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| Resources |
Resources for Church Leaders
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West Ohio is on Facebook! | |
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| Dear Friends, |
| Reclusive woman's death sobers community.... is a story that broke my heart...and also made me feel a little guilty. I know so few people even in my own little neighborhood and haven't yet met the new people who moved in last summer across the street. I wonder how many people nearby and across our world are living and dying alone and lonely today.
Difficult times offer great opportunity to reach out in connection to our neighbors next door and across the globe. Our United Methodist connectional system was designed by John Wesley to help us do just that. I know many of you in West Ohio are already exhibiting love in action in so many ways, and I thank you. The ministry you do is an inspiration.
Maybe I'll walk across the street and introduce myself.
Lisa |
| National gathering of United Methodist Men |
 The tenth national gathering of UM Men will be held in Nashville this July at Belmont University. Over 5000 men from across the world are expected to attend this three day conference which will feature workshops, exhibits, concerts and world renowned artists and speakers. Information including an eight minute video promoting this event is available. [more] |
| West Ohio pastor to speak at commencement |
 Dr. Jeffrey E. Greenway will speak at the United Theological Seminary Commencement in May in Dayton. Dr. Greenway is the senior pastor of Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, one of West Ohio's largest and most missional churches. Dr. Greenway served as the president of Asbury Theological Seminary, a district superintendent and as a pastor to congregations in Butler and Erie, PA. [more] |
| Flooding in North Dakota |
 The eastern half of North Dakota is undergoing a lot of "weather stress" right now but Fargo pastors are not ready for volunteers yet... so please do not call them. Instead, call Lorna Jost, UMVIM-NCJ Coordinator, at 605.692.3390 if you would like to send a team to the flood disaster area. Teams would not be deployed for 3 or 4 weeks and then more teams will be needed for many months after that. Provide name, phone number, size of group, any special skills, and available dates. Also needed are individuals with special abilities (electricians, dry-wallers) or who have certain equipment like skid-loaders, etc. [more] | |
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| Apportionment reductions announced |
| Bishop Bruce R. Ough and Bill Brownson, President, Council on Finance and Administration, sent out a letter last week announcing a reduction in apportionments as well as other financial streamlining at the conference and district level. [more] |
| What was it like to be a preacher's kid? |
Brooke Taylor, a member of Grace UMC in Hamilton, Ohio, is a missions major at a christian university in Eastern Indiana. Brooke is conducting a research project on the upbringing of pastor's children, and is inviting PK's (preacher's kids) in West Ohio to participate in the project. An 10-15 minute online survey has been developed specifically for PK's who are now young adults. PK's will have the opportunity via the survey to provide a general understanding of their feelings about growing up with a parent who was in full-time ministry. Respondents need to be preacher's kids now between the ages of 18-25. The personal information will remain private and anonymous. Feel free to share this link with individuals who fall within these criteria. Deadline is April 17th Survey. |
| To lunch or not to lunch? |
 Mark April 25, World Malaria Day, with a renewed call to members and friends to support Nothing But Nets, a grassroots anti-malaria effort which allows anyone, for $10, to send a lifesaving bed net to a family in Africa. Dubbed "To Lunch or Not to Lunch?" the campaign highlights how the cost of lunch is all that it takes to provide a potentially lifesaving bed net to an African family. Skip a lunch. Send a net. Save a life. [more] |
| Neighbor to Neighbor congressional visits |
 Begining today through April 17, faith communities throughout the U.S. will be conducting visits in their districts with members of congress home on congressional recess. We invite people across West Ohio to organize neighbor to neighbor visits with your congressional representatives. West Ohio has information on how to organize a powerful opportunity to serve your immigrant neighbors and share expectations for what Congress should be doing to fix a broken immigration system in a just and humane way. [more] |
| Clergy spouse survey results |
 Today's clergy spouse, either male or female, often has a graduate degree and a full-time job outside the church. That is one of the findings of a survey on "Clergy Spouses and Families in The United Methodist Church 2009." The survey was prepared by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, in collaboration with the denomination's Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Board of Discipleship and Board of Higher Education and Ministry. [more] |
| Nominate a clergy or lay person for an evangelism award |
 Begun in 1981 to honor United Methodist clergy and lay persons in each annual conference who exhibit unusual and outstanding efforts for the work on Christian Evangelism, the Harry Denman Evangelism Award helps draw attention to evangelism in your conference by honoring one clergy person and one lay person who are reaching others effectively for Christ. Those eligible for these prestigious awards are persons who are effective in helping persons to experience the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ. Deadline is April 10. [more] |
| Wesley Chapel Mission Center celebrated |
The Star Awards recognize organizations and individuals who have contributed to the revitalization of Over-the-Rhine and its five sub-neighborhoods: Washington Park, Mohawk, Central, Pendleton and Findlay Market in the Cincinnati area. This year's awards included the Wesley Chapel Mission Center as the Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year. Wesley Chapel receives some of its funding from the 2009 West Ohio Community Centers & Cooperative Parish Grants program, and the Ohio River Valley district, through the connectional generosity of West Ohio churches. [more] |
| No casinos invitation from Bishop Ough |
 "We, as persons of faith and citizens who seek the common good for all of God's people, are the ones to put a stop, once again, to the expansion of predatory gambling in Ohio. I invite you to join the "No Casinos in Ohio" network sponsored by the East and West Ohio Conferences and become a witness against gambling. Read Bishop Ough's letter and join the effort. [more] |
| New dates of note |
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April 17-18...The Scriptures from the Heart, biblical storytelling led by Tom Boomershine. [details]
April 25...Film Festival for Bloom, a movie by Joey Graves, Youth Pastor at Trinity Defiance; 7:00 p.m., Huber Opera House in Hicksville . [flyer]
April 25..."Three Reform Eras: Times of Hope" - 2009 United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio Convocation and Annual Meeting. [details]
May 1, 2, 3...Healing Weekend, for all persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as their friends, partners, families and caregivers. [brochure] [registration] |
| Passages |
Mrs. Helen Kuntzman, surviving spouse of Rev. K. Albert Kuntzman (deceased 1983), died on March 23. Messages of condolence may be sent to her daughter Carol Gotte at 2963 Brookfield Lane, Clearwater, FL 33761.
Rev. John Zinsmeister (honorable location, retired 1984), died on March 22. Messages of condolence may be sent to his son Adam at 316 Kertess Avenue, Worthington, OH 43085.
Rev. Royal Fishbeck, long-time staff member of the General Council on Ministries in Dayton and member of the United Methodist Troy Annual Conference, died on March 22. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Roberta at 212 Epworth, Woodlawn Commons, 156 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. |
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Deadline for NewsNET articles is noon on Tuesdays |
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| Early Bird Discount
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For the next two days only, you can make reservations for the Creative Worship/Design Matters workshop at the early bird prices. Get the full seminar treatment with Midnight Oil's 2-day event this month in Dayton, combining the newest and best thinking for creative worship and media design, including everything from overview and foundational principles to the nitty-gritty of how-to. Register for a single day or for both together. The discount is extended for two days starting Tuesday, April 7 through Thursday, April 9. [more] |
| Offer Expires: April 9, 2009 | |
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