Beloved Ones,

Last week I attended a gathering of interfaith leaders in Cleveland to celebrate the Jewish holy day, Sukkot. Rabbis, Imams, and Christian leaders talked about the importance of relationships and community. We shared stories of connection and faith and prayed together for the unity of humanity. Less than a week later, our hearts broke after hearing the reports of violence and war from the Holy Land. Our hearts break because we know we were created in God’s image to live in community, centered in the love of the Divine. Our hearts break because we know that violence comes from fear and hate, which separate us from God. I’m convinced that hearts weigh more when they are broken, and the continuing news can weigh us down and drive us to despair. I encourage you to turn toward your spiritual communities for support and sustenance. When we turn to God in prayer and connect with each other - friends, neighbors, grieving community members, together, we hold onto God’s dream of peace.

Our siblings in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem are suggesting that if we want to make donations in a way that would be immediately helpful, we direct resources to the Alhi Arab Hospital in Gaza, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Consider making a contribution to the hospital through the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund. Support of this fund will help provide medicine and other supplies and help partners tend to the physical and psychosocial wounds of all people affected by this conflict.

The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, who was ordained in the Diocese of Ohio and is now the 11th Bishop of Missouri, wrote this prayer that articulates the deep angst of our hearts and souls. Together, we pray, we wail, and we hold to each other in the unity of God as we long for an end to violence that can only come through God’s peace and love.

Healer of the Nations,
from the noise of war
and the drumbeat of vengeance,
give us undiminished determination
to wage peace.
Out of brokenness, violence, and destruction
let us plant seeds of hope.
Out of chaos, confusion, and hatred,
build bridges of love.
Out of distrust, disunity, and distance,
walk together in harmony.
Heal our divisions and make us whole. Amen.
 
We must continue to show up for each other, especially in the midst of heartache and pain. Let us be extra gentle during these times and hold each other in love and prayer.
 
God’s Peace,
 
+Anne
 
The Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly

​
The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem 
unite in a call for peace and justice

We unequivocally condemn any acts that target civilians, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or faith. Such actions go against the fundamental principles of humanity and the teachings of Christ, who implored us to "love your neighbour as yourself" {Mark 12:31).

It is our fervent hope and prayer that all parties involved will heed this call for an immediate cessation of violence. We implore political leaders and authorities to engage in sincere dialogue, seeking lasting solutions that promote justice, peace, and reconciliation for the people of this land, who have endured the burdens of conflict for far too long.

Let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul: "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33). In the spirit of this divine message, we implore all to work tirelessly towards an end to violence and the establishment of a just 
and lasting peace that will allow the Holy Land to be a beacon of hope, faith, 
and love for all.

Dear ones,
 
As we build a bishop’s staff that continues to be dedicated to resourcing our congregations, I’m delighted to announce the Rev. Jessie Gutgsell Dodson has accepted the call to be Canon to the Ordinary, starting on August 1. In this position, she will be a partner in innovation, collaboration, administration, liturgy, and pastoral care. 

Jessie holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Harp Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, graduated from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and has served in churches in Indiana, Connecticut, Michigan, and has been at St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights since 2018. Throughout her leadership of the transition process, I, along with the rest of the diocese, was able to witness Jessie’s generous spirit, incredible ability to navigate complex situations, deep faith, and abiding commitment to the Diocese of Ohio. Every person who interviewed Jessie affirmed these gifts and saw in her a call to the bishop’s staff.

Jessie expressed her response to the call by saying, “My experience leading the Transition Committee was personally transformative. I saw the beauty and diversity of this diocese, the commitment of its laity, the creativity of its clergy. Coming together for the ordination and consecration was a beautiful glimpse of what the kin-dom of God looks like. Through all of this, I began to sense in myself a call towards diocesan leadership. I am delighted that I get to continue growing in relationship with Bishop Anne, the bishop’s staff, the parishes, clergy, and people of this diocese now as Canon to the Ordinary.”
 
I would also like to share the joyful news that Andrea Appling will be joining the bishop’s staff on June 26 as an accountant in the Finance Department. Christina Butterfield, incoming CFO of the Diocese of Ohio, and I agree that Andrea will be an incredible asset to the entire diocese, having more than 10 years of nonprofit accounting experience. She is a fourth-generation Episcopalian and is a current communicant at St. Andrew’s, Cleveland.
 
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I am grateful, excited, and joyful for this blessing from God. I look forward to beginning my new journey as an accountant at the Diocese of Ohio," Andrea shared in regard to accepting this role.
 
We hope you share in our jubilation at these calls and will keep Jessie, Andrea, and their loved ones in your prayers, along with St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights and St. Andrew’s, Cleveland, as they navigate this transition. We are continuing in prayerful, thoughtful discernment around other staff positions and will keep you informed as we move through this transition process together.
 
God’s Peace,
+Anne
 
The Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly
Bishop Coadjutor​