Dec13Jan14 Interchange

Interchange

DEC. 2013 – JAN. 2014

Volume XLI, No. 6 www.diosohio.org

news from the Diocese of Southern Ohio

139th Convention lifts up connection, service to others

By Julie Murray Interchange editor Building off the theme “To Serve You is Perfect Freedom,” delegates and guests at the 139th annual convention explored diakonia, service to others, as well as our connections to our neighbors and to ourselves as we strive to serve and follow Jesus. Juxtaposed against the discussion of ancient traditions of relationships and service, the convention also utilized electronic and social media to tell our stories of connections with each other and our neighbors.

Sharing engaging YouTube vignettes of congregations trying new ways of reaching out to the community, teaching attendees how to use Twitter and encouraging tweeting during the sessions were just some of the ways that connection came alive for those in attendance and allowed others to follow along from afar.

In a powerful video, the Re-Imagining Task Force asked the question, “Who are you?” to which many responded, “I am the diocese!”

Sharing the characteristics of diakonia and the

diaconate in the Church today, keynote speaker, the Rev. Susanne Watson Epting, reminded the gathering that “we are all in this together.”

Emphasizing the importance of our connection as a diocese in his combined sermon and convention address, Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal stated, “As Episcopalians, connection every which way is in our blood… Connection every which way is the diocesan principle. It’s not just about the connection of every Episcopal congregation with every other Episcopal congregation in a defined geographical area. It’s the connection of every parish with its surrounding neighbors.”

With its usual mix of business and fellowship, the convention adopted the 2014 budget, considered and voted on five resolutions and elected several people to diocesan leadership positions, including deputies and alternates to the 78th General Convention. Instead of a banquet, delegates were invited to go and experience the vibrant restaurants and pubs around downtown Cincinnati. Nearly 100 people gathered for a “flash compline” on Fountain Square in the city center on Friday evening.

Convention recap, pages 19-27

Holy smoke: Brilliant sunlight accentuated the thurible’s smoke as Bishop Breidenthal censered the altar during the convention Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral. Photo by Julie Murray.

Merelyn B. Bates-Mims

The Bishop’s Task Force on Racial Profiling

Making the case: Is ‘Stand Your Ground’ unjust law?

The criminal black man is an ethnic stereotype in the United States that has been around since the Transatlantic Trade in African slavery. The stereotype is known to the United Kingdom and other countries engaging in slavery. It justified the enslavement of black persons in the Americas and the Caribbean Sea, labeling males—the most feared

among the rebellious—“to be criminal and dangerous,” reports a study on African American criminology and criminal justice published by SAGE Publications.

The figure of the black man as criminal continues its appearance in modern popular culture and the media. It is used in 2013 by law enforcement

and is essential to constructing ‘profiles’ of humans by racial characteristics thought to be immutable: thus the flaws in stereotype are reflected in the number of errors occurring during the implementation of law, the patterns and practices and mistakes Please see page 4

relationships | Congregations | Formation | Mission

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A letter from the bishop

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l eidentha +Tom Br

Relationships The Episcopal Church In the Anglican Communion A global community of 70 million Anglicans in more than 160 countries The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury In the United States A community of more than 2.4 million Episcopalians in 114 dioceses in the Americas and abroad.

The Most. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori Presiding Bishop In the Diocese of Southern Ohio A community of nearly 25,000 Episcopalians in 40 counties.

The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal, Bishop Interchange (USPS 020-933) The official publication of the Diocese of Southern Ohio covers news, features and opinions about the congregations and programs of the diocese, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. www.diosohio.org David Dreisbach Director of Communications Julie Murray Editor Amy Svihlik Designer Dave Caudill Nikki Kingery Copy editors Interchange encourages the submission of articles and pictures.

We reserve the right to select and edit material offered for publication.

All submissions must include name, address and phone or E-mail for verification.

Interchange is published bi-monthly by the Diocese of Southern Ohio, 412 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202-4179. Periodical postage paid Cincinnati, OH. This newspaper is sent to all members of Episcopal congregations in the Diocese of Southern Ohio and is funded by mission share payments to the diocesan operating budget. Other subscriptions are $10 annually.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Interchange c/o Diocese of Southern Ohio, Addresses, 412 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202-4179.

Send news to: Interchange, 412 Sycamore Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Phone: 513.421.0311 800.582.1712 Fax: 513.421.0315 E-mail: communication@diosohio.org Website: www.diosohio.org Deadline: Jan. 30

Inter-CHANGES …

A brand is much more than just the visual equity of a logo. A brand is really about storytelling. As we continue to roll out our new brand and think about how we tell our story as a diocese, that story needs David to be visible and consisDreisbach tent in everything we do.

One of the places where we need to leverage the new brand is in the publication you are holding in your hand. It hasn’t always been called the Interchange. In fact, since 1865, Interchange represents its fifth incarnation.

As we strive for better interconnection as a diocese and as we focus on our mission to: Know the common story, Proclaim our common faith, Pray our common Prayer, Drink the common Cup and Serve the common Good, we feel it is time for a new look, feel, and yes, a new name for the Interchange.

Here’s where you come in: Help us name the new “Interchange.” We want your ideas and your creativity. You can email your ideas to communication@diosohio.org. Or better yet, post your ideas to our Facebook page so they can generate some discussion. We need all suggestions to be submitted by Jan. 15.

We want to hear what you’re thinking, so please post often!

Julie Murray named editor

Six times each year, the Interchange comes to your mailbox. Many people have written articles, proofed copy, worked on art design and performed various other quality control measures. But no one has been more responsible for the consistent quality and success of the Interchange for the past year than Julie Murray. We are in the process of rebranding and restructuring, so we decided that this is the perfect time to officially name Julie as the editor.

I say “officially” because Julie has really been the editor for quite some time. I know that as we continue to learn how to better communicate, interconnect and live our brand with the new incarnation of the Interchange, it will be in great hands with Julie at the helm.

David Dreisbach serves as the Director of Communications for the diocese. Contact him at ddreisbach@diosohio.org.

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of law underlying the disparate impact statistics and disparate treatment narratives of the research study on racial profiling commissioned by the Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. FBI and DOJ data, for example, starkly illustrate that the black male American has the highest statistical chance of going to prison at some point in life.

And within the five (5) survey instruments of the Bishop’s Task Force, 92.8% of homeless populations live daily life according to special “safety” rules; 75.3% having experienced suspicion stop/search. It is not uncommon that African-American medical doctors and other higher-income accomplished professionals (APs) having also experienced suspicion stop/ search [51.1% of AP respondents], teach their sons special safety rules. APs and Urban Youth (84.9%) alike, agree that safety is an issue; 85.5% believing they are commonly at-risk.

Moreover, to increase the number of inmates in privately-owned for-profit detention centers, ‘Kids for Cash’ sentencing practices award monetary benefits to some judges in return for judges’ imposing harsh sentences on juveniles brought before their courts.

Minors charged with nonviolent crimes were often given harsher sentences than what probation officers recommended, court documents say. Generally the kids appeared without legal representation, the trials lasting a few minutes at most.

Judges have sentenced children to extended stays in juvenile detention for offenses as minimal as mocking a principal on MySpace, trespassing in a vacant building and shoplifting DVDs from Wal-mart, says a Feb. 24, 2009 CNN article titled “Pennsylvania rocked by ‘jailing kids for cash’ scandal.” Two judges sentencing over 5,000 children secretly received more than $2.6 million in prison industry kickbacks, prosecutors believe.

As of 16 Sept. 2013 the Iowa Supreme Court held that the United States Supreme Court’s 2012 decision in Miller v. Alabama decision that barred mandatory life imprisonment without parole sentences for children would apply retroactively “to sentences that are the functional equivalent of life without parole.” Compare the ‘life without parole’ to ‘life with the possibility of parole after serving 60 years’. Is there a difference? Effectively, there is no reprieve for prisoners automatically sentenced to die in prison for juvenile offenses.

The “unconstitutional imposition of a mandatory life-without-parole sentence is not fixed by substituting it with a sentence with parole that is the practical equivalent of a life sentence without parole,” the court wrote. “Oftentimes, it is important that the spirit of the law not be lost in the application of the law. This is one such time.”

The Bishop’s research report also replicates the numbers/percentages data from two graphs published in the FBI Supplementary Homicide Report. Exhibits

EXHIBIT 1 Total respondents – ALL CATEGORIES 2,961

Congregation Congregation – A Accomplished Professionals Urban Youth General Public General Public – A Campus

Bishop’s Task Force Data

EXHIBIT 2 Making the Case: Stand Your Ground is Unjust Law: ‘YES.’ 83%

Congregations Congregations –A Professionals General Public General Public –A

SYG Unjust % ‘STAND YOUR GROUND UNJUST LAW’ Source: Bishop’s Task Force Data

2 and 2.a of FBI report illustrate the disparities in Stand Your Ground (SYG) rulings of justifiable homicide during a 5-year period (2005-2010). The FBI report measures the percentages of Non-SYG/SYG States rulings by race of the perpetrator/shooter by race of the victim. For ‘all cases’, the highest percentages of ‘justified homicide’ killings appeared at the category ‘white perpetrator or shooter/black victim’ – Stand Your Ground states showing the highest disparity rate (16.85%), which then doubles when a gun is involved and a white is the perpetrator/shooter and a black is the shooting victim (35.88%).

The U.S. Bureau of Justice (BOJ) statistics cited in the Bishop’s Task Force report do not include local jails and private prisons. They do exhibit the steadiness in the growth of state and federal populations of the incarcerated from roughly 400,000 in 1981 to 1,400,000 by year 2009. A round robin effect has been created: the statistics both record the reality of imprisonment and recite the numbers as ‘evidence’ of the propensity for crime, i.e., among African Americans, devoid of the consideration of the injustice inherent in laws like Stand Your Ground and the inequities inherent to disparate law-enforcement practices during the implementation of stop/search law, and judiciary

sentencing codes. American statistics solidify political and societal pronouncements and institutionalized perceptions of ‘criminal black man’ ethnic stereotype – transforming stereotype into established traditions and practical routine.

Is perception reality? The FBI Supplementary Homicide Report gives a narrow definition of justifiable homicide: “If two men get into an argument, the first man attacks the second, and the second man returns deadly force – that doesn’t fit the FBI’s parameters. But a storeowner, who shoots a robber, does.”

Twenty-one states have legislated expansion of Stand Your Ground, also called ‘castle doctrine’ which traditionally limits the laws to a person’s home. The expansions allow ‘shoot first’ in places outside the home from which a person has no duty to retreat from a perceived threat. Perception, of course, is at the heart of the argument. Like the perceptions described in novelist Albert Camus’ 1946 L’Etranger, the universal question is whether ‘perception’ is ‘reality’.

The accused Mersault’s perceptions were confused – lost in his inability to discern the difference between ‘le ciel bleu’ and ‘le ciel blanc’ – his (mis) please see next page

Relationships perceptions comparative to the Susan Boyle modern day ‘she looks like she can’t sing’ or the Trayvon ‘he looks like he’s up to no good’ judgment. Camus’ characterizations describe people who are the ‘slaves of habit’, which gives them a “semblance of aim and of value,” ‘semblant’ as it is called in Louisiana – ‘acting like’ in Creole English patois; acting a part, i.e., as a nigh-officer of the law, and “attaching importance to the banality of everyday life,” e.g., as a neighborhood watchman. A Texas A&M study “found no evidence [that Stand Your Ground] laws deterred crimes like burglaries, robberies and aggravated assaults.” Rather, the study showed that “states that had adopted such laws saw a 7 percent to 9 percent increase in murders and manslaughters, compared to states without them.”

Perception led to Mersault’s shooting of ‘the Arab’, a citizen native to Algeria country of North Africa, killed in his own proto-ancestral place of ‘belonging’. To the Frenchman Mersault’s eyesight, the Arab looked like he might slash Mersault with the knife while he, the Arab, was lying on his back on the beach--Mersault shooting the lounger from yards away, then closing the distance and shooting several times more. Perception ruled the day.

After some delay in the trial, the universal guillotine was Mersault’s reward.

In one of his sermons on the topic of racial profiling, the Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal, Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio renders the final judgment: “The only good profiling is this: ‘I don’t know you, but I know Christ died for you as well as me. Even if you don’t think that fits, that’s how I’m going to proceed’.”

Note: A Resolution on the Resistance to Racial Profiling (R-13-01) was passed by the 139th Annual Convention (See page 22 for the full text of the resolution.)

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Championing comprehensive immigration reform

The Rev. Paula Jackson, rector of Church of Our Saviour, Cincinnati, was one of the main speakers at an immigration reform rally held in Springfield. The rally was billed as an interfaith event, but Mtr. Paula was the only person who directly quoted Hebrew and Christian scripture as well as the Qu’ran.

Summary of Findings “Is Stand Your Ground unjust for certain citizen groups?” YES. 83% Average Agreement YES. 83% Average Agreement; n=1545 total response • Congregations C (TEC website) = 76.5% [green] • Congregation C-AfAmer = 94.3%. [purple] • Accomplished Professionals = 86.4%. [gold] • General Public Surveys GP = 73.0% [blue] • Homeless Populations GP-A = 83.7%. [gray] Source: Question #12 (AP Survey); #13 (C; C-A; GP; GP-A Surveys) These collections of data across unlike populations of Americans, n=1,545 count of non-campus respondents, recommend moral voice national action toward rescission of Stand Your Ground laws.

Merelyn Bates-Mims, PhD serves as principal researcher for the Bishop’s Task Force on Racial Profiling research project.

The full report from the Bishop’s Task Force on Racial Profiling can be found on the diocesan website, www.diosohio.org.

Above: Manuel Perez, a member of Church of Our Saviour, Cincinnati, and an organizer at the Cincinnati Interfaith Worker Center.

Right: Well-known “DREAMer” Marcxo Saavedra, a Kenyon College graduate who attends Our Saviour/La Iglesia de Nuestro Salvador when he is in Cincinnati, was another prominent speaker at the rally.

Contributed by Nancy Sullivan Church of Our Saviour, Cincinnati

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My view:

Formation

Congregations

Mission

Relationships

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What does it mean to be Appalachian?

I was born in Cumberland, Maryland, nestled in the shadows of Wills Mountain. My home was 10 miles north into Pennsylvania, also in view of Wills Mountain.

Growing up I lived among the people whose heritage intertwined with mine, and my great-grandfather was kin to most of my friend’s great-grandfathers. This was common existence for all Appalachian families. I didn’t know I was Appalachian or what that The Rev. meant.

Judi Wiley Here is what I believe Appalachia means. Appalachia is a region whose geographical boundaries exist not because of any legal boundaries, but because of the shared history, culture and environment of mountain people in eastern North America.

Before Appalachia was inhabited by colonists and coalminers, it was home to the Cherokee. Traveling north and east from the land we now know as Georgia and the Carolinas, the Cherokee people settled in the southern Appalachians. As native people were killed in huge numbers and driven from their land by white settlers, most new, white arrivals settled east of the Appalachians, not daring to brave their climbs. As a result, many of the first settlers of the mountains were runaway slaves and indentured servants, as well as outcasts, artists and adventurers. It wasn’t until the westward expansion that white inhabitants began to settle in the region in greater numbers.

The largest swell in our Appalachian population came

The Appalachian Ministry commission will re-organize with a meeting on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s, Hillsboro. For more information, contact the Rev. Judi Wiley at revjudi.wiley@gmail.com or 937.205.4292.

with the industrial revolution. With demand for coal skyrocketing, immigrants ventured from the boat straight to Central Appalachia in the late 1800s in search of work. In the last half-century, with the coal industry’s Appalachian mono-economy, its increased mechanization and its boom and bust market, many families within Appalachia struggled to make ends meet. Outward migration has been the trend here for the last several decades. Folks leave in search of work, in search of a college education, in search of a healthier home place.

What we think of as traditional Appalachian culture is a land-based, skill-based, coal mining culture. We are a people tied to the land. It is what has given us our lumber for cabins, our bountiful gardens, our drinking water, and, for better and for worse, the industry. The fact that we are money poor has shown us that we have wealth in other ways. Our crafts - quilts, baskets, pottery, canning - coupled with our resourcefulness, have helped us to thrive. And anyone who has ever heard an old time band knows that we have great music.

Coal interests have succeeded in demonizing Appalachian culture to the rest of the United States. They have used this tactic to make the region and its people appear “backwards,” “violent” and “dispensable. Our land is rich. Our remaining mountains are home to one

of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet.

The range of these hills stretches from the tip of Maine, into Alabama and Georgia. The Appalachians are also the oldest mountains on the planet - mountains that once stretched higher than the Rockies.

Appalachians of the 21st century are still rich in resources and skills, and poor in health and money.

Mountaintop removal is one of many issues in our communities, many others of which are inextricably connected: drug-abuse, lack of access to health care, lack of access to higher education. We remain resourceful. We have our communities, our history, our music, our families and the strength we have inherited. Working together there is still time to bring “people power” to bear and to bring about a truly just and prosperous Appalachia.

So what is the Church’s response to issues in Appalachia? That answer may not be clear yet, but I trust today’s Church can make a difference. Living in Hillsboro, I still reside in the foothills of the beloved mountains of my rearing and I want to do something.

Maybe we will just be a voice? Maybe we will make a loud roar? I don’t know but we must do something.

Working with the Episcopal Appalachian Ministries, we can be part of a bigger picture. If you feel a call to help, please attend a meeting at St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, on Saturday, January 18 at 11 am. Whether or not you were born in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains, you are invited.

The Rev. Judi Wiley serves as rector of St. Mary’s, Hillsboro and as the new chair of the diocesan Appalachian Ministry commission.

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NOTES FROM the Edge

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Adult learners from the Conversational English program at the Latino Ministry Center enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving feast.

“A Taste of Thanksgiving” celebrated at Latino Ministry Center Our Tuesday and Thursday volunteers, usually occupied with Homework Club support for the children and other types of classes for the parents, provided all the traditional Thanksgiving fare, including turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potaOne of the many challenges facing new immigrants is to toes, green beans and apple and pumpkin pies. For many of the understand the customs and traditions of our country, many Latinos, especially the children, this was their first taste of foods of which are entirely unknown in their countries of origin. such as cranberry sauce and stuffing. Some of the adventurous Thanksgiving Day, a purely American celebration of giving adults were interested in instructions on how to roast a turkey thanks for the blessing of the harvest, is a prime example. On of their own on the holidays that followed. Subsequent reports Nov. 26, the volunteers at the Latino Ministry Center (LMC) in tell us that they were successful, adding some Latino side dishes Forest Park provided a “Taste of Thanksgiving” celebration for such as posole (a hearty soup made with pork and hominy) to those who turn to this facility as a source of ministry. This was make the meal a true multi-cultural feast in their new country. a fine opportunity to celebrate a good meal with new friends, The monthly worship services at the LMC are usually followed and over 50 people attended this second annual event.

by Latino foods brought by the participants, but this opportunity to share American foods was a great success.

The Latino Ministry Center volunteers come from parishes throughout the four deaneries in the greater Cincinnati area.

Homework Clubs are also in operation in the Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati and at St. Edward’s in Whitehall. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, please contact fplmchomeworkclub@gmail.com (Forest Park), PriceHillHC@gmail. com (Price Hill) or whitehallhomework@gmail.com (Whitehall).

Some of the LMC hosting team: Jeanne Kalkbrenner, Carolyn Wilmesherr, Sister Priscilla, Janet Muger, and Judy Keim.

By Carlos deJesús Interchange contributor

When we re-opened the Edge campus ministry house over four years ago, one of my priorities was for it to be a place of hospitality—hospitality to Christians of various stripes, of course, but also The Rev. to non-Christians and atheists. And I’m not speaking Alice of mint-on-the-pillow kind Connor of hospitality but the kind that the Rev. Stephanie Spellers describes as “may I know you better?” (in her book Radical Welcome).

We work to be kind and to offer hot, handcrafted beverages, but also to know the other person as we know ourselves. We try to open our arms to embrace, not to crush the other or to make them like us but to be in relationship.

This hospitality has been the most difficult and most rewarding aspect of the ministry here.

Difficult because we are constantly wrestling with how to be both people of faith and welcoming to folks who are not. Some of our most active students identify as atheist and attend our weekly NOSH (worship in the context of dinner) – how do we maintain our Jesus-following while legitimately inviting responses from those who, at most, admire him? How do we provide space for doubt and outright disbelief while still feeding those who are in love with the Church? It’s hard work, let me tell you, and not likely to end any time soon.

It is rewarding because so many folks have never been truly welcomed by anyone, much less by the Church. One atheist student who joined us at our nativity graduated last year recommitted to her Christian faith. Others have said they never knew Christians who weren’t unpleasant.

As one of our regulars says, we don’t look like Church in the traditional sense. We swear and joke about scripture and play a lot of Settlers of Catan. And we listen to each other and are changed by each other and offer each other hope. Here, students of faith and students without faith find a place where they are loved and listened to and challenged. Isn’t that the Church?

The Rev. Alice Connor is the campus minister for the Evangelical Lutheran Church at the University of Cincinnati. She works at the Edge (UC’s campus ministry house) and lives in the middle. Learn more at www.edge-uc.org.

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Lifting up one household at a time: Madisonville Education and Assistance Center Formation

Congregations

By Laura A. Hobson Interchange contributor The Madisonville Education and Assistance Center (MEAC) celebrated on Nov. 4 the kick-off of a major renovation of its facility at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. The event, “Breaking Walls and Building Bridges” included stakeholders involved in the project and MEAC clients. Through a unique partnership, The Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park, purchased the property from Eastminster, making it possible for Redeemer to contribute $250,000 in capital funds for the project. Other funders include The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, the Sutphin Family Foundation, Thomas J. Emery Memorial, Fifth Third Bank, MEAC Board of Trustees and other individual contributors.

Construction to renovate and reconfigure the space began early in November. “MEAC’s future is bright,” says Jessica Wabler, executive director. “We are in the process of developing our new strategic plan, and we have exciting things on the horizon. In addition to the major renovations to our space, we are going to see some programmatic changes with more focus on helping people get out of poverty. Our mission is to change lives,” said Wabler.

Wabler foresees MEAC as a hub for social service agencies to develop a process to emerge from poverty. Wabler started as a volunteer for MEAC and eventually became executive director in 2008. As a result, she is the driving force behind its expansion. In addition to the director, a small staff of six, 15 trustees and countless volunteers represent the backbone of the agency. In addition to Redeemer, MEAC also enjoys support from Indian Hill Episcopal-Presbyterian church and St. Anne’s, West Chester.

“It has been exciting to be part of MEAC’s growth. When I first became involved with MEAC, few people knew what MEAC was unless they attended a church that supported it.

We still have a way to go in terms of name recognition, but many more people know about us and the work we are doing today. I love connecting people to MEAC,” said Wabler.

“MEAC has helped me to cope when I had nowhere else to turn. Thank you,” says Ernest Hines, a recent client typical of the people the agency serves.

Volunteers play an active role in the success of the organization. “Whether volunteers serve a meal, do a food drive in their neighborhood, help with a Family Literacy Night or attend one of our fundraising events, there are many ways to get involved and help their neighbors in need,” Wabler said.

From bread to coats, MEAC provided help to nearly 1,000 households in 2012. Located in Madisonville, MEAC offers a food pantry, clothing closet, financial assistance, meals, early literacy education, financial advice, school supplies, transportation assistance, brown bag lunches, holiday meals and programs, Ohio Benefit Bank services and referral information to residents in the 45208, 45209, 45226 and 45227 zip codes.

At Redeemer, parishioner Kyle Roberts took over as “Mission Champion” in 2012 for the church’s MEAC ministry. Roberts works with fellow parishioners to provide trans-

David Gulden, member of Eastminster Presbyterian, Sandy Fox, pastor at Eastminster Presbyterian, Jessica Wabler, Executive Director of MEAC, Roger Blohm, MEAC Board Chair and 5/3 Bank, Les McNeill, Sr. Warden at Church of the Redeemer and Bruce Freeman, Rector of Church of the Redeemer, pictured at the Nov. 4 ground-breaking.

Redeemer parishioners joined with members of Eastminster to provide a special “Feed n Seed” for MEAC after the groundbreaking.

portation, clothing and food pantry items. During the holidays, donations spike. A total of 322 families received free Thanksgiving boxes with all the food for a complete meal in 2012. Redeemer parishioners typically provide over 200 of those meals through their annual Thanksgiving Meal drive.

Parishioner Kristen Arends works with suppliers to make donated funds stretch to buy as many turkeys as possible. By Christmas, clients are invited to attend one of two free dinners sponsored by MEAC and Redeemer.

At the end of each month, when many clients find that their money is running thin, Redeemer parishioners pack brown bag lunches to help make ends meet. “When someone lives in poverty, there is constant angst to maintain basic needs many take for granted. This can become a full time job,” said Roberts.

Another source of funding, for which MEAC is grateful, is the Episcopal Community Services Foundation, which gave approximately $8,000 this year. Like other nonprofits, MEAC is dependent on individual contributions and grants to meet its $308,000 budget. Funding fluctuates every year as it does with other agencies. Reviewing services, “We look for impact,” said Wabler. “We’ve also added programs to meet the needs of those we serve. We are stretched though.

I would love to have enough funding so that we did not have to turn people away for some of our services.”

The Rev. Bruce Freeman, rector at Church of the Redeemer said, “It’s really an honor for us to work with MEAC and a whole host of like-minded partners. MEAC is the outlet through which we can share our gifts with people who live and work in the neighborhood. But the most important thing is that the services are provided with the firm belief that every person should be treated with dignity and respect by a caring community. We are blessed beyond belief by this partnership.”

For more information about MEAC, visit www.

MEAConline.org or call 513.271.5501.

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Sycamore House benefit

By Sally Johnson Editor, NMVEC Cluster Chronicle

Working on Sharon’s house was a multigenerational project for parishioners of St. Anne’s, West Chester

The Miracle on Tylersville

Vicki Pullins, Executive Director of Sycamore House Pregnancy Center in Urbana, was guest speaker for the Sept. 29 combined 10 a.m. worship service of the Church of Our Saviour, Mechanicsburg, and the Church of the Epiphany, Urbana. The two congregations make up the Northern Miami Valley Episcopal Cluster, (NMVEC) where the Rev. Robert L. Ficks serves as Priest in Charge.

In her address, Pullins explained that Sycamore House is a non-profit Christcentered ministry, “committed to promoting hope and love by listening, teaching and connecting to persons with pregnancy-related issues.” Sycamore House is a countywide venture whose services are free and confidential. Assistance is offered from pregnancy through delivery of the infant and on into the toddler years.

After the worship service a potluck luncheon followed, and Pullins was presented with a substantial collection of baby supplies contributed by members and friends of NMVEC. All were humbled by the compassionate work of this organization. Fr. Bob encouraged congregants to keep Sycamore House in their charitable giving and in their prayers.

By Alissa Gannaway Interchange contributor It’s been about a year since the people of St. Anne’s, West Chester, learned about Sharon, our neighbor in need across the street. Personally, I’ll never forget the Sunday morning when Fr. Jeff Bunke, then rector of St. Anne’s, told us Sharon, right, talking with a St. Anne’s parishioner about an older, disabled woman that was on a fixed income who had acquired the house right across the street from St. Anne’s, on Tylersville Road. The house was uninhabitable. A hoarder had lived in the home and all utilities had been shut off for a very long time. The house was full of debris, the basement flooded and mold was found. In fact, the city of West Chester considered condemning the home.

Fr. Jeff asked the question, “Could we, the people of St. Anne’s, help Sharon make her house livable?” Within hours of his question, many members of the congregation answered with a resounding, “Yes!” Our goal was to make every room useable and livable.

Simply put, our goal was to make her house a home.

In order to help Sharon, many members of the parish donated money, items, time, energy and talent. People helped empty the home, pulled up flooring, repaired plumbing, fixed electrical issues, aquired appliances and removed wallpaper that appeared to be from the 60s! Then, we repaired the walls and painted. It was hard work and we ran into obstacles. We had our share of ups and downs, but we don’t call it “The Miracle on Tylersville” for nothing. With God all things are possible!

Sharon is now living in her beautiful home. Every room is finished and her yard is beautiful. She checks in with us and we check in with her – there is a clear friendship with our neighbor across the street. We love our neighbors as ourselves.

Alissa Gannaway serves as Ministry Coordinator at St. Anne’s, West Chester

Vicki Pullins, Executive Director of Sycamore House Pregnancy Center in Champaign County, poses amidst boxes and bags of diapers, baby wipes, formula, nursery equipment and personal care items donated for the work of Sycamore House by members of the Cluster parishes.

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Lights, camera, action! in Lebanon

Hollywood called and St. Patrick’s, Lebanon, answered ‘Yes!’ In October, the city of Lebanon and the greater Cincinnati community hosted the company producing the Hallmark Channel movie, Christmas Spirit. St. Patrick’s sanctuary and fellowship hall were used in the filming of the movie. Additionally, volunteer parish members participated in a couple of choir and caroling scenes.

The church was literally “lit up” throughout the three days of filming. Parish members embraced the film crew and the Lebanon community while filming occurred. The church’s mission is to take Christ’s spirit out into the world.

Christmas Spirit began airing on the Hallmark Channel on Dec. 1. (Submitted by Trish Simonton, St. Patrick’s)

Liturgy of light and solace

In honor of St. Francis, friend of all creatures

und the ssing of the Animals events aro n Many congregations held Ble Joh .

Rev the , left at ed ober. Pictur feast day of St. Francis in Oct nabas, Montgomery, who in addiBar Keydel, Interim rector at St. of cats dog, bestowed blessings on lots y ndl frie this g sin bles to tion l. irre squ ng flyi a fish and and dogs as well as two betta (picrge at St. Francis, Springboro cha in st Prie ne, Pay Ed . friend The Rev ine equ an i, Rav ce of Christ onto tured at right), passes the pea of the congregation.

Carb up at St. George’s

St. George’s, Dayton, will hold their annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, Jan 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $15 per adult and $5 per child (12 and under) with a maximum of $35 per household. Dinner will include salad, pasta with meatballs and sausage, dessert and beverages. The evening begins with time to mingle, sample appetizers and make your auction bids.

Children’s activities, such as balloon animals, face painting and crafts will be available at this family-friendly event. All proceeds benefit the outreach ministries of the parish. St. George’s is located at 5520 Far Hills Ave. in Dayton. Call 937.434.1781 for more information.

Michael Murray organ recital Feb. 8

Michael Murray, organist at St. Mark’s, Columbus, will present his first public organ recital in over 15 years at St. Mark’s on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Murray will play works by Bach, Widor and Dupré. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Organ Completion Fund at St. Mark’s. The church is located at 2151 Dorset Rd. in Upper Arlington. Call 614.486.9452 or visit www.musicseries.saintmarkscolumbus.org for more information.

Has the Christmas Season left you feeling not particularly “merry and bright”? Did festivities and shouts of “be of good cheer” seem bittersweet? For some people the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ isn’t so wonderful. It can be a time when we feel estranged from all around us because of loss, divorce, illness or distance from those we love. Or, perhaps the excesses and frivolity of the season have left us with regrets, depression, a sense of isolation or a mix of emotions.

If your soul needs some light in the darkness, join us at Holy Trinity, Kenwood, on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 4:30 p.m. for a liturgy of hope, solace, and a safe venue for compassionately sharing your feelings. Holy Trinity is located at 7190 Euclid Rd. in Kenwood. Call 513.984.8400 for more information.

(Submitted by the Rev. Terri Thornton, Holy Trinity)

Music and worship at Christ Church

Join the people of Christ Church, Glendale, for Evensong with the Girls and Handbell Choirs of Christ Church on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. Musical selctions will include A Canticle of Joy (Sanders), Bairstow in E Flat Major and assorted offerings from the Handbell Choir’s repertoire. Christ Church is located at 965 Forest Ave. in Glendale. Call 513.771.1544 for more information.

Rest in peace

Sam Allen, a longtime active parishioner of Christ Church, Glendale, and chancellor of the Diocese of Southern Ohio for nearly 30 years, died Dec. 5. He was 84. Sam is survived by his wife, Louise, two daughters, two sons and six grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Christ Church, Glendale on Dec. 14.

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MISSION CORNER: Yellow Dot Helps Save Lives

Thanks to efforts at Episcopal Retirement Homes (ERH), the Yellow Dot program continues to gain steam as the Ohio legislature considers whether to officially implement it statewide. The Yellow Dot concept is simple and sensible: A yellow dot decal in the left corner of a car’s rear window alerts first responders that there is vital medical information in the glove box concerning the driver. ERH staff members have been at the forefront of distributing more than 5,000 Yellow Dot packets in central and southwest Ohio for almost two years.

The program, implemented statewide in Connecticut, Alabama and New York, is gaining momentum in many U.S. communities.

Initially, ERH officials got behind the program when Deupree House resident JoAnn Plotkin read news stories about how Yellow Dot worked in other states and approached staffers about ERH mounting an organized effort. Plotkin, who requires oxygen, was worried about traveling with a tank in her car in the event she might be involved in an accident. The Yellow Dot decal alerts emergency crews to check the information in the glove box, which can detail a number of critical issues the driver may have, such as diabetes, seizure disorders, allergies, heart issues or special medication.

Since then, the campaign has been managed by the Parish Health Ministry (PHM) program of ERH, which helps churches renew their role in health and wellness through advocacy, education and other activities. PHM has provided Yellow Dot packets to senior citizen groups and local churches. The packets, designed by ERH staff,

contain the decals and medical forms. “The info comes in a zip lock plastic bag with a bright yellow form,” says Rose Lindeman, PHM Coordinator. “We’ve been doing our best to get it out there, but once the state is behind us that will help immensely.” She also notes that PHM has been distributing packets throughout central and southwest Ohio churches of all denominations, after services and at festivals. “The police and firemen we talk to are very supportive,” Lindeman says. “First responders know the value of having this type of information.” Lindeman notes that it would be a huge boost for the program if the state of Ohio makes the Yellow Dot program official.

Legislation was introduced in the last Ohio General Assembly, but not acted on—that would require the Department of Transportation to implement Yellow Dot statewide and send the information packets free of charge to those who sign up. Backers are more optimistic the plan could pass this fall. It was reintroduced in September

by Connie Pillich, state representative from the 28th district. A spokeswoman for Pillich said hearings are planned this fall. The plan has bipartisan support.

For more information about how to implement the Yellow Dot program at your church or organization, contact ERH Parish Health Ministry at 513.272.5555 ext. 4223 or jpalcic@erhinc.com.

Announcement from our missionaries: We’re coming home After a time of discernment and prayer, we have decided to end our missionary service in 2014. Both professional and personal considerations entered into the process and the decision.

After nearly 14 years here (in the Dominican Republic), we have arrived at a natural break point. The community health promoter development project ended a year ago after a formal “exit strategy.” The health promoter groups have not received any direct support for two years, and are still going strong. They network with Dominican public health, other NGO’s, local community organizations, and each other to plan and execute new health promotion interventions in their neighborhoods.

The essential personnel in the HIV/AIDS treatment unit are now solidly supported by the Dominican public health department. Anita’s caring for patients in that unit is appreciated, but not essential at this point.

Other community health programs have accomplished their goals and are winding down.

Missionary transition from the field to “home” generally requires about six months, though of course the mental and cultural adjustment can take much longer. They say that transitioning back home is more difficult than the adjustment when arriving on the mission field. Well … guess we are about to find out.

We will continue to need prayer and salary support through the first months of 2014.

Keep praying, Anita & Michael Dohn

– By Rick Bird (as seen in the Episcopal Retirement Homes’ Linkage magazine)

Giving thanks for ministry Friends and supporters of the Episcopal Community Services Foundation celebrated the ten years of ministry of retiring Executive Director Ariel Miller at a Harvest Dinner held at the Procter Center Nov. 23. ECSF President Fred McGavran and Bishops Breidenthal and Price led a program lifting up the past, present and future ministry of ECSF. Diners were entertained with song provided by the St. Philip’s, Columbus, Chancel Choir. A slide show featuring the many ministries supported by ECSF was shown throughout the dinner.

Ariel Miller holds up a prayer shawl handmade for her by ECSF trustee Sue Smith. Photo by Huxley Miller.

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Ministry on the Ohio Bishop Breidenthal spends a day on Captain Harold Newby’s towboat, witnessing the ministry of the Seamen’s Church Institute firsthand

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s the church keeps moving forward, our battle cry has increasingly become, “Church doesn’t just happen in Church.” Nothing brings that home more poignantly than spending a day on the river with the Rev. Kempton Baldridge, Chaplain for the Ohio River Region for The Seamen’s Church Institute of NY & NJ. Baldridge works his way up and down the inland waterways ministering to river workers, one barge at a time. His congregation is made up of individuals who spend weeks at a time on the river, away from family and friends. It’s a tough life of hard work and isolation and the times when they have a chaplain onboard can be therapeutic, life-affirming and comforting.

Louis, Kempton & Martin sharing in a restful moment.

Bishop Breidenthal greets the crew and handed out the first hats and scarves of the season.

Deckhand Martin Grizovic securing barges using steel cables.

Photos: Gregory Thorp

A nationwide SCI scarf and knitting program helps to keep mariners all over the country warm.

The program is coordinated locally by volunteers at Christ Church Cathedral.

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And a little child shall lead them….

AJ Kool, installed as child bishop for Bethany Upper School, with Bishop Price. Bishop AJ holds a bishop’s staff presented to the school by Bishop Price.

Photos by Margie Kessler and Julie Murray

Halle Reed is installed as child bishop for Bethany Middle School by Canon Jack Koepke.

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ethany School installed fourth grader Halle Reed and eighth grader AJ Kool as this year’s child bishops on the feast of St. Nicholas. This tradition dates from medieval times in England when a child was chosen to be bishop for the month of December.

Bethany teachers and staff choose students from the middle and upper schools who display many qualities of St. Nicholas. Reed was installed by the Rev. Jack Koepke, Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Kool was installed by retired Suffragan Bishop Kenneth L. Price, Jr. Bishop Price presented Bethany School with a bishop’s staff given to him by the congregation of Trinity, Columbus, when he first began his ministry in Southern Ohio. Now the Bethany child bishops will use the staff each year when they are installed.

Bishop AJ distributes chocolate gold coins to the students after the service.

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Dec./Jan./Feb./March

december 20-21 – Young Adult retreat at Procter Center. Register at www.diosohio.org.

Contact: Rob Konkol at 800.582.1712 ext. 160.

24-25 – Diocesan House closed for Christmas holiday.

27-29 – Winter Family Camp at Procter Center. Register at www.diosohio.org.

31 – Diocesan House closed for New Year’s holiday.

january 1 – Diocesan House closed for New Year’s holiday.

8 – Commission on Congregational Life meets at the Procter Center, 9 a.m.

Contact: Janice West at 937.278.2249.

9 – Fresh Start program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

9 – Residency program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Anne Reed at 800.582.1712.

9-12 – School for Diaconal Formation meets at the Procter Center.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

11 – Lay Preacher Formation meets at the Procter Center, 10 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

11 – Diocesan Council meets at the Procter Center, 10 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Charles Wilson at 740.369.3175.

16 – Advisory Commission on Compensation and Resources meets at Diocesan House, 1:30 p.m. Contact: Jon Boss at 513.761.2630.

18 – Appalachian Ministry Commission meets at St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, 11 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Judi Wiley at 937.205.4292.

20 – Diocesan House closed for observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 25 – Safe Church comprehensive training at Christ Church Cathedral, 9 a.m.

Register online at www.diosohio.org or by calling Heather Windle at 800.582.1712 ext. 113. Contact: The Rev. Darren Elin at 513.831.2052.

25-26 – Common Ministry Leadership Training at Procter Center. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

february 7-8 – Explorers’ Retreat at Procter Center. Contact: The Rev. Charlotte Reed at 937.323.8651.

8 – Lay Preacher Formation at Procter Center, 10 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

12 - Commission on Congregational Life meets at the Procter Center, 9 a.m. Contact: Janice West at 937.278.2249.

13 – Fresh Start program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

13 – Residency program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Anne Reed at 800.582.1712.

17 – Diocesan house closed for President’s Day. 21-23 – 30-Hour Famine youth retreat at St. Timothy’s, Cincinnati. Register at www. youth.diosohio.org. Contact: Rob Konkol at 800.582.1712 ext. 160.

28-Mar 2 – Doxa: A Fresh Expressions conference on liturgy and music, at Christ Church Cathedral. Contact: The Rev. Jane Gerdsen at freshexpressions@diosohio.org.

march 1 – Parochial reports due.

8 – Clergy Day at Procter Center, 10 a.m. Register at www.diosohio.org.

12 – Commission on Congregational Life meets at the Procter Center, 9 a.m. Contact: Janice West at 937.278.2249.

13 – Fresh Start program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

13 – Residency program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Anne Reed at 800.582.1712.

13-16 – School for Diaconal Formation meets at the Procter Center. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

15 – Lay Preacher Formation meets at the Procter Center, 10 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

19-22 – Province V Mission Gathering with Tom Brackett at Procter Center. More information TBA. Contact: The Rev. Jane Gerdsen at freshexpressions@diosohio.org.

24 – Trustees of the Diocese meet at Diocesan House, 10 a.m.

29 – COCL Best Practices Conference, at Procter Center. More information TBA.

Transitions – People and places Congregations:

gregational Good Shepherd, Athens: In con nt me elop dev file self-study and pro ing transition St Andrew’s, Dayton: Beginn . Christopher Rev following resignation of the Richardson’s last e. arg n-ch st-i Richardson as prie Jan. 5.

Sunday at St Andrew’s will be ed the Rev. Joanna call Has St Anne’s, West Chester: tor Leiserson as their interim rec eiving names until Rec : ery om ntg Mo as, St Barnab parish website. the on le Dec. 31; profile is availab gregational self-study St. Philip’s, Circleville: In con and profile development ing profile St Philip’s, Columbus: Develop Beginning e: vill ine Ma e, len St Mary Magda rrington Wilson served transition. The Rev. Anne Wa October. il unt e arg there as priest-in-ch

Clergy:

n called as The Rev. John Agbaje has bee ’s, Evanston. He rew And Priest-in-Charge of St 8. .

Dec re the y istr began his min n called as bee has rce Pea n rily She .

The Rev ist Church Chr at e Car l Associate for Pastora there Dec. 1. y istr min her an beg Cathedral. She been called has n dso The Rev. Christopher Richar bus, um Col , rk’s Ma St at as Assistant Rector beginning Jan. 12. ia has been called The Rev. Manoj Mathew Zachar hedral. He will Cat rch Chu ist as Sub-Dean of Chr ly January. begin his ministry there in ear contact the Rev. Canon For more information please for Formation and Lynn Carter-Edmands, Canon Transitions.

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Dec./Jan./Feb./March

december 20-21 – Young Adult retreat at Procter Center. Register at www.diosohio.org.

Contact: Rob Konkol at 800.582.1712 ext. 160.

24-25 – Diocesan House closed for Christmas holiday.

27-29 – Winter Family Camp at Procter Center. Register at www.diosohio.org.

31 – Diocesan House closed for New Year’s holiday.

january 1 – Diocesan House closed for New Year’s holiday.

8 – Commission on Congregational Life meets at the Procter Center, 9 a.m.

Contact: Janice West at 937.278.2249.

9 – Fresh Start program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

9 – Residency program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Anne Reed at 800.582.1712.

9-12 – School for Diaconal Formation meets at the Procter Center.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

11 – Lay Preacher Formation meets at the Procter Center, 10 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

11 – Diocesan Council meets at the Procter Center, 10 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Charles Wilson at 740.369.3175.

16 – Advisory Commission on Compensation and Resources meets at Diocesan House, 1:30 p.m. Contact: Jon Boss at 513.761.2630.

18 – Appalachian Ministry Commission meets at St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, 11 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Judi Wiley at 937.205.4292.

20 – Diocesan House closed for observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 25 – Safe Church comprehensive training at Christ Church Cathedral, 9 a.m.

Register online at www.diosohio.org or by calling Heather Windle at 800.582.1712 ext. 113. Contact: The Rev. Darren Elin at 513.831.2052.

25-26 – Common Ministry Leadership Training at Procter Center. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

february 7-8 – Explorers’ Retreat at Procter Center. Contact: The Rev. Charlotte Reed at 937.323.8651.

8 – Lay Preacher Formation at Procter Center, 10 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

12 - Commission on Congregational Life meets at the Procter Center, 9 a.m. Contact: Janice West at 937.278.2249.

13 – Fresh Start program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

13 – Residency program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Anne Reed at 800.582.1712.

17 – Diocesan house closed for President’s Day. 21-23 – 30-Hour Famine youth retreat at St. Timothy’s, Cincinnati. Register at www. youth.diosohio.org. Contact: Rob Konkol at 800.582.1712 ext. 160.

28-Mar 2 – Doxa: A Fresh Expressions conference on liturgy and music, at Christ Church Cathedral. Contact: The Rev. Jane Gerdsen at freshexpressions@diosohio.org.

march 1 – Parochial reports due.

8 – Clergy Day at Procter Center, 10 a.m. Register at www.diosohio.org.

12 – Commission on Congregational Life meets at the Procter Center, 9 a.m. Contact: Janice West at 937.278.2249.

13 – Fresh Start program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

13 – Residency program meets at the Procter Center, 9:30 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Anne Reed at 800.582.1712.

13-16 – School for Diaconal Formation meets at the Procter Center. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

15 – Lay Preacher Formation meets at the Procter Center, 10 a.m. Contact: The Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands at 800.582.1712.

19-22 – Province V Mission Gathering with Tom Brackett at Procter Center. More information TBA. Contact: The Rev. Jane Gerdsen at freshexpressions@diosohio.org.

24 – Trustees of the Diocese meet at Diocesan House, 10 a.m.

29 – COCL Best Practices Conference, at Procter Center. More information TBA.

Transitions – People and places Congregations:

gregational Good Shepherd, Athens: In con nt me elop dev file self-study and pro ing transition St Andrew’s, Dayton: Beginn . Christopher Rev following resignation of the Richardson’s last e. arg n-ch st-i Richardson as prie Jan. 5.

Sunday at St Andrew’s will be ed the Rev. Joanna call Has St Anne’s, West Chester: tor Leiserson as their interim rec eiving names until Rec : ery om ntg Mo as, St Barnab parish website. the on le Dec. 31; profile is availab gregational self-study St. Philip’s, Circleville: In con and profile development ing profile St Philip’s, Columbus: Develop Beginning e: vill ine Ma e, len St Mary Magda rrington Wilson served transition. The Rev. Anne Wa October. il unt e arg there as priest-in-ch

Clergy:

n called as The Rev. John Agbaje has bee ’s, Evanston. He rew And Priest-in-Charge of St 8. .

Dec re the y istr began his min n called as bee has rce Pea n rily She .

The Rev ist Church Chr at e Car l Associate for Pastora there Dec. 1. y istr min her an beg Cathedral. She been called has n dso The Rev. Christopher Richar bus, um Col , rk’s Ma St at as Assistant Rector beginning Jan. 12. ia has been called The Rev. Manoj Mathew Zachar hedral. He will Cat rch Chu ist as Sub-Dean of Chr ly January. begin his ministry there in ear contact the Rev. Canon For more information please for Formation and Lynn Carter-Edmands, Canon Transitions.

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New Formation webpage at formed2follow.org Clicking on “Formation” at the top of the diocesan webpage will get you to www.formed2follow.org where you will find all sorts of information related to formation: FORMATION (for all ages); DISCERNMENT (for lay and ordained ministry); LEADERSHIP (formation programs for lay licensing and common ministry; training in safe church and anti-racism; EfM); and RESOURCES (more than I can name here with seasonal ones constantly being updated) – all at your fingertips. There is even a “contact us” portal. So look around and become familiar with what’s on the new Formation webpage.

And please let us know what’s working for you and your congregation and where we can be of help!

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The Rev. Canon Lynn CarterEdmands

Some Formation highlights (at www.formed2follow.org) ▪ An Explorers’ Retreat will be held Feb. 7 and 8 at the Procter Center for those discerning a call to ordination. Considerations prior to attending the Explorer’s Retreat as well as what the Commission on Ministry and Bishop Breidenthal are looking for in ordained leaders may be found through the Discernment portal.

▪ Seasonal Resources are available through the Resources portal and include support for individuals, families and congregations. Curricula focusing on particular seasons are also available. Check back seasonally and often!

▪ Licensed Preacher Formation begins Jan. 11 at the Procter Center. Requirements and application for the program are available through the Leadership portal A list of currently licensed preachers is also available on the Preacher webpage. Faculty for Preacher Formation is the Rev. Stephen Smith and the Rev. Paula Jackson. Safe Church and Antiracism training are required of all licensed preachers.

▪ Licensed Worship Leader Formation will take place on two consecutive Saturdays this spring: April 5 and 12. Program leaders are Deborah Stokes, Robert Benson and the Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands. Apply through the Leadership portal. Safe Church and Antiracism training are required of all licensed worship leaders.

▪ Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors are locally trained. Diocesan training in Safe Church is also required.

▪ Anti-racism Training: According to Resolution 2000-B049 from the 73rd General

Convention, anti-racism training is required for “the lay and ordained leadership of the Episcopal Church, including all ordained persons, professional staff, and those elected or appointed to positions of leadership on committees, commissions, agencies, and boards.”

In the Diocese of Southern Ohio we do not require, but strongly encourage, anti-racism training for Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors and make it available to anyone interested in this training. Safe Church training is required of all licensed ministries.

▪ Formation for Common Ministry welcomed five congregational teams on Nov. 23: Christ Church, Glendale; St Andrew’s, Evanston; St Edward’s, Whitehall; St Matthew’s, Westerville; and St Philip’s, Circleville. More information about this program is available through the Leadership portal. Team consultants are Lisa Hughes, the Rev. Bruce Freeman, the Rev. Canon Lynn Carter-Edmands and the Rev. Judi Wiley.

Supporting music ministry

By Marti Rideout Interchange contributor The Liturgy and Music Commission of the Diocese of Southern Ohio seeks to find ways to support those in music ministry by creating opportunities to gather together and enjoy collegial ministry and to establish deanery and diocesan-wide connections among those charged with enabling vital music ministry in our parishes. The commission hopes to offer workshops to expand skills (organ, piano, instrumental, vocal, choral, guitar or conducting) for music leadership, learn about liturgy and hymnody of the past and present, join choirs

for hymn and choir festivals and take part in combined choirs for diocesan events. A web page will be developed specifically for those most interested in liturgy and music.

All the musicians of the diocese are invited, no matter how trained or skilled or length of experience, to be part of these endeavors. Clergy are encouraged to extend this invitation to their church musicians.

Musicians are asked to complete a short questionnaire to ensure an accurate database for effective communication among all the church musicians in the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

The questionnaire can be found at https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/qze87bd1uoucos/. For more information, contact Marsha Reilly at mareilly1@columbus.rr.com.

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Learning from where I’ve been DSO_FinalDesign_04_120412_04

By: Aaron Klinefelter Interchange contributor The careful grid of asphalt and dreams lay silently beneath us. Little blue circles of respite behind houses too close together and vast temples of consumer choice surrounded by moats of automobiles rolled along mile after mile. Autumnal brown grasses and egregiously watered golf courses flowed past us as we skirted the airway from east to west. My earbuds were blaring against the whine and whir of the twin jets of the Airbus A320, intravenously delivering the banjo-laden lyrics of Mumford & Sons.

Keep the earth below my feet For all my sweat, my blood runs weak Let me learn from where I have been Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn And I was still but I was under your spell When I was told by Jesus all was well So all must be well

It seemed apropos to my present circumstance. Julian and Jesus were traveling with me and all was indeed well.

The closer we came to the earth below our feet the more details of storefronts and chain-link fences became clear.

In-N-Out Burger beckoned enticingly off to our right and palm trees materialized from unsuspecting concrete-free zones. And as we landed I realized that somehow, in some way, I was home.

Ten years ago we left Southern California for Cincinnati.

We moved to be closer to family and to join God in the surprising, unexpected work the Spirit seemed to be doing in Cincinnati. It’s been a wild ride. We’ve been engaged in experiments of praxis, trying to actually do the stuff that Jesus calls us to in the gospels. We’ve failed, tried again,

Explorers’ Retreat

and failed some more. We’ve definitely learned a lot on the journey. And ten years later, in mid-October, I find myself landing at LAX with my friend (and pastor of Vineyard Central) Josh Stoxen. We’re here for a Micah Groups orientation retreat. Fuller Seminary is hosting us for these few days as we learn about this new initiative by the Ogilvie Institute of Preaching.

Micah groups are preacher formation small groups.

They are co-facilitated, multi-ethnic, ecumenical, diverse groups of preachers and leaders who are engaged in the intersection between preaching, worship and justice.

Surprisingly enough, that’s exactly the intersection I find

myself in these days. Sometimes I’m wildly dodging cars in the middle, sometimes waiting for the light to change, but I’m there seeking and being sought. I love preaching. I love going on that homiletic journey with a congregation.

Traveling by way of words and metaphor, by scripture and image, and by silence and space to a promised land of insight and transformation. What does it mean for the people of God to see worship and justice kiss? How might we as preachers lead the congregation into this intersectional space?

“The vision of Micah Groups is to form empowered, wise preachers who seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, leading others to join God’s mission in the world.” I’m excited about entering into this Micah Group process. I’m eager to do so with colleagues both known and unknown. I’m looking forward to being challenged by those who are different from me. There’s something about that courageous conversation that happens when folks from differing views encounter one another in honesty and humility.

Coming back to Southern California (where I lived for two years) and Pasadena in particular, felt like coming home.

Our first child was born here and we made lifelong friends.

But there’s something else. There’s something about the air and the slant of the light, the way the grass squishes beneath my feet, the constant hum of cars, and the mountains hazily floating off in the distance. It’s good to be back.

May I “learn from where I have been” and may I “keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn” and, by God’s everpresent grace, may you do the same.

To learn more about Micah Groups, go to http://www.micahgroups.org

Aaron Klinefelter serves as Minister for Young Adults and Families at Church of the Redeemer, Hyde Park.

Contact him at aaron@redeemer-cincy.org.

If you have been in intentional conversation for an extended period of time with your clergy person about your vocation, have been active as a confirmed or received member of the Episcopal Church for at least two years and feel called to deepen your exploration of a possible call to ordained ministry, attend the Explorers’ Retreat Feb. 7-8 at the Procter Center.

The retreat begins Friday evening with check-in at 5 p.m. and ends Saturday at 4 p.m. Cost is $65 (double occupancy) or $100 (single occupancy). The deadline to register is Jan. 24.

Register at https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/explorers-retreat-2014/ If you have questions please contact the chair of the Commission on Ministry, the Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed, at charlotte@christ-in-springfield.org or 937.323.8651

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Exodus 11: Rest in the Lord

By Anny Stevens-Gleason Assistant Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries I am as guilty as the next person for not taking the rest I need, and I am a self-diagnosed “short sleeper” after reading an NPR article on the subject posted by a friend on my timeline over a year ago. However, it took a high school senior and 30 some other participants to facilitate and allow a weekend of rest for all involved.

Marilee Oldstone-Moore, of Christ Church, Springfield, and the design team leader of the high school retreat Exodus 11, challenged participants to rest, driven by this verse:

{

Rest as a verb, can be “to cease from action or motion: refrain from labor or exertion” (Merriam – Webster, v. 2.)

Winter Family Camp December 27-29 Procter Center 30 Hour Famine February 21- 23 St. Timothy’s, Cincinnati Genesis Retreat April 4-6 Procter Center Find information and links to registration for all youth events at youth.diosohio.org.

}

Rest as a noun, can be “something used for support” (Merriam – Webster, n. 6.)

In the reading, God promised to be with His people and nurturing rest, allowing God’s people to gain peace and confidence as well.

I experienced both of these definitions, on that weekend. I also feel there is a relationship between the two. It is in God’s presence, where we rest. When we are supported, when God is our rest, when we are surrounded by love, when we are led to live for others, when we live joyfully, when we live as Christ, we find rest in God. We find rest. In God. And the Lord said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 That weekend we were able to rest, in all ways possible.

Youth, young adult and family formation Young Adult Retreat December 20-21 Procter Center

And the Lord said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 During the weekend we learned Exodus stories – worshipping the golden calf to the parting of the red sea. Even making a short video to show what we learned. We had worship time, formation time and rest.

Marilee shared stories of her over-scheduled life, as a graduating senior, to be the motivation for the design of the retreat. From papers to concerts, from homework to church, from club meetings to practices, this is a feeling that in which all people can relate. But how is it, that, in God’s presence we will find rest? Rest in the Lord.

For me, it is as simple as knowing someone else is sharing my burdens. Someone else understands. Someone else is walking with me on this journey. By that alone, for me, I am able to live joyfully and with love. This is a rest that is found by living as a Christian and thus finding peace. A way of life, that if we intentionally live in this way, rest will come, genuinely.

However, I am human and know that this is the ideal and I must be aware and intentional about living in the ways of Christ and finding rest in the vast ocean of God’s presence. That is what this Exodus was for me and for the youth participants.

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Give the gift of Procter Camp for Christmas!

Registration forms for 2014 Procter Summer Camp are already available online at youth.diosohio.org.

Want to be a summer camp counselor?

The 2014 Summer Camp Counselor application will go live starting Jan. 1

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139th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio

Bishop’s address First of all, my thanks to our cathedral for their hospitality this morning. It is wonderful to be in a real worship space, and even more wonderful to be gathered as the diocesan household in this, our common home. Most wonderful of all, we welcome our newly arrived cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Gail Greenwell, who has been among us all of eight days. We are so glad you are here. Please stand so that we may greet you.

This morning I am combining the sermon with my convention address, so I will be preaching a little longer than usual. There’s some convention business I must address, but I also want to do justice to the readings we have just heard. So please bear with me.

Since today is not a particular feast day, we have the opportunity to choose from one of the sets of readings for various occasions. Our community of deacons requested that we use the readings for Social Service. This is most appropriate, since the theme of this convention is service, diakonia – both the service we all owe God and one another as baptized persons, and the particular service with which deacons are entrusted.

Not surprisingly, today’s Gospel passage reminds us that all Christian service finds its model and its source in Christ. “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give himself as a ransom for many.” It is Christ who shows us what true servanthood is – Christ, who, as Paul says, emptied himself, taking the form of slave. If we want to be close to Jesus and to follow him, we must become his fellow servants.

So far so good. Most of us want to be of use to others and to lend a helping hand. I don’t know any congregation in this diocese that doesn’t do some kind of outreach, and I know many of you here are involved in community service.

But what are we to with the second half of Jesus’ statement: “to give his life as a ransom for many”?

This seems to go far beyond what we usually think of when we think of service. Ransom is the price paid to redeem someone out of slavery, or to secure the release of someone kidnapped or held hostage.

What does service have to do with that? The question becomes even more acute when we add in the fact that Jesus says his own life is the ransom.

Now, you and I are perfectly well aware of what Jesus is referring to here. We are among those who

have been ransomed. Sunday after Sunday, in one congregation after another, I say these words: “The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.” Yet these words are strong reminders that in giving himself for us, Jesus did something we could not do for ourselves. We are to receive the fruits of his redemptive work on our behalf. How then can our service have anything to do with ransoming others?

It is certainly true that none of us can save the world. Yet it is equally true that we are to imitate Jesus by serving one another and the world, and it remains the case that this service has something to do with ransom. I would like to explore this idea a little this morning, because I think it will help us better understand the relation of service to connection.

But first let’s be clear about what it means to be ransomed by Jesus, since this has been the source of major misunderstanding. Just what was Jesus doing on the cross? To say that he was offering him-

self as a ransom for us is simply to say that he put himself in our place. But here the difficulty begins.

Some would say that Jesus put himself in our place by taking the hit for our sins, that is, by taking our guilt upon himself and deflecting our punishment onto himself. But you see the problem. It makes the Father a cruel and implacable exacter of justice.

On this account many have abandoned the church, and many who have stayed have trouble with Good Friday.

But this way of understanding the atonement is simply bad theology. First of all, God is love. This doesn’t mean God doesn’t care about justice, but God’s justice is always in defense of love by means of love. Second, the Father and the Son are one.

There is nothing Jesus does that the Father isn’t doing with him, through him. So even if want to say that Jesus suffered the just consequences of our sins in our place, we must also say that the Father joined him in that work, standing like the true lover he is between us and the demands of justice.

In any case, this isn’t how the early church thought about Jesus as our ransom. They took his use of the word ransom at face value, as the purchase price to gain our freedom from an enemy who was holding us hostage. Who was that enemy? Satan, of course. Through sin the human race had come under the control of the devil, and was in bondage to him. So Jesus offered himself to Satan in our place, knowing that love is stronger than hate, and that by going behind enemy lines, as it were, he would be able to subvert the dynamics of darkness and set us free. One common illustration of this scenario was to compare Jesus to bait on a hook. Satan took the bait, and then found himself hooked, or, having swallowed the bait, found himself being undone from the inside out.

What are we to make of this today? You may or may not believe in a personal force of darkness, but we all know the dynamics of collective sin are real, and that they generally spin out of our control.

In Jesus’ time the visible force of darkness was the Roman empire, meant to promote world unity and a coherent legal system, but shot through from the beginning with lust for power and the ruthless crushing of dissent.

Today we have climate change, weapons of mass

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destruction, and globalization it’s a given. The human race without checks and balances is one body, and that’s the – the results of selfishness reason why sin is so infecand fear as they combine tious. But the reverse is also with and deform good things true. Because we are one like productivity, security and body, the love of God in Christ universal interaction. We, who can spread throughout the enjoy political freedom, and a world, like yeast that leavens standard of living most of the the whole lump of dough. So world cannot imagine, may when Jesus ransoms us, he not relate to the helplessness doesn’t just free us for ourand despair of Jesus’ own selves, he frees us to convey people under Roman rule. the grace we have received to But we know what it feels like everyone we come into conto feel helpless and hopetact with. less in the face of forces we But we can only convey ourselves have unleashed and that grace to others if we are which now threaten to enslave willing to embrace our conus or destroy us. We are well nection with them, just as acquainted with individual sin Jesus has embraced his conand systemic evil, and if we nection with us. This is where are Christians, we still look to we join Jesus in his work of Jesus as our ransom. ransom. We cannot stand up So how does this ransom to Satan and offer ourselves work? Let’s start by looking as a sinless substitute for again at who is doing the ranthe human race, as Jesus Convention Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral. Photos by Julie Murray. soming. In today’s passage, did. But we can, out of joyful Jesus says, “The son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give himself obedience to our savior, place ourselves at the service of others, in such a way that as a ransom for many.” Whenever Jesus refers to the son of man he is talking about we learn to identify with their fears and failures, learning from them as we share with himself. In so doing, he is putting two seemingly opposite identities together. Since them the new life we have found in Christ. Jesus and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. “son of man” was the Jewish way of saying “everyman,” Jesus is saying he identifies This is the ministry of ransom to which the church has always been called, and to with ordinary human beings, and embraces the human condition as his own. But which we are called anew in this time. “son of man” also had a technical meaning in Jewish religious thought, as a reference This is what we mean when we talk about the church going where people really to the prophet Daniel’s vision of one “in the likeness of a son of man,” sent from the are – to the poor and the marginalized, but also to a whole generation that doesn’t throne of heaven to establish justice on earth. So Jesus is presenting himself as the know Jesus at all. As individuals and parishes we are being called to venture beyond one who has been sent by God to enter fully into the human condition, in order to outreach to engagement and partnership with the neighbors who are all around us. free us from the abuse of power that is where all human sinfulness begins.

As Suzanne Watson Epting reminded us, the question facing every congregation How might we think about this? We might say that Jesus has entered fully into our today is this: “Do you know who your neighbors are? Rising to the challenge of this condition, and continues to do so. But because he is God’s own word, he is without question involves an element of exposure and risk, even sacrifice, whether it means sin. Therefore he offers sin no entry point into himself. In fact, whenever he encounfinding ways to be in conversation with the thousands of young professionals who ters sin, instead of being infected by it, he reverses the process, so that God’s holiare now repopulating our city centers – if you were out on the town last night you ness can begin to heal and transform the whole body of our sin. saw them. Or finding ways to be in conversation with women who have been trafThis reversal occurs whenever we are touched by Jesus, whether in the Eucharist, ficked into prostitution: at the House of Bishops meeting in Nashville we became in prayer, or through the ministration of others. In that moment, if we are open to it, acquainted with a far-reaching ministry to prostitutes which all began with a few Jesus identifies himself with us totally, not so as to absorb us into himself, but so people deciding to talk with them instead of crossing to the other side. that our sorrow, our sin, our fear, our faithlessness can enter into the laboratory of Wherever we are situated, there are neighbors to befriend, emerging practices to his heart and be rehabilitated, restructured and redirected. For instance, if I am angry engage, institutions to partner with, and secular gathering places to frequent, not just and embittered because someone has wronged me, Jesus can enter into my bitteras givers and teachers, but as guests and learners. ness and fully understand it and sympathize with it, but not be hooked by it, and so This is the story of the early church as Acts tells it. The movement that begins open a space for forgiveness. on Pentecost is surprisingly fluid and non-institutional. We see rules and disciplines Is this not ransom? Jesus stands with us in our hatred and paralysis and offers us evolving, but they are clearly subordinated to Jesus’ call to kingdom openness. a way out, both by his example, but more deeply, by standing in for us, doing within Structures develop and common practices take shape, but in every case they supus what we could not do for ourselves. This is the way in which Jesus serves us, port and sustain the church’s deeper and deeper engagement with a world that sudeven in his exaltation. This is the diakonia of Jesus, who through his own sinlessdenly seems ready to hear good news. We often say that form follows function. Here ness has conquered sin and death, and made the whole creation new. By identifying we might say that structure follows Spirit. That’s where we need to be today. God himself with us, and slowly but surely alchemizing our dross into gold, Jesus injects does not care nearly so much about how we fare institutionally as about how we God’s love back into the human race, disempowering systemic evil person by perextend God’s ransom to whoever is around us. son.

That’s what the hallmarks of health are all about in the end. Every one of the videos But here comes the scary part. When Jesus identifies himself with us, he frees us. But he is freeing us as part of something bigger than ourselves, because as a Continued on next page human race we are all connected to one another. That’s not something we choose –

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we’ve been seeing is about embracing our connection with one another, and realizing that the embrace of connection is ever-expanding: we cannot cap it or draw circles around it.

This is also the principle at the heart of our common ministry statement: “As Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southern Ohio we are called to tell the common story, proclaim our common faith, pray our common prayer, drink the common cup, and serve the common good.”

We can draw a straight line from knowing and claiming how Jesus has ransomed us, to the service we offer the world in joyful obedience to our Lord. That line begins with each of us exploring our relationship with Jesus, and moves ever outward through the practices that mark our common life as the church: witnessing publicly to our faith, joining Jesus in his work of intercession, and acknowledging and bearing one another’s burdens. But we have not fully lived into that common life until we are both impelled and drawn into the world that surrounds us and of which we are a part.

Isn’t this what it means to be a diocese? Why do we bother with diocesan life, with all its inconvenience, unwieldiness and expense? We do so because at its very heart the Episcopal Church is about the embrace of connection, the reclaiming of the spirit of passionate engagement with the world that runs through the Book of Acts.

When Archbishop Cranmer put together the first Book of Common Prayer in 1549, he wasn’t simply creating a form of public worship that would be fully accessible to ordinary people. He was trying to recreate a pattern of church life that went beyond the walls of the monasteries and found its true center in the give-and-take of life out in the world. This was a book of common prayer because it reflected the vision of a whole people ransomed by Christ.

Of course, Cranmer was a nationalist, a monarchist, and an enemy of religious pluralism. But that should not blind us to the explosive idea that permeated his prayer book and therefore permeates our tradition to this day, namely, that the church is not an enclosure, but an open landscape, and that landscape is the world.

It is especially important for us Episcopalians to remember this, because we are doubly shaped, first by Cranmer’s vision, and then by the American revolution. When our revolution drove most Anglicans to Nova Scotia, those who remained had to figure out how to be Anglican without being English. This forced them to look more searchingly into the prayer book, and there they discovered a vision that transcended monarchy, nationalism and establishment altogether. We eventually renamed ourselves the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and by the 1870s were spearheading what would become the ecumenical movement, offering to give up any inessential structures and practices for the sake of Christian unity. All we insisted on was the Bible, the sacraments, the creeds, and, of course, bishops.

I say all this because it is important to remember who we are. As Episcopalians, connection every which way is in our blood. This is especially true in Ohio, whose first bishop, Philander Chase, established Episcopal churches across the state, placing them as close as possible to the county court house, precisely because he believed the Episcopal Church had an obligation to play a role in the moral and spiritual life of the body politic. We are the heirs of that vision, called to keep moving toward common ministry amongst ourselves, but ultimately to move from common ministry to common cause with all people of good will.

This is why we bother with being a diocese, united together across all our differences in communion with a bishop, as the adjective “episcopal” declares, since “episcopal” simply means having bishops. The office of bishop connects us, in turn, with the universal church, backwards and forwards in time, and in all directions in space. Connection every which way is the diocesan principle. It’s not just about the connection of every Episcopal congregation with every other Episcopal congregation in a defined geographical area. It’s the connection of every parish with its surrounding neighbors, its neighborhood, not to woo them into our pews, though they are always welcome, but to establish ever-expanding relationships of trust and hope.

Diocesan life begins with our own experience of being ransomed by Christ, and our willingness to talk with one another about that. If that is not our grounding as a diocese, if the diocese doesn’t spring from our encounter with a savior who impels us toward wider and wider circles of neighborliness, then we might as well throw in the towel. There is nothing efficient about our relationship to one another as commu-

nities of faith and practice. And while it is true that there are things we can do better together than separately, we are not likely to have passion for that kind of collaboration if our togetherness seems like something artificial, imposed from above. It has to be exactly the opposite. Diocesan life is the logical product of parish life, if and when it is the fruit of every congregation’s drive to embrace connection with everything around it.

So here we are, gathered in our cathedral as the clergy and lay leaders of a diocese that wants to re-examine and reform its structures and its ways of doing things.

But the deeper question is whether we are willing to offer ourselves to our neighbors in an attitude of service whose trajectory is ransom. Form follows function, and for us, structure must follow Spirit. If we are not willing to turn ourselves inside out for the sake of connection, and risk losing our identity as Episcopalians in the process, then adjusting our structures will produce nothing of spiritual value. Furthermore, if risktaking connection is not being persistently pursued in our parishes, then whatever we do at the so-called diocesan level will not amount to much, since any diocese worth its salt is a result of such risk-taking connection.

But we can risk the change that comes when we bear one another’s burdens and share one another’s joys. Why? Because Christ, who bought us with the price of his own blood, loves us, stands by us, and urges us on. Thanks be to God. In the meanwhile, as we heard yesterday, the Task Force on Reimagining the Diocese has been doing its work. Their excellent report is posted on line for you to read, and I will not try to summarize it here. However, they do make two proposals, which I would like to present to you as resolutions, which I hope you will adopt later today. First, they seek convention’s authorization to continue their work until our next convention in 2014. Second, they want to engage the diocese in a conversation about what it means for us all to be the diocese together. We are all in this together.

I hope that we will act favorably on those requests.

May the One who created and ransomed us for connection through Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, give us grace to serve God and one another, to God’s glory and our good.

I conclude with the collect from Morning Prayer which provides us with this year’s convention theme: Almighty God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord (BCP, p. 99).

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resolutions R13-01 A Resolution on the Resistance to Racial Profiling

A resolution directing that each vestry/mission council prepare a statement of resistance to racial profiling.

Resolved, that each Vestry and Mission Council of the Diocese of Southern Ohio prepare a Statement of Resistance to Racial Profiling which clearly commits its members to prayerful and thoughtful community action and respectful behavior one toward another; and be it further Resolved, that such Statements of Resistance to Racial Profiling be prepared and presented to their respective congregations by All Saints’ Day of 2014; and be it further Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio’s Social Justice and Public Policy Network track the execution of this resolution by the congregations and report the results to Diocesan Council for inclusion in the Journal of the 140th Convention.

The Resolution passed as amended

R13-02 A Renewed Commitment to Interreligious Relations

Whereas, the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted (and the 77th General Convention re-affirmed) a “Theological Statement on Interreligious Relations,” and with it encouraged dioceses, congregations and other organizations of The Episcopal Church to initiate dialogue with people of different religions in order that together we may grow in mutual understanding and make common cause in peacemaking, social justice and religious liberty; therefore be it Resolved that the 139th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio affirms this theological statement and calls for a process merging Christian formation, corporate worship, community ministry and ecumenical/interreligious sharing during the year of 2014 and leading toward the 78th General Convention in 2015, and be it further Resolved that the Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations Commission of the Diocese of Southern Ohio initiate a program of congregational and deanery-wide reflection on the theological statement and the companion resource, “Toward Our Mutual Flourishing” by Lucinda Allen Mosher (Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., 2012) commencing in the Season of Epiphany 2014 and explore hosting a state-wide gathering with the Diocese of Ohio in an effort to share resources and make new partnerships

for interreligious understanding and common service to the world, and be it further Resolved that this convention urge our deputies to the 78th General Convention to seek ways to join with other diocesan deputations in reporting on the experiences of working with this theological statement and invite The Episcopal Church to a renewed commitment to interreligious relations, dialogue and partnerships of mutual respect and life-enhancing relationship with all God’s people.

The Resolution passed

R13-03 A Resolution in Support of the Young Adult Service Corps

Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio commend the work of the Young Adult Service Corps and especially Margaret Clinch, a parishioner of Christ Church, Dayton, and one of only 28 participants nationally, for her current service in a ministry of the Episcopal Church at Easter College, Baguio City, Philippines, with the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Northern Philippines; and be it further Resolved, that the Diocese of Southern Ohio and its member parishes publicize the opportunity for other young people to participate in this ministry.

The Resolution passed

Photo by Fred Shirley

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139th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio

R13-04 A Resolution urging Divestment from Fossil Fuel Corporations and Industries Resolved, that the 139 Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio raise its prophetic voice regarding the urgency in healing the climate of the Earth, God’s gift and our home, which holds resources for all future life, by addressing the unbridled use and exploration of fossil fuel that causes human suffering and economic injustice throughout the world, and be it further Resolved, that all individuals within the Diocese who are blessed to own or control investment portfolios be encouraged to develop and implement a plan to divest from investments in companies holding fossil fuel reserves by June 30, 2019, and be it further Resolved, that all Vestries, Mission Councils, Financial Committees and other entities that oversee or control investments are strongly encouraged to develop and implement a plan to divest all investments in companies holding fossil fuel reserves by June 30, 2019 and that the content of such plans be presented to the 2015 Diocesan Convention, and be it further Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be shared with the Trustees of the Diocese with a request for a prayerful consideration of this issue and resolution, and be it further Resolved, that our deputies to the 78th General Convention are hereby requested to share this resolution with their colleagues in Provence V asking them to co-sponsor a resolution urging The Episcopal Church (TEC) to initiate action to divest all holdings of fossil fuel companies over a five year period, and be it further Resolved, that a Task Force be appointed by the Bishop to develop educational materials for individual investors and congregations to use in the process of divesting and that the 2015 budget include support of resources to affect such training across the Diocese, using webinars whenever possible.

Even Sr. Priscilla joined in the ‘Twitter fever’ that took over convention!

Photo by Amanda Bower

#diosohio2013: Tweeting convention

Our Twitter feed set a new standard with over 1,000 tweets! (We even noticed there were people from other dioceses following our Tweets and wishing us well.)

The Resolution does not pass

Resolution R13-05 Continuing the work of the Reimagining Task Force Resolved that the 139th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio authorizes the Reimagining Task Force to continue its work on reforming the structures, governance and administration of the Diocese, and be it further Resolved that the Task Force be encouraged to undertake a process to engage members of congregations, communities of faith, and other Diocesan institutions, across a broad spectrum of demographics, to discern perception of the Diocese and Diocesan structures, and be it further Resolved that the Task Force present the results of this engagement process to the 140th Diocesan Convention in 2014, along with recommendations for and budgetary steps to bridge the perceived gap between the current and desired state of Diocesan identity, and be it further Resolved that the Task Force work to develop, in tandem with the intentional conversation process, a communications strategy to recreate and better articulate the vision and purpose for the Diocese.

The Resolution passed

A small snapshot of the 1000+ tweets by delegates and guests over the twoday convention.

“To Serve You is Perfect Freedom”

ballot results

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139th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio

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around convention

The Re-Imagining Task Force passed out buttons reminding us all that each of us IS the diocese.

Volunteers from around the diocese helped the registration process run smoothly

Lauren Faller and the Rev. Christopher Richardson, co-chairs of the diocese’s Re-Imagining Task Force, asked the convention, “Who are you?”

homeselling inistr y le b ta urch M exhibit ation’s t the Street Ch g re g n o c efi ed the up ben s, mann ale of the so u b m lu n’s, Co m the s f St. Joh . Proceeds fro o r to c re ix soup m e Reat, ee Ann anquet bean L . v e R Photos by Fred Shirley B The eavenly H e d a m and Julie Murray hn’s. at St. Jo

“To Serve You is Perfect Freedom” The convention keynote speaker, the Rev. Susanne Watson Epting, past president of the Association of Episcopal Deacons, examined the current state and direction of the diaconate in the Episcopal Church. Reminding us that we are all called to diakonia, Epting had this to say: “If we believe that baptism is the first call to ministry and everyone has gifts for ministry – and if we believe that engaging with Christ every day, no matter what we’re doing at work, at school, at play – then we see people as glorious and gifted who, with God, offer goodness, possibility, and who can transform the world. We take that into our identity as baptized people and we take that into our identity as deacons.

That means – we’re in this together.

Just as we promise together, in the Baptismal Covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, deacons promise that “at all times in our lives and teaching we are to show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless, they are serving Christ himself.” We are charged with that responsibility by the Church, the people of God, by the bishop on your behalf and in your presence.

Just as we promise together, in the Baptismal Covenant to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being, so deacons are charged by the Church, to “interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world.”

We are in this together. And so deacons are developers of diaconal ministry in others. The skills that we need and the things that we learn to equip us in this special ministry are skills that you need, sometimes skills that you teach us about as you engage in your own ministries.”

To read more of the keynote address or access any convention resources, visit www.diosohio.org. Look for the ‘139th Convention links’ box on the homepage.

The Rev. Susanne Watson Epting

out a b a y r o t Tell a s ou y h c i h w time in eone m o s d n failed a lieve e b o t you d e p l e h gain. a f l e s r in you oly H e h t as How w ent in that res Spirit p ? nce experie Bible study at convention was an exercise in sharing and connection.

Participants used cards with questions, like the one at the right, to start the conversation.

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139th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio

Conversation and connection with others was the hallmark of Bible study on Saturday.

Nearly 100 people participated in a “flash Compline� service on Fountain Square on Friday night of convention.

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PROCTER CENTER Procter Center The Diocese of Southern Ohio

Procter Farm at Columbus Winter Farmer’s Market

Procter Farm is selling produce at the Columbus Winter Farmer’s Market, located at Charity Newsies, 4300 Indianola Ave. in Columbus. Produce available:

Team Building at Procter

Summer Camp is still almost 30 weeks away, but it doesn’t have to be!

Talk with your youth pastors, teachers, co-workers, friends and family and come out for a chance to grow and come together through team building at Procter!

Email Brandon Howard at procterinfo@diosohio.org for more information.

potatoes sweet potatoes butternut squash delicate squash green storage cabbage red storage onions large head garlic beets carrots Remaining Market dates: Dec. 21 Jan. 4 Jan. 18 Feb. 1 Feb. 15 Mar. 1 Mar. 15 Get more information at http:// columbuswinterfarmersmarket. com/

Who’s visiting Procter Center?

Here are just a few of the non-diocesan groups visiting the Procter Center this winter: Bethel Presbyterian Men’s Retreat Presbytery of Scioto Valley Staff Retreat Heads of Communion Retreat Ohio State Leadership Class Retreat Wittenburg University Team Building First Presbyterian Church of Washington CH Affinity Clergy Cluster St. Andrews, Pickerington Vestry Retreat Creative Journey Scrapbooking Retreat Plain City United Methodist Church

And the following diocesan groups:

Commission on Ministry Diocesan Council Fresh Start and Residency Programs Anti Racism Training Young Adult Retreat Procter Case Study Group Winter Family Camp School for Diaconal Formation Lay Preacher Formation National and World Commission ECSF Board Retreat Common Ministry Leadership Training

Check out the Procter Center calendar at www.procter.diosohio.org/calendar

Photo by Brandon Howard