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From Bishop Steve
Dear Ones,
As you read this, I’m attending the Fall Meeting of the House of Bishops. All bishops in good standing, active or retired, are invited to two meetings during the year – one in the Spring (usually in a retreat format) and one in the Fall. There are 105 dioceses in The Episcopal Church, including dioceses in Europe, Taiwan, Central and South America. Usually something like 125, mostly active, bishops attend.
The House of Bishops is only half of the institutional church. The other half is the House of Deputies, which meets once every three years in the General Convention. The bishops cannot legislate on behalf of the church. That’s reserved to the General Convention and the Executive Council. So why do the bishops meet?
There are three or four primary reasons why the bishops come together. The first is theological reflection. The bishops are the teachers and worship leaders of dioceses. Meetings of the House of Bishops are steeped in daily worship and prayer. There are daily meditations and sermons. The Presiding Bishop offers a theological reflection. There is one sabbath day. All of this is designed to help ground and center the bishops in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Over the years, the worship of the House has had a profound impact on me.
The second is fellowship. Bishops depend on one another for support and counsel. The meeting of the House is an opportunity to renew and strengthen relationships, particularly within each Province and with members of one’s class. Bishops are first formed in a three year program of the College for Bishops with bishops elected the same year. Those early class relationships are important – these are folks at the same stage of episcopal ministry – and the bonds formed endure for the rest of a bishop’s life. My class is now mostly retired, but it does include our current Presiding Bishop.
The third reason for meeting is education. Episcopal ministry requires a broad set of skills, and none of us is good at everything. Meetings often have special emphases to address particular issues or particular needs of the church. Outside speakers or members of the House with expertise often hold seminars or classes. At this meeting we are focused on the recruiting and formation of priests, a particular challenge for us in every diocese. We’re also going to talk about planting new congregations and redeveloping church buildings.
The fourth reason is planning for mission. Despite our cultural and ethnic diversity, The Episcopal Church is one church. In our different contexts, we are often wrestling with the same issues. What does God want? How do we grapple together with challenges we are all facing? How can we work in concert with the Presiding Bishop to create a unified response? A good example of such an issue is immigration. Across the church, dioceses have substantial and historic ministries caring for and resettling immigrants. The Trump Administration's policies regarding immigration have created challenges, not only here in the US, but in Europe and Central and South America as well. How do we address this crisis together? A result of this planning is sometimes a written “Word to the Church” offering guidance and support for the whole church.
Although bishops frequently complain about the time and travel required for meetings of the House of Bishops, the meetings are important to our common life. Please pray for us as we gather in Texas this week.
Peace,
Bishop Steve
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Audits Due October 1st
A reminder that your financial audits are due no later than October 1st. Audit information is available on the diocesan website Finance & Audit Page
Congregations that do not submit an audit will not have voting prevlidges at the October 2026 Convnetion.
If you have any questions please call Maria Manocchio @ 716-881-0660 ext. 118
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Summer of Listening Report
The Rev. Nick Evancho
It is my pleasure to share with you all the results of our summer of listening project as part of our search for our next diocesan bishop. We took on the ambitious goal of visiting every parish community in this diocese, to show our presence and care for them and to hear from them what they need as we discern our way into the future. I cannot emphasize enough how well we accomplished this goal and how grateful I am for all those who helped make it possible.
If you have any other questions or thoughts, please feel free to reach out to me or another member of the search committee.
VIEW THE REPORT
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Is ALLYour Church Property Insured?
It is approaching the time of year when Church Insurance renewal documents are sent to congregations. The Diocesan Property Committee urges every vestry, warden, and treasurer to use this opportunity to review—not simply renew—your parish’s insurance coverage.
This is more than a recommended best practice.
Maintaining adequate insurance is a canonical requirement of The Episcopal Church.
Under Of Business Methods in Church Affairs, the national canon states :
“All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.”
This requirement appears in Canon I.7.1(h) of the 2024 Constitution and Canons. In some earlier editions, it may be lettered differently. The obligation is clear: every congregation must ensure that all buildings and their contents are adequately insured.
READ MORE
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October EpiscoPints
Join the discussion with Bishop Steve on Thursday, October 8 at 7pm at Fattey's, Amherst.
A relaxed gathering for adults, the young, the young at heart, and everyone in between!
Clergy that are interested in leading a discussion at EpiscoPints should contact Wendy Schumacher.
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Family Tailgate Party
On October 18 the Diocesan Ministry Center will host a family tailgate party at 4pm.
Bring some snacks to share. Pizza, games, and activities will be provided!
To attend, RSVP by October 16 to Wendy Schumacher 716-830-5443
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Renewal of Ministry
Bishop Steve will be welcoming the Rev. Shawn Clerkin to St Mark's in Orchard Park on Saturday, October 10 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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Fall Farewell from Brookside Chapel
A Fall Celebration of Creation will be held at Brookside Chapel on October 7 with a Harvest Meal at 6pm followed by Eucharist at 7pm.
If you plan to attend, contact Deacon Martha. If you can provide a small
pot of soup or a loaf of bread, let Deacon Martha know, and remember to bring your own table setting.
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Come Make a Joyful Noise
St. Paul's Cathedral Choir is welcoming new members!
If you love to sing and are looking for spiritual growth, community, and fellowship as well as the opportunity to perform quality music - Come join us! Rehearsals are each Thursday at 6:30pm and all voice parts are welcome.
Looking to sing occasionally? Consider joining our Evensong Canticle Choir!
Contact Patricia Hills for more information
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Letter from the Birmingham Jail:
If Martin Were Here Today
The WNY and NWPA Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination (CDRD), in partnership with St. Luke’s Commission to Dismantle Racism, invites you to a dramatic presentation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Presented by the Buffalo-based Typography of Women, the acclaimed 90-minute production brings the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s landmark letter to life through music, spirituals, narration, and a dramatic reading portrayed by a 1963 Dr King and a younger version of himself imagined as a civil rights leader of today.
The event is free and open to the public on Thursday, October 22. Doors open at 6:30pm with the performance at 7pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown. Light refreshments follow the performance.
REGISTER HERE
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Continuing Education Opportunity
Stevenson School for Ministry
Theology of Disability
Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm ET, October 22 - December 10
What does the experience of disability tell us about what it means to be created in the image of God? What does scripture say (and not say) about disability? How does faith inform the church’s care for humans with disabilities? Join the Stevenson School for Ministry this fall to delve into these questions and more through discussions of scripture, theology, and disability theory. Participants will come away with a better understanding of the theological questions the experience of disability raises, the hermeneutical models disability brings to the reading of scripture, and the church’s vocation to be with and for humans with disabilities. Register here!
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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. Cathy Dempesy-Sims: Sept. 28
The Rev. Stephen Smith: September 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
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YUM Sleepover
On September 25-26, there will be a sleepover at the Diocesan Ministry Center from Friday 7pm until Saturday at noon. Bowling is included with the $25 cost.
ALL youth in grades 5-12 are invited to attend! For more information contact Wendy Schumacher, Missioner for Youth & Children
Join us on the BAND app for updates and to RSVP
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YUM Fall Schedule
Youth United in Ministry—better known as YUM—is a collaborative youth program for young people in 5th grade through high school. Supported by a group of partnering churches within the Diocese, YUM brings youth together twice each month for fellowship, fun, and meaningful service.
One gathering a month rotates among the participating churches, giving youth a chance to explore different communities and build connections beyond their home parish. Each month looks a little different: some meetings are built around games and discussion, while others take us on local field trips or mission projects that put our faith into action. The second event a month focuses on family and fun activities.
For more information, contact Wendy Schumacher
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Name That Church?
How well do you know the congregations in WNY? Would you be able to name them, if you saw them?
Test your knowledge by naming the church shown, and then click on the photo to reveal the answer!
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How Small Congregations Make a Big Difference
The Rev. Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims
It's easy to measure a congregation by its numbers — average Sunday attendance, pledge totals, the size of their endowment. But some of the most faithful, most alive congregations in our diocese are also our smallest. A couple of weeks ago, I visited St. Mary's in Gowanda, and what I found there reminded me why.
St. Mary's regular supply priest has been on leave, so the congregation has gone without consistent clergy leadership for some time. Still, when I arrived, I found three parishioners hard at work: talking through the repair work needed on the church school building, setting up for their monthly diaper distribution ministry, Bottom's Up, and brewing coffee and setting out snacks for coffee hour. Before long, the organist arrived with her children in tow, and we were ready to begin the service.
Small in number, these are people — like the majority of our small, rural congregations — who don't just talk the talk of Jesus's saving grace; they live it. Many thanks to the Rev. Colleen O'Connor, who is helping St. Mary's through this difficult time, and to warden Sue Ashby and all the folks at St. Mary's, Gowanda, who make sure they see the face of God in everyone they encounter. Good work!
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Annual Joint Picnic
On September 19, members of St. Andrew's (Burt), St. Paul's (Lewiston), Christ Church (Lockport), and St. John's (Wilson) gathered to renew old friendships and create new ones at their annual picnic celebration!
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Season of Creation at Orchard Park
St. Mark's, Orchard Park - You are invited to an alternative outdoor service at "Potter Park" behind the church on September 26 at 5pm. See flyer for future dates & times.
The services will have Celtic Music and Holy Communion each week.
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Genesis Center Gala
St. Simon's, Buffalo - You are invited to our annual Gala on September 26 from 6-9pm at Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant, benefitting The Genesis Center of WNY and honoring FeedMore WNY.
For reservations, contact Marty Bensch 716-822-1901
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Rummage Sale
St. John's, Wilson - Join us on September 25 from 9am-5pm and September 26 from 9am-Noon for treasures galore!
Something for everyone...Come, shop & browse!
All items are free will offering!
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Harvest Happening
Christ Church, Lockport - Come one, come all on October 3 and enjoy soup, baked goods, and children's games from Noon-3pm.
A basket raffle will take place from 11;30am-2:30pm.
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Free Documentary Showing
St. John's, Wilson - Everyone is invited to a free showing of a new documentary produced in honor of "America 250" & featuring Tom Selleck on October 7 at 2pm.
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Martial Arts Classes
St. John's, Wilson - Starting October 10, Hana Center Martial Arts will be providing Saturday classes hosted by St. John's.
See the flyer for class descriptions and times.
Contact Dillon to join: 716-940-8024
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October BBQ
St. Philip's, Buffalo - Join the Men's Club on October 17 from 3-6pm for BBQ chickn or ribs by BW's Smoking Barrels BBQ.
Tickets are available. Call 716-833-0442 to place an order.
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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.
On October 17, we will hike at Heartland Forest Trail in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. 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.
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