“Together met, together bound …”
For almost 30 years, the Church of the Epiphany in Urbana and the Church of Our Saviour in Mechanicsburg have formed the Northern Miami Valley Episcopal Cluster to share resources, including money, people and ideas for the sake of mutual support, vitality and God’s mission. The original configuration included Holy Trinity in Bellefontaine which has since closed; however, its life continues in the Cluster – many of its active members have joined Epiphany, Urbana, enriching its common life. The congregations participating in the Cluster have entered a relationship agreement through a covenant. In addition to defining the specifics associated with shared clergy, the covenant articulates how the Cluster is governed, how it is financially supported, and how such a relationship is mutually beneficial.
To encourage a sense of common purpose and fellowship, our two churches combine for worship and other activities from time to time, including an annual outdoor service followed by a picnic, Christian formation and youth group.
The Cluster Council, the governing body, is made up of representatives from each member congregation and the resident clergy.
To encourage a sense of common purpose and fellowship, our two churches combine for worship and other activities from time to time, including an annual outdoor service followed by a picnic, Christian formation and youth group.
The Cluster Council, the governing body, is made up of representatives from each member congregation and the resident clergy.
The current leaders include:
E = Epiphany OS = Our Saviour
Cindy Heffner (E), Chair
Todd Boeck (OS), Treasurer
Amy Boeck (OS), Scribe
Heather Angus (E)
Dianne Cummings (E)
Larry Rammel (OS)
Cindy Heffner (E), Chair
Todd Boeck (OS), Treasurer
Amy Boeck (OS), Scribe
Heather Angus (E)
Dianne Cummings (E)
Larry Rammel (OS)
Cluster Staff
Emma Helms-Steinmetz, Interim Ministries Coordinator
Amy Boeck, Office Administrator
Cindy Heffner, Adult Formation Director
Emma Helms – Steinmetz, Emily Rozmus, and Amy Boeck, Children’s Formation Steering Team
Amy Boeck, Office Administrator
Cindy Heffner, Adult Formation Director
Emma Helms – Steinmetz, Emily Rozmus, and Amy Boeck, Children’s Formation Steering Team
Parish Profile
The Northern Miami Valley Episcopal Cluster in Champaign County, Ohio (Church of Our Saviour, Mechanicsburg and Church of the Epiphany in Urbana) seeks a part-time rector. Our part-time rector should be an energetic individual eager to engage with the ecumenical community and the outreach and mission opportunities in place in the Cluster community. The Cluster is “a community of Episcopal congregations growing together in loving and serving God and our neighbors here and beyond.” The churches in the Cluster are two individual parishes joined together in a 30 year collaboration of fellowship. Both parishes have much to offer: Each church hosts a monthly community meal and is active in their towns by housing AA meetings, homeschool groups, community gardens and engaging with neighbors as advocates at local pantries and the like. The foundation of lay leadership is strong in both churches with long-time members and many new members who share the same energy. Members of the laity preach sermons, make Eucharistic visits to homebound, write Sunday school lessons and lead in many ways. Children of the Cluster are actively engaged in serving during worship and can attend Sunday school classes as well. The Cluster is also affiliated with a group of county churches called “Life Together” that includes the Presbyterian and Lutheran churches in Urbana. The Life Together partnership is also the vehicle through which our active youth group functions, enjoying pool parties, sledding outings, crafting, pizza dinners and bowling. Ecumenical partnership runs deep in the Cluster history.
Champaign County (Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Bureau) is ideally located only about a 30 minute drive from both Columbus and Dayton. Each village is vibrant and unique: Urbana has an active shopping and dining scene as well as a long-lived arts scene. Historic preservation took the forefront a few decades ago and has resulted in a nationally-recognized home and garden tour that highlights architecture in every village in the county. Arts festivals, activities and parades take place in downtown Urbana and the other communities several times during the year and in all seasons. Farmers’ markets are held in several communities in this agricultural county. The local schools are centers of connection for the tight-knit communities “where everyone knows your name.” County youth can engage in summer theater opportunities and other arts-centered and athletic activities. The area as a whole offers a variety of opportunities for engagement and activity, including employment: in addition to local schools, health, farming and manufacturing industries, Honda of America and many affiliates are located in neighboring Union County.
You can find more information about the Northern Miami Valley Episcopal Cluster at their website here: nmvec.org. Please also visit our Facebook pages: (9) Facebook (NMVEC), (1) Facebook or Facebook (Our Saviour) and (9) Facebook (Epiphany).
Champaign County (Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Bureau) is ideally located only about a 30 minute drive from both Columbus and Dayton. Each village is vibrant and unique: Urbana has an active shopping and dining scene as well as a long-lived arts scene. Historic preservation took the forefront a few decades ago and has resulted in a nationally-recognized home and garden tour that highlights architecture in every village in the county. Arts festivals, activities and parades take place in downtown Urbana and the other communities several times during the year and in all seasons. Farmers’ markets are held in several communities in this agricultural county. The local schools are centers of connection for the tight-knit communities “where everyone knows your name.” County youth can engage in summer theater opportunities and other arts-centered and athletic activities. The area as a whole offers a variety of opportunities for engagement and activity, including employment: in addition to local schools, health, farming and manufacturing industries, Honda of America and many affiliates are located in neighboring Union County.
You can find more information about the Northern Miami Valley Episcopal Cluster at their website here: nmvec.org. Please also visit our Facebook pages: (9) Facebook (NMVEC), (1) Facebook or Facebook (Our Saviour) and (9) Facebook (Epiphany).
