Bountiful Creator, you call us to labor with you in tending the earth: Where we lack love, open our hearts to the world; where we waste give us discipline to conserve, where we neglect, awaken our minds and wills to insight and care. May we with all your creatures honor and serve you in all things, for you live and reign with Christ, Redeemer of all, and with your Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Season of Creation 2025 Liturgy Resources
St. John's Episcopal Church
200 East Center Street
Medina NY
We welcome all to worship
Sunday Mornings at 10:30 A.M.
St. John's is participating in the selection of the next priest who will be in charge of the Genesee Regional Initiative. The priest will also be the priest-in-charge of St. James, Batavia.
The search for our next Bishop is underway. Teams have been formed for both selection and transition. Our deacon, Robin Kozlowski, will head the Transition Team.
In the interim, Bishop Steven Lane is working with the diocese. Bishop Stephen T. Lane has agreed to serve as the Advising Bishop to the Standing Committee on an as-needed basis. He has served in a similar role most recently in the Diocese of Rochester. He will be considered for the post of interim Bishop Provisional at the Annual Convention, October 10-11, Niagara Falls Convention Center, while we search for our next Diocesan Bishop.
This is as a result of the vote held on May 3 when a Special Convention was held to determine whether the two-diocese Partnership should remain in place. The vote was a resounding no. The Diocese of Western New York is now in the process of choosing a bishop separately from the Diocese of NWPA.
St. John’s is on the Tour
Masks and hand sanitizer continue to be available at the door for those who wish to use them.
WORSHIP
Fr. Joseph Kozlowski and Deacon Robin Kozlowski are our regular clergy, part of the Genesee Deanery Initiative, of which St. John's is a member. We will also have Morning Prayer, led by a lay leader on the third Sunday of each month.
The Presiding Bishop
Sean Rowe, the 28th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and former bishop of Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania, was formally seated at the Washington National Cathedral on February 2, 2025.
The Reverend Nancy Guenther and Sean Rowe, now Presiding Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe has now taken office as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church is a worldwide body of 110 dioceses in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean Islands, and various other dioceses across the world. The Presiding Bishop is the Chief Pastor and Primate for the entire Episcopal Church. The term is for nine years and began November 2, 2024. The daily life of Episcopalians in our dioceses, in our regions and in our congregations will not change. The Standing Committees will contract with available bishops to provide bishop-specific oversight to us. There will be a special convention on May 3, 2025 to determine if the two dioceses should continue to work together under one bishop. That result will then inform the Standing Committees as to whether there will be a search for one or two bishops.
Our beloved Vicar, Nancy Guenther, retired at the end of August. She served the parish of St. John's for the last 15 years and we will miss her cheerful presence, outstanding sermons and sure guidance.
EUCHARIST AT HOME
St. John's has a licensed Eucharistic Visitor, a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. Our Visitor makes home visits with communion for those who are not able to come to services. Contact the church office 798-3219 for more information and for appointments.
FELLOWSHIP
Coffee Hour is held on the 4th Sunday of the month, after the service. Come and join the group. There will be baked goods and conversation.
FOOD PANTRY
We collected and delivered food to the Food Pantry at Thanksgiving and thank everyone for their generous donations.
The Ministry of Concern
The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern is an agency of last resort and works to support those in the greatest need. St. John's has partnered with the Ministry for over a decade, collecting linens and distributing clean, mended sets through St. John's Linen Closet and providing personal care products.
Donating Linens
St. John's is a collection point for linens as mentioned above. We welcome twin, full and queen sized linens, including sheets, blankets, bedspreads and mattress covers as well as comforters and throws.
Call the office at 798-3219 to donate.
The Medina Area Association of Churches
St. John's is a member of MAAC and supports and contributes to the efforts of the organization. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, St. John's collects food and gifts for local families in need.
PAWS
Each Fall St. John's holds The Blessing of the Animals and collects supplies for PAWS, the local pet shelter. PAWS can be reached at (585) 589-6397.
PAWS has need of paper towels, cat litter and donations of cash for operating expenses and vet bills.
St. John's is Part of Historic Medina
See St. John's Church in the Heritage Trail brochure. St. John's is listed as the Earliest Church in Orleans County. A wealth of local information is included in the brochure, designed by Chris Busch of the Orleans Renaissance Group and printed by the Print Shop in Medina. Tours of St. John's can be arranged by calling the office 798-3219.
Deacon Robin Kozlowski, Bishop Sean Rowe -- now Presiding Bishop, Deacon Diane Cox
Deacons who serve in the Genesee Region. Deacon Robin serves primarily in Orleans County and joins us on the 4th Sunday of the month. Deacon Diane serves as Parish Nurse and in parishes in Genesee County.
St. John's in the News
St. John’s is on the Tour: October 18 the Cobblestone Society will hold its annual tour of buildings of architectural interest in the area. This self-guided tour includes six local sites with a variety of styles and building materials. St. John’s is the only church on this year’s tour. https://orleanshub.com/cobblestone-announces-sites-for-annual-architectural-tour-of-homes/
BOCES Graduation: Students from the BOCES Adult Literacy Zone program received their diplomas at St. John’s on September 25. St. John’s has hosted the program in the Undercroft for several years and has signed a lease extending the program through next summer. https://orleanshub.com/17-earn-ged-through-orleans-niagara-bocess-adult-literacy-zone-program/
St. John's Church is featured on a poster by Tom Rivers, The Doors of Medina. The church was included in a new book, History of Sandstone in Orleans County, NY by author Jim Friday. Published in 2021, the book gives a number of examples of local buildings, including our own, described as having "charm and historical significance." Our doorway is also featured on a postcard, available for purchase at The Author's Note on Main Street and the Heritage Trail brochure.
Earliest Church in Orleans County
and The Church In the Middle of the Street
Partnership Online Worship
Since March 2020, hundreds of people across the partnership have gathered for online worship on Sunday mornings. A half-hour worship service continues to be offered on Sundays at 9 a.m. The format is a Zoom Meeting, which means participants can choose to have their cameras and microphones on to see and speak with one another. Preachers and worship leaders will be chosen from across the partnership. Once a month, the service will focus on prayers for reconciliation and healing.
St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 200 East Center Street in Medina, NY. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 699, Medina, 14103. Telephone (585)798-3219. Donations, memorials and pledges may be send to this address as well as any correspondence.
