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As a ministry of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, Procter Center witnesses to the Good News of God’s love by embodying and teaching creation care, spiritual growth, hospitality, and belonging.
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In this issue:
- We recap some amazing events (thanks to all who attended ECCG!!!)
- Save the dates for our fall and winter season!
...And much more! Don't forget to follow us @proctercenter on Instagram and Facebook to catch regular updates, highlights, and events.
| | Episcopal Creation Care Gathering Recap | | |
The annual Episcopal Creation Care Gathering (ECCG) was held over four days in September here at Procter. More than 75 creation care leaders from across 30 dioceses joined in learning, worship, fellowship, and workshops. And campfires. And farm chores. And porch conversations.
The Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascomb, Consultant to The Episcopal Church for the Eco-Region Networks of Creation Care, keyed the event. Cathleen led off the event with reflections on “Holy Callings for All Creation” using scripture, art, and experience. The event centered on Episcopal Eco-Regions and how the myriad creation care ministries within the Episcopal Church work together.
Creation care leaders with long experience across the church were present to lend wisdom and offer insight. Over a dozen workshops hosted conversations ranging from land justice to regenerative spirituality, preaching, green teams, scripture, theology, and engagements with eco-justice and the Beauty Way. The gathering was deeply rooted in conversation, connection, prayer, and reflection, which was transformational for all involved.
Worship experiences held in dimly lit chapels, outdoor labyrinths, woods, and around campfires included celebrations of wild church, Terra Divina, encounters with eco-grief, and a farm-to-table Eucharist lunch, which included homemade communion bread beautifully prepared by Chef Xandra and her team.
To see pictures, comments, and celebrations of the event, go to the ECCG Facebook page. The 2027 annual ECCG will be held back here at Procter Center on April 15-17, 2027. Stay tuned for registration to open Novebmer 1 and informed.
A huge thanks to the DSO Creation Care and Environmental Justice Task Force for its support of DSO participants.
Follow the ECCG Network at:
ECCG Network Facebook
ECCG Network Instagram
| | | It's time for the Fall Youth Retreat! | | |
Join us for our Fall Youth Retreat, Better Together, a retreat for youth looking to form deeper connections with each other, God, nature, and themselves!
Who: Youth in grades 5-12
Check in Friday, Nov 13, 5 pm | Check out Sunday, November 15, 12 pm
Cost: $150 per camper, Camperships available (email us!)
Activities: Campfire, Sing-alongs, Lake Activities, Sports Ball, Arts & Crafts, Procter Games, Spiritual Formation, Peer-to-Peer activities
Procter youth events are a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, we strive to be an inclusive and diverse place for youth, to learn, play, and pray together – growing in faith and resilience through fun, safe, and meaningful camp experiences.
| | | Upcoming Fun to Add to Your Calendar | |
What's cozier than a winter campover??
(nothing)
| | Tis the season for an Advent Event at Procter! | | |
Join us at Procter Center for an afternoon of all-things-Advent, for all ages!
Activities will include:
• Foraging and hiking around Leo Lake in search of branches, berries, pinecones, and more to build and decorate our Advent Wreaths
• Cookies & Hot Chocolate Bar
• Candle Making
• Blessing of the Advent Wreaths
• Games & Carols
Who: Individuals, Families, Couples, Church Groups, Community Groups - everyone is welcome!
When: Saturday, December 5, 1-4 pm.
Where: Procter Center Pavilion (or Hobson Hall, depending on weather!)
Bring a warm coat & gloves, some shoes for easy hiking, and a friend!
We'll provide the tools needed for cutting shrubbery and the bases for building the wreaths. Enjoy hot cocoa by the fire, roast some s'mores, and build a beautiful wreath to enjoy all of Advent.
| | Recap: the Order of Naucratius | John White and Nathan Greer worked on a project this summer that reached its fruition last weekend. Working with two leaders from the non-profit Back2Back Cincy (who were helping St Andrews, Evanston with an after school program) we invited 8 young men, whom they had already identified as potential leaders and were actively mentoring, to participate in a pilot stewardship and conservation program under the Order of Naucratius banner. These guys were from the inner-city and had no previous experience with hunting. Through the summer, we met at Procter monthly for Hunter’s Safety and Education classes, and to spend time down at the woods practicing safety and marksmanship with firearms. After receiving a grant from Christ Church Cathedral, we were able to rent a passenger van and take the guys, along with Canon for Ministry Aaron Rogers, to Clinton, LA, for their first hunt. Each of the mentees were paired one to one with an experienced hunting mentor for each of the three hunting sessions. A few hogs were harvested, many lessons were learned, a professional butcher taught us how to process and package the meat, we sampled a small portion cooked freshly, and were able to bring back a large ice chest full of meat to donate to local food charities. The camaraderie and deep relationships that were built through this process will be meaningful to all of the participants and leaders for the rest of our lives. Sunday night, with Canon Rogers leading, we had church together. He preached on “Seeing God’s presence in our lives” and asked the congregants to describe where they had seen God show up over our time together. Every single participant testified to this, in a powerful moment that was filled with tears. Watch this video of Shammon Payne sharing about his experience. | | Participants from ECCG are led in a Church Land Use workshop by Sarah Alphin (Procter's Farm Manager) and others, in the Sawyer Teaching Classroom. | | ECCG participant Claire spent time with Procter piggies. Each day of the gathering, participants were invited to help feed the pigs their slop! | | ECCG worship and workshop leader Lanni, got to know some of Procter's neighbors in nature during Terra Divina - an experientaly form of prayer and reflection with the land. | | | | |
The Commonage, Procter’s Episcopal Service Corps community, shares an intentional communal meal once a week. This past week, Commonage member, Nina D., embodied hospitality and belonging for her program mates by preparing and serving a meal from her home in Zimbabwe. The meal included rice, isitshwa - also known as Sadza -with peanut butter kale and beans stew made with chakalakaz! The meal was a hit with everyone, and Mr. Nathan is hoping for a repeat offering soon!
| | | Procter is on the go again! | | | | |
Our program team loves to visit churches around the diocese to share the gifts of all things Procter- farm, camp, and retreat center!
We offer music, preaching, and formation for all ages - together or separately.
Here's our fall schedule:
October 11 - St. Edward's, Whitehall
October 23 - St. Alban's, Bexley
November 1 - St. Andrew's
November 8 - Evangelism Sunday at Christ Church, Springfield
Would you like to schedule a Procter Sunday at your parish? Email jgreer@proctercenter.org for more info.
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Looking to give back to Procter?
Need volunteer hours or a service project for a group? Take our Volunteer Survey and find your best fit!
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Help us continue mission that matters! Donate today - one time and recurring gift options available.
| | | A prayer for courage to persevere | | O God, you have called us to your service: Show us your purpose for our lives. Though it be hard, make us long to follow it, and give us courage to persevere until, at the last, we reach the goal which you have set for us. Amen. | | |
Procter Center | (740) 206-2036 | info@proctercenter.org | proctercenter.org
11235 St. Rt. 38 SE, London, Ohio 43146
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