| |
From Bishop Stephen Lane
In 1976, the General Convention adopted the following short resolution: “The 65th General Convention recognizes that homosexual persons are children of God who have an equal claim upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the Church.” It’s a very short sentence, but it set off an explosion, both inside and outside the church, about human sexuality, the interpretation and authority of scripture, the theological authority of the General Convention, and TEC’s relationship with other denominations and with the Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church had deliberately begun what proved to be a decades-long effort to fully include people whose sexual identity and expression did not fit the heterosexual norm. That effort met with a lot of resistance both within and without the church. Yet, we slowly and painfully persevered. Eventually, The Episcopal Church was joined by other denominations and even by the Supreme Court in saying that LGBTQ+ persons are equal in the eyes of God and entitled to the full civil and human rights offered under our Constitution.
It was not a smooth journey, but moved by fits and starts. Nonetheless, over the years, The Episcopal Church made changes to its policies and practices regarding ordination, the blessing of same sex unions, anti-discrimination employment policies, insurance for partners of gay clergy, and, finally, marriage.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of that simple resolution, and there is much to celebrate. Gay and lesbian people are now full members of the church at every level of the church and serve as elected parish leaders and as deacons, priests, and bishops. Marriage equality is now the law of the land, and the sacraments of the church are available equally to all our members.
At the same time, it must be acknowledged that conscientious disagreement, prejudice or, even, hatred continue to be a significant part of the landscape. Just as racism continues to be a volatile part of our political life, so homophobia and heterosexism continue to oppress our siblings in Christ. Seeing the face of God in every person still requires prayerful intention. We have not yet reached the Peaceable Kingdom.
This month is Pride Month in New York State and, in many communities, parades and festivals will mark the occasion. Buffalo’s Pride parade is this weekend and Jamestown’s is in a couple of weeks. Pride festivities are opportunities to celebrate and also to commit ourselves to offering continuing support for equal rights and status. Many of our churches will take part and be represented. If you are interested in being part of such a gathering, information can be found HERE.
I offer my thanks to God that our church has tried to live out our proclamation that all people are created in the image and likeness of God and that by baptism all are full members of the body of Christ. I’m grateful for the leadership and care offered in so many of our communities by faithful LBTGQ+ members. I pray that God will continue to accompany us on this journey, and I look forward to the day when ALL will truly mean ALL in our churches and communities.
Bishop Steve
| | | |
| |
Buffalo's Pride Parade
All are invited to celebrate 50 years of Inclusion in the Episcopal Church by joining the WNY Diocese to march together in the Pride Parade on June 7 at 10am.
We'll be meeting in the parking lot of Buffalo State College. Contact Christian Eshelman for details.
To sign-up, CLICK HERE
| | | |
| |
Clergy Retreat
Over 40 clergy members gathered along Chautauqua Lake this week for their annual retreat provided by the diocese.
Those attending refreshed their spirits, discovered new resources, renewed friendships and made new ones!
To view additional photos (provided by the Rev. Luke Fodor) check out our FaceBook page.
| | | |
| |
2026 Directory
The updated diocesan directory is now available. To receive a digital copy, please contact Shawn Slother 716-881-0660 x111.
Printed copies are also available, if you'd prefer a hard copy.
| | | |
| |
Renewal of Ministry
Bishop Steve will be welcoming the Rev. Laurence Wainwright-Maks to St. John's-Grace in Buffalo on Saturday, June 6 at 11am with a Renewal of Ministry service.
All are invited to attend with a reception to follow. Clergy attending may vest in White or Festive.
| | | |
| |
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. Lunch is included as part of your day.
To Register, CLICK HERE
Contact Shawn Slother for your Safe Church renewal date, if needed.
| | | |
| |
Dignity Book Study Recordings
If you missed a Book Study session of Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict, by Donna Hicks, PhD; they were recorded.
To view them, click on the link provided:
Week One: April 28 Recording
Week Two: May 5 Recording
Week Three: May 12 Recording
Week Four: May 19 Recording
There are still books available. If you would like one, please be in touch with Shawn Slother 716-881-0660 x111.
| | | |
| |
2026 Diocesan Convention
Our annual Diocesan Convention will be held in Celeron, NY at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel on October 23 & 24.
__________________________________
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
| | | |
| |
Buffalo Bisons Star Wars Night
Join us on Saturday, June 13 at 6pm for Star Wars Night at Sahlen Field as the Buffalo Bisons take on the Syracuse Mets. The Diocese has reserved a block of tickets and would love for you to join us!
Tickets are $15 and can be reserved through Wendy Schumacher, Missioner for Children and Youth. Email Wendy or call (716) 830-5443. Tickets will be mailed out the first week in June.
In addition, we have a Diocesan Star Wars T-Shirt to wear that evening. If you are interested in one for $20, please email Wendy.
| | | |
| |
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.
| | | |
| |
‘Vote Faithfully’ Networking Calls
On the first Thursday of each month from June through November, The Episcopal Church's Public Policy and Witness team will host a series of “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values.
During the calls, hosts will share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan (avoiding support for specific political parties, candidates, or platforms).
The first call, on June 4, will feature Kent Anker, chief legal officer of The Episcopal Church, speaking about compliance with IRS rules regarding election engagement by religious organizations.
To register for the monthly calls, CLICK HERE
| | | |
| |
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. Elizabeth Hadaway: June 4
The Rev. Gloria Payne-Carter: June 5
The Rev. Jack Marshall: June 6
The Rev. Bruce Gillies: June 9
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 | |
| |
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
| | | | Do You know??
A periodic article about things you may not know… | |
| |
Diocesan Governance
Do you know the diocesan website has a dedicated page for the governance of the diocese?
Descriptions of the primary governance bodies and it's members are listed for your reference. This is especially important now when the diocese is seeking nominations for the open offices to be elected at the annual convention in October.
We encourage those considering a nomination to contact current members to learn more about each governance body.
To access the Governance Page, CLICK HERE
| | | |
| |
Data Center Protest within the GRI
By Barbara Price
Many of the churches of the Genesee Deanery are actively engaged in a protest, working for the benefit of the environment and for respect for the indigenous people of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, which has lands within (mainly) Genesee County. The congregations of the Genesee Deanery are located in what is called the GLOW region: Genesee, (Livingston), Orleans, and Wyoming counties; two of these congregations are located in Genesee County. I also live in the GLOW region. In Genesee County, there is an industrial development site that was built – unbelievably – adjacent to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation lands, and other protected wetlands. The site was supposed to be...READ MORE
| | | |
| |
Chamber Music Festival
St. Matthias', East Aurora - Join us June 5, 6, 12, and 14 at 7:30pm for an evening with the East Aurora Chamber Music Festival Musicians.
Advanced Tickets: $20
At the Door: $25
Student with ID: $10
| | | |
| |
Lisa Hasselback Quartet
St. Mark's, Orchard Park - We're closing our concert series on June 7 at 4pm with the Lisa Hasselback Quartet. One of Buffalo’s leading musicians, winner of the 2025 JazzBuffalo poll for best pianist, Lisa Hasselback presents her original music from her new album as well as her dynamic interpretations of standards.
Suggested donation: $20 (no one turned away for lack of funds) RSVP at the Facebook Event Page
| | | |
| |
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 5-session book study and discussion of Reforesting Faith.
The sessions will be held on Zoom for five consecutive Wednesday evenings June 10 – July 8 from 6:30-7:30pm.
5-session book study reading schedule:
6/10 - Chapters 1-3
6/17 - Chapters 4-6
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 Festival
Christ Episcopal, Lockport - Join us on June 10 from 4-7pm for our annual Strawberry Festival held rain or shine.
A variety of food, baked goods, and a basket raffle will also be available.
| | | |
| |
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 June 13 at Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo as we will hit the trail to celebrate the Eucharist in nature!
| | | |
| |
Opera on the Oatka
St. Mark's, LeRoy - Join mezzo soprano (and LeRoy resident) Heather Davis, tenor Pablo Willey-Bustos, and pianist Priscilla Yuen as they perform opera duets and art songs inspired by Midsummer and Shakespeare on June 13 at 6:30pm.
Free Admission and all are welcome!
| | | |
| |
Salad Bar Luncheon
St. Mark's, North Tonawanda - Join St Mark's and Church of the Advent on June 19 from 11:30am-1:30pm for a delicious assortment of lunch meats, cheeses, & desserts.
Tickets are $25 (Adults) & $5 (Children)
For information and group reservations of 8 or more, please call 716-951-0704
| | | | | | |
