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Communities of  
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February 3, 2015
What's new this week:
Feb. 15 World Mission Sunday

Traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday after Epiphany, World Mission Sunday in 2015 is February 15 in The Episcopal Church.

 

The purpose of World Mission Sunday is to focus on the global impact of the Baptismal Covenant's call to "seek and serve Christ in all persons" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 305), and to raise awareness of the many ways in which The Episcopal Church participates in God's mission around the world.

 

"World Mission Sunday gives us an opportunity to remember that all humanity is created in God's image and that we are called to reflect on how we are living into our baptismal vows and to engage concretely in mutual and interdependent relationships with our brothers and sisters around the world," noted the Rev. David Copley, Mission Personnel Officer.

 

Currently, Episcopal Church missionaries are located in many international locales, including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Jerusalem, Kenya, Mozambique, Panama, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, and Uruguay.

 

Resources 

For more information, contact Elizabeth Boe, Global Networking Officer, at eboe@episcopalchurch.org.
Remember people of West Africa in your prayers

Resolution R14-01, passed at the 140th annual convention in November, calls for all congregations, offices and meetings in the Diocese of Southern Ohio to include a prayerful petition for the elimination of the epidemic of Ebola in West Africa, and protection for all those who are in danger, especially in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. This prayerful petition should be offered at meetings, church services and in personal daily prayers for the duration of the epidemic.

Elizabeth Barker, author of the resolution and member of Diocesan Council, offers this prayer adopted by St. Patrick's, Dublin, as a suggested petition to be used within the context of the Prayers of the People:

We pray for the people of West Africa, especially in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, in the midst of the Ebola crisis.  We pray for those afflicted with the disease, their families, and the health workers fighting to stem the spread of the disease and care for those in need.

Barker also has learned from her contact in Liberia that they are now having a measles outbreak because of lack of immunizations that occurred when the Ebola outbreak was so bad. They are starting a nationwide campaign to immunize people against measles and other preventable diseases and have asked for our prayers to support the success of the campaign.
Upcoming events
Feb 6-7: Explorers' Retreat
Feb 8: Safe Church training (New Albany)
Feb 14: Safe Church training (Cathedral)
Feb 14: 32nd Annual Absalom Jones Celebration
Feb 20-22: Fully Alive young adult retreat (Chicago, IL)
Feb 21: Toward Our Mutual Flourishing Conference
Mar 1: Native American Roundtable
Mar 7: Spring Clergy Day
Mar 21: CoCL Best Practices Conference
Mar 31: Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils
Quick Connections
dsoConnections.org
Interchange archives
Stories from Episcopal News Service
Read news from around the diocese 

Economic inequality and the plight of low wage workers

 

The Rev Timothy Yeager, an American priest now living in London, will present his research and experience on growing economic inequality and the plight of low wage workers in a webinar on Feb. 7.  Yeager's knowledge of this topic is enriched by his background as a labor organizer and his work as a priest in Chicago.

 

The webinar is part of a joint education program developed by the Episcopal Networks Collaborative.  The three networks are the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice (ENEJ), the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) and the Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN).  

 

The first phase of the joint education program consists of a series of webinars covering issues of race, gender, and social inequality.  This webinar will be held Saturday, February 7, at 3 p.m. Eastern (To register, go to http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=EB54DC88864B3F) on the subject of worker justice and inequality.  Other webinar topics will include environmental racism, homelessness, indigenous immigrants from Latin America and alternative community investment strategies.  


 The second phase of the Collaborative's joint education will be a series of issues papers designed for use by action groups in Episcopal Congregations.  UBE President, Annette Buchanan, says "This is part of a continuing effort to improve the effectiveness of our networks by getting out of our silos and working together to empower Episcopalians to promote social justice."

 
Wendano: God's love among us!

Wendano Wendano, or 'God's love among us' is a village in Kenya where the residents live in extreme poverty.  It's also the name of a ministry of the Rev. Tom Fehr to orphans in that village. 

Come hear our story, enjoy authentic Kenyan food and share in joyful fellowship on Sunday, February 15 at 4 p.m. The fundraising event will be held at St. Mary's Retreat Center on the campus of the Community of the Transfiguration, located at 495 Albion Ave. in Glendale. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to Fehr

at tjfehr@gmail.com or 513.312.2614. All are welcome. There is no cost for the meal, a love offering will be gladly received.

 
Ohio State Men's and Women's Glee Clubs to perform at St. Mark's, Columbus

On Sunday, February 15, at 4 p.m. the Ohio State University Men's and Women's Glee Clubs will perform a special benefit concert at St. Mark's, Columbus. In lieu of ticketed admission, donations will be accepted in support of the St. Mark's Organ Completion Fund, which endeavors to complete the parish's beautiful Casavant organ to its originally conceived specifications. A reception will follow. 

Saint Mark's is located at 2151 Dorset Rd, Columbus. Please call 614-486-9452 for more information, or visit www.saintmarkscolumbus.org.
Divinity & Diversity: Building Our Beloved Community Together


 February 19-21

 

This February, Shoulder to Shoulder is partnering with the Noor Islamic Cultural Center and the Safe Alliance for Interfaith Leadership in Columbus, Ohio, to host an exciting conference on religious leadership and collaboration in an increasingly diverse United States. The conference will include interactive workshops, keynote talks, and facilitated networking conversations about building and strengthening interreligious relationships and resilient communities in America for years to come.  

 

For more information or to register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/divinity-diversity-conference-tickets-15273380091

 

Taizé Service at Trinity, Hamilton


 Trinity, Hamilton, will offer a Taizé worship service on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. The service will include both choral and congregational singing as well as instrumental music. There will be a wine and cheese reception following the service. 

 

Taizé (pronounced "teh-ZAY") worship is a participatory prayer service designed to achieve a contemplative state through music, song, readings, and silence. Short chants and responses in repetition give the service a meditative character. Silence along with candle light and chant offer a deepening perception of the presence of the Holy Spirit and have attracted people of all ages and especially young people world wide.

 

The Taizé Community is an ecumenical monastic order in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy in eastern France.  It is composed of more than 100 brothers from Protestant and Catholic traditions from some thirty countries across the globe.  

 

We invite all to invite attend and to experience the calming and renewing spirituality of Taizé. Trinity is located at 115 N 6th Street in Hamilton. Call 513.896.6755 for more information.

 


Public Policy Spotlight
public policy logo New Ohio bill would restrict abortions
Hunger Leaders Day - February 28, 2015

Forum with Cincinnati City Manager: Harry Black, Cincinnati's new City Manager will speak and take questions at the annual meeting of MARCC, the city's interfaith coalition, on Tuesday, Feb. 10 starting with dinner at 5:30 p.m. This is a great chance to network with social justice advocates from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Unitarian community. Dinner costs $20 and reservations and payment are due by Friday, Feb. 6 - email MARCC@fuse.net or call 513.721.4843.  

 

Repeats, reminders, etc.
32nd Annual Absalom Jones Celebration

Renewing Our Commitment to the Ministry of Social Justice and Reconciliation
 

Absalom JonesThe 32nd annual Absalom Jones Celebration will feature a symposium on race, gender and economic equality followed by a Festal Choral Eucharist. Sponsored by the Bishop Herbert Thompson, Jr. Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Christ Church Cathedral, Church of the Redeemer and the Diocese of Southern Ohio, the celebration will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, Feb. 14. 

 

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with registration and continental breakfast. Opening prayer begins at 9:30 a.m. The keynote address for the symposium will be delivered by Clarence G. Newsome, Ph. D., President of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, the Elizabeth Conolly Todd Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD.

 

Two workshops will follow lunch at 1 p.m.: 

  • How can your organization/congregation engage and participate in the work of social justice? 
    Presenter: Charles A. Wynder, Jr., Office of Social Justice & Advocacy Engagement,
    The Episcopal Church 
  • Second Chance Act
    Presenter: Aaron Pullins, Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence Team Leader
Theodicy Jazz Collective
Theodicy Jazz Collective

At  2:15 p.m. both workshops will be repeated. The day will conclude at 3:30 p.m. with a Festive worship service to commemorate the life and ministry of the Rev. Absalom Jones, featuring music by Theodicy Jazz Collective.


 A choir rehearsal for those wishing to participate in a combined choir at the worship service will be held at 1:30 p.m.

 

Bus transportation from Dayton and Columbus may be available. Please contact St. Margaret's Church (937.837.7741) in Dayton or St. Philip's Church (614.253.2771) in Columbus for details.

 

The event is free, but registration is required. Register at: https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/renewing-our-commitment/. The deadline for registration is Feb. 10.

 

Download a bulletin insert for the celebration at 
http://s3.amazonaws.com/dfc_attachments/public/documents/3202332/AJ_bulletin_half2.pdf 

 

 
Toward Our Mutual Flourishing Conference Feb. 21

The Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Commission of the Diocese of Southern Ohio cordially invites you to participate in a one-day consultation on The Episcopal Church's Theological Statement on Inter-Religious engagement, Towards Our Mutual Flourishing. The consultation, which will feature eminent inter-religious scholar Dr. Lucinda Mosher and The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal, D. Phil, will also focus on the  question: What does it means to engage religious many-ness at  a pastoral level in the Diocese of Southern Ohio? 

FAQ:
What: Towards Our Mutual Flourishing Conference

Where: Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square (25 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.)

When: Saturday, February 21, 2015 (10:00 am - 3:00 pm)

Why: In light of increasing religious-spiritual diversity, we as Christians who are formed by the Anglican tradition need to equip ourselves to be good neighbors to our diverse neighbors.

Who: Open to all members of The Episcopal Church in the state of Ohio as well as those in Full Communion with The Episcopal Church or the Anglican Communion.


What does it cost? Monetarily, nothing. But the benefits are priceless! Registration deadline is Feb. 14.

More Questions? Please contact the Rev. Canon Manoj M. Zacharia, EIRC Convener, at 
mzacharia@cccath.org or 513.842.2054.
Fully Alive: A weekend of engagement with improv artist John Poole

A young adult retreat in Chicago Feb. 20-22 
Fully Alive flyerIn his book, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, Samuel Wells defines improvisation in the theater as "a practice through which actors seek to develop trust in themselves and one another in order that they may conduct unscripted dramas without fear." Sounds a lot like life, doesn't it? Building trust, overcoming fear, conducting relationships, and making choices-all without a script.

Wells establishes theatrical improvisation as a model for Christian ethics, a matter of "faithfully improvising on the Christian tradition." He views the Bible not as a "script" but as a "training school" that shapes the habits and practices of the Christian community. Drawing on scriptural narratives and church history, Wells explains tenets that characterize both improvisation and Christian ethics. His model of improvisation reinforces the goal of Christian ethics-to teach Christians to "embody their faith in the practices of discipleship all the time."

Not everyone wants to do improv, not if it means being on a stage in front of other people.  But some of the basic ideas that improv teaches are tremendously helpful to the spiritual life, and we think that everyone can benefit from them.  Take a look at the materials below, use it to prepare, play, and experiment with improv tenets in your community, and join us for the Fully Alive retreat!

To learn more and register, go to  www.fullyaliveretreat.tumblr.com 

The Fully Alive retreat is a creation of Episcopal Campus Ministries in Prov V, which includes the University of Wisconsin, The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, Butler University, Purdue University, the University of Indiana, the University of Michigan, Kenyon College, The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, Miami University, and many other luminous academic institutions.  The retreat is open to young adults (up to age 30) whether or not they're enrolled in school.

Preventative Health Screenings at Church of the Good Samaritan

 

The Church of the Good Samaritan, Amelia, is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Good Samaritan on Feb. 24.


 Life Line Screening has partnered with over 150 hospitals across the country and has screened nearly 8 million people. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta: hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. 


 Register for a screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129. Please call 888.653.6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/communitypartners.  

 

 
Refresh Your Soul Conference

Native American Roundtable

 

Sunday, March 1, 2015

2 to 4:30 p.m.
Procter Center

 

The Diocese of Southern Ohio and the Native American Council of Christ Church Cathedral are sponsoring a Native American Roundtable at Procter Center. The Roundtable is open to all who are interested in Native American issues, concerns and opportunities. 

 

Many of the churches in the diocese have been involved in mission work and supporting Native Americans on reservations.  The Roundtable is being held to promote collaboration and engagement in working for and with our Native American sisters and brothers throughout the US.  Please join us in this important initiative.

 

Please register at https://diosohio.wufoo.com/forms/native-american-roundtable/ by February 25, so appropriate hospitality can be offered. If you have questions, please email the Rev. Anne Reed, Canon for Mission at areed@diosohio.org.

 
The Seven The Seven: A mentored experience in diaconal ministry for young adults

"Choose seven from among you who are known to be full of the spirit and wisdom?"  - Acts 6:3

Do you want to learn how to integrate your everyday experiences in the world around you with your daily commitment to a life of faith? Do you long to make a difference in the place you live?  

The Seven is a part-time, 10-month hands-on spiritual and educational experience for young adults (18-30 years old) who want to engage in meaningful work and reflection while discerning their own vocational calls, in mentored relationships with Episcopal deacons. The format provides monthly mentorship meetings, formation through readings and reflection online, and two group retreats.  

Interested to learn more? Contact:
The Rev. Jane Gerdsen at 513.543.0440, freshexpressions@diosohio.org
The Rev. Douglas Argue at 614.312.1176, douglas.argue@cohhio.org
Bethany Open House

Cosmology flyer

Online parochial report filing underway

 

Online filing of the 2014 parochial reports began January 2.  Packets, including hard copies of the report and log-in information with UEID and PIN numbers, were mailed the second week of December.  Please note that the workbooks for help in filling out the report are available online.

To download the workbooks and a PDF of the 2014 Parochial Report, please use the following link:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/parochial-report



Job opportunities

Administrative Assistant

St. Alban's, Bexley, is currently seeking a full-time administrative assistant at 40 hours per week to work with us in our ministry. Helpful traits are a gracious ability to interact with visitors and guests, a love of service, and a friendly, warm demeanor. Candidates must have a working knowledge of basic Office computer software including Outlook, Word, and Excel. We also use Publisher, Constant Contact, Google Drive, and a Web site application. See more

 

 

Organist/Musician (part-time)
Trinity Newark, seeks a part-time organist/musician. Our organist of 15 years retired at the end of December. Our pipe organ is a 1957 Schantz Restored 2 manual 10 rank with 730 pipes. We have an Allen electronic that we currently use while our Nave is undergoing repairs to the roof superstructure. We anticipate expanding our music program. Required is one weekly choir practice with a Sunday rehearsal and a 10:30 a.m. sung Mass. This position is an interim for 2-3 months. The person filling this position will be considered for the permanent position. Contact the Rev. Dr. Ronny W. Dower, PIC 740.562.5356 (Cell).


Youth Minister (part-time)
St. George's is a family-oriented church situated on Far Hills Ave in the southern suburbs of Dayton.  We have about a dozen or more youth who are actively involved in our youth programs (grades 6-12 with a center of gravity in 8th and 9th grades).  We have very engaged parents who provide a lot of leadership.  We desire someone with a vibrant Christian faith and a commitment to sharing that faith with young people. The youth leader does not need to be an Episcopalian, although familiarity with our traditions would be valued. Further, we believe that parents have the lead role in forming their children as disciples and our role as clergy and lay leaders is to equip, support, and encourage.  At St. George's we have an average Sunday worship attendance of around 215 across three services (8, 10:30, and 5pm).  The youth leader would be expected to be present on Sunday mornings from roughly 9am to Noon in addition to leading the youth group's activities at other times (regularly at 3-5pm on Sunday afternoons).  The youth leader will work closely with the associate rector as part of our comprehensive family ministries here at St. George's.  This is a part-time position but the work will be rich with resources.  Prospective candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to the Rev. Dr. Calvin Lane via email associate@stgeorgeohio.org.  Please feel free also to email with questions or call 937.434.1781 (ext 104).

Connections Deadlines
Didn't see any news about your congregation here? Submit your news! The deadline for each weekly e-Connections is every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

The deadline for Connections, the bi-monthy publication of the diocese, is every other month on the last day of the month:   
 
Jan 31 (Feb/Mar issue)
Mar 31 (Apr/May)
May 31 (Jun/Jul)
July 31 (Aug/Sep)
Sept 30* (Oct/Nov)
Nov 30 (Dec/Jan) 
 
Please send items to communication@diosohio.org. 

*convention issue. Deadline may be changed in order to have all convention materials available for pre-convention meetings.
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