August 31, 2021
News from the diocese
Staff announcements

We are happy to announce two new staffing assignments: Jake Otte joins us as the part-time Latino Ministry Program Coordinator at La Iglesia del Espiritu Santo/Latino Ministry Center in Forest Park, and Kelly Whittaker has been named the part time Accounts Payable Associate with the Finance Department team. Meet Jake and Kelly:
Jake Otte
Jake Otte

“Hello all! A bit about myself... The Episcopal Church was not originally my natural habitat, since I grew up as a non-denominational/evangelical Christian. I left that tradition for a number of reasons and spent several years searching for a new church home. Although that search was painful, and I came close to giving up, I remembered my namesake, Jacob, when he wrestled with God and refused to let go until God blessed him (Genesis 32). Likewise, I told God that I would continue to wrestle with him until he blessed me. When I was led to the Episcopal Church (specifically Saint James here in Cincinnati) in 2019, I quickly fell in love, and equally as quickly re-engaged in ministry, serving in our communal worship life (reading Scripture, singing, playing guitar, chalice bearing, etc.), joining the Vestry, serving on various committees, and leading a weekly Compline service on Facebook Live. I’ve also served as a tutor and mentor for Latino immigrant children and teens with the Transformations ministry. I feel the Holy Spirit moving as I transition into a vocational ministry role, and I'm thrilled to continue this work! I always welcome anyone to reach out to me with any questions and/or concerns. I pray that we will all bear good fruit together and enact God's will! God bless!”
Kelly Whittaker
Kelly Whittaker

“While I am a Cincinnati native, I come from a few different backgrounds. I was raised in Anderson township and excelled in school, but my passion for dance became my first career goal. After training with Cincinnati Ballet, I was a trainee for 1 year. I then was fortunate to be a company dancer with Columbia City Ballet in Columbia, SC for 8 years. After a severe injury, I returned to Cincinnati and continued to teach ballet. My passion has really transformed into working with students and developing a positive mindset and determination to work hard towards goals. I became administrator for Ballet Theatre Midwest and this rekindled my interest in organization and numbers. I was excited to pick up new skills at BTM and with hotel auditor work. Today I continue to teach ballet at two dance studios and live in Mt. Washington. I also currently work as a restaurant server and certified personal trainer. I really enjoy reading just about anything and continuing to learn. I am excited to be a part of the Diocese and the wonderful impact it has on our community.”
Welcome to Jake and Kelly!
Resources
Upcoming Webinars
Deepening our Stewardship Formation
giving is worship
Is your fall pledge campaign ready to go? On Wednesday, September 15 at 12 Noon, we invite you to a webinar to learn best practices, tips, and tools you can implement in your fall fundraising campaigns.

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 here. 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.
The Road Ahead: Getting the Most from Your Health Benefits

Topic: Healthcare Annual Enrollment 2022
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.

Healthcare Annual Enrollment for 2022 is on the horizon. We encourage you to join a live education webinar on October 12, at 12 p.m., specifically for our diocese. Hosted by the Episcopal Church Medical Trust, this session is designed to help subscribers and dependents get the most from their healthcare benefits.

Topics will include…
  • Understanding your 2022 plan offerings and enhancements
  • The nuts and bolts of Annual Enrollment
  • Explaining the new 4 tier offering – Employee, Employee +1, Employee + children (NEW) and Employee + Family
  • Get to know your additional benefits
  • How to engage with plan vendors to ensure the right care at the right time
  • Virtual Visits and Telehealth Services: The care platforms of tomorrow are here to stay
  • …and more

Learn more or sign up here
Formation
Becoming Beloved Community
Convention news
Community news, events
News from our Cathedral
News from the Procter Center
Repeat announcements
Red Door Community Concert at Holy Trinity, Oxford
Friday, September 17
12 p.m.

Tammy Kernodle and her Jazz Trio, live concert and talk: Freedom Sounds: songs of Resistance, Hope and Transcendence. This concert will explore how black music, represented in various forms, has served as an incubator of narratives of hope, resistance and perseverance that mark the long struggle for equality and social justice in America. The concert will be offered live, in-person and later through a link to YouTube on Holy Trinity's website and Facebook page. The concert is free to the public, masks required for attendees. This is the second of six concerts initiated by Holy Trinity during the pandemic. During the isolation and anxiety caused by the last 18 months music is something that soothes the soul, unites us all, and provides a way to stay connected. Attendees will experience diverse types of music performed by a variety of musicians. Stay tuned for news of the remaining concerts in November (5), February (11), April (1), and June (TBD). Learn more
Understanding Mental Health and Addiction: A series for faith communities
How can we help create welcoming communities in Christ when people face mental health challenges and/or substance use disorder in themselves or their loved ones?
 
Please join Oesterlen Services for Youth, Inc. for two workshops by well-known speakers of the Springfield/Clark County area who will address the faith communities. These workshops are available in person and by streaming.
 
Thursday, Sept. 9, 7 pm - Dr. Ebony Speakes-Hall, "The Face to be Free: Erasing the Stigma of Mental Health." 
 
Thursday, Sept. 16 3:30 pm - Wendy Dolittle, “Understanding the Brain and Addiction.”
 
To register for either speaker, please use this form. You will receive the pdf by email.
 
For more information, contact Pastor Rachel Tune, rtune@oesterlen.org
Sara Miles: A Conversation on Eucharist, Food, Justice, and Community
September 10, 2021
6 to 9 p.m.

What does the Eucharist have to do with life outside of Sunday liturgy? How might it inform our outreach, evangelism, and discipleship?

Join author Sara Miles in a conversation about the Eucharist and its meaning in our communities. We will discuss how Christian communities can think about food insecurity, racial and economic reconciliation, and community empowerment through the lens of the Eucharist in our particular neighborhoods.

Tickets are free, but registration is required. The event will be held at Church of the Advent, Walnut Hills, to allow for outdoor seating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This event is sponsored by the Diocese of Southern Ohio and Church of the Advent, Walnut Hills.

Alexander Crummell
Commemorate racial justice ministry on UBE Sunday 2021

Sunday, September 12, 2021

On Sunday, September 12, we celebrate the life and legacy of our notable saint, the Rev. Alexander Crummell. The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) designates this day as UBE Sunday, to commemorate the racial justice ministry of this organization which was an outgrowth of the Rev. Crummell’s advocacy.

We encourage you to observe UBE Sunday on September 12 by remembering the life of The Rev. Alexander Crummell. Liturgical resources you may use on September 12 or on any other Sunday where you are reflecting on racial reconciliation can be found here.
Film screening and discussion
Sacred Conversations will sponsor Dr. Joan Ferrante’s “Mourning the Creation of Racial Equality” film screening and presentation on Saturday, October 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Philip's, Columbus, 166 Woodland Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43203. This affair will be presented in person as well as via Zoom. Tickets to attend are $15 and are tax deductible. 

Society of Scholar Priests Midwestern Gathering
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.
St. Francis to celebrate 40th anniversary

This year St. Francis, Springboro, will celebrate its 40th year. 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 would also like to invite singers from across the diocese, whether members of a choir or not, to join us for the premiere of a special anthem commissioned to mark our 40th year. 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!
News from The Episcopal Church
Job opportunities
Christ Church Cathedral
Trinity, Hamilton
St. Timothy's, Anderson Twp.
St. Barnabas, Montgomery
Church of the Redeemer, Cincinnati
The Edge House, University of Cincinnati
St. Anne's, West Chester
St. John's, Worthington
St. Patrick's, Dublin
St. Philip's, Columbus
Grace Church, College Hill
Need a job posted? Send your information to communication@diosohio.org.