January 2009
The Connection
The Official Publication of the Capitol Area South District
Volume 40 Issue 1
Welcome pic here A Note to Our Readers   
Welcome to the first edition of the Capitol Area South Connection email version.  As I noted in last month's print and online edition, the format of the newsletter would change with the new year, and here it is!  There is considerable cost saving to publishing the newsletter in this way.  However, there will no longer be a hard copy or pdf version of the newsletter available.  An archive of the email version will be available online.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact Jim Waugh at the district office. 
Featured Links:
Church Building Seminar Set for January 31
Is your congregation considering a building/remodeling/renovation project?  Even if times are tough right now, it usually takes several years of planning, dreaming, and visioning to get a building project underway.  The Capitol Area South District Committee on Church Location and Building will offer a Church Building and Renovation Seminar on January 31, 2009, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the Reynoldsburg UMC, 1636 Graham Rd, Reynoldsburg.  
 
Click HERE for more details.
Brittany Browne 
Jim's Tool Box
Are You Ready for Change? 
In putting the newsletter together, I experienced that word that is so difficult for us in the church -- CHANGE.  We heard a lot about "change" during the election this fall.  But change in the church is usually an entirely different matter.  Most of the time we are comfortable with the way things are, and the last thing we want to do is to change. 
 
Click HERE to read Jim's Tool Box article.
apportionment chart logo Apportionment Update
Here is an update on the West Ohio Conference apportionments as of 12/30/08.
 
Click HERE to see how your congregation is doing. 
 
Next month's issue will include a final report for 2008. 
 
 
 The Rev. Jim Sharrett Called to Active Duty
The Rev. Jim Sharrett, pastor of the Heath UMC, is also a reserve chaplain in the United States Navy with the rank of Captain.  Jim was recently called to active duty.  He is working directly with the Headquarter Command of the US European Command (EUCOM) over all Joint Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps).  Jim could be on active duty for up to one year.
 ReminderYear End Reports and Apportionment Deadlines
Year end Reports (Certified Voucher, Statistician's Report and Table III - Receipts) have been mailed from the West Ohio Conference Office. This year the reports are being sent to the address in which the current apportionment statement is being sent. In some cases they might be going to the church, the pastor or the treasurer.  
 
If these do not come to the appropriate person, please make sure that they are passed on to the correct individual. Online entry will be available again this year, but will not be allowed until January 2, 2009. The deadline for reports to be mailed is February 6. If you are doing the online version the deadline is February 9. Plan ahead so that no one misses these deadlines.
ALL (3) THREE REPORTS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED!!!  Remember it is the responsibility of the pastor to make sure these reports are completed and submitted on time.  Thanks for your help!
 
Here are the deadlines for apportionments and year end reports:
 
January 9, 2009  Deadline for 2008 Apportionment payments in the Conference Treasurer's Office
February 6, 2009  Last day to mail year end reports
February 9, 2009  Deadline for year end reports in the Conference Office
UM Community Ministries UM Community Ministries News
The United Methodist Community Ministries has several events planned for the new year.  Click HERE to read Beth Weisbrod's article with updates about training and other news.
 
UMCM Offers Nine County Training Events on Leadership Development for Mission and Outreach.
Click HERE to learn more about the event and to download a brochure with dates for all nine county training events.
 
UMCM Training Event for Youth and Young Adults, April 24-26, 2009.  Click HERE for more information and to download a copy of the brochure.
 
Society of St. Andrews Lenten Devotions
Check out this offer for a Lenten devotional program from the Society of St. Andrews, a national ecumenical hunger relief ministry.  Click HERE for more details. 
 Good Sense Stewardship Training Scheduled for March 13-14
The Capitol Area North District has scheduled a Good Sense Leadership Training for March 13-14.  The event will be held at the North Broadway UMC, Columbus. 
 
The purpose of the event is to train local church leaders in a program that can help them assist and educate others with managing their finances in practical and God honoring ways.
 
Click HERE to download a brochure. 
Prayer Concerns Prayer Concerns
The Rev. Nancy Draves is recovering from knee surgery.
 

 IRS Mileage Rate for 2009
The IRS has announced that the standard mileage rate for business miles driven in 2009 is 55 cents per mile. 
calendarCalendar
Click HERE to view the district calendar through March.