ChurchLi !Fall 2009The Magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
What’s Inside?• Diocesan Convention Served Up with Mission Experience
• Riding for Their Lives
• Health Ministries in Our Parishes
• On the Ground in the Diocese of Tanga
• St. James’, Boardman, Celebrates Its Bicentennial
The Episcopal Church
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In the Anglican CommunionA global community of over 80 million members in 44
regional and national member churches.The Most Rev. Rowan Williams,
Archbishop of Canterbury
In the United StatesA community of more than 2 million members in 110
dioceses in the Americas and abroad. Established 1789.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop
In the Diocese of OhioA community of 19,361 baptized members in
95 parishes in the northern 48 counties of the State of Ohio.
Established 1817.
Bishop of OhioThe Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.
ChurchLife!E-Mail: [email protected]
The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., PublisherMartha Wright, Editor
Kristin Crites, Graphic Designer
© ChurchLife! (ISSN 8750-8613) Published four times per year in March, June, September, and
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V o l. 1 1 3, N o. 3, F a l l 2 0 0 9
The Magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio Table of Contents3 From Our Bishop
5 Diocesan Convention Offers New Mission Experience
7 Proposed Canonical Change Modifies Assessments
8 General Convention 2009
10 Riding for Their Lives
15 Three New Staff Members Join Diocesan Staff
18 Parish Health Ministries: What They Can Accomplish
20 On the Ground in the Diocese of Tanga
22 St. James’, Boardman, Celebrates Its Bicentennial
25 Book Reviews
Front Cover:MiriamreceivingcommunionfromtheRev.MatthewHummatthe192ndAnnualDiocesanConvention.PhotobyChrisHolley-Starling
ChurchLi !
3Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
A Change of Season
Myearlymorningwalkshavegrowndarkerandcoolerastheseasonhaschangedfromsummertofall.Becauseitissodark,Idon’t
seethesignsofapproachingautumninthedeepeningcolorsoftheleaves,butIhearthechangeofseasonwiththesoundoffallingacorns.Inthequietofthepre-dawntheyarestartlinglyloudastheyhittheground,carryingthepromiseofnewlifeintheirhardshells.
+++Acrossthediocesetherearecountlesssightsand
soundsofanewseasoninthelifeoftheChurch,aspar-ishprogramsgetunderwayagainaftertheslowersummermonths.Churchschoolsarebustling,outreachprogramsarerampingup,Biblestudygroupsarereconvening,evangelismeffortsareinitiated,thechoirshavereturnedwiththetwo-serviceschedule,andsoon.
AchangeofseasoninthelifeoftheBishop’sstaffisparticularlyevi-dencedbynewfacesandtitles.TheRev.MarkRobinsonarrivedinAu-gusttoserveasCanonforMission,developingresourcesandnetwork-ingforcongregationsintheirlocalandforeignmissionefforts,servingasstaffsupportforEpiscopalCommunityServicesandtheCommissiononGlobalandDomesticMission,oversee-ingthediaconalprogram,andhelpingstrengthenourdiocesanmissioneffortsathomeandabroad.
AtthebeginningofSeptember,theRev.BradPurdomtookontheresponsibilitiesofCanonforCongregations,andamonthlaterwasjoinedbytheRev.VincentBlack,CanonforChristianFormation.WorkingtogetherintheOfficeforCongregationsandChristianFormation,theyaremodelinghowsoundformationatallagesisessentialtothevitalityandhealthofeverycongregation.
InanefforttohelpBishop’sstaffmembersbe
identifiedbytheirpeersinotherdiocesesaswellasbyothersacrossTheEpiscopalChurch,wehaveemployedthetitlesmostcommonlyusedbythoseinsimilarpositions.Thus,SueLeishmannowservesasChiefFinancialOfficer,PercyGrantasCanonforMinistry,MarthaWrightasDirectorofCommunications,andAlanJamesasCanontotheOrdinary.Inaddition,wewelcomebackfromNepalLaelCarter,whoresumesservingasDevelopmentOfficer.
Iamgratefultohavetheseexceptionalcolleaguesnowinplaceandworkingtogether.Theyarecommittedtobringingvaluableresourcestothecongregationsofour
diocese,andtohelpingbuildvibrantnetworksbywhichlayandclergylead-erscanbeeffectiveresourcestooneanother.Togetherwiththeirextraor-dinarysupportstaffcolleagues,theyareheretoserveyou,toassistyouinthisnewseasonofministryandmis-sion,andtohelpyounurturetolifetheseedsoffaithfulgrowthinChrist.
+++AswelookaheadIwanttotake
particularnoteofsomechangesinthisfall’sDiocesanConvention
whichwillbeheldNovember13and14atTrinityCommons.TheconventionthemeisGive,fromourGrow,Give,andServemissionstate-ment,andinresponsetotheeconomicchallengesandrealitiesofthelastyearwewillexplorehowwegiveourselvesandgiveofourselvestoGodintheserviceofothers.Tothatend,theconventionwillopenonFridayafternoonwithserviceprojects.Clergyandlaydelegates,andanyotherinterestedcommunicants,areinvitedandencouragedtospendfrom12:30to5p.m.participatinginarangeofserviceopportunitiesintheClevelandarea.Wewillhaveavarietyfromwhichtochoose,meetingalllevelsofactivityandability,and
“A change of season. Seeds of new
life. These are the marks of Christian
community in which God makes all things new.”
4 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
forwhichwewillbeabletosignupinadvance.At5o’clockwewillgatheratTrinityCommonsforareceptionfollowedbyasimpledinnerandtabledis-cussion,engagingintheologicalreflectionaboutourmanyexperiencesofself-givingasChristians.Anywhoareunabletoparticipateintheafternoonser-viceactivities,whetherdelegateornot,arestronglyencouragedtojoinusforthedinneranddiscussion,analternativeconventionbanquet,asitwere.
TheconventionwillresumeonSaturdaymorningwithworshipandbusinesssessions.Wewillforegothehigh-techprojectionsystemtowhichwehavebecomeaccustomed,asawaytoreduceandredirectthehighestconventionexpenses.Theseseemtherightthingstodoinayearthathasseensomuchfinancialhardship.Itismyprayerthattheconventionexperienceofservice,reflection,worship,andlegislativeactionwillbeforeachofusatransformingone.
InthecomingweeksIaskthateachofyouandyourcongregationprepareforthediocesanconven-tionbygivingtheshirtoffyourback,oratleasttheT-shirtsoffyourshelf.InwhatIthinkofas“Beenthere,donethat,gottheT-shirt,andamgivingitaway,”IamurgingeachcommunicantintheDio-ceseofOhiotogatherupalltheT-shirtsthatarenolongeressentialtoourwardrobes,launderandfoldthem,deliverthemtoyourparish,andhaveyourdelegatestotheconventionbringthemtotheConventionEucharistonSaturdaymorning.Ifyourhomeisanythinglikemine,theaccumulatednumberofT-shirtsfrompastevents,travels,sportsteams,andcausesthatarenotregularlywornconstitutesavalu-ableamountofclothingfromwhichotherscansurelybenefit.Let’sseehowmanyT-shirtswecangiveaway!
+++Achangeofseason.Seedsofnewlife.Thesearethe
marksofChristiancommunityinwhichGodmakesallthingsnew.Itremainsasingularprivilegetoservewithyouastogetherwegrowintothenewlifeprom-isedbyJesustothosewhogivethemselvestoGod.
Gratefully,
TheRt.Rev.MarkHollingsworth,Jr.BishopofOhio
Clergy NotesTheRev.Diane CookhasbegunservingasPriest-in-ChargeatTrinity, Coshocton.
TheRev.Julian EibinhasacceptedacallintheDioceseofNewJersey.
TheRev.Himi-Budu Shannon, Sr.,beganhistenureasrectorofSt. Andrew’s, Cleveland,onOctober4.
TheRev.Karl StevensbeganasPriest-in-ChargeatSt. Paul’s, Mt. Vernon,onAugust1.Hewillremainpart-timeaschaplaintoKenyonCollege.
TheRev.Gretchen WellerhasacceptedacallintheDioceseofWesternMichigan.
47th
Boar ʼs Head and Yule Log Festival
12/26/093 P.M. and 5 P.M.
The Boar’s Head Festival committee is announcing the 47th presentation of the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, at Trinity Cathedral, Saturday, December 26, at 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M.
This multi-sensory Elizabethan Christmas presentation celebrates Christ’s birth in song and pageantry, as His Light enters the darkened world. Introduced at Trinity in 1960 by Bishop Nelson M. Burroughs, the Boar’s Head Festival has been a long-standing tradition for many during the Christmas holidays: “a living Christmas card.”
Come and join the cast and crew of volunteers in enriching your Christmas season with this unique offering. It is a free non-ticketed event, with a free-will offering taken during the presentation.
Questions regarding cast and choir openings, historical information, parking, or other concerns, may be addressed through our Trinity Commons voicemail, e-mail address, or website. Please leave your contact information.
Voicemail: 216-771-3630 ext. 392E-mail: [email protected]
www.boarsheadcleveland.org
5Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
Diocesan Convention Offers New Mission
Experience
The193rdDiocesanConventionwilllookverydifferentthisyear,andeveryone,notjustdelegates,isinvitedtojoinintheFridayactivi-
ties.Ratherthantakingadayandahalftocompletethebusinessofthediocese,Fridayafternoon,November13,from12:30to5p.m.,willbedevotedtomissionworkprojectsclosetoTrinityCathedral,followedbyasimplemealoflocalfoodsatTrinityCommonsandanopportu-nitytodiscusstheresultsofourwork.Everyone,youngandold,isinvitedtoparticipate,andopportunitieswillbeprovidedforalllevelsofphysicalabilityandenergy.
ThebusinessofConventionwilltakeplaceonSaturday,November14,withoutmanyofthereportsandaudiovisu-alsofpastyears.Cognizantoftheeconomicrealitiesinourdiocese,we’veoptedtoholdaconventionthatbothcostslessandgivesmoreofourtimeandtalenttoothers.
ItisthankstonewCanonforMissionMarkRobinson,whoseextensiveexperienceinmissionwork(seepage15),ledhimtodevelopthe“WorkasChrist’sHands”project,spendingpartofconventiongivingbacktoourcommunity.Mailingshavegoneouttoallparishes,andinformationisonthewebsitelistingtheplacesthatneedworkersonFridayafternoon(seeside-baronpage6).Ifyouwouldliketoparticipate,pleasesignuponthewebsiteforthelocationofyourchoiceorcallDebraSudyat800-551-4815,ext466,or216-774-0466,oremailheratdsudy@dohio.org.Opportunitiesrangefromclean-upprojectsofgardensoratabandonedsitestopainting,workinginahomelessshelter,ormak-ingupfoodbasketstogiveawayatThanksgiving.Aboutthework,Robinsonsaid,“Youmightbereluctant,butyouarenotalone.Christneedsyoutobehishandsworkingwithothermembersofdiocese.Therewillbeprojectsforallagesandallphysicalabilities.”
Inadditiontoparticipatinginworkprojectsandeat-inglocalfoods,conventionwillforthefirsttimemakeuseofbiodegradabletablewareformeals.Thedinner-ware,includingcups,containers,andsoupbowlsaremadewith100%biodegradable,compostablesugarcanefiber.Itisknownasbagasse,andisabyproductofthesugarrefiningprocess.It’salsomicrowavable,freezersafe,
oil-resistant,andcanhandlehotfoodsandbeverages.Afteruse,itcanberecycledorcatabolizedascompost.Coldcups,lids,andstrawsaremadefrompolyacticacid,apolymerthatcomesfromcornandisalsocompletelybiodegradableandcompostable.Utensilsaremadefrom80%potatostarchand20%vegetableoil.
Registrationforthebusinessportionofconventionwillopenat7:30a.m.onSaturdaymorning,November14,andconventionconvenesat9:00a.m.(seeschedule).
ResolutionsInadditiontoelectionstoStandingCommittee,Dioc-esanCouncil,Trustees,andCathedralChapter,conven-tionwillvoteonfourresolutionsandfourchangestotheConstitutionandCanons.Theresolutionsbeforecon-
Schedule for Diocesan ConventionFriday, November 13, 2009
12:30-5:00p.m. ServiceProjects5:00-6:00p.m. Registration
5:00p.m. ReceptionatTrinityCommons
6:00p.m. DinnerandTableDiscussionatTrinityCommons
7:30p.m. Compline7:45p.m. Adjourn
Saturday, November 14, 20097:30a.m. RegistrationOpens9:00a.m. ConventionConvenes
BusinessSessionBegins9:30a.m. ConventionEucharist
11:00a.m. BusinessSessionResumes12:00p.m. LunchRecess
1:00p.m. ConventionReconvenes4:00p.m. Adjourn
6 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
ventionthisyearincludeguidelinesonclergycompensa-tion,supportoflegislationforamoratoriumoncapitalpunishmentintheStateofOhio,adoptionofGeneralConvention’scharterforlife-longChristianformation,andclosureoftheparishesandministriesofSt.Andrew’s,Canfield;Grace,Galion;andTrinity,Bryan.
TheproposedchangestotheConstitutionandCanonsincludeanewmethodofdeterminingdiocesanassessments(seearticle,page8),andaproposaltomakeexplicittherector’sauthorityforhiring,terminating,andsupervisingparishemployees.Thelatterproposedchangeistoclarifythelinesofauthoritywithintheparish.Forexample,doesanorganistreporttothemusicdirectorortherector?Therectormay,ifheorshewishes,designatethemusicdirectorassupervisor,butwillstillretainultimateauthority.
AthirdamendmentstrikesfromArticleV.Section3,thestatement,“Whenrequired,theConventionshallelectalaydelegatetotheOhioCouncilofChurches.”TheamendmentbringsthedioceseinlinewithnewbylawsoftheOhioCouncilofChurches,whichrequirebishopsortheirappointedstaffmembers,ratherthanelectedlaypeople,torepresenttheirjudicatories.
Thefinalamendmentisaproposaltoreplaceourdeanerystructurewitheightmissionareas,whichwillinclude:CentralEast,Cuyahoga,NorthCentral,North-east,SouthCentral,Summit,West,andYoungstown.Itishopedthattheabovestructureswillencouragecom-municationsandsharingofprogramsandresources,andfacilitatetheformingofvoluntarymissionpartnershipsamongtwoormorecongregationswithinamission.
ChildcarewillbeavailableonlyonSaturdayforinfantsandchildrenupto12yearsofage.Nospecificprogramhasbeenplanned,buttwolicensedchildcareworkerswillbeavailable.Ifyouwouldliketoorderlunchforyourchild,pleaseregisterforitonlineorcallRitaRozellat800-551-4815,extension460,or216-774-0460,[email protected].
TherewillbelimitedparkingintheTrinityCom-monsparkinglot;unlimitedparkingisavailableattheClevelandStateUniversityparkinggarageacrossfromtheWolsteinCenteronProspectAvenue.Ifyouwillneedhandicappedparking,pleasefillouttherequestformonthediocesanwebsite(www.dohio.org/convention)andreturnittoEvaColenolaterthanOctober26.
Ifyouwouldliketovolunteerduringconvention,pleasecallEvaColeat800-551-4815or216-774-0457oremailheratecole@dohio.org.Althoughthedeadlineforsigningupispast,volunteerpositionsmaystillbeavailable.
Be The Hands of ChristOnFriday,November13,conventiondelegates,clergy,youth,andguestsareinvitedtoBe the Hands of ChristbyreachingouttothegreaterClevelandcommunitytodotheworkofthechurchthroughservicetoandincommunionwithothers.HereareoptionsfortheMissionActs:
Housing•Slavic Village–Cleveland.Yardcleaningandhouse
stenciling.MarieKittredgewillintroduceustotherealitiesofreclaimingforeclosedhomes.Assistincleaning-upyardsandinstencilingabandonedhouses.
•Bellaire-Puritas Community Garden–14703PuritasAvenue,Cleveland.BryanGillooly.Leafrakingforse-niorswhorequireassistancemaintainingtheirhomes.
•Homeless Stand Down–TrinityCathedral,Cleveland.SisterDonnaWilhelmwilladdressissuessurroundingTheHomelessStandDownandencourageustobeadvocatesforthoseforwhomhousingisachallenge.
•Habitat for Humanity–2110West110thStreet,Cleveland.MelissaFrei.(www.clevelandhabitat.org)Re-Storework.Assistinreclaimingformerhome/unusedmaterialswhichwillassistothersastheyat-tempttobuildtheirownhomes.
•City Mission–5310CarnegieAvenue,Cleveland(www.thecitymission.org)CassandraWoodard.AssistattheMission.
•2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter–2100LakesideAv-enue,Cleveland.LydiaBailey.AssistattheShelter.
•Bishop Cosgrove Center–1736SuperiorAvenue,Cleveland.JaniceWilliams.Assistwithcourtyardlandscapingandpainting.
Hunger•Food Baskets–ThisDiocesanConventionproject
isforthosewhochoosetoworkindoors.AssistwiththosewhowillreceivefoodbasketsthisThanksgiving.
•Trinity Commons Community Garden–35thandCedar,Cleveland.ScottBlanchard.Gardenreclaim-ing.Assistinturningthegardenasitpreparesforthecomingwintermonths.Foldintotheearth,turnthesoil,rakeit,putittobed.
Stewardship of the Earth•Mill Creek Canalway–NewburghTownship.Water-
waycleanup.Comedressedtoassistourfragilewater-waysasweworktocleanuptheMillCreekCanalway.Bringworkgloves,bootsandaprayerfulspirit.
7Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
Proposed Canonical Change Will Modify
Diocesan AssessmentsBy Bill Benedict
AtDiocesanConventioninNovember,theDioceseofOhiowillconsiderchangingtherulesforparishassessmentstomakethemfairer.
AccordingtoDarrellKnapp,theheadoftheDioc-esanAuditTeamandchairoftheAssessmentReviewCommittee,oneproposalisthatparishassessmentsbecalculatedonnormaloperatingexpensesinsteadofnor-maloperatingincome.Thatmeansthatparisheswouldnolongerbeassessedoncertainoutreachexpensesortheassessmenttothediocese,andwillcontinuetobeexemptfromassessmentonfundsthatarereceivedasassistancefromthediocese.
Currently,parishesaredirectlyassessedonnormaloperatingincome,butindirectlyassessedonexpenses,whichmustequalincome.Theyarealsoassessedonout-reachpaidtooutsideorganizationsfromtheiroperatingbudgets,butnotonoutreachprogramsconductedwithintheparish,forexample,activitiessuchasafoodpan-tryordaycarecenter.Theproposalwilltreatoutreachexpendituresconsistently,whetherconductedexternallyorinternally.Theproposalwillalsoendthepracticeofparishespayinganassessmentonassessmentexpenses,which“isakindofdoubletaxation,”saidKnapp,whoisalsotreasureratSt.James,Painesville.
Intheparochialreport,parisheswilldeducttheirassess-ment,theiroutreachexpenses,andassistancefromthedio-cesefromtheiroperatingincome;theassessmentwillthenderivefromalinecalled“allotheroperatingexpenses.”
Mostparisheswillseelittlechangeintheamountoftheirassessmenttothediocesebecausethepercentagerateswillberaisedabout2percentatthesametime.
“Wewantedtomakethisrevenueneutralforthedio-cese,withoutparishbudgetstakingahugehit,”Knappsaid.Bychangingtheassessmentrates,thepayoutbyparishesremainsaboutthesame.
Workontheproposalwasdoneusing2007par-ishdata.Fromthatdata,itwasdeterminedthatmostchurcheswillseelittlechangeinassessment.Forsome,itwillgoupalittleandforothers,itwillgodownalittle,
Knappsaid.Inafewofthebiggerchurches,thediffer-encecouldbeafewhundreddollars.“Wedon’texpectittobeasignificanthardship.”
Anotherproposalfromthecommitteethatwillbeofferedatconventionwillchangetherulesforparishparticipationinconventionasgovernedbythepaymentofassessmentsunderthecurrentcanon.Currently,ifaparishhasnotpaiditsassessmentsthroughAugust,ithasnoseat,voice,orvoteatconventionforitslaydelegates.Theproposedchangewouldgiveaparishnotcurrentonitsassessmentsseatandvoice,butnotvote.
TheproposedchangealsostatesthatassessmentsmustbepaidthroughJune,insteadofAugust,sothatchurchesexperiencingafalloffinattendanceduringthesummermonthswouldnotbepenalized.Knappnotedthatsomeparishesfacethechoiceduringthesummerofpayingbillsorpayingdiocesanassessments.Theycatchupwiththeirassessmentsduringthefallmonths,butarestillun-abletoparticipateinconvention.
Alloftheproposalsareinthecanonscommittee,andKnappexpectsthatonlyminorlanguagewillbechangedbeforetheyareputbeforeconvention.
8 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
General Convention: Restricted Budget
Encourages Local WorkBishop Calls Convention Honest
Adapted from ENS stories
ThebanneroverthedoorsoftheAnaheimConventionCenter,“TheEpiscopalChurchWelcomesYou,”setthetoneforthe76thGeneral
ConventionheldJuly8throughthe17,andmanyofthekeyactionstakenbyconventioncontinuedorencour-agedmissionandoutreachwork.Manyconvention-goerssaidtheyfeltthespiritof“Ubuntu,”whichtranslatesroughlyas“Iambecauseweare,”aconceptthatunderscoresthenecessityofcommunityforChristiansandforTheEpiscopalChurch.
Amongthethousandsofdeputies,bishops,volunteers,ECWTriennialdelegates,andvisitors,wereapproxi-mately70internationalguests,includingtheArchbishopofCanterburyRowanWilliams,whomadehisfirstvisittothechurch’sGeneralConvention.
Reamshavebeenwrittenabouttheactionsofthe2009GeneralConven-tion,andtheycanallbefoundonlineatwww.episcopalchurch.org/index_new.htm.Youcanalsoreadtheblogsofourdeputieswhodescribedtheirexperiencesonourowndiocesanwebsitewww.dohio.orgunderGeneralConvention.
Inadditiontotheresolutionspassed,the76thGeneralConventionadopteda$141millionbudgetfor2010-2012thatasksforlessmoneyfromdiocesesanddrasti-callyreduceschurch-widespendingby$23million.
Somechurch-wideprogramswillbeeliminatedunderthebudget,encouragingmoremissionworktotakeplaceindiocesesandcongregations.Atleast30ofthe180peopleemployedbytheEpiscopalChurchinitsNewYorkandregionalofficeswerelaidoff.
ThenextGeneralConventioncouldbetwodaysshorter,andinterimchurchbodieswillmeetface-to-facelessfrequentlyduringthetriennium.TheEpiscopalChurch’sprovincialcontributiontothebudgetofthe
AnglicanCommunionOfficewilldecreasebyathird.TheProgram,BudgetandFinance(PBF)Committeere-
storedabudgetlineitemdedicating0.7percentofincometotheU.N.MillenniumDevelopmentGoalsworkthathadbeencutfromadraftversionofthebudgetandaddedacorrespondingpercentagefordomestic-povertyinitiatives.
PBF’sproposalpredictstotaltriennialincomeof$141,271,984,with$79,161,193com-ingfromthediocesesand$27.6millionfrominvestmentincome.Expensesarebudgetedat$140,856,531.Thosefigurescomparewiththeprojectedbottomlineofthecurrent2007-2009triennialbudgetof$164,863,529inrevenueand$163,934,334inexpenses.
Diocesanincomeamountsto56per-centofrevenueandinvestmentincomeaccountsfor20percent.Sixteenpercentoftriennialincome,orapredicted$22.8million,willcomefromgovernmentmoneygrantedtothechurchforitsrefu-
geeresettlementwork.Eightpercent($11.6million)willcomefromotherincome,includingsuchitemsasrentalincome,advertising,subscriptions,andmerchandisesales.
BishopHollingsworthnotedthatGeneralConven-tioncompletedallofitslegislativeactionanhouraheadofscheduleonFridayafternoon,innotablecomparisonto2006andmanypreviousconventions,whichleftbusinessunfinished.“WhilethemediaisdescribingourChurch’sdeliberationsasfocusedontwothings,moneyandsex,”hesaid,“Ibelievethe76thGeneralConventionofTheEpiscopalChurchwasprincipallyabouthonesty:honestyaboutwhoweareasacommunityofChristians,complexinourmakeupandunifiedinGod’smission;honestyaboutbringingwhowetrulyareintoourcon-tinuingrelationshipwithoneanotherandtherestoftheAnglicanCommunion;andhonestyaboutourresourcesandhowtheyaredirectingustoreformthisChurch.
9Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
Asummaryofkeyactionsfollowswiththeresolutionnumbersgiveninparentheses.Thefulltextofallresolu-tions(originalandamended)isavailableathttp://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/.DavidSkidmore,CanonforCom-munications,DioceseofChicago,wrotethesummary.
The Episcopal Church:Addedanewrole,layevangelist,tothelistofpossiblelicensedministries(A064).
Calledforthecreationofan“evangelismtoolkit”forcongregationsanddioceses(A066).
CalledformajorstrategicvisionforoutreachtoLatino/Hispanicpeople(D038).
CalledfordevelopmentofresourcesforformationinEpiscopalidentityandleadershipinthechurch(B013).
AdoptedtheFiveMarksofMissionoftheAnglicanCommunionasitsfivetopstrategicpriorities(D027).
ApprovedacharterforlifelongChristianformation(A082)andcalledforalldiocesestodevelopastrategyforlifelongChristianformation(A083).
AffirmedaccesstotheordinationprocessforallthebaptizedandaffirmeditscommitmenttoandsupportoftheAnglicanCommunion(D025).
ApprovedfullcommunionwiththeMoravianChurch(A073)andanagreementforcontinueddialoguewiththePresbyterianChurch(A075).
ApprovedaninterimEucharisticsharingwiththeUnit-edMethodistChurchandstartingadialoguewiththehistoricAfricanAmericanMethodistChurches(D054).
Encouragedcongregationstoraiseawarenessofhealthministryandimplementitasavitalpartoftheirlife(A077).
CalledontheHouseofBishopsandStandingCommis-siononMusicandLiturgytodevelopanopenprocessforchurch-wideparticipationindevelopingtheologicalresourcesandliturgiesforsame-genderblessings,forconsiderationin2012(C056).
Adoptedanewliturgicalresourcetoassistindividu-alsandfamiliesdealingwithchildbirthandthelossofchildren(A088).
Addedadditionalcommemorationstothechurchcal-endar,HolyWomen,HolyMen:CelebratingtheSaints(A095)(A096).
Establishedamandatorylaypensionplanforlayemployeesworkingaminimumof1,000hoursinacongregation,diocese,orotherEpiscopalchurchbody(A138).
Approvedachurch-widehealthinsuranceplanforalldioceses,congregations,andaffiliatedorganizations(A177).
EncouragedeachdiocesetoenterintoacompanionrelationshipwithadioceseoftheEpiscopalChurchofSudan,andtoincludeaprayerforpeaceineachpublicliturgy(D007).
Recommittedtobeinganantiracistchurch(A143)andtoresearchthechurch’scomplicityintheslavetrade(A142).
ReaffirmedfinancialsupportforJubileeMinistriesinthefightagainstpoverty(A154).
Calledthechurchtospeakoutagainstdomesticvio-lenceandforclergyandlayleaderstobetrainedinitsprevention(D096).
AffirmeddueprocessoflawforalllivingintheU.S,andcalledforimplementationofcomprehensiveim-migrationreform(B006).
AgreedtorestricttheuseofbottledwateratGeneralConventionandtoencouragememberstopracticewaterconservation(A045).
ApprovedtherevisionoftheclergydisciplinecanonsofTitleIVgivingmoreemphasistohealing,repentanceandreconciliation(A185).
Summary of General Convention Actions
10 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
Riding for Their Lives: Our Odyssey Across Americaby Michael C. Obel-Omia
WhenGeneralConventionfinishedin2006,BishopHollingsworthdeterminedtoshakethecobwebsofthe11-daymeeting
fromhismindwithoneofhisfavoritepassions:cycling.HeandafewothercyclistsfromtheDioceseofOhiotraveledthe145-mileridefromColumbustoCleveland,enjoyingtheride,thescenery,andthekindnessofchurchmembersastheyheadedhome.Theeventwassoreward-ingthatthebishophasbeenridingthroughOhioeachJunewithagroupofwillingridersofallagesandsharingthefaith.Eachsummer,theBishop’sBikeRidehasraisedmoneytosupportyouthmissiontrips,and,justasim-
portant,hesaysit“weavesstron-gerthefabricofthediocese.”
EarlylastSpring,withthe2009Gen-eralConventioninAnaheimcomingup,hedecidedamoreadventurousbikeridewouldweavestrongerthefabricoftheentireEpiscopalChurch,while
raisingmoneyandawarenessforEpiscopalReliefandDevelopment’sNetsforLife®Program,whichprovidesmosquitonetsandsupportsotherprogramstopreventmalariaworldwide.Andsohedecidedtobikecross-countryfromAnaheimtotheChurchCenterinNewYorkCity.This11-dayjourney,dubbed,“RidingforTheirLives,”covered13statesandover4,000miles,andraised$35,000todateforNetsforLife®.
Leavingat6p.m.onJuly17,thelastdayofGeneralConvention,BishopHollingsworthwasjoinedbyCarlPetterson,arecentgraduateofHudsonHighSchool;GregDaniels,aconsultantforIBM;theRev.KellyO’Connell,rectorofSt.Mark’s,Toledo,andtheroute
plannerandtrainingadvisor;theRev.DanielOrr,rectorofSt.Paul’s,Fremont;andMichaelObel-Omia,formerheadoftheUpperSchoolatUni-versitySchoolinCleveland,andaparishioneratSt.Paul’s,ClevelandHeights.TheRev.StephenSedgwick,rectoroftheChurchoftheRedeemer,Lorain,andthebishop’sson,Isaac,asopho-moreatSt.Paul’sSchoolinCon-cord,NewHampshire,joinedtherideinLasVegas.TwomembersofEpiscopalRelief&Development’svolunteernetwork,MarthaGardner,diocesancoordinatorfromNewarkandErinKirby,seminariancoordinatorfromChurchDivinitySchoolofthePacific,aswellastheRev.GaryMitchener,supportedthecyclingteambydrivingthe30-footRVandtheBishop’sPrius.Mitchener,amas-sagetherapist,alsoprovidedimportantphysicalrelief.
Riding Round the Clock Theplanwastorideroundtheclock,relay-stylewithoneortwopeopleridingatalltimes.At91degrees,Anaheimwaswarm,butmanageable.Afterasendoffthatincludedaprayerforoursafety,werodeeastthroughAnaheimandtheCarbonCanyonandupintotheSanBernardinoMountains.MyfirstlegfinishedonhistoricRoute66inthepitchblack,withonlymysmallheadlamplightingthewayandtheinfrequentfreighttrainlight.Everything
Michael Obel-Omia, Bishop Hollingsworth, the Rev. Kelly
O’Connell, Greg Daniels, Carl Petterson, and the Rev. Daniel Orr prepare to leave for their
11-day journey from Anaheim to New York City.
Michael Obel-Omia
11Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
atnighttakesonaddedsignificance.Everydogbarking,everypassingcarlight,everytrainwhistlewasmagni-fiedbythedarknessthatthesoundorlightpierced.
Wesuspectedthenextdaymightbechallenging,asitwasalreadyinthelow80’sat6a.m.withanintensesunintheMojaveNationalPreserve.Thatafternoon,thetemperaturehit118degreeswhileIwasclimbingwestofOverton,Nevada,butthehighesttemperatureofthedaywas120de-grees.Ourhope,aftertakinganeededbreakfromtheintenseheat,wastostartupagainthatevening,butthetemperatureat9:00p.m.wasstill112.
BishopHollingsworthlamentedthathishandlebarsweretoohottohold.Nomatterhowcoldourdrinkingwater,withinfiveminutes,itwastoohottodrink.Evenwhenhydrated,ourownbodytem-peraturesbegantoriseundertheunrelentingsun.
AfterourrespiteinOver-ton,andreal-izingthedangerofridingintheextremeheat,wedrovetoUtahtostartanewwherethetempera-turesweremorereasonable:only90degrees!Carl,ourintrepid18-yearold,startedclimbinginCe-darCity,Utah,wherehepushedupthemountainsatthefootofMt.ZionNationalParkinlessthan30minutesbeforelight-ningstrikesshutdownhisriding.
Wewaitedoutthestorm,thensentGregDanielsforhisride.GregandCarltradedridinguntilearlyinthemorning,whenDanOrrjoinedthem.
Throughthenightthesethreeclimbedsteeplyintothemountains,thenchargeddownseveralexhila-ratingdescentsuntilBishopHollingsworthjumpedonhisbicycleat2:30a.m.Herodestronglyand
quicklyfor90minutesbeforeItookoverat4a.m.forabru-talclimb.NeverhaveIattemptedaclimblikethat,asIrosefromjustunder6,000feettoover8,000feetcoveringalittleoverfourmiles.Thecompletedarknessshieldedfrommethemagnitudeoftheascent,soIneverhadacompleteviewofwhatIwasaccomplishing.
Unfortunately,thedarknesshidfrommethestu-pendousbeautyofthescenery,asIrodeinsomeofthemostnaturally
spectacularcanyonsandmissedsomeofthemostbreath-takingvistasthatAmericahastooffer.
WehadbeenjoinedinLasVegas
bySteveandIsaac,givingustwomorepairsoflegstopreparefortheRockies,aswerodethroughUtahandintoColorado.Weatherhadforcedustofallbehind,sowebegananintenseridingschedulethatcalledforfourofusridingtwohoursoverthecourseofaneight-hourshift.Ourteam,consistingofBishopHollingsworth,Carl,Dan,andI,startedourfirstclimbintheRock-iesaround7o’clockintheeveningonMonday,justwestofDolores,Colorado.OurplanwastotravelfromDelorestoMontrose,passingthroughStoner,Rico,Telluride,Saw-pit,Ridgeway,andColona.Thefirstascent(from7,000to10,020feet)wasgradualbutnoticeable,aseachoneofustookanhour,climbinginthetwilightandthencompletedark.Twoascentstookusover10,000feet.
Carl Conquers the Continental DivideOurnextshiftstartedsixhourslater,sowewereupandclimbingby10o’clockthenextmorning.CarlwaseagertoclimbMonarchPass—11,312feetandthesiteoftheContinentalDivide.Danstartedusoutontheclimb,andthenpassedthebatontoMark,whoclimbedthefirst
“[Carl’s] climb was spectacular: the vistas were dramatic, the
elevation was steep, the hairpin turns
were fierce, and the work was arduous.
He climbed Monarch Pass like a mountain goat, maneuvering the steep switchback with relish and
confidence.”
Bishop Hollingsworth battles the Nevada heat.
12 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
threemilesofthenine-mileascenttoMonarchPass.Carljumpedonhisbicycle,aseagerandasexcitedasany-onecouldpossiblybeforthetortureahead—ah,youth!Hisclimbwasspectacular:thevistasweredra-matic,theeleva-tionwassteep,thehairpinturnswerefierce,andtheworkwasardu-ous.HeclimbedMonarchPasslikeamountaingoat,maneuveringthesteepswitchbackwithrelishandconfidence.Hereachedthesummitjustafternoon,andwestoppedtotakeinhisaccomplishment:sixmilesin45minutes!WedescendedthePassatexhilaratingspeeds—over35milesperhour—thenfollowedalongtheArkansasRiverandenjoyedthecompanyofthewhitewaterraftersnavigatingtheRiver.
WestofPueblo,westartedanewcycleofshifts,witheachtwo-personteamresponsibleforfivehoursofriding—ourpreviouspunishingschedulehadprovedtoomuch.
Headed for the Garden: KansasKellyandStevetookuswithintwomilesofKansas—astatethathadgainedEden-likestatureinourminds,becauseofitsflatterrain.Kan-sasisflat,butitdoesrollabitbeneathone’swheels,anditalwayslooksasifthereisariseahead,butrarelydoesitmaterialize(weactuallydroppedinelevationfromPueblo,4,700feettoAlexander,Kansas2,050feet).
InKansas,onecanliterallyseeformiles:grainelevators,morethantwomilesaway,dominatethelandscape.Therewasalmostnothingelsetomarkourpassing,savecattle,corn,
wheat,andbillboards:“AreyouontheRoadtome?”—God,”readoneofthebillboards.Route96stretchedoutbeforeDanandme,almostas
straightasanarrow,untilweturnedourridingreignsovertoMarkandIsaacinDighton,Kansas,some90milesintotheSunflowerState.
Simple Pleasures Simplepleasurestakeonmoremeaninginan
RVwith11peopletryingtofindspace:aplacetosit;aplacetoeat;ashower;aclean,well-lightedbathroom;colddrinks;chewinggum;jellybeans.Intheevening,wewouldoftenlookupintothenightwhileawaitingchangesinshifts.Theabsenceofurbanlightpollution,andthelackofstructurestodrawawayattentioncombinedtofocusmyvisiononthebrilliantnightsky.Cloudless,theskyaffordedusacompleteandarrestingviewofallthestarswatchingovertheKansasnight.
TheHollingsworthteampedaledfuriouslytowardtheMissouribor-der.Kansas,wealldetermined,wasfartoolong,andwewerehappytoshakethatdustfromourfeet.Ev-erycyclistdreamsofKansas’flatterrainandgentletailwind,buteachofusexperiencedarollingterrainandsmartcross-windsthatforcedustofocusaswerode.
WillaCather,inhernovel,My Antonia,talkedoftheplainsasnotbeingacountry,butbeingtherawmaterialoutofwhichacountryismade.IunderstoodthataswecycledthroughKansas:everywherewelookedwesawsuchpotentialandsuchopportunityhere.Kansasisunrelentinglylong,butIlovedthelandasmuchasIappreciatedthekindnessofthepeople.
Westartedoutinthe“ShowMe”state,travelingtowardElling-ton.IfKansasisanunmadebed,acrumpledmessofhalfhills,thenMissouriisarollercoaster,awildridethatexhauststherider.Kansaswaslonganduneventful,takingforevertocross,whileMissouriflewbeneathourwheels,butatacost:exhaustion.
Missouri SurpriseWelovedthe35-mile-per-hourdownhillridesonthispartofthejourney,passingarmadillosonthegroundandtravelingunderneathbatsandotheranimalsatgreatspeedsinthedark.Thenthatjoyridewouldbefollowedbyatorturousuphillclimb,leavingussuckingwindlikecrazy.WehadknownthatUtahandColoradowouldbechallenging,butMissouri?It’srollinghillsand
“If Kansas is an unmade bed, a crumpled mess of half hills, then
Missouri is a rollercoaster, a wild ride that exhausts
the rider.”
The bikers were welcomed by All Saints’ Church in Farmington, Missouri.
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mountainsdrainedus,butatnightthetreefrogssangtousaswerode.
SomeofusholedupatAllSaints’EpiscopalChurchinFarmington,Missouri,enjoyingthehospitalityofagorgeousnewchurchbuilding.Thepriestwasexceedinglygenerous,plyinguswithfoodanddrinkandcovetedspaceoutsidetheRV.
LeavingAllSaints’Churchwecontinuedeastward,searchingfortheMightyMississippi.Aswegrewclos-er,myanticipationgrew,andIenviedKelly,ourimpressiveroutecoordina-tor,whohadthepleasureofcrossingtheMississippionherbicycle.IntheRVwestoppedontheIllinoissidetomarvelatGod’sgreatcreation.
WehadcrossedMissouriinaremarkable24hours.Illinoisisathinstate,andwecrossedthroughIllinois,andIndianainasingleday.ThunderandlightningcontinuedtoplagueusinIndiana.Danfinishedashifttocrashesofthunderandboltsoflightning.Iwasabouttobeginashiftat3:30a.m.whenatremendousgustofwind,abellowingsoundofthunder,andaspectacularstrikeoflightningdeterredme.
TheHollingsworthteamstartedearlySaturdaymorning,movingus
quicklytowardtheOhioborder.Whentheirshiftconcluded,KellyandStevetookoff,whiletherestofussoughtthecomfortofanRVcampsitewithpicnictablesforleisurelylunches,station-arybathrooms,large,cleanshow-ers,andlaundryfacilities.Wash-ingourclothesaftereightdaysinanRVisassweet
apleasureassippingchampagneonthebanksoftheSeine!
Riding Along the Ohio RiverMeanwhile,KellyandSteveenjoyedawonderfulridealongtheOhioRiverwithscenicvistasandwelcomingtail-winds.Theyfinishedtheirappointedround30minutesearly,aswerodeintoOhio.
Theeveningpassedunevent-fully,asGregandCarlrodemainlyontheMiamibicycletrailinsouthernOhio,enjoyingthesmoothsurface.Theygaveovertheirresponsi-bilitiestoDanandmeinLondon,Ohio.Irodethefirst90minutes,andthenretiredtothePriustosupportDan.Whilemeanderingalongbehindhim,Iwaspulledoverbyapoliceofficer.IhadtoexplainwhyIwasridingthedoublelinebehindacyclistat1o’clockinthemorning:tomakesurethatIdidn’tcastashadowontheroadforhim.
Luckily,heletmegowithoutinci-dent,andIcontinuedtofollowDan,whoaveragedwellover20milesperhourthroughFredericktownandintoButler.MarkandIsaacawaitedusandtookoffforCanalFulton,whereCarl’smotheranddogandGreg’swifeandsongreetedusandre-supplieduswithhomemadebeefjerky,cookies,potatosalad,andchickensalad.
AswecrossedintotheKeystonestate,Carl,whohadaveragedover18milesanhouronthetrip,washitbyacarinNewCastle.Wecameuponhimafewmilesdowntheroadwithhismangledbicycle,standingnexttotheyoungmanwhohadhithim.Thedriverhadbeenturningintoaconveniencestore,whenhehitCarl,whohadbeenlegallytravelingalongRoute208.Hisfrontwheelwascompletelydestroyed,soGregtookupthechallengeandrodethehour.
WeusedthePennsylvaniaDe-partmentofTransportation’sRouteVtocrossthestate,risingandfallingdramaticallyasweheadedtowards
NewJersey.RidingintoHackensack,westayedintheparishhallofChristChurchthenightbeforeourtriumphantrideacrosstheGeorgeWashing-tonBridge.Onthatlastevening,weateourfirstmealtogether—
all11ofusatthesametime.BishopHollingsworthprovidedentertainmentwithassortedamazingcardtricks.
Thenextmorning,Tuesday,July28,werodeintoNewYorkCity—11daysafterleavingAnaheim.Twoblocksbeforearrivingat815SecondAvenue(theEpiscopalChurchCen-ter),Kelly’shandlebarsbrokeoffher
Washing our clothes after eight
days in an RV is as sweet a pleasure as sipping champagne
on the banks of the Seine!
Hackensack, New Jersey, was the bikers’ last stop before their ride into New York City.
14 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
bike.GreggavehisbicycletoKelly,sothatshecouldfinishtheride,asthePresidingBishopandacrowdfromthenationalchurchofficewel-comedushome.
Meeting ChristEverywherewetraveled,wemetChristintheoutpouringofkind-nessandgenerosity:InCalifornia’sMojaveDesert,Danielranoutofwaterashewasridingin100degreeweather.Hesmartlytookshelterbeneathabush.Afamilytravelingby,sawhim,stopped,andofferedhimwater.WhileIwasridingin100plusdegreeweatherinNevada,afamilystoppedtotellmeoftheBishop’splight—aflattire—andofferedmecoolwatertodrink;inOverton,Nevada,whenwetriedtopayforourextrastayattheRVpark,themanagerrefused,send-ingusonourway;inKansas,aswewaitedforIsaacandMarktocom-pletetheirshift,aconcernedyoung
manstoppedbehindusandaskedhowhecouldhelpus;inFarming-ton,Missouri,theRev.PeterVanHornandhiswife,Beverley,openedAllSaints’Churchtousandallowedustorelaxinabeautifulnewspace;and,atanumberofconveniencestoreswherewestopped,wemetdelightfulmenandwomenwhowishedusGodspeed.Everywherewehadcoolwatertodrink,warmwaterforshowers,comfortablemattressesforrest,andkindchurchmembersforconversation.
Wenevercouldhavemadeitacrossthecountrywithouttremen-doussupportfromErin,Gary,andMartha.TheydrovetheRV,tookhundredsofpictures,rubbedourwearymuscles,andshowedtre-mendousflexibility,resilience,andpatience.KellyO’Connellmappedoutthecourseforus,evendrivingitfromOhiotoAnaheimtotestit.When
wehadtoreconfigurethecoursetomakeupforlosttime,sherosetothechallenge.Webikers,whocouldfocusonridingandenjoyingthescenery,haveKellytothankforconcentratingonthedetails.Butitwasthevision,drive,andpassionofBishopHollingsworththatmadethetrippossible,andheshepherdedusthroughthechallenge.
Donations may still be made by going to the Episcopal Relief and Develop-ment website at www.er-d.org (select “Bishop’s Bike Ride”) or on the Dio-cese of Ohio’s website: www.dohio.org (select “ERD Bike Ride”).
Find out more about NetsforLife® at www.netsforlifeafrica.org.
Blogs, photos, and videos from the trip are posted on the Riding for Their Lives website: ohionets4life.ning.com.
Malaria is a deadly mosquito-borne disease that affects millions around the world each year:
•Nearlyonemillionpeoplediefrommalariaeachyear,mostlychildrenyoungerthanfiveyearsold.
•Thereareanestimated250millioncasesofmalariaeachyear.
•Approximately3.3billionpeopleliveinareaswheremalariaisaconstantthreat.
•90%ofallmalariadeathsoccurinsub-SaharanAfrica.
•Malariacostsanestimated$12billioninlostpro-ductivityinAfrica.
•Wheninsecticide-treatednetsareusedproperlybythree-quartersofthepeopleinacommunity,malariatransmissioniscutby50%,childdeathsarecutby20%,andthemosquitopopulationdropsbyasmuchas90%.
•Itisestimatedthatlessthan5%ofchildreninsub-SaharanAfricacurrentlysleepunderanytypeofinsecticide-treatednet.
InformationandstatisticsarefromtheNetsforLife®website:www.netsforlifeafrica.org
The Rev. Kelly O’Connell leads the bikers across New Jersey and into New York City.
15Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
Three New Staff Members Bring Change of Focus to DioceseBy Bill Benedict
Connecticut Rector Brings Passion for Mission to DioceseFortheRev.MarkK.J.Robinson,theEpiscopalChurch’smissionworkisoneofthebestwaysparishionersbuildtheirrelationshipwithoneanotherandstrengthentheircommitmenttoJesusChrist,andtheirconnectiontotheirparishcommunity.
Robinson,whorecentlymovedtoOhiotoassumethepositionofCanonforMis-sionforthediocese,comesfromConnecti-cut,whereheservedasrectorfor16yearsofCalvaryParishinStonington.HewasdeeplyinvolvedinmissionworkinCuba,EastAfrica,Ecuador,Newfoundland,andSouthAfrica.“Iamexcitedtoserveinthisposition.Workinginparishministryfor20years,16yearsasarector,Ihavewit-nessedtheprofoundeffectofmissionworkinchurchministry”Robinsonsaid.“Com-placentorevenperipheralparishionersaredrawnintothecenterofChrist’sworkwiththeirhands-onministry,”hecontinued.Hisresponsibilitiesincludeworkingonhomelessnessandhospitality;domesticandglobalmission;peaceandjustice,Episcopalsocialserviceministry,andmentoringthedeaconsfortheirnextplacement.
AsaparishpriestinConnecticut,Robinsontookhissabbaticaleveryfiveyearstodomission-drivenwork.Onhisfirstsabbaticalin1999,hedesignedanexchangewithaprofessoratUgandaChristianUniversityandswappedpositionswithhim,withbothofthembringingtheirfamiliestotheirnewventures.SubsequentmissiontripsledhimwithparishmembersonaboatfromKeyWesttoCubainanattempttodelivermedicalsuppliestoachurch,butthegovernmentimpoundedthegoodsbeforetheycouldbedelivered.AsdeanoftheSeaburyDeaneryhedesignedandleddeanery-widemissiontripsfor10parishes.TheyfirstbeganbybuildinghousesforHabitatforHumanityandworkedonalocalhouseofprayer,St.FrancesHouse,inNewLondon,Connecticut.Withthatunityofspiritandsenseofservingtheneedsofthehomeless,RobinsonledareachurchmemberstoPujo,Ecuador,wherehisgrouprehabilitatedachurch,rectory,
anddiocesanfarmthatisnowaretreatcenter.Robinsonisnotacarpenterwithspecialskills.“Any-
onecanlearntodotherudimentarytasksofcarpentry,”hesaid.“WhenIgoonamissiontrip,itisnotaboutmeaccomplishingatask;instead,IgotoworkwithothersaswebuildadeeperrelationshipwithChrist.Igowithan
openspirittodiscovermoreknowledgeandwisdomthanIarrivewith.
“WhenwejourneyforthtoserveChristinmissionworkwithpeoplefromanotherculture,oneofthefirstthingsIhavediscoveredisthattheybringasmuchtothetableaswebring.
“YouknowtheapostleswereadiversecollectionofGod’speople,yettheyman-agedtoworktogethertogetthewordoutandtheworkaccomplished,”Robinsonsaid.“IfeelwecangatherpeoplefromParmatoPerrysburgandMedinatoMen-torandworktogetherandtrytomakethisthemostmission-mindeddioceseimaginable,”hesaid.
Whenaskedhowhewouldaccomplishthat,Robinsonsaid,“Missionworkis
verycompelling.Itisnotahardsell.Peoplealreadywanttogetinvolvedinthiswork,butoftendonotknowwheretoturntomaketheleap.Ihavecontactsallovertheworld,andtheyarearelookingforpeoplefromOhiotorolluptheirsleeves,giveoftheirtime,talent,andtreasuretoassistinGod’swork.Theopportunitiesareendlesswithinourdiocese,state,country,andworld.”
RobinsoncalledthediocesanMission Inventory of2008a“spectacular”document.“Wefoundthatthereismuchmissiongoingonlocally,regionally,nationallyandinternationally,butmostoftheworkoftheparishesofthisdioceseisbeingdonelocally.”
Tospreadthewordaboutmissionwork,Robinsonhasbeeninvitedtopreachinseveralparishesandwillbemeetingwithseveralmissionorganizationsinthediocese.
Withthepresentbadeconomy,hewillbelisteningparticularlytowhatparisheswanttodotoassistthosewhoareoutofworkandinneedoffinancialsupport.
RobinsonwasbornandraisedinGranville,Ohio,and
The Rev. Mark K.J. Robinson
16 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
wasconfirmedbyBishopBurtatSt.Timothy’sChurch,Perrysburg.HewasgraduatedfromKenyonCollegein1981.HewasordainedtothediaconateandpriesthoodintheDioceseofMaine.
Robinsonandhiswife,Eleanor,amusician,mountainclimber,botanist,andformerhighschoolteacher,havethreedaughters,andnowliveinClevelandHeights.
From One Congregation to ManyTotheRev.BradPurdom,hisnewjobastheDioceseofOhio’sCanonforCongregationspresentsnotonlyachal-lenge,butalsoanopportunitythatfitshiscallingtoministry.
Purdom,whowasrectorofChurchoftheGoodShepherd,Lyndhurst,foralmostnineyears,beganhisdiocesanworkaftertheRev.PatriciaHanenleftherpositionasCongregationalDevelop-mentOfficertobecomerectorofNewLifeEpiscopalChurch,Uniontown.
ThetitleofhispositionhasbeenchangedtoCanonforCongregations,Purdomexplained,becausetheterm“canon”ismorecommonlyrecognizedintheEpiscopalchurch.AnadditionalchangeisthatCongregationalDevelop-mentandChristianFormationarenowoneoffice“becausewerecognizetheintegralrelationshipbetweenthesetwoareasofourlivesasChristians.Healthy,growingChristianindividualsformtheheartofvibrantChristiancongrega-tions.Equallyso,vibrantChristiancongregationscreatefertilegroundforhealthy,growingChristianindividuals.”PurdomwillworkcloselywiththeRev.VincentBlackwhobeganasCanonforChristianFormationonOctober1.
TheofficehasbeenveryinvolvedwithpromotingNaturalChurchDevelopment(NCD)acrossthediocese.WhenaparishdecidestoengageintheNCDprocess,itsmembersworktogetherwithacoachtodeterminethecongregation’sstrengthsandweaknessesineightdifferentareasincludingpassionatespirituality,gift-orientedmin-istry,need-orientedevangelism,andholisticsmallgroups.Theythenspendthenext12to18monthsworkingtoimprovetheirweakestarea.
PurdomconsidersNCDtobeagreatstrengthenerofcongregations,especiallybecauseitcombinesspiritualfor-mationwithcongregationaldevelopment.Thatthefocusisonequippingtheleadershipwithintheparishtodotheworkratherthanemployinganexperttocomeinandtellparishionerswhattodomakestheprogramparticularlyappealing,hebelieves.Hehimselfwastrainedasacoachin
Lyndhurst,buthestill“hasalottolearnaboutit,”hesaid.Purdomisnotnewtodiocesancongregationalwork.
DuringhissenioryearattheUniversityoftheSouth,hewassentbyBishopClarkGrewtowesternOhiotoworkwithHanenforeightweeks,whowasthenthediocesanmission-eroverseeing10parishes.Asarector,firstatTrinityChurch,Alliance,andlateratGoodShepherd,hebecameveryinvolvedintheCongregationalDevelopmentCommissionandhasseenthediocese’ssuccessesand“lessersuccesses.”
“Andithasbeenmyexperiencethatmyministryhasbeenmosteffectivewhentheparishhasrecognizedand
combinedspiritualgrowthwithcongre-gationaldevelopment,”hesaid.
Oneofthechallengesthatallchurchesfaceisdrawingyoungermem-bers,butPurdomdoesnotthinkthatthestrategyforthemismuchdifferentfromwhatitisforanyoneelse.
“Thereisnotthatmuchdifferencebetweenyoungpeopleandmygenera-tion,”saidPurdom,whois53.“Ifyoulookatwho’snotcomingtochurchandwhy,itisaboutthesameforbothgen-erations.Theworldtoooftenseesusassayingonethinganddoinganother.Thechurchneedstowork“sothatitbecomesevidentthatwearelivingthethingswearepreaching,”hesaid.
“IlookoutthewindowofmyofficeandseethestudentsatClevelandStateUniversitycomingandgoing.Theyknowwhattheywant.Thebuzzwordis‘authenticity’;theywantustobewhowesayweareandthentheywillengage[us]inaconversation,”Purdomsaid.
Purdomwasnotlookingforanewpositionwhenthejobcameopen,hesaid,butheprayedaboutit,andthensubmittedhisresume.
“IimaginethatatsomepointIwillbebackinaparish,”hesaid.Butthisofficegiveshimthechancetoconnectwiththechurchinadifferentwayand“enrichmylifeasapriest.”
“Ihaveamazingopportunitiesinthisjob,”hesaid.Hehasthechancetodoworkacrossthedioceseandtolearnfrommanydifferentpeople—anopportunitythathewouldnothaveasaparishpriest.
Purdomhasbeenmarriedfor30yearstoMaryJoandhasthreegrownchildren.
Love for Christian Formation Motivates Newest Diocesan Staff MemberTheRev.VincentBlack,ordainedtothetransitionaldiaconatelastJune,isthenewestmemberofthedioc-esanstaffastheCanonforChristianFormation.He
The Rev. Brad Purdom
17Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
willbeworkingcloselywiththeRev.BradPurdom,CanonforCongregations.Blacksaidformation,asheunderstandsit,isalifelongprocessinvolvingourwholeselves.ThatincludesintellectualdevelopmentoflearningaboutthefaithandspiritualdevelopmentoflivingoutthefaithinrelationshipwithGodthroughJesusChristandinrelationshipwithourneighborsandallofcreation.Christianswhoareintentionalaboutlifelongformationformdynamicandvibrantcommu-nitiesorcongregations,hesaid.
Blackbringsawealthofexperiencetohisjob.HehastaughtEnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL)for
6th,7th,and8thgradersinLakewood,helpingthemtoacclimatetolifeintheUnitedStatesandparticipatinginwrit-ingtheschooldistrict’slanguageartsandESLcurricula.HealsotaughtESLtoimmigrantsandrefugeesofallagesattheInternationalServicesCenter,inadditiontohelpinghisstudentsfindhelpfulresourcesinthearea.BlacklivedinJa-panforfouryearswherehetaughtEnglishina
Japanesepublicschool.HehasalsoservedasadjunctfacultyatTiffinUniversity.
HeiscommittedtoteachingabouttheChristianfaithasitislivedwithintheEpiscopalChurch,andhastaughtexplorationandconfirmationclassesandbookstudiesatTrinityCathedral,aswellasassistingwithcampusministryandadulteducationatSt.Stephen’sEpiscopalChurchandUniversityCenterinColumbus.Asastu-dentatBexleyHallSeminaryinColumbus,hisFridayswerededicatedtoexploringwhatitmeanstobeformedforspiritualdevelopment,anexperiencehevalueshighly.HewaspresidentoftheBexleySociety,providingover-sightforcommunityactivitiesandecumenicalactivitieswithTrinityLutheranSeminary.
Althoughreligiouscommitmenthasplayedabigroleinhislifesincechildhood,hedateshiscalltothepriesthoodafterhestartedattendingTrinityCathedralin2003.Blackliveswithhispartner,RogerBarnhard,andtheirtwonephewsinUniversityHeights.
Time to Think About
Year-end Giving
Theleavesbegintheirbrilliantdisplay.Sum-mer’slazydaysgivewaytofall’shustleandbustle.AdventandChristmasarefastapproaching.Now
maybetheperfecttimetothinkaboutyear-endgivingandrememberwhatismostimportanttous—ourfami-liesandourchurchfamilies.
Thesehavebeenchallengingmonths,butyourgener-ousgifttotheBishop’sAnnualAppealmakesitpossiblefortheDiocesetosupportcommunityprogramsandservepeoplewhoneedourhelp,especiallythisyear.
ThereareotherwaystogivetotheChurchandtakeadvantageofyear-endtaxsavings.Perhapsastockgiftwillhelptoavoidcapitalgainstaxesandrebalanceyourportfolio.AnotheroptionistheIndividualRetirementAccount(IRA)Rollover,extendedtoDecember31,2009.
IfyouhaveIRAassets—oryouhelpanolderrela-tiveorlovedonewithfinancialmatters—youshouldbeawareoftheextendedIRArolloverprovision.Aspartofthe$700billionFinancialRescuePackage,aprovi-sionappliestogiftsmadefromJanuary1,2008throughDecember31,2009.Itexemptsfromtaxableincomeanyfundstransferreddirectly,i.e.,“rolledover”fromanIndividualRetirementAccount(IRA)toacharitableorganization.Inordertotakeadvantageofthis:
•Thedonormustbeage701/2orolder.•ThecaponannualIRArolloversis$100,000.•Thecontributionmustbeadirectgifttoanon-
profitsuchastheDioceseofOhiooryourparish.(Deferredlifeincomegiftsarenotincluded).
PleasecontactLaelCarter,DevelopmentOfficer,atthediocesanofficesat216-774-0463or800-551-4815,extension463,forfurtherinformationandyourIRAcustodiandirectlyshouldyouwishtomakeagiftfromyourIRA.Weencourageyoutospeakwithyourfamilyandfinancialadvisorsbeforemakingthisoranyphilan-thropicdecision.YoucanfindasuggestedlettertouseforrequestingacharitablerolloverwithdrawalfromyourIRAonthediocesanwebsiteatwww.dohio.orgundertheOfficeofStewardshipandDevelopment,orwecanhelpyoudevisealetterappropriatetoyoursituation.
By Michelle TognettiMember, Diocese Planned Giving Council and St. Paul’s, Akron
The Rev. Vincent Black
18 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
Health Ministries in Our Parishes: Caring for the
Whole PersonBy Cheryl Gray, RN
TheChurchintheUnitedStatestodayneedstoaddresshealthissuesmorethanever.Thecurrenthealth-caresystemintheUnited
Statesismoreconcernedwithcuringdiseasethanwithmaintaininghealth.Parish-basedhealthministry,how-ever,isalivingwitnessofthehealingactivityofGodthroughthelocalparishbyencouragingthehealthofthewholeperson.Itdoesthisby:
•Integratingofmind,body,andspirit
•Increasingself-knowledge,•Encouragingpersonalre-
sponsibility,and•Promotinginterdependence
amongGod’speople.
Morethan90%oftheparishesinourdiocesehavesomeformofhealthministry.Inthelocalparish,thismeansanintentionalminis-tryfocusingonhealingandhealth,combiningtheancienttraditionsoftheChristiancommunityandtheknowledgeandtoolsofmodernmedicine.Healthministrylooksdifferentfromparishtoparish,reflectingtheneedsandresourcesofthefaithcommunity.Itdoesnotrepeatwhatalreadyexistsinthecommunity,butratherworkswithlocalcommunityresources.
Thelocalparishisaplacewherehealthprofessionalsandnon-healthprofessionalscanworktogethertokeepitspeoplewell,toempowerandeducatethem,andtoadvocateforthecareofpeopleinneed.
Whole-personhealthfocusesonwell-beinginallaspectsoflife.Beingtrulyhealthyandwholeisaboutbeinginbalanceandencompassesaperson’ssocial/interpersonal,emotional,physical,intellectual,voca-tional,andfinancialwell-being.Aneasymnemonicforthinkingaboutcreatingandmaintainingawell-roundedparishministryisHEALTH:
•“H”forhealthpromotionwithintheparish,
community,andorganizations•“E”foreducationwithintheparish,community
andorganizations•“A”foradvocacy•“L”forliaisonwithintheparish,community
andorganizations•“T”fortrainingvolunteerswithintheparish,
community,andorganizations•“H”forhealer—mind,bodyand
spiritpromotingtheGospel’smissionofhealthandhealing.
AfewexamplesdemonstratehowwecancontinueJesus’ministryofteaching,preaching,andhealing(seesidebar).Wecancareforourbroth-ersandsistersaswellasbecomegoodstewardsforhealth.
Healthministrycanalsohelpparishestobecomevibrant,caringplaces.Tofindmoreinformation,gotothediocesanwebsiteandlook
underHealthMinistries.Atthe192ndAnnualConventionin2008aDiocese
HealthMinistryTaskForcewasformedconsistingoflayandclergytosupportexistinghealthministriesandtoencouragedevelopmentofnewhealthministries,topromotetrainingforhealthministersandtoprovideeducationoftheDioceseonissuesandconcernsrelatedtohealthministry.
CherylGrayandLindaHeitgeraretheco-chairsfortheHealthMinistryTaskForce.TheRev.GretchenGreen,theRev.PollyGlanville,andDonnaKnapparealsomembersoftheDiocesanHealthMinistryTaskForce.Weallareavailabletoanswerquestions.Ifyouhaveanysuggestionsonhowthetaskforcecanhelpyourministrypleaseletusknow.
Formoreinformationcontact:CherylGrayat330-467-2538ortcgray@[email protected]
The local parish is a place where
health professionals and non-health professionals can work together to
keep its people well.
19Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
ThefirstbatchesoftheH1N1vaccinenasalsprayarenowavailableandarebeinggivenfirsttohealthcareworkers.Althoughonly6million
to7milliondoseshavebeensentout,federalhealthauthoritieshavesaidtherewillbeplentyofvaccinetogoaroundwithinafewmonths;75milliondoseswillbeproducedbeforetheendoftheyear.
Checkwithyourdoctor,yourchildren’sschool,andyourlocalpublichealthdepartmentaboutavailability,andcheckthesiteFlu.govforupdatedinformation.
Twotypesofvaccineareavailable:theflushot,aninactivatedvaccinecontainingfragmentsofkilledinfluenzavirus,andanasalspray,whichismadeusingaweakenedlivefluvirus.Thenasalsprayisthefirsttypetobewidelydistributedandwillbemadeavailabletocertainhigh-riskgroups:healthcareworkers,peoplefromages2through24,andthosewhocareforyoungchildren.Thenasalsprayisnotappropriateforpregnantwomen,childrenunder2,andpeoplewithchronichealthconditions.Sofar,officialsfromtheNationalInstitutesofHealthsaythatinclinicaltrialsthey’veseennoserioussideeffectsandthatstudysubjectswhohavebeenimmunizedhavegeneratedagoodresponse.
ExtensiveinformationaboutpreparingforH1N1andotherpotentialpandemicinfluenzaoutbreaksisavailableonthewebsiteofEpiscopalRelief&Development.Thereyouwillfindlinkstovariouspandemicpreparednessplansandotherresourcesthatgiveindividualadviceandadviceforcongregationsintheeventofalarge-scaleoutbreak.Additionally,EpiscopalRelief&DevelopmenthaspostedPlanning for Pandemic Influenza.
TheUnitedStatesGovernmentoffersH1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations.IncludedisasectiononVulnerable and Hard-to-Reach Populations,aswellasusefullinksforcongregationsthatservethehomeless.
Preparing for the Flu
Season
Some ideas for carrying out a parish health ministry: Education
•Retirementplanningseminar•Prayersandmeditationclasses•HealthandtheBible•Liaisonforcommunityservice•Healtheducationclasses•Chemicalhealthclasses•Trainushersincaseofemergency•Dying,stressandhealingclass•Babysittingclass•Healthandspiritualityclasses
Wellness•Exerciseclass•Diet/nutritiongroups•Bloodpressures•Healthfairs/screenings•Growagarden—herb/vegetables•“Woman’sDay”•Keepanemergencycarekitavailable•Yoga/TaiChi•Lifestressclasses•Prayerwalking
Service•Parishnursing•Pastoralcare•LayEucharistvisitor•Prayerministryteam•Respitecare•Stephenministry•Phoneministry•Eldercare•Foodpantry•Varioussupportgroups
Outreach•Workwiththehomeless/shelter•Foodkitchen•Habitat•Shaw/knittingblanketsministry•Collectpenniesforvitamins(children)•Hospice•Freeclinic•WorkingwithUSO•“LovingPaw”—takeanimalstonursing
homes•Workwithotherchurchesonaproject
20 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
On the Ground in the Diocese of Tanga
by Brendan Knoblauch
Ihaveheldasenseofservicetomycommunityandmycountrythroughoutmostofmylife.Asayouth,IwasaBoyScoutwhereIlearnedthevalueof
service,whichledmetoenlistforfiveyearsintheUnitedStatesMarineCorps.DuringmylastyearatJohnCar-rollUniversityinthefallof2008,IwastryingtodecidewhatIwoulddoafterIgraduatedinthespring.AsaneconomicsandphilosophymajorataJesuituniversity,Iwasmadefamiliarwiththeidealsofsocialjusticeandthestruggleofdevel-opedcountriesintryingtohelpthedevelopingcoun-triesoftheworld.
ArmedwithadegreeandsomeexperienceabroadintheMarineCorps,IwascurioustoseeifImightbeofsomeserviceinadevel-opingcountrythroughtheEpiscopalChurch.IhadameetingwithSamMcDon-ald,formeryouthdirectorofSt.Paul’s,ClevelandHeights,whereIhadat-tendedchurch.SamtoldmeofanopportunitytoworkwithBishopHollingsworthinfurtheringarelationshipwiththeAnglicanDioceseofTangainTanzania.
TheDiocesesofOhioandTangabegantheirrelation-shipinthe1970swhenformerOhioBishopJohnBurtvisitedtheDioceseofTangaandsubsequentlyfundedthebuildingofwhatisnowSt.Barnabas’ChristianTrainingCenterinKorogwe,Tanga.Overtheyears,therelation-shipfoundered,buttheRt.Rev.PhilipBaji,BishopofTanga,andBishopHollingsworthareinterestedinstrengtheningthathistoricalconnection.BishopBajiwasaspeakeratthe2007DiocesanConvention,andmanymembersoftheDioceseofOhiohavecontributedfundsfororphansintheDioceseofTanga.
Afterseveralconversations,BishopHollingsworthandIconcludedthatitwouldbeagreatopportunity
fortheDioceseofOhio,aswellasforme,tocometoTanzaniatohelpreestablishthisrelationshipbyassist-inginthedevelopmentofsocialserviceprojectsforthepeopleoftheTangaRegion.
BeforeIleft,IhaddreamsandsomepreconceivedideasofwhatIcoulddotohelpotherpeople,asIthinkmostpeopledowhentravelingabroadtodoservice
work.Ihadbeenwarned,however,byexperiencedpeoplethatthingsareal-mostalwaysdifferentfromwhatonemightimaginethemtobe.Idon’tthinkitisbadtohavepreconceivednotionsaboutaplace,infactit’sprobablyimpossiblenotto,butwhatcanmakepreconceivednotionsahin-drance,Ibelieve,ishavingthemdictateasetplanthatendsupcreatingproblemswhencertainassumptionsturnouttobefalse.
Manybenefactorsdonatemoneybasedonsuchaplananditspotentialresults.This
putspressureonthevolunteerwhoisanswerabletothepeoplewhofinancedthetrip,andheorshemustproceedwithaplanthatmaybeincompatiblewiththesituation,orabandontheplanaltogether.Intryingtofollowaplanthatmakesnosenseontheground,thevolunteercanmakewrongdecisions,dothewrongthing,andintheend,thetripbecomesanunpleasantandunsuccessfulexperience.
Freedom to SearchWhatIthinkhasmademyworkherealoteasier,andIthinkwillmakememoresuccessfulinthefuture,isthatBishopHollingsworthhasallowedmethefreedomtosearchfordifferentopportunitieswheretheDioceseofOhiocanhelp,ratherthanaskingmetofollowacon-creteplansetbeforedeparturewithlittleroomforadjust-ment.Iamgratefulthathehasallowedmethisflexibility
St. Barnabas’ Christian Training Center in Korogwe, Tanga.
21Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
tounderstandthecurrentsituationinTangafirstbeforeIdevelopacourseofaction.
Forexample,economicde-velopmentandmicrofinance,whiledesperatelyneededhere,arenotmystrength,nordoIthinktheDioceseofTangacurrentlyhastherightresourcesandpersonneltobesuccessfulinthatarea.Idonot
thinkthatIhavetheabilitiestoadviseoneconomicde-velopmentissuesnorafullunderstandingoftheecono-myandmarketsofTanzania,anditwouldbeadisservicetoeveryoneinvolvedifIwentinthatdirection.
InowbelievehealthcareshouldbetheareaofmyfocusinTanga,asIhavecometounderstandmystrengthsandweaknesses,aswellasthoseoftheDioceseofTanga.IhavefoundopportunitiesforhelpthroughthethreeDio-ceseofTangahospitals:St.Raphael’sHospitalinKorogwe,St.FrancisHospitalinKwamkono,andTeuleHospitalinMuheza.Aftermeetingandestablishingarelationshipwiththemedicalsuperintendentsandhospitaladministrators,Ihaveconcludedthattheirpersonnelarenotonlyhighlycompetentintheirfields,butalsohaveadeepconcernforthewell-beingofpeoplewithintheircommunity.
Administeringhealthservicestothepeopleisdifficult,however,becauseofpoweroutagesduringsurgeries,shortagesofwater,facilitiesindisrepair,andlackofproperequipmentandsupplies.Nonetheless,theDioceseofTangahashadalong-standingpositiveimpactonitspeople’shealth.
Health Care Projects KeyUsingtheknowledgeandideasofexpertsinhealthalreadyemployedbytheDioceseofTanga,IbelievethatIcanfindprojects,whichtheDioceseofOhiocansup-port,thatwillhaveasignificantimpactinqualityandcapacityofhealthcareprovidedbythesehospitalsandmaketheinstitutionsmoresustainablefinanciallyinthelong-term.Itwillbedifficulttomakethesehealthfacili-
tiescompletelyself-sufficient,butIthinkthatwecanfindwaystomakethemmoreefficientthroughcapitalimprovementsandothercost-savinginvestments.
Focusingontheefficiencyofhealthcareinstitutionsmayseemeasy,andIcouldjuststartraisingmoney,butthesituationismorecomplex.Manydifferentorganizationsanddiocesesareinvolvedinprojectscur-rentlywiththesehospitals.TheEpiscopalDioceseofMassachusetts,theAnglicanDioceseofHerefordandtheUnitedServicesforthePropagationoftheGospel(USPG)haveestablishedrelationshipsandhaveongo-ingprojectswiththesehospitals.Inaddition,theTan-zaniangovernmenthasalsoformedapartnershipwiththesehospitalsandallhavetheirownagendas.
BecauseIwasn’tsentherewithaspecificprogramtoestablish,IhavebeenabletoadjusttothecircumstancesandtryandfindanicheinwhichtheDioceseofOhiocanbemosteffective.Forthepastthreemonths,IhavemetwithandcorrespondedwithrepresentativesfromalltheseentitieswhoareconcernedwithhealthwithintheDioceseofTanga.Ibelievethatformingapartnershipwiththem,whichrespectseachinstitution’sindividualidentitywithintheregion,wouldbebeneficialforallinvolved.Understandingeachother’sresourcesandareas
ofactivitywillallowallparticipantstocomplementoneanother,insteadofduplicatingorinterferingwithotherprojects.Ihopethatwitheveryone’sknowl-edgeandresourc-escombined,wecanincreasethequalityofhealthcareintheTangaregion.
Withinthecomingmonths,
withinputfromthepeopleofTangaandthepeopleoftheDioceseofOhio,Ihopetoexploreprojectsthatcouldstrengthentherelation-shipthatwestartedsomanyyearsago.If,forexample,weweresuccessfulinimplementinghealthprojectsinTanga,Ibelievethatwemightalsoexploreoutreachintoeduca-tionandotherareas.Ihopethatthisbondinsharedfaiththroughservicewillallowallofustounderstandandsup-portoneanotherinthecomingyears.
“Because I wasn’t sent here with a
specific program to establish, I have been able to adjust to the circumstances and
try and find a niche in which the Diocese of Ohio can be most
effective.”
Boy at a polio hostel in Kwamkono.
22 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
By the Rev. Kelly Marshall, Rector
Whatdoalltheseactivitieshaveincommon?
•Childrensinging,“IfIwereabutterfly.”•PetitionstoBlessedRoccoforhealing.
•RegulartrekstoAppalachianOhiowithfoodandpapergoods.
•AgaggleofLayWeedersfussingaroundtheproperty.
•Shoutsof“Alleluia!Christisrisen!”inmanylanguages
•FolkswithBiblesinhand,trackingtheadven-tures(bothspiritualandamorous)ofDavidtheGreatKing.
•JoyousSundaytimesofpraise,prayer,andnourishment,incompanywithanother90orsopilgrims.
•Aprofoundandvisiblesensethatallarewel-come—nomatterwho,nomatterwhat.
WhattheyallhaveincommonisthattheyarepartoflifeatSt.James’Church,Boardman,initsbicentennialyear.
St.James’EpiscopalChurchistheoldestestablishedcongregationintheDioceseofOhio.Beginningin1798,EpiscopaliansfromConnecticutcametothelanddesignatedbythenewfederalgovernmentastheConnecticutWesternReserve.Despitetheabsenceofsettledclergy,theydeterminedtobetheChurchinawildernessfrontier.By1807,theyweregatheringregularlyforpublicworshipunderthelayleadershipofJosephPlatt.TheseEpiscopalChristianscametogetherfromPoland,Boardman,andCanfieldTownships,Boardmanbeingthecentrallocation.
Astheweatherwarmedtowardthesummerof1809,thegroupdeterminedtomakeitofficial—topetitiontheBishopofNewYorktotakethemunderhisepiscopaloversightandrecognizethemasanorganizedsocietywithintheEpiscopalChurch.Thiswouldbethefirststeptowardtheirbecoming,intime,aparishoftheChurch.TheysignedtheirpetitiononJune20,1809;BishopSamuelProvoostofNewYorkacceptedit,andtheyhadhisresponsebySeptember.HerecognizedthemofficiallyasanorganizedEpiscopalSociety.
ThisiswhattheyaskedofBishopProvoost:“We,
thesubscribers,inhabitantsofthetownsofBoardman,CanfieldandPoland,inthecountyofTrumbullandstateofOhio,beingdesiroustopromotetheworshipofGodaftertheorderoftheProtestantEpiscopalChurchintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,havingforsometimepastmetandattendeddivineserviceaccordingtotheestablishedformofthatchurchandfindingourselvesundergreatinconveniencesforthewantofprayerbooksandsermons,toremedywhichandtoendeavortoprocuretheassistanceofaworthyteacher,judgeitbesttoformourselvesintoaregularEpiscopalsociety,investingthesamewiththeproperofficers,therebyput-tingourselvesinthepropersituationtopetitiontheRt.Rev’d.BishopofthestateofNewYork,prayinghimtoincorporateusandgrantussuchreliefasinhiswisdomhemaydeemmeetandconsistent.WeappointSatur-day,the12thdayofAugustnext,tomeetatthetownofBoardmanfortheabovepurpose.”
Duringthefirstyears,thepeoplemetinthehomesofmembers,andlaterintheBoardmanlogschoolhouse,toreadMorningPrayereachSunday.ThefirstEucharistofrecordintheMahoningValleywascelebratedbytheitin-erant,newlyordainedpriest,theRev.JacksonKemper,in1814.Thename“St.James’Church”waschosenin1817,whenthecongregationwasoneofsixorganizing
St. James’, Boardman, Celebrates Its Bicentennial
Some of the members of St. James’ Church.
23Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
parishesofthenewDioceseofOhio.By1827,theparishwasbuildingafirstchurchstructureunderthelead-ershipofHenryMasonBoardman.ItwasconsecratedbythefirstBishopofOhio,PhilanderChase,in1828,andservedthecongregationofSt.James’Churchuntil1970.
Thisclassic,Congregational-stylebuildingreflectednotonlytheNewEnglandrootsofitsfoundingfamilies,butalsothelowchurchpietywhichwouldcharacterizetheparishforitsfirst160years.By1970,encroachingsuburbansprawlnecessitatedthebuildingofanewerplaceofworship.ConstructedinaWilliamsburgstyle,thisfacilitycon-tinuedthesimplearchitecturalvisionoftheearlymembers.ThehistoricchurchbuildinghasbeenpreservedandrestoredinBoardmanParkasamuseumandweddingchapelbythelocalcommunity,anditstandstodayastheoldeststructureinthetown-ship.AnnuallyonStJames’Day,theparishfamilysingsEvensonginitshistoricplaceofworship.AspartofthebicentennialfestivitiesinJuly2009,thecongregationcelebratedHolyEucharistthereandbaptizedthegreatgranddaughteroftheRev.GeorgeJones,rectoroftheparishfrom1950–1970.
Asthecongregation’sbicenten-nialapproached,projectstoup-
gradethe1971buildingwereundertaken.TheseincludedtheinstallationofaKeggpipeorganandtherenovationofthechurchparlorforeducationalandadministrativegatherings.Theparishfamilyes-tablishedashrinetoSt.Roccowhenoursistercongregation,theuniqueSt.Rocco’sEpiscopalChurchinYoungstown,closedin2007.ThefamilyofEldonandChristinaBeardhasdonatedSt.James’Alcove,tobeplacedoppositethisshrine.Itwillhouseearlyecclesiasticalartifactsandarchivalmaterials,includingtheHiramYalepewtercommunionware.Thisgift,alongwithalecternBible,wassentinthelate1820sbyConnecticutEpiscopalianstothefledglingcongregation.Theaddi-tionofstainedglasswindowsinthisalcoveandintheMaryMagdaleneChapelwillcomplementbuild-ingupgradesforthebicentennialyear.Inaddition,theparishwillbefeaturedinthe“2010HistoricEpis-copalChurchesEngagementCal-endar,”publishedbytheNationalEpiscopalHistoriansandArchivists.
Throughoutmostofthepast200years,Boardmanwasarural,farm-ingcommunity—literallyavillageatacrossroads.Forthatreason,St.James’historicallyhasbeenasmallchurch.Withtheadventofthepost-WorldWarIIbabyboomandthetransformationofBoardmanfromaruralvillagetoasuburbancommercialcenter,thecongrega-tionbegantogrow.Thepastfiftyyearshaveseenupsanddownsin
thatgrowthpattern.In1959,theRt.Rev.NelsonM.Burroughs,diocesanbishop,addressedthecongregationatits150thanniversary:“TheparishchurchshouldbeashrinetowhichmemberscanbringtheirlovesandfearsbeforeGod.Theparishshouldalsosetitssightsbeyonditselftotheentireworldanddevelopasenseofmission.Lastly,itshouldbeapartici-patingcongregationwhichservesthecommunityaswellasitsownneeds.”
Inthepastfewyears,thepar-ishfamilyhasbeenstrengthenedbyaninfluxofnewmembersfromthecommunity,aswellasfromtheformerSt.Rocco’sandSt.Andrew’sChurches.Theyear2009findstheoldestcongregationintheDio-cesestable,increasinglymission-minded,growinginnumbers,opentoallsortsandconditionsofGod’speople,andpoisedforanother200years.OnNovember21,BishopMarkHollingsworthwillbepres-entintheeveningtocelebratethisnotableyear.Thecongregationinvitesthelargerdiocesanfamilytojointhem,astheymarkthepastandturnwithjoyoushopetowardthefuture.Detailsoftheweekend’seventswillappearonboththepar-ishanddiocesanwebsites.
Historic St. James’ Church.
St. James’ Church.
24 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
FivewomenfromtheDioceseofOhioattend-edtheTriennialMeetingoftheEpiscopalChurchWomen(ECW)inJuly.TheTriennialMeeting—
whatisit?It’sthenationalmeetingoftheECW,whichmeetsconcurrentlywithGeneralConventioneverythreeyears.Thispastsummer,over300womenfrom86diocesesmetinAnaheim.Andwhatanexcitingtimeitwas!WhiletheHouseofDeputiesandtheHouseofBishops(collectivelyknownastheGeneralConvention)spentthemajorityoftheirtimeonresolutions,debates,andcommitteemeetings,theECWspentmostoftheirtimesharingandlearningfromeachother,hearinginspiringspeakers,andaboveall,focusingonoutreachandmission.
DuringtheopeningcelebrationoftheTriennialMeeting,PresidingBishopKatharineJeffertsSchori,greetedus,blessedourTriennialMeetingcrossesandthenpresentedonetoeachofusindividually.Later,ArchbishopofCanterburyRowanWilliamsandtheAnglicanObserverattheUnitedNations,HelenWan-gusa,bothaddressedus.TheArch-bishopsaidthatifyouwanttodelivertransformation,looktothewomenoffaith.It’sthewomenwhowillbringabouttheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals—womenarewherethe“delivery”occurs.Wangusatoldusthatwomenare“theveinofthechurch,”asChristianwomenaretheoneswhocontributetoimprovinghealthcare,education,andtheotherissuesfacingtheworldtoday.
OneECWMissionProject,theJerichoRoadEpisco-palHousingInitiative,wasfrontandcenterduringtheTriennialMeeting,withareplicaofahouseconstructedoutofcardboardbricks.TheECW’snationalboardhad
setagoalofraising$110,000forthisprogramofbuild-inghomesinthecentralcityofNewOrleansforfami-lieswhohadbeendisplacedbyHurricaneKatrina.Wehaveraisedjustover$75,000,sowe’rewellonthewaytowardsreachingourgoal.ElisabethvonTrapp,ofthevonTrappfamilysingers,cametotheTriennialMeet-
ingtosupportoureffortsbygivingamarvelousbenefitconcert.
AhighlightofeachGeneralConventionistheEucharistthatincludestheUnitedThankOffering(UTO)presentation.SusanLau,theDioceseofOhio’sUTOCoordina-tor,presentedOhio’sSpringUTOIngathering,alongwithalloftheotherdiocesanUTOcoordinatorswhopresentedtheirofferings.Allofthesegifts,togetherwiththeoffer-ingatthatserviceof$28,168.92,enabledtheUnitedThankOfferingBoardtomake63grantstotaling$2,065,472.43.OurownWestSideSharedMinistryreceivedaUnitedThankOfferinggrantof$4,430.00topurchasetwoexhaustfansforthegymwhere120peopleareserveddinnereachweekandothercom-munityactivitiestakeplace.Yes,theECWandtheUTOareleadingthechurch’sworkinmission.
IencourageyoutouseyourUTO‘BlueBoxes”regu-larly.TheFallUTOIngatheringwillbeheldineveryparishinNovember.Makesureyouhaveyourbluebox!
Savethedate!TheEpiscopalChurchWomen’s2010AnnualMeetingwillbeheldattheMcKinleyGrandHotelandSt.Paul’sEpiscopalChurch,Canton,onFriday,April30andSaturday,May1.Itisanewtimeandformatwithsomeexcitingactivitiesforchildrenandteenagegirls.
ECW Meets at Triennial With General ConventionBy Nancy Sherwin
Bishop Hollingsworth with the Ohio delegates to the ECW Triennial Meeting. First Row: Mary Jane White, Mary Stewart, Mary Prince. Back Row: Susan Lau, Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, Nancy Sherwin.
25Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
The Ragamuffin Gospel
ByBrennanManningISBN978-1-59052-502-9Format:Paperback,268pagesPublisher:MultnomahBooksPublishDate:2005
Icouldneverhitabaseballuntilmyfathershowedmehow,thenInearlybrokethebridgeofhisglasseswithalinedrive.IwasjustashorrifiedashewasasIwatchedhimdodgethatballIcouldnolongerstop.Icouldn’tbelievehestilllovedme,buthedidn’thesitate,enthusiasticallydeclaringhowwellI’ddone.
Sometimesit’sjustashardtoreal-izehowdeeplyGodloveshiscreation,especiallywhenwerealizeourpersonalflaws,somethingwe’refoolishenoughtobelievenoone—notevenGod—knowsaboutus.Butsalvationisn’tathree-strikes-and-you’re-outkindofgame.AscomfortingasthefamiliarityofachoralEucharistmightbe,therulesandregulationsofcanonlawortraditionalceremoniesarenotwhatdefineourrelationshipwithGod.WeplaceboundariesonthatrelationshipourselveswhenwefailtoappreciatehowcompletelyHelovesus,howaccessibleHeis,howreadyHeistoforgive,andhowswiftHeistoaid.
Sometimesit’seasiertoseeloveinthefacesofourownchildrenthanitistofeeltheloveofGod,butwhenwereallydigestChrist’swordsofunconditionallove,itchangeseverythingwithinusandaroundus.
ThatiswhatManning’sbook,The Ragamuffin Gospel,isallabout—anhonestexplorationofGod’sgraceandwhatthegoodnewsofChristmeanstoeveryoneofus.Manningtellsusthatweareall“ragamuffins”withtiltedhalos.Maybethemostneedyofusarethosewhofeeltheyhavealreadywonthecrownoflife.WiththesurenessofaseasonedChristian,heassuresusthatallofourinadequacies,ourwounds,andourvulnerabilitiesareacceptableinthesightofGod.Manningcallsit“TheVictoriousLimp”becausewherethereisacknowledg-mentofsin,thereisopportunityforgrace.
ManningisaKoreanWarveteranandaformerFran-ciscanpriestwhohasservedGodthroughministryfor
nearly45years.Heisthebestsellingauthorofmorethanadozenbooks,in-cludingThe Signature of JesusandAbba’s Child.Manningtravelswidelyandcontinuestowriteandpreach,sharingthegoodnewsofGod’sunconditionalloveinJesusChrist.InThe Ragamuffin Gospel,theauthortakesthereaderonapersonaltourofhisownjourneyintotheheartofGod.The2005editionincludesanewsectioncalled“NineteenMercies:ASpiritualRetreat,”whichissuitableforpersonalandgroupstudy.Thebookisalsoavailableasanaudiobookandasacomputerfile.
ThereareplentyofplacesinMan-ning’sThe Ragamuffin Gospeltoseeourownstruggleswithfaithandhuman-ness.Bythetimereadersfinishthefinal
meditationsincludedatthebackofthebook,theymaybeabletoapproachGod,fullyconvincedoftheirwelcome.That’swhatthegoodnewsofChristisallabout.
Finding Jesus on the Metro and Other Surprises Doing Church in a New Day
ByPaulNixonISBN:0829818545ISBN-13:9780829818543Format:Hardcover,130pagesPublisher:PilgrimPress,UnitedChurchPressPublishDate:September2009
ThereisnoquestionthatthedynamicsofChristianministryinAmericaarechanging.NeighborhoodbyneighborhoodtheethnicandracialbalanceofcitystreetsisalteringthefaceoftheChristianchurch.Aschurchfoundersheadtothesuburbsandnewgenerationsofim-migrantpopulationsmoveintothecity,beautifulchurchbuildingsareoftenleftbehindwiththeirendowmentkeepingthedoorsopenandwiththeirpewsnearlyempty.RatherthanwatchChristianitydieinourcitiesasyoungadultsandfamiliesrelocatetosuburbanmegachurches,PaulNixonasksthereadersofhisnewbook,Finding Jesus on the Metro and Other Surprises Doing Church in a New
Book ReviewsBy Mae Pelster
26 ChurchLife! | Fall 2009
Day,toreevaluatetheirmessage,findwaystoconnectwiththeirnewneighbors,andrebuildthecommunityoffaithfromwithin.Christianministryisacontinuingjourneyoffaith,hesays.Itisalsoajourneyofcourage,atripintothespiritualcoreoflifethatmustacceptthepossibil-ityofchange.
NixonpointsoutthatjourneyingwithGodisn’tnew—thedisciples
didit.TheygaveusgoodexamplesintheBookofActsastohowtheyevaluatedtheiraudiencesandmodifiedtheirapproachtosuittheneedsoftheirhearers.Today,ouraudiencehasneedstoo,saysNixon.AsspiritualleadersinChristianministryit’sourjobtodiscoverthoseneedsanddiscernhowthechurchcanmakeChristianityrelevantonceagainintheeverydaylifeofournewneighbors.Infact,it’sallaboutlovingourneighbors,isn’tit?
Nixonhasloadsofcreativethoughtsonhowachurchcanreinventitsministry—fromofferingcouplesapre-maritalministrytodevelopinggreatyouthministries.Hesaysthatthemodernchurchconsumerislookingfor“simplecoherentspiritualprinciplesthatcanhelpcreateasenseoforderandcomfortinthechaosoftheirper-sonallives.”Infact,people’sneedforgoodnewsandthesimplemessageofChristianityhasneverbeengreater.
Thebookoffersanonlinestudyguideforgroupsandforclergywhowouldliketouseitasafocalpointintheirministry’sdecision-makingprocess.NixonpointstoeightwaysinwhichtheChristianchurchischang-ing,butjustbecauseheapproachesthesechangesfromanurbanviewpointdoesn’tmeanthattheinformationpresentedisoflimitedvalue.
Thebookisnotmeantasaonesizefitsallcookbookofanswerstogrowingthechurchstatistically,however.Instead,itoffersencouragementtothosewiththecour-agetoputtheirhandinGod’shandandfollowwhereheleadsthemodernchurchevenifwedon’tknowwherewearegoingorhowtomeetthechallengesofourtimes.
PaulNixon,anordainedministerinTheUnitedMethodistChurch,livesinWashingtonDCandworkswithyoungadultsincreatingnewexpressionoffaithinourcommunities.HeistheauthorofthebestsellingI Refuse to Lead a Dying Church! (ThePilgrimPress,2006).
Christmas Books for ChildrenGod Sent a Baby King
Authors:HeatherHenning;AlisonAtkinsISBN:0-687-49498-2Format:BoardBook,21pages:English:1steditionAudience:Preschooltoage3Publisher:Nashville;AbingtonPress,2006PublishDate:August1,2006
IsChristmas2009goingtobethefirstChristmasyourchildrenwillremember?AreyouhopingtoputtheChriststoryatthecenteroftheirChristmascelebra-tion?LooknofurtherthanHeatherHenningandAlisonAtkins’interactiveboardbookentitledGod Sent a Baby King.Thisbookhasbeautifulillustrationsandasimpli-fiedstorylinetheyoungestchildwillunderstand.Thebookisaugmentedwithloadsofpeek-a-booflapsthatlurechildrendeeperintothemysteryofChrist’sbirthandisawonder-fulintroductiontothestoryofthenativity.
HeatherHen-ningistheauthorofseveralpopularchildren’sbooksandhasmorethan44bookstohercredit.Thebookisproducedincollabora-tionwithauthor/illustratorAlisonAtkins.LookalsoforherTouchandFeelbookforpreschoolers:Christmas and Creation.Ms.HenninglivesinruralNorthernIrelandandteachesspeechanddrama.
God Sent a Baby Kingistheperfectwaytobeginyourchild’sChristmasbyputtingtheChriststoryfirst.
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t PerfectAuthor/Illustrator:DickSchneider;ElizabethJ.MilesPublisher:Nashville:AbingdonPress,2007Book.32pagesFiction:JuvenileaudienceEnglish:20thAnniversaryEd.ISBN:978-0-687-45363-4
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t PerfectbyDickSchneiderandillustratedbyElizabethJ.MilesismuchmorethanaChristmasstory.Itsillustrationsevokeafairytale
27Visit www.dohio.org for the most current information
atmosphere;thestory’smessagetugsattheheart.Thelittlehero,ayoungpinetree,ishopingtogrowupbeauti-fulandperfecttobechosenbytheQueentobeherfamilyChristmastree.Butlifehasawayofaffectingayoungtree’sgrowth,andthegoodlittletree’sloving“heart”
cannotdenytheshelterofitsboughstowoodlandcrea-turesinneed.Thelittletree’struebeauty,theQueendeclares,comesfromitskindandlovingnaturethatrepresentstheloveofChristonearth.
Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfectshouldbeafavor-itewithparentsandchildrenalike.Itmakesaperfectread-aloud-book.Themoralofthestoryisthatno-bodyisperfect,butthatwearebeautifultoGodasweare—especiallythoseofuswhohavelearnedtoliveforothers.Thisheart-warmingtaleisn’tpreachy,anditisfilledwiththeloveofhumankindoneverypageandineachcharmingillustration.
All Shall Be Well: An Approach to Wellness
EditedbyWilliamS.CraddockISBN-13:9780819223746Format:Paperback,192pagesPublisher:ChurchPublishing,IncorporatedPublishDate:August2009
Wellnessisafunctionofself-awareness,identifyingwhoweare,discerningGod’scalltous,examininghowwearerespondingtothatcall,andhowwearechangingpersonally,accordingtoWilliamS.Craddock,theeditorofthebookAll Shall be Well: An Approach to Wellness.
Thismarvelouscollectionofruminationsonissuesofphysical,emotional,andspiritualwholenessbygifted“spe-cialists”exploresthecoreofhumanwellnessaspresentedbytheCREDOInstitute,Inc.TheCREDOInstitute’smission“istoprovideopportunitiesforpeopletoexaminesignificantareasoftheirlivesandtodiscernprayerfullythefuturedirectionoftheirvocationastheyrespondtoGod’scallinalifelongprocessofpracticeandtransformation.”
ThebookisintendedtocondensetheCREDOretreat
intoasinglevolume,whichisambitiousandmaywellbetargetedtoclergywhohaven’ttakentheplunge,yet.Thefirststeptowellness,thebooksays,isdevelopingasenseofpersonalidentity.Admittedly,acoupleofthearticlesinthissectionreadlikearehashofStephenCovey’sThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.Theytalkabouttheimportanceofunderstandingthedifferencebetweenthevariousrolesapersonfillsinlifeandtheessenceofself,understandingwhowearepersonallyoncethoserolesarepeeledaway.LikeCovey,thecontributingauthorsstrong-lyrecommendtouchingbasewiththecoreofourperson-alidentitybytakingtimeto“recharge[our]batteries.”
FromtherethearticlesdiscusstheimportanceofcommunityandinteractionwithGodinthedevelop-mentofself,becauseselfisnotaconstantthing,butagrowinganddevelopingthingwithChristatthecenterastheperfectexampleofdivinityandhuman-itymadewhollywell.Thistakesacertainamountofhonestself-evaluationandthecouragetosufferthegrowingpainsofchange.
Onceweknowwhoweare,however,thebook’smessageisthatweneedtolistentothevoiceofGodtellinguswhoHewantsustobecome.ThisisalwaysthehardpartbecausethevoiceofGodisreadilydrownedoutinanoisyworld.ThecontributorstoAll Shall be WellpointoutthatGodisapartofoureverydaylifeifwearealerttothesignposts.ThisvisionofwhowecanbecomewithGod’shelpisakeyelementinourpersonalandcommunalministry.Theessaysaskustoponderdeeplytheimportanceofpracticingalifeofprayer,aspirit-ledlifethatrecog-nizes“thewholeofourlivesasanincarnatemediumofprayer”andallowingittotransformus.InthiswaywecanfulfillGod’svisionforusandgoplaceswemightneverhavegonewithoutHim.
Thisbookisnotaboutobtainingaspiritualhigh,neitherisitasilverbullet.It’sameditativejourneyintotheheartofthesoulmeanttoaidthereadertobuildap-preciationforthegiftsofGodtoHispeople.
calendar highlights
Trinity Commons2230 Euclid AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44115-2499
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October 23-25Diocesan Youth Event Location:TrinityCathedral,Cleveland.ContactRitaRozell,[email protected].
October 29Pre-Convention Meetings7:00p.m.Locations:TrinityCathedral,Cleveland;GraceChurch,Mansfield;St.Timothy’s,Perrysburg;ChristChurch,Warren.ContactEvaCole,[email protected].
November 13-14193rd Annual Diocesan Convention TrinityCommons,Cleveland.Gotowww.dohio.orgformoreinformation.
November 24Interfaith Thanksgiving Service 12:15p.m.Location:TrinityCathe-dral,Cleveland.ContactAlanJames,[email protected].
December 2Clergy Advent Brown Bag12:00p.m.Location:GraceChurch,Mansfield.AnopportunityforclergytogatherwiththeBishop.PleaseRSVPtotheparishat419-524-2661.
December 3Clergy Advent Brown Bag12:00p.m.Location:AllSaintsChurch,Toledo.AnopportunityforclergytogatherwiththeBishop.PleaseRSVPtotheparishat419-246-2461.
January 7Clergy Brown Bag12:00p.m.Location:ChurchofOurSaviour,Akron.AnopportunityforclergytogatherwiththeBishop.PleaseRSVPtotheparishat330-535-9174.
January 14Clergy Brown Bag12:00p.m.Location:St.John’sChurch,Youngstown.Anoppor-tunityforclergytogatherwiththeBishop.PleaseRSVPtotheparishat330-743-3175.
February 5-6Diocesan Winter ConvocationLocation:HolidayInn,Perrysburg.
February 12-13HappeningLocation:ChurchofOurSaviour,Akron.Foryouthin9th–12thgrades.
Bishops’ VisitationsOctober 18 Church of the Epiphany, Euclid
(Persell)
25 St. Alban’s Church, Cleveland Heights(Williams)
November 1 St. Andrew’s Church, Barberton
(Hollingsworth)
8 St. James’s Church, Wooster (Bowman)
For the complete calendar of events visit
www.dohio.org
8 Church of the Redeemer, Lorain (Hollingsworth)
15 St. Timothy’s Church, Massillon (Williams)
15 St. Mark’s Church, Canton (Hollingsworth)
15 Christ Church, Oberlin (Persell)
22 St. James’s Church, Boardman (Bowman)
22 St. Paul’s Church, Cleveland Heights (Williams)
22 St. Paul’s Church, Norwalk (Hollingsworth)
29 St. Christopher’s by the River, Gates Mills (Bowman)
December 6 St. Peter’s Church, Ashtabula
(Hollingsworth) 6 Trinity Church, Coshocton
(Williams)
13 St. John the Baptist’s, Bowling Green (Hollingsworth)
13 Trinity Church, Findlay (Persell)
20 St. Patrick’s Church, Brunswick (Hollingsworth)