March 27, 2024

Troubled God, in every generation you call your people to contend against the brutality of sin and betrayal: Keep us steadfast even in our fear and uncertainty, so that we may follow where Jesus has led the way.

-- from Daily Prayer for All Seasons

A Message from the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

When I was a little boy I once heard a preacher give this story on Easter Day. He said it is an Easter story. It’s a story about resurrection and a reminder that there is so much more to life than what we see around us each day.  It’s nature’s proof that more life awaits each of us.

At the bottom of a pond lived some grubs. Sometimes one would crawl up a lily stem to the top and disappear, never heard from again. So the grubs made a promise that the next one to climb to the top would return and tell what was there. Soon one grub felt an impulse to seek the surface. He rested himself on the top of a lily pad and went through a glorious transformation becoming a beautiful dragonfly. Stretching his iridescent wings to the sky he started flying back and forth over the pond in absolute joy. He shouted down to his friends below the waterline. But then he realized that even if they could see him they would not recognize him any longer. They would not recognize such a radiant creature as one of their own. He was transformed forever into something new, a new creation with new life. Easter reminds us that what lies beyond this life is always more life, more beautiful than we can possibly imagine.

Anne joins me in wishing each of you a Happy Easter.

Father Robert Harvey

Holy Week at Calvary

• Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m. - Maundy Thursday Service
• Thursday, March 28, 8:30 p.m. through Friday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. - Prayer Vigil
• Friday, March 29, Noon - Good Friday Service
• Friday, March 29 7 p.m. - Sacred Music Concert
• Saturday, March 30 - No services
• Sunday March 31, 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. - Easter Service

Prayer Vigil

Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?

It is appropriate for us to spend time in deep prayer with Jesus as we contemplate this period of His deepest human suffering. A prayer vigil will take place in St. Luke’s Chapel for the twelve hours following our Maundy Thursday service leading up to Good Friday.

You are welcome to join the vigil at any time, for as long as you wish, in person or at home. The lobby link doors will be open throughout the vigil and light refreshments will be available in the reception room. An assortment of books and prayers will be left in St. Luke’s Chapel for your use, and you are encouraged to bring books of your own to use and/or leave for others to use. 

You may contact Patty Rooss (716.400.3224) with additional questions.

Good Friday Offering

For 102 years, Episcopalians have generously shared their love, compassion, and financial gifts to support the ministry of the Anglican Communion Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East with the Good Friday Offering. These gifts have made an astounding difference in the lives of many people in the homeland of Jesus and beyond. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry explains more in this letter to congregations.

Donations made at the noon service on Good Friday will support this fund.

Happy Easter from the Staff at Calvary

The office will be open most of Monday April 1 (closing early), but closed on Eclipse Day, Monday April 8.

The weekly e-news update will take a break on Wednesday April 3 and will resume on Wednesday, April 10.

Wardens Forum

There will be no Warden's Forum on Easter Sunday March 31. The next forum will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 7. Come in person or join by Zoom with this link or by calling 646 558 8656 and using Meeting ID 814 1129 2286 and Passcode 289958.

Matthew 25

The Matthew 25 Committee, Calvary's refugee ministry, will meet next Tuesday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m.

All interested parties are invited to join us in person in the Calvary Reception Room or via Zoom. Use this Zoom link or call 646-558-8656 using Meeting ID 821 8102 8514 and Passcode 683197.

Save the date and find a hat!

Join us for Derby Eve Fellowship Fun on Friday, May 3^rd from 6-8:30. Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

Family Justice Center Update

Wow!! We had an overwhelming response for our Family Justice Center (FJC) snack drive! Thank you so much, Calvary parishioners! 10 people toured the FJC downtown facility a couple of weeks ago and it took all 10 of us to deliver all of the snacks. Contributions since the tour will be delivered ASAP. 

Catharine Miles-Kenia and other FJC employees gave us a thorough tour of the facility. We also heard one victim’s account of her past abuse and the help she received at the FJC. We were fascinated with their forensics examination room complete with a body camera that is able to detect wounds unseen on victims’ flesh. 

A special shout out and thanks to our knitting group Hands to Hearts! We saw worry dolls in the children’s room and lap blankets in the client “living rooms” all hand crafted by our knitters and crocheters. 

Thank you all for supporting the Family Justice Center!

From Calvary’s Pet Ministry and the ASPCA^*

^

Have a “Hoppy” Easter

with These Pet Safety Tips!

Many families are gearing up to go on egg hunts and eat tons of candy for Easter this weekend. But before you jump into this spring holiday’s festivities, be sure to read over the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s (APCC) list of the top four most common pet dangers associated with Easter to keep your pets safe, “hoppy”, and healthy!

1. Chocolate is one of the more popular Easter candies and, while delicious for humans, can be dangerous to pets. Chocolate can cause gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, stimulation to the nervous system (hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures) and elevation in heart rate. Not all chocolate is created equally—the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is for pets.
2. Plastic Grass used in Easter baskets seems to be a fan favorite for pets, but unfortunately, can be very problematic for them. This grass can become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract and wreak havoc if consumed. Signs for concern include vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in appetite, lethargy, and stomach pain.
3. Plants are an everyday hazard to pets as many of them can cause issues for pets, but during the time of year, APCC sees an uptick in calls about Lilies and bulbs that bloom in spring. Lilies (Lilium sp and Hemerocallis sp) can cause serious concerns for our feline friends. Exposure to any parts of the plant can result in kidney injury and gastrointestinal upset.
4. Fertilizers and herbicides may seem random to this list, but many people begin gardening and yardwork on Easter weekend, which typically includes the use of fertilizers and herbicides. Make sure these are stored where pets can’t chew or puncture the bottle and keep pets inside while applying the products. Always follow label instructions and wait to let your pet out again until the product has been watered in or the ground is dry.

If you believe that your pet may have been exposed to or ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888)426-4435 immediately.

*https://www.aspca.org/news/have-hoppy-easter-these-pet-safety-tips

Diocesan Partnership and Church News

• Sign up for Diocesan Partnership newsletters read recent editions here.
• A report on the Partnership offers updates on the work of our two dioceses.
• 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. 

Worship at Calvary

In-person worship

• Sunday 8 a.m. Holy Communion
• Sunday 10 a.m. Holy Communion. This worship service is also live streamed.
• Saturday, 4 p.m. Holy Communion
• Wednesday, 7 a.m. Holy Communion

Online worship

• Sunday 10 a.m. Holy Communion, which is an in-person service, is also live streamed. The link to Calvary's 10 a.m. service can be found on the Calvary website or streamed on Facebook and YouTube. All three places will have the recording to watch later.

Vestry Liaisons

Each area of ministry at Calvary is assigned a Vestry member liaison. The liaison serves as an intermediary between the committee and the whole Vestry. These are the liaison assignments for 2024:

• Worship & Music - Fr. Robert & Nancy Bolton
• Christian Formation - Kelly Blackey
• Gathering Socially - Lorrie Archdeacon & Laurie Kaiser
• Reaching In - Ted Andrews
• Reaching Out - Larry Bernhard & Sandra Handy
• Spreading the Word - Howard Craig
• Property - Michael Bommer
• Giving / Development - Dennis McCoy
• Church Finances - Guy Whalen

Attendance

Online viewers came from NY, IN, OH and MD.

Grant us, Jesus, that tender, indestructible love

which asks forgiveness for its executioners

and gives hope to the thief on the cross.

Keep us compassionate when the way is hard,

and gentle with those who oppose us.

-- from A New Zealand Prayer Book