Last Things: Program explores death and burial planning

Procter Conference Center

Saturday, April 18

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Woody Allen once quipped, "It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens."

Many of us feel the same way. Even so, the Church encourages us to grapple with the reality of our "last things." There's good reason for this: the time of death is always a crisis. For each one of us who lives on, the death of those we care for is (to one degree or another) a painful and traumatic experience. It's an event that changes the landscape of our lives, for the rest of our lives.

And yet, despite its inevitability, we tend to come to death not only suffering from natural grief, but unprepared. The crisis, then, deepens and becomes even more painful as we are forced to do what we don't want to do, and to make decisions for which we have not planned. The spiritual, emotional and financial repercussions can be immense.

The time to think and talk with one another about death is now - instead of waiting for the moment of crisis. Such preplanning is a prudent and loving act that yields a multitude of blessings - now, and

The Rev. Charlie Brumbaugh

in the hour of our death.

The Affirmative Aging Commission invites you - whether you are nineteen or ninety-nine - to join the Rev. Charlie Brumbaugh at the Procter Center for Last Things, an exploration of these issues on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost of $15 per person covers the whole program and lunch. Please register by April 4 at www.diosohio.org.

There will be much to learn and many stories to tell as we consider Christian perspectives on death, grief, burial practices, rites of burial and stewardship in death. It's our hope that by the time you drive home, you'll be well on your way to making wise and loving decisions about what is to happen upon your death. We are confident that you'll find this seminar not only informative and useful, but also thought-provoking and, yes, even fun!

Apply now for campus ministries grants

Applications are now accepted by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society for grant proposals from dioceses, parishes or community colleges/colleges/universities for new as well as current campus ministries in higher education institutions located throughout The Episcopal Church.

"The proposals for grants are meant to assist in the start-up of new campus ministries or the restart of dormant campus ministries," explained the Rev. Shannon Kelly, Acting Missioner for Campus and Young Adult Ministries for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.

There are two categories of grants:

*A series of Campus Ministries grants to provide seed money to assist in the start-up of new, innovative campus ministries or to enhance a current program; grants will range from $3,000 to $5,000.

* One Leadership grant to establish a new, restore a dormant, or re-energize a current campus ministry; the grant will range between $20,000 and $30,000 and can be used over a two-year period with all monies being dispersed in 2015.

The grant applications are for the 2015-2016 academic year with the monies being dispersed in 2015. Deadline for submitting grant proposals is April 30.

Guidelines, addition information and to submit a proposal(s) here. A total of $95,292 in grant money is available.

For more information contact Kelly at skelly@episcopalchurch.org

Black Swamp Saxophone Quartet at St. John's, Worthington

St. John's, Worthington, will host the Black Swamp Saxophone Quartet for an exciting concert on Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m.

The Black Swamp Saxophone Quartet

 The Black Swamp Saxophone Quartet (Michael Cox, Michael Torres, Wes Miller, and Jay Miglia) has been presenting unique and exciting performances since its inception in 1986 at Bowling Green State University. The quartet plays a variety of musical styles and selects literature from a vast repertoire of classical, jazz and contemporary music. The BSSQ has performed widely and has also been artist-in-residence at the Arosa Musikwochen in Switzerland. They were first prize winners in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and finalists in the Martigny (Italy) International Music Competition. 

There is no charge for admission; a freewill offering will be taken to support the Music Series. St. John's is located at 700 High Street in Worthington (Columbus), on the southeast corner of the Olde Worthington Village Green (High Street at SR 161). Visit www.StJohnsWorthington.org for more information.