The Rt Rev Anne B. Jolly

Sunday's visit to Saint Paul Episcopal Church (Norwalk, Ohio) was delightful. These beloved saints care deeply and well for each other and their beautiful worship space. They know how to feed people and rejoice in being together. It's also good to be with beloved Fr. Brian Wilbert, our diocesan archivist, who serves as long term supply with this beautiful community.

I spent Saturday at Bellwether Farm on retreat with the deacons of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. This beloved, passionate group help all of us remember to pay attention to the lives, holiness, and needs of those around us. They proclaim the Gospel in liturgy and in word and example. They prepare the table for Eucharist, and lay the groundwork for us to live the promises of this Sacrament. They bid our confession and lead us in prayer, reminding us that prayer is the foundation of all of our work with and for others. And they send us out at the end of liturgy and help equip and animate the work of the Holy Spirit within us to meet God where God is at work in our communities.

I'm so grateful for our deacons, and know that the church needs more of them to help us live into our calling. Thank you, dear ones.

It's not ALL work, no play! Thanks to a generous gift, David and I had a very fun date night at the Cleveland Guardians game last night where we WON 5-2. It was Disability pride night at the park - and a high school sign language group signed the National Anthem beautifully. We got to thank them for their gifts as they were leaving the field.

In other news, Spicy Mustard won the Hot Dog Derby (she seems to have borrowed/stolen? Onion's purse and that helped her win).

Get out and have fun, beloved ones. Do some things that bring you joy and remind you of the vast and beautiful diversity of God's creation.

We have ONE opening for our College for Congregational Development session the week of August 2nd at Bellwether Farm. We have contacted our waitlist, and because of the last minute cancellation, none of them can make it work. If you want to do a week of CCD and can adjust your calendar to join us in two weeks, please see the information below and contact Mother Leah (link to her email is in the info attached). I'd love to see you there!!! Open to people in any diocese - share this with your friends. ◡̈

College for Congregational Development | Sunday, August 2, 2026 | The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio Registration for this event is now sold out. If you'd like to be added to a waitlist, please contact the Rev. Leah Romanelli DeJesus. Welcome to the College for Congregational Development (CCD)! At our 208th Convention, Bishop Jolly cast the vision for our diocese: “Connected in Beloved Community,...

Saturday was a Fun Day on Put in Bay by invitation of St Paul's Episcopal Put-in-Bay. We attended Put in Bay Jeep Fest July 9-11, 2026, and OH WHAT FUN it was! I had the honor of giving the invocation before the parade, and Fr. Bob and I blessed around 250 Jeeps in parade. Many blessed us with rubber ducks in return! ◡̈ They do a 50/50 raffle at the Fest, and half the money goes to St. Paul's food pantry - which is a tremendous gift to them and to the island.
Y'all - whether you have a Jeep or not - this event is great fun, and the organizers and participants are wonderful people with so much joy. Thank you all for letting me be a part of this great day.

This is the invocation I wrote for the event:
God of adventure, thank you for the wind that blows through open-topped Jeeps, the roads that stretch before us, and the rugged places that invite us to explore. We ask your blessing on these Jeeps and everyone riding in them today. Keep them safe as they wave, drive, and celebrate together. Fill this day with joy, laughter, new friendships, ducks, and the delight of shared adventure. And when the trails are quiet and the engines are off, bring everyone safely home to the places and people they love.�Amen.

If your faith community holds an event for the community, does something fun, or attends a community event, let us know by using the form on the diocesan website home page - my staff and I love to join you in your fun.

Two baptisms and seven confirmation/receptions yesterday morning at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Ashland! I love how committed they are to eating a meal together after worship - AND to making sure their community knows that “God loves you, no exceptions” is real. 🩷🩷🩷

PLUS - I got to meet a nonagenarian Poor Clare’s nun - Sister Florence. She radiates God’s love, and I’m better for having met her.

I love being the Bishop of Ohio - and summertime makes it doubly fun with summer camp at Bellwether Farm!! I try to come out as often as I can to at least eat one meal with the campers and counselors. If you want a cure for any lost hope you may have, an hour with these young people will give you a glorious glimpse at the complete joy and beauty of God’s love.

I’m so grateful for our amazing Bellwether staff, the spectacular counselors, and the faithful clergy chaplains - all of whom devote themselves to sharing Christ’s love with the campers.

Side note: I do NOT think these campers have any idea how lucky they are to eat here all week. This is NOT your typical camp food!!!!

One of the best parts of being bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio is getting to see young people transformed at summer camp at Bellwether Farm. They get such personal attention and FUN!

I'm beyond excited about this iconography retreat at Bellwether Farm in December! Who wants to come join me in a week of prayer and icon writing (that's what the cool kids call it when you create an icon!)? The retreat is already half full- so put this on your calendar and register today. Share this on your socials so people know about this wonderful opportunity.

Introducing our Iconography Retreat, this Advent season, December 8-13, 2026 at Bellwether Farm!

Join us as we create and pray together. Each participant will use traditional techniques to write an Our Lady of Tenderness icon with instruction from an experience teacher and writer. Enjoy daily prayer, farm to table and from scratch food, and peaceful accommodations as we find the inner quiet sought during the Advent season.

Early Bird registration rate ends on July 1! Register today!

https://www.bellwetherfarm.com/calendar/events/2026/12/08/iconography-retreat

If, like me, your heart is broken watching the recovery efforts in Venezuela, seeing our siblings out west once again fleeing from infernos in their states, and other disasters destroying life and vitality around the world - then donating to Episcopal Relief & Development will make a TANGIBLE difference on the ground. They work through local faith communities to ensure that the money and resources are going effectively and directly to those in most need. I'm grateful for this part of the Episcopal Church, and how they put our faith and resources into action.

www.episcopalrelief.org