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From Bishop Stephen Lane
Dear People of God,
This past Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost, the birthday of the church. And we heard again in Acts of the rushing wind, the Ru’ach, of God filling the plaza in Jerusalem, as the disciples proclaimed the Good News of God’s love and forgiveness in every known language. That’s the way we most often think about Pentecost. A corporate act. The creation of a people. The giving of the Spirit of God to the church.
But as the Gospel of John makes clear, Pentecost is also a deeply personal event. His Pentecost occurs behind locked doors in the upper room where the disciples are hiding from the authorities in fear for their lives. Jesus appears among them and offers them his greeting, “Peace, my brothers and sisters. Peace.” Then he breathes on them. And I think we are invited to remember other occasions when God has breathed – into Adam in Genesis 2… into the dry bones in Ezekiel 37. God breathed, and they lived.
Breathing is our most elemental human action. Breathing means life. When a child first breathes, he or she quickens into life. When breathing ceases, life has ended. John’s Pentecost is the breath of life entering into dead disciples, into believers whose faith had died. And they live. They burst out of that upper room and, burying their fear, they proclaim publicly what God has done. They become the living body of Christ in the world.
Although we don’t like to think of it this way too often, the Christian faith is about how to live in the midst of death, that is, how to be Christ’s body in a world that often opposes all that Jesus stands for. How to be people of love and welcome in the midst of division and hate. How to be people of acceptance and reconciliation for everyone, especially those who are poor or outcast or alienated. That’s what that second part of Jesus’ exhortation, about forgiveness, means. Jesus sends the disciples into the world to breathe life into the world, to reconcile people, to forgive them of the sins that lead to brokenness and division. To pull them into the reign of God.
We are the heirs of those disciples, and today we bear the breath of life, the Spirit of God, to the world. So what do we do? How do we address the realities of life in our time?
Well, first breathe. Breathe in and give thanks that God has given us life and that we are here on this earth together. And then give thanks that in baptism we have received the Holy Spirit, have been made one Body, and have been empowered to share the Spirit with the world. Then breathe out. Be a breath of life for those in your community who need hope and love. Be a breath of life for those who are struggling, whose sense of possibility is depressed – by the job market or the economy or the environment or the violence of our times. Welcome them into the church, into a place where we can breathe together and discover that God has forgiven each of us and given us the hope of an unbroken relationship with him.
Peace, my brothers and sisters. Breathe.
Bishop Steve
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Standing Committee Develops New Discernment Process for Congregations Considering Property Sales
The Standing Committee has begun work to strengthen and reform the process through which congregations consider the sale of church property. While diocesan canons already require Standing Committee consent for the sale or transfer of real property, members have been reflecting on how that responsibility might be exercised in a way that is more pastoral, collaborative, and rooted in discernment.
Traditionally, conversations around church property can become narrowly focused on transactions: appraisals, legal requirements, maintenance burdens, or financial pressures. While these realities matter, the Standing Committee believes that church property represents something more than an asset on a balance sheet. Church buildings, land, and resources are gifts entrusted to us for the mission of God and for future generations of faithful people...READ MORE
You can download the Ministry Plan for the Sale of Real Property document HERE.
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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.
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Renewal of Ministry
Bishop Steve will be welcoming the Rev. Laurence Wainwright-Maks to St. John's-Grace in Buffalo on 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.
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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.
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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
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CDRD Virtual Workshop Series with the Rev. Isaiah "Shaneequa" Brokenleg
Even if you missed the first presentation, join us for the May 28th zoom session with the Rev. Isaiah "Shaneequa" Brokenleg, Staff Officer for Racial Reconciliation and the Interim Indigenous Missioner at the Episcopal Church.
Explore the foundations of your own beliefs in Developing Your Personal Theology: What Is at the Core of Who You Are? This session invites participants to reflect deeply on the heart of their identity and spirituality. Using tools like the “tree of life” exercise and guided theological reflection, we’ll explore ways to understand and articulate your personal theology. The presentation will also highlight the theology of relationships and wolakota as one approach to living in connection with others. Whether you are just beginning to consider your spiritual framework or seeking to deepen an existing practice, this session offers space for reflection, insight, and growth.
The WNY & NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism & Discrimination invites you to join us May 28 from 7pm-8:30pm to explore these questions and more.
For more information, CLICK HERE
To register for the Virtual Workshop Series and receive a Zoom link, REGISTER HERE
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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.
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Signs and Grace Video Course
An Intro to the Sacraments
A new three-session, video-based course about baptism, Eucharist, and the church’s sacramental rites is available for download or streaming with accompanying study guides. “Signs and Grace: An Introduction to the Sacraments” marks the first video collaboration between The Episcopal Church and Forward Movement in a partnership designed to provide free formation resources for dioceses and congregations.
The course—which includes 45- or 60-minute options, with facilitator and participant guides—is ideal for newcomer classes, adult forums, Sunday school, small groups, and those preparing for confirmation. The three 20-minute-long videos are in English with Spanish subtitles, as well as the study guides.
The partnership between The Episcopal Church and Forward Movement is an example of a new approach to churchwide formation that involves identifying, supporting, and collaborating in thoughtful work being done around the church.
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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 Anniversary
The Rev. Nick Evancho: June 2
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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May YUM Schedule UPDATED
The May 31 YUM Event has been rescheduled to 1-5pm at Trinity, Lancaster
For details and to participate in Youth United in Ministry (YUM), please contact:
Wendy Schumacher
Missioner for Youth & Children
EMAIL or 716-830-5443
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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… | |
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Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
Do you know the diocese provides an annual cycle of prayer for inclusion in your Worship Bulletins?
It is available on the Diocesan Website and lists the congregations in WNY that we pray for each week, as well as, the Anglican Provinces and Dioceses that are prayed for worldwide.
To access and download the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, CLICK HERE
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Recital series
St Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo - Join us for a Sunday afternoon Recital on May 31 at 3pm.
Ivan & Angela Docenko will perform "You'll Never Walk Alone."
A free will offering will be taken at the door.
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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
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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.
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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
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