More than 300 people from all over the Diocese of Ohio and beyond joined in on the beautiful afternoon event, held on the campus of Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights on June 17.

Celebration planning began last fall with Susan Quill and Tina Monreal, chair of the Celebration Subcommittee, a part of the Transition Committee, led by the Rev. Jessie Dodson. It was important to Bishop Hollingsworth that it be a casual, fun-filled gathering open to all that celebrated our diocese's many years of shared ministry, along with honoring the Assisting Bishops and retiring staff members. The event honored: Bishop Mark and Sue Hollingsworth, Bishop Bill and Nancy Persell, Bishop Arthur and Lynette Williams, Bishop David and Nancy Bowman, CFO Sue Leishman, Canon Percy Grant, Canon Brad Purdom, and Canon Bill Powel.

The Celebration certainly fulfilled those expectations. The outdoor event entrance was lined with food trucks, anchored by the Bellwether Airstream, with Isaac Hollingsworth scooping hundreds of maple-infused, farm-made ice cream cones.

Moving into the shaded courtyard at Hathaway Brown, specially decorated tables (by Anthony Kastelic) were set for Bishop Arthur and Lynette, and Bishop Bill and Nancy to greet well wishers throughout the afternoon. The bishops and spouses all wore purple Hawaiian shirts, with retiring staff members in blue Hawaiian shirts.

Large screens dotted the courtyard showing continuous feed of more than 400 photos, curated by archivist the Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert. The Forest City String Band, led by Bo Shiverick, along with Faith Roberts, Steve Roberts, and Lloyd Bell, played throughout the afternoon. Eric Travis, Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries at the Cathedral, offered fun activities for children in a tented corner of the courtyard.

Mid-afternoon, the Rev. Charlotte Reed began her MC role by opening the program with a prayer, then introducing presenters Dianne Audrick Smith for UBE, Maxanna Dyne-Demko for ECW, and Dean BJ Owens for the Cathedral, each offering gifts to the bishops and spouses.

A bit later, Bishop Anne and David Jolly, the retiring bishops and staff, spouses, and speakers were seated on the raised courtyard patio to begin the program. The bishops and retiring staff had each chosen someone to offer a tribute about them. The Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert crafted the program and introductions for each honoree, as the Rev. Charlotte Reed introduced: Tom Hill, honoring Bishop David and Nancy Bowman; Tina Monreal, honoring Bishop Bill and Nancy Persell; the Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert, honoring Bishop Arthur and Lynette Williams; William Vodrey, honoring Bill Powel; the Rev. Mike Floyd, honoring the Rev. Brad Purdom; the Rev. George Baum, honoring the Rev. Percy Grant; Tina Monreal, honoring Sue Leishman; and Ute Vilfroy, honoring Bishop Mark and Sue Hollingsworth.

At the conclusion of this segment, Bishop Hollingsworth stepped to the podium with words of gratitude and thanks for the many years of support and shared ministry we’ve experienced together. He called all current and former staff of the Diocese to the patio stage for acknowledgement. He then bestowed the Bishop's Medal to Chet Bowling and Ute Vilfroy. (Bishop's Medals were also later presented to Halley Marsh and Dave McCallops, who could not be present at the event.)

Bishop Jolly was the final program speaker, offering propitious words as we step into the future of this Diocese under her leadership, and then closing with a prayer.

Celebration logistics and volunteer coordination were ably handled by Corinne Wallner, Diane Banyard, Patty Roberts, and Nadia Schroth, with lead volunteer Pegah Zardoost. Several dozen celebration attendees volunteered to set-up, greet, and clean-up.