{e}Connections | May 28, 2024

{e}Connections is published each Tuesday. If you would like to have news or an event notice published in this newsletter, send it to communication@diosohio.org by noon on Monday before publication.

News

A budget that aligns with mission: 2025 budget development process gets underway

The diocese’s newly reorganized Budget Committee begins work next month, charged with crafting a 2025 budget that will align with Bishop White’s emerging vision for the diocese’s mission and ministry. For Brad Sturm, appointed by Bishop White to chair the committee, the job is larger than simply making the spreadsheet balance.

“One thing we want to be sure we do is increase the connectivity between the diocese and the members of the congregations,” Sturm said. “We want to help the congregations move together versus having a loose confederations of planets.”

From Bishop White: Ministry Architects final report on May 29

Dear People of God in Southern Ohio,

I am grateful to each one of you for the ways that you live and serve as members of the Body of Christ that is the Church throughout Southern Ohio.

Thanks to so many of you for your faithful participation in the diocesan-wide discernment gatherings these past few weeks. Our facilitators from Ministry Architects met with more than 200 participants from more than 48 congregations, and heard from nearly 20 additional voices via our online survey. These conversations marked the beginning of our work in developing a new shared mission for the diocese. I would love to invite you to a public presentation (via Zoom) of the final report from those discussions on Wednesday, May 29, at 10 a.m.

Ordinations June 1 and 15

God willing and the people consenting, the Right Reverend Kristin Uffelman White, Bishop of Southern Ohio, will ordain Libbie Crawford, Gayland Trim, and Kyle Schenkewitz to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on Saturday, June 1 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest and process (red stoles). A reception will follow the service.

God willing and the people consenting, the Right Reverend Kristin Uffelman White, Bishop of Southern Ohio, will ordain Catherine Duffy, Bradley Gough, Victoria Lewis, Alane Osborne, and Brooklin Taylor to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest and process (red stoles).

Both services will be live-streamed to Facebook and YouTube.

Save the Date: 50th Anniversary Philadelphia Eleven Commemorative Eucharist July 29

On Monday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m., St. John's, Worthington will host a commemorative Eucharist to celebrate and remember the 50th anniversary of women's ordination to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church.

All female clergy (deacons, priests, and bishops) of the diocese are invited to dinner before the service at 5 p.m. for a time of community and conversation. Watch upcoming newsletters for more detail, and save the date!

Resources and Reminders

Forms, policies, and other information for congregational management can be found under Resources on the diocesan website.

Nominations now open for Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna

Do you know an older adult who is living an exemplary life of faith and hope well into their older years? Nominations are now being accepted for the Class of 2024 of the Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna.

Created in 1995, the diocese honors the wisdom, experience, maturity, and achievements of older persons in the Diocese of Southern Ohio through induction into the Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna. Individuals can be nominated by any member or congregation in the diocese. Those chosen will be inducted into the Society at a celebratory Eucharist and luncheon at the Procter Center on Wednesday, September 11 at 11 a.m.

More information about the Society, criteria for nomination and the nominating form can be found here. Registration for the induction ceremony and luncheon will be posted this summer.

Upcoming diocesan meetings, events and deadlines

May 29 at 10 a.m.: Report presentation from Ministry Architects
May 29 at 6 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 1 at 11 a.m.: Diaconal Ordinations
June 1: Dayton Pride (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
June 1: Delaware Pride (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
June 1: Hamilton Pride (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
June 2: Worthington Pride (1 to 5 p.m.)
June 4 at 12 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 5 at 12 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 6 at 12 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 8: Hillsboro Pride (3 to 8 p.m.)
June 8: Portsmouth Pride (4 to 8 p.m.)
June 8: Westwood Pride (5 to 10 p.m.)
June 9: Upper Arlington Pride (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
June 11 at 12 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 12 at 10 a.m.: Commission on Congregational Life
June 12 at 12 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 13 at 12 p.m.: Dismantling Racism training
June 13 at 1:30 p.m.: Standing Committee
June 15 at 11 a.m.: Ordinations to the Priesthood
June 15: Stonewall Columbus Pride (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

A complete list of diocesan and community events can be found on the diocesan calendar.

Episcopal visitations

June 2: Trinity, Troy
June 9: St. John's, Lancaster
June 16: Christ Church, Xenia

Bishop White's visitation schedule and customary can be found on the bishop's office page of the diocesan website.

Love. Always. Episcopal Revival June 22

Join thousands of Episcopalians and neighbors for the Episcopal Revival, Saturday, June 22, at 7 to 9 p.m. at the KFC Yum Center in downtown Louisville. Together, we will give thanks for Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s ministry, kick off the 81st General Convention, deepen our love for God and one another, and welcome new friends discovering Jesus through The Episcopal Church.

The fun starts with a Revival Learning Party at Christ Church Cathedral from 2 to 5 p.m. Connect, learn, and be inspired via a host of workshops on evangelism, reconciliation, and creation care, taught by respected leaders from across the church.

Learn more and sign up here.

General Convention attendees simply show badge at door for Saturday evening revival.

The Diocese of Southern Ohio is proud to be a Revival Champion diocese. Email the Rev. Meredith Day Hearn (clergy@allsaintscincinnati.org) and Jerusalem Greer (jgreer@proctercenter.org) to learn more.

Diocesan initiatives and ministries

The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio has committed to the call of Becoming Beloved Community, with focus on the work of racial healing, reconciliation, justice-making and care of creation.

Formation & Mission

Beloved Community Book Club begins June 4

Beginning on June 4, Libbie Crawford, Lisa Hughes, Kim Nelson and Miriam McKenney will lead a Zoom gathering on the first Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8 p.m. to pray and discuss a book that will bring us closer to the dream God has for us as God’s beloved children.

The first book is "The Dream of God" by Verna Dozier. Request a free copy of the book when you register. Register here.

Reading the book is not mandatory for this book study. Whether you read a few pages or the whole book, our conversation will be better with you there--just prepare for spoilers! We’ll talk about the book—our favorite parts, where we see ourselves, and what this book has to do with us, our faith communities, and our diocese.

Download a flyer.

Acts of Mercy mission trip days in Columbus

In June, the Columbus Area Deanery will provide several opportunities for for teenagers and families to get involved in the community.

For youth: June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Open to all youth and parents in the Columbus area grades 6 through 12, these Sunday afternoon experiences provide an opportunity to serve our communities together following Jesus’ directives to show mercy to creation, the hungry, the afflicted, the newcomer, the sick, and those in prison. Come for one or all five Sundays in June to be God’s hands and feet in Central Ohio!

Carpools will leave from St. Patrick's, Dublin at noon each Sunday and return by 4 p.m.; participants can also meet at the ministry location listed for each week at 12:30 p.m. Please pack a water bottle and eat lunch before arriving.

For families: June 5, 12, 19, 26

On Wednesdays in June, Columbus-area families will practice creation care together. Meet at the week's location listed on the sign up form around 12:30 p.m. and plan to be finished about 3:30 p.m. Please eat lunch before arriving, bring a water bottle and appropriate gear for the project (details provided), and come serve God’s Creation together!

Forward Movement Retreat at Transfiguration Spirituality Center

July 8-10

A disciple’s work begins in prayer. Come pray, learn, and rest together. Walk the labyrinth, meditate by the waterfall, write prayers, pray with scripture, and more. Spend time deepening your prayer life in community with others in a beautiful setting.

Dates

Monday, July 8-10

optional 24 hour personal retreat July 10-11

Location

Transfiguration Spirituality Center 469 Albion Ave, Glendale, OH 45246

Retreat Leaders

Scott Gunn, Executive Director, Forward Movement

Miriam McKenney, Director of Mission, Forward Movement

Retreat rates

Thanks to a generous grant from the Diocese of Southern Ohio, we offer these reduced rates.

Prayer Retreat – includes meals & lodging, $200
Diocese of Southern Ohio member – includes meals & lodging, $120
Commuter rate – includes meals, $75

Using Picture Books for Racial Healing: a Dismantling Racism Certification Course

Picture books offer an excellent way to discover, discuss, and share stories about topics that many people did not study in school but that are crucial to the work of repairing, healing, and seeing God in each other.

Registration is open for Dismantling Racism training sessions taking place in the coming months. Miriam McKenney leads the trainings, which take place on Zoom.

June (4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 from 12 to 1 p.m.). Sign up here.

August (14, 21, 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.). Sign up here.

September (10, 17, 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.) Sign up here.

October (8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 from 12 to 1 p.m.) Sign up here.

November (7, 14, 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.) Sign up here.

December (3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 from 12 to 1 p.m.) Sign up here.

Email Director of Dismantling Racism Miriam McKenney to learn more.

Social Justice & Advocacy

Advocacy update

Advocacy briefings are compiled by Ariel Miller, a longtime community advocate and member of Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming.

This week:

Energy justice bills stalled. Keep calling!
Episcopalians attend Statehouse advocacy day for gun safety bills as Texas judge blocks federal rule expanding background checks
Ohio child care bill would launch three-way sharing of costs

Community Engagement

Volunteering at Pride

As a part of building Beloved Community and becoming a church that looks and acts like Jesus, the Diocese of Southern Ohio is committed to providing a significant presence of The Episcopal Church at Pride celebrations in our communities. This year we will sponsor festivals and booths, march in parades, and hold Pride services in sixteen communities around the diocese.

See all Pride events.

If you are interested in being a part of our witness of God's unconditional love to the LGBTQIA+ community, sign up here to volunteer at a Pride event near you. And if you are interested in establishing an Episcopal Church presence at a Pride festival near you, email Julie Murray, canon for communications and community engagement, for assistance with getting supplies, volunteers, vendor tents and more.

Around the diocese

Upcoming events at Procter Center

Procter Center is a ministry of the Diocese of Southern Ohio with the mission to embody and teach creation care, spiritual development, and hospitality by becoming a beloved community together. Learn more at proctercenter.org.

Camp Spotlight: Silver and Gold Camp - a side-by-side camp for seniors and young adults

Join Camp Guide Olivia Hamilton and crew Aug. 8-11 for a camp session that will foster belonging, spiritual connection, and beloved community!

https://www.proctercenter.org/camp/

Red Door Community Concert with Trio Apertif May 31

The final Red Door Community Concert of this season at Holy Trinity, Oxford, on Friday, May 31 at 12:15 p.m. will feature Trio Apertif, with snapshots from throughout musical history via trios for piano, violin, and cello.

The concert is free and open to the public, and will also be posted on the Holy Trinity YouTube channel.

Embroidery & Weaving Exhibit and Demonstration June 1

Transformations CDC will sponsor an embroidery exhibit, traditional Central and South American backstrap weaving demonstration, and weaving activity for kids on Saturday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Price Hill Library, 970 Purcell Ave. All are welcome.

The Most Magical Concert on Earth June 2

Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming, will hold a concert on Sunday, June 2 at 4 p.m. featuring Disney favorites for all generations. The concert will feature performances by the parish's chancel choir, section leaders, and minister of music. There is truly something for everyone, and you might also be inspired to go home and watch some of these movies that you may have missed!

A suggested donation of $15 will help support the Section Leader Fund and High School Choral Scholar program. A dinner will follow the concert. We hope you can join us!

Please note: We will be unable to live stream this concert because of copyright, so you’ll need to be there in person if you don’t want to miss out!

News from Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral is located at 318 E 4th Street in downtown Cincinnati. Learn more on the cathedral website.

Music Live at Lunch

Music Live at Lunch is a free, weekly concert series held on Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral featuring a variety of music. Bring your own lunch or buy one at the cathedral. Find the full schedule of concerts here.

Summer Music Camp

Monday, June 24 – Friday, June 28

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children ages 8 to 14 are invited to sing, play instruments, create art, and explore faith at the cathedral’s week-long music camp. The week will end with a chance for parents and friends to hear what the children have been learning! Register here.