Prayers for the HBCU community
I am writing with profound distress over the news of bomb threats yesterday and today against multiple historic Black colleges and universities across the United States, forcing lockdowns, shelter-in-place orders, and cancellation of classes. As the threats are investigated by local and federal law enforcement, pray for the safety of all students, faculty and staff - with particular concern for any of you with loved ones who’ve been put in danger. Pray also that the people who’ve made these threats be speedily identified and arrested. |
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Yours,
George Wayne Smith
Bishop Provisional
Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
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Presiding Bishop Curry invites gifts to Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to support the hope-filled, life-impacting work of two historically Black institutions of higher education through donations and dedicated offerings on the Feast of Absalom Jones—the first Black priest ordained by the church—observed Feb. 13.
Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina, were founded after the Civil War to create educational opportunities for formerly enslaved people. They provide a liberal arts education to thousands of students, as well as offer robust campus ministries to help form young adults as followers of Jesus and his way of love.
“Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are essential engines of justice, equity, and social mobility,” Curry said. “They provide high-quality education to students whose backgrounds and experiences may not have prepared them well for college success. They nurture talent that may have otherwise been discouraged by obstacles.”
Donations to the HBCUs (divided equally between the two) help support scholarships and financial aid for students in need as well as funding for quality facilities, faculty recruitment and retention, and the development of religious life on campus. Voorhees and Saint Augustine’s are seeking to build strong programs in STEM fields and the health sciences as they overcome the financial pressures created by COVID-19.
Supporting HBCUs is an investment in the ministry of reconciliation and building a better future for all, Curry said. “As much as we give to these institutions, they give back to our world many times over,” he said.
To give: Make a donation online at iam.ec/givehbcu, or text GIVEHBCU to 41444. |
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Academic grants for Minority Women |
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The Lawrence Home Association, founded in 1896 under the will of philanthropist Eleanor Earnshaw, was started to “provide a Christian home for self-supporting, young women on limited means, the most important aim being to help them elevate their standard of life.” To this day, the Lawrence Home Association provides opportunities for young women.
An eight-member board of women, appointed by the bishop, meets once a year to vote on recommendations for academic grants for minority women, scholarships for clergy daughters and funding for social-service agencies whose mission is to serve women of limited means and help them move out of conditions related to poverty, abuse, etc.
The purpose of the Academic Grant for Minority Women program is to help finance the postsecondary education of minority women, regardless of age, who are affiliated with an Episcopal church within the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
The association expects to make eight grants in 2022. The application deadline is March 25, 2022. All applicants for the 2022-23 grant period will be selected by April 21, 2022, and notified after May 1 about the status of their applications.
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Tuition assistance for clergy daughters |
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Tuition assistance is available for daughters of priests who are in active service in the diocese through grants offered by the Lawrence Home Clergy Daughters Tuition Assistance program. Candidates must be undergraduate students in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Priests who have a daughter who meets these qualifications should contact Ann Sabo at asabo@diosohio.org by March 25, 2022 with the following information:
- Your name
- Home address
- Daughter’s name
- Academic status year i.e. sophomore, etc.
- Name of college/institution
Students are eligible to receive a grant each year for up to four years. Last year’s recipients must resubmit their names to be considered for the 2022-23 grant. Requests arriving after the deadline will not be considered for assistance. Please contact Ann Sabo with any questions at asabo@diosohio.org or 513.421.0311 ext 103.
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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News from the diocesan community |
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John Lewis: Good Trouble Screening and Panel/Community Discussion
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JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles the life and career of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia.
Meaningful Movies Project offered by the Episcopal Church in Western Washington, the Black/African-American Ethnic Ministries Circle of Color, and PNW Union of Black Episcopalians are proud to present JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter (TRAPPED, GIDEON’S ARMY), which chronicles the life and career of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia.
Using interviews and rare archival footage, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles John Robert Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, then 80 years old, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.
REGISTER TO RECEIVE A 72-HOUR SCREENING LINK TO USE ON YOUR OWN DEVICE – SCREENING WINDOW FEBRUARY 17-19.
JOIN US FOR THE PANEL DISCUSSION AND COMMUNITY CONVERSATION VIA ZOOM: Friday, Feb. 18, 2022 at 6pm PT.
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News from The Episcopal Church |
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Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Center
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All Saints, Pleasant Ridge
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La Iglesia Episcopal del Espíritu Santo
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St. Christopher's, Fairborn
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Association for Episcopal Deacons
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The Seamen's Church Institute
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