EASTER 5 – APRIL 28

SJAT Earth Day Debrief

From Kim Goodman for the Cathedral’s Social Justice Action Team

The SJAT participated in the annual Clean Sweep with Buffalo Niagara Water-keepers, collecting 27 bags of trash. Earth Day 2024’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics. The focus is on working to eliminate plastic usage “for the sake of human and planetary health” and to decrease plastic production by 60 percent by 2040. 80% of the litter collected in 2023 was plastic. A throw-away culture has created a global increase in plastic production, increasing from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2015. Single-use plastic items are the most common items found at shoreline cleanup events in WNY. Once these plastic items enter our waterways they release toxins into the water, act as a sponge attracting chemical pollutants, and break down into smaller pieces, also known as micro plastics, that negatively impact water quality, wildlife, habitat, and recreation. Visit our display of the Recycling Guide for the seven different types of plastics in the Walker Room. What plastic items do you use? Can you reduce plastic use in your household? Thanks for being aware!

Worship this Sunday: 8 and 10:15 am

• View or download the bulletin here • Read the lessons here

• Watch the livestream on Facebook or YouTube

Funeral Services Scheduled

We give thanks for the lives of John Goodman and Monica Lawrence, both who died recently. Services will be held at the Cathedral and all are welcome to attend.

• 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27 – John Goodman

• 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11 – Monica Lawrence

Please keep the families of John and Monica in your prayers. If you are able to serve in any way, please contact Dean Twila.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, sheep of your own fold, lambs of your own flock, sinners of your own redeeming. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Garden of Love Sorting Saturdays

The Garden of Love will hold two more “Sorting Saturdays” this spring – 10 am to noon, May 4 and May 25 – so it’s time to start sorting through your closets and such for warmer weather items to donate for our neighbors in need. On sorting days, volunteers go through donations and prepare racks of clothing to distribute in the weeks ahead. Donations can be brought to the first floor of the ministry center (at the Main Street end of Cathedral Park) on the sorting days or email Canon Mike to arrange another time during the week. Clothing is distributed at the Garden of Love ministry on Tuesdays, 11:30-1. As the weather warms, we need washable, easy-care clothing items, especially for men, including light jackets, hoodies, and rain gear; gently-word athletic shoes, jeans and pants, shirts and tees. Light, washable blankets, hats, umbrellas, belts, and bags are also nice to have on hand. 

The Feast of the Ascension

Bring contributions to the “Ascension Basket” in the church entry by Sunday, May 5

As many in the community are aware, it was on the Feast of the Ascension, in 1888, that a fire gutted the Cathedral. In the rebuilding, the large stained glass window above the high altar was changed from a depiction of St. Paul (a window that was destroyed) to the Ascension. At the time, it would have been volunteer firefighters working to bring the blaze under control and protecting both people and nearby structures. Today, Station 2 of the Buffalo Fire Department is our neighbor and firefighters continue to put themselves at risk to protect the community. Last year, we showed our gratitude with a gift basket of coffee and individually-wrapped, healthy treats, along with a note of thanks. Will you join in expressing our thanks this year? Bring items and thank you notes by Sunday, May 5.

Directory Updates and Photos

Sundays May 5, 12, and 19

After each worship service, the first three Sundays in May, you are invited to check your directory information and offer updates (or add your name!) and have an informal photo taken. This will be used to create a directory to share in the congregation and to help the new dean get to know the Cathedral community. After the 10:15 service, each of these Sundays, this will take place in the Walker Room and volunteers are needed to help with the directory checks and photos.

Email Dean Twila if you can assist.

Baptism – May 12

Come and rejoice in a baptism (at the 10:15 service) and renew your own baptismal vows. Phil Cunningham will preach at both services. 

Dean Search

Please pray for the Search Committee and Vestry: Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Dean for this Cathedral that we may receive a faithful priest who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Learning Opportunity 1-2 p.m. Friday, April 26

Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Government Relations is hosting a learning opportunity this week to better understand immigration issues for persons who are LGBTQIA2S+. Sign up to join this free program.

Save the Date: Ordinations May 18

Persons needed to assist – including hospitality and as greeters/ushers

One of the wonderful roles for a Cathedral is to host Diocesan Partnership worship services and we will be the site for ordinations at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18. We need volunteers to serve in a variety of ways, including with hospitality and as greeters/ushers. We cannot yet announce who will be ordained, but please consider joining a Cathedral crew to help make this a memorable day for them.

The Day of Pentecost: Sunday, May 19

On this day, we recognize the descent of the Holy Spirit and signal of God’s presence – alive and always with us – enlivening God’s mission in the world. Wear red and come to pray for the Cathedral’s mission in our downtown neighborhood, the city of Buffalo, and beyond.

Worship Through the Week

Thursdays, Holy Eucharist – 12:05 Holy Eucharist on Thursdays, meeting in the Oratory Chapel (upper level of the church, near the pulpit).

On Social Media – Follow the Cathedral Facebook for prayers and devotions through the week, including a brief, Monday morning devotional on Facebook Live.

From the SJAT Notebook: Search for a Green Burial

From Bob Ludwig for the Social Justice Action Team

A year ago, I realized that my plans for the end of my life were not only incomplete, but my expectations had changed as a result of my work with St. Paul’s Social Justice Action Team. I no longer was willing to have a big fire spew a lot of CO2 into earth’s already overburdened atmosphere to create ashes. Nor was I willing to accept the notion that a funeral home, in taking charge of my deceased body, was going to inject chemicals to delay its decay as long as possible. So, if I wasn’t

going to be cremated or embalmed, how was I to be buried? I had heard of a green burial. What was it? An internet search revealed a national Green Burial Council (GBC). Its definition: green burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact. The GBC has established standards, which go beyond no cremation, and no chemical embalming, to include no concrete vault but with a

biodegradable container. The GBC also certifies entire cemeteries (or sections within them reserve for green burial), and land areas set aside for conservation. What about WNY? On an interactive GBC map, I discovered no land in

WNY has received a GBC certification! What to do? Are you interested in the next phase of this exploration? Speak to Bob. He is happy to talk more about what he has found out and the arrangements he’s made.

Serving in Worship

Persons needed for 10:15 a.m. worship, to serve at the chalice

The desire has been expressed to continue offering an option for communion at the high altar and to do so, we need two persons each week to serve at chalice, a role known as a Eucharistic Minister. Are you willing to serve in this way? Training is provided. Contact Dean Twila to volunteer or for more information. We also have openings to for people to help launder the small linens we use for communion each week.

Prayer and Pastoral Care 

We lift up the following in prayer: Judy, Thomas, Mark, M’Lou, Patrick, Lisa, David, Judy, Michelle, Amir, Martha, Leonard, Leann, Josephine, Billy, Margaret, Betty Lou, Linda, Barbara, Len, Lenny, Michael, Heather, Gail, Rob, Galen, Elaine, Viola, Albert, John, Lindsay, Sharon, Allen, Renee, Shirley, Joni, Jim and Judy, Andrea, Don, Bob and Carol, Sue, and Rachel. We also remember all those in the life of the Cathedral who have died in years past and their loved ones who remember them.

• If you have requests to add to the weekly Prayers of the People or a name to add for the prayers of clergy and the Pastoral Care Team, please email prayerrequests.

• If you know someone in need of pastoral care, please contact Judy Elliott or Canon Barbara Price.

Diocesan Partnership and Church News

• See the Diocesan Partnership newsletter here.

• For more news about the Dioceses of WNY and NWPA and to sign up for emailed newsletters, go here.

• The Episcopal Church website offers resources for individuals, congregations, and various ministries.