2025 Diocesan Convention

Delegate Registration NOW OPEN

Register now for the Diocesan Convention in Niagara Falls. Register as a Delegate (Clergy or Lay), Alternate Delegate, or a Guest. Registration begins at 8:30am on October 10th and business continues into the evening with Eucharist and Dinner. Convention business should conclude at Noon on October 11th. There is a $50 fee for each registrant to offset approximately 1/3 of the meal cost, and the deadline to register is September 2nd.

Register for Convention by clicking this link: CONVENTION REGISTRATION

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Hotel Reservations NOW OPEN

A block of rooms has been reserved for October 9 & 10 at the Sheraton Hotel in Niagara Falls starting at $159/night. The hotel is conveniently located directly across the street from the Convention Center. Please make your reservation as soon as possible to guarantee a room.

Online reservations are preferred by clicking this link: RESERVATIONS

If you cannot make an online reservation, please dial 716-285-3361 & ask to speak with “Reservations.” The block code for call-in reservations is: EP5274

All reservations must be made by Tuesday, September 2nd.

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Vendor Tables for Convention

If your organization would like a vendor table during the October 10-11 Convention, please submit a VENDOR REQUEST FORM

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Nominations & Resolutions

Nominations for an open office and convention resolutions need to be submitted by August 11th. 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 clergy (3 year term)

SUBMIT a DIOCESAN NOMINATION

SUBMIT a DIOCESAN RESOLUTION

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Deputy to the 2027 General Convention

We will be electing clergy & lay deputies for the General Convention in Arizona. Nominations need to be submitted by August 11th. For information on General Convention, CLICK HERE.

Clergy Deputy: 

4 clergy (3 year term)

Lay Deputy:

4 lay (3 year term)

Clergy Alternate:

1 clergy (3 year term)

Lay Alternate:

1 lay (3 year term)

SUBMIT a GENERAL CONVENTION NOMINATION

October 10-11, 2025

Niagara Falls Convention Center

Bishop Search & Transition Committees

The Standing Committee is pleased to announce the opening of the nomination process for the Search and Transition Committees for the next Diocesan Bishop. Each committee has a different purpose and requires different skills (see below). Using the descriptions below, we invite clergy and lay members from each deanery to prayerfully discern if they are called to serve on one of these committees. Any questions may be directed to the Standing Committee President, the Rev. Luke Fodor.

Search Committee Description

The role of the Search Committee is to create and present a slate of candidates to the Standing Committee within the parameters (size, deadline) outlined in the Standing Committee’s official charge.

The Search Committee’s work is grounded in discernment, prayerfulness, and confidentiality. The committee seeks consensus.

The particular gifts and skills most helpful for members of this committee include:

●     Knowledge of Episcopal polity

●     Experience with diocesan and/or churchwide structures

●     Good technical and organizational skills: email, zoom, sharing docs, etc

●     Good working relationship with diocesan staff

●     Good at networking around the diocese and Episcopal Church

●     Tactful and diplomatic

●     Pastoral, collegial, and hospitable

●     Prayerful and discerning

●     Time and availability for this work

 SUBMIT a NOMINATION for the BISHOP SEARCH COMMITTEE

Transition Committee Description

The Transition Committee will work together to welcome and host the candidates in the diocese, providing opportunities for shared common discernment and learning, and electing convention and ordination weekend events. This committee will conduct a majority of the planning before the candidate slate is announced. Once the slate is announced, this committee takes over from the Search Committee.

The particular gifts and skills most helpful for members of this committee include:

●     Hospitality

●     Experience with event planning and management

●     Communication and social media skills

●     Connections and good relationships across the diocese

●     Good working relationship with the diocesan staff

●     Liturgy planning

●     Good technical and organizational skills: email, zoom, sharing docs, etc

●     Pastoral and collegial

●     Tactful and diplomatic

●     Enthusiastic and creative

●     Time and availability for this work

SUBMIT a NOMINATION for the BISHOP TRANSITION COMMITTEE

Bishop Search Timeline

The Standing Committee has provided a detailed timeline for the Bishop Search Process. If you would like to download a copy, please visit the Bishop Search Website Page.

Summer Camp 2025

All youth exiting 2nd-12th grade are welcome to join us at Lake Chautauqua on August 10-13.

Contact Wendy Schumacher for questions & scholarship information

REGISTER HERE

Brookside Chapel Summer Schedule

Brookside Chapel will offer a service of Holy Eucharist every Wednesday thru August 27th. Please see the schedule for the time and rotating clergy. Questions may be directed to Deacon Martha Farone.

Brookside Chapel

4221 Day Rd

Lockport, NY 14094

CDRD Summer Reading Series

Join us this summer to read and discuss Black and Episcopalian: The Struggle for Inclusion starting Tonight, July 23rd. The Rev. Fisher-Steward shares with us a straight-forward and honest discussion of the experiences of Black Episcopalians in our faith through the eyes of a woman priest who is Black and Episcopalian. She asks...READ MORE

REGISTER HERE

Episcopal Night with The Bisons

The Diocese has 100 tickets reserved for Harry Potter Night at the Buffalo Bisons on Saturday August 23rd. Although it’s not Quidditch, we are in for a fun time at the game with fellow Episcopalians. The game begins at 6:35pm, and you’ll have to be there to see what type of magic is being conjured up. The evening is to end with a fireworks show. To reserve tickets ($14 each), please email Wendy Schumacher

Diocesan & UTO Grants

A reminder that the deadline for the second round of Diocesan Grants is August 1st.

The Application materials are now available for the 2026 United Thank Offering Annual Grants, with a focus on Justice and Bridging Divides.

For more information on these grants, including the Grant Applications, CLICK HERE.

Clergy Ordination Anniversary

The Rev. Stephen Lane, July 28th

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

WNY Social Media

Website: episcopalwny.org

Facebook: episcopal.wny

Instagram: episcopal.wny

Youtube: @episcopalwny

Newsletter: Communications@episcopalwny.org

*Please submit articles by Noon on the Monday prior to your requested posting date

Thrift Shop Announces Grants to Support Organizations

St. Luke's, Jamestown - At its recent board meeting, the St. Luke’s Thrift Shop Board approved nearly $20,000 in its summer allocations to support a range of organizations that serve vulnerable populations across the Jamestown area.

The all-volunteer run Thrift Shop, is led by Board President, Barb Kiddoo. The Thrift Shop transforms donations of clothing and small household items into significant support for the community—offering vouchers for those in need and reselling items at affordable prices, which generates approximately $35,000 annually in support for community-based agencies and programs. 

Baring the St. Luke’s name, the Thrift Shop’s extends the church’s ministry...READ MORE

Creation Care Retreat

Reserve a spot ASAP

St. Peter's, Eggertsville - Would you like to spend the day outdoors in a quiet, serene setting; celebrating God’s world through discussion, prayer, exploration, art making, eating, and sharing the eucharist at no cost? The retreat will take place in East Otto on Friday, August 8, 9am-3:30pm. There will be personal time to explore the woods, meadows, and a pond. The invitation is open to our churches and/or friends and family, but space is limited.

Email Archdeacon Diana Leiker or Deacon Diane Cox ASAP to reserve a spot, or text 716-880-5103 and be sure to include your name, phone number, and email.  

Concert Series

Calvary, Williamsville - A nearly 50 Year tradition returns in the Village of Williamsville. Bring a chair to hear the Neiderlander Carillon being played by carillonneurs from around the world, and enjoy a 4 week carillon concert series, Wednesdays at 7pm, starting Tonight, July 23.

This year, all are invited to bring a chair and come to the Kryder Courtyard...READ MORE

14th Annual Chicken BBQ

St. Mark's, Orchard Park - In conjunction with the Lion’s Club Car Show at the Orchard Park Middle School, we are pleased to announce... St. Mark’s 14th Annual Chicken BBQ! It will take place on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, from 12 Noon - 4:30 PM.

This year we are welcoming back Wendell’s Poultry Farm in East Concord who will be our supplier. For $15.00 you will get a half chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, and rolls/butter.

Yard Sale

Church of the Advent, Kenmore - Join us for a HUGE OUTDOOR YARD SALE on Sunday, July 27, from 8am-12:30pm. All types of items are available: Nothing is priced. Find something and offer a donation towards church programs. Hot Dogs will also be sold.

READ MORE

Blood Drive

Good Shepherd, Buffalo - Join us Monday, July 28, 3-7pm to make a lifesaving donation.

To make an appointment, call ConnectLife 716-529-4270 or visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org

Sponsor Code: 001281

Family Caregiver Support Group

Trinity Church, Lancaster - Are you caring for a family member? Join the Family Caregiver support group at Trinity Episcopal each month on the last Thursday. You can participate in person or via Zoom.  Our next meeting will be Thursday, July 31 at 7pm. 

Email for the ZOOM LINK.