History & Storytelling Webinar

This year, we celebrate 150 years of ministry as the Diocese of Southern Ohio — generations of disciples serving God and joining in the transformation of our communities. In anticipation of this major milestone, a task force of Southern Ohioans have been working together to gather our history and tell the stories of who we are and who we have been — in discipleship, in race relationships, women’s ministries, LGBTQ+ progress, and the industrial and economic changes that have affected our communities.

On September 4 at 7 pm, our 150th History & Storytelling Group will host a Zoom webinar for all Southern Ohio Episcopalians. Bishop White will host a panel discussion with diocesan leaders representing significant stories or affinities within our diocese:

• The Rev. Canon Jane Gerdsen, rector serving St. Barnabas, Montgomery, will represent women’s ordination and other changes in our diocese and church that strengthened women’s ministries.
• Robin Holland, chair of our Commission on Ministry and member of St. Philip, Columbus, will represent the resilient presence of our Historically Black congregations.
• Joshua Sherwood, member of the Diocesan Council and member of St. Peter’s, Gallipolis, will represent the legacy and continuing life of post-industrial river parishes in Appalachia.
• The Rev. Mike Smith, priest associate at St. Anne, West Chester, will represent the significant progress toward inclusion and leadership of LGBTQ+ Christians in our church and diocese.
• The Very Rev. Owen Thompson, dean of Christ Church Cathedral, will represent the Mother Churches which established Episcopal witness throughout our diocese through the founding of new parishes.

Short biographies of each of our panelists are available here.

Please join us as we remember, learn, and celebrate the complex legacy of the Diocese of Southern Ohio! RSVP to receive your Zoom link.