| |
From Bishop Stephen Lane
Bishop Steve is away at the Spring House of Bishops Conference in Texas.
Please keep the Bishop in your prayers for a safe trip, while he keeps all of Western New York in his.
| | | |
| |
Building Safety and Maintenance Assessments
The Diocese has recently formed a Diocesan Property Committee. The committee brings together clergy and lay leaders with experience in construction, architecture, building systems, evaluations, and parish leadership to assist congregations in caring for their buildings wisely, safely, and sustainably.
One of the committee’s first initiatives is to offer building safety and maintenance assessments for congregations across the diocese. These visits are intended to be supportive and collaborative, helping identify potential maintenance concerns and offering practical guidance for long-term stewardship.
To read the full letter, CLICK HERE
| | | |
| |
Ordination to the Diaconate
God willing and the people consenting
The Right Reverend Stephen T. Lane
Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York
will ordain
Marc Anthony Gutierrez
to the Sacred Order of Deacons
in Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church
Saturday, March 28, 2026
10:00 am
St. Paul’s Cathedral
4 Cathedral Park, Buffalo, NY 14202
Your prayers and presence are joyfully requested
Reception to follow the ceremony
Clergy: Red or Festive Stoles
| | | |
Pictures by consent with residents at Terrace View Long-Term Care Facility: Lisa Carson and Anthony "Trouble" Disarno | |
Petals & Prayers Ministry
Volunteers Needed
The Petals & Prayers Ministry is in need of volunteers to help pick up flowers from Trader Joes. There are many pick up time slots available.
Once the flowers are brought to St. Philip's,
they are watered, trimmed, and spruced up a bit. Then, they are delivered to Terrace View Long-Term care Facility on the ECMC Campus on Fridays.
Deacon Lillian Davis-Wilson delivers flowers to sick and shut-in parishioners also.
Please contact the St. Philip's Church office at (716) 833-0442 to volunteer and for more information.
| | | |
| |
Chrism Liturgy Reminder
The Annual Chrism Liturgy & Renewal of Vows will be held at St. Paul's, Cathedral in Buffalo on Tuesday, March 31.
Clergy will gather at 9:30am for the program, a service at 11am, lunch at noon, and ending by 12:30pm. Bishop Steve encourages all clergy to attend and hopes to see you there.
Please register by March 26 using this LINK.
| | | |
| |
It Is Up to Us - Lunch & Movie
Joint Commission to Dismantle Racism & Discrimination (CDRD)
REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY
The WNY and NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination invites you to join us for a LUNCH AND A MOVIE showing of the new documentary film, It Is Up to Us on March 21, 11am-2:30pm at the Diocesan Ministry Center.
The movie presents “a brief history of racism in America with hope of promoting equity.” Inspired by Heather McGhee’s The Sum of Us and the 2022 tragic shooting at TOPS grocery store which claimed 10 lives and injured 3, the film traces the impact of racism on society and illustrates why understanding history is critical for our future.
To register for the event by March 18, CLICK HERE
For more information, visit the CDRD Diocesan Web Page.
| | | |
| |
March EpiscoPints
Our March gathering is on March 25 at 7pm at Fattey Beer Company in Amherst.
The Rev. Karen Lawler will lead our discussion, Faith in Conversation.
Bring your questions, bring a friend - just come as you are!
| | | |
| |
Regional Confirmation
On Saturday, September 19 at 10:30am at St Paul's Cathedral.
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane (Bishop Provisional of WNY) Presiding
If your congregation has anyone to be confirmed, received, or reaffirming their baptismal vows; please send their name(s) to Shawn Slother to register and provide certificates.
| | | |
| |
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.
| | | | Youth & Children Ministry | |
| |
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
| | | |
| |
Youth White Water Rafting Trip
YUM is planning an adventure on April 19 to white-water rafting at Zoar Valley Rafting in Gowanda. There will be two carpools, to transport youth coming from all around the Diocese:
Please RSVP to Wendy Schumacher by April 1. Families are asked to contribute $25 to the cost of the event, and friends are welcome to attend!
YUM events are open to young people in 5th grade and up.
| | | |
| |
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
| | | |
| |
St. Mark's & All Saints, Buffalo
What makes your church unique in the region and the diocese?
The physical plant of St. Mark’s & All Saints’ Episcopal Church is well preserved and well appointed, with a sincere effort made to provide accessibility to all, both physically and virtually. Our curb appeal is kept up with our well groomed grounds, and an often changed signboard offering a thoughtful tidbit. There is a hall for use as a community gathering place that holds up to 100 people and serves this area that is far from the City Community Center, and one that is cut-off by railroad tracks. On Sundays, 3 different congregations enjoy worship on site...READ MORE
| | | |
| |
Lenten Bible Study at the Cathedral
On Tuesday evenings, Dean Rebecca will lead a study on the Gospel of John with the program on the Cathedral Zoom Page from 7-8:30pm on March 24 and a final session on Easter Tuesday, April 7. We will look at an overview of the "Fourth Gospel" while giving greater attention to the readings from the Gospel that are part of the Lenten and Holy Week Lectionary. (If you are unable to attend the Wednesday evening Center City Lent sessions in Buffalo, this will be a good alternative.) For more information, please contact Dean Rebecca.
| | | |
| |
Lenten Study
A number of churches in the Central Erie Deanery will be coming together again this year for a joint Lenten study. This program will be in-person only (no hybrid). Gather for a simple meal at 5pm with Program and Discussion to follow from 5:30pm - 7pm.
The schedule is:
March 18: St. Paul's Cathedral
March 25: St. John's-Grace
This year's series will be Unbound: Seeking the Freedom of God’s Love. Together, we will follow Jesus through the wilderness and into the heart of the Empire.
| | | |
| |
Music at St. Mark's
St. Mark's, LeRoy - Join us for a free monthly concert series. This month presents Ravi Padmanabha and David Mussen on March 19 at 7pm in a program that is a fusion of eastern and western music using a variety of instruments. The concert will be a full musical experience ranging from ambient meditation to ecstatic trance music.
The program is funded by a Statewide Community Regrant Program through GO ART!
For more information, email: stmarksleroy@gmail.com.
| | | |
| |
Blue Note Concert
Trinity, Buffalo - Join us on March 20 for Krista Seddon's Jazz Series presenting Blue Note at 7pm.
Blues and the British Invasion!
Tickets: $30
Students: $10 with valid ID
| | | |
| |
Spring Chicken BBQ
Trinity, Hamburg - Join us our annual Spring Chicken BBQ on March 21 from Noon-3pm (or until sold out).
Take Out ONLY - $15 for a Half Chicken BBQ with all the sides.
| | | |
| |
Spaghetti Dinner
St. John's-Grace, Buffalo - Treat yourself to an affordable evening out with friends on March 21! You may reserve tables for groups of 6,8 or 10. Purchase tickets at the door or in advance using QR Code or ONLINE (No Take Outs).
Doors open at 5pm, Dinner at 6:30pm.
Check out our interesting variety of auction theme baskets! We hope you will join us for a casual evening of fellowship and fun!
| | | |
| |
Passion Play & Community Dinner
St. Paul's, Lewiston - The community is invited to witness a dramatic narrative of the crucifixion enriched with symbolism from the Gospel at 4pm on March 28. A free-will pasta dinner will follow.
If you would like to participate in the community choir, please arrive at 3pm for rehearsal.
| | | |
| |
Community Good Friday Gathering
St. James, Batavia - Join us for a community worship gathering on April 3 at 6:30pm.
| | | | |
Calling all Fryers
During Lent, we’re excited to welcome back our WNY Fish Fry tradition! We’d love to help you spread the word...please send us your Fish Fry flyers so we can include them in our weekly newsletters thru Lent.
| | | | |
