{e} Connections | November 22, 2022 | |
Bishop Smith's address, nominating committee report and convention recap | |
Watch Bishop Smith's Address to the Convention | |
Katrina Mundy receives national ECW Distinguished Women award | |
On Saturday, the Episcopal Church Women honored Katrina Mundy of St. Andrew’s, Cincinnati with its triennial Province V Distinguished Women award. Members of the diocese’s ECW chapter presented the award to Mundy in a ceremony at diocesan convention.
The criteria for the award include stewardship, sharing of outstanding talents as a Christian woman and generosity with time.
The Distinguished Woman awards are typically made at the Episcopal Church Women's triennial convention, but in 2022, COVID protocols forced the cancellation of the National ECW Triennial in Baltimore. Instead, each province was provided the award and encouraged to present it to their recipients during 2022.
Read more.
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Caring for one another as Christ asks us to do: Trinity, Hamilton’s COVID-19 monitoring system | |
The Diocesan Medical Task Force has completed its work, Bishop Smith announced in his address to diocesan convention on Saturday. “Decisions about health protocols no longer benefit from diocesan-wide decisions,” he said. “It makes more sense for the protocols to be shaped in each locale according to what is happening there.” Bishop Smith asked that each parish track local COVID-19 infection rates, noting this information can easily be found on the CDC website.
“If infection spikes in your place, then consider what to do from that point – masking for worship, masking for all church meetings, other precautions that you have taken in the past that you might want to and might need to reinstate,” he said.
At Trinity, Hamilton, parish leaders have already implemented an effective COVID-19 monitoring system like the one Smith described by forming a small team that monitors CDC data and communicates with members each week.
Read more.
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Ordination to the Diaconate Dec. 10 | |
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God willing, the Right Reverend George Wayne Smith, Provisional Bishop of Southern Ohio, will ordain Martha John Camele, Bradley William Gough, Iva Catherine Staats, and Michael Bryan Tigner to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on Saturday, December 10 at 1 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral.
Your prayers and presence are requested. Clergy are invited to vest and process (red stoles).
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Forms, policies, and other information for congregational management can be found on the resources hub on the diocesan website. | |
Applications for Episcopal Community Ministries grants now open | |
The 2023 Episcopal Community Ministries (ECM) grant application is now available online. ECM enthusiastically welcomes applications from congregations that need help funding existing outreach ministries or are seeking seed money to launch new service initiatives.
To qualify for an ECM grant, ministries must have the active participation of church members and be supported by congregational resources. Grants will now be awarded twice annually – in February and July. Application deadlines are December 15 and June 15.
Read more here.
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Episcopal visitation schedule | |
Diocesan Ministries & Initiatives | |
Becoming Beloved Community | |
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The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio has committed to the call of Becoming Beloved Community, with deepening focus on the work of racial healing, reconciliation, and justice-making. Learn more and subscribe to the Diocese of Southern Ohio Becoming Beloved Community newsletter.
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Advocacy briefings are compiled by Ariel Miller, a longtime community advocate and member of Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming.
In today's update:
Ohio’s Lame Duck session reflects polarization: Ohio’s legislative leaders are preparing for a short, intense lame duck session. You can track bills and see how to direct your advocacy on Innovation Ohio’s Lame Duck site. Scroll down the Innovation page for background on each measure and who to contact:
- A new resolution that would require citizen-sponsored constitutional amendments to win 60% of the vote, instead of the current simple majority. This comes as citizens plan referenda to create an independent redistricting commission and to make abortion access a constitutional right. Read more.
- SB 178 would strip the Ohio Board of Education of authority to set curriculum and policy, transferring that to the executive branch. Read more.
- COHHIO asks you to urge the Governor, House Speaker Cupp, and Senate President Huffman to use $308 million of the state’s $10 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan funding to create affordable housing. Read more.
Check the website for background and contacts on HB 105 (Erin’s Law) and HB 266 (the Hidden Predator Act) to give victims of child sex abuse greater protection in Ohio by extending the time limits under which perpetrators could be charged with the crime or be subject to civil liability. Read more.
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For more information about seasonal opportunities as well as ongoing opportunities such as Education for Ministry, Safe Church Training, and Anti-Racism Training, visit the Formation page on the diocesan website and subscribe to the Diocese of Southern Ohio Formation newsletter.
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Young Adult ministry grants available
Congregations that wish to celebrate and support their college-aged young adults are invited to apply for funds for holiday welcome home events or care packages (up to $50/young adult) through the diocese. Applications accepted until December 3. All grant funds will be dispersed by Dec. 15. Apply for a grant here. For questions or ideas, contact the Rev. Christopher Richardson.
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Changes for Safe Church certification | |
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Safe Church certification is moving to a new website on December 15. If you have started training in Pathwright but have not completed it, you must complete it by Dec. 1 or you will have to restart in Praesidium.
Praesidium offers update courses that are based in formation and understanding of our
Baptismal Covenant and they are translated!
There will be 6 learning sessions about Praesidium Academy hosted by Emma Helms-Steinmetz who manages licensure for DSO. Please sign up for one of the sessions and encourage parish administrators and those who manage Safe Church for your parish to attend. Every parish will have a Safe Church Administrator. Learn more when you sign up!
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Licensed Ministry Leader information session | |
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Join Canon Jason Oden and Mark Conrad on January 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to learn more about the opportunities available within our diocese as Licensed Ministry Leaders. This zoom session will offer info about what each license does in the parish and what certifications require. Watch for sign up details coming soon.
All licensure requires safe church certification and Dismantling Racism certification. Please plan to complete these if you are interested in becoming licensed. You can complete Safe Church here. And sign up for Dismantling Racism information to be notified as soon as offerings are available.
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Interfaith Youth Gatherings with Cincinnati Kids4Peace | |
Do you want to spend. time with friends? Make new friends? Eat snacks, learn, and grow together? Then come join us as we build community around love and understanding. You can identify with any faith, religion, spirituality, or none at all. All teens are welcome.
"Kids4Peace is a way to first make friends and then become more aware and educated on different types of people," Shanaz, a Kids4Peace participant, says.
The gatherings will take place at the ish Garage in Northside (4113 Langland St., Cincinnati, OH 43223) on the following Sundays from 2:30 to 4 p.m.:
Contact Adam Hayden for more details via email or at 812.430.4464.
Register online.
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If your congregation would like to have news or an event notice published in the newsletter, email Julie Murray. | |
Granville Turkey Trot Nov. 24 | |
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On Thanksgiving morning, the streets of Granville will be filled with people supporting the Food Pantry Network of Licking County by participating in the Granville Turkey Trot. St. Luke's, Granville, is a sponsor of the event, helping to make possible the food pantry's donation of about 4 million pounds of food this year.
Learn more about the race. In person signups are open at St. Luke's on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or on race morning. Learn more at granvilleturkeytrot.com.
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Red Door Community Concert: The Flying Klezmerians | |
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The third concert of the Red Door Community Concert series at Holy Trinity, Oxford, will feature the Miami Valley Klezmer Band, aka The Flying Klezmerians, on Friday, Dec. 2 at 12:15 p.m. This concert is co-sponsored by Miami University Hillel. The concert is free and open to the public, masks are suggested. You can also watch the concert on the Holy Trinity YouTube Channel.
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Board the Polar Express at Christ Church, Glendale | |
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On Saturday, December 3 at 10 a.m., Christ Church, Glendale will host a reading of The Polar Express and a tour of its model train room in Olivia House. All are invited to come in their PJs. (None must). Hot chocolate bar and cookies provided.
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Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Mark's | |
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On Sunday, December 4 at 4 p.m., the Choir of Saint Mark’s, Columbus, and the Canterbury Choir will lead the parish's Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols. Admission is free; donations will be accepted in support of the Special Music Fund at Saint Mark’s.
The service will also be live-streamed at saintmarkscolumbus.org and on Facebook. A reception will follow.
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Incarnational Journey: Entering Advent through the Heart | |
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Saturdays, December 10 and 17
10 a.m. to 12 noon
St. Stephen’s, Columbus
These two mornings will provide peaceful opportunities to experience and be nourished by the grace of Advent. There will be music, poetry, scripture, guided meditation, discussion, and relaxing stretching.
Registration is not required, but those who plan to attend are encouraged to email the Rev. Patricia Rose.
image: “Mystic Nativity,” Sandro Botticelli.
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St. Thomas' Christmas Caper | |
St. Thomas, Terrace Park, will host its annual holiday cookie and candy sale and raffle on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the Christmas Caper help support Inter Parish Ministry and the St. Thomas Discretionary Fund.
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Christmas Joy Purse for Ebola orphans | |
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Partners-in-Ministry-in-Liberia (PIMIL) asks the people of the diocese to donate toward an annual “Christmas Joy Purse” that will provide Christmas celebrations for Liberian Ebola orphans in their communities. PIMIL hopes to raise $1,000 by December 12 in order to transmit the funds to Liberia in time for the celebrations.
The Christmas Joy Purse idea was conceived by the Sunday school and teachers of Trinity, Columbus, at the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic in 2014. The idea has turned into a yearly tradition, but the impact of COVID-19 has made it difficult for the congregation to continue sponsoring the event. The PIMIL board hopes that others in the diocese will help keep the tradition alive.
Learn more and donate online.
Image: A kickball game at a past Christmas celebration.
| Christmas Concert with Luminary Walk and Live Nativity | |
Sunday, December 18
5 p.m.
St. George's, Dayton will host a free Christmas concert with Sand Dollar Music, followed by an outdoor luminary walk with hot chocolate and a live nativity.
Professional nursery is available for children 3 and under; reservation required for nursery by emailing associate@stgeorgeohio.org.
Learn more by visiting stgeorgesdayton.org or call 937-434-1781.
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Updates from Christ Church Cathedral | |
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Music Live at Lunch is a free, weekly concert series featuring a variety of music. Bring your own lunch or buy one at the cathedral. Concerts are held on Tuesdays, September through May, at 12:10 p.m. Convenient parking is located in the Queen City Square Garage across the street from the cathedral’s Fourth Street entrance.
Upcoming performers:
Nov 29: Vincenzo G. Volpe (flute) & Michael Delfin (piano)
Dec 6: Clark & Jones Trio – Celtic & folk seasonal music
Dec 13: Heri et Hodie: Women’s vocal ensemble presenting holiday music
Dec 20: Cathedral Choir: Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols
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Terra Divina Contemplative Prayer Gathering
November 26, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Imago Community Garden in Price Hill, 739 Terry Street Cincinnati, OH 45205
In this outdoor, all-ages, bi-weekly Saturday morning participants gather around a fire for contemplative practice rooted in the rhythms of the natural world. Registration is recommended, but not required. Learn more on the cathedral website. Contact Megan Suttman at msuttman@cccath.org with questions or to register.
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Handel’s Messiah
Sunday, December 4
3:00 p.m.
Collegium Cincinnati’s new artistic director Matthew Phelps conducts the ensemble’s annual performance of George Frederick Handel’s Messiah.
Learn more and reserve tickets. The concert will also be live-streamed.
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Remember Procter Center during the holidays | |
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While holiday shopping, please consider linking your Amazon cart to Procter Center’s Amazon Smile account.
In addition to Amazon Smile, Procter Center also has an Amazon Wish List, which is full of items needed to make camp activities even more fun! Click this link, pick-out the items you wish to give, and they will ship directly to Procter. Center
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Winter Family Camp
Registration is open for Winter Family Camp from December 28 to 30. Activities will include a gingerbread house contest, fun crafts, community time with puzzles and games, roasting s’mores and cheering on the game on the big screen. Participants are encouraged to bring sleds if it's snowing.
In the same family, two people are $200. Each additional person in that family is $50. Learn more on the Procter Center website.
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See all job opportunities on the diocesan website.
Latest postings:
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Office Manager and Parish Life Coordinator, St. Barnabas, Montgomery
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Associate Rector of Discipleship, Church of the Redeemer, Cincinnati
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Digital Missioner, St. John's, Columbus
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Nursery Attendant (part-time), St. Andrew's, Pickerington
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Director of Music, Trinity Lutheran Church, Cincinnati
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Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries, Trinity Lutheran Church, Cincinnati
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Communications and Office Assistant (part-time), St. Patrick's, Lebanon
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Financial Administrator, Trinity Church on Capitol Square, Columbus
Email Julie Murray to add a job listing.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
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