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Federal reporting guidelines for churches
Church Pension Group has prepared a summary of important reporting requirement for churches. The manual, updated for 2013, will help treasurers, vestries and parish administrators understand the reports needed to be filed to stay in compliance with federal regulations. If you have question related to this manual you may contact David Robinson, Diocesan Financial Officer, by email at DRobinson@diosohio.org. |
| Episcopal Task Force for Church Structural Reform issues statement
The Episcopal Church Task Force for Church Structural Reform has issued a statement following the group's inaugural meeting February 14 - 16:
At the 77th General Convention, the Holy Spirit called The Episcopal Church to reimagine itself and how it can more deeply live into its identity in our rapidly changing world. The church responded to this call by unanimously adopting Resolution C095 in both houses, which created and commissioned this task force. On February 14, the appointed task force enthusiastically convened to begin our work. In our three days of discussion, prayer, and worship together, we have been energized by the diversity of talents, cultures, and life experiences present at the table, and we have been inspired by our shared love for the church and our passion for the creative work before us.
We organized ourselves for business, agreeing on a leadership team consisting of two conveners, Dr. Catherine George and the Rev. Canon Craig Loya, and four initial working group leaders, Julia Ayala Harris, Margaret Shannon, the Rev. Leng Lim, and the Rev. Joseph Chambers. A secretary and two chaplains will be appointed prior to our next gathering. At this first meeting, we were also joined by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Jennings, and Executive Officer of General Convention the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, who offered us their valuable insights and made us aware of resources that will assist us in our work.
We have started the process of developing an engagement strategy that will enable us to live into our commitment to transparency while preserving the sanctity of holy conversation. We further aim not only to provide a window into our work, but to provoke a parallel process of dialogue around questions of identity, structure, and culture at all levels of the church. To facilitate that discernment, we plan to offer a range of opportunities to obtain input and feedback from all corners of the church, and we urge all members to reflect prayerfully alongside us and to offer their insights and wisdom. These opportunities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Drawing on language from Resolution C095, we have chosen to call ourselves the Task Force for Re-imagining the Episcopal Church: structures, governance, and administration (TREC). We hope that this conveys a sense of our work's scope, as well as our desire to take a journey with the whole church as we discover how we are being called to be the body of Christ in the world.
May the Holy Spirit continue to bless and guide the church through this time of change and new life.
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| Call-in day today on Medicaid Expansion
Ohio's Episcopal Bishops and many religious, health care, civic and business organizations throughout Ohio are celebrating the decision of Governor Kasich to endorse Medicaid expansion, which will make it possible for thousands of our neighbors, primarily working age adults without dependent children, to be covered for health and mental health care they otherwise cannot possibly afford.
A major non-partisan study by a research team including Ohio State has determined that this plan will reduce the burden of uncompensated care and untreated illness, stimulate employment, and be a significant net economic benefit to the state. Now the proposal is before the Ohio House of Representatives, many of whom oppose it. Your call can help convince them that there is broad public support to extend health coverage to 275,000 Ohioans in the state budget.
The message is simple: "Please keep Medicaid Expansion in the budget, we can't afford NOT to expand coverage."
Step 1: Find Your State Representative * Click here to enter your zip code (and address if needed) to find your state representative
Step 2: Call Your State Representative
* After you find out who your legislator is from the link above, call him/her using this sample script:
"I'm calling to urge Representative (insert rep's name) to keep Medicaid Expansion in the budget. If we choose not to extend Medicaid, Ohio taxpayers will pay an additional $404 million over the next two years, lose $2.4 billion($13 billion over seven years) of Ohioans' federal tax dollars to support Ohio's priorities, and put at risk local mental health and addiction services. We can't afford NOT to extend Medicaid in the state budget."
Step 3: Call House Finance Chairman Ron Amstutz
* Call 614.466.7584 using this sample script:
"I'm calling to urge Representative Amstuz to keep Medicaid Expansion in the budget. If we choose not to extend Medicaid, Ohio taxpayers will pay an additional $404 million over the next two years, lose $2.4 billion ($13 billion over seven years) of Ohioans' federal tax dollars to support Ohio's priorities, and put at risk local mental health and addiction services. We can't afford not to extend Medicaid in the state budget."
Step 4: Email Your State Representative
* Use the sample letter included in the link above, enter your information, and to send an email to your legislator. Customize the email with your reasons for supporting Medicaid expansion.
Step 5: Log Your Call * Click here to log your call so we can track how many calls and emails state representatives received in support of the Medicaid Expansion.
Step 6: Spread the Word * Forward this message to a friend * Post on Twitter and Facebook using this social media toolkit* Follow Ohioans Support Medicaid Expansion on Facebook * Tweet using the hashtag #OH4ME |
Bishop Breidenthal writes foreward to new book by world-renowned theologian  Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal has written the foreward to a new book by world-renowned theologian Walter Brueggemann. In Truth Speaks to Power: The Countercultural Nature of Scripture, published by Westminster John Knox Press, Walter Brueggeman "invites readers to take a closer look at the subversive messages found within the Old Testament." According to the publisher's website, "Brueggemann asserts that the Bible presents a "sustained contestation" over truth, in which established institutions of power do not always prevail. But this is not always obvious at first glance. A closer look reveals that the text actually contradicts the apparent meaning of an innocent, face-value reading. Brueggemann invites the reader into this thick complexity of the textual reading, where the authority of power is undermined in cunning and compelling ways. He insists that we are-as readers and interpreters-always contestants for truth, whether we recognize ourselves as such or not." In his foreword, Breidenthal writes, "In my view, Truth Speaks to Power represents (Brueggeman's) boldest exploration to date of the radical and subversive political implications of the Bible." Find out more about Truth Speaks to Power at http://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664239145/truth-speaks-to-power.aspx |
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Upcoming Events
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Click here to see the diocesan calendar |
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Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.
Our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is listed both in a perpetual calendar and a Word document on the diocesan website and is updated frequently.
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Lent Resources |
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Campus Ministry to open Episcopal Art Space for Everyone
Episcopal Campus Ministries is opening an art gallery at Saint Stephen's, Columbus, as part of our outreach to The Ohio State University. The Episcopal Art Space for Everyone (E.A.S.E.) will feature work by students, faculty and alumni.
The grand opening will be held Saturday, March 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. and feature the amazing work of glass artist Jacci Delaney. All are welcome.
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Bexley Hall/Trinity Lutheran Seminary Exploration Event
Are you feeling called to service in the church and world? Have you considered a seminary education? Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary will host an "Exploration Event" on April 2 and 3 for those who wish to explore a new vocation and learn more about seminary. The event will take place on the Trinity campus, located at 2199 E. Main Street, Columbus, and is free and open to anyone who wants to discover where God may be calling them. The two-day event begins with registration at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and runs through 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Lodging and meals will be provided. Need-based travel assistance also is available. Trinity Lutheran and Bexley Hall seminaries invite participants to explore their faith, their passion, and their purpose; to meet seminary students, professors, and staff; to visit a seminary classroom; to learn how students find scholarships, interact with local churches and other ministries, and study abroad. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to tour the campus, the neighborhood, and the greater Columbus area. Find out what it's like to venture into the world of seminary and beyond. |
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News from around the diocese |
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Headlines from Episcopal News Service |
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