Weekly News & Updates

December 17, 2025

Diocesan News

From the Bishop: Video Reflections for Advent, Week 4

Bishop Steve has offered a four part series of short videos for Advent. All of them are now posted to the Diocesan Website and may be viewed HERE.

To view the fourth and final Advent video in the series... CLICK HERE

Search Committee Reflection

With the holidays approaching, it is more important now than ever to be in tune with our community and the people surrounding us. To be a human is to have relationships with those humans around us, and that is ever present in a spiritual context within a diocese such as our own.

On Saturday December 6th, the new bishop search committee held our first full-group in person meeting that we have had since convention. The entire profile and transition teams met to discuss our overall progress and to come together with ideas to help form the profile as we work on it. It was a nice meeting to get everyone together and to be reminded of why exactly we are doing this

work– for our community. The diocese is truly and fully held together by each person in it, and in order to get good work done and to find the best candidate for this bishop position, we have to get together and look out for each other always...READ MORE

Continuing the Conversation: A Word from Bishop Jeffery Lee

As our Diocese continues this sacred season of discernment in our bishop search process, the Search Committee remains committed to helping our diocesan community explore the meaning and calling of episcopal ministry in today’s Church.

Continuing the video series from our October Diocesan Convention, we are honored to share a message from the retired Bishop of Chicago, the Rt. Rev. Jeffery Lee. In his video reflection, Bishop Lee offers the metaphor of a bridge to help us understand the role of the bishop.

Watch Bishop Lee's video HERE

Save a Seat for the New Bishop

Let's show the new bishop we are keeping a seat open for them!

Please send in a picture of the cathedra or bishops chair (or a celebrant’s chair) from your church to include in our Bishop Search.

We are excited to show off all of our unique spaces across Western New York.

Send your pictures to The Rev. Nick Evancho.

An Unexpected Monday Morning Blessing

Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims

On Monday morning, I stopped by Tops to pick up a few things before heading into the office. While I waited in the checkout line, a man wearing a cock-eyed stocking cap and a kind smile approached me and asked if I drank milk. When I said yes, he laughed a little and admitted that I probably thought he was “a nut.” I assured him the thought had crossed my mind! He then explained that he had a coupon for “buy one gallon, get one free,” and that he couldn’t possibly drink more than a gallon in a week.

He bought his milk, handed me the free gallon, and went on his way.

I was flabbergasted—and deeply touched. So touched, in fact, that I brought that gallon of milk to St. Peter’s Eggertsville’s Blessing Box (which includes a cooler for perishables). After all, I can easily afford my own milk. Someone else might not.

When I arrived at the office, it hit me: I had just encountered Christ. The man with the crooked hat and the milk coupon was, in that moment, my encounter with the Divine.

Where have you been touched by the Divine lately? I invite you to share your stories—and even more, to be Christ to others, whether you have a coupon or not.

Diocesan Office Closed

The Diocesan Ministry Center will be closed December 22 thru January 2. We will return on Monday, January 5.

During this time, the weekly Diocesan Newsletter will be on-hold and the next newsletter will be distributed on January 7.

We wish you love, joy, and peace this Christmas and in the New Year!

2026 Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

The updated Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is now available on the Diocesan Website.

Click HERE to view/download

Flu Season Reminder

The flu season is upon us, and as you wrestle with the flu in your communities, I remind you of some of the protocols that we use to keep people safe.

People may wear masks, and you may want to encourage that for folks with special vulnerabilities.

It's also appropriate to take communion in one kind, that is, bread. That's full communion. I do that.

You may also want to encourage folks who aren't feeling well to stay home and to watch your online service.

We've learned a lot since the onslaught of COVID. Let's put our learning to use for the safety of our communities.

Bishop Steve

2026 Congregation & Delegate Information Form

Once you have held your Annual Meeting, please remember to submit your Congregation & Delegate Form so that we can update your church records and contact information.

The form is due by March 1, 2026.

Diocesan Ministry Center Availability

A reminder to all that the Diocesan Ministry Center (DMC) is available to all parishes and diocesan groups for meetings, retreats, programs, etc.

All that's necessary is filling out an Event Request Form and giving the staff ten days' notice to make arrangements. The DMC is intended to be used by the whole diocese for ministry.

If you have questions, please be in touch with Shawn Slother.

Episcopal News Service

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

ENS WEBSITE

Applications Open for 2026-2027 Episcopal Service Year for Young Adults

As The Episcopal Church continues to expand its mission service opportunities for young leaders, applications are open for those ages 21-35 interested in a transformative outreach experience during 2026-2027. The priority deadline for U.S. based placements is January 16.

Clergy Ordination Anniversary

The Rev. Alison Martin: December 17th

The Rev. Jack Wolter: December 18th

The Rev. Blane Van Pletzen: December 18th

The Rev. Terry Bull: December 20th

The Rev. Barbara Price: December 20th

The Rev. Jerre Feagin: December 21st

The Rev. Neal Johnson: December 21st

The Rev. Milania Lullo: December 26th

The Rev. Harry Haines: January 1st

The Rev. Michael Thomas: January 3rd

The Rev. Earle King: January 6th

The Rev. Steven Metcalfe: January 6th

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

Youth & Children Ministry

YUM Schedule

Join Wendy Schumacher for Youth United in Ministry (YUM) for these upcoming events.

The next YUM Event is:

December 27 from 11am-3pm

St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo

*Service Project

For details and to participate, please contact:

Wendy Schumacher

Missioner for Youth & Children

EMAIL or 716-830-5443

Church Profile

St. Philip's, Buffalo

What are some significant moments in the history of your church that have shaped its identity today?

St. Philip's Episcopal Church was founded in 1861 as an African-American place of worship. St. Philip's relocated from downtown Buffalo to the Delavan Grider neighborhood. With over 50 years of service at the Sussex Street location, the church has built strong ties with local residents and is know for its impactful food ministries and community outreach programs...READ MORE

Congregational News

Bishop Visitation

Bishop Steve was warmly welcomed at St. Mark’s, North Tonawanda December 14. Here he is pictured with one of the wardens, Peggy Thrasher.

If you would like to schedule a visitation to your church by the Bishop, please contact Shawn Slother.

Congregational Events

Community Soup Night with

THE GRINCH

St. Paul’s, Stafford - All are invited to join us on December 17 at 5:30pm for a Community Soup Night with a special appearance by the GRINCH!

The Joy Project

St. Mark's, LeRoy - The Joy Project, a free exhibit inspired by the former Sibley’s Department Store in downtown Rochester, brings old-time Christmas to life at the Exhibit Hall at St. Mark’s on December 20 from 10-4pm and December 21 from 12-4pm. An extensive Christmas village and train display, “department store windows” with animatronics, hand-painted murals of Christmases of yesteryear by local artist Lorie Longhany, and a one-of-a-kind diorama of the 1937 radio show "The Cinnamon Bear" are included.

A Christmas Shop and refreshments for sale round out this exhibit, now it its second year. (The exhibit is down a flight of stairs.) For info, CLICK HERE

Blue Christmas

St. John's-Grace, Buffalo - If the holidays aren’t feeling joyful this year, this service is for you. “When It Hurts” is a special Evensong service created for those in need of community and a space to honor their struggles during the holiday season.

The service will feature music by the folk band, The Deneckes. Come as you are on December 21 at 5pm and find solace and fellowship at St. John's Grace.

Cathedral Holiday Services

St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - We are an inclusive community where all are warmly welcomed!

December 21 at 5pm

Longest Night/Blue Christmas

A service especially for those that have experienced loss or find the holidays difficult

December 24 - Christmas Eve

4pm: Festival of Lessons & Carols

11pm: "Christ-Mass" Festival Eucharist

December 25 at 10:15am

Christmas Day Eucharist

January 1 at 10:15am

New Year's Day/Feast of the Holy Name Eucharist

January 6 at 6pm

Feast of the Holy Epiphany Eucharist

Longest Night Service

St. Paul's, Harris Hill - As the season of Advent draws us toward Christmas, we also recognize that this time of year can be difficult for many. The holidays often carry memories of loss, loneliness, or struggle. The Longest Night service offers a sacred space to acknowledge those realities while holding onto the promise of Christ’s light.

This quiet, contemplative service will be held on December 21 at 7pm at St. Paul's. Through scripture, prayer, music, and candlelight, we will gather to honor both the darkness and the hope that shines within it. It is a time to bring our grief, our questions, and our longing before God, trusting that Jesus meets us in every season of life.

Whether you are carrying burdens yourself or simply wish to stand in solidarity with others, you are warmly invited to attend. Together we will remember that even in the longest night, the light of Christ is never overcome.

A Beginner's Guide to Nativity Stories by Amy-Jill Levine

St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - In preparation for the celebration of the coming of the Christ child, this Advent,

St. Paul's Cathedral will explore the fascinating connections between ancient birth stories and the Nativity of Jesus in this captivating four-week Advent study.

This most recent book by renowned Biblical scholar, Amy-Jill Levine journeys through the births of Isaac and Ishmael, Samson, and Samuel revealing how they foreshadow and enrich the timeless Christmas story in the final chapter. Dr. Levine brings her expert knowledge of Scripture and careful consideration of the Christian story to show readers how Scripture's earlier birth stories anticipate the story of Jesus’s birth and how the birth resonates and gives new meaning to those earlier stories.

The book is available on Kindle or in paperback from your favorite bookseller. The last session will be held on the Cathedral Zoom site on December 22 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

Cathedral Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 716 855 0900

Password: 4cathedral

By Phone: 929-205-6099

Access code: 716 855 0900

Password: 535 007 8352

Please contact Dean Rebecca Barnes for more information.