| |
From the Bishop
Dear Colleagues in Christ,
One of the challenges we face as Christian people is what is sometimes called “the political capture of the church.” That is, for some folks, the political affiliation of the congregation is more important to their identity than the church’s theology. Identity politics has led to very sharp conflicts within our churches as people line up as pro- or anti- the current President or some other political figure or policy. This political focus has also led to a confusion about Jesus’ teaching, which is conflated with government policy. Sometimes Jesus is described as “woke” or “liberal.” Sometimes Jesus is invoked in support of bearing arms.
It is true that Christian values may or may not align with government policy. But the standard for that judgment is always the Gospel, not the policy. All governments, all people, fall short of the glory of God. Our work here is only an approximation of the kingdom, not its reality. Yet, we Christians are called in our lives and actions to represent that kingdom in the world.
Jesus calls us both to justice and to peace, to welcome the stranger and turn the other cheek, to lift up the poor and to love our enemies. Jesus is very clear about that. Clergy are called to preach both from the pulpit. Christians are asked to live out justice and peace in our daily lives. How do we do that?
I’ve been thinking about these matters as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., and his legacy. The Rev Dr King wrestled mightily with these issues during the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th Century and, with others, led a Christian movement to change government policies about the rights and freedoms of people of color. He articulated much of this in his Six Principles of Non-Violence, a philosophy and theology he adapted from the work of Mahatma Gandhi. I think it might be instructive to take a moment to think about those principles for our time. (From the Martin Luther King Center.)
Principle one: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. It is active nonviolent resistance to evil. It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Nonviolence is the only way for Christians. Christians can never be content with injustice. We always seek justice. Yet, we also affirm the life and value of every person. We seek to deliver everyone from evil.
Principle two: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. The result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation. The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community. The goal for Christians is never simply or only victory over evil. It is always the reconciliation of all people in Christ, the building or rebuilding of relationships. The root of nonviolent action is love for all. And such love is genuine, seeking the good for all.
Principle three: Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people. Nonviolence recognizes that evildoers are also victims and are not evil people. The nonviolent resister seeks to defeat evil, not people. For Christians, actions for justice are meant to end the injustice, which victimizes all involved. Defeating the evil is meant to bring healing for all. It is rooted in respect for the dignity of every human being. Christ died for all.
Principle four: Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform. Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation. Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities. God’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth is worth suffering for. And suffering, voluntarily accepted, can be transformative, as was Christ’s suffering on the cross. Suffering is not sought – Christians are not masochists – but it is endured by God’s grace.
Principle five: Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as the body. Nonviolent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative. Christians are always to be powered by love – love of God and love of neighbor. Such love is humble, never self-righteous, never keeps score. The ethical question is always, “What does love require?” (1 Corinthians 13)
Principle six: Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win. Nonviolence believes that God is a God of justice. God’s will can not be thwarted. God’s desire for all humanity will be fulfilled. We, in our time, represent that hope and that trust. And so we pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
None of this is easy. As fallible humans, we fall off one side or the other all the time – for which we need always to repent and forgive. But the call of Christians is to represent the demand for justice and the hope of reconciliation, to build Beloved Community, even among profound disagreements. Our identity is rooted in Christ, which challenges and critiques every other identity: family, community, country and party. It takes courage just to look at that. I invite your prayerful reflection.
+Steve
| | | |
| |
2026 Supply Clergy Rates
Please note that after more than a decade of no increase, the 2026 clergy supply rate is now $200 (one service). The mileage reimbursement, set by the IRS, has risen 2.5 cents to 72.5 cents per mile, effective January 1.
The complete updated rates are on the Diocesan Website: Supply Clergy Page
| | | |
| |
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 record, contact information, and convention delegates.
The form is due by March 1, 2026.
| | | |
| |
Ashes To Go?
Ash Wednesday is February 18, and if you are offering Ashes To Go, we want to promote it!
Please send us the location and time of your distribution by February 9, and we will list it in the February 11 Newsletter.
| | | |
| |
Wardens & Vestry Day
Save the Date...The diocese will hold a Wardens & Vestry Day on March 7 from 9am-3pm at the Ministry Center. If you are a warden, vestry member, or treasurer...we encourage you to attend.
Details will be announced soon, but save the date on your calendars!
| | | |
| |
Family Bowling
Strike up some fun with us at the Lanes on March 15 from 2-4pm at the Broadway Sports Center.
$10 per Bowler or $40 per Family, Includes:
- 2 Hours of Bowling
- Show Rental
- Pizza & Soda
RSVP to Wendy Schumacher
716-830-5443
| | | |
| |
Episcopal News Service
Stay informed on everything in the wider Church by visiting and/or subscribing to the Episcopal News Service (ENS).
ENS WEBSITE
| | | |
| |
Lenten Meditations
Beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 18) and continuing throughout the Lenten season, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is offering daily Lenten Meditations, inviting readers to reflect upon and deepen their spiritual practices.
This year, the organization has partnered with Sister Monica Clare—Episcopal nun, best-selling author and unlikely TikTok star —to create meditations that explore the theme of “Holy Habits.” In her meditations, Sister Monica Clare reflects on the Scripture readings for Vespers (Evening Prayer) to encourage habits that support and strengthen a life of faith.
ERD invites everyone from the Episcopal community and beyond to participate in “Holy Habits” by subscribing to daily emails, downloading resources for further study and including the meditations in community prayer, worship and gathering time.
Explore the Lenten offering: HOLY HABITS
| | | |
| |
Ordination Anniversaries
The Rev. John Paul Boyer: January 22nd
The Rev. Barbara Baxter: January 25th
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 January 24 YUM Event will be held at St. Patrick's, Cheektowaga from 11am-3pm.
For details and to participate, please contact:
Wendy Schumacher
Missioner for Youth & Children
EMAIL or 716-830-5443
| | | |
| |
St. Patrick's, Cheektowaga
What are the most vibrant ministries or strengths of your parish today?
Some of the most vibrant ministries and strengths of St. Patrick’s today are the ways we serve our community and the ways we care for one another. We were part of the inaugural year of YUMs (Youth United in Ministry), which allowed our young people to build friendships and share ministry with others in the diocese. Our parish is also deeply committed to outreach: we regularly collect food for FeedMore WNY, with our most recent drive bringing in 369 pounds of food, and we recently partnered with Beyond Learning, a center that provides educational and therapeutic services for children with disabilities...READ MORE
| | | |
| |
Special Film Screening: Sugarcane
St. Luke's, Jamestown - St. Luke’s Dismantling Racism Commission invites you to a FREE screening of the documentary Sugarcane on January 23 at 7pm at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theatre.
A stunning tribute to the resilience of Native people and their way of life, Sugarcane is the debut feature documentary by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie. The film is set in the wake of the 2021 discovery of unmarked graves at a former Indian residential school in Canada, bringing renewed attention to the forced separation, assimilation, and abuse experienced by Indigenous children in church-run boarding schools.
This screening is part of St. Luke’s ongoing commitment to truth-telling, listening, and the work of dismantling racism.
For more information and to watch a trailer, CLICK HERE
| | | |
| |
Chili Tasting & Basket Raffle
St. Peter’s, Eggertsville - Invites you to their Chili Tasting/Sale and Basket Raffle on February 1 from Noon-2pm. All proceeds to benefit St Peters Capital Campaign!
(Park in the lot on Callodine Ave and enter through the side door)
$10 Admission Fee:
- Allows you to sample all chili presentations
- Tickets to vote for your favorites
- Bread and refreshments provided
Basket Raffle:
- $10 per sleeve of 8 tickets/ $20 for 3 sleeves
- You need not be present to win
Take Out :
- $10 for a quart jar OR $5 for a pint jar
| | | |
| |
Epiphany Tea & Ukraine Presentation
Trinity, Fredonia - Join us February 1 at 2pm when we will host Patrick Stokes to be the guest speaker for the 93rd annual Trinity Episcopal Church Women’s Epiphany Tea.
Mr. Stokes is a freelance photographer and a SUNY Fredonia graduate who has been a leader with several charity missions that help those in need living within the Ukraine.
Following his sharing and answering questions, guests will be invited to enjoy modern Epiphany cake, cookies, tea, coffee or hot cider.
A free-will offering will be available and any monies collected will be given to Mr. Stokes for his future missions.
| | | |
| |
Blessings of Freedom:
A Midday Prayer Service
St. James, Batavia - Join us on February 4 from Noon-12:30pm for a Community Prayer Service.
"In a world that often feels heavy and divided, we invite you to pause, breath, and give thanks for the profound gift of freedom..."
To join the Zoom option...CLICK HERE
Enter passcode: zrXG3y (when requested)
| | | |
| |
Absalom Jones Celebration at St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - Join us for a celebration of Absalom Jones and Black History Month on February 14 at 11am. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated followed by a reception hosted by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE), Bishop Holly Chapter.
The guest preacher for the Eucharist will be The Rev. Canon Masud Ibn Syedullah, TSSF. Born into a family with a Christian mother and a Muslim father, Father Syedullah has a keen awareness and sensitivity for racial and interfaith concerns and helping Christians understand their call to be in positive relationship with people of other faiths and to work to end the ignorance, fear, and hatred done in the name of religion that fuels so much violence and destruction in today’s world.
The service music includes a special program featuring works by African-American composers. Jaman Dunn-Danger, former Asst. Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic, professor at UB, and outstanding baritone will be our special musical guest.
A joint choir from across the Diocese is being assembled. If you are a singer, or your church choir wishes to be part of the festival choir under the direction of Jaman Dunn-Danger, please contact Patricia Hills, St. Paul's Cathedral Choir Director, as soon as possible for more information.
The Absalom Jones celebration is co-sponsored by St. Paul's Cathedral; St. Philip's Church; The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE), Bishop Holly Chapter; and the WNY & NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination. Street parking, public parking lots, & a public parking garage under Main Place Mall (less than a block away) are available.
We hope you will join us and invite others from your community to be part of this special day!
| | | |
| |
MASS APPEAL Concert
Calvary, Williamsville - Join us for MASS APPEAL on February 15 at 4pm, directed by Roland Martin. Three complete musical settings of the Mass will include a lyrical setting by Gabriel Faure', written for female voices and organ, followed by Joseph Haydn's "Little Organ Mass", a brief setting for strings, organ, choir and soprano soloist.
The featured work on the program is a brand new setting of the Mass by Julian Allcock, a British rock bass guitarist living in Bruges, Belgium. This very innovative work is scored for chorus, baritone solo, and a small ensemble of instruments. The concert is bookended by two settings of the Gloria, the first from the 14th century, the other by the great J.S. Bach.
Come and enjoy the mass appeal of MASS APPEAL.
| | | |
| |
Our Little Roses, Honduran Luncheon
Calvary, Williamsville & Church of the Advent, Kenmore - Join us on March 14 at Calvary to benefit the girls at Our Little Roses, Honduras.
Doors open at 11:30am for the Basket Raffle, 50/50, & Honduran sale items. Lunch begins at 1pm.
Tickets are $30 each (pre-sale only and limited to 110 tickets). Call/text or Venmo to Kathy Barton at 716-534-1498 before March 1 to reserve. Please make checks payable to: Church of the Advent, with Honduran Luncheon in the omemo line.
| | | | |
Calling all Fryers
As Lent approaches, we’re excited to welcome back our WNY Fish Fry tradition! We’d love to help spread the word...please send us your Fish Fry flyers so we can include them in our weekly newsletters thru Lent.
| | | | |
