Sign up for listening sessions with the bishop |
Bishop Breidenthal will host three Zoom listening sessions on Thursday, August 27, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m., to encourage all of us to share and seek information not only from the diocesan office but from other Episcopalians.
In preparation for these gatherings, please think about what you would like to learn from congregations that you normally would not be in contact with, and what you will share with others about things you have learned and things that have worked well for you during the pandemic.
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Free screening of Rigged: The Voter Supression Playbook August 18
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Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook takes a rigorous look at voter suppression and sparks spirited discussion on the actions needed to protect our democracy. This award-winning documentary was shot principally during the 2016 election. The film tracks a systematic, decade-long effort to suppress votes at scale and reverse the growing demographic tide of non-white and younger voters who helped elect President Barack Obama in 2008. Using cinema verite, #RiggedTheFilm details a variety of mendacious voter suppression “plays,” or tactics, ranging from the purging of voting rolls and passing of new, restrictive voter ID laws to gerrymandering and voter intimidation. It is narrated by Emmy & Tony award-winning actor, Jeffrey Wright. (70 minutes)
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Join Ohio Council of Churches on Tuesday, August 18 at 7 p.m. via Zoom to view the movie and help more from a panel following the movie. To register, click here
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Free webinars from CEEP Network |
The CEEP Network and our partners are pleased to present the following webinars to strengthen lay and clergy leaders across a changed and changing church.
- Anglican Social Ethics and the Search for Justice 8/13 at 3pm EDT
- Painful Legacies: Systemic Racism in America and Britain 8/14 at 3pm EDT
- Resource Development: Weaving Together Strategic Planning, Communications, and Fundraising 8/18 at 3pm EDT
- From Inspiration to Illumination, an Exploration of The Saint John’s Bible 8/19 at 3pm EDT
- The Role of Liturgy and Music in Formation 8/20 at 3pm EDT
- Right Sizing Webinar 8/26 at 3pm EDT
- Investing in Racial Justice through an Endowment 8/27 at 3pm EDT
- Post-Emergency COVID Communications: How Episcopal Churches Can Adapt, Engage, and Thrive 9/16 at 3pm EDT
- The Power of Art to Address Racial Inequality and Promote Inclusion 9/29 at 3pm EDT
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Reminder: Church Audits due September 1 |
A reminder to clergy and lay parish leadership that annual church audits are due September 1. Completing your audit procedures may be somewhat complicated by physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is best to get started soon so you will have no trouble meeting the deadline.
Information about church audits can be found in the Policies section on our Resource page. Questions about audits can be directed to the Rev. David Getreu at dgetreu@diosohio.org. |
Free lunch and voter registration event at TSC |
Pick up your voter registration or mail-in ballot application and enjoy a free lunch! Wednesday, Aug. 19, 11-3 at Transfiguration Spirituality Center. |
Protecting Places of Worship virtual forum |
Racial Justice Resources from ECF Vital Practices |
A curated collection of resources for engagement and learning on the themes of racial justice, healing and reconciliation. Learn more
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August Summer Book Club pick - Deacon King Kong
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Our book for August 26 Summer Reading Group is Deacon King Kong by James McBride.
Amazon review:
“In September 1969, a fumbling, cranky old church deacon known as Sportcoat shuffles into the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project in south Brooklyn, pulls a .38 from his pocket, and, in front of everybody, shoots the project’s drug dealer at point-blank range.
The reasons for this desperate burst of violence and the consequences that spring from it lie at the heart of Deacon King Kong, James McBride’s funny, moving novel. In Deacon King Kong, McBride brings to vivid life the people affected by the shooting: the victim, the African-American and Latinx residents who witnessed it, the white neighbors, the local cops assigned to investigate, the members of the Five Ends Baptist Church where Sportcoat was deacon, the neighborhood’s Italian mobsters, and Sportcoat himself.
As the story deepens, it becomes clear that the lives of the characters—caught in the tumultuous swirl of 1960s New York—overlap in unexpected ways. When the truth does emerge, McBride shows us that not all secrets are meant to be hidden, that the best way to grow is to face change without fear, and that the seeds of love lie in hope and compassion.
Bringing to these pages both his masterly storytelling skills and his abiding faith in humanity, James McBride has written a novel every bit as involving as his earlier novels, The Good Lord Bird and The Color of Water. Told with insight and wit, Deacon King Kong demonstrates that love and faith live in all of us.
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Virtual retreat from Transfiguration Spirituality Center |
Click the image above to download this flyer. |
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Dismantling Racism - free Zoom training August 29 |
One way that the Diocese of Southern Ohio addresses the racism within us and around us is through anti-racism training, called Dismantling Racism. The training is required of diocesan leaders, including members of commissions and committees, church staff, and vestry members.
Training is a two step process:
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Before registering for the workshop, view one of the videos in the Racial Justice section on the DSO Learning Site https://dsolearning.org/courses-list/#racialjustice. You will be asked for feedback on the video on your registration form.
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Register for the next Zoom training on Saturday, August 29. You will be sent a link to the training after you have registered.
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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Calling for stories from our youth - Rise Up! |
Why Black Lives Matter: Becoming Beloved Community (Youth Story Submission)
We are inviting everyone between the ages of 12 and 21 to share their creative expressions of racial justice and faith. These stories can be written, visual, performance-based, or any other form of creative expression you can think of. Our hope is that youth from all backgrounds will take this opportunity to share their wisdom and vision through stories that need to be told right now for our common spiritual and racial healing. We are especially hoping that the youth of Southern Ohio can locate themselves in the larger story of what is happening in our society and use that to inspire and encourage us all in becoming beloved community.
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The deadline to turn in your story is September 1. All youth who participate will be invited to share their stories with others across our diocese on October 10. Awards up to $500 are available to stories chosen by our team across multiple categories, and we will celebrate and honor everyone who submitted a story. Learn more
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Follow the latest news and events related to The Episcopal Church's work on Becoming Beloved Community here in our diocese at http://dsobeloved.org.
Click here to subscribe to the Becoming Beloved Community newsletter
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Connecting with our cathedral |
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Want to stay up to date with everything that is happening at Christ Church Cathedral? Check out the Weekly GPS, an e-newsletter sent out every Friday that includes all the upcoming (virtual) offerings at the cathedral.
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Connecting with The Episcopal Church |
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Celebrating the Season of Creation |
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This fall, Christians around the world will celebrate the Season of Creation, a time to repair and renew our relationship with the Earth and one another. How will you participate?
The Episcopal Church has joined this international effort for prayer and action for environmental justice from September 1 to St. Francis Day on October 4. A new page has been added to the Church website: "Season of Creation and St. Francis Day Resources" with prayers, liturgies, event ideas, and more! As we continue to grapple with the crises of COVID-19, racism, and climate change, this Season calls us to consider anew our ecological, economic, and political ways of living.
This theme of the Season of Creation 2020 is Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope. You can read more about this vision for restoration, hope, and transformation on the Season of Creation Website.
Planning Brainstorm Zoom Call:
As you think about how your church or community could get involved, we hope you'll join us for a Season of Creation Planning Brainstorm on August 20 at 5:30 PM EST. This will be an open discussion where you can ask questions, share your ideas, and learn from what others are planning. All ideas are welcome - whether you imagine hosting a discussion series, supporting a local farm or gleaning effort, joining a campaign for environmental justice, or hosting a Blessing of the Animals service. Register here: tinyurl.com/SeasonCreation.
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Connecting with job opportunities |
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St. Andrew's, Pickerington
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