DENOMINATIONAL MEMBERS
Wear Your Support to Help Stop Gun Violence – Shirts Available for Sale
Help us spread Gun Violence Prevention Awareness by supporting the cause and saving lives. One Team. One Goal. A whole lot of support. We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates on all the great things happening at the Gun Violence Prevention Committee of the Ohio Council of Churches. Our resources are expanding with Committee members’ input.
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!
Justice & Advocacy Ministries
Mental Health Stigma Reducation
Fair Legislative Maps
The Freedom to Love
“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm…and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom…only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” (Galatians 5:1,13, NRSV)
So, which is it, Paul? Are we free? Or, are we slaves? What am I missing here? We spend a lot of time talking about freedom these days. Freedom, or its preservation, is heralded as the good intention and motivation from both - every - side of the aisle. Freedom is to be both wildly defended and more obtained. The motives for maintaining or encroaching upon freedom are weaponized and scrutinized at nearly every political, economic, legal, and social turn. Freedom is to be both wildly defended and more obtained.
Collectively, we place a high value on freedom, we even prioritize it in our clothing. Our “freedom stretch fabric” ensures that we are not bound up, hemmed in, or compromising our own comfort...right down to our undies and our socks.
But sometimes it seems we misuse and denigrate the term, freedom. Secularly, it often implies a high degree of self-oriented individuality; “freedom” in our daily use of the word tends to consider self before considering other.
Still, it’s easy to get behind Paul’s initial call to freedom, isn’t it? We are unfettered, liberated and unyoked from the slavery that is the burden of sin and death. Claim this freedom! We are redeemed and set free! There is great rejoicing at the foot of the cross and at the threshold of the empty tomb.
But, what are we to do with this freedom as Christians? What are we freed and liberated to do? We are freed and liberated to live our lives in the Spirit.
We are freed from self-indulgence and self-centeredness.
We are liberated from our own self-destruction.
We are freed to liberally and effusively live the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
In the greatest of cosmic ironies, we are liberated to BE yoked and bound. We are free in Christ to do good things. We are free to be agents of reconciliation and love. We are free to place ourselves squarely in the breaches where we perceive the loss of another’s dignity, injustices, and abject oppression.
We are freed...to love those who do not love us. We are even liberated to the ultimate freedom of loving our enemies.
We are free...to BE yoked and bound, tethered and tied, chained and fettered... singularly...to LOVE.
Rev. Iva Joyce-Miesse
Associate Rector
Trinity Episcopal Church on Capitol Square in Columbus
Are You Looking to Get Involved?
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people,
but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18
There is so much going on in the world these days. If you're like me, you might feel overwhelmed by it all. We want to show love to our neighbor but sometimes don't know where to begin. Below are a few upcoming events that are great ways to jump in, learn, pray, and explore how the Spirit is calling you to love your neighbor!
Please consider sharing these events with your networks too!
There is a lot going on these days in our world. Far too many of our neighbors live in fear, anxiety, and loneliness because of our brokenness in humanity.
But when God's Spirit brings us together in prayer, celebration, learning, and action, we can accomplish many great things. In a world where greed and power seek to divide us, may the spirit of resurrection lift us up to be a light for justice for all to see!
Deacon Nick Bates, J.D.
Ohio Council of Churches,
Interim Executive Director
Death Penalty Abolition – April 17, 2026
A conversation on Violence, Justice, and Healing
Join Ohioans to Stop Executions (OTSE) and Journey of Hope for three evenings with Dr. Rev. Jack Sullivan, Jr., a nationally recognized speaker on the death penalty. Our former director, even in retirement, continues his advocacy and education about the need to abolish the death penalty. Rev. Sullivan will share his personal story as a murder victim family member, and reflect on faith, justice, and healing.
CLICK BELOW TO RSVP FOR YOUR LOCAL ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY EVENT
Faith and Freedom – May 2, 2026 from 9:00 - 12:30
Understanding Christian Nationalism in America
Join us for event which aims to educate clergy and laity of the Ohio Council of Churches' congregations and Columbu area African American Churches and community members about the main purposes of the Christian Nationalism movement. Event will feature Dr. kerri Parker, the executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches and feature a keynote address by Dr. Eugene Gibson, the Senior Pastor at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.
Registration is $10 to cover costs.
Faith and Legislative Leader Luncheon May 18th
Building an Economy that Works for All 11-1, Ohio Statehouse
Join people of faith from around Ohio for lunch at the Ohio Statehouse as we learn from policy experts and bi-partisan lawmakers about efforts underway to make our economy work for all of us! This event is co-hosted by the Hunger Network in Ohio, The Council of Churches and the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Individual seats and table sponsorships are available!
