Proclaiming the Dream: Diocesan Convocation |
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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Registering parish cemeteries |
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A reminder that parishes that have cemeteries, columbaria or memorial gardens must fill out a 2021 Cemetery Renewal Application with the State of Ohio annually by the September 30 deadline. Failure to do so can result in a violation handled by local prosecutors.
Ohio Revised Code (ORC 1721.21 (A) (2) states: “Cemetery” means any one or a combination of more than one of the following:
- A burial ground for earth interments.
- A mausoleum for crypt entombments.
- A columbarium for the deposit of cremated remains.
- A scattering ground for the spreading of cremated remains.
All parishes that have any one of these needs to be in touch with the State of Ohio Department of Real Estate and Professional Licensing to register their cemetery.
If a parish has a columbarium inside or outside of the church, they need to register it as a cemetery with the State of Ohio. If the parish moves any of those remains, that is considered a disinterment and they need a court order. If a parish has a memorial garden, it also needs to be registered with the State of Ohio. If the parish digs up any of those remains and moves them to a new section, they also need a disinterment order.
Finally, if a parish sells niche spaces or charges to put remains in a memorial garden, they also must submit a list of persons authorized to sell interment rights.
According to Ohio law, since 1993, no person, church, religious society, established fraternal organization, or political subdivision of the state shall own, operate, or maintain a cemetery unless the cemetery is registered with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Cemetery registration does not apply to or affect a family cemetery or a cemetery in which no interments have occurred during the previous 25 years.
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New guide from Partners for Sacred Places |
It’s becoming increasingly apparent to civic leaders across America – including leaders in government, philanthropy, religion and the arts – that many churches and synagogues are shrinking and that their buildings – which provide a home for so much of the social infrastructure our communities depend upon – are suffering from deferred maintenance. Some will be forced to sell their buildings someday, dislocating the child care centers, soup kitchens and homeless programs that have functioned there for years. Some of those buildings may be reused in a way that continues to provide public benefit or community access. However, many others will be gutted or lost to demolition.
These changes represent a slowly unfolding community crisis, especially when some cities and neighborhoods may be losing a critical mass of community-serving sacred places.
However, we have some good news to share: a new resource has been published that presents community-minded options and alternatives that can help you retain the civic value of sacred places even if they change use or ownership.
Transitioning Older and Historic Sacred Places: Community-Minded Approaches for Congregations and Judicatories is being disseminated by Partners for Sacred Places to provide a practical guide for clergy and religious leaders that fills a gap in the resources available to congregations and communities.
This guide begins with a foreword by The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis and includes: Guidance on evaluating viability as it relates to property; a process for discerning what the future could look like; inspiring case studies that cover the range of options available to congregations; and practical advice for congregations that have made the decision to sell property.
Digital and print versions are available here.
If you are interested in learning more about this project or what Partners can do in your community, please contact us at 215-567-3234 or partners@sacredplaces.org.
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You've heard of phishing, but what about...
• Spearphishing?
• Spoofing?
• Vishing?
• Smishing?
• Pretexting?
Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your ministry's data and personal information, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.
Find out the "Five Common Tricks of Cyber Scammer"—and how to defeat them—today.
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Diocesan staff have already received multiple phishing emails from someone claiming to be Bishop Smith, even before he has arrived!
And here are two examples of phishing that hit just one of our congregations this week. First, the more outrageous of the two:
- The parish bookkeeper received an email from the "rector" stating that they had just changed their bank account and needed to have their direct deposit routed to their new account before payday - and could they attach the necessary form so it could be filled out immediately. Fortunately, the bookkeeper noticed that the message came from an email address that they did not recognize. When the bookkeeper questioned it, the phisher stated that it was the rector's "other" email address. The bookkeeper then responded that the form had to be filled out in person.
- Multiple staff members received similar emails from someone who claimed to be moving to the area and looking to get closer to God - and would they be willing to meet with him/her when they arrived in the area. Sounds legit, right? But - each email came from a different person, with the exact same language. It is likely that further engagement with this person would result in some sort of request for money or some other kind of transaction.
if an email sounds "off," always be sure to check the actual email address of the sender. Just because email says it's from your rector, friend, boss, etc. in the From line, doesn't mean it is actually from their email account. Be vigilant!
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News from the Procter Center |
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House of Worship Security Program Training
presented by Ohio Crime Prevention Association
Thursday, August 26, 2021
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Youngstown, OH
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Fourth Annual Cincinnati Festival of Faiths August 22 - 29 |
Mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Cincinnati Festival of Faiths August 22-29, 2021 (virtually presented) This year’s theme: “Compassion through Action: We are in it Together.” Cultural, spiritual, and fun activities for all ages.
Cincinnati’s annual Festival of Faiths serves as the leading opportunity in Greater Cincinnati to bring together people of all faiths and communities to learn from each other and celebrate our differences. EquaSion’s festival has resulted in the creation of the most inclusive network of faith communities ever engaged in our region’s history.
Keep up with the latest information on the Festival of Faiths here.
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Sara Miles: A Conversation on Eucharist, Food, Justice, and Community |
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September 10, 2021
6 to 9 p.m.
What does the Eucharist have to do with life outside of Sunday liturgy? How might it inform our outreach, evangelism, and discipleship?
Join author Sara Miles in a conversation about the Eucharist and its meaning in our communities. We will discuss how Christian communities can think about food insecurity, racial and economic reconciliation, and community empowerment through the lens of the Eucharist in our particular neighborhoods.
Tickets are free, but registration is required in order for us to prepare the venue for the event.
This event is sponsored by the Diocese of Southern Ohio and Church of the Advent, Walnut Hills.
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News from The Episcopal Church |
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Church of the Redeemer, Cincinnati
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The Edge House, University of Cincinnati
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Grace Church, College Hill
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