What we believe
We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
News from the Diocese of Ohio
Trinity Cathedral celebrates Absalom Jones on Feb. 12
and encourages contributions to HBCUs
and encourages contributions to HBCUs
January 28, 2023
Dear colleagues and friends,
On Saturday morning, February 11, at 11 o'clock, the Wilma Ruth Combs Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Trinity Cathedral, and the Diocese of Ohio will host at Trinity Cathedral our annual celebration of Absalom Jones, whose feast day is February 13.
Following last summer’s action of the 80th General Convention, we will also celebrate the life and ministry of the Rt. Rev. Barbara Clementine Harris, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts. The first woman to be ordained a Bishop in the Anglican Communion, she is celebrated by commemorating the anniversary of her consecration on February 11, 1989.
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, the current Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts, will preach, and the service will be livestreamed. I write to encourage you to attend this celebration, either in person or online, and to remember these two saints of the church in your prayers and parishes on Sunday, February 12.
The annual Absalom Jones service is an important event in our common journey toward Becoming Beloved Community. This year, it provides an opportunity to remember both the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first African American to be ordained in The Episcopal Church, and Bishop Barbara Harris, the first African-American woman to serve in the episcopate, and to affirm our commitment to racial reconciliation and the disassembling of racism. Their courage, dedication, and deep faith can inspire in us the same spirit necessary to heal the racial division and injustice of our own day. (A flyer describing the service may be downloaded here.)
Presiding Bishop Curry has invited contributions to be made from these observances, whether in special diocesan services or in regular Sunday parish worship on February 12, to St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. He has written, “Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are essential institutions that help prepare people from diverse backgrounds for success in an array of vital professions. As we approach the celebration of Blessed Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in The Episcopal Church, it is fitting that we honor his memory by lending our support to two schools that continue to form new African-American leaders.”
To this end, you may send any contributions to Sue Leishman at 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44115 or online at this link by selecting Absalom Jones Fund under Designate My Gift. You may also contribute directly to the Absalom Jones Fund online at www.episcopalchurch.org/development/HBCU.
I urge you to remember Blessed Absalom and Bishop Barbara on February 11 at the Cathedral and in your congregations the following day, and to make a gift to the Absalom Jones Fund for HBCUs.
Gratefully,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.
Bishop of Ohio
Dear colleagues and friends,
On Saturday morning, February 11, at 11 o'clock, the Wilma Ruth Combs Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Trinity Cathedral, and the Diocese of Ohio will host at Trinity Cathedral our annual celebration of Absalom Jones, whose feast day is February 13.
Following last summer’s action of the 80th General Convention, we will also celebrate the life and ministry of the Rt. Rev. Barbara Clementine Harris, Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts. The first woman to be ordained a Bishop in the Anglican Communion, she is celebrated by commemorating the anniversary of her consecration on February 11, 1989.
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, the current Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts, will preach, and the service will be livestreamed. I write to encourage you to attend this celebration, either in person or online, and to remember these two saints of the church in your prayers and parishes on Sunday, February 12.
The annual Absalom Jones service is an important event in our common journey toward Becoming Beloved Community. This year, it provides an opportunity to remember both the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first African American to be ordained in The Episcopal Church, and Bishop Barbara Harris, the first African-American woman to serve in the episcopate, and to affirm our commitment to racial reconciliation and the disassembling of racism. Their courage, dedication, and deep faith can inspire in us the same spirit necessary to heal the racial division and injustice of our own day. (A flyer describing the service may be downloaded here.)
Presiding Bishop Curry has invited contributions to be made from these observances, whether in special diocesan services or in regular Sunday parish worship on February 12, to St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. He has written, “Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are essential institutions that help prepare people from diverse backgrounds for success in an array of vital professions. As we approach the celebration of Blessed Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in The Episcopal Church, it is fitting that we honor his memory by lending our support to two schools that continue to form new African-American leaders.”
To this end, you may send any contributions to Sue Leishman at 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44115 or online at this link by selecting Absalom Jones Fund under Designate My Gift. You may also contribute directly to the Absalom Jones Fund online at www.episcopalchurch.org/development/HBCU.
I urge you to remember Blessed Absalom and Bishop Barbara on February 11 at the Cathedral and in your congregations the following day, and to make a gift to the Absalom Jones Fund for HBCUs.
Gratefully,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.
Bishop of Ohio
Watercolors, mysticism and a look toward summer at Bellwether Farms
A Wonderful Watercolor Weekend with Sarah Knoblauch
Bellwether Farm will host a Wonderful Watercolor Weekend with Sarah Knoblauch February 17-19. This will be an easy, efficient exercise in discovering the magical qualities of watercolor. This course will begin by exploring the four basic watercolor techniques. There will be ongoing individual instruction throughout the day. You will learn recipes for different colors and explore new ones on your own. The weekend is $265 for a double room, and $325 for a single room. Registration is available on the Bellwether Farm website.
Exploring Mysticism Retreat
Bellwether Farm will hold a Mystics retreat on March 16 – 19. What is mysticism? Who were/are the Mystics? Do they have any relevance for today’s world and our lives as Christians? The Rev. Sally Goodall will lead the exploration into those questions, then begin to explore Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle”, her image to describe the soul’s journey to God. Teresa of Avila lived in 16th century Spain, a time of political instability, religious turmoil, and renewed interest in mystical experiences. Despite the challenges of the Inquisition and suspicion of anything written by a woman, Teresa wrote prolifically about prayer and the spiritual life. We discover, in the midst of her deep theological insights and ecstatic experiences, a person who is down to earth and responds honestly to life’s challenges. As we step into Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle” we will taste a little of her rich life of prayer and sample the music of the mystics.
This will be an opportunity to explore what she meant. Registration is available on the Bellwether Farm website. The cost for the retreat is $280 and includes a single occupancy room, meals from Thursday dinner through Saturday lunch, and all materials. For questions, please contact Ruth Mercer at rmercer@dohio.org or 216.7740.0453.
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp Dates
Bellwether Farm will offer a variety of summer camps from June 18 through July 28. Visit the website to learn more about our various summer offerings for all ages, and to apply to be a camp counselor or nurse. Registration will be available soon.
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp Counselors
Are you ready for a transformational summer? Join an amazing team of staff at Bellwether Farm Camp, Retreat, and Education Center as a camp counselor! The farm, fields, and forests of Bellwether Farm guide everything we do at summer camp. From foraging, harvesting, and cooking, to goat snuggles and chicken chases, to catching crawdads in the creek and fish in the pond, campers and counselors connect with themselves, each other, and Creation every day. Challenge yourself to spend your summer outside on this beautiful land, growing into the person you are called to be. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here.
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp Nurse
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp is a small weekly overnight camp centered on experiencing the divine in the natural world, food, and community. Physical wellness is just as important as spiritual and mental health at Bellwether Farm Camp. The camp nurse ensures that campers and staff receive the proper attention during any health incidents. This includes being aware of and attentive to all medications, allergies, and any health conditions, as well as being on call for scrapes, bruises, bee stings, and any other illnesses. In addition, the camp nurse is the primary responsible person for any health incidents and emergencies. Licensure is not required, although some experience or training in the healthcare field is preferred. Working with the camp staff and counselors, the camp nurse is a vital part of the Bellwether Farm Camp community. More information is available on the Bellwether Farm website.
Volunteer Days
On the 3rd Saturday of every month, beginning January 20, Bellwether Farm will hold volunteer days. Volunteers will have the option to sign up for either 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., or all day. Lunch will be provided for the all day volunteers. Activities will vary based on weather and needs of the farm, but there are opportunities to help for many age groups and abilities. Sign up on the Bellwether Farm website.
Bellwether Farm will host a Wonderful Watercolor Weekend with Sarah Knoblauch February 17-19. This will be an easy, efficient exercise in discovering the magical qualities of watercolor. This course will begin by exploring the four basic watercolor techniques. There will be ongoing individual instruction throughout the day. You will learn recipes for different colors and explore new ones on your own. The weekend is $265 for a double room, and $325 for a single room. Registration is available on the Bellwether Farm website.
Exploring Mysticism Retreat
Bellwether Farm will hold a Mystics retreat on March 16 – 19. What is mysticism? Who were/are the Mystics? Do they have any relevance for today’s world and our lives as Christians? The Rev. Sally Goodall will lead the exploration into those questions, then begin to explore Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle”, her image to describe the soul’s journey to God. Teresa of Avila lived in 16th century Spain, a time of political instability, religious turmoil, and renewed interest in mystical experiences. Despite the challenges of the Inquisition and suspicion of anything written by a woman, Teresa wrote prolifically about prayer and the spiritual life. We discover, in the midst of her deep theological insights and ecstatic experiences, a person who is down to earth and responds honestly to life’s challenges. As we step into Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle” we will taste a little of her rich life of prayer and sample the music of the mystics.
This will be an opportunity to explore what she meant. Registration is available on the Bellwether Farm website. The cost for the retreat is $280 and includes a single occupancy room, meals from Thursday dinner through Saturday lunch, and all materials. For questions, please contact Ruth Mercer at rmercer@dohio.org or 216.7740.0453.
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp Dates
Bellwether Farm will offer a variety of summer camps from June 18 through July 28. Visit the website to learn more about our various summer offerings for all ages, and to apply to be a camp counselor or nurse. Registration will be available soon.
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp Counselors
Are you ready for a transformational summer? Join an amazing team of staff at Bellwether Farm Camp, Retreat, and Education Center as a camp counselor! The farm, fields, and forests of Bellwether Farm guide everything we do at summer camp. From foraging, harvesting, and cooking, to goat snuggles and chicken chases, to catching crawdads in the creek and fish in the pond, campers and counselors connect with themselves, each other, and Creation every day. Challenge yourself to spend your summer outside on this beautiful land, growing into the person you are called to be. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here.
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp Nurse
Bellwether Farm Summer Camp is a small weekly overnight camp centered on experiencing the divine in the natural world, food, and community. Physical wellness is just as important as spiritual and mental health at Bellwether Farm Camp. The camp nurse ensures that campers and staff receive the proper attention during any health incidents. This includes being aware of and attentive to all medications, allergies, and any health conditions, as well as being on call for scrapes, bruises, bee stings, and any other illnesses. In addition, the camp nurse is the primary responsible person for any health incidents and emergencies. Licensure is not required, although some experience or training in the healthcare field is preferred. Working with the camp staff and counselors, the camp nurse is a vital part of the Bellwether Farm Camp community. More information is available on the Bellwether Farm website.
Volunteer Days
On the 3rd Saturday of every month, beginning January 20, Bellwether Farm will hold volunteer days. Volunteers will have the option to sign up for either 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., or all day. Lunch will be provided for the all day volunteers. Activities will vary based on weather and needs of the farm, but there are opportunities to help for many age groups and abilities. Sign up on the Bellwether Farm website.
A Christmas message from the Bishop of Ohio
Once again, we draw near to the stable where the infant Savior is born and are reminded that the triumph of divine good is borne not by the powerful, but by the vulnerable. Each of us, despite our doubts and shortcomings, is exactly what God needs to meet the pain and brokenness of the world with justice, mercy, and grace.
The nativity of the Christ proclaims that divine love takes on flesh when we are vulnerable to the spirit of holiness, when we open our hearts and let God’s love direct our lives. That is when we become, in St. Paul’s words, the body of Christ.
My prayer is that the twelve days of Christmas will be days of adoration in which we may each hear the angel’s invitation, “Do not be afraid…this will be a sign for you.”
With every blessing of the incarnate Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.
Bishop of Ohio
12.25.22
The nativity of the Christ proclaims that divine love takes on flesh when we are vulnerable to the spirit of holiness, when we open our hearts and let God’s love direct our lives. That is when we become, in St. Paul’s words, the body of Christ.
My prayer is that the twelve days of Christmas will be days of adoration in which we may each hear the angel’s invitation, “Do not be afraid…this will be a sign for you.”
With every blessing of the incarnate Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.
Bishop of Ohio
12.25.22
Swathed in birthing cloths;
his tiny nostrils drawing soft breaths,
dilating with the earthy aroma of livestock;
his delicate fingers moving in slow motion,
as if caressing the air he breathes;
his eyes unable to focus on anything
save, perhaps, the mother’s breast;
his ears hearing for the first time
the sounds of the creation he had been born to redeem:
this fragile Messiah,
conceived to bear God’s transforming love to a broken world,
this incarnation of divine affection
come to us in the most vulnerable of all beings,
a living invitation to love as we are loved.
“This will be a sign for you,” the angel said. “For you.”
– Mark Hollingsworth
his tiny nostrils drawing soft breaths,
dilating with the earthy aroma of livestock;
his delicate fingers moving in slow motion,
as if caressing the air he breathes;
his eyes unable to focus on anything
save, perhaps, the mother’s breast;
his ears hearing for the first time
the sounds of the creation he had been born to redeem:
this fragile Messiah,
conceived to bear God’s transforming love to a broken world,
this incarnation of divine affection
come to us in the most vulnerable of all beings,
a living invitation to love as we are loved.
“This will be a sign for you,” the angel said. “For you.”
– Mark Hollingsworth
The Rev. Anne B. Jolly, first woman elected Bishop of Ohio, to be ordained and consecrated on April 29
[Cleveland, OH] - The Rev. Anne B. Jolly was elected as Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio during the 206th annual convention on November 19, 2022, at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower. She was elected on the second ballot after receiving a majority of both clergy and lay votes. The election concludes the year-long process of seeking a successor for Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., who began his service in the diocese in 2004.
Jolly is the first woman to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. She was one of three nominees. The other nominees were the Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas and the Rev. Diana L. Wilcox, both from the Diocese of Newark.
Currently serving as the Rector of St. Gregory’s in Deerfield, IL, in the Diocese of Chicago, Jolly feels her call is to shape the church so that God’s people are equipped to live lives of faith and share the love and justice of Christ’s “Kin-dom.” As the President of the Standing Committee in the Diocese of Chicago (since 2019), she served as the head of the ecclesiastical authority for two years while the diocese was in an interim period between bishops. She has previously served at Good Shepherd in Austin, TX; St. Paul’s in Chattanooga, TN; and Christ Church in Greenville, SC. More about The Rev. Anne B. Jolly.
Addressing the convention, Jolly said, "I’m so excited and overwhelmed and ready to be with you…I want to thank everyone who has held us all in prayer…I am eager and ready to get there [Ohio] to get to know you, to listen to you, to help us solidify a vision together about how we can do things and be a part of God’s work in changing the world.”
Pending consent of a majority of the bishops with jurisdiction and the diocesan standing committees, Jolly will be ordained and consecrated on April 29, 2023, at Cleveland Public Auditorium. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preside. She will succeed Bishop Hollingsworth later next year, becoming the 12th Bishop of Ohio.
The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio was established in 1817 and is part of The Episcopal Church, a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It comprises the northern 48 counties in the State of Ohio, which includes more than 15,000 Episcopalians in 80 worshiping congregations. The current bishop is the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., elected on November 15, 2003 and consecrated on April17, 2004.
Jolly is the first woman to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. She was one of three nominees. The other nominees were the Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas and the Rev. Diana L. Wilcox, both from the Diocese of Newark.
Currently serving as the Rector of St. Gregory’s in Deerfield, IL, in the Diocese of Chicago, Jolly feels her call is to shape the church so that God’s people are equipped to live lives of faith and share the love and justice of Christ’s “Kin-dom.” As the President of the Standing Committee in the Diocese of Chicago (since 2019), she served as the head of the ecclesiastical authority for two years while the diocese was in an interim period between bishops. She has previously served at Good Shepherd in Austin, TX; St. Paul’s in Chattanooga, TN; and Christ Church in Greenville, SC. More about The Rev. Anne B. Jolly.
Addressing the convention, Jolly said, "I’m so excited and overwhelmed and ready to be with you…I want to thank everyone who has held us all in prayer…I am eager and ready to get there [Ohio] to get to know you, to listen to you, to help us solidify a vision together about how we can do things and be a part of God’s work in changing the world.”
Pending consent of a majority of the bishops with jurisdiction and the diocesan standing committees, Jolly will be ordained and consecrated on April 29, 2023, at Cleveland Public Auditorium. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will preside. She will succeed Bishop Hollingsworth later next year, becoming the 12th Bishop of Ohio.
The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio was established in 1817 and is part of The Episcopal Church, a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It comprises the northern 48 counties in the State of Ohio, which includes more than 15,000 Episcopalians in 80 worshiping congregations. The current bishop is the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., elected on November 15, 2003 and consecrated on April17, 2004.
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Preparing for the Nov. 8 election with a prayer and election toolkit
As polls begin to close on Nov. 8 for the U.S. midterm elections, all are invited to join an Election Day Prayers gathering online hosted by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations.
Tune in from 8 p.m. to midnight EST via The Episcopal Public Policy Network Facebook page or The Episcopal Church Facebook page. Viewers do not need a Facebook profile to participate. Scheduled guests include Presiding Bishop Michael Curry; House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris; the Rev. Charles Graves IV, missioner for Houston Canterbury; the Rev. Donna Gleaves, an Episcopal Public Policy Network ambassador; and Willis H.A. Moore, an Episcopal Election Activator. The Office of Government Relations also offers a 2022 Vote Faithfully Midterm Election Engagement Toolkit and other resources for parishes interested in voter advocacy. Soliciting questions for the candidates for the Bishop of Ohio
Sept. 6, 2022
Dear Friends, The Meet & Greet sub-committee is soliciting questions from the diocese from which we will formulate a series of questions that address the issues of interest and concern to you. Please know that we value your input and hope to have candidates answer as many of your questions as possible. Please submit your questions by Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. using this link. As you know, the Search Committee announced three nominees for the 12th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio on August 15, 2022. The petition process, which takes the place of nominations from the floor, ran from August 15 to August 30, 2022. Once the final slate of nominees is confirmed, we will hold a series of in-person visits (Meet & Greets), including three intended for clergy only. The Meet & Greet list of dates and locations is at the end of this letter. To ensure that a variety of questions are asked and that the time is as productive as possible, the Meet & Greet sub-committee is soliciting questions in advance from members of the diocese. The Meet & Greet sub-committee will review and consolidate the submitted questions into a set of questions that will be used throughout the Meet & Greet week. We plan to have the candidates answer as wide a range of questions as possible. All are invited to attend the public Meet & Greet sessions. Upon arrival, every attendee will be offered the opportunity to write a question on an index card. These cards will be collected and reviewed and given to the moderator, and the moderator will ask as many as time allows. Each of these moderated sessions will follow the same format with each nominee separately being asked the same questions. The moderator will manage the time allotted for each candidate and ensure that the candidate is allowed time to fully answer each question. Given time constraints, we will not be able to entertain questions from the floor. Diocesan People of Color and Bishop Candidate Meeting The Wilma Ruth Combs Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Transition Committee of the Diocese of Ohio are collaborating on a meeting for People of Color in the Diocese to engage with the nominees for Bishop Coadjutor. This hybrid event will focus on an in-person gathering of all people of color throughout the diocese but will also make the meeting available by Zoom. It will be held from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27 at Trinity Cathedral. Questions will be solicited prior to the event and it will include questions from the floor. Attendees will be encouraged to remain for the second Meet and Greet that evening at the Cathedral from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. which will include a reception. All members of the Black, Asian, LatinX, and Indigenous communities throughout the diocese are invited and encouraged to attend and bring questions so that you may have an opportunity to engage the nominees. Wendy Wilson Walker, UBE Midwest Regional Director, will serve as the host for this event. If you have any questions please contact her at ww8300@yahoo.com. Our Meet & Greet time together will also include prayer led by our hosting clergy and a reception with refreshments. Please submit your questions using the Meet & Greet Candidate Questions form. In order for the Meet and Greet committee to organize the questions we ask that all questions be submitted by Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. With anticipation, Meet and Greet Subcommittee Patty Roberts; Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, Chair Peter DiMezza; St. Paul's, Akron Carol Franklin; Christ Church, Shaker Heights Richard Pryor; Christ Church, Kent The Rev. Jessie Dodson; St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights (Chair, Transition Committee) Public Meet and Greet Dates and Times
Clergy Meet and Greet Dates and Times
Three women are candidates for 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio
August 15, 2022
Dear Friends, Over the past 12 months, the Standing Committee, with the assistance of the Office of Pastoral Development, has conducted a process that created a draft profile of our diocese and then selected persons to lead the search for the next Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the members of the Search Committee who have worked diligently and faithfully since last December to bring us a slate of nominees for the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. Their work has included:
The Petition Process In The Episcopal Church, a petition process takes the place of nominations from the floor. This process allows the same review, questions and responses, background checks, and other due diligence to be conducted on nominees nominated by petition as for the nominees put forward by the Search Committee. The information and instructions for our petition process can be found here. The petition process opens tomorrow (August 16) and closes at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on August 30. The Standing Committee welcomes those who have discerned a call to this ministry to submit their nominations. Our commitment to diversity in the Petition Process continues in the same vein as that of the commitment of the Search Committee: diversity in ethnicity, gender, geography, and sexual orientation. Completed petition packets or any questions about the petition process should be emailed to the Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed at petition@dohio.org. The full slate of nominees, including those approved by the Standing Committee through the Petition Process, will be announced in mid-September once all due diligence has been completed. All nominees will be included in the Meet and Greets in October. In the coming weeks, the Transition Committee, chaired by the Rev. Jessie Dodson, will further introduce theses bishop co-adjutor nominees to our diocese, along with nominees that come through the petition process. The nominees will be introduced via videos and through “Meet and Greets” which will be both in-person and livestreamed. Please stay tuned for information from the Transition Committee about how to get to know our nominees. Our commitment to the members of the Diocese of Ohio is to bring a slate of candidates whom we feel will serve well as our 12th Bishop. We encourage you to examine the material provided, attend the Meet and Greets, and submit questions for the nominees. During the time between now and the election on November 19th at Diocesan Convention, please keep the Rev. Anne Jolly, the Rev. Diana Wilcox, and the Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas, and those who may join them as petition nominees, in your prayers. Blessings, Dianne Audrick Smith The Rev. Debra Q. Bennett Dave McCallops The Rev. Alexander D. Martin Pamela O’Halloran The Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilbert Jenna Bing, Secretary The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed, President Prayer for the Election of the 12th Bishop of Ohio
Loving Creator, you call us together and you send us forth to be your witnesses in all places. We ask you now to lead us, accompany us, and direct us as we seek that person who is to be our next Bishop. Grant us perception, faithfulness and joy that we may hear your still small voice. And then, give us the courage to follow as you lead us along the way. In the name of Christ Jesus who is the shepherd and bishop of our souls. Amen. Update on the search for our new bishop
August 1, 2022
Dear friends, I’m still humbled to have been appointed by the Standing Committee as chair of our Episcopal Diocese of Ohio Bishop Coadjutor Transition Committee. Our committee brings together lay and clergy members from across the diocese, and we’ve been meeting regularly since the beginning of April. Much of our work is done through the diligence of subcommittees, and I’m especially grateful to the chairs of those subcommittees for their leadership. We’re delighted to share these important updates with you as our bishop search continues. Presentation of the Slate The Search Committee, led by Halley Marsh, has been quietly and faithfully working to prepare a slate of candidates for the 12th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. We anticipate the Standing Committee will announce the initial slate in mid-August. From there, the Transition Committee will help everyone get to know the candidates through a variety of means. Meet and Greets One way we’ll get to know the slate is through a series of in-person visits the candidates will make across the diocese in late October. I’ve included the “Meet and Greet” schedule here, including options for virtual attendance through livestreaming. My thanks to the Meet and Greet subcommittee for their coordination and to our hosting congregations for opening their doors for these conversations. All public Meet and Greets are open to all. There will be two Meet and Greets that are open to clergy only, as indicated below. Public Meet and Greets Sunday, October 23 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Christ Church, Warren Monday, October 24 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., St. Paul’s, Akron (Livestreamed) Tuesday, October 25 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.,Grace, Mansfield Wednesday, October 26 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., St. Timothy’s, Perrysburg Thursday, October 27 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland (Livestreamed) Clergy Meet and Greets Wednesday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.,St. Paul’s, Fremont Thursday, October 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., St. Barnabas, Bay Village (Livestream will be made available for clergy not able to attend in-person) We’ll be in touch in the early fall to solicit your questions for the candidates for the Meet and Greets, and to share with you more fully about what you can expect. Electing Convention The election of the next Bishop of Ohio will take place at our 206th Annual Diocesan Convention, which will be held in downtown Cleveland on November 18-19, 2022. The Episcopal Address and all business will be on Saturday, November 19, at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower. Details regarding the Friday schedule will be shared once finalized. You can follow updates on the convention at www.dohio.org/convention. Consecration We’ll gather for the Consecration of the 12th Bishop of Ohio on April 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cleveland Public Auditorium. Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry, will serve as the presider and chief consecrator. A reception, also to be held at Public Auditorium, will immediately follow the service. We’ll be in touch with further ways to be involved with the planning and celebration of this day soon. My thanks to the Consecration Subcommittee for their tireless work over the past few months. Celebrations of Ministries The other work of our Transition Committee includes planning a celebration of the ministries of Bishop Mark and Sue Hollingsworth among us, as well as ongoing support and recognition for our Assisting Bishops and Diocesan Staff. You can be sure we’ll inform you of opportunities to connect and be a part of these celebrations as those details are solidified. In addition to marking your calendars and sharing this information, I encourage you to keep this process in your personal and congregational prayers. A tremendous amount of effort and discernment has already gone into this transition, and that will only increase as the details and candidates become more public. I bid your prayers for our soon-to-be-announced slate and their families, for our diocesan staff, for our current bishops, and for all those dedicating their time and energy into this process. You can follow all our committee updates at https://www.dohio.org/bishop-search and you can reach out via our committee email address (transitioncommittee@dohio.org) with questions or ideas. With anticipation, The Rev. Jessie Gutgsell Dodson Chair, Bishop Coadjutor Transition Committee Associate Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights Transition Committee The Rev. Jessie Dodson; St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights (Chair) Roderick Adams; St. Andrew's, Cleveland The Rev. Joe Ashby; Grace, Mansfield Denise Caywood; St. Philip's, Akron Peter DiMezza; St. Paul's, Akron The Rev. John Drymon; Trinity, Findlay Debbie Likins-Fowler; Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland Carol Franklin; Christ Church, Shaker Heights The Rev. Rose Anne Lonsway; Grace, Willoughby Larry Mackey; New Life, Uniontown Tina Monreal; Christ Church, Hudson Andrea Porter; St. Andrew's, Cleveland Richard Pryor; Christ Church, Kent Susan Quill; St. Paul's, Cleveland Heights Patty Roberts; Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland |
Semi-Silent retreat on the message of Matthew
A Semi-Silent Advent Retreat will be held at Bellwether Farm on Dec. 2 - 3. The event will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and end at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The retreat will offer an opportunity to quietly reflect on the Gospel of Matthew. Readings and thoughts and notes will be discussed at meals and the time will be begun and ended with prayers. Silence and a time to prepare for the advent of the Child will be the main offering of the retreat. This event costs $165 a person for a private retreat room, and $140 a person for a double room. Scholarships are also available for those who need them. For questions, please contact Rebecca Miller. Registration is required by Nov. 24. Prayers for Queen Elizabeth II
From the Bishop of Ohio
September 9, 2022
Dear colleagues and friends, I invite your prayers for the repose of the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, for her successor, Charles, as he takes on the responsibilities of monarch, for her family, her subjects, and all whom she has served in the seven decades of her reign as Queen. The Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she has led by exhibiting a humble and courageous faith, not only to Anglicans, but to people of all spiritual traditions. May God bless her soul. The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. Bishop of Ohio From the Presiding Bishop
Today we mourn the passing and celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. My prayers for peace go out for her, for her loved ones, and for all those who knew and loved her throughout the world.
Her resilience, her dignity, and her model of quiet faith and piety have been—and will continue to be—an example for so many. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church Click here for more from the Episcopal News Service on Queen Elizabeth and the Anglican Church.
Fighting the long defeat:
How to do something about gun violence 
The Diocese of Ohio recently sponsored three conversations about what can be done about American gun violence beyond "sending thoughts and prayers."
The Rev. Rosalind Hughes, rector of Church of the Epiphany in Euclid, Ohio and an active anti-gun violence advocate led these conversations for us. Rosalind is also the author of Whom Shall I Fear?: Urgent Questions for Christians in an Age of Violence (Upper Room Books). Here are the recordings from each Gun Violence Conversation:
Conversation 1 - What can we do in our close personal lives? Conversation 2 - What can we do in our local parish? Conversation 3 - What can we do as citizens? Here are the slides from each Conversation: Conversation 1 Slides Conversation 2 Slides Conversation 3 Slides We hope these conversations may help you consider these three important questions for yourself as an individual, an Episcopalian, and a citizen. The Rev. Brad Purdom Canon for Congregations bpurdom@dohio.org The Rev. Margaret D'Anieri Canon for Mission mdanieri@dohio.org "We continue to carry out our work and strive for justice. We do not do so because we will win every time, because we won’t. We do not do so because we are assured of progress, because we are not. ... We keep striving for justice because that is what we are called to do." A letter from Bishop Hollingsworth on the shooting at an Episcopal church in Alabama
Dear colleagues and friends,
As the tragic consequences of gun violence continue to plague our country, we add to our prayers the people of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and the Diocese of Alabama. We commend to Almighty God the souls of the two victims who have died, and to Jesus’s healing care the one injured and all those who grieve. As well, may we commit ourselves ever more fully to advocating for effective gun safety legislation and reducing the culture of violence that continues to put God’s beloved at risk. While we hear throughout holy scripture the encouragement that we not be afraid, we pray that our fear may be replaced with the courage to act boldly. Please consider joining with fellow communicants of the Diocese who are participating in the three Zoom conversations about gun violence. The second conversation will be held on Wednesday,June 22 at 7:00 p.m. and will focus on what to do in our local congregations. This conversation will include participants from across Province V. The third conversation will be on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m.and will focus on what can be done in support of community and political initiatives. More information is available. While this event is free, registration is required. As well, I encourage every congregation to offer a book study of our colleague the Rev. Rosalind Hughes’s excellent book, Whom Shall I Fear? Urgent Questions for Christians in an Age of Violence. I reiterate my offer to reimburse any congregation for the cost of the books. May the Holy Spirit empower us to act with increasing confidence in God during this season after Pentecost. Gratefully, The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. Bishop of Ohio Seeing the Face of God in Each Other:
Anti-racism training coming up in October 
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 October 7 & 8 both days at Bellwether Farm, 4655 OH-60, Wakeman, OH 44889. The cost of the training materials and food is covered by the Diocese of Ohio, but lodging is the responsibility of the participant (or their parish). Lodging options for Bellwether Farm are available. To register, please click this link. For question about online registration email Antoinette Taylor. For training information please email the Rev. Margaret D’Anieri. |