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| Greetings! |
 I'll never forget the day Eric Witte, director of Widewater Camp & Retreat Center, met my seven year old son, Dylan, and talked him into going to camp. We were registering my niece who'd gone to Widewater for years, but I wasn't ready yet to have Dylan be away from home for a week. Before I could blink, Eric had Dylan signed up and on his way to the first of several adventurous summers at camp. Obviously Dylan was ready before Mom was!
What your apportionment giving allows West Ohio camps to provide to our children is priceless. If you haven't had the opportunity to learn about West Ohio Camps & Retreat Centers, check out the two articles below. And thanks for giving kids like my son the chance to have fun and create memories at a West Ohio camp,
Lisa |
| The adventure of a West Ohio camp |
 Your children deserve a more exciting summer than playing videogames in the basement. With camp names like Dynamic Divas, Mission Adventure, 2theXtreme and Movie Madness, who wouldn't want to go to a West Ohio Conference United Methodist camp? Our camps offer a rare combination of American Camp Association standards combined with teachings grounded in the Wesleyan tradition, yet ecumenically sound for all Christian children.[more] |
| West Ohio retreats offer serenity and exploration |
 Fresh air in your lungs, rugged hiking trails, a safe place for the family, reflective bonfires - these are just some of the amenities that the West Ohio Conference Retreat Centers can offer you. We are confident that we have the accommodations you are looking for to plan your next retreat, conference, or weekend getaway. [more] | |
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| Church agency promotes anti-torture petition |
 The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is soliciting signatures to send to President Obama and the U.S. Congress urging an independent commission of inquiry into allegations of torture by the U.S. government. The petition campaign is in response to Obama's statement that prosecution of anyone involved in torture may not occur because of "very complicated issues." The campaign also is taking on urgency in light of a recent survey that shows more than seven in 10 Americans continue to believe there are circumstances in which the torture of suspected terrorists is justified. [more] |
| Green Eyeshades & Rose Colored Glasses |
 Congregational budget-makers frequently divide into two camps that approach the task in different ways. The first camp is likely to include children of the Great Depression, experts in finance, elementary school teachers, and persons anxious about their own money situation. Their first priority is to make sure that the budget balances and that the congregation makes no plans or commitments it is less than 100 percent certain it can meet. I call this camp the Green Eyeshades.
The second camp typically includes young clergy, upscale decorators, Baby Boomers, college professors, and commission salespeople. They firmly believe that with God (or even without God) all things are possible. They say, "We are a congregation, not a business." This camp can be identified at budget meetings mostly by their absence. When shanghaied into talking about money, they glaze over. I call them the Rose-Colored Glasses.
The division between the Eyeshades and the Glasses is as old as Mary and Martha, Moses and Aaron, Job and Job's wife. [more] |
| Press conference on education reform |
The Governor's plans for the education of Ohio's children have the attention of one group that's been looking over his proposal for a while - church leaders. During a recent press conference in Columbus, clergy members - including many United Methodists - from three Ohio cities urged the governor and lawmakers to fix the school-funding system, saying they  have a moral obligation to ensure that students in poor communities have the same opportunities as those in wealthier areas.
In the press conference, the Rev. Sherry Gale, of Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton, said all children must be given the same opportunities. "The clearest path out of poverty is a quality education. It is a human tragedy and moral failure that those who will most benefit from education have the least access," she said. [more] |
| UM Health association offers prescription cards |
 The United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries has joined forces with PS Card, a free prescription drug discount card that offers uninsured consumers access to discounted pricing for prescription drugs and diabetic strips. Free PS Card membership will be offered through more than 105 association-affiliated local outreach centers, including soup kitchens, job training centers, and family service centers, as well as through the website and many local congregations. |
| GBGM Partner help Chinese Christians lead quake recovery |
 Life in the Sichuan province in China changed on May 12, 2008. The Longmenshan fault buckled and ripped in two, reducing towns and villages to rubble and collapsing school buildings like accordions. In just two minutes, the disaster would leave 70,000 dead, 400,000 injured, 18,000 missing and millions of people without homes and livelihoods. Within five hours, the Amity Foundation -- one of the main partners in China of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries -- had staff in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, to begin assessing damage in some of the worst affected counties.[more] |
| Student loans in high demand |
Student loans and scholarships are awarded annually by the United Methodist Church from apportionment dollars and United Methodist Student Day offerings. This year, loan funds were exhausted within four days of the application start date of May 1. Due to the overwhelming demand for United Methodist student loans, the Office of Loans and Scholarships of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is no longer accepting applications for the 2009 summer and fall academic terms. If new funding arises, the application will be available again. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the agency awarded $4.57 million in scholarships to 3,371 students, and $1.95 million in loans to 430 students. |
| What about United Methodists who can't sing? |
 Congregational singing is a sign of vitality. In theory, everyone is encouraged to participate. No voice should be left behind in an institution that prides itself on valuing the diversity of God's gifts. But what should a pastor or music director do when someone drowns out others in the church? Or when a church member with no musical skills but great enthusiasm wants to join the choir? When does the aesthetics of the service take precedence over the desire to be inclusive in worship? [more]
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| Palmer says church is in 'sweet spot' for change |
 Life happens during the years between General Conference, and The United Methodist Church needs to learn to be "nimble." Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, president of the Council of Bishops, presented a five-point call to action to a joint meeting of the Connectional Table and the General Council on Finance and Administration. The plan was approved last week during the bishops' spring meeting. [more] |
| VBS program gets 'On the Move' with CeCe Winans |
 A new vacation Bible school curriculum that will take children through the civil rights movement has gotten the attention and endorsement of a Grammy Award-winning artist. "I have made a wonderful discovery," CeCe Winans says of "On the Move: God's Grace from Place to Place," published by Abingdon Press. "On the Move" is the African-American heritage-based intergenerational study for 2009. "It meets many of the goals I am always singing about and praying for," Winans says on a video on YouTube. [more]
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| United Methodist bishops support immigration reform |
 The full Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has appealed to the President and Congress of the United States to support "comprehensive immigration reform" that would, among other goals, provide pathways to citizenship and reunify families separated by current policies. A " Statement on the US Immigration Situation" was adopted on May 8 during a meeting of the council in Bethesda, Maryland. It builds on an earlier appeal issued a few weeks ago by a group of two dozen active and retired bishops.The bishops said they as a group are "committed to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that is humane and effective and that upholds the human and civil rights of immigrants." |
| Hymnal revision stopped due to lack of funds |
 Work has been halted on a proposed new United Methodist Hymnal, making it the latest victim of the economic crisis. "The resources required to sustain a dedicated staff and pay for the planned activities are simply not available at this time," said Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, chair of the hymnal revision committee. The United Methodist Publishing House would have to invest at least $2 million to develop a new hymnal and funding is not available from ongoing operations or from reserves. [more] |
| Mission opportunity from teachUM |
Oct. 7-28...Lithuania, a team needed to conduct after-school Bible classes. Email Jackie Slagle or call 701.838.4893; 701.240.9333 for information. |
| New dates of note |
July 8...Magic Day Camp, children will spend the day learning basic magic and performance skills. [details]
July 13-16...Preaching from the Center 2009, a national seminar facilitated by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship. [details]
Aug. 18... The Stewardship Challenge, a one day leadership and stewardship event with John C. Maxwell.[details] |
| Passages |
Rev. Joe Bauer died on May 10, 2009. Memorial contributions my be made to Hamilton County Park District, 10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231.
Russ Abbott, Jr., father of Rev. Russ Abbott, died on May 12, 2009. Russ serves as pastor at Mt. Pisgah UMC also CEO of the West Ohio UM Credit Union. Messages of condolence may be sent to Russ and Helen at 1266 Pine Forest Drive, Amelia, OH 45102.
Mary Francis Weatherly, mother of Rev. Steve Weatherly (pastor at Jacksonburg UMC), died on May 15, 2009. Messages of condolence may be sent to Steve and Dena at 4655 Middletown-Oxford Road, Middletown, OH 45042. Memorial contributions my be made to the Otterbein Lebanon Benevolent Fund or Jacksonburg's Building Fund. |
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