On April 20, nearly 100 people gathered for a retirement party at Bellwether Farm to celebrate the ministry of the Rev. Canon Margaret D’Anieri. The group was made up of clergy colleagues, former parishioners of Margaret’s, lay leaders, and coworkers from the bishop’s staff. There was even a virtual visit from leaders in the Diocese of Belize, including the Rt. Rev. Phillip Wright.

Bishop Jolly shared her gratitude for Margaret and for the time they got to spend working closely together. She gifted Margaret a Cleveland Guardians jacket from all those in the Diocese of Ohio.

The Rt. Rev. Arthur Williams and his wife, Lynette, who have known Margaret since she was received into The Episcopal Church in 1992, gave a heartwarming speech about Margaret’s role as a “utility player” for the diocese. A utility player is a baseball term for someone who can play a variety of positions. They are multi-talented and extremely valuable to any team.

Margaret indeed filled that role in the diocese serving in parishes, on the bishop’s staff, as a parish consultant, and working with and on many committees and commissions.

As the Williams so genuinely stated to Margaret on behalf of us all, “[Margaret], you are held in high regard by clergy and lay people alike. We could always count on you to share a clear-eyed perspective that balances business acumen with theological insight. A compassionate social consciousness is foundational to your ministry, and you have a gift for holding up a mirror for folks, helping us see more clearly where we are and where the Gospel is calling us to be.”

We are thankful for all that Margaret and her husband, Chet Bowling, have done for the Diocese of Ohio and Bellwether Farm, and share in their celebration for this next chapter in their lives.