SAVE THE DATE 

Provincial Youth Gathering
February 28 - March 1
Bellwether Farm


In the News  

The  Episcopal 
Diocese  of  Ohio
DIOCESAN EVENTS
Summer Camp at Bellwether Farm
Bellwether Farm summer camp is an opportunity for campers to immerse themselves in fun, engaging outdoor activities. These programs will seek to teach healthy social, nutritional, and environmental practices, while providing a safe context in which to encounter God's beautiful creation. Campers will have an opportunity to learn about organic gardening, animal care, and creative cooking. They will also participate in traditional camp activities, including swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, fishing, and field games. The Bellwether Farm staff is invested in the life of every camper, seeking to inspire future generations to become passionate leaders in the world around them.

Registration is now open. Register by  March 15 and enter promo code WORM to receive $25 off .
Winter Convocation Early Bird  Registration   Until Jan. 17
Registration is now open for the 2020 Winter Convocation! The Rev. Lorenzo Librija, founding director of The TryTank Experimental Lab will be our keynote leader. TryTank ( www.trytank.org) offers congregations creative approaches to experimentation that help the church move forward. We will also have a volunteer choir led by Ms. Lori Turner, Music Director of Grace Church, Mansfield. With a children's program, a youth program, and thirteen best practice workshops, the Winter Convocation offers something for everyone. The Convocation will be February 7-8 at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky. You can make a reservation at Kalahari Resorts online or by calling 855.875.7774 and mentioning "2020 Winter Convocation." Additional information and registration are available at  https://2020dwc.eventbrite.com. A full-page and a half-page bulletin insert are available.
Absalom Jones Service
On Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 p.m., the Wilma Ruth Combs Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Diocese of Ohio will host this year's Absalom Jones service at Trinity Cathedral. Bishop Williams will be the celebrant and the Rev. Ronald C. Byrd, Sr., The Episcopal Church Missioner for Black Ministries, will preach. Presiding Bishop Curry has invited contributions to be made from observances of Absalom Jones, whether in special diocesan services or in regular Sunday parish worship on February 16, to St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, NC and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. Please send any contributions to Sue Leishman at 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44115, who will combine them with the designated offering from the service at the Cathedral, and forward them on to Bishop Curry's office. You may also contribute directly to the Absalom Jones Fund online.

2020 Anti-Racism Training Dates
Anti-Racism training is required for all individuals in elected and appointed Diocesan positions, and it is also open to all members of the Diocese. The Commission for Racial Understanding will offer this two day training on the following dates:
  • March 26 and 27 at Trinity Commons (Thursday and Friday)
  • May 8 and 9 at Bellwether Farm (Friday and Saturday)
  • August 28 and 29 at Trinity Commons (Friday and Saturday)
  • November 6 and 7 at Bellwether Farm (Friday and Saturday)
T he training goes from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on the first day and 9:00 a.m. until  4:00 p.m. on the second day. The cost of the training materials and food is covered by the Diocese of Ohio, but lodging is the responsibility of the participant (or their parish). Lodging options for Bellwether Farm are shown on the registration form . 
Exhibitor Tables at Winter Convocation
The  application to have an exhibitor table at Winter Convocation is now available. Applications are due by January 22 . 
Apply for the Episcopal Youth Event
Thousands of Episcopal youth will gather in Washington, DC to worship, make friends, and have fun from July 7-11 at the Episcopal Youth Event (EYE). Youth in the Diocese who are currently in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in our delegation to EYE. Please apply by January 24 at  dohio.org/EYE . For any questions, please contact the Rev. Anna Sutterisch at [email protected] or 216.774.0460.
2020 United Thank Offering Grants
The  2020 United Thank Offering Grant application form is now available. Please review the  2020 grant focus and criteria very carefully. Any grant application submitted that is not within the criteria guidelines will not be considered.  Completed applications must be submitted to Linda Smith, Diocese of Ohio UTO Coordinator, at  [email protected]  no later than 5:00 p.m. on  Friday, February 7 . There is an additional opportunity for a companionship/partnership grant in conjunction with a diocese of the Anglican Communion or an aided diocese of The Episcopal Church. If you have questions, please contact Linda Smith by e-mail or at 330.348.4756 . 
Upcoming Safeguarding God's Children Trainings
Do you need Safeguarding God's Children training? The updated Policies for the Protection of Children and Youth from Abuse require Safeguarding God's Children training for many parish leaders, including vestry members. (See more at  dohio.org/safeguarding). Upcoming trainings are scheduled for:
  • Thursday, February 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral (RSVP to Ginger Bitikofer at [email protected])
  • Monday, February 10 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral (RSVP to Ginger Bitikofer at [email protected])
  • Sunday, February 23 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Trinity Cathedral (RSVP to Ginger Bitikofer at [email protected])
  • Sunday, March 29 from 2:00-5:00p.m. at Bellwether Farm (RSVP to the Rev. Anna Sutterisch at [email protected])
If you would like to schedule additional trainings for your mission area or parish, please contact Mary Ann Semple, Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator at  [email protected] . 
GO: Doing Mission with Eyes Wide Open
Are you part of a parish outreach project? Do you have interest or experience in mission work, whether in your neighborhood or across the globe? Are you involved with youth mission work?  Many of our efforts in these arenas, while well-intentioned, do as much harm as they do good because of our assumptions and embedded ideas about "charity," "outreach," "needy," and "mission." Join us for a day of learning with our colleagues from the Diocese of Southern Ohio on February 29 . Details are in the attached flyer.  For questions, please contact the Rev. Margaret D'Anieri at 216.774. 0456 or  [email protected].
PARISH EVENTS
Documentary Film Series
St. Paul's, Fremont is hosting a documentary film series held at the Birchard Public Library. Each event includes a documentary and discussion. Pizza and drinks will be provided. All events will be held from 6:30-8:00 p.m. On January 16 the documentary shown will be Border Business.
Concert at St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights
Organist and choirmaster Karel Paukert will offer a performance of Olivier Messiaen's  La Nativité du Seigneur at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19 at St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights.  The cycle consists of nine movements:  The Virgin and Child, The Shepherds, Eternal Purposes, The Word, The Children of God, The Angels, Jesus Suffers Torment, The Magi  and  God Among Us.  The public is invited to this free performance; a freewill offering with be gathered to support St. Paul's music program. Please call 216.932.5815 for more information .
From Conflict to Opportunity
The Rev. Sarah Shofstall will lead a workshop, From Conflict to Opportunity, on Saturday, February 1 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at St. Michael's in the Hills, Toledo. Registration is $5 for students and $15 for general registration and includes lunch. This workshop will empower us to have calm, respectful conversations and to seek genuine connection. Registration is available online or by calling the church office at 419.531.1616.
Annual Medieval Dinner
St. Thomas,  Berea will host an Annual Medieval Dinner on Saturday,  February 1 at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased in advance.  Costumes will be available to borrow,  but are not required.  You may bring your own wine, or enjoy some of our  hot-spiced fruit punch.  For tickets, please call the church office at  440.234.5241 or Bev Smith at 440.235.3585. There are only 100 tickets available.
Guest Homilist at Christ Church, Shaker Heights
The Rev. Deon K. Johnson, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Missouri, will be the guest homilist at Christ Church, Shaker Heights on Saturday, February 1 at 4:00 p.m. Deon was the associate rector for three years at Christ Church after graduating from the General Theological Seminary in New York City. He has served as the rector of St. Paul's Church in Brighton, Michigan since 2006. Deon will be the 11th diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Missouri; a community of more than 10,000 worshipers. His consecration will take place on Saturday, April 25 at St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church in St. Louis. All are invited to join with us in welcoming Deon back home to the Diocese of Ohio and to Christ Church. A reception will follow the service. An inclement weather date for this service is set for the following Saturday, February 8 also, at 4:00 p.m. Please check the churches website or Facebook page for updates on the service if there are adverse weather conditions.
Organ Recital
St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights will host an Organ Recital by Todd Wilson, Director of Music at Trinity Cathedral, on February 28 at 7:30 p.m.
TREBLEFEST at Trinity Cathedral
Trinity Cathedral will host TREBLEFEST on February 29. This is a day-long workshop for youth choirs from the Diocese that will culminate in a Choral Evensong at 3:00 p.m. where Bishop Hollingsworth will be the officiant. For questions or further information, please contact Todd Wilson at  [email protected] .
Job Openings
Summer Camp Counselor - Bellwether Farm
View all current   job openings.  
OTHER
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Concert
In celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., and as part of the Silver Hall Concert Series, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra will be presenting a free interfaith concert with students from the Cleveland School of the Arts on Saturday, January 18 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Tickets and reserved parking are available to purchase online. Speakers include the Rev. Keith Owen (St. Peter's, Lakewood), Lonny Gatlin (St. Luke's, Cleveland), Rosie Haim (Celebrating Jewish Life), and Nozomi Ikuta (Denison Avenue Church of Christ).