The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio

Our deputies will be blogging daily from General Convention to give you up-to-the-minute information and impressions on events that affect the Diocese of Ohio and the wider church. Stephen Gracey, St. Luke's, Cleveland, and the Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert, rector, Christ Church, Oberlin, are the official bloggers, but all deputies are signed up to blog.

Toledo-area Episcopalians were treated to a Mud Hens game with Bishop Hollingsworth throwing the first pitch for the team right over home plate on Thursday night, June 25. A rain delay of almost two hours after the first pitch gave the bishop and the 150 Episcopalians in attendance an opportunity to talk. But the wait was worth it. The Mud Hens won 4 to 2 over the Durham Bulls.

The Toledo Mud Hens are a Triple-A farm team for the Detroit Tigers.

Photo compliments of Critchley Creative. 

On the last day of the Convention, Friday, July 17th, eight cyclists from the Diocese of Ohio will saddle up and ride from Anaheim to the Episcopal Church Center in New York City. They will ride around the clock in a relay format, hoping to complete the journey in eight to 10 days. Their goal is to raise at least $100,000 for Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) from dioceses and communicants across The Episcopal Church The money will be designated for malaria control and prevention. Pictured are the Rev. Kelly O'Connell, rector, St. Mark's, Toledo; the Rev. Stephen Sedgwick, rector, Church of the Redeemer, Lorain; and Bishop Hollingsworth, with a malaria net across their shoulders. The bishop's license plate—MDG No. 7—refers to Millennium Development Goal number 7, which is assuring environmental sustainability.

Dear colleagues,

I am delighted to announce that the Rev. Mark Robinson has accepted my offer to serve on the Bishop’s Staff as Missions Officer. For the last 16 years Mark has been Rector of Calvary Church, Stonington, Connecticut. There he has helped develop extensive mission endeavors, both local and abroad, including starting a parish nursery school at Calvary Church and developing a companion relationship in South Africa. His experience with parochial and overseas mission will be a valuable resource for the congregations of the Diocese of Ohio.

Mark grew up in the Diocese of Ohio and was confirmed by Bishop Burt at St. Timothy’s, Perrysburg. He will begin work on August 24. He and his wife, Eleanor, are the parents of three college and high school age daughters. Please keep the Robinsons in your prayers as they make the transition to this new ministry in the Diocese of Ohio.

Gratefully,

Mark