Volunteers in these ministries have worked tirelessly to continue to safely serve their neighbors while observing COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions. The work they do is always essential in their economically challenged communities, but never more so than during the financial fallout of this unprecedented pandemic. The funds provided are not only a financial lifeline, but crucial psychological and spiritual support for people serving on the front lines in some of our most economically devastated neighborhoods, and will be used to help address food insecurity, support housing relief programs and provide emergency assistance with utility bills and rent. The diocese and ECM are proud to support their amazing work and offer our profound thanks to all who donated.
- CityHeart is Christ Church, Dayton’s primary congregation outreach. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and escalating need, CityHeart’s ministry is now 100% emergency assistance for rent and utilities to low income wage earners, both single individuals and working families. CityHeart is committed to keep people from becoming homeless by helping to pay rent and assisting with utility bills.
- Grace Church, College Hill’s weekly community dinners have transformed to take-away meals during the Covid-19 crisis. They are serving more than 250 meals each Wednesday and the number grows each week. The congregation also helps to support the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) which is now housing homeless clients in hotels rather than in churches.
- Church of Our Saviour / La Iglesia de Nuestro Salvador, Mt. Auburn (Cincinnati) provides two community meals per week, which they have now converted to take-out meals due to COVID-19 restrictions. They also run a food pantry to provide emergency food, hygiene products, diapers, and cleaning products to those in need. Almost all their guests are minorities and/or immigrants, populations particularly at risk for both Coronavirus infection and for the economic fallout.
- Transformations is Church of Our Saviour / La Iglesia de Nuestro Salvador, Mt. Auburn (Cincinnati) outreach ministry in Price Hill. They work directly with immigrants from Central America and the US-born children of immigrants in the areas of health, education and public policy. They are launching two self-empowerment projects – sack gardens to grow fresh vegetables in small spaces, and COVID-19 mask production to generate family income.
- St. John’s, Columbus has two feeding ministries: Street Church (Sunday lunch) and His Place (Wednesday dinner). Because of safe serving restrictions, they now purchase take-out meals to distribute to their neighbors.
ECM continues to raise funds for outreach ministries and is still accepting applications for emergency assistance. One hundred percent of your contributions to ECM directly benefit our neighbors in need, not only now but in the days and weeks to come. Please consider making a donation today. For more information visit
https://ecmsouthernohio.org/.
|
|
We continue to post helpful financial, health, worship and technical resources to our '
Doing church during COVID-19' webpage as they are received. Here are a couple new ones of note:
- 24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return
- Updated PPP guidelines
- CARES Act and Changes to Retirement Account Distributions
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
- Ohio's Safe Business Practices for Getting Back to Work
- General Office Environments from Responsible RestartOhio
- Resources on protecting seniors from fraud
|
Christ Church Cathedral presents: Happy 1/2 Hour with the Rabbi
|
Every Thursday from 2- 2:30 p.m., join cathedral Rabbi-in-residence Abie Ingber for a 30-minute online offering exploring Sunday’s sacred texts through the lens of centuries of Rabbinic commentary.
This Thursday, April 30, Rabbi Ingber will be joined by Bishop Breidenthal for a discussion on Psalm 23. You don't want to miss it!
|
FEMA webinar: The Importance of Planning and Best Practices for Houses of Worship
|
Wednesday, April 29
1 PM – 2:30 PM ET
Please join the Region II National Preparedness Division webinar for houses of worship and faith-based organizations with introductory remarks from the DHS Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives.
During this webinar speakers from the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness/Interfaith Advisory Council, New York Disaster Interfaith Services and New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters will discuss the importance of emergency operations and continuity planning as well as resources each of the organizations provide to support Houses of Worship.
Best practices for performing essential functions and continuing their missions to serve congregants during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be highlighted during the discussion by guest speakers from African Methodist Episcopal Church and United Sikhs.
|
|
Divided We Fall: Unity Without Tragedy
|
National Institute for Civil Discourse
Thursday, April 30, 9 p.m.
DIVIDED WE FALL: UNITY WITHOUT TRAGEDY brings ordinary citizens together to wrestle with the complex issues that divide our nation. Breaking out of partisan echo chambers to listen to one another, the participants - equal numbers of whom strongly approve and disapprove of President Donald Trump - explore what it means to be an American, what constitutes a "more perfect union," and what can be done to bridge the gaps between them.
|
Free virtual retreat for clergy
|
Living and Leading from the Spiritual Heart in a Time of Heightened Anxiety
Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation
May 3-4, 2020 on Zoom
Are you a pastor in need of pastoral refreshment? Or do you know a pastor who is seeking some spiritual support?
For clergy, COVID-19 has shifted the very fabric of our personal and pastoral lives. In such anxious and demanding times, we need to slow down and drink deeply from the well of Living Water within, which is the very presence of the Holy One. Here, we will find our spiritual center grounded in the Great Love that will renew us and form us to do the work we have been given to do with a spirit of love and compassion.
Led by the Rev. Lisa Senuta and the Rev. Winston B. Charles.
|
New podcast: Liturgy and Longing: How to Sing God's Song in a Strange Land
|
The liturgy of the church has been shaped by our sacred stories and rituals. Worship forms community and reflects our human experience and longings. We hope to explore the nature of our longing and how to respond as we adapt to a new and unexpected social and liturgical context brought on by social distancing in the midst of a pandemic. We find ourselves in unfamiliar territory and seeking the wisdom of others as we are forced to ask new questions and respond to the emerging context and liturgical realities.
|
Emergency Grant program for deacons
|
The Fund for the Diaconate of the Episcopal Church has created a special Emergency Grant Program, to aid deacons affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grants will cover the time-period of March 1, 2020 - Sept. 30, 2020, with applications being accepted until Oct. 15, 2020. Grants of $525 per month will be made for a three month time-period, with each grant being reviewed monthly.
Complete details, including FAQs and the Application, are on their website -
|
|
Connecting with The Episcopal Church
|
|
Explore the Way of Love
with new video series
The
Way of Love
is a way of life. More than a program or curriculum, it is an intentional commitment to follow Jesus by following seven practices: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest. Episcopalians and others looking to engage the Way of Love and learn more about each of the individual practices are invited to Explore the Way of Love in a new series of short videos and accompanying primer cards from The Episcopal Church.
The videos and primer cards, available in English and Spanish, are downloadable for use in parishes and dioceses. Each of the three-to-four-minute videos feature an explanation of the practices of the Way of Love – Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest. Individuals, congregations, or small groups can view the videos as an introduction to each practice and use the printable primer cards to start building personalized rules of life. Explore the Way of Love can also be used for online instruction as well, and in conjunction with any of the Way of Love curricula. Supporting materials about the Way of Love are found at
episcopalchurch.org/wayoflove
.
"Our hope is that these short videos will be both versatile in use and inspiring in content,” says Jerusalem Greer, staff officer for evangelism, “Helping congregations dive deeper into each of the practices, while providing a compelling invitation to those new to the Way of Love."
Explore the Way of Love is another of the many Way of Love resources available
here
for congregations and individuals who are interested in engaging more deeply with these practices, building and deepening a rule of life.
|
|
Connecting with job opportunities
|
|
St. Andrew's, Pickerington
Holy Trinity, Oxford
All Saints, Cincinnati
|
|
Calvary, Cincinnati
St. Simon of Cyrene, Lincoln Heights and/or Transfiguration Spirituality Center
|
|
Coronavirus laugh for the day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
