the power of compound interest I urge you to run for a position at the upcoming convention.

It is a very satisfying position, non people facing, you will receive some of the best investment advice possible that you can use in your own personal life as well as the church.

Blessings,

Robert A. Matson

Trustee

Renewal of Ministry

Bishop Steve will be welcoming the Rev. Karen Lawler to Trinity Church in Lancaster on Saturday, September 12 at 4pm with a Renewal of Ministry service.

All are invited to attend with a reception to follow. Clergy attending may vest in White or Festive.

Audits Due October 1st

A reminder that your financial audits are due no later than October 1st. Audit information is available on the diocesan website Finance & Audit Page

If you have any questions please call Maria Manocchio @ 716-881-0660 ext. 118

Welcome to New Ministry

We would like to welcome The Rev. Kim Rossi to her new parish.

Kim will begin serving as priest-in-charge at St. Mark's, LeRoy on September 1st.

Blessings on her ministry!

Ministry Training

Sponsored by the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church, Called to Care, Prepared to Act, A Toolkit of Compassion and Accountability for Successful Pastoral Care with Mental Health and Addiction Issues is especially helpful for those engaged in pastoral care and ministry with individuals experiencing mental health challenges or addiction. The training offers practical tools and guidance for providing compassionate and informed support.

Free online seminar September 3, 10 & 17: 10am-Noon.

For more information and to register, DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Season Winding Down at Brookside

Tonight...Wednesday, August 26, Deacons Robin Kozlowski and Martha Farone will offer a women's peace retreat. We'll gather at 5pm, enjoy a pot luck meal at 5:30, followed by an activity and worship service, including music. Please email Deacon Martha if you plan to attend the retreat so that enough material is available. All women are welcome to attend, even if you are unable to commit ahead of time.

Regional Confirmations

Regional confirmations have been scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 10:30am at St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo.

The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane (Bishop Provisional of WNY) is presiding.

Please refer to the diocese's REGIONAL CONFIRMATION CUSTOMARY for guidelines to participate.

Project Resource

The next Project Resource Stewardship Conference, hosted by The College for Bishops, will begin September 13!

Project Resource equips parish stewardship teams with strategic training and flexible resources to design and execute annual stewardship campaigns which can be replicated and adapted in future years. It's dedicated to fostering cultural and systemic advancements around stewardship as a ministry in the Episcopal Church.

Fall 2026 Training will be offered on five consecutive Sundays, 5-7pm. Sessions will be recorded, if you are unable to attend one or more sessions.

The course fee is $450 for a team of three members, with an additional cost of $125 per extra team member.

For further details and registration links, CLICK HERE

Episcopal Church Creation Care Grants

As The Episcopal Church shifts its creation care resources to better support local, contextual efforts, applicants are invited to submit grant proposals for nature restoration, regenerative agriculture, climate advocacy, and environmental justice projects that will be evaluated and awarded by the church’s new eco-region networks.

The deadline to apply online is October 20.

Episcopal News Service

Stay informed on everything in the wider Church by visiting and/or subscribing to the Episcopal News Service (ENS).

ENS WEBSITE

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.

Ordination Anniversary

The Rev. Lillian Davis-Wilson: August 29

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

Congregation Roulette

Name That Church?

How well do you know the congregations in WNY? Would you be able to name them, if you saw them?

Test your knowledge by naming the church shown, and then click on the photo to reveal the answer!

Congregational News & Stories

Family of Parishes Supper

The Rev Rich Inserra

On Thursday August 13, The Church of the Good Shepherd, Irving and St. Paul's, Angola, met for the first "Family of Parishes" supper.. Please keep us in your prayers as we work together in sharing not only fellowship and food, but ideas and ways to support each other in our ministries.

It is our hope to add additional parishes as we move forward. St. Alban's, Silver Creek and Sacred Heart of Mary, North Collins, are planning to attend next month's gathering.

Congregational Events

Service of Remembrance

St. John's, Wilson - Join us at 9am on September 11 for a 911 Community Service of Remembrance at the Village Gazebo.

Holy Hikes

St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - Holy Hikes of Western New York, a ministry of St. Paul's Cathedral, is pleased to announce its full schedule for the 2026 season. All hikes are held on the second Saturday of the month at 10am, unless otherwise announced.

On September 12, we will hike at Goat Island in Niagara Falls. We hike rain or shine. All are welcome; carpooling will be available from the Cathedral at 9:30am or you can join us directly at the appointed hike location.

Basket Raffle

St. Patrick's, Cheektowaga - St Patrick's and Church of the Advent, Kenmore invite you to their basket raffle on September 12 from 10am-2pm.

Choose from over 200 baskets, 50/50, large prizes, and enjoy some food.

FeedMore NY Food Drive: bring one food donation and receive one card of tickets.

Chicken BBQ, Auction, & Raffle

St. Martin-in-the Fields, Grand Island - Join us for a day of fun with a chicken BBQ, face painting, balloon animals, a silent auction, and a basket raffle on September 12 from 3-6:30pm.

Tickets are $17 and may be purchased at the event. Both drive-thru and dine-in are offered and veterans eat FREE with ID.