News.NET
April 13, 2011- Vol. 4, Issue 62 |
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| Online Bible study | |
Explore and discuss contemporary topics and how they relate to the Christian faith in response to the call to Rethink Church.
Encounter Faith Bible Study will look at timely issues through the lens of faith. |
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| Prayers for our global partners in Mexico | |
God's Spirit has connected Mexico and Ohio in powerful ways. Even as God's miracles have been unfolding, wars between drug cartels and Mexican authorities have given rise to violence, death and fear. As people of faith united by God's Spirit, we believe in the power of prayer to change the world.
Starting on Easter Sunday, congregations and groups are participating in a 40 day initiative to pray and fast for Mexico. You are invited to join the 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting.
Pray and fast that violence will end. Ask God to send the power of His Spirit to transform lives and communities. Pray for people addicted to drugs. Ask God what you can do to make a difference. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us that with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26).
Post your prayer by visiting our West Ohio Blog so that others can be nourished through your faith. Select a day between Easter and Ascension to lift your petitions to God. Visit the blog daily for new resources and ways to connect. |
| West Ohio Chaplain offers comfort and faith in Japan |
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The Rev. Paul Tsuchido Shew leads an ecumenical service at the Wesley Center. A UMNS photo courtesy of Caesar Santoyo. |
"March's violent earthquake has shaken Japan into a new reality," says the Rev. Paul Tsuchido Shew, a West Ohio United Methodist serving as a chaplain and associate professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. "This is a major event in modern Japanese history." [read more]
Worship resources on the disaster for churches |
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| Calling all pilots! |
 "Wings Of The Morning" is a United Methodist Aviation Ministry serving the North Katanga Conference of the Democratic Republic Of The Congo (A West Ohio Conference strategic mission partnership). In support of our campaign to purchase a Cessna Grand Caravan we are recruiting pilots and aviation enthusiasts for prayer, time, talents and gifts. [more] |
| Sudan Health Clinic & Sciota Ridge UMC | |
 The "Sudan Health Clinic", a mission project of Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church in West Ohio, has been approved as an Advance Special by the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. The advance number is 3021282. The clinic will focus on maternal and child health care and provide vaccinations for preventable diseases. Learn more
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| Emergency Response Team volunteers still needed |  Thanks to all who participated in recent Disaster Early Response Trainings. Many people have been helped through your volunteer efforts. Our early response volunteer group is growing, but we still need help. Churches interested in hosting an ERT Training Class may contact our West Ohio Disaster Response Coordinator, Jim Rodgers. Every hand lifts off one more burden from the shoulders of disaster victims. [more] |
| WOC Workers' Compensation Program | | In January 2009 the West Ohio Conference of United Methodist Church (WOC) developed a program to assist churches with their workers' compensation premiums. This program was developed with the assistance of Benefit Management Services of Ohio, Inc. Some of the recent changes that we have made are very beneficial to our members and not only save our members time from the complexity of the system requirements, but the dollars saving are quite significant. [more] |
| Church leaders defend collective bargaining | |
As states struggle with budget shortfalls and high unemployment, legislative fights over the benefits and rights of public-sector unions rage across the country, most famously in Wisconsin. Many United Methodist leaders are speaking out against efforts to sharply curtail collective-bargaining rights. These church leaders are following a longstanding Methodist concern for workers' rights going back to John Wesley. [more] |
| Church mergers take time, energy, work |  Mergers are one way some churches are addressing declining membership, but they also can help create rebirth and begin new, vital mission work. When faced with declining membership and grim futures, six congregations - in Minnesota, Georgia and Iowa - became three new churches, with new ideas and a commitment to revitalizing their ministries. Part of a series on churches in transition. [more] |
| NBC special to focus on efforts against malaria |  On both sides of the ocean, people are working to end a disease that takes the life of a child every 45 seconds. "A Killer in the Dark: An Extraordinary Effort to Combat Malaria," discusses efforts by United Methodists and others to achieve this goal. Presented by the National Council of Churches and produced by United Methodist Communications, the program will be available to local NBC TV affiliates starting May 1. Church members can contact their local stations and ask them to schedule "A Killer in the Dark." |
| New dates of note | |
Apr. 30...VIM Team Leader Training, West Ohio Conference Center.
July 15-21...Cooperative School of Christian Mission, Ohio Northern University.
Aug. 4-8...World Methodist Conference, Durban, South Africa. |
| Passages | | Rev. Melvin Theodore "Ted" Maust (retired 2004) died on March 19, 2011. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Judy at 6603 Karl Road, Columbus, OH 43229. |
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