People of God in Southern Ohio,
In November, I wrote with an update regarding a temporary pause on operations at Grace Episcopal Church in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati. Over the last two and a half months, we’ve made some very important progress toward a path of re-entering the building thanks to the remarkable work and commitment of the congregation, diocesan staff, and diocesan leaders.
It brings me great joy to share two important updates with our diocesan community, both of which were shared with the community during an all-congregation meeting last evening.
First, with several major building concerns addressed or in-progress, the congregation will re-enter for worship on February 1st and will be able to utilize more areas of the building over time as progress is made. A multi-phase plan was introduced that outlines continuing steps of reopening, including additional concerns of the building as well as support for leadership training and formation around Safe Church, Episcopal identity, and canonical policies and practices.
Second, as a reflection of our commitment to the long-term ministry of this congregation and her particular sense of call to pastor this community, I have named the Rev. Olivia Hamilton vicar of Grace Episcopal Church beginning May 1, 2026. This five-year, full-time, diocesan-funded position is aimed at partnering with the congregation in redeveloping systems and practices, while listening for and tending to their unique call and ministry as the Episcopal Church in College Hill.
While we celebrate this call and commitment to Grace Church, it comes with some sadness as Olivia will step away from her position as missioner for lifelong formation on the diocesan staff. Although she has served in this role for only a short while, Olivia has made an important impact and led crucial progress in the support and flourishing of formation efforts in Southern Ohio, especially around our processes for Safe Church and deepened commitment to the Procter Center. As evidence of her skills of faithful listening, she had already reached some clarity in discernment that she is called to ministry at the congregational level—a rootedness in one community that is not possible in diocesan work.
This convergence of need and call reflects the work of the Holy Spirit at work with Grace Church, with Olivia, and in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. While we look ahead to searching for and calling a new leader to support the resourcing and ministry of formation in our diocese, we give thanks that Olivia will remain connected to the Congregations Team led by the Rev. Canon Meredith Day Hearn in this new role as mission redeveloper and vicar at Grace Church.
Finally, I give thanks again for the incredible work and commitment of these leaders over this challenging season, especially for the congregation of Grace, College Hill; for our diocesan staff, namely the Rev. Derrick Fetz (missioner for stewardship), Miriam McKenney (missioner for Beloved Community), the Rev. Aaron Rogers (missioner for Black ministries), the Rev. Canon Meredith Day Hearn (canon for congregations), and the Rev. Canon Jodi Baron (canon to the ordinary); and for the leadership of the Church Foundation Trustees, especially Mr. Drew Abbott (Christ Church Cathedral). I also lift up the generosity of Episcopal Retirement Services, who hosted the congregation at their Marlowe Court community for worship each Sunday during this temporary pause, and of Christ Church Cathedral, who donated considerable food and volunteers that were essential in pivoting Grace Church’s food distribution ministry when the building was no longer accessible for storage and preparation.
Friends, please join me in giving thanks for these signs of hope and Grace Church’s continued flourishing in College Hill:
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: we praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labors, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, Thanksgiving for the Mission of the Church, pg. 838)
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
X Bishop, Southern Ohio
