DIOCESAN
Anti-Racism Training
Anti-Racism training is required for all individuals in elected and appointed Diocesan positions, and it is also open to all members of the Diocese. The Commission for Racial Justice will offer this two-day training on June 11 and 12 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. both days. The training will be held on Zoom. The cost of the training materials is covered by the Diocese of Ohio. You must commit to attending the full sessions and to doing the off-line work. Registration is required. For additional information please email the Rev. Margaret D’Anieri at mdanieri@dohio.org.
Upcoming Ordinations
By the grace of God and with the consent of the people of God, the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. will ordain Megan Alicia Allen and Jon Michael Coventry to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church on Thursday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m. Your prayers are requested, as is your presence on the Diocesan Facebook page livestream.
Bike with the Bishop
Join friends of all ages for a group ride departing from Bellwether Farm and arriving at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Elyria, where riders will enjoy a community lunch (20 miles). Cyclists will then reverse their route (for a total of 40 miles), or catch a ride in a vehicle heading back to Bellwether. A farm-to-table dinner will be served after the ride. Riders are encouraged to arrive at Bellwether Friday, June 4 for dinner, a bonfire, and overnight rest before breakfast and the ride on Saturday. Prayer and departure will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 5. Cyclists are expected to provide their own bike and helmet. Support and Gear (SAG) vehicles will be on call in case of emergency, and water stops are provided along the route. Registration is open until June 1. 
Young Adults
  • Graduating 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. 
  • Young Adults Party: Young Adults (18-30s) are invited to an in-person gathering on June 6 to usher in the graduating seniors, launch a week of Young Adult Camp, eat empanadas, and spend time together. RSVP to the in-person gathering here.         
  • Connections Camp: We're teaming up with young adults in the Diocese of Indianapolis/St. Paul’s On the Way for a week-long Connections experience on June 7-11. You'll receive a package with activities and goodies, and we'll meet each night to spend time and share. This opportunity will be a fun and low-key way to reconnect with your youth event friends, make new young adult friends, and do some classic spiritual practices. 
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. 
Parish Audits
The small parish audit program may be used for a 2020 audit instead of the committee audit program. Diocesan Council approved this change. These audits are due by June 1. The audit materials can be accessed here. CPA and Diocesan audit team audits are due by July 15.
Intergenerational Camp at Bellwether Farm
Bring your family or “pod” to Bellwether Farm for a weekend of camp on July 2-4 or July 16-18! Following an Olympics theme, pods will participate in team-building activities, friendly competition, and traditional camp activities including arts and crafts, fishing, swimming, hiking, and canoeing. Participants will also work on the farm with Farmer Kyle, caring for both plants and animals, and in the kitchen helping Chef Lonny prepare delicious farm-to-table meals. Evenings will include bonfires and s’mores, movies, stargazing, and large group games. Mornings and evenings will also include family-friendly prayer and reflection.
Pods are responsible for supervising themselves and abiding by Bellwether Farm rules, with staff members organizing and coordinating activities. Pods can choose to stay in a retreat room with a private bath, or a cabin (sleeps up to 10).
Reimagining Sunday School: Curricula
The Diocesan Resource Center is no longer providing universal access to the Weaving God’s Promises curriculum. Instead, we’d like to work with you to find the program or curriculum that makes the most sense and will make the most impact in your specific context. The diocesan website features our recommendations on quality free resources, offers the ability to apply for financial aid to subscribe to paid curricula (like the excellent Weaving God’s Promises and others), or to request a conversation with us to help envision what might work best in your parish. Every child, faith community, and curriculum is different— and we’d love to accompany you in discerning what might be the best fit for you in this moment.
Safeguarding God's Children
All vestry members must be trained in Safeguarding God’s Children. If you are a newly elected vestry member, or you elected new leaders at your parish, it might be time to check if everyone has been “Safeguarded.” Trainings are self-paced online modules. To register, email Mary Ann Semple at resourcelibrary@dohio.org. If you would like to be trained as a facilitator to lead Safeguarding trainings, please contact Mary Ann. 
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 through August beginning at 6:30 pm. There is no cost. More details and registration information are available. 
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. 
PARISH
Urban Garden Assistance
Trinity Cathedral’s Urban Farm is available to help parishes looking to start a community garden at or near the parish, or assist parishes grow their existing urban garden. Whether you’re looking to build raised beds, install a drip irrigation system, learn about crop rotation or find community partners, Trinity’s 16-year-old farm may have the answers. If you are interested in finding out more, email Scott Blanchard at sblanchard@trinitycleveland.org.
A Conversation with Austin Channing Brown
St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights partnered with several local churches to host Austin Channing Brown for a virtual conversation as she discusses her book, “I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.” Brown is a bestselling author, public speaker, and producer. Her work centers around the Black experience in America and engages a diverse audience in the work of racial justice. The conversation is available to watch.
Choir Chairs Needed
Christ Church, Huron is seeking 15 choir chairs. If you have chairs that you would like to donate, please contact the Rev. Mike Floyd.
Explore St. Paul's
St. Paul’s, Akron will host an Explore St. Paul’s on on Sunday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. This class will let visitors know what our mission is, how we live it out, and how to get involved. Please call the church office at 330.836.9327 to register or for more information.