Do you know a college student interested in ministry? Is your church inspired to host an intern this summer and be a part of encouraging a young person in their call?

Apply to the 2014 Summer Internship Program. This program invites leaders on a 12 week journey that intentionally guides students in discerning God's calling upon their life. Students will participate at the Annual Conference Session, tour three seminaries, experience mission and justice events, and be involved in the daily life of their host church. This invaluable opportunity for students questioning if ministry is in their future is a great to tool to equip future leaders of God's Kingdom.

Follow the conversation with past interns and mentors on the West Ohio Conference Facebook page and via #wocinterns on Twitter to read real stories of how this program has impacted former interns and their mentors. Here's what just one intern said:

The most valuable thing about the summer internship is the opportunity to be completely focused on what you love. I got to spend the summer working with the Hispanic ministry, children's ministry, and the reorganization of the church food pantry. Social justice is a huge passion of mine, and it was incredible to get to explore extensively how social justice relates to my faith!

Questions? Contact Rocky Riddle.

#Giving Tuesday doubles your gift

When you make an online donation on December 3 your gift will multiply! For one day only, December 3, 2013, gifts made to support any project or ministry through The Advance will be matched. Gifts may be designated for any Advance supported ministry, so we've created a flyer with all the advance numbers for the missions connected to West Ohio. Please share this flyer widely. West Ohio Giving Tuesday Flyer

Thanksgiving resources

Thanksgiving can easily get crowded out by the jump from Halloween to Christmas, plan a community worship service for a time to pause, stop, and give thanks to God. Ministry Matters has created a bin of helpful resources for planning a mid-week service or for adding to your Sunday worship. Included are free graphics, order of worship, gratitude stories and more.(Thanksgiving bin of resources)

Racial ethnic grants available to churches

Applications for grants up to $10,000 to help United Methodist churches build ministries that strengthen and support racial and ethnic church concerns are available for download. The deadline for submissions for a Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns grant from the General Board of Discipleship is January 15, 2014. The ministry/project must contribute directly to the mission and ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ and must focus on developing and strengthening the racial ethnic local church for witness and mission. Application and Criteria

Act now for IRA rollover

Congress will once again have to address several tax laws at the end of 2013 that are not only beneficial for the donor as a tax deduction but the charity as well. One of those laws is related to distributions from an IRA to a charity. As the end of the year approaches, now is the time to utilize any tax advantage still available prior to the unknowns of 2014. You can take the distribution and use it for every day expenses or give it directly to the charity of your choice, an excellent way to support the church out of assets rather than income. (read more)

Christmas production idea kit from Christian Copyright Solutions

Available free, this idea kit includes information on copyright compliance, finding the right production, planning & scheduling, auditioning, budgeting and leadership! All 26 pages are jam-packed with detailed information covering all aspects of Christmas productions. The Christian Copyright Solutions Christmas Production Idea Kit is an all-in-one guide that will walk you through these, and many other topics so that, with the details in place, you, your volunteers, your congregation and your community can enjoy the Peace of the season. (more information)

Upcoming Events

November 7, Regional Meeting on Health Insurance, Shawnee Community United Methodist Church, Lima
November 7-9, 50/50 Partnership Roundtable, Cheviot United Methodist Church, Cincinnati
November 8, West Ohio United Methodist Women Mission Exploration, Grove City United Methodist Church, Grove City
November 9, West Ohio United Methodist Women Annual Celebration, Grove City United Methodist Church, Grove City
November 9, Early Response Training, Sulphur Grove United Methodist Church, Dayton
November 9, Early Response Training, Epworth United Methodist Church, Toledo
November 10, Imagine No Malaria Training, Lewis Center United Methodist Church, Lewis Center
November 11, Preaching Advent/Christmas: The Desert Shall Rejoice, United Theological Seminary, Dayton
November 11, Regional Meeting on Health Insurance, Christ United Methodist Church, Middletown
November 14, Faith-based Health Care with Dr. Scott Morris, Doctor's Hospital, Columbus
November 15, Webinar: How We Handle Money in the Church, General Board of Discipleship
November 15-17, Exploration 2013, Denver, Colorado
November 16, Work day, Camp Wesley, Bellefontaine
November 16, Work day, Camp Widewater, Liberty Center
November 16, Stewardship 201, Faith Community United Methodist Church, West Chester
November 19, Regional Meetings on Health Insurance, First United Methodist Church, Bowling Green
November 21, Regional Meetings on Health Insurance, Walnut Street United Methodist Church, Chillicothe
December 6, The Second Holy Spirit Seminar: Signs and Wonders, Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, Tipp City
December 9, Regional Meetings on Health Insurance, West Ohio Conference Center, Worthington
December 27-29, Winter Camp for Youth, Camp Otterbein, Logan
December 28, United Methodist Women Limitless, Christ United Methodist Church, Kettering
January 27, Ohio Ministries Convocation, Broad Street Presbyterian Church, Columbus
April 25-27, 2014 United Methodist Women Assembly 2014, Louisville, Ky

Passages

Alice R. Baldwin (Retired Local Pastor), October 29, 2013. Messages of condolence will reach the family at Matthew Baldwin (Son), 886 Garden Road, Zanesville, Ohio 43701

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