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From Bishop Stephen Lane
Beloved in Christ,
Let us pray. Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Collect for Independence Day
This week we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our independence from Great Britain. It’s the birthday of our country, and we celebrate our freedom from tyranny and our freedom to be a people who gather, worship, speak, and govern ourselves. Our history, however messy and wobbly it’s been at times, has inspired millions of people all over the world to risk venturing here to be part of our free life, and it has pushed many other countries to move toward more participatory and democratic forms of government. The Lady with the Lamp in New York Harbor, with her torch of freedom, her sacred book dated July 4, 1776, and her foot breaking the shackles of slavery has become the icon of who we are as a nation. She welcomes the tempest-tost to the golden door.
Of course, it’s more complicated than that. Like every nation, we struggle with the forces that divide us from one another. Prejudice is real and governance is difficult, and achieving our goals of fairness and equity, equality before the law, freedom to practice our beliefs, equal access to housing, education, and healthcare, and economic opportunity for all has proven elusive. Our history with Native Americans and people of color has been shameful. But our ideals drive us on toward the hope, the golden door, the Statue of Liberty represents.
The Church has often considered itself to be apart from the culture. We claim that our baptism into Christ supersedes other loyalties, including loyalty to family or nation or culture. Yet, the Church swims in the culture like every other institution. Much of what we take for granted in the United States – religion free from government oversight, the multiplicity of beliefs and practices, the ability to choose which religion to practice – is rooted in our national culture and not available in other nations and cultures. We are blessed to be here.
The Gospel for Independence Day is from the Sermon on the Mount, and it is Jesus’ call to perfect love, to love the righteous and the unrighteous, to love our enemies. It is a call to love one another across our differences, no matter how great, because only perfect love makes human freedom possible.
May we on this momentous occasion, renew our commitment to love our neighbors and to seek God’s grace to strengthen our liberties justly and peacefully. May we celebrate what we enjoy and pledge to extend the gifts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to all those who live here and to all who hope for the same where they live. And may we deepen our devotion to the God whose love is the source of the freedom we celebrate that, as Hymn #534 puts it, “the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.”
Happy Fourth!
Bishop Steve
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250th Anniversary Celebration
The diocesan office will be closed July 3rd in observance of Independence day.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
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In-Person Safe Church Training
Wendy Schumacher will lead Safe Church training for anyone that needs or prefers in-person training. A valid email is needed for each person due to Safe Church registration requirements. Once completed, your training is valid for 3 years.
Two dates are offered for the training at the Diocesan Ministry Center in Tonawanda.
Choose either Saturday, July 25th OR Wednesday, July 29th from 10am-3pm. (the same training is offered both dates).
Lunch is included as part of your day.
To Register, CLICK HERE by July 13th.
Contact Shawn Slother for your Safe Church renewal date, if needed.
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Sleep Away Camp 2026
Four Weeks Remaining for Registration!
Summer Camp is a long-standing tradition in the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, and we are delighted to share that planning is underway for this year’s camp.
Sleep Away Camp will be held August 9–12 at the Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center in Bemus Point. Camp is open to all youth currently in 2nd through 12th grade, and campers will be divided into three groups based on grade level to ensure age-appropriate programming and activities.
Registration
To register a camper, REGISTER HERE
by July 31st.
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Congregational Grants
Diocesan Grants
The deadline for the next cycle of diocesan grants is September 1. There are three diocesan grants available to apply for.
UTO Grants
Application materials for the 2027 cycle will be available in August, but you can review the criteria now.
CDRD Grants
The Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination is offering grants to congregations with initiatives inspired by the Commission’s Pledge of Faith and Action Against Racial Injustice.
For details and applications, visit the diocesan website Grant Page.
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2026 Diocesan Convention
Our annual Diocesan Convention will be held in Celeron, NY at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel on October 23 & 24.
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Nominations & Resolutions
Nominations for an open office and convention resolutions need to be submitted by August 3rd. For information on the Governance Offices, CLICK HERE.
Open Offices
Standing Committee:
1 clergy and 1 lay (4 year term)
Diocesan Council:
1 clergy and 2 lay (3 year term)
Trustees:
2 lay (3 year term)
SUBMIT a DIOCESAN NOMINATION
SUBMIT a DIOCESAN RESOLUTION
Vendor Tables
A limited number of tables will be available on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to reserve a table for displays and/or presentations, please request one by August 24 using this link: VENDORS
Hotel Room Block
A limited number of hotel rooms will be reserved for attendees starting at $139. Reservation details will be coming soon.
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Brookside Chapel Schedule
Brookside Chapel in Lockport will be offering Summer services every Wednesday evening beginning on July 8 and continuing thru August 26.
To view the schedule, click HERE
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Episcopal Leaders Offer Prayers & Support for Venezuela
Episcopal and Anglican leaders are calling for prayers and offering support after back-to-back major earthquakes in Venezuela killed more than 900 people and injured at least 3,000 others while causing widespread damages to buildings and structures. Hundreds of people remained trapped under rubble as of June 25.
The Diocese of Venezuela, which is part of The Episcopal Church’s Province IX, has nine clergy serving 15 organized missions throughout the South American country’s 23 states... READ MORE
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Episcopal Creation Care Gathering
The Episcopal Creation Care Gathering Network invites lay and clergy leaders and activists engaged in creation care to come together for conversation, learning, and practice on September 23-26 in London, Ohio. Participants will explore spirituality, justice, ecology, discipleship, and evangelism through workshops, plenaries, outdoor experiences, and intentional conversation.
The keynote presenter will be the Rt. Rev. Cathleen Chittenden Bascom, founder of the Episcopal Grasslands Network, a churchwide community that honors creation in native ecosystems, fosters connection in environmental vocation, and grows together in Jesus’ way of love.
Register HERE by September 1
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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. Daniel Pinti: July 2
The Rev. Roland Cooper: July 4
The Rev. Robert Duerr: July 4
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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New Logo
Did you know that the Diocese of Western New York has a new logo? It was created as part of the work of the Bishop Search Committee to provide the diocese with a distinctive look.
It currently headlines the recently updated diocesan website, and we will be transitioning over to the new logo for our diocesan documents and publications.
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National Acolyte Festival
Registration is Now Open
Washington National Cathedral is delighted to welcome acolytes, servers, and vergers from across the country to celebrate this vital ministry of service and faith on October 10, 2026.
The festival runs from 9am-2:30pm, and begins as participants join in the longest and most colorful procession imaginable—the Grandest of Processions—as we prepare to gather around Christ’s table for a festival Holy Eucharist.
Following the service, participants are invited to spend the afternoon exploring the Cathedral, the grounds, or join a variety of fun workshops and offerings: perfect your thurible techniques, help build the LEGO® Cathedral, create a liturgical streamer, take a look at Cathedral treasures, or peruse exhibitors.
For more information, CLICK HERE
Register HERE by October 2
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Articles Wanted
We would like to begin a new feature of our Diocesan Newsletter, spotlighting the ministries that your congregation provides.
To accomplish this, we need your photos and articles of how you are making a difference in your communities and the impact they create.
Please send your articles/photos to Shawn Slother, and they will be published in the order they're received.
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Reforesting Faith Book Study
What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God & His Love for Us
In conjunction with Holy Hikes of Western New York, St. Matthias’ , East Aurora and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo will host a book study and discussion of Reforesting Faith.
The sessions will be held on Zoom on July 1 & 8 from 6:30-7:30pm.
Book study reading schedule:
7/1 - Chapters 10-12
7/8 - Chapters 13 - End
The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87163407294
Meeting ID: 871 6340 7294
Passcode: 02241869
Books may be purchased on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. All are welcome to join in.
Questions/Concerns? – Please contact Mo. Ann Tillman or Dean Rebecca Barnes
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Independence Day Holy Eucharist
St. Mark's, Orchard Park - All are welcome to join us for a service of word and sacrament celebrating our nation's semiquincentennial on July 4 at 10am.
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Hearts of Hope Grief Support
St. Paul's, Harris Hill - Join us at 10am on July 11. We invite anyone experiencing a sense of the grief of loss of any kind to join us in conversation and sharing, as much or as little as one cares to, with others who are experiencing similar feelings and circumstances as their daily lives continue in unfamiliar ways.
Sharing our own experiences can, to some extent, help lighten the burden of others.
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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. 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. Join us July 12 at Owen Falls Sanctuary Trail (East Aurora) as we will hit the trail to celebrate the Eucharist in nature!
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Healing Hearts Support Group
St. Philip's, Buffalo - Healing Hearts will meet on July 14 at 6pm with Deacon Lillian Davis-Wilson.
Everyone experiencing any type of loss and need the support of a caring and compassionate group is welcome.
Come and join us, we are here for you!
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Love Rising
St. Andrew's, Burt - Join us for our annual Love Rising celebration. All are welcome to our free events!
July 6 at 7:30pm
Community in Concert - Schultze Vineyard
July 15 at 8am
Morning Service - Krull Park
We encourage everyone to reflect, meditate and pray for peace on July 15.
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Chicken-n-Baskets
A joint fundraiser for St. Andrew's, Burt & St. Paul's, Lewiston will be held at St. Andrew's on July 25 from 2-6pm with a portion of the proceeds donated to charitable organizations.
Chicken Dinners are Eat-in or Take-out
Adults: $18, Child: $9, Dinner for Two: $25
Multiple Baskets and high-end items with tickets being drawn at 6pm.
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Blood Drive
Good Shepherd, Buffalo - Donate blood on July 27 from 3-7pm.
All donors will receive a Delta Sonic gift card.
All donors will be registered to win a pair of Buffalo Bill pre-season tickets at the new stadium.
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