Not All Churches in Western NY Ready To Reopen Just Yet

From Western NY-

Leaders with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown and those from other denominations are preparing, but are in no hurry, to reopen their church doors.

"Our number one priority right now is serving our communities; it is not about getting back into buildings. It's not a tragedy. It's a tragedy that people are dying in a pandemic," said Sean Rowe, bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Rowe is uniquely working with reopening guidelines across two states.

He says he'll plan to follow the science and let public health lead the way as he puts a reopening plan together for his churches that is appropriate and safe.

"We're going to hold ourselves to the highest standards in that regard. What it will look like in each place, and we believe that our local communers will be able to adapt," said Rowe.

More here-

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2020/05/21/some-churches-across-western-new-york-not-ready-to-reopen-their-doors-just-yet-despite-state-guidance-allowing-small-religious-gatherings

Staying home on Easter is right for God, one another: Bishop Sean Rowe

From Northwest PA-

When I became a bishop in the Episcopal Church, I did not foresee the day when the president of the United States would be urging people to attend Easter services and I would be urging them to stay home. But here we are.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump told Bill Hemmer of Fox News that he hopes to see “packed churches all over the country” on Easter Sunday. I, on the other hand, am instructing my priests and people to celebrate the greatest feast of the Christian year at home because it is essential that we practice social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resurrection of Jesus is, for me, the single most important event in human history. It is the moment at which God demonstrated once and for all that love is stronger than death. I never imagined I would do anything to diminish the joy that Christians take in celebrating this feast together. My heart ached when I informed my diocese that we would not be observing Holy Week and celebrating Easter in our churches. But the decision itself was not a difficult one.

More here-

https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20200327/staying-home-on-easter-is-right-for-god-one-another-bishop-sean-rowe

Episcopal Bishop suspends Sunday worship

From Erie PA-

Bishop Sean Rowe, leader of the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, has suspended Sunday worship and other diocesan events effective immediately.

His jurisdiction includes the Erie and Buffalo metropolitan areas, including the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Bradford and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Olean, N.Y.

“The COVID-19 epidemic is spreading so quickly that I cannot in good conscience permit gatherings that could easily hasten the spread of the disease and contribute to the collapse of our health care system,” he wrote in a letter to the two dioceses on Friday.

More here-

http://www.bradfordera.com/news/local/episcopal-bishop-suspends-sunday-worship/article_28208b31-55fb-52fb-9dc0-0ba15f56080a.html

Erie’s Episcopal cathedral to get new dean

From Erie-

Erie’s Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul will have a new dean in mid-October.

The Rev. Melinda Hall was named the first female and eighth dean to lead the 250-member congregation at 134 W. Seventh St. Hall, vicar of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Brookville, was elected in July by the church’s governing board and will begin her new post on Oct. 15.

“I’m honored and excited to be in ministry with the people of the cathedral,” she said in a statement. “This is a fascinating time for Erie and for the cathedral congregation. As downtown Erie redevelops, the cathedral’s more open spirituality and tradition of beautiful worship can provide opportunities for people to find a sacred space where they can connect to themselves and to God.”

Hall will succeed the Rev. John Downey, who has served the cathedral for 32 years. He will leave the position for a sabbatical on Oct. 1 and retire Dec. 31.

More here-

https://www.goerie.com/entertainmentlife/20190824/in-brief-eries-episcopal-cathedral-to-get-new-dean

Episcopal Diocese of NWPA Bishop to also take over the Diocese of Western New York

From NW PA (with video)-

The bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania begins a new leadership role next month.

Bishop Sean Rowe will be doing double duty, not only will he lead Northwest PA, but also act as bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. 

Bishop Rowe will maintain this dual role for the next five years. The bishop has served the Episcopal church in Northwest PA since 2007.

Rowe says, "Fewer and fewer people are attending our churches on Sunday morning.  We know that we have to continue to make our message more relevant to reach people and that we have to do new things in order to do that.  And this is one step in that direction. "

More here-

 https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/episcopal-diocese-of-nwpa-bishop-to-also-take-over-the-diocese-of-western-new-york/1831433149

Congregations Mull How to Keep Sacred Spaces Safe

From Erie-

While the Pittsburgh shooting was the latest and the closest to home for Erie-area congregations, many were already thinking about security before the 2018 massacre.

The Rev. John Downey, dean of Erie's Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, said his church hasn't made recent changes to security measures, some of which have been in place for about a decade. They include security cameras and a hired security person who watches the doors during Sunday services.

Downey said the cathedral has so far resisted putting up barriers to people by locking doors during the day, except if only one or two staff members are present.

"We're the kind of place that gets walk-ins," he said.

But he understands sites that have locked their doors.

At Almakarim Islamic Foundation, also in Erie, nothing was changed as a result of the Pittsburgh shooting.

More here-

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2019-03-02/congregations-mull-how-to-keep-sacred-spaces-safe

Western New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania ratify partnership

From ENS-

The Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York voted Oct. 26 to share a bishop and a staff for the next five years as they explore a deeper relationship focused on creating new opportunities for mission.

The move was formalized when Western New York elected the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania, for a five-year term as its provisional bishop. Rowe will assume the office upon the retirement of Bishop William Franklin in early April.
“History will judge us as to the right and wrong of the choice,” said Rowe, in a brief address before the vote was taken. “God? God will bless us in our faithfulness to the Gospel call—no matter our choice. And that’s all that matters.”

During the first three years of the partnership, the two dioceses will work together to deepen relationships and develop shared mission priorities. In October 2021, they will re-evaluate the partnership and in October 2024, decide whether to continue it.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/10/26/western-new-york-northwestern-pennsylvania-ratify-partnership/

New congregation planted in Hermitage

From North West PA-

With new siding and parking spaces, people passing by the Resurrection Church: An Episcopal Congregation at 5130 E. State St. in Hermitage can tell the building has undergone some renovations.

But it’s not just the building that is getting an upgrade. Father Jason Shank says the way the congregation worships will change, too.

“We’re a church creating a fresh expression of vintage Christianity,” Shank said.
The building formerly housed the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, and was a part of St. Jude’s Mission, including the Trinity Episcopal Church in New Castle and St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Greenville. Although the church in Hermitage didn’t grow as anticipated, the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania still wanted a church in Hermitage.

However, the project doesn’t just involve fixing an old building. The congregation itself must be built up “from scratch,” Shank said.

More here-

http://www.sharonherald.com/news/local_news/new-congregation-planted-in-hermitage/article_649f0ab8-9799-11e8-b672-9f36d5699fbb.html

Bishop Sean Rowe: Welcoming Dreamers the obvious choice

From Allentown-

The current political morass in Washington has thrown light on a deep and ugly divide in our country and in our faith communities on the issue of immigration.

More than half of white evangelical Christians — a group that gave 81 percent of its votes to President Trump in the 2016 election — say that immigration is a threat to this country's "traditional customs and values."

In the same survey, conducted by Public Religion Research Institute in 2015, 70 percent of Hispanic Catholics say that immigration "strengthens American society." Other Christian groups fall in between, but only among white evangelicals does the majority report being threatened by immigration.

Proponents of these sharply contrasting views are on center stage as Congress prepares to negotiate what Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York called "a global agreement" that will include the fate of the young people who live in this country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program initiated by President Obama in 2012 and ended by President Trump last September.

More here-

http://www.mcall.com/opinion/yourview/mc-daca-immigration-episcopal-rowe-0129-20180128-story.html

Bishop Sean Rowe: Follow the truth

From Northwest PA-

A leader who bears false witness — who does not acknowledge that we are bound to one another and must care for one another — leads us away from the kingdom of God.

About 2,000 years ago, in a backwater of the Roman Empire called Judaea, lived a ruler named Pontius Pilate. The people were angry about the power of a distant government that paid no attention to them, an economy that perpetuated an enormous gap between the rich and the poor, tax burdens that were unsustainable, and debt that ruined lives. They wanted scapegoats, and Pilate was happy to have them take out their wrath on someone other than himself.

One spring, the religious authorities handed over a troublesome rabbi to Pilate. He questioned him, trying to determine if he deserved to die. The rabbi, whose name was Jesus, told Pilate, “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate replied with a question. “What is truth?” he asked.

Today, our president and many elected leaders remind me of Pilate. They would like us to believe that the truth is hard to pin down, that there are “alternative facts” and therefore they do not have to be straight with us. It is easy to understand why. No one wants to tell the truth to angry people, and many of us are angry.

More here-

http://www.goerie.com/entertainmentlife/20170520/bishop-sean-rowe-follow-truth#

Major changes to parishes across the region

From Northwestern
PA-

While the Catholic Diocese of Erie is forced to restructure, a church is in the Episcopal Diocese of NWPA is expanding.

Father Don Baxter, St. Mark Episcopal Church, says, "It's great to be able to spread out on this day and celebrate and celebrate the joy of what we've accomplished here."

St. Mark blessed and dedicated the one million dollar renovations - including a larger parish hall and kitchen area - Sunday morning.

Bishop Sean Rowe, Episcopal Diocese of NWPA, says, "We're celebrating the space more importantly the capacity it creates to reach out to the community."

More here-

http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/major-changes-to-parishes-across-the-region/655220053

Turning away refugees violates Christian principles: Bishop Sean Rowe

From Erie-

One of my favorite Bible verses comes from the first chapter of the Gospel of John: "A light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it." I have been thinking about that verse lately as darkness began to fall over our country and light struggled to reassert itself.

The executive order closing our borders to Syrian refugees and suspending refugee resettlement and immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries is a profound betrayal of Christian principles and American ideals. If we, as a nation, are to be that indomitable light the Scripture speaks of, we must resist the efforts to close our border to those who are in desperate need of our help.

More here-

http://www.goerie.com/opinion/20170202/turning-away-refugees-violates-christian-principles-bishop-sean-rowe

Bishop Sean Rowe: God loves all unconditionally

From Erie-

How many times have we found ourselves engaged in arguments only to realize that whatever hot button issue we were arguing about wasn't really the issue at all?

Time and again we turn against one another for superficial reasons that are symptoms of deeper issues that remain unaddressed. This is true in secular politics, and it is true in our faith communities as well.

We're gearing up for what promises to be a long and painful political season. Already, candidates are using the poor for target practice in our ongoing cultural and ideological wars. Some aspirants to political power are even talking about massive deportations of people who live in grinding poverty and do work that many American citizens simply refuse to engage. The goal is to get "them" out.


More here-


http://www.goerie.com/bishop-sean-rowe-god-loves-all-unconditionally

Episcopal Cathedral in Erie raising money for Homeless Jesus

From Erie-

The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie is trying to raise $50,000 to pay for and install a Homeless Jesus statue near the church.

The Rev. John Downey, the cathedral's dean, tells the Erie Times-News (http://bit.ly/1UUUUk ) that the statue combines issues of faith and social concerns.
The statue by Ontario sculptor Timothy Schmalz shows Jesus under a blanket on a park bench. The bench has room enough at the end for one person to sit.

Chris Tombaugh, who chairs the Home Team for Erie County, says she thinks the statue is "awesome" and will help call attention to homelessness in Erie County. The group is a coalition of agencies that fight homelessness.

More here-


http://www.wtrf.com/story/29840976/episcopal-cathedral-in-erie-raising-money-for-homeless-jesus

Bishop Rowe on court decision: 'A step toward justice'

From Erie-

The Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, released the following statement on Tuesday's ruling that Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional:

"Today is a joyful day for Pennsylvanians who believe as I do that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in our state. These couples work hard, raise children, volunteer for good causes and pay taxes. Pennsylvania would be poorer without them, and I am pleased that Judge John E. Jones III has moved them one significant step closer to equality under the law.

More here-

http://www.goerie.com/bishop-rowe-on-court-decision-a-step-toward-justice

Erie's Episcopal bishop facing new role

From Erie-

The Right Rev. Sean Rowe realizes he's using the word a lot these days. But it's an approach he's committed to, and he thinks his interest in working with others is one of the reasons his life is about to change. He is poised to take on the role of bishop of a second Pennsylvania diocese, at least for a while.

Rowe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, is the nominee for provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem. If approved, as expected, by the Bethlehem diocese's clergy and lay representatives in a March 1 vote, Rowe will continue to head the Erie-based diocese he has led since 2007 and will also oversee the Bethlehem-based diocese for three years until a new bishop is selected.

"It certainly was not that I don't have enough to do here," Rowe said. "I have more than a full-time job as bishop of this diocese."

More here-

http://www.goerie.com/eries-episcopal-bishop-facing-new-role

Bishop Sean Rowe is Provisional Bishop Nominee

From Bethlehem PA-

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, a group of elected clergy and lay leaders, announced today that the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, is the nominee for provisional bishop of Bethlehem. The convention at which the diocese’s clergy and lay representatives will vote on Bishop Rowe’s nomination is set for March 1.

Rowe would continue as bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania under the proposed arrangement, which would continue for three years. “The Standing Committee chose Bishop Sean as our nominee for provisional bishop because of his stable, forward-thinking leadership in Northwestern Pennsylvania,” said the Rev. Canon Andrew T. Gerns, president of the Standing Committee in Bethlehem and rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Easton. “He has a strong track record of building relationships with clergy and lay leaders and proven skill at resolving conflict directly and effectively. We’re pleased that the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania has so readily agreed to undertake this innovative arrangement with us.”

“I am honored to be nominated as provisional bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem,” said Rowe. “Across the Episcopal Church, dioceses are seeking innovative ways to pursue 21st century mission and ministry. I am pleased to have this opportunity to help transform the church by fostering collaboration and developing new models for mission that will strengthen the witness of the Episcopal Church in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the work of God’s people in our communities.”

More here-

http://www.diobeth.org/News/newsView.asp?newsID=40968351

St. James church readies for 150th anniversary

From Northwestern PA-

Sept. 15, 2013, marks 150 years St. James Episcopal Memorial Church has served the people of Titusville and others who use its central location as an agreeable meeting spot for many diocesan groups in the area.

First, on Aug. 10, the day of the Oil Festival, a carnival will be held in the side lawn of the church. It is planned to follow immediately after the parade and last until approximately 4 p.m.

Following the carnival, there will be a 150th anniversary celebration, on Sept. 15. A regular service/worship will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by an afternoon service with the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pa., the Art. Rev. Sean W. Rowe, at a time to be announced.

However, to keep the church chugging along for many years to come, the old building must be well looked after and renovated, as needed.

According to Andy Schlicht, junior warden and co-treasurer of the church, along with Dave Gagnon, in recent years the parish hall and front steps have been in need of repairs.

“The parish hall used to have carpeted flooring,” said Schlicht, “It got old and hard to keep clean.”

More here-

http://www.titusvilleherald.com/articles/2013/07/26/news/doc51f1e8b4588d1466548020.txt

Episcopal diocese sells church building in Erie

From Northwestern PA-

Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania officials were pleased when another Christian congregation wanted to buy one of their former church buildings.

They were so pleased that they were willing to sell at a reduced rate, said Vanessa Butler, diocesan administrator.

"It was more important for us to have it used as a church than to make money off it," she said.

Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith Church purchased the former Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit building at 501 W. 31st St. The closing was Wednesday.

Neither the buyer nor the seller would disclose the price.

District Elder Frank Quinn, pastor of Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith, said the building will give his 70 to 75 members more space for worship and fellowship.

"We're growing and expanding, and it will allow us to have more activities," he said.

His 2-year-old church now holds services in a plaza storefront at 1815 E. 38th St. Quinn said a goal of the congregation has always been to have its own building. He said he had contacted the Erie-based Episcopal diocese more than a year ago to see if it had any sites available.

More here-

http://www.goerie.com/episcopal-diocese-sells-church-building-in-erie