Daylight Savings Ends
Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to sleep on Saturday, October 31st.
You'll want to be on-time for church Sunday morning!
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All Saints' Festival Choral Evensong
A Festival Choral Evensong will be held in celebration of All Saints' Day on November 1 at 5pm.
The Cathedral Choir will perform a Preces and Responses by Bruce Neswick and The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in D by Roland Martin, all of which were composed for St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, along with Holy is the True Light by William Henry Harris. All are warmly welcome to attend.
Parking is available at Main Place Mall Parking — 221 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY 14202. We suggest that you use the entrance directly across from the Rath County Office Building, 166 Pearl, (you will notice the skywalk above) which is only a 1/2 block north of the Cathedral. Bring your parking garage ticket with you and an usher will validate for free parking.
Livestreaming will also be available over the Cathedral's livestream site: SPCBuffalo - YouTube
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From the Dean's Desk
On October 18th, we launched our 2026/7 Fall Pledge Campaign - Plenty Good Room. At the risk of making multiple, and perhaps confusing requests, we took two special offerings right at the same time we were heading into the pledge season. One was to assist our friends at Good Shepherd, Irving, NY, a parish on the nearby Seneca Nation lands. This was to assist with covering needed repairs to their furnace prior to the winter months. With a grateful heart, I am happy to report that we raised $1,289 for Good Shepherd, and an additional gift of $1,311 will be sent to them to cover the full cost of the needed work.
The other was a collection we took was for the United Thank Offering (UTO) for which a total of $758 was given by St. Paul's Cathedral. At Convention, Delegates brought forth their UTO donations which totaled $6,300 from the parishes from across the Diocese.
Thank you all for your tremendous kindness, generosity, and support as we seek to serve Christ together.
– Dean Rebecca
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First Tuesday - November 3rd
The first Tuesday in November falls on Nov. 3, that’s right, Election Day. After you’ve done your civic duty, grab your favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy some chit chat with old and new friends at the SPC Zoom Coffee Hour.
Join us at the following Zoom link anytime between 7:00 and 7:45 PM when there is no particular agenda. One never knows what will come up, but this time we might imagine something about our polling experiences. Compline begins at 7:45 and we adjourn about 8:00.
SPC Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 716 855 0900 Password: 4cathedral
By Phone: 929-205-6099 Access code: 716 855 0900 Password: 535 007 8352
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Regional Confirmations
Regional confirmations have been scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 10:30am at St Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo. The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane (Bishop Provisional of WNY) is presiding. This is an opportunity to be confirmed, received, or reaffirmed. If you would like to know more about Confirmation/Reception/Reaffiirmaiton (or baptism or officially becoming a member of St. Paul's), please speak with Dean Rebecca.
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Diocesan Convention Highlights
From Evelyn Smigelsky, Delegate to the Convention
Last week, along with Kim Goodman-O’Connell and Su Hadden, I had the privilege of attending and representing Saint Paul’s Cathedral as a delegate to the 189th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York. The convention met at the beautiful Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celeron, New York on October 23 and October 24. In addition to Kim Goodman and Su Hadden, Estelle Siener, was present as an Alternate delegate, and Chris Casto served as a Greeter. Other dedicated members of St. Paul’s also in attendance were Kathy Reiss and Nancy Boncore.
This year’s convention, whose overarching theme was “We are the Episcopal Church,” included delegates and leaders from 52 different congregations from the seven counties of Western New York who met to consider the essential work of worship, elections and the budget.
Dr. Molly James, the Interim Executive Officer of the Episcopal Church, was the special guest speaker whose topic addressed our life as the Episcopal Church in these challenging times. Among the many interesting points that Dr. James made was the fact that membership in the Episcopal Church in America in 2026 is similar to membership in the church in 1930 in the sense that back then the numbers had declined, only to increase steadily during the baby boom era of the 1940s through 1960s. However, she emphasized that, as the generation of baby boomers dies out, the church will have to transform itself once again to meet the needs of the younger generation.
The work of the convention centered around Ministry & Fellowship and included committee reports, updates on regional church initiatives, and community fellowship.
Over the course of a day and a half, the convention considered and approved the diocesan budget as well as resolutions related to canonical voting to elect leadership for the standing committee, the diocesan council, and trustees. In keeping with the technological era in which we live, voting for the Lay and Clergy candidates for the various posts was completed electronically via our cell phones, and several nominations, appointments, and commissions were made by Bishop Stephen Lane.
Notably, Christina Casto from St. Paul’s was re-elected as a Diocesan Trustee, and Su Hadden was was elected and commissioned as a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee in the Lay Order.
Among the four resolutions that the delegates were asked to consider, one of particular note was the Buffalo City in a Park Collaborative Resolution which called for the diocese to be a supporting partner in the efforts to promote environmental justice, neighborhood, reconnection, public health, and community flourishing.
Diocesan support would include providing a grant of $10,000 in seed funding to support the collaboratives, organizational development, community engagement, public education, and initial operating expenses. Although there was some opposition to approving this resolution among the delegates, the majority supported it, and the resolution was approved.
The business of much of the remainder of the Convention related to discussion of the rules and procedures for the May 1, 2027 Electing Convention at which a new Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of WNY will be selected. Also, the date and the site of the next annual convention were set (October 29-30, 2027 in Niagara Falls, New York). Thereafter, the elected persons whom Bishop Lane appointed and nominated were formally commissioned, and, following the final blessing, the meeting was adjourned.
While I could offer greater detail about all aspects of the convention, I will conclude by simply stating that the experience was an opportunity for growth and renewal for those in attendance. The convention confirmed that, “We are the Episcopal Church!”
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Stewardship 2026: What’s your why?
It is now official. On Sunday, October 18, the 2026 Stewardship campaign was launched with our traditional ice cream social during the coffee hour after the 10:15 service. I offer these words to hopefully help you to think about a stewardship campaign through a different lens. Recently the Dean, and three of the members of the Stewardship Committee participated in an online training program on stewardship offered by the College of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. The goal of the training was to help congregations develop an individualized stewardship campaign that can be used year after year. Just to be clear, this year, we will use the campaign materials provided by the Episcopal Network for Stewardship or its acronym TENS. This year’s theme is Plenty Good Room. You will hear more about that during the ongoing campaign that will end on November 22 with ingathering of pledges during the 8 & 10:15 services.
Back to the training. One of the first things that we focused on were the following three words: what, how, and why? Some clarification. We are very well versed in the first two words. A stewardship campaign is what we do. Our weekly outreach programs through the Garden of Love belong in the what category. Things that we do all of the time. The how is the things we do to make the what successful. For stewardship we have a kick-off, we send out letters to the congregation, various members of the congregation will offer messages about what stewardship means to that individual.
I have left why for last. Now you may think that you know the answer to the question: Why do we have a stewardship campaign? Duh, to raise money for the next budgetary year. While that may be true, I would ask you to bear with me while I provide another answer to that question. It was during the very first session of the training that I and my fellow trainees had one of those moments when you begin to look at a familiar concept in a totally different light. Consider the following description of our cathedral parish:
For over two hundred years St. Paul’s has been a beacon of hospitality and welcome to all in the center of our city. Sunday mornings will find an inclusive and diverse congregation meeting to share fellowship, hear the word of Jesus proclaimed and preached in a beautiful liturgy which still follows a format that might still be recognized by earlier worshippers in the same venue. Our congregation is more of a church family that gathers together to receive nourishment at our Lord’s table which segues to a coffee hour where all, members and visitors gather to greet each other and welcome new faces. When we leave the church on Sunday morning, we carry the message of Jesus out to the world and fulfill our gospel mandate to care for our neighbors through pastoral care and outreach initiatives that meet in the Flickinger Ministry Center throughout the week. This is a congregation that looks to the future, sure in the conviction that the gospel message of love, peace and caring for our neighbors and the stranger, will endure for another two hundred years.
Now, you might mistake what you just read as a profile we might use to attract new members or even be used when a search is held to find a new rector. Believe it or not, what you just read constitutes my own personal why for having a stewardship/pledge drive each year. Sure, we still need to bring in funds to help provide many of the things mentioned in the description of St. Paul’s. You will probably agree with most of what I wrote and you might even add something that I did not mention.
Over the course of the next few weeks, you will hear people speak about his or her why for making a pledge to St. Paul’s. I ask that you use what you have read here as an aid in your own discernment as to what you will promise for next year when you fill out your pledge card. Yes, we will still send out letters, and yes money is important; all of the things that are important to us as a congregation cost money. It is still the what/how of stewardship season. I am hoping that you will add your own why to the mix when pledging what you will give back to God for his continued love and care to you and to this cathedral.
Michael Bonilla, Sr. Warden
Stewardship Committee
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Holy Hikes
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 November 14th, we will hike at the Iroquois National Wildlife Preserve, Basom, NY, weather permitting.
All are welcome; carpooling will be available from the Cathedral at 9:15am or you can join us directly at the appointed hike location.
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SJAT Note: Good News! Scrap It Buffalo Expands
From Estelle Siener for the Social Justice Action Team
A turquoise bucket sits next to our coffee machine in the kitchen at church. It’s a compost bin for food waste. All coffee grounds, tea bags and food waste go into it. Bill and I take the bag home to put in our own compost bin. Farmer Pirates, a company operating on Coit Street in Buffalo, collects and composts the food waste. It sells most of it to the City of Buffalo for our parks, but in the spring, it will also sell to individual gardeners.
For several years, Bill and I have participated in this pilot composting initiative. We have a small compost bin on our kitchen cupboard. When it is full we put it in a larger bin with a biodegradable liner, both supplied by Farmer Pirates. City dwellers may have seen these bins on garbage day in their neighborhood. It is about three feet high and fits under our kitchen cupboard. Farmer Pirates picks it up and leaves a new liner on our garbage day.
Buffalo residents can now apply for this expanded service. If you live outside the city, check with your town government to see if there is a similar program.
It’s free! And recycling waste is good for the planet!
| | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FORMATION | |
Children’s Christian Education: “Godly Play”
“Godly Play: a Montessori-based program is offered on Sundays at 10am in the Bishop Scaife Room on the lower level of the Cathedral. Making meaning through story, wonder, and play, the program nurtures spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. If you are interested in learning more about Christian Education and Formation for a child in your family, please contact Kathy Reiss at kathyreiss@yahoo.com. For information about baptism and/or confirmation, please contact Dean Rebecca at deanrebecca@spcbuffalo.org
| | IMPORTANT ONGOING ANNOUNCEMENTS AT ST. PAULS | |
“We’ve got you covered!” - Parking at St. Paul's
At St. Paul’s we are deeply aware of the challenges of downtown parking. As one of the oldest churches in the Diocese, we have been at this location for 210 years, long before the advent of the automobile era, but we do not want that to hinder your participation and worship at the Cathedral.
We offer the following options:
We've got you covered - literally! Park at Main Place Mall Parking (221 Pearl St., Buffalo, NY 14202, https://www.mainliberty. com/parking) .This is our preferred garage for those coming to St. Paul's. We suggest that you use the entrance directly across from the Rath County Office Building, approx. address is 166 Pearl, (you will notice the skywalk above) which is only a 1/2 block north of the Cathedral. Weekend parking is $6 all day. Weekday rate: $5 for 1 hr or less; $7 for 3hr or less; $12 full day. Accessibility: ADA-compliant spaces and elevator access available and 24/7 surveillance, well-lit areas, and patrolled security. EV Charging: Electric vehicle charging stations available. If you bring your ticket from the Main Place Mall Parking with you, at the end of the service ask an usher for a voucher for your card. (If you can afford to pay, we kindly ask that you please leave this limited fund for those who can’t, thank you!)
As a reminder, street parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays.
Additional ramps we suggest are:
- Adam Ramp (343 Washington St., Buffalo, NY 14202) - 1 1/2 blocks behind the Cathedral. Weekend parking is $6 all day. Weekday rate: $2.50 hr/ $10 max.
- 93 Pearl Street Garage (93 Pearl St. Buffalo, NY 14202) - A block south of the Cathedral. Daily Parking (Mon - Fri, 6 am - 6 pm) - $10 Max
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Pastoral Care Ministry at St. Paul's
In the weekly Prayers of the People, we offer intercessions for those for whom prayers have been requested who are in acute or critical need. Names remain on the list for six weeks. Should you wish to have them remain on the list longer, that request may be made to the Dean. We maintain a separate Pastoral Care prayer list for those who are homebound and in nursing homes, or may request ongoing prayer. This list is weekly announcements and eNews, but individual names are included in the intercessions. We ask that the entire congregation remember these beloved of our community in our regular prayers holding in your hearts and prayers, all those in need and absent from us.
In a Pastoral Emergency, please contact— The Reverend Elizabeth Grohowski, Associate for Pastoral Care at (212) 222-8109 / email at motherliz@spcbuffalo.org or The Very Reverend Rebecca A. Barnes, Dean at (646) 533-1836 / email at deanrebecca@spcbuffalo.org.
If you, or a family member, are in the hospital, a healthcare facility, or are home bound and would like to have a visit from one of the clergy or a member of our Pastoral Care Committee, please contact the cathedral office at 716-855-0900 or at office@spcbuffalo.org. Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, hospitals no longer automatically provide churches with names of admitted parishioners. If you or a family member are hospitalized or in a healthcare facility, you or someone acting on your behalf will need to notify the church to assure that proper pastoral care may be offered. St. Paul’s complies with all HIPAA requirements and cannot provide personal information for sick or injured members without permission of the member or his or her close family member. Additionally, if you or a loved one are hospitalized or homebound and desire regular Eucharistic visitation, please notify the parish office. Eucharistic Visitations are customarily made once per month; weekly visits may be scheduled upon request.
Prayer and Pastoral Care for the Week of November 1
We lift up the following in prayer, especially Christian, Yvonne, Tracy, Brian, Sean, Lynne, Alex, Jim, Chuck, Clark, Chris, Joe, Larry, Sharon, Elaine, Howard, Lillian, Patty, Renee, Jim, Judy, Ann, Carol, and Shirley.
We also remember those who have died especially Terry, Wanda, Rob and Antonio, the victims of the mass shootings in Erie and Oregon, and those whose anniversaries of death we mark this week. We pray for them and their loved ones who remember them.
| | ACROSS THE DIOCESE AND THE CHURCH | |
From Bishop Steve
Dear Friends,
A moment to pat ourselves on the back. A big thank you to all who took part in or helped with our Diocesan Convention. We enjoyed a beautiful setting, worshiped together, heard from a leader of The Episcopal Church, engaged in meaningful conversations, practiced electronic voting, elected our own leaders, reviewed this past summer’s listening process, adopted the budget, and addressed our business in a respectful and orderly manner. There was a good and hopeful spirit throughout.
A successful Convention requires the hard work and faithful participation of many people. So thank you to all who took part: clergy, delegates, exhibitors, guests and staff. We did it together!
++++
This week is Halloween, which in my lifetime has become an increasingly popular holiday, celebrated not only by trick-or-treaters, but also by adults. It has also become an important commercial event. So, it’s probably useful to talk about it a bit.
We are moving into the season of new year’s festivals, and Halloween is the first of them. Our Halloween practices are rooted in the Celtic observance of Samhain, meaning “summer’s end,” a harvest and new year’s festival. At Samhain, the Celts believed that the veil between the living and the dead thinned and connections could be made with the spirits of the dead, some of which were malevolent. Communal bonfires were lit to keep the bad spirits at bay, and in true new year’s fashion, fires were extinguished at home and families carried home embers of the communal fire in gourds to protect their homes. (Think jack-o-lanterns.) Costumes or animal skins were also worn to confuse or hide from malevolent spirits.
The Christian Church, in a long established habit, moved All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to November 1 and 2, to co-opt and Christianize the pagan festival. The calendar remains the same today.
There is in all of us the very human sense that people remain connected beyond death. Whether we think that’s simply the power of memory or a living, spiritual connection, it’s nonetheless the truth that, although death ends our physical connection, we continue to carry those who have gone before us in our minds and hearts. In the Church we call that the communion of saints, and we believe that through God’s grace we remain connected for eternity. The saints are for us examples and reminders of God’s love and faithfulness. I sometimes hear my former mother-in-law, a good theologian, speaking to me about what God wants.
Christians sometimes lament the rise of Halloween traditions. I personally dislike the gruesomeness of some Halloween decorations. But the human recognition of mortality, the yearning for connection, and the hope for new life that underlies Halloween deserves serious consideration. The “cloud of witnesses” we recognize continues to be an important part of our faith and life. Perhaps we might celebrate All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days with renewed attention and energy this year.
Peace,
+Steve
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Coming Soon: Called Together — Our Diocesan Profile
Mark your calendars for November 2! As we continue our search for the 12th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, we're excited to share Called Together, our diocesan profile.
Shaped by a summer of listening across 49 of our 51 congregations, the profile tells the story of who we are, the ministries that bring our faith to life, the challenges we face, and the hopes we hold for our future. Most importantly, it invites potential candidates to discern with us as we seek a bishop who will help us deepen connections, strengthen our shared ministry, and imagine with us what God is calling us to become.
Help us spread the word. Just as a personal invitation is the most effective way to bring someone to church, a personal invitation is also the best way to encourage prospective nominees to consider Western New York. If you know someone who might be a good fit for this calling, send them the profile. Encourage them. Pray for them—and all who are discerning.
You can find the profile after November 2 on the diocesan website: BISHOP SEARCH PAGE
Download the Prayer for the Bishop Search
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Diocesan Convention
Many thanks to our musician, Karen Hewes Suber; to our clergy, Ann Tillman, Jason Miller, Luke Fodor, Nick Evancho, Cathy Smith, Diana Leiker, Molly James, and Bishop Steve; and to our laity from Trinity, Hamburg, and Rachel Pinti and Cheryl Emerson, who served at Eucharist. Thanks also to Katelyn Nicoloff and Gavin Card for leading our morning worship. It does, indeed, take a village!
Convention is a time of great reunion and renewal. As someone who is involved with many of our congregations, I want you to know that the faithfulness of your work toward the reign of God is noticed and appreciated. Keep the faith, love God, change the world!
-Canon Cathy
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Four carloads of food & hygiene donations were delivered to the Jamestown Community College Food Pantry due to the generosity of our congregations, and $1,200 was collected for the Food Pantry during the Convention Eucharist!
Delegates brought forth their UTO donations which totaled $6,300 from our congregation's support!
All information from convention is on our website: 2026 Diocesan Convention Page
To view more photos and video from Convention, visit our FaceBook page.
Remember to Follow & Share!
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Episcopal Diocese of WNY and Church News
For news about the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.
The Episcopal Church website offers resources for individuals, congregations, and various ministries.
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If you are with a group meeting on Zoom,
use the following link, unless specified otherwise:
SPC Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 716 855 0900 Password: 4cathedral
By Phone: 929-205-6099 Access code: 716 855 0900 Password: 535 007 8352
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