2026 Absalom Jones Symposium & Eucharist
Feb. 14 & 15 Online and at St. Margaret’s, Trotwood
Each year, with the Bishop Herbert Thompson Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians we honor the life and ministry of the Blessed Absalom Jones, the first Black priest in The Episcopal Church, who labored for liberation, dignity, and racial justice.
This year the theme for our annual Absalom Jones Celebration is “We’ve Come this Far by Faith.” Please read below for details about our two-day celebration.
A printable flyer for these events is available here.
Questions about this training?
Contact the Rev. Aaron Rogers, missioner for Black ministries, at arogers@diosohio.org.
The Symposium
Saturday, Feb. 14th from 9-11 am
Online Only
The Symposium will feature a panel discussion by immediate and past presidents of the Union of Black Episcopalians, a 200+ year organization and network celebrating and developing Black leadership in the church.
Learn more about Southern Ohio’s Bishop Herbert Thompson Chapter on our on our website.
The Hon. Tyrone Yates (St. Andrew’s, Evanston) will be the moderator for the panel conversation.
The Celebration Eucharist
Sunday, Feb. 15th at 3:30 pm
St. Margaret’s Trotwood
The speaker for this service is the Rev. Betty W. Holley, Ph.D., interim President of Payne Theological Seminary and Presiding Elder for African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dayton.
We recommend arriving early, at 3 pm. A reception will follow the service.
Clergy are invited to vest and process wearing cassock and surplice, white stoles. All participating clergy should be present and vested no later than 3:15.
Two buses are scheduled to transport riders from the Cincinnati area and the Columbus area to the Absalom Jones Service on Sunday, February 15th.
- From Cincinnati: Pick-up at St. Simon of Cyrene Episcopal Church (810 Matthews Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45215) at 12:30 pm.
- From Columbus: Pick up at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church (166 Woodland Ave Columbus, Ohio 43203) at 1:30 pm.
Please RSVP if you will ride the bus.
The buses are set to return to their respective destinations at 6 pm.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church
5301 Free Pike
Dayton, OH 45426
stmargaretsdayton.org
