The 141-year-old Grace Episcopal Church in Galion was transferred April 18 to the Galion Historical Society with the proviso that the congregation could lease the sanctuary and nave spaces for as long as the church continues to operate. Because of the sale, the Galion Historical Society gains needed meeting space and the parish continues its ability to worship in its historic church.

This agreement is a first in Diocesan history and it may provide a model for other small congregations with dwindling resources and numbers. Bishop Arthur Williams was on hand to celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday, May 4. 

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

It is with very mixed emotions that I inform you that Cheryl Joseph Williams, Stewardship and Development Officer for the Diocese of Ohio, has accepted an invitation to serve as Manager of Development for One Community, a Cleveland based, non-profit, education and technology collaborative. While I fully support Cheryl in her decision and understand what an important opportunity her new position presents her, I cannot begin to count the loss that her moving on represents for me and for the Diocese of Ohio. 

Cheryl has been a member of the diocesan staff for 28 years, indeed since she was a teenager, serving with Bishops Burt, Moodey, Williams, Grew, Bowman, and myself.

You can still participate in this year's Bishop's Bike Ride—that means you can ride, you can provide help during the ride, or you can support the riders with money, prayer, or volunteering your time. All money collected for riders during the bike ride goes to support summer Youth Mission Trips. Last year, all youth who wanted to go on a mission trip were able to do so because of the proceeds from the Bishop's Bike Ride. 

You can donate to the bike ride and even support a specific rider through the Paypal link on the right hand side of the website front page. You can also download all information for the bike ride (route, training tips, sponsor sheets, etc.) from the download center. 

Now is the the time to begin the evaluation process of the past year and look forward to next year in Christian Formation. This summer, the Office of Christian Formation will be available to support your ministry for children, youth and adults in several ways. Check out the curricula, prayers, and Christian practice suggestions available on the website under the Office of Christian Formation. 

Thank you to all Lay vestry members who have registered for the May dinners with the Bishop. 

To RSVP after Friday, May 9, you must contact the appropriate parish directly.

As a reminder, all dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. at the following locations:

• May 12 at Grace, Mansfield  (419.524.2661)
  
• May 13 at St. Mark's, Toledo  (419.244.3707)
  
• May 14 at St. James, Boardman  (330.758.2727)
  
• May 15 at Our Saviour, Akron  (330.535.9174)
  
• May 19 at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland  (216.774.0479)
  

The most recent draft of the Anglican Covenant—known as the St. Andrew's draft —has been offered to the Anglican Communion at large and specifically for use at the Lambeth Conference this summer. The St. Andrew's draft is the latest document developed by the Covenant Design Group after receiving comments and suggestions on the original covenant, which was called for in the Windsor Report 2004. The draft is accompanied by several supporting documents, including a brief commentary, which outlines the thinking of the CDG on some of the issues considered.