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| Fallen Colleagues Remembered at Site |
Melissa Crutchfield of UMCOR walks past the wreckage of the Montana Hotel on her way to a memorial service for her colleagues in Haiti.
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| UMCOR Joins Relief Efforts on the Ground |
The United Methodist Committee on Relief and a host of other faith-based groups are on the ground in Haiti as they determine how to assist the survivors. |
| Survivor: UMCOR Trio Kept Faith in Haiti Ruins |
There were times, trapped beneath tons of concrete in the collapsed Hotel Montana, when the Rev. James Gulley thought help would never come. But Gulley, the Rev. Sam Dixon and the Rev. Clinton Rabb always knew they were in the hands of God. |
| Haiti Mission Volunteer Remembered |
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Clara "Jean" Arnwine (left) who gave her life providing medical care to Haiti's poor, was remembered in song and prayer January 20 in an emotional service attended by many of the volunteers who served with her. | |
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| In the West Ohio Conference, the power of the Connection comes to life for Haiti |
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Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea. Acts 11:25
Across our conference, United Methodist congregations of all sizes are reaching out in their own way to the people of Haiti. Many have already been in ministry in Haiti for years. Below is a sampling of the hundreds of emails we've received:
Indian Run UMC, Dublin, collected $4,032.42 for their first offering for Haiti. We are also partnering with Dublin City Schools to collect supplies for health kits. We estimate this partnership will produce between 5000-7000 kits by Friday. Rev. Brian Gath
Rolling Plains UMC in Zanesville has been working in Haiti for 14 years, helping to build schools, an orphanage and a church. We took up an offering for Haiti and raised $15,600 for relief efforts. Rev. Brian Law
The tiny congregation of New Harmony UMC, just outside of Williamsburg, took an offering of $358 for UMCOR Haiti relief. We are also making health kits and already have 25 kits ready to go for this weekend. Pastor Don Mundy
Church of the Saviour UMC, Cincinnati, has raised over $14,000 to date for Haiti relief. We also have extensive involvement in Haiti in the building and operation of an orphanage for 20 girls outside of Port-a-Prince, and have helped construct a clinic, church and school in the same area. Rev. Doug Johns
Old Fort UMC, Old Fort, has taken offerings and is sending a group of 10 people to UMCOR Sager Brown in a few weeks to pack health kits. Rev. John Alice
Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City held a Haiti offering the last two weekends. The offering total for Haiti to date is $58,067. New Path Ministries, the outreach arm of Ginghamsburg Church, is also collecting UMCOR health kits through January 31. In addition, Dr. Steve Guy from our leadership board is currently in Haiti as part of a medical missions team. Karen Smith, Communications & Global Initiatives
At Centenary UMC in Granville a team of seven just returned from a medical mission to Calebasse, Haiti three days before the earthquake. Received an offering to go directly to a pastor we know in Calebasse for the people in this mountain village of 3,000-4,000. We partner with Marne UMC in this Haiti mission. Steve Cramer, Pastor
Instead of our traditional welcome and greeting time in our two traditional services, First UMC, Milford, had a time of reflection and prayer for the Haitian people. The UMCOR involvement and gifts in Haiti was also included in the sermon. Rev. Mark S. Weatherman
St.Mark UMC, Springfield, took an offering of $650.00 for our sisters and brothers in Haiti. Souper Sunday, the youth will prepare soup for the church and all proceeds will go to UMCOR-Haiti. The UMW are preparing Health Kits as I write this. Being a small church, we have a BIG heart of LOVE! Pastor David W. Yingling
Maynard Avenue UMC, Columbus, is partnering with South High School, Columbus Cosmetology School and Sisters in Lavender to make health kits. Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner
Convoy UMC, Convoy took up a "Pickle Jar Offering" for Haiti. The Main & Sycamore Church raised $1500 so far and the satellite ministry at the former Hall Lumber Yard has raised $250 to be sent to UMCOR. A church member spoke about a missionary family working in Haiti in one of the orphanages who had to be evacuated. A United Methodist Aviation Missionary flew them out after he had delivered supplies. They were very grateful and noted that they tried to pay the pilot, but he would not accept any money. Rev. Greg Leigh
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| Celebrating Black History Month |
 February is a time to remind ourselves of the many and varied contributions African Americans have made to every aspect of the American culture and to celebrate them in conjunction with others. Be it music, science, religion, health ... examples and influence from the black experience are present. Each of us ought to enhance our knowledge of our impact and share with others the richness of these many contributions. [more] |
| North Central Jurisdiction Prepares for Realignment |
| The United Methodist Church (UMC) North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) College of Bishops announced its decision today on how it will reduce the number of Episcopal Areas from 10 to nine in 2012. Effective September 1, 2012, the Dakotas Annual Conference and Minnesota Annual Conference will be served by only one bishop, but maintain their current boundaries and structures. No other boundaries of annual conferences or episcopal areas will be affected by this decision. [more] |
| Needed: Summer Mentors |
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We pray that all West Ohio pastors have been hearing about the Next Generations Leadership Summer Internship program and have been prayerfully considering offering themselves as a mentor and their church as a host site. The application is available at www.westohioumc.org/internships and is due February 15, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact Jill K. Moore at 614-633-7169. |
| Book explores hours leading to Crucifixion |
 The Rev. Adam Hamilton is challenging Christians to spend six weeks focused on a day that changed world history: Jesus' Crucifixion. In "24 Hours That Changed the World,"
Hamilton retraces Jesus' footsteps "from the Mount of Olives to Mount Calvary." "It's the central story of our faith about a God who suffers for us and the price that God is willing to pay to redeem us and save us," he says. [more] |
| Scholarship applications available |
Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the 2010 West Ohio Cooperative School of Christian Mission. They are offered for the Youth Event (July 19-22) and for both men and women
for the 4-day School (July 19-22) or the Weekend Event (July 16-18). Applications are available here or by calling the registrar, Joan Johnson, at (937) 429-3635 or (937) 252-4467. The DEADLINE for submitting applications is April 15, 2010. |
| German United Methodist to lead mission agency |
 A former missionary with strong United Methodist roots in his native Germany and broad ecumenical and international experience is the new chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Thomas Kemper, 53, a layperson, was elected January 13 by the board's executive committee.
The first top executive of a United Methodist general agency from outside the United States, he will assume his new duties March 15. [more]
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| Deadline for CFO/Director of Administration nears |
The West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church has an opening for the position of CFO/Director of Administration.To apply, send a resume and cover letter to woc.search@gmail.com by January 31, 2010. Applicant information and questions will be accepted via email only. The complete job description is available online at CFO/Director of Administration Position. |
| New dates of note |
February 27...Design Matters, Cridersville; a hands-on workshop that will allow you to experience the process of creating powerful media for worship.
February 27... Haiti VIM Training, Columbus; participants will learn how to lead mission teams
within post-earthquake Haiti.
March 1-2...Holy Listening, Maria Stein; a clergy and laity spiritual retreat sponsored by the Northwest Plains District.
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| Passages |
| Mr. William Geaman, husband of Rev. Virginia Grace Geaman (retired 2002), died on January 2, 2010. Messages of condolence may be sent to Virginia at 519 Hillcrest, Findlay, OH 45840.
Rev. Wesley N. Thatcher (retired 1984), died on January 4, 2010. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Mary at 5259 Welch Road, Little Hociking, OH 45742.
Mrs. Elease Davis, surviving spouse of Rev. James Davis (deceased 1996), died on January 5, 2010.
Rev. Charles H. Moore, Jr. (retired 1997), died on January 11, 2010. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Evelyn at 478 W. Riehle Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601. | |
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