DIOCESE OF WESTERN NEW YORK
The Diocese of Western New York at: http://EpiscopalWNY.org
The Bishop of Western New York: The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison,
e-mail: jmgarrison@EpiscopalWNY.org
The Diocese of Western New York delegates to GEM are:
Gilbert Hernandez, ghhernandez1@yahoo.com, a member of the Board of Trustees of the GEM Network.
The Rev. Dcn. Cathleen Basile, deaconcathy@gmail.com
Committee on World Mission:
Co-Chairs - Gilbert Hernandez and the Rev. Dcn. Cathleen Basile
Companion Diocese: The Diocese has formalized a covenant relationship with the Diocese of Puerto Rico. Both dioceses have agreed to a mutual ministry approach to the relationship, and endorse the concept of "sending and receiving." Plans consist of exchange ministry visits between clergy and laity. Special short-term exchanges between the youth have a high priority. A process is under way for each parish in both dioceses to form Sinter-Parish relationships. This companion relationship was signed again for three more years in 2004. There are 15 sister church relationships and another two to be developed by the end of 2004.
Companion Diocese Committee:
Co-Chairs: Gilbert Hernandez and the Rev Dcn. Cathleen Basile
Missionaries from the
Diocese of Western New York:
The Rev. Jonathan Kim and Mrs. Kunai Kim, Pusan, Korea, Episcopal Church Appointed Missionaries
The Rev. James Williams and Mrs. Lorine Williams, Klerksdorp, South Africa, Episcopal Church Appointed Missionaries.
Kirsten Jones - United Kingdom (service under a joint program with the ECLA Youth Mission Program)
Parishes sponsoring refugee families and individuals, who
have been resettled in WNY, through Episcopal Migration Ministries. Refugees are
from countries experiencing conflict. Short Term Group-Work trips to Honduras, led by Mrs.
Carol Garrison. Short Term Group-Work trips to Puerto Rico, led by The
Rev. Richard Mollison. Visits to Puerto Rico by members of WNY churches that
have established Sister/Parish Relationships. Received youth from Puerto Rico, sponsored to attend WNY
Diocesan Summer Youth Camp. Receiving visitors from Puerto Rico to Diocesan
Convention. Several churches are providing hospitality for visitors from their
Sister/Parish links. Short Term Group-Work trip to Belize, to assist in
rebuilding storm damaged schools. Plans being steered for Spring 2003, by Mrs.
Carol Garrison. Bishop Brent School - Developing a new course on Mission,
to include practical "How To" on preparation to serve and receive. MISSION NEWSLETTERS, REPORTS, RESOURCES: EpiscopalWNY.org Mission Activities and Mission Projects:
Reports and Resources on GEMN pages.
+ From St. Paul's Cathedral Newsletter, Buffalo, NY: The Cathedral is a real center of mission - seeing its work as both Global and Local. Canon Shirley M. Watts reports on the visit of Bishop Alvarez to the Cathedral, so of course that is reported here. But the rest of the page shows the wide reach of ministry by the Cathedral.
+ A report, Journey to Mission, by James and Lorine Williams, being number 7 in a series of newsletters from their work in South Africa. A must read for those interested in the missionary efforts in South Africa, in the church in South Africa or in the fast changing situation in South Africa.