I'm so excited about our Connecting with Others page! Thanks to you who have shared so far. Please keep those pictures and notes coming. Please send to Liz Rea at lizrea.lake@gmail.com
OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW IN FAITH AND LEADERSHIP
AGRARIAN MINISTRY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
INFO SESSION:
September 4, 7 pm
EIGHT-SESSION COURSE:
January-May 2025
The Agrarian Ministry Certificate will be a new, hybrid program with the Stevenson School of Ministry and the Procter Center. Its purpose is to prepare church leaders to teach, lead, and inspire their faith communities to steward the land in a way that is faithful to our call as disciples of Jesus.
Brian Sellers Petersen of the Faithful Agrarian and Jerusalem Greer of the Procter Center, co-founders of the Good News Garden Movement, will convene the certificate program.
This certificate combines online convenings, a directed final project, and an in-person retreat at the Procter Center. Learn more.
An informational session will be held on September 4 at 7 pm Eastern. Register online.
LOCATION
All in-person sessions will take place at the Procter Center.
Procter Center
11235 St. Rt. 38 SE
London, OH 43140
proctercenter.org
ABOUT THE PROCTER CENTER
As a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, Procter's mission as a farm, camp, and retreat center, is to embody and teach creation care, spiritual growth, hospitality, and belonging as we foster a beloved community. The center rests on 60 beautiful acres of a 1,200+ acre site in predominately agricultural Madison County, Ohio, conveniently located between Columbus and Cincinnati. Procter is a welcoming and affirming Episcopal Camp and Conference Center.
LEARN MORE
Diocese of Southern Ohio | 412 Sycamore St. | Cincinnati, OH 45202 US
DATES FOR SUMMER 2025 AT PROCTER
June 8-13 | Senior High Camp
Completed 9-12th grade
June 15-20 | Middler Camp
Completed 4-5th grade
June 25-28 | Family Camp 1
Most fun for kids 0-11
July 6-11 | Junior High Camp
Completed 6-8th grade
July 16-19 | Family Camp 2
Most fun for kids 12 and older
July 20-23 | Primary Camp
Completed 1-3rd grade
July 31-August 2 | Camp Launch
Young Adults 18-24
August 6-9 | Family Camp 3: Conservation Camp
Most fun for kids 6 and older
August 14-16 | Silver & Gold Camp
Mature Adult and Young Adult Camps
August 16 | End of Camp Celebration
August 27-30 | Grown-Up Camp
with Callie Swanlund
Learn more about summer 2025 programs and camperships.
Lenten Quiet Day
APRIL 12, 10-3 PM AT PROCTER
Do we have any Grant Writers out there?
March 1, 2025
Applications open for 2025 ECM Grants
People of God in Southern Ohio,
Episcopal Community Ministries (ECM), the outreach arm of our diocese, offers grants to support the work of congregation-affiliated outreach ministries including efforts like food banks, community gardens, community meals, tutoring programs, human trafficking victim support services, and medical debt relief. ECM desires to support our congregations that support their neighbors as reflected in ECM’s purpose statement:
The mission of the Episcopal Community Ministries is to inspire and support each other in the living out of our Baptismal Covenant through active, generous, and committed congregations and their outward looking ministries.
The ECM Committee is pleased to announce the dates of the two grant cycles for 2025. The first round begins today, March 1 and ends on March 31. The second round begins June 1 and ends on June 30.
Successful grant applications reflect the following criteria:
There is a congregational commitment – the requesting congregation must demonstrate committed and impactful support of the ministry both financially and through the active and significant participation of its parishioners.
The congregation is in good standing as determined by diocesan canons This includes being current in mission share contributions and having up‐to‐date submissions of the Parochial Report, DSO Annual Report, and the parish audit.
The ministry addresses a vital need in the community.
ECM grants are funded by an annual draw from the Blanchard Memorial Endowment Fund established by the trustees of the diocese and by donations from congregations and individuals. Every dollar donated to ECM goes to local church outreach ministries helping their neighbors in need.
To apply for a grant, learn more about the grant criteria, and learn more about the ministry of ECM, please visit our website.
Learn more and access the Grant Application
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Michael Ralph
Chair, Episcopal Community Ministries Grant Committee
Associate Rector, Southeast Ohio Four-Point Collaboration (St. Paul's, Chillicothe; St. Philip's, Circleville; St. John's, Lancaster; St. Paul's, Logan)
Other members of our committee include:
Lily Balukjian-Thompson - St. John's, Worthington
Judy Battle - St. Margaret's, Trotwood
The Rev. Dan Carlson - Church of the Advent, Walnut Hills
Rae Fellows - St. Stephen's, Columbus
The Rev. Derrick Fetz, Staff Liaison
The Rev. Gene Hallahan - Christ Church, Ironton
Canon Julie Murray, Staff Liaison
Jane Paraskevopoulos - Calvary, Clifton
Andi Wright - Epiphany, Nelsonville
Rogation Celebration & Picnic
MAY 31, 2025 from 10-1 PM at PROCTER CENTER
This year, we will celebrate Rogation as a diocese at Procter Farm, with Bishop White leading the procession as we visit various stations that represent our common life together!
Rogation is a traditional day of fasting and prayer in the Anglican tradition to remind us that our lives and seasons are in God's hands. Since medieval times there has been a tradition of “beating the bounds” of the faith community, praying for God‘s blessing upon the crops and thus the well-being of that particular people. It is still observed by some today with a procession, prayers and a sharing of hope in God‘s goodness to nourish every endeavor and the people to flourish.
Our celebration will begin at 10 am on Saturday, May 31st, and will conclude with a picnic lunch hosted by the DSO chapter of the Order of Naucratius. Fishing, hammocking, and canoeing activities will be available.
Participants are invited to bring soil, water, and seeds from their homes or congregations to share and be blessed.
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give us all a right satisfaction in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Questions about this event?
Contact Jerusalem Greer, co-executive director of Procter Center, at jgreer@diosohio.org.
DATE & LOCATION
Saturday, May 31st
10:00-11:30 Celebration
11:30-1:00 Play and fellowship
Noon-1:00 Lunch
Procter Center
11235 St. Rt. 38 SE
London, OH 43140
proctercenter.org
