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| Week of prayer for Christian unity, January 18-25, 2010 |
 A Pastoral Statement by the Governing Board of the Ohio Council of Churches: As people of God, we are called to give witness to what we have seen and heard in scripture, and in the many ways Jesus has come to us. It is a challenge today for us to give witness, both verbally and in action to who we are called to be as God's people. As we give visible witness to our unity, we give thanks for each partner. [more] |
| 2010: UMCOR celebrates 70 years of hope |
 In 1940, Bishop Herbert Welch issued a challenge to establish a "voice of conscience among Methodists to act in the relief of human suffering without distinction of race, color, or creed." For 70 years, United Methodists have responded to that challenge, spreading hope to God's most vulnerable people, through The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). To make a gift in celebration of UMCOR's 70th Anniversary and help meet the most urgent needs around the world support UMCOR Advance #999895. [more] |
| Hanke named leader of United Methodist Men |
 The United Methodist Church needs men, and men need a spiritual home. The challenge is bringing the two together, said Gilbert C. Hanke, new top executive for the Commission on United Methodist Men. Hanke, 59, will become top staff executive of the agency February 1. "Men are searching for something spiritual, and many are looking in the wrong places," Hanke said. "The United Methodist Church is uniquely equipped to help men because of that wonderful balance between personal and spiritual piety as John Wesley calls it. We are always growing and understanding our relationship to Jesus Christ." [more] | |
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| Fair Trade palms for Palm Sunday |
The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (NACEC) and the University of Minnesota Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Agricultural Management (CINRAM) are working together with the Rainforest Alliance TREES program, Smartwood, and TransFair to certify palms harvested from the forests of Mexico and Guatemala for sale to Christian congregations in the United States and Europe. [more] |
| Bible in a Year - a Living Commentary |
 Join members of The School of Congregational Development in a spiritual quest to experience the Bible in a new way and invite members of your congregations to join as well. A new Ning Site called Bible in a Year has been created where members can read a series of passages and then share thoughts and reflections. |
| Have you been thinking about going on a mission trip? |
 A number of VIM teams are requesting help in getting participants. There are also several new projects sites in the North Central Jurisdiction that are requesting volunteers. This information is listed on the West Ohio Conference web site at www.westohioumc.org/ncjrequests. A link to the complete listing of all USA or NCJ projects can be found there as well and is updated each month. |
| Web site designed to help marriages stay strong |
 Marriage starts looking dismal if you are gazing through lenses focused on the rich and famous. Think David Letterman or South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. But if you step back and look at marriage through the lenses of faith, it can be a blessing, said one United Methodist pastor who has spent years developing an online marriage assessment designed to bring couples closer together. [more] |
| Downturn prompts questions on clergy pensions |
 The impact of the prolonged economic downturn is leading some in The United Methodist Church to call for an examination of how U.S. clergy pensions are funded. While the plans administered by the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits remain solvent, the denomination's 62 U.S. regional bodies, or annual conferences, are concerned about escalating contribution costs. [more] |
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The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has in the past sponsored an international clergywomen's consultation each quadrennium. This quadrennium each jurisdiction is responsible for implementing its own clergywomen's gathering with the hope that we can have a global one again in 2014. The women bishops in the jurisdiction have been asked to see what the interest is for such an event and who might be willing to provide leadership for it. Please take the time to complete this survey by January 15, 2010. [survey] |
| Children are disciples too |
 Often in reference to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, our images are of adults. As we consider our discipleship personality and congregational processes, "Covenant Discipleship Connection" provides a reflective approach to the concept of living as a disciple of Christ. This approach invites us to a concept of "children" in being a disciple. May your spiritual journey be enhanced from engaging "children" as a metaphor and your worship community receive new hope this new year as you, as a congregation, reflect upon this article. [more] |
| New dates of note |
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July 14-18... Aldersgate 2010, Charleston, WV; the largest United Methodist family conference in the United States.
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| Passages |
| Please note date correction: Mrs. Ruby Roth, surviving spouse of Rev. Cleo Charles Roth (deceased 1982), died on November 27, 2006.
Maxine M. Grimm, surviving spouse of Rev. Joseph Grimm (deceased), died on December 10, 2009. Messages of condolence may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Wally Grimm, 1336 Kathy Street, Van Wert, OH 45891.
Rev. Karen Fourman, who served Mt. Blanchard UMC, died on December 12, 2009. Messages of condolence may be sent to her husband Tom at 7281 Hollansburg-Sampson Road, Arcanum, OH 45304.
Mrs. Wilda Hanna, surviving spouse of Rev. Charles R. Hanna (deceased 1983), died on December 15, 2009. Messages of condolence may be sent to her daughter Nancy VanDyke at 9 Dayspring Terrace, Cincinnati, OH 45218. | |
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