06.12.21

Today, June 12, 2021 marks the 5 year anniversary of the mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. As we remember the 49 people who were killed and 53 more who were injured, we invite you to pray the Rainbow Christ Prayer with us. Let us pray.


Rainbow Christ, you embody all the colors of the world. Rainbows serve as bridges between different realms: heaven and earth, east and west, queer and non-queer. Inspire us to remember the values expressed in the rainbow flag of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

Red is for life, the root of spirit. Living and Self-Loving Christ, you are our Root. Free us from shame and grant us the grace of healthy pride so we can follow our own inner light. With the red stripe in the rainbow, we give thanks that God created us just the way we are.

Orange is for sexuality, the fire of spirit. Erotic Christ, you are our Fire, the Word made flesh. Free us from exploitation and grant us the grace of mutual relationships. With the orange stripe in the rainbow, kindle a fire of passion in us.

Yellow is for self-esteem, the core of spirit. Out Christ, you are our Core. Free us from closets of secrecy and give us the guts and grace to come out. With the yellow stripe in the rainbow, build our confidence.

Green is for love, the heart of spirit. Transgressive Outlaw Christ, you are our Heart, breaking rules out of love. In a world obsessed with purity, you touch the sick and eat with outcasts. Free us from conformity and grant us the grace of deviance. With the green stripe in the rainbow, fill our hearts with untamed compassion for all beings.

Blue is for self-expression, the voice of spirit. Liberator Christ, you are our Voice, speaking out against all forms of oppression. Free us from apathy and grant us the grace of activism. With the blue stripe in the rainbow, motivate us to call for justice.

Violet is for vision, the wisdom of spirit. Interconnected Christ, you are our Wisdom, creating and sustaining the universe. Free us from isolation and grant us the grace of interdependence. With the violet stripe in the rainbow, connect us with others and with the whole creation.

Rainbow colors come together to make one light, the crown of universal consciousness. Hybrid and All-Encompassing Christ, you are our Crown, both human and divine. Free us from rigid categories and grant us the grace of interwoven identities. With the rainbow, lead us beyond black-and-white thinking to experience the whole spectrum of life.

Rainbow Christ, you light up the world. You make rainbows as a promise to support all life on earth. In the rainbow space, we can see all the hidden connections between sexualities, genders and races. Like the rainbow, may we embody all the colors of the world! Amen.
Reflections from our Pentecost StorySharing:
Register now for the upcoming "From Many, One: A StorySharing Series."

The Becoming Beloved Community StorySharing Design Team invites you to join a StorySharing Series, "From Many, One," each Sunday in June from 4:30-6 pmEST on Zoom. Dates include June 13, 20, 27.

This time will be holy. We will stand on holy ground, common ground. We will practice our faith, together.

Please RSVP here. All are welcome, anytime.
Click the images for more information:
May Report for Diocesan Council
Our weekly advocacy update from June 8.
Our weekly Circles of Practice continue to meet. Join anytime!
This teach-in is designed for all those across Province V who are interested in engaging Sacred Ground curriculum as a formation opportunity--it is open to those new to Sacred Ground and experienced facilitators alike. Leaders from each diocese will share unique Sacred Ground experiences in specific contexts and share customizable tools/resources they've designed to support their ongoing use of this valuable asset. There will be opportunity to connect with others with the aim to create a directory of Sacred Ground and Becoming Beloved Community activators in the commitment to racial reconciliation, healing, and justice-making.

Please select which date/time you prefer. Zoom link and more details will be shared closer to the dates.

Questions? Reach out to Amy Howton, ahowton@diosohio.org.
Good News Gardens
June Gathering: Garden Spirituality
Tuesday, June 17, 7pm

In this month's Good News Gardens Gathering, we are thrilled to welcome Jeannie Marcucci who will present on "Garden Elements: Aspects to Garden Spirituality."

Criminal (In) Justice: A look at the results of a flawed system
June 15, 7pm

Intersect is the Ohio Council of Churches' webinar series which explores the intersectionality between faith, policy and racism. Join the Ohio Council of Churches for a panel discussion on the current criminal justice reform measures before the Ohio legislature, abolition of Ohio's death penalty, and bail reform. Register here.
Episcopal Church in Connecticut offers resources for honoring Juneteenth, including prayers and online services.

Archdiocese of Baltimore also has some resources available.
Episcopal Migration Ministries will host a virtual prayer vigil for World Refugee Day on Sunday, June 20, 7:00 – 8:00 pm EST. The prayer vigil, broadcast on Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Facebook, will offer a time of prayer, reflection, and celebration in honor of refugees worldwide.
DSO will host Dismantling Racism training July 24 and September 18. Pre-registration is required. Prior to registration, you must watch one pre-training video from the selections available on the learning portal. Then you can continue with registration.

To begin or continue your Anti-Racism learning, visit the DSO Portal Anti-Racism Pre-Training to watch videos and lectures.

If you are unable to attend either of the diocesan trainings, please visit the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Justice and Healing for training opportunities.


erasing racism
Diocese of Southern Ohio
800.582.1712
#DSOBeloved
Do you have a resource or event to include in this newsletter?
Please email Nicole at nhershey@dsobeloved.org. Thanks!