Clergy gathered at Lakeside Chautauqua on May 7 for a coordinated clergy session marked by worship, learning, celebration and reconciliation.
The day began with opening worship, featuring special music from an all-Ohio band of musicians from the East and West Ohio Conferences and a sermon by retired Bishop Sally Dyck. Preaching on Matthew 14:13-21, Dyck, who previously served the East Ohio Conference as a pastor and district superintendent prior to being elected to the episcopacy, invited clergy to see discipleship as putting love of neighbor into action.
“Jesus turns to us today and says, ‘you feed them, you bring them hope, you bring them help,’” Dyck said.
East and West Ohio then moved into separate conference business sessions while also sharing lunch, fellowship, the Rock the Dock gathering, call-to-ministry stories from colleagues and a Ministry Fair, celebrating Ohio Episcopal Area ministries.
The afternoon focused on formation and celebration. Participants took part in clergy development training led by OhioHealth on mental health and substance abuse prevention, identification and care. The session then turned to the Celebration of Clergy Transitions, honoring retirees, local pastors, provisional members, associate members, ordinands and clergy marking milestone anniversaries. The Call of the Victorious was read, recognizing all clergy in both Conferences who have passed away since the Annual Conferences met last year. Special acknowledgement was given to the 30th anniversary of the Order of Deacons and the 70th anniversary of the ordination of women.
The day concluded with a reinstatement service for the Rev. Bill Bartholomew, who had previously been removed from ordained ministry because of his sexual orientation. The service invited those gathered to receive the moment not only as correction, but also as grace, restoration and the beginning of a new chapter for the church.
“This is not simply a service of recognition. This is not simply a service of welcome. This is not simply a moment of institutional correction,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. “This is an act of grace.”
Jung said grace can begin “a new chapter,” adding, “We believe that what was excluded can be restored. We believe that what was fragmented can be gathered. We cannot see one another only through the lens of old arguments. We cannot see one another only through the lens of institutional anxiety. We cannot see one another only through the lens of what divided us. In Christ, we are given new eyes.” For many who gathered, the coordinated session ended with a clear sense that grace had made room for something new – and that the church in Ohio is still being shaped by hope, healing and holy courage.
To view pictures from Clergy Session, click here.