{e}Connections | February 28, 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. | |
|
Nominations open for Society of St. Simeon and St. Anna
Do you know an older adult who is living a life of faith and hope well into their older years? Nominations are now being accepted for the Class of 2023 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, May 17 at 11 a.m.
Read more.
| |
Bishop nominations close at midnight | |
|
Bridging Bitter Divides: Stories and strengths for community reconciliation
An evening with Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Tuesday, March 21, 6 to 9 pm
St. Anne’s, West Chester
Bring friends and neighbors of any faith to this opportunity to develop listening skills and to heal the anger and fear disrupting our communities’ decisions at every level: streets, schools, workplaces, local governments, the state legislature, Congress, and courts. Participants will share stories, break bread together, and work with neighbors to increase hope and strength to build Beloved Community.
Dinner will be included. RSVP here by March 17. This free event is sponsored by the Faith in Life Committee of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
Learn more and register here. Download a flyer here.
| |
Clergy Renewal of Vows April 4 | |
The annual Clergy Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Holy Oils will take place on Tuesday, April 4, at 11 a.m. in Christ Chapel at the Procter Center. Lunch will follow the service. Register to attend here. | |
|
Planning is now underway for Pride events in several communities in the diocese in 2023.
If your congregation is interested in participating in Pride in your community, contact Julie Murray, Canon for Communication and Community Engagement, for assistance and resources for sharing the message of inclusive love that the Episcopal Church has to offer.
| |
Forms, policies, and other information for congregational management can be found on the resources hub on the diocesan website. | |
Expanded offerings on Freecycle Marketplace | Dozens of additional liturgical items have been added to the Freecycle Marketplace in the last several weeks. If you haven't checked it out lately, there just may be something you've been looking for waiting for you. | |
Parochial reports due March 1 | |
Diocesan Annual Reporting form due April 1 | |
The 2023 diocesan annual reporting form is now available on the diocesan website. Congregations should fill out this form immediately after their annual meetings, or no later than April 1.
Completing the form helps the bishop's staff update contact information for lay leadership, lay convention delegates, ministry leaders, facilities, human resources, financial information and more. Questions about the form should be directed to Canon Julie Murray at jmurray@diosohio.org.
| |
Lawrence Home academic grants provide opportunities for young women | |
|
The Academic Grant for Minority Women program helps finance the post-secondary education of minority women, regardless of age, who are affiliated with an Episcopal church within the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The association expects to make eight grants in 2023. The application deadline is March 17.
Learn more.
| |
Upcoming diocesan meetings & events | |
|
A complete list of diocesan and community events can be found on the diocesan calendar.
-
Mar 1: Parochial Report deadline
-
Mar 2 at 2 p.m.: Standing Committee
-
Mar 8 at 1 p.m.: Commission on Congregational Life
-
Mar 11 at 10 a.m.: Diocesan Council
-
Mar 16 at 10 a.m.: Trustees of the Diocese
-
Mar 16 at 2 p.m.: Standing Committee
-
Mar 17: Deadline for Academic Grants for Minority Women
-
Mar 18 at 10 a.m.: Procter Board
| |
Diocesan initiatives and ministries | |
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio has committed to the call of Becoming Beloved Community, with deepening focus on the work of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice-making. | |
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. | |
Lenten Learning Opportunities | |
40-Day Journey to Remembering Soul and Spirit | |
Through April 2.
Join Amy Howton and Miriam McKenney for a Lenten series based on the book Innerground Railroad: A 40 Day Journey of Remembering Soul and Spirit by Howton and Quanita Roberson. Participants will be emailed daily activities and meditations and participate in weekly meeting on Sundays through April 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All materials will be provided at no cost. Email amy@wildrootsinc.com with questions.
Sign up online to take part in the series and receive a Zoom link.
| |
|
The Faith and Life Committee and the Creation Care and Environmental Justice Commission recommend Deep Green Faith, a five-week online course for clergy and lay leaders. Participants will explore ways to expand creation care beyond committee actions, material stewardship, and personal life adjustments.
Dates: March 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 7:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Learn more and register.
For a conversation about financial assistance for you or your parish, contact the Rev. Canon Jason Oden.
| |
Using Picture Books for Racial Reconciliation | |
On Tuesdays at 11 a.m. during Lent, Miriam McKenney and Emma Helms-Steinmetz will lead conversations about the work of dismantling racism by using picture books. Picture books offer a way to discover, discuss, and share stories about topics many people did not learn about in school but are crucial as we work to repair, heal, and see God in each other. Participants will discuss a different book each week, and choose one of the books to add to their home libraries at the end of the program.
Recordings of the sessions will be available only to those who sign up due to copyright regulations.
| |
|
Dismantling Racism trainings
The next Dismantling Racism Bible Study trainings will be:
-
Thursdays, March 16, 23, 30 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sign up here.
-
Wednesdays, May 3, 10, 17 at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sign up here.
The trainings will be co-led by Director of Dismantling Racism Miriam McKenney. Additional trainings will be offered in the second half of the year; sign up to receive an email when those dates are set.
Read more on the diocesan website.
| |
|
Dungeons and Dragons retreat
Calling all high school students: You are invited to a Dungeons & Dragons Retreat May 5-7 at Procter. This will be an immersive campaign setting for the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, which includes dozens of new options for player characters and a myriad of spells, monsters, and magic items steeped in history to bring the world of the first century to life at the table.
Learn more and register.
| |
|
Capture the Flag Night March 26
All 6th-12th grade students are invited to play Capture the Flag and have fun around the campfire at Espíritu Santo in Forest Park on Sunday, March 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For details and to sign up vist bit.ly/belovedyouth Contact Adam Hayden with any questions 812-430-4464 / ahayden@diosohio.org.
| |
Peace and reconciliation experiences | |
|
Civil Rights Pilgrimage
The Diocese of Southern Ohio will sponsor an intergenerational Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Atlanta, Selma, Montgomery, Chattanooga, and other destinations from May 31 to June 7.
The cost of the trip will be $1,678 for a double occupancy room and $2,296 for a single. Scholarships will be made available upon request. Learn more and register here, or contact the Rev. Christopher C. Richardson with questions.
| |
|
Holy Land Pilgrimage
The Rev. Canon Jason Oden and Rabbi Brad Hirschfield will lead Holy Land pilgrimage and study tour September 5 to 15. To learn more, reach out to Canon Jason Oden. Scholarships are available.
| |
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’s policy update offers you three actions and provides background:
- Join a team to advocate for quality education for all Ohio students. This spring is pivotal.
- Join a team to improve food security for all Ohioans through the state budget
- Ask your Ohio legislators to stop corruption through specific remedies
Next week, we’ll report issues around the East Palestine derailment, renewable energy, and the revived proposal to make it harder for citizens to amend Ohio’s constitution.
Read the Advocacy Briefing.
| |
|
Stations of the Cross at St. Francis, Springboro
The members of St. Francis, Springboro, will pray the Stations of the Cross each Saturday in Lent. We begin at 9:30 a.m.
The Stations depicted in the photo were originally installed at St. Michaels and All Angels in Avondale.
| |
|
Concert at All Saints, Pleasant Ridge supports music education
March 12
On March 12 at 5 p.m., All Saints, Pleasant Ridge will present a concert from the 4-Way Quartet including the music of Schubert, Jesse Montgomery, folk song arrangements, and more. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds go to the 4-Way String Project, a free music education program in Norwood. The concert will be followed by a reception catered by Chef Tiffiny Dawson.
Purchase tickets.
| |
Choral Evensong at St. Mark's, Upper Arlington March 5 | |
The choir of St. Mark’s, Upper Arlington, will offer a service of Choral Evensong on Sunday, March 5 at 4 p.m. Music will include the Second Service by William Byrd, responses by Bernard Rose, and anthems by Johannes Brahms and Martin Lauridsen. Admission is free. Donations will be gratefully received in support of the Special Music Fund at St. Mark’s. A reception will follow. Learn more. | |
St. Barnabas to launch new music series March 12 | |
St. Barnabas, Montgomery will launch a new music series, St.B@3, on Sunday, March 12 at 3 p.m. with a performance by members of the Starling Chamber Orchestra. This preparatory program from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music will perform music by Mozart, Bach, Leclair and Sarasate.
Learn more
| |
Updates from Christ Church Cathedral | |
Bryan Stevenson headlines Taft Lecture on March 17 | |
Bryan Stevenson will speak at Christ Church Cathedral on March 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Stevenson is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative. He is widely known for his best-selling book Just Mercy, which has also been adapted into a feature film.
This event, which is part of the Taft Lecture Series, is free to the public, but space is limited. Registration is required. Click here to register.
| |
Terra Divina Contemplative Prayer Retreat: Exploring Wilderness and Renewal
March 24 - 26
Procter Center
During this Lenten weekend retreat we will practice seeing, remembering, and re-centering through contemplative prayer, solo wandering, counsel, somatic movement, and song.
Learn more
| |
2023 Lenten Devotional Project
For each of the 40 days of Lent, the Liturgical Arts Collective asked members of the cathedral community to read, reflect on, and respond imaginatively to their appointed scriptures for that day from the lectionary, holding in mind a general theme of unexpected sustenance in desolate places, or "water in the desert." This devotional is the result.
View the devotional here.
| |
Music Live at Lunch
Music Live at Lunch is a free, weekly concert series held on Tuesdays, September through May, at 12:10 p.m.
Upcoming performers:
Mar 7: The Southbank Quartet
Mar 14: Estrada do Sol (Brazilian music)
Mar 21: Lisa Biales (folk music)
Mar 28: Cello students from the studio of Sarah Kim & Alan Rafferty
| |
Updates from Procter Center | |
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.
| Beautification Day April 22 | |
Friends of Procter Center will gather on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Beautification Day. Projects include:
- Creating an herb and lettuce garden.
- Repotting plants in the greenhouse.
- Weeding and cultivating the raised beds and high tunnel.
- Transplanting vegetables from the greenhouse to the field.
- Planting in the flower beds outside Thompson Lodge, Christ's Chapel, and the Sawyer Greenhouse.
- Weeding and planting in the two court yards.
- Building a firepit by the lake.
- Cleaning out Blanchard Commons.
RSVP here.
| |
|
Registration for Procter Camp 2023 is now open. On April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Procter will host an Open House and Spring Craft Show. This is an opportunity to learn more about camp, tour the grounds, and get help with registration. Learn more.
2023 Camp Dates
- Tween Camp: July 24-26
- Middle School Camp: July 17-22
- Senior High Camp: June 26-July 1
- Day Camp: June 12-August 4*
- Family Camp 1: July 12-15
- Family Camp 2: July 26-29
- Silver Camp 1: June 21-24
- Silver Camp 2: August 1-4
*Camp will not take place the week of July 3-7
Visit the Procter Center website to learn more and register.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
See all job opportunities on the diocesan website.
Latest postings:
-
Church Music Director/Organist/ Keyboardist (Part-time), Church of the Ascension, Middletown
-
Respite Counselor, Procter Center
-
Rector, St. Anne's, West Chester
-
Associate Rector for Discipleship, Church of the Redeemer, Cincinnati
-
Digital Missioner, St. John's, Columbus
-
Nursery Attendant (part-time), St. Andrew's, Pickerington
Email communication@diosohio.org to add a job listing.
| | | | |
