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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

ImportantAll households of the Diocese of Ohio should

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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

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© 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


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


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.


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.


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.


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


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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


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


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.


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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


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

ChurchLi !

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)

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