Listening Across Western New York: What We Heard
Throughout the summer, members of the Bishop Search, Transition and Standing Committees traveled across Western New York with a simple but important purpose: to listen. Visiting 49 of the diocese’s 51 congregations, we heard honest reflections about the challenges facing our churches, the strengths that sustain us, and the hopes we have share for the future. Across our diverse communities, common themes emerged: a longing for deeper connections, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of what it means to be one diocese.
The resulting Summer of Listening Report provides a foundation for the next chapter of our bishop search, helping us articulate the qualities we seek in our next spiritual leader and the kind of diocesan community we hope to become. Most importantly, it reminds us that even amid challenges and uncertainty, there is tremendous faith, resilience, and hope throughout Western New York.