SAVE THE DATE 

Provincial Youth Gathering
February 28 - March 1
Bellwether Farm



The  Episcopal 
Diocese  of  Ohio
PRESIDING BISHOP CURRY'S  CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
In the first chapter of John's Gospel, sometimes referred to as the prologue to the Gospel, sometimes spoken of as the whole Gospel in miniature the Gospel writer says this. As he reflects on the coming of God into the world in the person of Jesus. As he reflects on Christmas. He says, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it .

A MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
2019 Christmas Message from the Bishop
"He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child." Luke 2:5-6

They went to be counted, Joseph and Mary, in Bethlehem of Judea. Registration in one's familial home was a political device, exercised not because Palestinian Jews mattered much to the Roman government, but because it helped keep them in their place. In the midst of this counting of people who, by and large, did not count for much, the divine love of God came to life in the infant Jesus to make precisely the opposite claim.

DIOCESAN EVENTS
Winter Convocation Registration Now  Open
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.
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:
  • January 11 and 12 at Bellwether Farm (Saturday and Sunday)
  • 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 . 
Happening Staff Applications Now Open
Youth who have "Happened" are encouraged to apply to be on Happening Staff. Staff weekend is February 14-16 at Church of the Redeemer, Lorain and Happening weekend is at Bellwether Farm on March 13-15. Applications are due January 6. Apply at dohio.org/happening.
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 . 
GO: Doing Mission with Eyes Wide Open
GO: Doing Mission with Eyes Wide Open is a conference for anyone involved in outreach, mission, or youth trips whether in your neighborhood or across the globe. The conference will be on  February 29 . Registration is now open. 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 December 19 the documentary shown will be Facebook Part Two. There will be one more event in January. 
Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival
The 57th presentations of The Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival in Cleveland will be held on Saturday, December 28 at Trinity Cathedral. This year, presentations will be held at new times: 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with an American Sign Language interpreter for the deaf community at the 2:00 p.m. presentation only. There are still a number of spaces open for performers, support staff, and choir. For more information, please call 216.771.3630, ext. 392 or visit  www.boarsheadcleveland.org. For direct communication, please email  [email protected].
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.