Due to the Covid pandemic and this year being a pastoral transition year, the vestry is recommending that those vestry members whose term is ending be allowed to serve an additional year. In accordance with our by-laws, the vestry will make a resolution at the annual meeting to suspend the vestry term limit for one year and to ask all qualified voters to vote on the slate of current vestry members. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Canon Jason, or our vestry wardens- Peter Snodgrass and Wendy Darling.

Also, due to the pastoral transition and the pandemic, the convention delegates from last year have agreed to run again this year. Both slates (vestry and convention delegates) are included in this email. Electronic voting is closed. If you would like to vote, please use the paper ballots at the Annual Meeting. Copies of the Annual Report will be available.

According to Section 43.6 of the New York State’s Religious Corporation Law, a qualified voter is defined as “Persons of full age belonging to the parish, who have been baptized and are regular attendants at its worship and contributors to its support for at least twelve months prior to such election or special meeting or since the establishment of such parish, shall be qualified voters at any such election or special meeting.”

As you look around the cathedral this Sunday, you'll notice all traces of Christmas have been removed until next season. Thanks to Kim & John O' Connell, John Goodman, Michael Bonilla and Marcus Maltby, who took down, packed and stored away the wreaths, greens, trees and creche. Thank you so much. What a great crew!

A six week series visiting the life and witness of the Church, using Luke/Acts in conjunction with Stephanie Spellers' book, The Church Cracked Open, and concluding with a look at the life and witness of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. For Luke, check your Bible. The Church Cracked Open is available from Church Publishing or Amazon. You do not need a copy to participate. Join us at 9:00 am in person at the Flickinger Ministry Center, or on Zoom by going to the Cathedral website (SPCBuffalo.org).

We (all of us at St. Paul's) will be filling welcome boxes for the soon-to-arrive Afghan refugees to help Journeys End Refugee Services set up apartments for them.

The Pastoral Care Team is looking for knitters/crocheters to make prayer shawls to take to our shut-in parishioners. These blessed prayer shawls bring great comfort to those that receive them. If you can help with this meaningful outreach, please contact Kathy Reiss or Judy Elliott.

• Environmental Racism Film Series *All online, instead of in-person

On Sunday, January 23rd, 4:30pm those who are interested will meet on Zoom to discuss the films and the impact of Environmental Racism on our local communities. Registration is via this link: brownpapertickets.com/event/5345815

Learn more about the films:

(1) "Stop Line 3" - https://www.stopline3.org/ln3film- - 38 minutes

(2)Seed: The Untold Story https://www.seedthemovie.com/ (94 mins)

(3) Theres Something in the Water https://www.collectiveeye.org/products/theres-something-in-the-water (73 mins)

(4) Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock" - https://awakethefilm.org/ (89 mins)

Update - Laudato si' (Care for Our Common Home)

The brown bag discussion was originally scheduled for 5 Wednesdays, but has been changed to one session on Wednesday February 9th. People from across the partnership (WNY, NWPA) are invited to join a lunchtime discussion group on Zoom on Laudato Si, (Care for Our Common Home) Pope Francis’ encyclical on Creation Care addressed to all on the planet. The most fundamental statement of the pickle we’re in. Register at: bit.ly/3qt2n1Z

Update - Stewardship

Thank you to those who have already made a 2022 pledge commitment to St. Paul's Cathedral! To date, we have 37 households that have made pledge commitments totaling $93,655. It's not too late to make a pledge! Please use this link to submit an electronic pledge card: www.spcbuffalo.org/pledge.

3) Use our online giving system and pay using your credit or debit card

4) Text your donation to: 84321

On January 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, the Social Justice Action Team of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo will host a virtual information session about the Union of Black Episcopalians. The session is open to clergy and lay leaders from the partnership dioceses who would like to learn more about the history of the national organization, the work of our local chapter, and how allies can support grassroots racial justice initiatives. Registration is required.

Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 4:00 pm - For the First Sunday of Lent

Sunday, April 3, 2022 at 4:00 pm - For Passion Sunday

To submit prayer requests, please go to: SPCBuffalo.org/prayerrequest 

Whatever life might be bringing you right now, please know you don't have to experience it alone! Members of the Pastoral Care Team will walk with you and lend a listening ear. In addition to Canon Barbara, Judy Elliott, Dee Doherty, Del Milander, Kathy Reiss, Jessy Alexander, Katharine Woodard and Marcus Maltby provide care to our community through phone calls, visits and notes. If you or someone you know is in need of pastoral care, please contact Judy Elliott at elliottking77@gmail.com or Canon Barbara at barbara@spcbuffalo.org.