THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Racial Justice Audit of The Episcopal Church Releases
The Episcopal Church publicly released a report on April 19 that assesses the racial makeup and perceptions of a broad sampling of the church’s leadership and summarizes how race influences internal church culture. The release of the 72-page report, nearly three years in the making, also sheds light on nine dominant patterns of racism that were identified during interviews with dozens of church leaders.

The report and related materials, including links for informational webinars in May and June, may be found here.

The full press release is available.
A MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
Along with countless others across our country and around the world, we have waited through the trial of Derek Chauvin, with increasing anxiety about results and responses, for a judgment by a jury of his peers on his culpability in the alleged murder of George Floyd. As has been affirmed by their verdict, the nine and a half minutes during which he knelt on George Floyd’s neck constituted an act of murder. While it is important to remember that the actions of one police officer do not define the thousands of dedicated and responsible law enforcement officials who risk their lives daily carrying out with integrity their vocation to protect and serve, it is also essential that we recognize how this verdict speaks to a history of inequality, oppression, and fear.

DIOCESAN
Graduating High School Seniors
Calling all graduating high school seniors! If you or someone you know is graduating from high school this spring, please fill out this form so we can celebrate you. Please contact the Rev. Anna Sutterisch, Canon for Christian Formation, with any questions at asutterisch@dohio.org
The Global Episcopal Mission Network Conference
The Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) Conference will be held via Zoom on April 22-24 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. every day. The conference will focus on climate change and ecological degradation constitute the major planetary crisis of our time. More information is available on the conference webpage. Registration is now open. Please let the Rev. Margaret D’Anieri, Canon for Mission, that you have registered. There is no fee for the conference, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation as they are able. If you are not already a member of GEMN, we hope you will become a member when you register for the conference. There will also be opportunity to contribute to ecological justice projects in various parts of the world.  
May Morels
Join Farmer Kyle on May 8 and May 15 to forage through the forests at Bellwether Farm for magnificent morel mushrooms. The foraging will be offered in two time slots: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. You’ll learn how to spot the mushroom, safe ways to harvest, and maybe even get to try a bite of this natural delicacy. This event is open to all ages and is free. Registration is required.
Yoga Retreat at Bellwether Farm
Join Valerie Williams in a yoga retreat at Bellwether Farm on May 14-15. Participants will practice meditation, intention-setting, and yoga amidst the fields, forests, ponds, and livestock of Bellwether Farm. A farm-to-table lunch will be served on Saturday. While the bulk of programming is scheduled for Saturday, participants are encouraged to arrive Friday evening for dinner, a bonfire, and overnight respite. The cost is $150 per person for the overnight package, and $40 per person for Saturday only. Registration is now open. More information is available on the Bellwether Farm website.
ECW Annual Meeting
The ECW Diocese of Ohio invites you to the 143rd Annual Meeting & Retreat on May 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This virtual event, Inside Out/Outside In: Recentering through Connections, will include an introduction and opening presentation by Natalie Ronayne (Chief Development Officer, Cleveland Metroparks); Connecting to Community through Nature by Kelly Coffman (Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resiliency Study (CHEERS), Cleveland Metroparks); Chair Yoga by Angee Mantell (RYT Yoga Certified Instructor); Healing Power of Nature by Joe Blanda, MD; an introduction by Patty Kellner, (President, Kirtland Bird Club); and Labyrinth by Sue Mueller, (St, Barnabas, Bay Village).  A worship Service officiated by The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., Bishop of Ohio, will conclude the event. All are welcome. Registration is required
Upcoming Events at Bellwether Farm
  • Magnificent Mushrooms - May 29: Guests will enjoy a presentation from Peter Richards of the Ohio Mushroom Society, and then delight in a farm to table feast featuring morel mushrooms (nature permitting) gathered from Bellwether’s forest.
  • Bishop's Bike Day - June 4-5: Join friends of all ages for a group bike ride departing from Bellwether Farm.
  • Ukulele Day - June 26: Join Ukulele aficionado Chelsie Cree for a day of celebrating the ukulele from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
  • Intergenerational Camp - July 2-4 and July 16-18: Following an Olympics theme, families or pods will participate in team-building activities, friendly competition, and traditional camp activities including arts and crafts, fishing, swimming, hiking, and canoeing. 
Diocesan Youth Event
Youth currently in grades 6-12 will gather at Bellwether Farm on June 12-13 to enjoy friends new and old, play with the goats and on the farm, make some art, pray, and relax together in this beautiful place. Register at dohio.org/DYE. A full save the date calendar is available. Questions can be directed to the Rev. Anna Sutterisch, Canon for Christian Formation, at asutterisch@dohio.org
Internships at Bellwether Farm
Bellwether Farm is currently seeking a Sustainable Farm intern and a Culinary intern. Full job descriptions and more information are available on the Bellwether Farm website. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to William Powel, Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, at wpowel@dohio.org.
Quality Training for Your 2021 Stewardship Team
The Congregations and Christian Formation office is partnering with TENS to provide a series of four webinars offering stewardship training for your parish. The 90-minute webinars will be held on the first Tuesday of each month from May through August beginning at 6:30 pm. There is no cost. More details and registration information are available
Parochial Assessment Forms
The 2021 Parochial Assessment forms are available on the diocesan website. The 2021 Estimate of Monthly Support, the 2021 Monthly Assessment form, and the 2021 January Assessment form are available under the parish resources tab.
ChurchNext
www.ChurchNext.tv is a high-quality online spiritual formation resource for parishes and individuals. Subscriber parishes can take courses together on a variety of topics including scripture, liturgy, and many other areas of personal and spiritual growth. Courses are taught by experts, many from The Episcopal Church, and allow members to learn what they want, when they want, and at their own pace. Participants can learn anywhere there is an Internet connection on a PC, laptop, or tablet. Your parish will develop its own “school” which will allow members to take courses by themselves, in small groups, or even as a congregation. 

The Diocese of Ohio will pay for a one-year subscription for any parish willing to give ChurchNext a meaningful try-out. If you are interested, please email the Rev. Brad Purdom
Diocesan Audit Team Request Available
PPP Loan Forgiveness - First Draw Loans
PPP loans which were applied for in 2020 under the CARES Act are now termed, “First Draw PPP Loans.” The Consolidated Appropriations Act, enacted on December 27, 2020, provides for a simplified forgiveness application for loans of $150,000 or less. If your parish deferred applying for forgiveness waiting for guidance, this expedited process may be beneficial to you. The application and instructions are available. (Note: The application has been updated).

The maturity dates of First Draw PPP Loans are two years for loans approved before June 5, and five years for loans approved on or after that date.  Forgiveness must be applied for before the maturity date.  

However, payments due on the loan are only deferred for 10 months beyond the end of the covered period. The covered period began the date the loan amount was received, and ends no later than 24 weeks later. Example: The diocese received its PPP loan on April 21, 2020. The initial 8-week covered period ended June 16, 2020, but was extended to October 5, the end of the 24-week covered period. Because the diocese did not use the entire loan amount during the first 8 weeks, we chose the 24-week covered period to receive full forgiveness. For loans approved on or after June 5, 2020, the covered period is 24-months. Our first payment would have been due on August 5, 2021, eight months after the end of our 24-week covered period. No payments are due, since we applied for and received full forgiveness in November 2020.  

We encourage all parishes to apply for forgiveness before any payments would be due on the loan. The process has taken far less time than allowed under the loan provisions. The diocese received its approval of forgiveness 1 month after applying, and some parishes have received it in 2 weeks. Please keep these time frames in mind when planning and applying for loan forgiveness.
PPP Loan Forgiveness
The AICPA has developed two tools to help with the application for PPP Loan forgiveness. The first is an Excel spreadsheet that walks through all the calculations required to prepare the application request. The second tool will actually determine which of the forgiveness forms is needed and prepare a signature ready application form based on the data entered.  
PARISH
Mother's Day Bake Sale
Saint Timothy’s, Macedonia Mother’s Day Bake Sale will not be held for the second year in a row. Our bakers and volunteer workers do not feel comfortable because of the risks associated with COVID-19. We will look forward to next year’s sale when we are hopefully all in a better place. If you supported us in the past, we would be very grateful if you would consider making a donation.  This event is a fundraiser for St. Timothy’s put on by ECW. Donations can be sent to St. Timothy's at P.O. Box 560204, Macedonia, OH 44056.
Personal Prayer Time
The cathedral sanctuary will be open on Mondays (5:00-7:00 p.m.) and Thursdays (11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) for individuals to pray, walk the labyrinth, light a candle and meditate during Personal Prayer Time. No reservation is needed; capacity is limited to 20 people. No parking fee. Please enter using the Prospect door of Trinity Commons. All attendees will be asked to sign in, wear a mask during their visit, and socially distance themselves from others in the building. Trinity follows all Diocesan and CDC sanitation/cleaning protocols. Volunteers are needed to help as greeters. If you have questions, please contact Ginger Bitikofer at gbitikofer@trinitycleveland.org.
Adult Education Classes
In order to offer stimulating, thought-provoking, and spiritual adult education to its members and the diocese, Trinity Cathedral has compiled several educational series on its YouTube channel. Enjoy series ranging from Bible study to end-of-life preparation. Also learn about the spirituality of the enneagram and watch forum interviews with theologians, community leaders, historians and more. You can find these series below “worship services” and “sermons” on Trinity’s YouTube channel. Please contact Scott Blanchard, at sblanchard@trinitycleveland.org for questions or more information.
OTHER
Province V Episcopal Church Women Community Conversations
The Province V Episcopal Church Women are holding Community Conversations: Calling In vs. Calling Out on Wednesday, April 28 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Mother Maria Evans from the Diocese of Missouri will lead the conversation about the current state of relationships. For additional information, please visit www.ecwprovince5.org. Registration is required. 
Province V Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting
The Province V Episcopal Church Women Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 1 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. online. and will include the business meeting, featured speakers, and conclude with worship.  This meeting will not have a registration fee, but registration is required.
Rogation Day Reflections by Episcopal Networks Collaborative Lectionary Project
The Episcopal Networks Collaborative, which consists of The Episcopal Network for Economic Justice (ENEJ), The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE), and people interested in advancing environmental justice across the United States, is excited to provide a collection of reflections on Rogationtide. Rogation Days (May 10- 12) are a small season between the Sixth Sunday in Easter and Ascension Day. Historically, Rogation served four purposes, which we attempt to highlight in our writings. These focuses were: blessing the land for harvest, reconciliation of differences, neighborliness, and mercy for the poor. When we began to think critically about this season we noticed a common thread: community. We hope these reflections prompt conversations and actions that unify our sense of belonging and strengthen our ability and desire to love and care for The Other. The direct weblink to the reflections is available.