“... Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Our relationships, through our Triune God and with each other, give us an opportunity to live fully present, connected in a community whose purpose is love. In being together in this way, we can experience true peace. There are moments in our Cathedral location that at first glance seem chaotic: we are at the busiest transit hub in the metro area. Yet, each day, the outdoor spaces that surround us gather a diverse community of people who work, live, and travel here – people who settle into moments of gentle peace on the Cathedral steps, in the shadows our historic structure creates, under a canopy of shade from the trees. The love and peace that comes to us from God is not a place we go to, however. It is a practice, each and every day: to choose peace, to choose love. This summer we are making efforts to expand our presence, our peace-making, our expressions of God’s love. This Sunday, we’ll be at the Pride festival, handing out “love buttons.” The Garden of Love is extending new outreach offerings and additional days of service. The Social Justice Action team invites us to join in a variety of actions, engaging in the practice of justice-making. There are many more opportunities, especially through the summer, which invite our commitment to be present and require little else. Consider ways we can work together to offer hospitality on the days when local concerts fill the block, noon-1 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. What is a simple way that we can share messages of love and hope with those waiting by the homeless Jesus statue? How might we welcome people to the Cathedral and share the beauty of this space with visitors and travelers, who try to open our doors every day? Please pray and practice peace, so that more people will come to know the God who loves them fully and will know us as a Cathedral that is open for them. Twila+
This week’s newsletter is a harbinger of sunny days ahead: keep scrolling for details, opportunities, and new developments ...
• Pride festivities – this Sunday
• Garden of Love
• The Social Justice Action Team – events coming up!
• Refugee Sunday, June 18
• Godly Play
... and more!
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Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10:15 a.m.
All are invited for in-person worship, at 8 and 10:15 a.m. Sundays.
• Between worship services: 9 a.m. “Caring Cafe,” in the Walker Room (lower level), with coffee, conversation, and study of scripture for the week.
• After 10:15 worship: stay for refreshments and conversation in the Narthex (church entry), sponsored by the Social Justice Action Team. There is a brief, special Vestry meeting this Sunday, immediately after the 10:15 a.m. worship service, in the Walker Room, as we continue work on the stewardship of Cathedral investments.
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Buffalo Pride: Sunday, June 4
Pride Parade and Festival
Today, Buffalo-area Episcopalians are marching in the Pride parade, from Buffalo State to Elmwood and Allen, and we are hosting a table at the Pride festival (handing out Episcopal LGBTQ+ swag), at Canalside, 1-7 p.m. Come out and join other Episcopalians to be part of this year’s events. Learn more at buffaloprideweek.com. If you are trying to locate the Episcopal table at the event today, text Dean Twila: 716-578-2334. And let her know if you’d like a Pride “love button” or ally pin!
SJAT Note: Happy Pride!
From Chris Casto, for the Social Justice Action Team
Happy Pride! As we celebrate Buffalo Pride Week this year, please keep in mind those LGBTQ+ people (particularly youth) who are dealing with hate and discrimination from their schools, states, families, and faith communities. In the past few years, we have seen many states enact legislation to limit the rights of trans and gender non-binary people. These include denial of gender-affirming medical care, sports participation bans, bathroom bills, and anti-drag legislation. You can also become familiar with (and perhaps support) LGBTQ+ support organizations in Western New York such as The Pride Center of WNY, GLYS WNY, Inc., and Evergreen Health Services. Finally, join in the Pride celebrations! The joy of the parade is not to be missed, and the festival will give you a chance to learn more.
Racial Healing Circle: LGBTQ+
This past week, we hosted a racial healing circle – the first one in our diocesan partnership, funded by a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, through the work of the Racial Equity Roundtable. This project includes additional healing circles across Buffalo, with plans to expand through our region. The Cathedral will be hosting a second healing circle, for members of the LGBTQ+ community, later in the year. If you are interested in participating, contact Dean Twila.
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The Racial Healing Circle, held on Wednesday, May 31, with members of St. Philip’s and the Cathedral, began by feasting together. |
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Summer Organ Transformations
Last week we celebrated the return of the restored Trompeta Real pipes and more work is underway. Considerable, behind-the-scenes restoration continues to take place. In the days ahead, the chancel console will be removed for transformation – external changes you will see in the fall and an upgraded, internal system. We will be using the gallery console this summer. This work is designed to care for historic aspects of the organ, while also bringing greater diversity and more nuanced sounds, as we prepare to celebrate Two Hundred Years of Pipe Organs at St. Paul’s in 2025.
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Garden of Love
The Garden of Love needs your help. This time, we are not asking for clothing or money or treats to be included in the free lunches we hand out every Tuesday. While this ministry is officially a ministry of St. Paul's it has become a ministry of the three people who are there every Tuesday, with Fr. Mike Hadaway. We are now accepting clothing donations again, and that is where you come in. Fr. Mike has come up with a plan to sort, organize, and rack the clothing donations that are left at our door. It involves getting volunteers, that’s you all, to meet once each month on a Saturday morning to do just that. Sort, organize, and hang on racks.
• The first Saturday sorting party is this Saturday, June 10th, at 9 a.m., in the Flickinger Ministry Center (across Cathedral Park, near the church.
What we often hear is that while the Garden of Love is a worthwhile ministry, the fact that most of the operations happen on a Tuesday, when many of you work excludes most of you from donating some of your time. So here is a chance for the working members of the congregation to become invested in this important ministry. All we need is a couple of hours of your time, ONCE A MONTH. You can even bring along your teenage children or grandchildren who need volunteer hours as a requirement for graduation.
As your junior Warden, I ask you to prayerfully consider this request. An outreach ministry such as GOL should be a ministry of the whole church, not just the few retired members who can participate on a weekday.
If you feel that you want to become a part of this endeavor, please get in touch with Fr. Mike or talk to Judy Elliott, Bill Siener, or me.
Michael Bonilla, Junior Warden
Clothing Donations
We look for items that are especially useful for persons who are traveling, neighbors in the area, and people who often stay in Cathedral Park. Please note that not all clothing is needed and with limited space and resources, only certain items can be accepted. All items must be clean and be washable/easy care. The need for men’s clothing is greater than women’s items. The seasonal list is (all for adults): short-sleeve shirts (tees, polos, button-front), shorts/capris, summer-weight pants, sundresses, athletic shoes, socks, belts, and new underwear.
• TO DONATE: Bring items to church on Sundays and place in the wagon in the Narthex or deliver to the Flickinger Ministry Center on Tuesdays (9:30-11:30) or on a designated “Sorting Saturday.”
Volunteering at the Garden of Love
Contact current Garden of Love volunteers (see letter above from Michael Bonilla) or Canon Mike Hadaway about volunteering for the Garden of Love.
• Tuesdays – set-up and/or serve 11:30-1 p.m., helping with distribution of sack lunches and clothing.
• Thursdays – coming soon! Watch for details next week on how you can be part of this summer expansion, funded in part by generous gifts from the Jaekle family.
• Saturdays – 9 a.m.-noon June 10, July 22, and August 10, meeting on the first floor of the ministry center, 4 Cathedral Park.
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Thursday Worship Time Change
To better serve in the Cathedral Park area, the Thursday Holy Eucharist time will change to 11:30 a.m. for the summer, beginning this week, June 8 – outside in the park or in the ministry center.
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Chalice
As noted last week, we distributed communion from the transept, and we hear desire of some to receive at the high altar rail, along with this accessible location. We remain in need of persons to serve at chalice and someone to schedule them. Please contact the Dean by this Wednesday (twila@spcbuffalo.org) if you want to serve (this summer or on-going), in order to offer distribution at the high altar rail as an option. Preparation is available for this ministry.
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Refugee Sunday
Refugee Sunday – June 18
In recognition of World Refugee Day, June 20, worship services on Sunday, June 18, will include special prayers, refreshments at coffee hour representing cultures we have supported through Cathedral refugee efforts, and a forum after the 10:15 worship service. Our guest preacher for the day is Marc Gutierrez, a postulant for the diaconate who has led refugee ministry efforts, most recently while serving at Advent, Kenmore. Learn more about refugees and this special day.
Refugee Support
From Kim Goodman for the Social Justice Action Team
We continue to look for gently-used furniture to help with the setup, specifically dressers, couches and chairs. Financial resources to help purchase items needed are also welcome. Contact: Kim, 646-732-6830
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Social Justice Action
In addition to Social Justice Action Team notes in other sections of this week’s (extensive!) announcements, note the following, timely messages from Bill and Estelle Siener:
SJAT Note: Freedom Seekers Walk
10 a.m. (departing at 9 a.m.) Saturday, June 17 – Reinstein Woods
From Bill Siener for the Social Justice Action Team
Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve is one of the jewels of the Western New York environment. On Saturday, June 17, it will host a “Freedom Seekers Walk,” highlighting the natural history knowledge of those people who sought freedom in the northern states or Canada via the Underground Railroad. They often relied on wild edible or medicinal plants for their survival en route. This is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of both racial justice, and environmental justice, while enjoying a wonderful outdoor wildlife habitat. Reinstein Woods has reserved up to 15 spots on the tour for St Paul’s. If you would like to join the tour, call or email Bill Siener by June 15 at 716-770-8528, or whsiener@gmail.com. We can arrange carpooling from the Cathedral. The tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY. If you would like to carpool, we would need to leave the Cathedral by 9 a.m.
SJAT Note: Erie County Primary
From Estelle Siener for the Social Justice Action Team
Voting in November is important to most of us and turnout is usually good. Turnout for primaries, however, is usually very light. This is unfortunate since, for local elections, this is where citizens have a say in who will be running on their local ballot. Several years ago, New York State moved its primary election date from September to June. This year Primary Day in New York is Tuesday, June 27th, with races for town municipal offices and for the 4th and 10th Legislative District seats. The election outcome will determine each party’s candidates to run in November. In particular there are 5 seats that are being contested in the Buffalo City Council race with a total of 11 candidates. On Tuesday, June 6th at 6 p.m. the League of Women Voters and Push Buffalo are co-sponsoring a Candidate Forum at 6 p.m. at the Central Library Auditorium. Although all candidates may not show up for the forum all have been invited to participate. The event will also be livestreamed on the League of Women Voters Buffalo Niagara YouTube channel. The early voting period for the Primary is from June 17th to the 25th before the primary election on June 27th. New York State primaries are closed primaries in which you can only vote for the party for which you are registered. Check the list of candidates and vote this month for the party with which you are affiliated. For more details:
Not registered to vote or know someone who isn’t? You can still register up to June 17 online or in person at the Board of Elections. Or you can mail a registration form postmarked by June 17.
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Godly Play – Coming this Summer!
We have exciting news for children, parents, and grands! Several years ago, the Cathedral added an extensive collection of Godly Play resources – supporting faith formation of children with a Montessori approach. We have had some safety concerns in our spaces, and have a limited number of children, so we have not had a children’s formation program this year. That is about to change!
• This summer, we are updating spaces and creating a “model classroom” at the Cathedral, for use by children here and as a resource throughout the region. Work is slated to begin in late June.
• Wendy Schumacher, the missioner for children and youth in our diocesan partnership – an educator, and a trained Godly Play teacher and leader – will be working with us to develop this program.
• Interested persons can come to one of two, “mini-workshops” – 10-2 Saturday, July 29, and a weekday near then (date to be determined). Contact Dean Twila for details.
• Following registration and open house “Godly Play-dates” in August, we will begin a refreshed program for children in September, to support Godly Play learning every week. On the 2nd Sunday of each month, Wendy Schumacher will lead these programs and be training volunteers, including offering a monthly, after-church Godly Play time for children and their adults.
• We are creating a lending library of materials and lessons, which Cathedral members and persons from partner churches may check out.
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Prayer and Pastoral Care
• 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.
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If you are with a group meeting on Zoom,
use the following link, unless specified otherwise:
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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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.
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St. Paul's Cathedral | 716-855-0900 | 139 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
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