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News.Net
December 10, 2012 - Vol 5 Issue 111
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| Winter Camp adds fun during holidays | |
Looking for something fun and active for your children to do between Christmas and New Year's? West Ohio Camping & Retreat Ministries offers Winter Camp - a faith based camp for the winter holidays.
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At Winter Camp, children and youth, ages 8-18 will enjoy a unique experience of ice blocking, snow sledding, bonfires and other wonderful traditional camp activities. Add a beautiful setting in Hocking Hills, a cozy lodge, seasoned camp staff, and a faith filled worship environment and you have the perfect winter break! Scholarships available. Click here for details |
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When Fear Meets Faith |
 | | When Fear Meets Faith |
This Advent season, we invite your congregation to shine the light of Christ's birth by co-sponsoring a refugee family or by collecting items for refugee welcome kits. Community Refugee & Immigration Service (CRIS) is a Church World Service program that resettles refugees fleeing violence and war. Watch this short video and consider how you can become a friend to those seeking to create a new home in a strange land. More information |
| Advent/Christmas Devotional |  With contributions from authors across the West Ohio Conference, this devotional looks at the question, "What does it mean to make the light of Christ's birth accessible to those on the margins of your community?" A project of the Immigrant Welcoming Congregations initiative, these readings seek to prepare you for the birth of Jesus in a new way. [more]
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2012 Health Savings Account reporting requirements for W-2 |
In January 2012 Health Savings Accounts became part of the West Ohio Conference health insurance package. Anyone using the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) through Medical Mutual of Ohio was eligible to receive employer funds, plus personal contributions via a health savings account. Those accounts are held at the United Methodist Financial Credit Union. Reporting in 2012 the Federal government requires employers to include the HSA contributions amounts on your W-2. To learn more about HSA requirement and information click here. |
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Call for help for Hurricane Sandy | |
 United Methodist Early Response Teams (ERT) are needed now in three affected annual conferences. Due to the widespread damage and need, ERT can include non-badged people if they are supervised by UMCOR badged individuals. Visit Disaster Response to learn how to form an ERT team, when the next training class is, and where you are needed now.
If interested in organizing a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team to assist in the long term recovery, UMCOR anticipates April will be the earliest affected conferences will be ready to receive teams. To learn how you can respond, go to Disaster Response. |
| Human Relations Day - January 20, 2013 | |
 In the 1700s, John and Charles Wesley visited prisoners at Oxford Castle in England, sharing food, medicine and Holy Communion. Those early Methodists began a rich tradition that continues today. Human Relations Day calls United Methodists to recognize the right of all God's children to realize their potential. The special offering benefits Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services and Youth Offender Rehabilitation programs. [more]
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| New book focuses on communications as evangelism in a noisy world |  Evangelism is the principal challenge facing the church, but the church has demonstrated little capacity or commitment in confronting it, according to Jim Naughton and Rebecca Wilson, authors of Speaking Faithfully. Their book is a sometimes fierce, sometimes funny and always engaging attempt to help the church to rediscover its voice. The book features an in-depth discussion of media relations, a constructive plan for communicating in crises, and a guide to making congregations and organizations more visible within their communities. [more]
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Trafficking survivors are victims, not criminals |
 | | What I've Been Through Is Not Who I Am |
Often survivors of sex trafficking are not viewed as exploited individuals who deserve love, grace and compassion, but are instead seen as criminals and treated as such. The video on the left tells the story of Katrina and those involved in trafficking her. As you watch this video think about this question: Has your response to persons who are trafficked for sex changed? For more information on human trafficking, visit Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence on West Ohio's website. |
| Registration open for Early Response Training in Huntsville | | Registration is now open for Early Response Team Training at Huntsville UMC on January 12, 2013. Class is limited to 30 participants. Click here to be directed to the Disaster Response webpage to get more information and register online. |
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Looking Ahead:
Jan. 6...Epiphany, the celebration of the magi's visit to Christ, lands on a Sunday in 2013. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship has worship resources and blessings. | |
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| Passages | |
Rev. John E. Dunham (retired 1991), died on December 5, 2012. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Mary Helen at 5156 S. Ridge Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45224.
Robert L. Hopkins (retired Local Pastor), died on December 4, 2012. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Debra at 7226 Potter Road, Rudolph, OH 43462.
Rev. Robert E. Linter (retired 1993), died on December 3, 2012. Messages of condolence may be sent to his wife Dorothy at 757 Apple Court #B, Lebanon, OH 45036.
Mrs. Diane G. James, surviving spouse of Rev. Norman G. James (deceased 2011), died on November 22, 2012.
In Sook Cho Park, mother of Rev. Joon-Sik Park (Methodist Theological School in Ohio), passed away on November 10 in Korea. She was a graduate of Ewha Womans University founded in 1886 by a Methodist missionary. A service was held for her in Seoul on November 12. Condolences will reach Joon-Sik and Soo-Hea Park at 301 Pecan Ct., Delaware, OH 43015.
Mr. Ellsworth O. Byrd, husband of Rev. Gloria Byrd (retired 2007), died on October 1, 2012.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Gloria at PO Box 24307, Cincinnati, OH 45224.
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