Canon Dempesy-Sims Takes New Role with Genesee Regional Initiative

The Rev. Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims, partnership canon for pastoral care and congregational support, will devote 90 percent of her time to ministry with the Genesee Regional Initiative beginning June 15. Bishop Sean announced her new role, in which she will also provide pastoral care to clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese of Western New York with 10 percent of her time, in a meeting with leaders of the initiative last week in Batavia.

As part of the partnership dioceses’ strategy to deploy diocesan staff in congregations, Canon Dempesy-Sims has served St. James, Batavia, part of the Genesee Regional Initiative, as part-time priest-in-charge since 2021 and as lead of the regional initiative since January.

“In the last eighteen months, Cathy’s ministry in the Genesee region has been transformative,” Bishop Sean said. “Her care for the people and congregations in this innovative initiative has been extraordinary. Now, together, they are moving forward into a new season of ministry. I am grateful and delighted that Cathy has accepted my request to devote her time more fully to God’s mission in this part of Western New York.”

“The tenacity of the people here in the Genesee region, their willingness to try new things and their commitment to one another is inspiring,” Canon Dempesy-Sims said. “In this new ministry, I plan on equipping each of our eight congregations with as much support as possible in congregational vitality, pastoral connections and lay leadership training. The goal of this regional initiative is to brighten the light of Christ in this increasingly unpredictable and difficult world and to inspire all of God’s people here with and hope for the future. Together, our vital, hope-filled and responsive Episcopal presence in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties can flourish to the glory of God.”

This article was originally published on the Episcopal Partnership website.