Weekly News & Updates

June 24, 2026

Diocesan News

From Bishop Stephen Lane

I celebrated a birthday this past week, June 19th. I was born on Father’s Day, and my birthday has always been associated with Father’s Day. But now, it’s a national holiday – Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is not well known to a lot of Americans because it celebrates a lesser known fact of American history. It celebrates June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. It took two and a half years for the news to get from Washington, DC to Galveston. Communication was slow in the Civil War era, but that wasn’t the cause for the delay. The news of freedom for enslaved persons was not welcome in the American South. The slaves were freed gradually across the South and usually when the military situation made it possible for Union troops to enforce the Proclamation. June 19 was 71 days after Lee surrendered at Appomattox and 24 days after the Confederate military department covering Texas was disbanded.

Juneteenth was first celebrated in churches beginning in 1866 and was celebrated with orations and the singing of hymns. It picked up steam in the 1920’s and ‘30’s becoming a summer festival associated with picnics, barbecues, food festivals, fairs and baseball. It is the longest running African American holiday. It has also been celebrated in Mexico. President Joe Biden signed the law making Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth is a holiday, but it is also the remembrance of a gap – the gap between the promise of freedom and its realization. Resistance to the recognition of the right to freedom for African Americans delayed its implementation for two and a half years. Unhappily that gap continues to plague our country. We struggle today with racism enforced by cultural norms and public policy. We still resist learning the truth and coming to terms with the legacy of slavery both personally and culturally. We complain that racism has been addressed, while the economic, political and other gaps continue.

Elsewhere in this newsletter you will read a report from Diocesan Council about our efforts to create a diversity curriculum for the diocese. That effort is also delayed, and the Council is working on ways to move forward. I commend that report to you HERE.

I also invite you to consider the ways that you might live out our baptismal vow to respect the dignity of every person and to work for justice and peace. The way to bridge the gap is to take the risk of learning about others and working to see the world from their perspectives, to be open to the possibility that some of the ways we live as a nation are actually impediments to others, to hear the cries that equality has not yet been achieved among us.

Juneteenth celebrations began in black churches because that was the place that slaves had always known they were equal in the eyes of God. It was the place where their dignity and their aspirations were affirmed. It was the place where the promise of freedom was heard every Sunday. The Church still has a role in proclaiming the promise today because the Good News of God in Christ has not changed. There is much to do.

Blessings on your Juneteenth celebrations.

Bishop Steve

Bishop Sutton Challenges St. Luke's to Embrace Reconciliation and Human Dignity

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jamestown welcomed The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton on Sunday, June 14, for a day of worship and conversation marking both Pride Sunday and Juneteenth. Bishop Sutton, who serves as Senior Pastor of the Chautauqua Institution and Assisting Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, preached at the 8am and 10am Eucharists and led an Adult Forum on racial healing and understanding.

In his sermon, Bishop Sutton reflected on the common themes of liberation, dignity, and repentance that unite Pride and Juneteenth. He spoke candidly about his own spiritual journey, acknowledging ways that he once accepted teachings that excluded women from ordained ministry and LGBTQ people from full participation in the Church. He challenged the congregation to examine how scripture has been interpreted throughout history and argued that any interpretation that demeans, marginalizes, or oppresses an entire group of people fails to reflect the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

"God does not create mistakes," Sutton proclaimed. "God creates beloved children." He concluded the love is man interpretive tool in discerning God’s call and invited all people to take pride in being part of "God's beautiful rainbow of humanity."

Before worship, more than 25 parishioners and guests gathered for an Adult Forum on Racial Reconciliation and the Repairing of the Breach. Drawing on the experience of the Diocese of Maryland, which established a $1 million reparations fund during his episcopate, Sutton described reparations not as charity or guilt, but as an act of truth-telling and repair. "Reparations quite simply means to repair," he said. "Repair that which has been broken."

He emphasized that reconciliation cannot come cheaply. "There is no reconciliation without a reckoning," he told participants. "The time is now." The conversation explored the history of racial injustice, the Church's role in both perpetuating and healing social divisions, and the ways local communities can undertake the long work of reconciliation through education, relationship-building, and concrete action.

The visit was particularly meaningful for St. Luke's, which through its own application of the work of the Diocesan Commission to Dismantle Racism, has sought to cultivate conversations about race, belonging, and human dignity through worship, education, and community engagement. "Bishop Sutton's ministry reminds us that the Church is at its best when it tells the truth, loves courageously, and works faithfully for the flourishing of all people," said the Rev. Luke Fodor, Rector of St. Luke's.

Watch Bishop Sutton's sermon HERE

Watch the Adult Forum conversation HERE

Where We Stand: An Update on Anti Racism & Diversity Training

The Rev. Dr. Jason Miller

At the 2025 Diocesan Convention, the Episcopal Diocese of WNY overwhelmingly adopted Resolution E, committing our diocese to regular Anti Racism and Diversity Training for all clergy, lay leaders, diocesan staff, and licensed ministers. This mandate aligns our local practice with General Convention resolutions which call the whole Church to deeper formation in dismantling racism and building Beloved Community.

A year later, the Diocesan Council has produced a detailed status report outlining both the progress made and the significant challenges that remain. The picture is clear: our commitment is strong, but the path forward requires discernment, collaboration, and creativity. READ MORE

June Episcopints

Join Fr. Nick Evancho for a relaxed gathering at 7pm on June 25 at Fattey's in Amherst.

Bring your questions, bring a friend...just come as you are!

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

Contact Shawn Slother for your Safe Church renewal date, if needed.

Worship Leader Training

The Revs Karen and Kathy Lawler will lead worship leader training for anyone needing a license on August 22 at the Diocesan Ministry Center from 9am-3:30pm.

Sleep Away Camp 2026

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 

Camp Staff Opportunities

We may be in need of additional staff this summer. If you are 18 or older and feel called to serve at diocesan camp, please reach out to Youth Missioner, Wendy Schumacher, to explore whether this ministry might be a good fit.

For more information, CLICK HERE

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.

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

The Archives of The Episcopal Church

Site preparation for the new permanent home of The Archives of The Episcopal Church—the oldest denominational archives in the U.S.—is set to begin this week in Oakwood, Georgia, with construction expected to be complete by spring 2027.

“The bottom line is we will have 75% more storage space than we have in Austin, Texas,” and 40% more building space, Hitt said, referring to The Archives’ leased warehouse location since 2021. Prior to that move, The Archives occupied space at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin for 60 years. READ MORE

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 Anniversaries

The Rev. Vickie Suitor: June 24

The Rev. Shawn Clerkin: June 26

The Rev. Karen Lawler: June 26

The Rev. Isaac Ihiasota: June 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

Did You Know?

Resources for Musicians

Did you know that the Diocese of Western New York has a website page dedicated to providing resources for musicians?

This page is filled with links to websites, print and digital resources, copyright and licensing information, and other information that church musicians may find useful.

To view the website page, CLICK HERE

Youth & Children Ministry

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

Congregational Events

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 the following consecutive Wednesday evenings June 24 – July 8 from 6:30-7:30pm.

Book study reading schedule:

6/24 - Chapters 7-9

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

Strawberry Fest

St. John's, Youngstown - Enjoy homemade strawberry shortcake along with grilled foods by the Youngstown Lions Club on June 27 from Noon-4pm. Donuts D. Clown will be on hand from 12 to 3 for children of all ages, and the Nickel City Blues Band will perform starting at 2 p.m.

The church, built in 1878, will be open continuously throughout the event for self-guided tours. St. John’s is one of only a few remaining board-and-batten carpenter gothic churches with an active congregation in Western New York, and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Yard Sale

Advent, Kenmore - Join us on June 28 from 8am-1pm for a wide selection of items for sale.

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!