Our mission: To restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.
We grow together through radical hospitality, passionate spirituality, and committed engagement to peace and justice.
All are welcome as equally beloved of God.
Our Mission
Our Faith
Together, we live the Christian life. We gather for worship and prayer to strengthen each other as seekers and followers of Jesus Christ. We believe that God forgives and makes us whole. We work to proclaim our beliefs in all we do and say. We seek to see the holy in every living being, loving others as we do ourselves. We respect the dignity of every person, working for God’s justice to be available to all.
Our Parishes
The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester is a collection of 46 diverse communities throughout the region. Our diocese includes urban parishes in the heart of Rochester neighborhoods, country churches in the northern reaches of Appalachia, old and new congregations in small towns and suburbs, and beautiful lakeside chapels.
We have parishes in Allegany, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates counties - view the parish map to see parishes near you.
The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!
Our Leadership
Bishop Kara Wagner Sherer is the chief pastor and has oversight of the diocese. Leadership of the diocese is shared with the Bishop by Diocesan Staff, Convocation Deans, and democratically-elected leadership teams. Churches are led by priests, deacons, and lay leaders. Priests and deacons are chosen through a process of prayer and study and they can be of any gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or ability.
Reflections and writings from Bishop Kara.
Reflections
*: God of Wonders, All you create is a sign of hope for our journey. In the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts. Just as seekers followed a star to seek wisdom: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence and may our lives be a sign of your love and justice working in the world. Amen - Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer by The Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer
Bishop's Writings
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Full Inclusion - Enews January 2025Wednesday, January 15, 2025“I just have trouble hearing all the patriarchal language,” said a young mother who was home visiting a church in our diocese on the Sunday that I visited. She had grown up in the Episcopal Church and was now working and raising a family in New York City. Though she still loves the church of her childhood and has found a church home in the city, she admitted to me that she doesn’t attend often because the language feels like a barrier. She clearly cared deeply about her faith tradition and language, and as someone who had studied ancient languages, she knew what she was talking about. Read more » |
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Let your light shine!Monday, January 6, 2025
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News
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WATCH - Bishop Rowe on CNNThursday, February 13, 2025WATCH Read more » |
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Episcopal Church joins religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churchesTuesday, February 11, 2025Read more » |
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Young Adult Service Corps applications Extended to February 14Tuesday, February 11, 2025What is your next faithful step? Read more » |