First 30 Ministries

The First Thirty Years of life is how the Diocese of WNY frames our support of children’s, youth and young adult ministry. Most churches will tell you that they struggle with holding onto “their kids” after confirmation. In the Diocese we consider the First Thirty focus to counter-act what seems like an inevitable slide. Although still in it’s early stages of development, the First Thirty office offers a variety of support to parishes, regions and the diocese as a whole.

Our First Thirty office has links to a wide range of Sunday School curricula and other programming supports for children from toddlers through elementary school. Whether a big church or a small rural congregation with only one child the First Thirty office can help your parish provide programming that fits your needs and your capabilities. As you gain more young families we can link you with other parishes in your region with whom you can connect for family friendly activities such as Vacation Bible School for the whole family, camping options and partial day and day long outings. We are especially proud of our annual Family Camp.

For the youth of the diocese, the First Thirty office strives to connect the youth in churches with very few youth, with other parishes in their region, to create a critical mass. We are blessed to have parishes in our southern, northern and eastern regions with active and vibrant youth groups with whom we can link the youth in your church. We actively encourage mission trip opportunities for youth and are happy to offer a local mission trip option every year through the Jim Eaton Summer Reading Day Camp, held in Western New York. Additionally, we offer annual overnights, a “How to Get Ready for College” workshop, an evening with the Bishop at the Food Truck Rodeo and Western New York Day at Darien Lake.

Our young adult programming is much more organic, with the Bishop socializing, worshiping with and studying with young adults in a variety of venues, including Shakespeare in the Park, Canalside, the Elmwood Village and the Buffalo Zoo.

The First Thirty Office is ready to serve you. For more information please contact Canon Dempesy-Sims at 881-0660 ext 14 or cdsims@episcopalwny.org, or Wendy Schumacher at wschumacher@episcopalwny.org.

2019 First 30 Ministries Events

Apply by November 1 to Join the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) Delegation: July 7-11 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20) will take place on the campus of Howard University from July 7-11. The triennial event is for youth who are in grades 9-12 during the 2019-20 school year.
Applications to attend EYE as a youth delegate or adult chaperone are due by November 1. Delegation decisions will be made by November 15. Contact Wendy Schumacher, Missioner for Youth and Children, with any questions or concerns via email or 716-830-5443.
Learn more and apply. 

Children’s Halloween Party at Trinity Hamburg October 27

Trinity Church Hamburg will host a children’s Halloween party and costume contest on Sunday, October 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The theme for the costume contest is “Be A Hero”.  Advanced Tickets are free and can be ordered online or by calling Trinity Church at (716) 649-4320. Learn more on the Trinity website.