SAVE THE DATE 

Provincial Youth Event
February 28 - March 1
Bellwether Farm



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 open. Register by  March 15 and enter promo code WORM to receive $25 off .
Winter Convocation 
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.

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:
If you would like to schedule additional trainings for your mission area or parish, please contact Mary Ann Semple, Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator at  resourcelibrary@dohio.org . 
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  smithllh@yahoo.com  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 . 
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.  Registration is now open.  For questions, please contact the Rev. Margaret D'Anieri at 216.774. 0456 or  mdanieri@dohio.org.
Commission for Racial Understanding Resources
The Commission for Racial Understanding (CRU) has released their February resources.
Connecting Communities Registration Now Open
Connecting Communities is a six-month process through which parishes commit to try exercises and experiments in their parishes and neighborhoods to develop deeper relationships with God, each other, and members of their communities. The trainings are March 7, May 30, and September 26. The locations of the trainings will be decided once parish registration is closed. The deadline to register is March 1. 
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 . 
Carlotta East Scholarship
Carlotta East scholarship applications are now being accepted. This program has assisted many women in the Diocese of Ohio with financial aid since it was established in 1945. Funds are available for those who need assistance to complete their education, upgrade their skills before returning to the workforce, or complete religious training. The usual grant is approximately $1,000. Applicants must hold at least junior undergraduate status by August 2020 in order to apply. Information about the scholarship and the application form may be found on the diocesan website. The deadline for applications is March 31.
PARISH EVENTS
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.
Including Millennials in Worship
St. John's, Youngstown is hosting a talk and discussion about including millennials in worship on Saturday, February 19 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.. The discussion will be hosted by Sarah Bentley Allread. An RSVP is requested but not required. Please RSVP to 330.743.3175 or stjohnohio@gmail.com. There is no charge for this event. 
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  twilson@trinitycleveland.org .
Job Openings
Summer Camp Counselor - Bellwether Farm
View all current   job openings.