• As Christians how do we take the principles we hear from the pulpit and apply them in a Christlike way to our shared public life in Ohio?
• How do we counter the extremism operating in our state without cultivating hate for others?
• How can the church be a place of healing and liberation for both the oppressor and the oppressed?
• How does the Ohio statehouse work?
• How can we begin to organize for the dignity of our neighbors and affect meaningful policy change at the state level now?

Join Trinity, Capitol Square and other leaders across the Diocese of Southern Ohio on Saturday, January 31 to explore each of these questions and more as we gather together to inspire, inform and catalyze our commitment to loving our neighbors in Ohio.

Keynote Speaker Maria Bruno will offer a compelling vision of how we fight extremism in Ohio’s state and local government by building community, holding out hope for transformation and not spreading hate. Then, Rachel Coyle will lead a seminar, “How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse?” for a non-partisan nuts and bolts look at both the political process that results in bills being passed and how to advocate effectively for issues in Ohio. And then finally, the Rev. Nick Bates will share how people of faith are currently organizing at the state level and facilitate small group discussions for how we can leave this gathering ready to engage as Episcopalians.

Maria Bruno, Esq. is the co-founder and executive director of Ohioans Against Extremism, an organization that helps give Ohioans the tools and knowledge to fight extremism. Through public campaigns, diverse partnerships, and specialized skills training, OAE helps Ohioans understand political current events and statehouse legislation, and more effectively engage with public officials. Before starting Ohioans Against Extremism, Maria worked as the Public Policy Director at Equality Ohio, fighting for LGBTQ rights at the statehouse. She previously worked in policy advocacy related to affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and voting and has spent her career fighting for civil rights in Ohio. She holds a Juris Doctor from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Rev. Nick Bates is a graduate of Capital University Law School and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2012, and was later ordained as a deacon in the ELCA in 2014. Since 2004, Deacon Bates has worked in non-profit advocacy with COHHIO, One Ohio Now, and Ohio Voice. Since 2016, Deacon Bates has served as the director of the Hunger Network in Ohio, a faith-based effort to end hunger in Ohio by addressing the root causes of poverty through advocacy. In 2026, Deacon Bates also serves in a part-time capacity at the Ohio Council of Churches as their executive director. He lives in the Hilltop neighborhood of Columbus with his wife and two children.

Rachel Coyle serves as Policy Director at Honesty For Ohio Education. She is also the co-founder of “How Things Work at the Statehouse” and does contract work with organizations such as Ohioans Against Extremism and Blue Ohio. Rachel has previously served as communications director for a governor’s race and a state Senate race, worked as press secretary for the Ohio Democratic Party, and held legislative and campaign roles with the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus. Rachel has extensive nonprofit experience as well. She managed grassroots mobilization at ACLU of Ohio and served as communications director for Innovation Ohio. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in political communication from American University.

Questions about this event?
Contact the Rev. Jed Dearing, rector of Trinity, Capitol Square at revjed@trinitycolumbus.org.