DENOMINATIONAL MEMBERS
You're Invited to the Retirement Celebration of the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.
The retirement celebration of our Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Trinity Episcopal Church (125 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH). A highlight of this celebration of Rev. Dr. Sullivan will include the preaching voice of Rev. Dr. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ USA.
There's a Retirement Reception beforehand on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 starting at 5:15pm @ The Ohio Statehouse Museum Gallery.
Indicate your commitment for the Ohio Council of Churches Governing Board Fall Session 2025
and Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr's Retirement Reception.
Welcome to the Ohio Council of Churches
A Jesus Christ Movement For Unity, Justice & Peace!
The Ohio Council of Churches (OCC) is a partnership of 17 Christian denominations in 23 different organizational configurations or judicatories throughout Ohio. While our administrative offices are in Columbus, the Ohio Council of Churches is much larger than any office; it is all of us, together, across Ohio!
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Invitation to Retirement Celebration of Rev. Dr. Sullivan
– Retirement Reception on Wednesday, November 12, 2025
starting at 5:15pm @ The Ohio Statehouse Museum Gallery
Cards and gifts can be sent to the Ohio Council of Churches (125 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215)
Attn: Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr.
Hotel Reservations have been arranged for: Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219). Their phone number is 614.536.0500 and the rate is $145 per night + tax. Ask for Ohio Council of Churches Assembly!
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Governing Board of the Ohio Council of Churches!
I write to extend to you a personal invitation to the retirement celebration of our Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio. I am pleased to share that a highlight of this celebration of Rev. Dr. Sullivan will include the preaching voice of Rev. Dr. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ USA.
This time of celebration will consist of three parts, all of which I hope you will be able to attend:
• From 4-5 p.m., the Governing Board will meet with Jack for the final time, both to hear from him about his work and also consider together the future structure and leadership possibilities for the vital ongoing work of the Ohio Council of Churches.
• From 5:15 to 6:45 p.m., a Special Dinner will be held in Rev. Dr. Sullivan’s honor.
• At 7 p.m., we will gather for a celebration worship in the sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church, where we will hear the Good News delivered by the Rev. Dr. Vashti Murphy McKenzie.
As I am sure you are well aware, the Ohio Council of Churches has been richly blessed by Rev. Dr. Sullivan’s tireless leadership. For 42 years, Jack has poured his life into a wide range of ministries from the local church to judicatory and national setting ministries in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In these last seven years, his public witness on our shared behalf as Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches has interjected again and again a compelling and urgent witness to the love of Christ made real in the work of justice and peace. A globally recognized voice in the work toward the abolition of the death penalty here in Ohio and around the world, Jack’s poetic words and deep spirit have been a holy interruption so needed in this time in which we live.
I have always been struck by the fact that in all of Jack’s correspondence his closing salutation consists of two words: “With hope!” It is the spirit that has permeated our shared life in the Ohio Council of Churches because of his leadership, for which we are so very grateful.
Learn more about the celebration of Rev. Dr. Sullivan's retirement and purchase tickets here.
Blessings,
David
Rev. David Long-Higgins is the Chair of the Governing Board of the Ohio Council of Churches. He is also the Conference Minister of the Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ
Peace and Justice-Oriented Clergy of Ohio and Beyond
Join us for Prayer, Conversation, and Networking
Dear Peace and Justice-Oriented Clergy of Ohio and Beyond,
The Ohio Council of Churches invites you to an hour of prayer, conversation, and networking, set for December 3, 2025, and delivered by Zoom. Given the escalation of dismaying realities we are experiencing in the current moment, our gathering will reinforce or initiate sacred connections between each of us while reminding us all of the sustaining, Resurrection power that God has invested in clay jars like us, power that informs us that we are neither crushed nor despairing, neither forsaken nor destroyed (II Corinthians 4:7-12. (NRSVue)..
I hope you can attend this special gathering. Please use the Zoom registration link below to let us know of your intent. Feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues.
Grace and peace to you, I pray.
With Hope,
Jack
Organizations Sharing 2025 Experiences and Aspirations for 2026
Dear Friend of Peace and Justice-Oriented Organizations,
For the past seven years, I have had the immense joy of serving as Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches and the honor of collaborating with several peace and justice-oriented organizations whose vision aligns with that of the Council.
With my December 31 retirement in full view, and as we all are confronting cascading instances of inhumanity and oppression, I thought that now would be a good time for representatives of peace and justice-oriented organizations to come together to share 2025 experiences and aspirations for 2026, while identifying or creating pathways for inter-organizational relationship building and collaboration.
Might you attend a meeting of this nature from 11:30a to 12:30p on December 11, 2025, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Columbus? Please use the enclosed Google registration form to let us know your attendance intentions. https://forms.gle/jViQhtPPexTJu7jb7
If you find that you will miss this special gathering, I invite you to prepare and submit your experiences, aspirations, and ideas for collaborative effort. https://forms.gle/jViQhtPPexTJu7jb7
Know that I am quite thankful for your organization and for you. Peace and goodwill to you, I pray.
With Hope,
Jack
Learn About Pastors and Laity Advancing Nonviolence (P.L.A.N.)
