Chaplains to Retired Clergy

The Diocesan chaplains to retired clergy, their spouses, and surviving spouses are appointed by the Bishop to serve as an extension of the Bishop’s pastoral ministry, offering support, connection, and guidance to clergy in retirement.  The goals of this ministry, supported by the Church Pension Group, are:

• Providing ongoing pastoral and spiritual care;
• Serving as a resource when questions arise about navigating retirement;
• Building community among retired clergy through periodic gatherings as times for learning, connection with the Bishop, social networking, and worship;
• Share information and resources among the Bishop and staff, Church Pension Group and retired clergy households across the diocese, and assist in maintaining current contact information;
• Networking with other chaplains in Province V and across the Episcopal Church to share best practices and new developments.

Chaplaincy Team

The Rev. Rose Anne Lonsway 
The Rev. Richard Israel            
retiredclergy@dohio.org

Best Practices for Retired Clergy Worshiping in a Congregation 

Have you visited a parish to worship after retirement and wondered how you might fit in? Wondered what behaviors and roles are appropriate? Well, we may have some answers for you! Read on for a note from Bishop Anne and to access the guidelines, available for download in the Retired Clergy Resources section below. 

"Dear ones,  

I am deeply grateful for you and for the ministry of the Rev. Rose Anne Lonsway and the Rev. Rich Israel, whose faithful work as chaplains to our retired clergy continues to bless the life of this diocese. In conversation with them—and through ongoing listening with active, retired, and recently retired clergy—I have heard a shared desire for greater clarity around expectations and roles for retired clergy in the life of our faith communities. In response to these conversations, Canon Jessie, in collaboration with your chaplains, has put together this document on best practices for retired clergy worshipping in congregations. If you’d like to discuss these guidelines more fully, please contact Canon Jessie or me. My hope is that these practices make visible both my deep gratitude for retired clergy and my pastoral expectations of how we will all work together, so that all may flourish in their ministries.  

God’s Peace, 

+Anne"