Weekly News & Updates

September 9, 2026

Diocesan News & Updates

From Bishop Steve

Dear Friends,

Let us pray: Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, makes us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Labor Day, BCP, 261)

This past Monday we celebrated the contributions of workers to our common life. Labor Day grew out of the 19th century labor movement in New York City, although there is controversy about who originated the idea. The first Labor Day parade was held on September 5, 1882. The celebration grew rapidly and by 1894, when it became a federal holiday, thirty states already marked it. Now, the contributions and skill of labor are celebrated around the world. Canada also celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday of September.

Christian theology understands human beings to be rooted in their creation in God’s image and not defined by what they do. At the same time, Genesis makes clear God's expectation in creation was that human beings would labor for the benefit of one another and all creation. Although the imagery is agricultural, the intent that we should care for one another is clear. Despite this, there hasn’t been a great deal of theological study about work. It’s an area that would benefit from study and education in the church.

The truth is that we are all workers. Our roles and responsibilities are very different – we work with our hands and our backs, our heads and our eyes, in fields, factories and offices. Some of us are on our feet all day. Some of us are in chairs. Some of us work directly with other human beings, Some of us work alone in a room. Yet it’s all labor and all necessary for the well-being of society. The Church makes no distinction in relation to the kinds of work we do. There is no sacred/secular divide. All work offered for the benefit of others is honorable and valuable. All work has the same spiritual significance.

In my view, we do not give labor its due. We are too often focussed entirely on what labor produces and the costs associated with it. Too often labor is considered simply a cost of doing business rather than the essential element which gives what’s produced value and meaning. The labor movement grew out of painful and violent demonstrations and strikes for recognition and just wages. Too often we still cut corners where workers are concerned. Women and people of color often receive less for the same work as white men. We all deserve just compensation for our labor. We are all made in God’s image, and God is a worker, constantly building and renewing Creation.

I hope you enjoyed the holiday. I invite you to think and pray about the work you do and how God and the community are honored by your labor.

Blessings,

Bishop Steve

September Renewal of Ministry

Bishop Steve will be welcoming the Rev. Karen Lawler to Trinity Church in Lancaster on Saturday, September 12 at 4pm with a Renewal of Ministry service.

All are invited to attend with a reception to follow. Clergy attending may vest in White or Festive.

October 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.

Creation Season Is Beginning

A reminder that the liturgical Season of Creation is beginning and continues into October. There are significant resources available from The Episcopal Church website, Creation Care page, and I encourage their use. I also give diocesan-wide permission to utilize the lessons and other resources designed for the Season. We are stewards of God’s creation. It is an essential part of the work we do as human beings. The Season of Creation calls us to be mindful of our relationship to creation and our responsibilities as stewards.

This year, we also mark the beginning of a new Eco-Region Network – the Eastern Great Lakes Region – which we are part of with the Dioceses of Rochester, Central New York, and Albany. Our region encompasses Lakes Erie and Ontario, the St Lawrence River, and the Finger Lakes. The work is just underway, and there will be more news soon.

Let us give thanks for all God has given us, and let us renew – with God – the face of the earth.

Peace,

+ Steve

YUM Kickoff

Youth United in Ministry (YUM) is kicking off the new season on September 20, 4-8pm, at St. Matthias' in East Aurora.

Then, 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

September EpiscoPints

Join the discussion with The Rev. Shawn Clerkin titled Faith & Art on Tuesday, September 22 at 7pm at Fattey's, Hamburg.

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

Clergy that are interested in leading a discussion at EpiscoPints should contact Wendy Schumacher.

Chapel of the Good Shepherd Celebrates a Joyful 2026 Season

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Chautauqua Institution has concluded another vibrant summer season of worship, fellowship, and Anglican hospitality.

Throughout the nine-week Chautauqua season, the Chapel welcomed an extraordinary group of visiting priests from across the Episcopal Church. Each chaplain spent a week at Chautauqua, leading Sunday worship and the Chapel’s weekday celebrations of the Holy Eucharist while enjoying a “working vacation” at the Episcopal Cottage.

This year’s chaplains brought a remarkable breadth of experience to the Chapel—from parish ministry, military and hospital chaplaincy, and theological education to interim ministry, racial reconciliation, missionary service, and biblical scholarship. READ MORE

Brookside Chapel Concludes

The summer’s last scheduled service at Brookside Chapel was a women’s peace

retreat. Thirteen women representing St. John’s, Wilson, St. Andrew’s, Burt, St. Paul’s,

Lewiston, St. John’s, Medina, Christ Church, Lockport, and First English Lutheran,

Lockport, enjoyed a smorgasbord of delight, created Peace Jars to take home, were

engaged in a presentation and discussion, "The Things That Make For Peace," led by Rev. Robin Kozlowski, and ended with Compline.

Stay tuned as further information becomes available regarding a Fall service commemorating the Season of Creation and incorporating ways in which we, disciples

of the Jesus Movement, can engage in community building.

Deacon Martha Farone

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

If you have any questions please call Maria Manocchio @ 716-881-0660 ext. 118

Recycle Used Religious Items

St. Mary Recycle Mission Group works with churches and other organizations, as well as with Parishioners who have things at home, in helping rescue and recycle used Religious items.

For over 30 years, we have helped recycle items from Churches/Clergy that are no longer being used, or from Churches that unfortunately closed, as well as from Parishioners who need to place their personal religious items from home that they don't know what to do with.

We offer a monetary donation to you for your recycle efforts if you wish to put towards your needs, just let us know when contacting us. Our recycling program was developed to help parishes both in need of items that they cannot afford and also to help the community.

We can take in or give just about anything of Religious nature that can be used by other churches, convents or religious organizations.

We will be in your area for pick ups between October 5th and October 16th. Please call or reply by email no later than Friday September 25th to be added to our pick up list.

For more information, 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. Will Webb: September 10

The Rev. Luke Fodor: September 10

The Rev, Leland Rose: September 12

The Rev. Pat Guinn: September 12

The Very Rev. Rebecca Barnes: Sept 12

The Rev. Tom Broad: September 13

The Rev. Bonnie Witt: September 14

The Rev. Dan Thibodeau: September 14

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

Congregation Roulette

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!

Congregational News & Stories

St. Mark's, Orchard Park

St. Martin-in-the-Fields,

Grand Island

Outdoor Worship & Picnics

A number of congregations celebrated the end of Summer with outdoor worship and parish picnics! Here are photos of three of them.

The Genesee Deanery

Congregational Events

Service of Remembrance 25th Anniversary

St. John's, Wilson - Join us at 9am on September 11 for a 911 Community Service of Remembrance at the Village Gazebo.

Hearts of Hope Grief Support

St. Paul's, Harris Hill - Join us at 10am on September 12. We invite anyone experiencing a sense of the grief of loss of any kind to join us in conversation and sharing, as much or as little as one cares to, with others who are experiencing similar feelings and circumstances as their daily lives continue in unfamiliar ways.

Sharing our own experiences can, to some extent, help lighten the burden of others.

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.

On September 12, we will hike at Goat Island in Niagara Falls. 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.

Basket Raffle

St. Patrick's, Cheektowaga - St Patrick's and Church of the Advent, Kenmore invite you to their basket raffle on September 12 from 10am-2pm.

Choose from over 200 baskets, 50/50, large prizes, and enjoy some food.

FeedMore NY Food Drive: bring one food donation and receive one card of tickets.

Chicken BBQ, Auction, & Raffle

St. Martin-in-the Fields, Grand Island - Join us for a day of fun with a chicken BBQ, face painting, balloon animals, a silent auction, and a basket raffle on September 12 from 3-6:30pm.

Tickets are $17 and may be purchased at the event. Both drive-thru and dine-in are offered and veterans eat FREE with ID.

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 13 at 5pm. See flyer for future dates & times.

The services will have Celtic Music and Holy Communion each week.

GHOSTS! Explaining the Paranormal!

explore one of the most misunderstood areas of Christian belief in this two‑day seminar on how the church defines and understands ghosts. Guided by sacred texts, parapsychology, and exorcism experts, participants will dive into what Christianity really says about the supernatural.

Presented by St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Harris Hill and facilitated by the Rev. Eric Fialho of Salem, Massachusetts. This event will be held in Historic East Aurora at St. Matthias' Episcopal Church on September 25 & 26. Ticket prices will vary based on options selected. Admission includes haunted walks led by noted paranormalist Mason Winfield. This is guaranteed to be an informative, entertaining, and truly unique experience!

Information & tickets can be found at https://www.stpaulsharrishill.org/ghosts or call St. Paul's at (716) 632-8221 with any questions.

Estate Sale

St. John's-Grace, Buffalo - Are you looking for antiques? Collectibles? Household Treasurers? You are invited to attend our Estate Sale on September 18 (4-7pm) & September 19 (10am-4pm).

Everything must go!

CONCERT SERIES Begins

St. Mark's, Orchard Park - Join us September 20 at 4pm for the first concert of our 2026-27 series! Little cake (Ana Vafai) is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter known for exhibiting an engaging stage presence with impassioned stylings at the piano. Her theatrical and heartfelt singing and tender, virtuosic accompaniments glide through melodies that will remain in your head forever. The lyrics tell stories of personal discoveries, fantastic tales and provide an hysterical commentary on our surroundings.

RSVP at the Facebook Event Page. Suggested donation for each concert is $20 (no one turned away for lack of funds).

Community Hot Dog Cookout

St. James, Batavia - Join us for a free community cookout on September 20 at 1pm.

Free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and community connection!

Bring a friend, bring and lawn chair, and come hungry

Great Music at Calvary

Calvary, Williamsville - On September 20 at 4pm, Calvary will open its 2026- 2027 season of Great Music at Calvary. The well-loved service of choral Evensong, featuring the Calvary choir directed by Roland E. Martin (Calvary's Director of Music) will present anthems, hymns, a psalm and canticles to fill out the service.

Great Music at Calvary is made possible by supporter contributions. All are welcome to this special event.

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