Dear Ones,

It is with mixed emotions that I share that the Rev. Canon Margaret D’Anieri will retire from her role as Canon for Mission and Transitions on March 31. Canon Margaret was ordained and joined the Diocese of Ohio in 2002. In addition to being a dedicated member of the bishop’s staff since 2015, she also served as associate rector and then rector of North Central Episcopal Shared Ministry (2002-2009), rector of St. Paul’s, Norwalk (2009-2020), and interim at St. Luke’s, Cleveland (2021-2022). I am personally grateful for Canon Margaret’s companionship, wisdom, and skill in helping me acclimate to the diocese and begin my episcopacy. While we will miss her tremendously, we are grateful for all that she has brought to our diocese and share in her excitement for her next chapter of life in retirement. Save the date for a celebration of shared ministry for Canon Margaret on April 20 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Bellwether Farm. More information will be forthcoming about that celebration. We continue to build the diocesan staff and are actively working to recruit leaders to support the ministries Canon Margaret so faithfully shepherded.

I am also writing to share some exciting updates on the College for Congregational Development’s (CCD) launch in our diocese. We have hired two individuals to serve as Co-Directors of CCD here: the Rev. Leah Romanelli DeJesus and Mr. George Benson. In a part-time capacity, they will serve as the primary evangelists for CCD within the diocese, providing oversight and support for the program as we integrate it into our various contexts and ministries. Mother Leah is currently the priest-in-charge at St. Luke’s, Cleveland. She previously served as a Director of Youth Ministry in three other churches over the past 15 years. She is gifted in collaborative problem-solving and visioning. George is the Director of Community Engagement at Trinity, Toledo. He has reinvigorated community engagement through things such as the Toledo Streets Lunch program and leading the effort to reinstate the Trinity Breakfast program. Mother Leah and George will be tremendous assets to our diocese in this new capacity.

Please join me in welcoming our new staff members to the diocese and in thanking Canon Margaret for all of her time, dedication, and kindness she has shared with all of us.

God’s Peace,

+Anne
The Rt. Rev. Anne B Jolly
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio