The Big Provincial Gathering (BPG) was held April 26-27 in South Bend, IN. The Diocese of Ohio was well represented in workshop leaders. Halley Marsh and the Rev. Alex Martin from St. Barnabas, Bay Village led a workshop centered around how we practice innovation at church. The Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert, Archivist for the Diocese of Ohio, teamed up with Newland Smith, Historiographer for the Diocese of Chicago, to lead a workshop on reparations. Suzette Reynolds from St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights, in partnership with others, led a workshop on Team Disaster Rubicon. Miriam McKenney, Interim Missioner for Becoming Beloved Community, led a workshop on picture books and racial reconciliation. The Rev. Rosalind Hughes, Interim Canon for Mission, presented alongside the Rev. Matt Whalgren, St. Timothy’s, Perrysburg, to discuss Guns to Gardens and Guns to Grace. Eric Travis, Trinity Cathedral, along with members of the Diocese of Missouri led a presentation on Safe Church.

For every Provincial Gathering, one clergy and two lay people are elected at Diocesan Convention to serve as Provincial Synod Representatives. This year, the Rev. Jon Coventry (St. Stephen’s, East Liverpool and Trinity, Alliance), Lysa Kenney (St. Barnabas, Bay Village), and Danielle Shaffer (St. Timothy’s, Massillon) represented the Diocese of Ohio.

“I had an awesome experience at the Province V Big Provincial Gathering! It was so encouraging to see Episcopalians from the midwest sharing their faith and working together to make the church in our province stronger,” said the Rev. Jon Coventry, “It also gave me renewed energy to return to the Diocese of Ohio and my parishes and share what is happening in the bigger church. It's always a good thing to connect again with old friends and make new friendships.”