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From the Bishop: Video Reflections for Advent, Week 2
Bishop Steve will offer a four part series of short videos for Advent. As they are published, each of them will be posted to the Diocesan Website and may be viewed HERE.
To view the second video in the series... CLICK HERE
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JUST ONE Deacon Challenge
is Completed!
It is with our deepest gratitude that the WNY Deacons thank the entire Diocese for their generosity of spirit and donations of cold weather items and monetary contributions.
Never in our wildest imaginations did we think we would have over $2,000 donated for sleeping bags! Knowing that times are hard for most people makes your faithfulness even more meaningful. Not only did you donate from your abundance, but you donated from your hearts; compassionately sharing with people you don’t know.
Most of the clothing has been collected and transported to the Cathedral’s Ministry Center. Items are ready to be sorted and hung for distribution during the Garden of Love each Tuesday from noon to one o’clock. Our neighbors that are unhoused along with the city’s poor come to grab a bag lunch with the sandwiches made by seven of our churches while they “shop” for clothing.
As parishioners of this Diocese, you have made it possible to offer an excellent selection of coats and winter apparel. While the collecting of clothing donations is a yearlong endeavor, this challenge has ensured that everyone who comes to the center for help, is warm this winter.
Thank you again and may your holidays be a time of wonderment, with family and friends, and a reminder of all the love that our Creator has freely given to each and every one of us.
Sharing the Gospel message in the world,
Your Deacons
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Flu Season Reminder
The flu season is upon us, and where I live in Monroe County, the flu has increased by 200% in just one week. That's probably the result of Thanksgiving travel. 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
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Bishop Search Committee Update
Over the past several months, the work of the Bishop Search Committee has quietly—but steadily—moved into high gear. What began as a wide-ranging season of listening has now become a deep, prayerful effort to understand who the Diocese of Western New York truly is in this moment, and what kind of episcopal leadership will help us flourish in the years ahead.
The Committee has now completed interviews with our three most recent bishops, including our current Bishop Provisional, along with every member of the diocesan staff. They have also conducted numerous conversations with leaders across our canonical commissions, governance bodies, and standing committees. Beyond these formal interviews, the team reached hundreds of additional data points through verbal conversations at our listening sessions, Holy Conversations at Diocesan Convention, and responses to the Holy Cow surveys—drawing on voices from every corner of the diocese. The Holy Cow survey had 359 responses representing 159 parishioners, 108 Vestry members, 34 convention delegates, 6 Diocesan Staff members, 23 active Priests, 16 retired priests and 13 deacons.
With this rich body of insight in hand, the Committee is closing out the data-gathering phase and beginning its work of composing the Diocesan Profile. While that work unfolds, we want to offer a first look at the major themes rising from the collective wisdom of the people of Western New York...READ MORE
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What Do You Do with an Empty Building?
About 15 years ago, the former All Saints Church in Amherst merged with St. Mark’s Church in Buffalo’s Riverside neighborhood, leaving the diocese with an unused church building. Rather than let it sit vacant, a group of Episcopalians in recovery began to dream. What if this space could become a home for healing? A place where 12-step meetings, sober activities, dances, movies, and maybe even a coffee shop could support those seeking a new way of life?
From that dream, The Hope Center was born...READ MORE
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Introducing EpiscoPints
Join us for our very first gathering of EpiscoPints — a monthly meetup for young and young-minded adults who are curious, questioning, or simply craving good conversation in good company.
This Month’s Location: Fattey’s Beer Co, Lancaster
Topic: “Why Episcopal?”
Conversation Leader: Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims
Come grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join an open, relaxed discussion about what it means to be Episcopal. No pressure, no prep work, just real conversations and real connection.
EpiscoPints will rotate monthly to different Fattey’s locations, with a new priest or leader guiding each discussion. All are welcome — bring a friend, bring your questions, bring your curiosity.
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New Diocesan Directory
The new 2025 WNY Diocesan Directory is now available.
To protect your privacy, the Directory will not be available on the website for download.
Please contact Shawn Slother for a digital version or a printed copy, if you prefer.
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Creation Care & Environmental Justice
The Final Session in the Virtual Series
Buffalo's RT 33: A Story of Environmental Injustice and Damaging Health Impacts
Join the Rev. Steve Lane and Wayne A Blassingame, St. Philips - Buffalo, to welcome guest presenter, Dr. Jennifer Roberts, University of Maryland, School of Public Health. Originally from Buffalo, Dr. Roberts will present the racial and environmental story of RT 33 from construction through to continuing community health impact today. She draws on history of systemic racialized decision-making to expose the social inequity and health disparities imposed on the Black community of Buffalo's East Side. This session will bring the series full circle.
We hope you'll be with us December 4 at 7pm and feel free to invite interested friends. Please ask them to register here. This will be a session not to miss.
Join the Zoom
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 870 5365 9022
Passcode: 695790
After the sessions have concluded, they will be available as video links on the Diocesan Website.
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Advent & Christmas Resources
Individuals, congregations, and small groups can download Advent- and Christmas-themed graphics, a customizable video, curriculum, children’s offerings, podcasts, and much more from The Episcopal Church’s annual RESOURCE PAGE.
We extend a special invitation this year to participate in Forward Movement’s AdventWord, an online Advent calendar that reflects on a single word each day of Advent.
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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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Clergy Ordination Anniversary
The Rev. Walter Pond, Jr: December 5th
The Rev. Jessica Frederick: December 5th
The Rev. David Noves: December 9th
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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Family Tailgate Party
NEW TIME
Join us on December 7 for a Family Tailgate Party at the Diocesan Ministry Center at 12:30pm. Please note, the time has changed due to the NFL schedule.
All ages will cheer on our Buffalo Bills together! Bring some snacks to share and we'll provide pizza at halftime.
RSVP by December 5 to:
Wendy Schumacher
EMAIL or 716-830-5443
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St. Paul's, Springville
What are the most vibrant ministries or strengths of your parish today?
Our most vibrant ministry is long time involvement with LOVE INC which is a clearing house for people in the south towns area with significant needs. A major need is transportation to hospitals and medical facilities in Buffalo. We pride ourselves in the cooperation between different denominations that makes this ministry so effective...READ MORE
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"Know your Rights Training" and Court Accompaniment Training
St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - The Cathedral will be holding a Know Your Rights and Court Accompaniment Training in the month of December. Workshop will be led by an immigration attorney from Jericho Road and the Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Western New York from the New York Immigration Coalition.
This event is open to clergy, parish leadership, and others interested in immigration issues.
This is a RSVP only event. For more information and to register, please contact Dean Rebecca.
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Advent Study – A Child is Born:
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. Sessions will be held on the Cathedral Zoom site on (Mondays) December 15, 22 and (Tuesday) December 9 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.
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Stations of the Nativity
St. Simon's, Buffalo - Walk with us through the journey of Christ's birth on December 9, 16, & 23 at 6pm.
Come hear the Christmas story of the babe in the manger!
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Free Concert
St. Mark's, LeRoy - Opera on the Oatka presents "Transformational Love" on December 6 at 6:30pm. This one-hour concert is FREE and all are welcome!
Join mezzo soprano and LeRoy resident Heather Davis and Eastman professor and pianist Priscilla Yuen as they perform arias and songs about the transformational power of love.
Don't worry if you're not familiar with classical vocal music - throughout the evening, Heather will share context about composers, texts, and storylines in a way that's approachable and engaging!
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Offering Comfort at Christmas
Calvary, Williamsville - If you are in search of hope and healing, we invite you to find it in this service of meditative prayer, poetry, music and reflection on December 6 at 4pm. Please join us in a sacred and safe place for a service that will acknowledge loss, plus offer support to uplift us all! This unique service of hope and healing will last about an hour and be followed by a reception. Our hope is that wherever you may be this year, you will find a light in the darkness!
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Advent Concert
St. Mark's, North Tonawanda - Join us on December 7 at 2pm for an Advent Concert and reception to follow.
A Free Will offering is gratefully appreciated.
Performers will be:
Dr. Ji Hyun Woo, Organ
Dr. Sarah Hamilton, Oboe
Amie Adams & Madeline DeJoy, Vocalists
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Cloverton Christmas Concert
St. Simon's, Buffalo - Join us for a FREE concert from the nationally known Christian band Cloverton on December 8 at 7pm.
For a preview of their songs...CLICK HERE
For details and information visit, Cloverton Music
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Her Christmas Carol
Not Every Scrooge is Male
St. Mark's, LeRoy - Her Christmas Carol, a live radio drama will be performed December 13 at 3pm & 7pm by the Bloomfield Rotary Players. This production is based on the original Dickens story but with a twist—not every Scrooge is male! The program is presented by the Rotary Club of LeRoy and The Joy Project, with proceeds benefiting both organizations.
Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased at Tompkins Community Bank, Copart, St. Mark’s office or online HERE.
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Lessons & Carols
Calvary, Williamsville - Join us in the glorious annual tradition of the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 14 at 7pm. This year’s program, featuring choir, soloists, brass and organ under the direction of Roland E. Martin, will offer joyful music old and new. Celebrate Christ’s coming in word and song!
A free will offering will support Great Music at Calvary.
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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!
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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
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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.
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The Psychology of Christian Nationalism
Save the Date
St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - How do we overcome polarization in American society? How do we advocate for justice when one side won't listen to the other and cycles of outrage escalate? How do we talk with each other when people of different perspectives are seen as evil, immoral, or anti-American? Dr. Pamela Cooper-White has written a book entitled "The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide”. To read more about her, see her bio here: www.linkedin.com/in/pamelacooperwhite
Dr. Cooper-White will address this topic at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on April 18, 2026. She will also preach at St. Paul’s Cathedral on April 19, 2026.
More details will be available soon.
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