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| West Ohio Links with UM Appalachian Ministry Network |
 "Linking Hands Across Appalachia," was the theme of the 2009 spring meeting of UM Appalachian Ministry Network and West Ohio's involvement was felt in multiple ways. [more] |
| Conference to Emphasize Communications |
The Professional Association of United Methodist Secretaries (PAUMCS) Conference is May 19 at Methodist Theological School. The theme is Who Keeps Changing My World? Keeping up with Today's World of Communication. Guest speakers are Sue Zakovec, graphic designer & web manager for the East Ohio Conference, and law professor Bryan Ward, who will be talking on Copyright Laws as They Apply to Local Churches. Contact Sue Smith or Elizabeth Feldman for reservations. |
| Lay Leaders Gather in West Ohio |
 Lay Leaders, Certified Lay Ministry advocates, Certified Lay Speakers, Assistants to District Superintendents, West Ohio Conference Co-Lay Leaders, and Connectional Ministries staff, gathered to discuss lay ministries throughout the annual conference. Valarie Willis & Jim Jasinski, Co-Lay Leaders, shared in leadership for the event. [more] |
| Re-Ignite Your Fire - A Camp for Adults |
 Come out and play! A camp for adults to experience or re-experience the fun and faith of celebrating life outdoors! Three days, two nights, lots of fun, old memories and a chance to make new ones - all for only $100. Friday June 26-Sunday June 28, 2009 at the United Methodist Widewater Retreat and Ministry Center in Liberty Center, Ohio. Contact: Jeff Ridenour (419-288-3809) or Eric Witte (419-533-5900) |
| Henderson Settlement VIM opportunity |
 Maumee Watershed District VIM Trip will assist Henderson Settlement in Kentucky with tasks such as construction, repairs, administrative help and programs. The trip is open to all. Churches are urged to support team members and projects. [brochure] | |
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| Volunteers hit streets as way to 'Rethink Church' |
 Madeleine Evelyn was one of about 160 United Methodist volunteers who spread across New York to perform random acts of kindness as part of a launch of the denomination's "Rethink Church" campaign. She joined fellow volunteers from the United Methodist New York Annual Conference on May 6 as they prepared for a large-scale demonstration of such acts of kindness. [more] |
| Youth invited to create logo for international fund |
United Methodists are looking to youth for some divine inspiration. United Methodist students, grades 6-12, are invited to design a new logo for the Youth Service Fund administered by The United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People. The contest is open from May 1 to July 31. The Youth Service Fund is a grant program funded by youth for youth service projects. In 2009, grants went to projects from Detroit to Kenya. [more] |
| Redeploy church resources, financial officers say |
 The United Methodist Church is rich in property and human resources, but its debts and obligations to health care are hurting the denomination's annual conferences. The church needs to redeploy its resources, but creating a long-term plan calls for more information from annual conferences. "We are starting to have a cash problem and we need a workout plan,"said Barbara Boigegrain, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, in a finance report to the Council of Bishops. [more] |
| Teen sells African jewelry as prom wear |
 High school senior Francie Fisher, a member of West End UMC in Nashville, TN, is hoping to convince students around the country to start a new tradition at their senior prom. Instead of flower corsages, Fisher wants them to buy heart-shaped beads made out of glass by Ethiopian teens. Memories of their big night would not only last in the form of beautiful jewelry, but include the knowledge they helped provide food and education for needy children. [more] |
| Methodists celebrate 'invisible' church |
 The Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, a centuries-old black Methodist denomination little noticed in church history, is alive and well. "We are not invisible," said Bishop Linwood Rideout, one of three bishops of the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church. If there were any doubts, they were put to rest by the 1,000 church members and friends who greeted the Pan-Methodist Commission in worship and fellowship at its recent meeting in Wilmington, DE. [more] |
| Lawmakers praise church as civil voice on poverty issues |
 National lawmakers encouraged United Methodist bishops to keep fighting against world hunger and disease, saying civil voices are necessary to break through partisan politics on issues such as health care and poverty. On Capitol Hill, Bishops from the US, Africa, Europe and the Philippines met with lawmakers and ambassadors to their countries to discuss issues relating to the church's four areas of focus. Following the meetings, the bishops attended a reception that featured greetings from Paul Monterio, religious liaison in President Obama's Office of Public Liaison. [more] |
| Programs supporting peace and justice receive grants |
 Twenty-eight justice projects ranging from a program that empowers women in the Ozarks to one offering training for election observers in Mozambique received grants from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. They awarded $52,805 in grants with funds from the Peace with Justice Sunday offering received in 2008. Peace with Justice Sunday, June 7 this year, is one of the six denomination-wide Special Sundays with offering that supports programs that advocate peace and justice throughout the world.[more] |
| Twittering in worship |
 Recently Time magazine published an online article about ways in which some worshipping communities are beginning to integrate Twitter into Sunday morning worship. [more] |
| New dates of note |
July 13-17...Mission Week - United Methodist Children's Home Renovation Project, community volunteer opportunities that range from roofing to yard work. [flyer] |
| Passages |
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Rev. Florence D. Arkley (retired 1980), died on April 14, 2009. She is survived by a grandson, Rod Schlingerman. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at 4089 Apple Valley Drive, Howard, OH 43028.
Rev. Charles W. Lovell (retired 1981), died on May 4, 2009. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Evelyn Lovell at 1001 Carpenters Way, Lakeland, FL 33809.
Rev. C. Melvin Alkire (retired 1985), died on May 3, 2009. |
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