News.NET
West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church
January 20, 2009 - Vol 2, Issue 3
In This Issue
Would Martin Luther King be right today?
Bishop's 33rd Letter to King
Letter from Ohio River Valley District
Ash spill creates concern
Superintendents in Mexico
Analysis of Bush Presidency
Volunteers in Mission news
Church keeps hospitals open
Events
Passages
Resources
44 Stepsis A series of stories, video and audio reports by United Methodists about the inauguration of Barack Obama, as the first African-American U.S. president.
Would Martin Luther King be right today?
mlkIs the worship hour on Sunday still the most segregated time in America, as Martin Luther King Jr. noted, or are we entering an era of change?  With the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama, now is the perfect time to discuss and to create or enhance multiethnic congregations. How do you do it? The answers are as varied as the melting pot living in the United States. [more]
Bishop's 33rd letter to King
Bishop WhiteBishop Woodie White has written an annual letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. for the last 33 years, but no letter has been filled with as much joy as the 2009 letter.     [more]
An open letter from Rev. Dr. Randy Stearns
Randy StearnsWe stand on the precipice of an historic occasion! The occasion is one that few envisioned possible during their life time.

While attending a recent Mission Foundation meeting.....a member shared a personal story of amazement during our opening devotion. With tears he was remembering a diner in a southern state where he and friends were seated for a meal, years ago.  [more] 
Analysis:  United Methodists assess Bush presidency 
Presidents Bush & SirleafAs United Methodists evaluate the performance of George W. Bush, some view him as a hero leading others over a challenging terrain. Others view him as a person whose policies conflicted with the principles of his own denomination.  Pictured at right is U.S. President George W. Bush greeting President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia during an October meeting at the White House in Washington. (A UMNS file photo by Eric Draper, courtesy of the White House.)   [more] 
At the end of the road in the mountains of Mexico...
Anders in MexicoGrace and peace to you from Monterrey. My son Brent and I landed here on Monday, [Jan 12] and have been traveling with a team of folks from the [West Ohio] United Methodist Church in Ohio. We have been visiting partner ministries, meeting pastors and leaders and meeting God in new places. 
(Read more of Miami Valley District Superintendent, Duane Anders letter from Mexico as he travels with the Bishop and other West Ohio Cabinet members)  
Tenn. ash spill creates concern for area churches
spillSwan Pond is one of four United Methodist churches located within a few miles of the billion-gallon spill that came from the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston plant, a coal-burning facility in Roane County. The 300-acre disaster was the topic of a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing Jan. 8. It has been reported that the spill covers an area several times larger than that of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. [more]
United Methodist Church keeps Zimbabwe hospitals open
Zimbabwe HospitalsAmid the public health crisis in Zimbabwe, United Methodist hospitals have remained open. 
 
Nyadire, Old Mutare and Mutambara United Methodist hospitals, along with other separate clinics, continue to treat patients, according to Melissa Crutchfield, head of international disaster response for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.  [more] 
Volunteers in Mission News
VIM Team to Dominican Republic - February 28-March 7; contact Peggy Leatherwood at 614-214-7219.
 
VIM Team to Managua, Nicaragua - June 21-29; contact Jack Reif at 513-831-5550.
Events
Preaching from the Center - July 13-16, Orlando, FL.
 
Boot Camp for Church Planters - 5 dates/locations to choose from.  Why start a new Church?  To create new spaces for new people; Reach more new people, More young people, More diverse people, who become ore Christ like in the world.  Established churches reaching out to start new ones has proven to be the most successful way to reach new people.  These boot camps are a great first step for a team of folks from your church to explore.  Call Marcus Atha, West Ohio Conference New Church Start Consultant for more information or conversation at 614-204-1291.  
Passages
Mrs. Gloria R. Shick, surviving spouse of Rev. William E. Shick (deceased 1983), died December 29, 2008. Messages of condolence will reach her sons Tim at 1943 Shannondale, Mayport, PA 16240 or Mark at 500 Highland Parkway #4D, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.
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