BATAVIA — The ongoing blizzard and travel ban have area churches changing their plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Several area churches have announced cancellations. The list will be updated as information is received.
They include:
n Ascension Parish in Batavia has canceled all Masses this weekend due to the inclement conditions. There will be no livestreamed Mass.
n Albion Presbyterian Christmas Eve services are canceled and Christmas Day worship is online only. To view Christmas Day service, go to Albion First Presbyterian Facebook Page.
n Batavia First Presbyterian Church has canceled its in-person worship and will go to an online option. The online Christmas worship will go live at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 24. It will have a mix of prayers, readings, and music. The link is https://www.facebook.com/fpcbatavia/videos/.
n Castile United Church of Christ, 4 Washington St., Castile, has canceled is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services due to ongoing weather conditions. “It is with full consideration for the safety and wellbeing of our church family that this difficult decision has been made,” Temporary Pastor Tammy Lathan said in a message to the church’s congregation.
n Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church has canceled Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
n Emmanuel Baptist Church in Batavia has canceled its Christmas Eve service tonight.
n North Darien Bible Church has canceled its Christmas Eve Service. The Christmas Day service is still panned for 10 a.m. Sunday.
With severe weather forecast through Sunday it is advisable to check with your church to see if services are still scheduled before heading out for services.
n Northgate Church, 8160 Bank Street Rd., Batavia, and Arbor House, 350 Bank St., Batavia, have canceled services that were scheduled for Dec. 24 and 25. There will be an online service available beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 24. To view the online service visit northgatefmc.com or Facebook.com/northgatefmc
The blizzard warning for Genesee and Orleans counties is scheduled to be in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday and the winter storm warning for Wyoming County is in effect until 1 a.m. Monday.
n The Eastern Rural Roman Catholic Community family of churches updated on its Mass schedules.
No Christmas masses will be celebrated at the Mary Immaculate sites in Pavilion or East Bethany, while Christmas Eve masses will take place 4 p.m. at St. Michael’s in Warsaw and 6 p.m. at St. Isadore’s in Perry. A midnight Christmas Mass will take place at St. Michael’s in Warsaw with Christmas Mass at 9 a.m. Sunday at St. Isadore’s in Silver Springs.
A Christmas day mass will also be broadcast 8:30 to 8:35 a.m. on CJ Country Radio.
“If a travel ban is put into place in Wyoming County, please do not travel to Warsaw, Perry or Silver Springs,” said Fr. Michael LaMarca. “Travel ban or not, please use discretion, common sense and caution when deciding to travel for Christmas Mass celebrations. If you are in ministry, music, lector or server and cannot make it to a Mass you were scheduled at, no worries, do not feel obligated.”
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP MICHAEL FISHER
The following statement is from Bishop Michael Fisher of the Diocese of Buffalo:
“Many areas of Western New York are facing heavy snowfalls and drifting along with extremely high winds, bitter wind chills, and power outages. These are dangerous and life-threatening conditions.
Please respect the travel bans in our communities. Although it is Christmas, in these dangerous conditions, no one should put themselves or others at risk.
This Christmas, I have asked those parishes who have livestream capabilities to livestream their Christmas Masses. Do not attempt to attend Masses in person.
Use the livestream technology to spiritually connect with others in prayer as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Also, please check on neighbors who may be in need.
I wish all a Blessed and Safe Christmas, especially our first responders, utility workers, hospital workers, and all those serving our communities during this historic storm.”