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| 2010 Annual Conference |
Rev. Jorge Acevedo
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The theme for the June 6 -10, 2010 Annual Conference session is Love in Action: Building Bridges Out of Poverty. Ministry with the poor is one of the four missional foci affirmed by the 2008 General Conference. As we gather at Lakeside, we will be celebrating the multiple ways the congregations of the West Ohio Conference are engaged in ministry with those living in poverty. In a variety of teaching sessions we will learn how we can help sisters and brothers build bridges out of poverty.
Rev. Janet Wolf
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Featured preachers include Rev. Janet Wolf and Rev. Jorge Acevedo. Tuesday offers a choice of teaching workshops focusing on various avenues for building bridges out of poverty. The Love First Miracle Offering will be used to support impoverished children being treated at Grace Children's Hospital in Haiti and at our own United Methodist Children's Home in Worthington. Bags of potatoes will be collected and distributed through the Society of St. Andrew to feed hungry people in the West Ohio Conference. [more] | |
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| Law notes from Phil Moots |
 Most local church leaders encounter legal planning issues from time to time as they serve their churches. Those issues include employment matters, structuring children's centers and other community ministries, caring for various gifts and bequests to the church, protection of children and youth in a variety of settings and many, many more. In recent years the West Ohio Conference has developed several programs to help respond to these legal demands. [more]
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| Roberts to leave West Ohio Conference |
| The Rev. Dr. Gwen Roberts, who has served as Director of Metro Ministries since 2007, will be leaving the position at the end of June, 2010. Dr. Roberts is a member of the Indiana Conference and is serving as an extension minister in West Ohio as a part of the Connectional Ministries staff. Her work for the conference has included leadership in the areas of spiritual gifts and gifts assessment along with engaging districts and congregations to empower ministry in their churches. As the lead conference staff person on the Connectional Ministries Disciple Making Churches team, she has provided leadership for the Refocusing program, the Metro Ministries Academy, the Connecting to Community events, as well as training and other opportunities for growth in our local churches. [more] |
| 'Don't go to church' Sunday |
 That's right - I'm encouraging you to have a "Don't Go to Church" Sunday. However, read on before making a beeline to the breakfast bar at your favorite restaurant. Outreach is a core value of The United Methodist Church, and I'm proposing you do just that! Plan a Sunday where your congregation members don't come to a worship service. Instead, they go out to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in the community. Imagine all the people you can reach! [more]
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| March's 'Buckeye of the Month' named |
| U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, has named Allan Zaenger of Worthington, Ohio as March's Buckeye of the Month. Mr. Zaenger is the Executive Director of the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio, Inc. which allows low-income Ohioans to receive their medications for free. In addition to being the executive director of the Charitable Pharmacy, Inc. Mr. Zaenger volunteers as an adjunct professor at The OSU College of Pharmacy and donates time to the Columbus Free Clinic. [more] |
| Kids and Christ series launches |
 Publishing House is teaming up with The United Methodist Reporter to launch a series of articles encouraging readers to respond about the faith development and spiritual care of children and young people in the church. The series, titled Kids and Christ, seeks to answer questions such as, "If you're not teaching your kids about God, who is?" and "Is Sunday school dead?" A Facebook Fan Page has been created to host the discussions. Readers are encouraged to offer their questions, thoughts and comments and the overall standing of the faith education of children and teens. |
| Giving decline threatens scholarships |
 Economic woes in the United States don't just affect those in the workforce - now they're affecting those waiting to enter it. A 13 percent decline in giving to United Methodist Student Day, coupled with increases in eligible applicants and reductions in other funds, means several hundred United Methodist scholarship applicants are likely to be disappointed this year, church officials said. They are appealing for online donations before June. [more] |
| Mixing hoops and beer endangers youth |
 As the NCAA men's basketball tournament kicks off last week, United Methodist leaders are among those offering warnings about the unhealthy association of athletics and a barrage of beer ads. "The alcohol industry relies on advertising at college-level sports to encourage young people to become lifelong customers, some who become alcoholics," said the Rev. Cynthia Abrams, director at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. [more] |
| Publicity for pennies! |
 In our current economy, everyone is tightening their belts and trimming expenses. For many churches, the first budget line item to cut is marketing and publicity. Why? Many think it's an unnecessary expense and count on the church's outdoor sign to do the work. Before you slash the marketing and publicity budget, let's look at creative ways you can get your church's name out in public for less than $90 a month! [more] |
| New dates of note |
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July 29-August 2...2010 School of Congregational Development, Nashville; Creating Missional Disciple-growing Faith Communities of Jesus Christ. |
| Passages |
| Rev. Elwood L. Rose (retired 1985), died on March 21, 2010. Messages of condolence will reach his daughter Beverly A. Rose at 7140 Haer Drive, Dayton, OH 45414. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Committee On Relief. | |
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