News.NET January 10, 2011

If you intend to be a candidate for election and want to be listed in the Conference Elections Team Voter's Guide, you must complete your candidacy registration by Saturday, January 15, 2011.

Information about who is qualified to be a candidate, how to register, who is on the elections team plus more details about the election process can be found at 2011 Election Information (linked on the conference website homepage at www.westohioumc.org)

Promotion of Candidates:

Candidates, caucuses or interest groups who wish to mail election materials to the members of the West Ohio Annual Conference may do so by using the mailing house selected by the Conference Elections Team.

The election team will also provide email services for candidates, caucus or interest groups who wish to electronically send election information to the members of the annual conference.

Contact lists (electronic or printed) of members of the annual conference will not be distributed to any candidate, caucus, or interest group. The election team is also not providing marketing, design or editing services for any election materials sent by the candidates.

In order to contact the members of the annual conference with election information, you must agree to the following:

A Covenant Agreement with the Conference Elections Team must be signed and on file with the election team;
All materials must be approved by the Elections Team prior to distribution;
Distribution procedures may not violate the Conference Privacy Policy;
All costs associated with mailing or emailing will be paid by the candidate, caucus or interest group;
Return addresses on printed pieces and Reply-To emails will be to the Election Team, not the candidate, caucus or interest group.

Please visit www.westohioumc.org/2011election for more details on the above information or contact any election team member with questions.

Bishop Ammons Memorial Service - January 15, 2011

The Memorial Service for retired United Methodist Bishop Edsel A. Ammons, who died December 24, will be this Saturday, January 15, 2011 at First Church in Evanston, IL. [more]

Ammons became a bishop less than a decade after The United Methodist Church dissolved the Central Jurisdiction, officially ending the system of racially segregated church governance. [more]

"Out of thousands, he tried to save one" - January 11, 2011

January 11th is designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and several events in the Columbus area will commemorate the day. A film screening of 'Holly', shot on location in Cambodia, includes many scenes in actual brothels in the notorious red light district of Phnom Penh and is a captivating, touching and emotional experience. On January 12, Senator Teresa Fedor, in conjunction with the Salvation Army and the National Association of Social Workers, will host a luncheon and informational meeting at the Statehouse. [more]

"I Believe You: Faith Responses to Intimate Partner Violence

Between January 9 and March 1, local ABC-TV stations will be airing "I Believe You: Faith Responses to Intimate Partner Violence," an hour-long documentary on domestic violence and how the faith community is responding. Consider watching this new program with others in your church or community, or organize a screening. The documentary was produced with the support of many organizations, including United Methodist Women. [more].

Move your children's ministry program to the next level

In Children's Ministry, the church thinks about paper and scissors and singing and having vacation Bible school and planning special events. But how do you make those events have meaning in ways that help attain the goal of growing disciples for Jesus Christ, or growing healthy spiritual leaders?" Children's Ministry Forum, a part of the GBOD's Large-Church Initiative, is designed to do just that. [more]

Special Collections Reading Room to include Ohio United Methodist Archives

Ohio Wesleyan University's L.A. Beeghly Library will be renovated to add a second-floor reading room to serve patrons of its special collections department. Beeghly's family is funding the project in his memory. The project will transform existing space to create an 880-square-foot reading room/work area for people accessing the library's three historic collections: the Rare Books Collection, Ohio Wesleyan University Historical Collection, and Archives of Ohio United Methodism. [more]

Native American Indian programming available

Fred Shaw (Neeake) is available to present Native American Indian Sunday programming for your congregation. Fred is an ordained Elder and a Shawnee storyteller. He chairs the North Central Jurisdiction's Committee on Native American Ministries, teaches courses for the American Indian Local Pastors' School accredited by MTSO, and is a member of the National Native American Comprehensive Plan. Contact him at fashaw@juno.com or 513-382-7791. Further information can be found at www.sumac-enterprises.net.

New dates of note

January 15...Mainline or Methodist, Rediscovering Our Evangelistic Mission; Dr. Scott Kisker offers a confessional perspective concerning church mission and renewal.

March 5...The Joy of Caring; Episcopal Retirement Homes (ERH) is presenting Dr. Patch Adams as part of its "Living well into the Future" theme for improving the lives of older adults .

March 25-28...Ecumenical Advocacy Days, 'Development, Security & Economic Justice: What's Gender Got to Do with It?'; Faith-based advocates will gather in nation's capital to learn about issues, visit members of Congress.

March 31-April 3...Caring for Creation; over 38 presenters, sustainable community to help faith communities become caretakers of planet Earth.

Passages

Mrs. (Rev.) Denise James, died on January 4, Messages of condolence may be sent to her son Nicholas James at 145 South Ridge Avenue, Troy, OH 45373.

Rev. Denver D. Noggle (retired - 1980) died on December 21, 2010. No family contacts at this time.

Rev. Joseph W. Pilate (retired - 1991) died on December 16, 2010. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Betty at 2002 35th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501.

Deadline for News.NET articles is noon on Tuesdays