28 - Diocesan Council, 9 a.m.

30- Investment Committee, 12 p.m.

30 - WCP Memorial Fund application deadline

6 - Labor Day (all diocese offices closed)

10 - Church Foundation, 1 p.m.

10 - Deadline for Connections submissions

14 - Deadline for proposed changes to Constitution & Canons

25 - Convocation, "Proclaiming the Dream," 10 a.m.

29 - Deadline for proposed resolutions

Last week I convened the Diocesan COVID Medical Task Force to confer with our health experts and to hear their recommendations for Church gatherings. The meeting was timely, given the sharp increase of COVID-19 cases in Ohio and the spread of the delta variant of the virus. After taking counsel from this group, I am confident that current practices require no change. Wearing masks remains the best practice for everyone, especially inside our buildings. Also, we continue to encourage everyone to receive the vaccine. Masks and vaccination are the best means for stopping the spread of this virus.

Given this information, we continue to plan for our September 25 Diocesan Convocation at the Procter Center, using the proper precautions, keeping most activities outside, and requiring the wearing of masks inside the buildings.

We continue to monitor COVID trends in Ohio, knowing that new conditions may warrant new guidelines. Stay tuned!

In collaboration with TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship, we will learn about new member incorporation strategies, best practices for online giving, how to talk about money in church and how to prepare our stewardship teams to feel comfortable with these conversations, and get some ideas on event-based fundraising. Please join us, bring your questions, and get ready for your fall Stewardship program!

Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0j0Dk767QKWnRyH5OFZPbA. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The webinar will also be recorded and posted online for those who are unable to attend at the scheduled time.

Click here to watch a webinar on the updated curriculum

Be sure to register here!

Find all information, including how to propose a

constitutional/canonical change or resolution, diocesan

offices needing nominations and nomination forms at our convention website, dsoconvention.org, or find the link on the diocesan website.

Lay delegates elected for the 147th Convention should have been reported on your 2021 Annual Reporting Form. In the event that your church did not report your delegates for certification, use this form to request credentials for duly elected lay delegates. Note: Only those churches that have not previously reported their delegates are able to use the form.

For all other churches: If you have had a change or addition to your previously reported lay delegates, fill out a Change of Delegate form.

Chairs of diocesan committees, commissions and task forces are reminded that an annual report of the activities of your group is required to be submitted for publication before each convention. The 2021 Annual Reports are due by October 29, 2021. A link to the form can be found on the convention website.

Submissions for e-Connections must be received by noon on Mondays for inclusion in any weekly newsletter.

Submissions for e-Connections should be limited to short announcements. Items can be sent as text in an email or as an attached Word document. Flyers should be sent as .jpeg or .pdf files. A short press release or announcement of the event should accompany all flyers. Make sure to include the address of the venue and contact information.

Send submissions to editor Julie Murray at jmurray@diosohio.org.

Churches can now add their own events to the diocesan calendar*. Just click on the link at the bottom of the calendar page to get started!

The Rev. Dan McClain, Priest in Charge at St. Paul’s, Dayton, will host a one-evening dinner gathering on Friday, October 22, at 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s to foster conversation around theological education in the parish and the diocese. Evening Prayer will be said beforehand at 5:15 p.m. Dan is president of the Society of Scholar Priests for 2021-22, and welcomes all clergy in the diocese to learn more about the Society and register for the event at this link.

This year St. Francis, Springboro, will celebrate its 40^th year. St. Francis was started as a church plant from Church of the Ascension, Middletown, and has enjoyed four decades of Proclaiming the Good news through word and deed, dedicated to the love of Jesus Christ and the truth of his message.

We would like to invite everyone to commemorate the occasion with us. On Sunday, October 3 at 3 p.m., we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist in Thanksgiving for continual blessings bestowed upon the people of St. Francis by Almighty God. The Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, will officiate.

We have commissioned a special anthem to mark St. Francis Church’s 40^th year. Robert Benson, long-time member of Holy Trinity, Oxford, has composed an anthem, “All Creatures of our God and King,” based on the words of St. Francis. Mr. Benson is an accomplished organist and composer whose music has been performed in churches and cathedrals in America, Canada, and England, as well as in concert in Rome. Over 100 of his anthems, including the one written for St. Francis, have been published.

We would also like to invite singers from across the diocese, whether members of a choir or not, to join us for the premiere of this piece. Please contact the church office at parishsec@saintfran.org, and we will send you a pdf of the anthem. Let us know what vocal part you would be singing (soprano, alto, tenor, or bass). We will join our voices together and sing a new song unto the Lord!

After a difficult and trying year, we hope that you will consider joining us for a time of thanksgiving and celebration.

Celebrating with You,

Fr. Jed Dearing, Priest in Residence & Stephan Graham, Senior Warden

Trinity, London has a spare pulpit we would like to donate to a congregation who needs one. It is in good shape and is ready to transport. The recipient needs to be able to pick it up.

If interested, contact 740-852-9298 or teclondon@sbcglobal.net

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Music Live at Lunch, Christ Church Cathedral's weekly concert series, is celebrating its 50^th year! Music Live at Lunch will feature the performers listed below in September. These free concerts are presented on Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m. Patrons may bring their own lunch or purchase one at the cathedral. 

September 7: Lu Li (violin) with piano – Classical music

September 14: Rabbit Hash String Band – Old-time music

September 21: Queen City Sisters – 1940s music

September 28: Lieto String Quartet – Classical music

Anne and Michael Delfín present a recital that captures the Baroque spirit of chamber music and improvisation. The program, performed on flute, piccolo, harpsichord, piano, and organ, includes music by J. S. Bach, Telemann, and Hotteterre, as well as transcriptions by Busoni and the performers’ own transcription of a Vivaldi concerto. No admission charge.

If you are interested in participating, please contact the Farm Manager, Danielle Vogel, at dvogel@proctercenter.org. Please include the Sunday you wish to come help, and the number of people in your party.

Province V of the Episcopal Church is a wonderful networking resource to connect with Episcopalians from the Midwest who share interest in a same ministry area. Province V News also has information about webinars and other events of interest.