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West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church
March 3, 2010 - Vol. 3, Issue 43
In This Issue
2010 Annual Conference
Ohio pastors file IRS complaint
Courage of convictions
Board launches mobile website
Volunteers in Mission
New dates of note
Resources
Lenten Resources
 
 
UM Council of Bishops To Meet in Columbus 
Council of BishopsThe Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church will hold their semi-annual meeting in the West Ohio Conference in Columbus from May 2-7, 2010. During the weekend prior to the Council meeting, the Bishops have generously offered to join the people of West Ohio in a series of community worship, service and learning experiences focused on poverty.
 
The Council of Bishops is made up of all active and retired bishops of The United Methodist Church. According to the 2008 Book of Discipline, The Church expects the Council of Bishops to speak to the Church and from the Church to the world and to give leadership in the quest for Christian unity and interreligious relationships. [427.2]
 
Ministry With PoorMinistry with the Poor, one of the United Methodist Church's Four Areas of Focus, will be the presiding theme of the meeting and pre-meeting events. The Council is offering West Ohio their leadership and participation in 3 days of worship, service, learning and public witness during the weekend before the Council meeting. This is a huge and rare opportunity for West Ohio and for metropolitan Columbus, where the conference and impact mission weekend will take place. 
 
April 30-May 2
Rethink Poverty
 ...walking in service & ministry with the poor
 
Impact Mission Weekend in Metropolitan Columbus
  • Four Worship Services with United Methodist Bishops Preaching Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
  • Four Workshops on Saturday led by United Methodist Bishops
  • Four Service opportunities on Saturday at Columbus area ministries with the poor
  • Love First Walk to the Capitol for Poverty & Children 
 
Please mark your calendars for this event April 30-May 2 in Columbus and consider joining us. Additional details and registration information will follow shortly. 
2010 Annual Conference   Love In Action:  Building Bridges Out of Poverty
Recommendations: DEADLINE IS MARCH 15, 2010. Please send recommendations electronically to the conference secretary, Cean Wilson at lcwilson@wocumc.org with "2010 Recommendation" in the subject line.  Questions?  Email or call her at 614-764-1632.
Pastors file IRS complaint about D.C. 'church'
IRSUnited Methodist clergy are part of a group of 13 Ohio ministers challenging the tax-exempt status of a Washington, D.C., town house that claims to function as a church. "We are concerned that an exclusive residential club for powerful officials may be masquerading as a church," the Columbus clergy wrote in a complaint about C Street Center filed with the Internal Revenue Service. [more]
On courage of convictions
jsprague'[Church leaders] have become glibly pious and not particularly plucky.' Bishop C. Joseph Sprague (retired) makes this comment in the February 26 issue of Faith in Action. His article is based on a sermon he delivered at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Columbus, OH, on Human Relations Day this year. To read the article, go to "Siamese twins of ministry."
Board launches mobile Web site
mobileThe General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is the first United Methodist general agency to provide a Web site that is specifically designed to be accessed from cell phones and other mobile hand-held devices such as iPhones and BlackBerries. The site, launched in February, provides the most recent agency news, upcoming events, and limited access to resources available. [more]
Volunteers in Mission
July 29-August 9...VIM Team to Volga District, Russia.
New dates of note
March 9...Open House: Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio, Inc., Columbus; a meet and greet, tour and program of the pharmacy.
 
April 28...Youth Leadership Symposium: Building Leadership. Fostering Faith., Ohio Northern University, one day symposium for youth and youth workers.
 
April 24-May 4, 2012...General Conference, Tampa, FL.
 
July 17-21, 2012...North Central Jurisdictional Conference, Akron.
 
May 10-20, 2016...General Conference, Portland, OR.
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