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{e}Connections | May 30, 2023

{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 the Monday before publication.

News

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry receiving medical monitoring and treatment

Over Memorial Day weekend, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was admitted to the hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he underwent testing for internal bleeding and a heart condition. He has been discharged and will be monitored while working on a reduced schedule from home. Read more.

Sarah Beegle and Kristi Reynolds: New Voices in the Diocesan Office

These days, clergy and congregational leaders who call the diocesan office for assistance are likely to talk with Sarah Beegle in the Transition Office or Kristi Reynolds in the Bishop’s Office. Both women joined the diocesan staff last spring after working in health care for many years and are bringing fresh perspectives and energy to their new roles.


In Beegle’s new role, which she describes as “a good natural progression” in her career, she works closely with Canon Michael Spencer, the Commission on Ministry, and leaders of congregations in clergy transitions. She has also begun supporting Canon Jason Oden and the Formation Team, particularly in the areas of lay ministry licensure and the administrative aspects of the church planting and restart efforts, called new Episcopal communities, being led by the Rev. Joseph Kovitch. She is also the person to call about background checks for lay employees and the supply clergy list.


Like Beegle, Reynolds found the diocese through a recruiter, who told her that the job involved supporting an executive team and working directly with the community. Raised Roman Catholic, she was immediately intrigued. Her first year in the job, which involves supporting both Bishop Wayne Smith and Canon to the Ordinary John Johanssen, has lived up to the recruiter’s promise.


“I love getting to help people and connect with them directly,” she says. “I work often with clergy to coordinate the bishop’s visitation schedule, and I also often hear from parishioners who have questions or concerns.” Being the bishop’s assistant means doing “whatever comes across my plate,” she says. Her core responsibilities include handling scheduling, travel arrangements, and working with clergy who want to become canonically resident, be licensed to officiate in the diocese, or move their residency to another diocese. She also supports various committees including the diocesan Trustees and serves on the diocesan convention’s Dispatch of Business committee.


Read more on the website.


image: Sarah Beegle, left, and Kristi Reynolds

Upcoming Ordinations

June 3


God willing, the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, Bishop Provisional of Southern Ohio, will ordain Katherine Glenda Meeks to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on Saturday, June 3 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest and process (red stoles).


June 10


God willing, the Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, Bishop Provisional of Southern Ohio, will ordain Martha Camele, Daniel Carlson, Iva Staats, and Michael Tigner to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on Saturday, June 10 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral. Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest and process (white stoles).

Applications for Episcopal Community Ministries grants open through June 15

ECM logo

The application is now available online for the second round of 2023 Episcopal Community Ministries (ECM) grants. ECM enthusiastically welcomes applications from congregations that need help funding existing outreach ministries or are seeking seed money to launch new service initiatives.


To qualify for an ECM grant, ministries must have the active participation of church members and be supported by congregational resources. Grants are now awarded twice annually – in February and July. The application deadline is June 15.


Read more here. If you have questions, please contact ECM administrator Andrea Owens aowens@diosohio.org.

Resources and Reminders

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

Free facility condition assessments for congregations; opt-in by June 1

Each church property in the diocese is eligible for a facility condition assessment provided free of charge thanks to the support of the Trustees of the Diocese, the Church Foundation Trustees, Diocesan Council, and the Commission on Congregation Life. The assessments will be conducted by Smart Church Solutions.


Opt in to this initiative by emailing the Rev. David Getreu, diocesan canon for budget and finance, at dgetreu@diosohio.org by June 1.

Upcoming diocesan meetings & events


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

Episcopal visitations

Jun 4: St. Patrick's, Dublin

June 11: St. John's, Columbus

June 18: Trinity, Columbus


See the full schedule here.

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, and justice-making. 

Community Engagement

Celebrate Pride in the Diocese of Southern Ohio


The Diocese of Southern Ohio is committed to bearing witness to God's inclusive love at Pride festivals in our communities, and this year, twelve community Pride festivals in Southern Ohio will have an official Episcopal Church presence.


This week: Dayton Pride, Delaware Pride, and Hamilton Pride.


Find all the events and dates at diosohio.org/pride. Sign up to participate at any of the 2023 Pride events here.

Light the World with Love at St. John's, Worthington

St. John’s, Worthington will host "Light the World with Love," an outdoor light show in celebration of Pride, June 9 to 11.


The light show will include live performances by the Worthington Chorus and St. John’s Choir, and will be held each evening from 8 to 10 p.m. Sweet treats from Kona Ice will be available on Friday and Saturday and from Chill Joy Frozen Treats on Sunday.


St. John’s is located at 700 High Street in Worthington (near the SE Green).

Columbus Pride weekend


A full weekend of events is planned for Columbus Pride, June 15-17.

Winnie Varghese

A Pride Mass will be held on Thursday, June 15 at Trinity Church on Capitol Square. A reception will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m., and the mass will begin at 7 p.m. The Rev. Winnie Varghese, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, will be the guest preacher. Music will be provided by the Noon Service musicians from Christ Church Cathedral.


The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival begins Friday, June 16 at 4 p.m. Help is needed to staff the Episcopal Church booth. Sign up here.


On Saturday, the Pride parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. You must sign up to march in the parade with the Episcopal Church group. Following the parade, the Episcopal Church booth will be at the festival from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sign up here to volunteer.

Formation & Mission

The diocesan formation team curates a monthly resource guide that includes both resources and opportunities for your congregation. Sign up for the resource guide here.

Register for Summer Camp 2023


Procter Center summer camp begins soon, and registration is open through the CampBrain online portalThis summer, campers will enjoy the usual fun of summer camp plus the First Gardener Program, a learning lab at Sawyer Gardens & Greenhouse at Procter Center Farm. Fifteen rows of vegetables, flowers, and gourds, plus a plot of sweet corn will be places for tasting, exploring, harvesting, and enjoying creation. Learn more.


Procter Center Camp never turns a camper away due to cost or financial hardship. Camperships and tiered pricing are both available; learn more on the Procter website, and email camp@proctercenter.org with questions.

A Community Gathering


On Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a team of Becoming Beloved Community leaders will host a community gathering for all ages at Procter. Activities will include fellowship and sharing stories, a song circle, communal song-writing, gardening with native plants, and guided tours of the property. Lunch will be provided.


Please RSVP here by June 5 . Please email Amy Howton at amyjhowton@gmail.com with questions. 

Diocesan dads virtual group to launch June 18


Dads are invited to join a Facebook hosted by Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry Adam Hayden to provide a place to connect, reflect and find support and encouragement.


Participants will be invited to participate in weekly discussions for four weeks.


Sign up to join here.

Dismantling Racism trainings


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. Trainings, which are limited to 20 participants, will take place this summer:


  • June (June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 from 12 to 1 p.m.) Sign up here.
  • August (16, 23, 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) Sign up here.


Email Director of Dismantling Racism Miriam McKenney to learn more.

Mission Immersion: Asheville, NC


Youth (grades 7-12) are invited to take part in a mission immersion experience from July 23 to 28. The group will travel to Asheville, North Carolina to assist outreach organizations, learn together, grow together, and have tons of fun. For more information, contact Adam Hayden at 812-430-4464 or ahayden@diosohio.org

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: House could vote Wednesday, May 31 on bill to raise the debt ceiling, Senate expected to vote this coming weekend. 


This week's update provides a quick summary of the compromise announced by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over the Memorial Day weekend; its implications for safety net programs and environmental concerns; and a quick link to find and contact your Congressmember and Senators. You’ll also find a list of some of the many Americans who would be harmed if the federal government defaults and has to stop paying its bills.


Read the advocacy briefing.

Around the diocese

A & HT Music Ministry: "Come Travel With Me!"

The Music Ministry of Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming, presents "Come Travel With Me!", a concert and meal, on Sunday, June 4 at 5 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the new High School Choral Scholar Program, which will provide two area students with intensive training in the art of choral singing and practical skills to add to their resumes and college applications.


Cost: $20 suggested donation. Learn more here.

Juneteenth celebration at All Saints, New Albany

All Saints, New Albany will host a Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 18, from 12 to 6 p.m. There will be free entertainment featuring the Urban Jazz Coalition and Jamie Said So, food trucks with cuisine from Nigeria, Mexico, and America, local vendors, crafts and games. 


The event is part of the congregation's long-term commitment to Becoming Beloved Community through education, commemoration, and celebration.


Learn more on the Facebook event page.

Updates from Procter Center

Procter Center Logo

The Procter Camp and Conference Center is located at 11235 State Route 38 SE in London, Ohio. Learn more on the Procter Center website and subscribe to the monthly newsletter.

Amazon Wish List


Please consider making a donation to camp this summer via our Amazon Wish List


See the list.

Pick up a Harvest Box at camp


Don't forget that you can order a Happy Harvest Box of produce from Procter Farm and pick it up at camp. Just make sure to click the box on your camp registration!

Become a Procter CSA distribution location


Procter Center Farm is committed to providing our communities with access to freshly picked, local vegetables. Congregations in the greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas that would like to become CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) distribution locations can contact Danielle Vogel, dvogel@proctercenter.org or call 740-490-6025, to learn more.

Procter Center is hiring!


Procter Center is hiring the following positions:


  • Extended season to year-round staff needed:
  • Respite Care Counselors (a year-round, one weekend per month role)
  • Evening Cook (part-time, with full-time opportunity)
  • Housekeeping (part-time, with full-time opportunity)
  • Ground Crew & Maintenance (part-time, with full-time opportunity)
  • Farm Hands (paid internship)
  • Hospitality Attendant


Email info@proctercenter.org or call 740.206.2036 for more information, and to apply.


Job opportunities

See all job opportunities on the diocesan website.


Latest postings:


  • Missioner for the Northwest Region, Diocese of Southern Ohio
  • Director of Student Ministries, St. Luke's Methodist Church, Indianapolis
  • Minister of Communication, St. Patrick's, Dublin
  • Parish Administrator, St. Philip's, Columbus
  • Communications and Office Assistant, St. Patrick's, Lebanon
  • Summer Camp Counselor, Procter Summer Camp
  • Administrator/Bookkeeper (part time), Grace Church, College Hill
  • Digital Missioner, St. John's, Columbus


Email communication@diosohio.org to add a job listing.

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