The  Episcopal 
Diocese  of  Ohio
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Word to the Church: Holy Week and Easter Day 2020 Online Worship Supported and Encouraged
Last week I stated publicly my support for bishops who, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, decide "for a designated period of time . . . to cancel in-person gatherings for public worship."  I write now concerning the need to suspend in-person gatherings for public worship, in most contexts, during the sacred time of Holy Week and Easter Day.  Because this is a global health crisis, the principles in this letter apply throughout The Episcopal Church, including beyond the United States.

Presiding Bishop Curry: Statement on the Coronavirus
In this time when we are all affected by the coronavirus, whether directly or indirectly, whether physically, biologically, psychologically, spiritually, and for many economically, it may be helpful to remember that we're in this together.

MESSAGES FROM THE BISHOP
A Message from Bishop Hollingsworth: Reflections on Ambiguity and Isolation
It is hard to live with ambiguity, especially perhaps for us who have so great an access to certainty in our scientific and technological age. Between Google and the Weather Channel, we can get answers to many of the questions that cause us even the slightest bit of anxiety. Our current health crisis takes this challenge to a new level, even for those who have experienced the ambiguity of a serious health diagnosis or an extreme loss of emotional or financial security.

Messages from Bishop Hollingsworth Regarding the Coronavirus Crisis
I write to you at the end of this Third Sunday in Lent instructing all congregations of the Diocese of Ohio to suspend services of public worship until further notice. As well, I ask you either to cancel or find virtual ways of gathering for all nonessential parish meetings.

DIOCESAN EVENTS
Helpful Resources for Individuals, Families, and Congregations During the Pandemic

A list of curated resources is available for individuals, families, and congregations during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The following events have been amended in the following ways:
  • Bell Ringing - Daily: Christ Church, Oberlin is ringing its bell every morning at 9:00 a.m. as a call to prayer for those suffering from the virus or because of the virus and to remind everyone that God is present with us at all times. Please join with us in this effort, ringing a bell at 9:00 a.m. or choosing a different time during the day.
  • Safeguarding - March 29:  With upcoming in-person trainings canceled, we are offering online access to the Safeguarding God's Children training. All vestry members, parish leaders, and anyone who interacts with children and youth in the church setting are required and/or encouraged to be trained. Please email Mary Ann Semple, the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator, at [email protected] with the name and contact information of your clergy person to receive the login information for the training.
  • Sunday Night Student Compline - Sunday Nights: The Rev. Anna Sutterisch, Canon for Christian Formation, will hold Sunday Night Student Compline on Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. Compline will be held via Zoom. 
  • March Anti-Racism Training - March 26 and 27: postponed until time uncertain.
  • Lenten Lock-In - March 28 and 29: postponed until time uncertain.
  • Clergy Renewal of Vows - April 7: will not meet in person. Details to follow.
  • Toledo Youth Event - April 18 and 19: postponed until time uncertain.
  • Spring Youth Event - April 24-26: postponed until time uncertain.
  • Province V ECW Meeting - May 1-3: postponed until the fall. More details to come.
  • Lay Preaching College - May 8 and 9: postponed until time uncertain.
  • Summer Camp - June 15-July 25: registration continues to be received. In case of cancelation, all down payments will be reimbursed in full.
New Resource at the Resource Library
The Resource Center is offering new resources.  Through Loss to Life  is a program for training people to lead an 8-week faith-based small group grief support program. This DVD has 8 segments of training and is 66 minutes long. It will lead the training covering these topics; 1. an introduction to the training, 2. Getting Ready, 3. Role of Facilitators, 4. Design and Flow of Each Session, 5. Group Engagement, 6. Session Highlights, 7. Program Enhancements, and 8. Last Words. There is a facilitator guide to use during the 8-week program providing the facilitator with everything needed to run each session.
Job Openings
Administrative Assistant - Bellwether Farm
Summer Internships - Diocese of Ohio
Summer Camp Counselor - Bellwether Farm
View all current   job openings.