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NewsNet
April 16, 2012 - Vol 5 Issue 84 |
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| Rural Congregations Seek Voice | |
A UMNS Report by Linda Bloom
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Oakdale United Methodist Church near Deshler, Ohio, stands at the crossroads of four counties. Rural churches remain an important part of the denomination's presence in the U.S. A. UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. |
Will small, rural churches have a voice in a reconfigured United Methodist Church?
That's a concern of the United Methodist Rural Fellowship as the 2012 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body, meets April 24-May 4 in Tampa, Fla.
While the fellowship has not taken a formal position on the "Call to Action" report and its recommendations, said the Rev. Roger Grace, president, "the reality is the focus seemingly is almost always on the fast-growing areas where there are lots of people," leaving town and country congregations overlooked.
Grace believes that size shouldn't always matter. "If churches want to be centers for making disciples ... they can do that with a small, core group of people or they can do that as a larger church," he added.
While some struggling rural congregations across the United States have been forced to close, rural churches still represent an estimated 20,000 of the denomination's 33,500 U.S. churches. Rural congregations also are part of the United Methodist global landscape.
Continue reading... |
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| Join the Annual Conference usher team! |  Clergy, Laity, Spouses, Youth, and Friends - Come and join Annual Conference 2012's usher team! The usher team for Annual Conference 2012 is looking for people to wear our orange vests!! Ushering is a wonderful way to serve the Lord, meet new people, and have some fun while you are at Lakeside. Usher duties are basic - we do ask that you be able to volunteer for 1 full day. If interested or have any questions, contact Sheila Hill by May 15, 2012 at usherwoc@butter.toast.net or by phone at 419-726-3150. |
Ohio PAUMCS Spring Workshop - "Organized for Ministry" | |
 The 12th Annual Spring Workshop for the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries will take place at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio on Tuesday, May 1. Program topics are "Organize your Workspace" with Janet Jackson, a consultant with Organization Solutions and "Ministry Madness" with Rev. Wade Giffin, West Ohio Conference. The workshop is opened to ALL paid and volunteer UM church office personnel. Contact Mary Littman at
937-529-2320 or Joy Perry at 800-437-0028 to register. [more] |
Wisconsin Bishop Linda Lee to address MTSO graduates | |
 Bishop Linda Lee, who presides over the Wisconsin Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, will deliver Methodist Theological School in Ohio's 2012 commencement address May 19 at 11 a.m. in the Dickinson Courtyard on the MTSO campus. Guests are welcome, and tickets are not required. Lee assumed leadership of the Wisconsin Area in 2004. In 2000, she became the first African-American woman to be elected bishop in the North Central Jurisdiction, presiding over the Michigan Area for four years.
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| Spark 12 - working together to transform the world |  Spark12 is looking for creative, innovative projects that push the boundaries of what we think of when we consider ministry at work in the world. Spark12 supports justice oriented, community-based projects proposed by young people who are actively looking for a way to move that dream into reality. If you are a young adult (18-35) who has been looking for a way to get your idea off the proverbial ground, you may want to see if Spark12 is for you. Application deadline is June 29, 2012. [more] |
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Art needs the church: How to create artisan communities | |
 When you create a piece of art, you experience a hint of what God may feel. An artisan community may be the perfect way to share this experience and bring all generations together in one ministry. Artisan communities help people exercise a freedom of expression that moves them beyond religious customs and unwritten codes and rules that may bind them. How can you cultivate an artisan community in your church? [more]
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| New dates of note | | April 21...No Friend Like Jesus, Nashville, TN; an Abington Press Vacation Bible School training. |
| Passages | |
Rev. Thomas H. Maxedon died on April 10, 2012. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Carrie at 109 Heritage Hill Trail, Louisville, KY 40223.
Mrs. Louise Niswender, surviving spouse of Rev. Gerald Niswender (deceased 2008), died on April 8, 2012. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Walnut Street UMC, 16 S. Walnut St., Chillicothe, OH 45601. Messages of condolence may be sent to her son Philip at 353 Plyleys Lane, Chillicothe, OH 45601. |
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