Two by Two: Erie North Deanery Gathers for Fellowship and Feast

On Thursday, July 16, the Erie North Deanery took a wonderful and delicious step toward deeper community with a special deanery-wide dinner. With an open invitation extended to all twelve churches across the deanery to come together for an evening of shared fellowship, the gathering marked an inspiring chapter in our shared ministry across the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York.

A Noah’s Ark Feast
In the spirit of gathering “two by two,” participants from five of our churches came together for a lively, Noah’s Ark–themed potluck. The evening was filled with vibrant conversation, shared laughter, and a bountiful table of dishes brought by parishioners from across our neighboring congregations.

Whether bonding over creative theme-adjacent recipes or simply enjoying the pleasure of breaking bread with brothers and sisters in Christ from down the road, the atmosphere was defined by genuine hospitality, curiosity, and joy.

Breaking Down Barriers, Building Our Future
Over the years, it can be easy for individual congregations to become deeply focused on their own day-to-day ministries, unintentionally allowing barriers and distance to grow between parishes that sit just miles apart. Gatherings like this potluck remind us of the strength, resilience, and beauty of our connected diocesan family.

By sitting at the same table, sharing our stories, and truly getting to know one another as friends and co-laborers in the Gospel, we begin the essential work of dissolving those old dividing walls. There is immense hope for what lies ahead as our churches continue to build bridges of friendship, collaborate on shared mission, and support one another in faith.

We celebrate the fellowship shared among the five congregations represented at this foundational dinner, and we look forward with great enthusiasm to future gatherings where parishioners from all twelve of our deanery churches can join in the feast. Here’s to many more shared meals, renewed relationships, and a united future in Christ!

The Rev. Dr. Jason Miller, Dean of Erie North Deanery