{e} Connections
March 17, 2020 | Issue 11
March 22 is Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday
As provided for in a resolution adopted by our 134th Annual Convention, the fourth Sunday in Lent (March 22) has been designated as Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, a day officially designated as a time to encourage congregations and individuals to remember and support the life-saving work of Episcopal Relief & Development. All Episcopalians are invited to join together on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday to pray for those living in need and to dedicate a special offering to the work of Episcopal Relief & Development.

Although we are not publicly worshiping in our congregations this Sunday, you can still make a donation to the global life-giving ministries of Episcopal Relief & Development through the online giving page set up on the diocesan website. Just choose Episcopal Relief & Development in the pull-down menu.
Virtual weekly Bible Study via ZOOM
In the current climate of uncertainty when it can feel like things are being taken away from our everyday lives, the diocese would like to give something back - a thoughtful study of the Psalms, a way of receiving and understanding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

This will be a three- week virtual (via Zoom video conferencing) study, led by diocesan clergy. You will meet on the same day each week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays) from 7-8 p.m. Register at  https://dsoepiscopal.org/lenten-bible-study/ . An email with video conferencing instructions will be sent upon registration. Space is limited, so register today!
At this time when people are rapidly and in many cases involuntarily virtualizing their meetings and interactions, we feel called to share our deep knowledge of building true human connection through Zoom.

Join  Becoming Beloved Community  Coordinator  Amy Howton , along with group facilitator and consultant  Andy Swindler  to learn the technology of Zoom (it’s easy, we promise!) + practice the Art of Hosting space and dialogue virtually. This training will be held Thursday, March 19 from 4 to 5 p.m.

We’ll practice social connection in a time of social distancing. More info and link to RSPV is here:  https://feelreal.net/calendar/zoom-training-tech-space-holding/
Coronavirus webinar
Join Ohio Council of Churches and Faith in Public Life for their monthly policy webinar on Thursday, March 19 at 12 noon. This month's topic has been changed to the coronavirus updates and tools.

The webinar will include strategies to support your local faith communities, obtain accurate information about how the coronavirus is affecting marginalized communities, and discuss valuable messaging for faith communities in this time. Everyone is invited. 

Lent resources
Curriculum and other materials

Reflections on Stations of the Cross , a new Lent resource from Episcopal Migration Ministries

Life Transformed - The Way of Love in Lent from The Episcopal Church

Lent Resources from Forward Movement

United Thank Offering (UTO) Lenten Calendar

Signs of Life: why church matters, A Lenten daily practice from the Society of St. John the Evangelist

Episcopal Relief & Development's Lenten Meditations


Although dinner and the "live audience" has been cancelled, the bishop's Lenten series at Christ Church Cathedral will still be live streamed as scheduled.

Whose Property is it Anyway?  will be presented at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 18, 25, and April 1.

You can find the link to the presentation on the diocesan website or here .
Re-connecting (repeat announcements, resources, etc.)
Connecting with The Episcopal Church
Episcopal Shield
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Word to the Church:
Holy Week and Easter Day 2020
Online worship supported and encouraged

Dear People of God,

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

These affirmations are at the very heart of our faith as followers of Jesus Christ.
In public services of Holy Week and Easter we solemnly contemplate, commemorate, and rededicate our lives as witnesses to life made possible in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Together with Christmas, Holy Week and Easter are the holiest of days in our life together in Christ.

Last week I stated publicly my support for bishops who, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, decide “for a designated period of time . . . to cancel in-person gatherings for public worship.”   I write now concerning the need to suspend in-person gatherings for public worship, in most contexts, during the sacred time of Holy Week and Easter Day.  Because this is a global health crisis, the principles in this letter apply throughout The Episcopal Church, including beyond the United States.

On March 15 th  the Centers for Disease Control recommended the suspension of public gatherings in the U.S. of more than 50 people for the next 8 weeks. On March 16 th  officials of the federal government asked persons in the U.S. to “avoid gatherings of more than 10 people” for the next 15 days. It is reasonable to assume that some form of recommendations restricting public gatherings will continue for some time.

Considering this changing landscape, I believe that suspension of in-person public worship is generally the most prudent course of action at this time, even during Holy Week and on Easter Day.   I am also mindful that local situations vary.  Bishops must make this determination and the duration of said suspension in their respective dioceses, based on the public health situation in their context and the recommendations or requirements of government agencies and officials. 

It is important to emphasize that suspension of in-person gatherings is not a suspension of worship. I very much encourage and support online worship.

In the Gospels, the teachings of Jesus about the way of love cluster during Holy Week and Easter (see John 13-17, Matthew 22:34-40). The primacy of love in the Gospels is given its fullest expression in the shadow of the cross. This way of unselfish, sacrificial love, the way of the cross,  is  the way of God and the way of life. 

It is out of this love for our fellow humans, our neighbors, that we forego the blessing of being physically together for worship. In so doing we seek to promote health and healing needed at this time.

God bless you and keep the faith,

+Michael

The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
Connecting with our cathedral
The Sunday 10:00 AM online service is the only worship we are offering at this time. All in-person programming at our cathedral is currently suspended.
Cathedral Choir auditions
Do you love to sing? Then consider auditioning for a position in the Christ Church Cathedral Choir. As a cathedral chorister, you will sing at weekly Sunday morning services, monthly Evensong services, and other major liturgical observances in the church year. We also maintain a roster of substitute choristers.

Positions are open for paid and volunteer choristers, as well as substitute choristers.
Cathedral logo
Christ Church Cathedral is located at 318 E. 4th Street in downtown Cincinnati. Visit  cincinnaticathedral.com  or call (513) 621-1817 to learn more.
Connecting with Procter Center
Camp registration

Summer camp registration is now open. Register by April 15 or Bring-a-Friend to get $25 off!

Procter Center Logo

Procter Center is located at 11235 State Route 38E in London, OH. Visit  proctercenter.org  or call (740) 206-2036 to learn more.
Connecting with job opportunities
Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming

Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming

St. Andrew's, Pickerington

Holy Trinity, Oxford

Bethany School

Bethany School

Ascension & Holy Trinity, Wyoming
All Saints, Cincinnati

Diocese of Southern Ohio

St. John's, Worthington

St. Anne's, West Chester

Calvary, Cincinnati

St. Simon of Cyrene, Lincoln Heights and/or Transfiguration Spirituality Center
See all job opportunities at http://diosohio.org/job-opportunities/
Need a job posted? Send your information to communication@diosohio.org .
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