News.NET December 6, 2010

I am ecstatic over the recent announcement concerning the awarding of a grant for clergy leadership initiatives from the Lilly Foundation Inc. to the West Ohio Conference. This award has come largely because of our already established and successful residency program, an outcome of our Strength for Today...Bright Hope for Tomorrow initiative.

First, let me send a note of appreciation to all of you who are Strength for Today...Bright Hope for Tomorrow donors. Without your time, talent and financial resources, receipt of this grant would not have been possible.

Second, it is important to acknowledge that an extensive effort went into this grant proposal. The thoughtful input received from within our Conference Center, our Cabinet, Leadership Team, Council on Development and select clergy and laity was invaluable in assisting us in developing a proposal that told our compelling story.

Finally, let me thank those churches who continue to faithfully honor their apportionment commitments. Those expressions of connectional stewardship undergird the extensive staff effort required to initiate and manage a successful program like the residency program, as well as to pursue important development resources like the Lilly grant.

All of your gifts have been leveraged into a substantial award. I am indeed grateful.

This is a glorious day for the West Ohio Conference as we proceed to aggressively elevate clergy leadership initiatives to a new level. Thank you very much for your extravagant generosity.

May the Joy of Christ continue to dwell in you,

Bruce R. Ough
Resident Bishop, Ohio West Area

Winter camp for the holidays

After unwrapping the presents and finishing the Christmas meal, what better way to keep the excitement alive than to send your campers to WinterCamp at West Ohio's Camp Otterbein?

With activities like ice blocking, scavenger hunts, campfires, a Winter Festival and reindeer games, WinterCamp is a unique opportunity for fun! Please share our joy in new traditions and assist our dreams of enabling kids to access the powerful nature of camping ministry from December 28-30. [registration]

Giving gifts that will make a difference

This Christmas give a gift on behalf of a loved one that helps meets the needs of others.

$20 offers tutoring and Christian education to at-risk children.
$50 provides anti-malaria medication to 25 pregnant women infected with the disease.
$75 buys a goat for a Haitian farmer.
$200 can provide a latrine for a family.

Choose a project from the United Methodist Hope For Christmas gift catalog where 100% of every gift will go to the mission project. Help vulnerable people and support vital mission projects all around the world this Christmas.

Ohio parish ministry receives United Methodist grant

Sheila is tall, thin, and beautiful. It's hard to imagine her 40 pounds heavier, as she was just a few months ago before depression and anxiety led to extreme weight loss. Her three young children inspire her to keep going. Car trouble led to losing her job, and ultimately her financial problems snowballed into many past due notices on rent and utilities.

But Sheila has ideas for overcoming her many obstacles and a realistic awareness of what stands between her and her dreams. Sheila decided to join the Mentoring And Planning Program (MAPP) at the Inter Parish Ministry in Hamilton County, Ohio. MAPP was a recent recipient of a United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network grant.

North Broadway team experiences disaster response

After a September work group experience in West Ohio's tornado damaged Foothills District, members of North Broadway UMC attested "while the residents benefit from our help, we feel we benefit even more."

Long term recovery is a specialized part of disaster response. Several North Broadway church members are West Ohio Emergency Response Team (ERT) trainees who recruited others from their church to join them on this work trip to southern Ohio. The team met with Disaster Recovery specialist Roger Thatcher to work on two homes that had been damaged in last summer's tornados. [read their story]

Slavery more prevalent today

Each year in Ohio,1,000 American-born children and 800 immigrants are forced into the sex trade. Around the world, more than 27 million people live and work in slavery today - more than in the entire history Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

In 2010 at West Ohio's annual conference at Lakeside, the members adopted a resolution calling for the abolition of modern-day slavery in all forms. Concrete steps you and your congregation can take to join the fight against human trafficking/slavery.

Volunteers in Mission dates

Jan. 22-29...Haiti; activities include construction and passing out health kits in tent cities.

New dates of note

Jan. 24-25...Faith and Race: New Opportunities, Columbus; the convocation will be addressed by the Ohio Council of Churches in partnership with the Kirwan Institute, the Columbus Community Relations Commission, and Everyday Democracy.

Jan. 30-Feb. 2...Young Clergy Capitol Hill Leadership Forum, Washington, DC; the forum will provide creative, participatory ways to teach the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church in congregations.

Passages

Mrs. Hattie Shepard Glover, wife of Rev. James Ronald Glover (retired 2002), died on November 17, 2010. Messages of condolence may be sent to Rev. Glover at 105 Whitetail Court, South Mills, NC 27976.

Pastor J. Brooks Gregory died on November 13, 2010. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Margery at 127 Long Street, New Lexington, OH 43764.

Mrs. Mabel Albasin, surviving spouse of Rev. Donald L. Albasin (deceased 2004), died on November 10, 2010.

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