God willing and the people consenting, the Rev. Canon Kristin Uffelman White will be ordained bishop on Saturday, February 17 at 11 a.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus. Everyone in our diocese is invited to attend in person! The service will also be livestreamed on the diocesan website.
Reservations are not required, but your RSVP will help us plan. Please be sure to reserve a spot if you need child care during the ordination service so we have as many caregivers as we need. Make a reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will attendance at the service be open to all?
Yes! The service is an occasion of joy for the whole church, and no one will be turned away. To help us prepare adequately, we ask everyone to RSVP. You can find an invitatation and a link to RSVP on the diocesan website. Interested in volunteering at the ordination? Sign up here. Questions? Email bishoptransition@diosohio.org.
Will the event be live streamed?
Yes. The livestream will be available on the diocesan website.
How long with the ordination last?
We expect the service to last approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Who will preach and preside at the ordination?
The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr. will be the chief consecrator. The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of Indianapolis, will preach. Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran bishops, invited by the bishop-elect, will serve as co-consecrators. The newly ordained bishop of Southern Ohio will preside at the Eucharist.
Where will the ordination take place?
It will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215) at 11:00 a.m. in the Short North Ballrooms. Overflow seating will be available adjacent to the Short North Ballroom in Room 284.
Directions and parking
Directions
From I-70 on the East (Wheeling)
Take I-70 West to East Mound Street. (Exit 101B) Continue on E Mound St. Take S 4th to Nationwide Blvd., then turn right onto N High St.
From I-71 on the North (Cleveland)
From I-71 South, travel West on I-670 (Exit 109-A). Take Exit “4-B” to the Greater Columbus Convention Center OR Take I-71 South to the Spring Street exit. Travel West on Spring Street to Fourth Street, then head North on Fourth Street to Nationwide Boulevard. Turn left onto Nationwide Boulevard
From I-71 on the South (Cincinnati)
Take I-71 North to I-70 East. Travel on I-70 East to the Fourth Street exit, then head North on Fourth Street to Nationwide Boulevard. Turn left onto Nationwide Boulevard
From I-70 on the West (Indianapolis)
From I-70 East take the Fourth Street exit, then head North on Fourth Street to Nationwide Boulevard. Turn Left onto Nationwide Boulevard
From the John Glenn Columbus International Airport
From I-670 West, exit at “4-B” to the Greater Columbus Convention Center
Parking
There are plenty of parking garages and surface lots at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The closest parking garage is the Goodale Garage, located at 70 E. Goodale Street. There is an attached sky bridge on Level 3 of the garage that takes you to the closest entrance to the Short North Ballrooms. Check space availability here.
The convention center is a cashless facility, so please plan accordingly.
Where can I drop off attendees?
There are three recommended drop off areas: the Goodale drop off on Goodale street – directly across from the convention center’s Goodale garage, the East, and West Connector drop off areas by the Hilton/Hyatt (please see diagram, right). Of the three, the Goodale drop off is closest to the ballroom event location.
What hotels are available?
Hotels within a ten-minute walk include a Marriott (also within the convention center), Hilton, Drury Plaza, Westin, Hampton Inn, Hyatt Regency, and Residence Inn.
What should I wear?
Wear what you’d normally wear to a service at your church. Clergy who intend to vest and process should wear cassock, surplice, and a red stole. Attending bishops should wear rochet, chimere, and tippet. Co-consecrating bishops should wear a red cope and mitre.
Are children welcome?
Children belong in church! All ages are invited to and welcomed at this historic event.
Will there be childcare?
Yes. Childcare will be available in Room 172 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Please sign up for childcare when you RSVP to attend the service. Questions? Email bishoptransition@diosohio.org.
I would like to give a gift in honor of Bishop-elect White. What is appropriate?
Bishop-elect White has asked that, in lieu of gifts, contributions be made to Episcopal Relief & Development.
Why was Greater Columbus Convention Center selected as the venue for this service?
After considering multiple venues, the Standing and Transition Committees selected the Greater Columbus Convention Center because capacity will allow us to welcome everyone who wants to attend the service. The venue also offers ample space for the weekend’s ancillary events, direct access to hotels, and access to major highways and airports.
When will the 10th Bishop of Southern Ohio be seated at Christ Church Cathedral?
After ordination, it is customary for a bishop to be formally seated in the cathedral of the diocese. This signifies the deepening of the relationship between the new bishop and her flock. The “seating” of a Bishop is a joyous rite in which the Bishop is received into her cathedral and takes her place in the cathedra (Bishop’s chair), the sign of her diocesan authority.
The Welcoming and Seating of Bishop Kristin White at Christ Church Cathedral will take place Sunday, February 18 at 5 p.m. A festive service of Choral Evensong follows.
All are welcome! Reception following. This service will also be streamed live at https://cincinnaticathedral.com/livestream/.
Schedule
Friday, February 16
- 11 a.m.: Clergy conversation at St. Philip Episcopal Church, Columbus*
- 12 p.m.: Clergy lunch at St. Philip*
- 1-4 p.m.: Music rehearsal – Short North Ballroom*
- 4 p.m.: Ordination rehearsal for those participating in the service at Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC), Short North Ballroom*
- 5:30 p.m.: Social hour at the Hilton Columbus Downtown*
- 5:30-8:30 p.m.: Music rehearsal – Short North Ballroom*
- 6 p.m.: Rehearsal dinner for service participants, diocesan leaders, and visiting bishops and spouses at the Hilton Columbus Downtown*
Saturday, February 17
- 8 a.m.: Bishop and spouses breakfast at GCCC Rooms 281-282*
- 9 a.m.: Choir rehearsal in GCCC Short North Ballroom*
- 10 a.m.: Doors open to GCCC Short North Ballroom
- 11 a.m.: Ordination service ing the GCCC Short North Ballroom
- 1:30 p.m. (approx.): Ordination reception adjacent to GCCC Short North Ballroom
*Events marked with an asterisk are open by invitation only.
Questions? Email bishoptransition@diosohio.org for more information.
