Image above: Dancing at the 149th Diocesan Convention (photo: Sue Cenci). 

What was your favorite moment of 2017?

Here are a few ministry moments that we’re feeling grateful for as the year comes to a close:

December 2016: A New Bishop

Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe is consecrated as the eleventh Bishop of Central New York. Looking ahead to the New Year, she announces additions to the diocesan staff to support parish and shared ministries.

20161203-consecration-service-sue-cenci-69web

Bishops of The Episcopal Church lay hands on DeDe Duncan-Probe at her consecration. (photo: Sue Cenci)

20161204-presiding-bishop-curry-visit-to-grace-syracuse-willson-cummer-54-web

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of The Episcopal Church distributes Communion at Grace Episcopal Church in Syracuse. (photo: Willson Cummer)

January 2017: Grace & Holy Spirit Returns Home

The people of Grace & Holy Spirit Episcopal/Lutheran congregation in Cortland return to their building at 13 Court Street following a destructive July 2016 fire. Meanwhile, the 14th Mission of Miracles heads to El Salvador with much-needed dental equipment.

201701-cortland-grace-holy-spirit-fish-for-people

The Rev. Pete Williams and the children of Grace & Holy Spirit Church “fish for people” (Matthew 4:19) in their restored parish hall.

two men display a portable dental unit

Bill Dawson of Christ Church in Manlius and Salvadoran dentist Dr. Robert Flores demonstrate a donated portable dental machine. (Photo: Jim O’Neill)

February 2017: Binghamton Choir sings in DC

trinity-memorial-choir-2017

The choir of Trinity Memorial Church in Binghamton travels to Washington, DC to share their gift of music at the National Cathedral.

March 2017: Ashes to Go

Parish leaders take to the streets to offer ashes on Ash Wednesday. Later in Lent, the renovations to the diocesan office get underway and are completed in time for an open house in June.

20170301-new-hartford-st-stephens-joell-szachara-brings-ashes-to-raspberries-cafe-2

The Rev. Joell Szachara of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in New Hartford visits Raspberries Cafe in Utica to offer ashes to employees and customers.

201703-diocesan-office-renovation-joe-at-work

Tearing down walls to create a more hospitable diocesan office.

April 2017: Holy Week & Easter

We work together,” Bishop DeDe preaches at three diocesan-wide Holy Week services centered on renewal of vows for clergy and laypeople. Parishes throughout the Diocese celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter in unique ways.

2017-04-copenhagen-grace-palm-sunday-procession

A Palm Sunday procession with Grace Episcopal Church in Copenhagen.

2017-04-cazenovia-st-peters-making-lambs-palm-sunday

Crafting lambs during Holy Week children’s activities at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cazenovia.

May 2017: Cheer for Elders; Blessing Bikes

Choir members of Grace Episcopal Church in Utica perform for residents at a local nursing home; in Jordan, Bishop DeDe presides at Christ Episcopal Church’s annual Blessing of the Bikes.

utica-choir-sings-in-nursing-home

Among the residents entertained by Grace Church choristers is McKinley C. (seated, front row center), himself a member of the Grace Church choir for fifty years.

2017-05-13-jordan-christ-church-bishops-blessing-of-the-bikes-small-girl-with-bike

This small biker is among the many who brought their bikes—motorized and otherwise—for a blessing from Bishop DeDe, herself a motorcycle rider.

June 2017: God Offers Refreshment to Everyone!

On a hot summer day, members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Canastota offer 2,000 frozen ice pops to children along the route of the town’s annual International Boxing Hall of Fame Induction weekend parade. And in Syracuse, the Church of the Saviour celebrates graduation with its bilingual Karen/English Sunday School.

trinity-canastota-offers-refreshment-at-annual-parade

Walking the parade route, members of Trinity Episcopal Church wear t-shirts proclaiming, “We’re Church.”

saviour-syracuse-sunday-school-student-with-marcia-c

Marcia C., a Sunday School teacher at Church of the Saviour, with one of her students on “graduation” day.

July 2017: Helping After a Flood

When a flood destroys homes and property in Whitesboro, members of St. John’s Episcopal Church help their neighbors with donated cash and household items and an invitation to a free community meal at their monthly spaghetti supper. And in Oklahoma, CNY youth talk about the “Path to Peace” with hundreds of other young people at the Episcopal Youth Event.

spaghetti-supper-in-whitesboro

Whitesboro residents affected by flooding find fellowship, pastoral care, even coloring books and crayons for children at a spaghetti supper hosted by St. John’s Episcopal Church.

cny-eye-contingent

Members of Central New York’s delegation to the Episcopal Youth Event, including diocesan Youth Ministry Co-Coordinators Tory (far left) & Kristen (far right) Blum.

August 2017: Responding to U.S. Distress

The last weeks of summer 2017 find our country troubled. When the racism and anti-Semitism on display at a Charlottesville rally turn deadly, Episcopalians stand up for a vision of God’s diverse beloved community. And when Hurricane Harvey and other large-scale storms devastate islands and coasts, Episcopalians are ready with relief.

Bishops and Clergy of the Diocese of Virginia in Charlottesville

In Charlottesville, Virginia, August 12, 2017, bishops and clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia stand together with the Charlottesville Clergy Collective (CCC), in opposition to the so-called “Unite the Right” rally. (Photo: Aisha Huertas for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.)

Harvey The Lord Bless You

Trinity by the Sea parishioners boarded up their Port Aransas, Texas, church on August 23, 2017 before they evacuated due to Hurricane Harvey. “The Lord Bless You” was spray painted on plywood covering one of the doors. (Photo: Trinity by the Sea via the Rev. James Derkits and Facebook.)

September 2017: Blessings Small and Large

In Lowville, Trinity Episcopal Church sets up a “Blessing Box” for neighbors helping hungry neighbors. And members of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Clinton travel to their partner parish in Haiti to visit a school they help to fund.

st-james-clinton-with-pere-fred

Five members of St. James’ Church visit St. Paul’s Parish, Beaudin Jean Pierre, Haiti and are pictured here with the parish priest, The Rev. “Fred” Frederic Menelas. The two churches have been partners in prayer and support for over four years.

lowville-trinity-blessing-box

Neighbors can pick up or drop off necessary food and personal care items in this free “Blessing Box” established by the people of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lowville.

October 2017: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

After a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Episcopal churches in Central New York toll their bells in solidarity with the victims. And in downtown Rome, diocesan funds help Zion Episcopal Church to sponsor a “Rome Helping Rome” fair introducing human and social service providers to potential clients.

candles stock

Staff in the diocesan office also tolled bells and broadcast a short prayer service for Las Vegas, praying for an end to gun violence.

rome-helping-rome-fair

Zion Episcopal Church hosts a free fair and BBQ in downtown Rome where community members can connect with local nonprofits and service providers.

November 2017: Arms Wide Open

At our 149th Diocesan Convention, diocesan leaders celebrate the diversity of the people and ministries of Central New York and the fact that “small is good.” Among these many ministries is a free community meal program sponsored by the Episcopal churches of Chemung County.

“We Are the People of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York,” a video showing just a few of the people and ministries of the Diocese.

chemung-meal

More than thirty volunteers from Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Grace Episcopal Church and Trinity Episcopal Church in Elmira and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Horseheads prepared and served lunch to more than eighty guests, including homemade desserts.

December 2017: Welcoming New Members

Bishop DeDe confirms and receives new members of the Diocese from many different parishes in a diocese-wide service held at Grace Episcopal Church in Baldwinsville.

201712-diocese-wide-confirmations-3

Newly confirmed and received members of the Diocese with their parish clergy and Bishop DeDe on December 9, 2017. (photo: DJ Iglesrud) 

Start typing and press Enter to search