NewsNET March 26, 2012

Ministry Matters and Circuit Rider Magazine are teaming up to offer "just enough" of the news and commentary you need in order to be prepared for and follow the events and legislation in Tampa! click here

There you'll also find a sign up to receive emails from Bishop Robert Schnase who has prepared a series of blogs/essays entitled Remember the Future: Thirty Days of Preparation for General Conference that weaves together Wesleyan themes, organizational insights, and personal reflections to help church leaders throughout our connection to engage significant issues about the future of the church. Many of the essays have brief videos embedded to explain key ideas or to supplement the material with relevant examples.

Please remember to keep our delegation and the general conference in your prayers:50 Days of Prayer (See article below for more information.)

Want to keep in touch with GC2102 updates wherever you are? Of course, there's an app for that!

Church Builders Club Call for First United Methodist Church of Ada

....to First UMC of Ada

Many, many of our constituents have asked how they can support First United Methodist Church of Ada after their devasting fire. West Ohio has for several years had a Church Builders Club with a list of members who have asked to be a part of regular support for designated church revitalization projects. This quarter's call to Builders Club members has been expanded so that others who wish to contribute to Ada First may have a venue to do so via online donations. 100% of all contributions go directly to the church. Information about the call, a copy of this quarter's issue of Church Builders Club newsletter and a link to contribute online can be found at West Ohio Church Builders Club.

Have you seen the West Ohio Camps video yet?

Registration is open for camps and the deadline for the early discount for campers is April 15. If you haven't seen the 2012 West Ohio Camp DVD and the 2012 Camp Program Book we sent to each congregation in February, ask your pastor about it. Our camps are an outstanding place for encouraging young people to make a commitment for Christ.

The video can be seen on our West Ohio YouTube Channel. The West Ohio Camps compilation video tells the story of all three of our camps; there are also individual videos for each of our three camps on the West Ohio Camps website and our YouTube Channel. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and you'll know when new videos are uploaded.

West Ohio Camps Promo

Gaines United Methodist Church - a Champion Church

With a membership of 450 and attendance averaging 180 a week, Gaines UMC in Cincinnati is not the largest church in the West Ohio Conference, but it certainly is one of the more dynamic. Pastored by Reverend Curnell Graham, Gaines is setting the example in giving of both personal time and financial resources to local and international missions. As a result, Gaines UMC has recently agreed to participate as a Champion Church, committing to raise $10,000 for the Wings of the Morning Campaign. [more]

The homeless...not what you'd expect - (updated - link incorrect last issue)

A recent story posted by Mariellyn Dunlap, Church and Community Worker for West Ohio, with the General Board of Global Ministries, highlights Jackson Area Ministries, Lima Samaritan House, The Friendly Center.... ministries supported by the people of West Ohio. The address to access this story has been updated. [more]

Blog: Disaster response is both/and

In the wake of a disaster, local volunteers want to do what they can to help and become frustrated if they are turned away by disaster relief agencies. The Rev. Tom Hazelwood of the United Methodist Committee on Relief writes that there is a role for both trained and untrained help when tragedy strikes, and each are vital to recovery. [more]

Mission trip to D'Iberville Mississippi

St. Paul's UMC Findlay is sponsoring a mission to Heritage UMC in D'Iberville Mississippi from October 13-27, 2012. cost for 1 week is $225 and 2 weeks is $325. We will be doing construction and finish work. The Heritage church has a shop with some tools and some supplies; however we will need to take as many tools as we can. We will carpool and a $225 fee covers gas and meals. Contact David Tharp, St. Paul's UMC, Dtharp6821@aol.com, 419-306-4466.

50 Days of Prayer campaign begins

In partnership with The Upper Room, the General Conference Prayer Support team is providing "50 Days of Prayer for the General Conference," a daily prayer resource available free as an e-pub, email subscription or downloadable PDF. The goal is to have the entire United Methodist Church membership praying with the elected delegates and praying for God's will to be done, in God's way and in God's time. [more]

Webcast to teach denomination grant process

Applying for grants often can seem complicated, leaving a potential applicant overwhelmed with questions, sometimes only to give up on submitting an application. The United Methodist Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence hopes to change that by hosting a live one-hour webcast tutorial at 1 p.m. EST March 30. The webcast is for those interested in substance abuse and related violence ministries, initiatives, and advocacy. [more]