In his new book Journey in the Wilderness (available through Cokesbury), church consultant Gil Rendle offers a perspective on the challenges and struggles of the mainline church (primarily from the perspective of the United Methodist Church) thro ugh the last forty years.
In his book, Rendle talks about what we have learned during the journey in the mainline wilderness over the last forty years and the learnings that we need to emerge from the wilderness in the days ahead.

 

This month the Rev. Beth Weisbrod has asked two lay persons to share about new ministries in their communities that are making a difference in the lives of people in their communities.
 

The first story comes from Dennis Jackson in Marysville, OH.  Dennis serves with the Union County Outreach Task Force.  This ecumenical group in Union County seeks to serve persons in need.  They have launched the Good Samaritan House as a ministry to the "hidden" homeless in Union County.

 

Click HERE to read Dennis story about the difference that the Good Samaritan House is already making in the lives of persons in Union County.
 

The other story is shared by Ed Wilson from Hilltonia UMC.  Ed writes about the Morning Manna Breakfast at Hilltonia Church.  Ed writes about a grandmother and grandson who came for breakfast and found a church home that has surrounded them with love and care.

 

Click HERE to read Ed's story. 
 

Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop Set for 1/27/10

Many lay and clergy leaders from across the district have received training in Bridges Out of Poverty.  Don't miss out! You can receive training to learn how your congregation can be in ministry to and with the poor. Click HERE for an informational poster about the event.

IAndrew Root, an associate professor of youth and family ministry will be the presenter at Youth Ministry Conference to be held at Trinity Lutheran Seminary on February 7-8. The theme for the conference is "Relational Youth Ministry Revisited." Click HERE for more information about the conference.

Lancaster Maple Street Seeks to Open Church to the Community

Rick Combs, Maple Street Trustees Chair

 
 The Lancaster Maple Street congregation was featured last month in a front page article in The Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. 

Click HERE to read the article about the church seeking to open its renovated space to the Lancaster community.

  

Reynoldsburg UMC Continues to Assist with Aid in Haiti

Jeff Greenway (left), lead pastor of the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, and Pierre Louis Cherubin, whose nickname is "Jhonny," survey the site where a house for Jhonny's 14 family members will be built

For almost 31 years, the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church has been sending medical, dental and vision teams to provide care to the people of Haiti.
 

That work became even more important after a devastating earthquake hit on Jan. 12, 2010. Then the church turned its mission efforts into helping rebuild the island nation one house at a time, as part of a project known as "Jhonny's Hope."
 

So far, 66 RUMC members have visited Haiti to help with relief efforts; the church has raised more than $125,000 with more coming in.

 

Click HERE to read the article that appeared recently in This Week Community News.
 

The is seeking stories to tell at our monthly "gatherings" for 2011. The "gatherings" take place at Northwest UMC in Columbus on the third Thursday of the month from 7 until 8 pm. We are especially looking for "defining moment" stories. If you're a pastor or someone involved in full-time Christian service, did Camp Otterbein play a major part in your call to ministry? If you're a lay-person, can you recall a person or event at camp that helped you in your decision to become a Christian or grow in your Christian faith?

We will be gathering stories and hope to compile them by February 15. Please contact Jim Freshour at pjfreshour@yahoo.com or call him at 614.267.6127 for further information. We truly believe your story could make all the difference in the world.

Each year the United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) recognizes the local church Historian of the Year for the West Ohio Conference and also recognizes churches in West Ohio that are celebrating significant anniversaries.  Nominations for Historian of the Year and notification of local churches which will have 100, 125, 150, 175 or 200 year anniversaries in 2011should be sent to the address below. Historian of the Year and church anniversaries will be recognized at the UMHSO Annual Meeting and History Convocation on April 30, 2011.  The criteria for Historian of the Year can be found by clicking HERE.

The deadline for nominations, with supporting documentation, for Historian of the Year is February 21, 2011.  Deadline for notification of church anniversaries is April 4, 2011. Please send Historian of the Year nominations and anniversary notification to:

James R. Barbee, Chairman

Commission on Archives and History

2241-C Wesley Way

Reynoldsburg OH 43068

For further information, contact me at 614-322-1010 or

jbarbee001@aol.com

Greg Swann at Calvary UMC  effective 11/1/10 (Greg will continue to serve the Good Shepherd UMC. 

David Clark, Associate at Washington Ave effective 12/15/10

Barbara Parrot Pastor of Congregational Care at Pickerington Peace   effective 1/1/11

The Rev. Beth Weisbrod and her family in the serious illness of her father.

The family of Bishop Edsel Ammons in the death of Bishop Ammons on 12/24/10.

Our thoughts are with the Rev. Jeff Smalley in the death of his father on 12/28/2010 in Florida.