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Learn, witness, celebrate. Mission Statement. The mission of the Ohio Council of Churches is to make visible the unity of Christ’s church, provide a Christian voice on public issue, and engage in worship, education, and service. Ecumenical. “ek-you-men-i-kl”
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Mission Statement The mission of the Ohio Council of Churches is to make visible the unity of Christ’s church, provide a Christian voice on public issue, and engage in worship, education, and service.
Ecumenical “ek-you-men-i-kl” OIKOUMENE - the whole Christian Church around the world
Commonalities • Active faith in Jesus Christ • Cross as common symbol • Authority and use of Bible • Lord’s prayer • Baptism as initiation into Christian life • Singing of Christian hymns • Promise of eternal life
“Not an option” • John 17: 20-21: “…that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you…” • Psalm 133 “ …how good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.”
Ohio Council of Churches • 18 denominations, 28 judicatories (regions)
OCC • 6,000 congregations, 3 million members • Began in 1919 • Office in Columbus • www.ohcouncilchs.org
Governing Board Leadership Otha Gilyard, President Steve Salt, Treasurer Raafat Zaki, Vice-President Charles Tyler, Sr., Secretary
Public Policy • Legislative testimony • Annual Legislative Day • Issues: • Gambling • Heath care • Redistricting • Gun control • Death penalty • Education Funding
Monthly Legislative Brief • State Budget • Ohio School Funding • Health Care • Gambling • Death Penalty • Immigration
Faith & Order Commission • Provide theological forums • Co-sponsor educational events • Resource
Ohio Ministries Convocation • keynoters, worship, workshops 2010 – Spiritual But Not Religious: Problem or Opportunity? 2011 – Faith and Race: New Opportunities 2012 – The American Dream or God’s Dream? 2013 – Being Church in a New World: Why? How? Who? Me? 2014 – Building an Inclusive Movement to Resist Human Trafficking
Justice & Advocacy Commission • Develop policy statements – Older Adults, Capital Punishment, Racism… • Address environment concerns, climate change, education for children, immigration reform • Respond to disasters and crises
Environmental Stewardship Partnering with: • Faith-based communities • Ohio Interfaith Power & Light • Ohio Alliance for People and Environment Resource and network
Building Relationships • Coalition of Ecumenical Staff • Partnerships – • Second Harvest Foodbanks • Have a Heart Ohio • UHCAN (Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio) • Consumer Voices for Health Care Coverage • Faithful Reform in Health Care
Other connections - Related organizations • Church Women United • Church World Service • Hunger Network in Ohio • Ohio Campus Ministries • Ohio State Chaplain’s Association
Why be together? • Fellowship • Witness • Address concerns (i.e. legislation, together) • Network and connect with one another re: models, resources (educational), community concerns • Way that we give visible unity to one faith • Show our common life in Jesus Christ
Golden rule of ecumenism “Try to understand others even as you hope to be understood.”
6230 Busch Blvd., Suite 430, Columbus, OH 614/885-9590 www.ohcouncilchs.org Thank you for watching. Please click the screen to exit.