Mission U is a diverse community of people learning to put their faith into practical action in the current world context. Mission U reflects the theology of The United Methodist Church and the practice of joining personal holiness with social holiness. This July, through worship, in-depth study, music, prayer, sharing and exploring, we invite you to grow with us in understanding of the mission of the church. New this year is the School of Ministry Track, which has been added to the four-day program, and a variety of movement opportunities offered as free-time electives. The Family Package is a great value and the perfect opportunity to explore mission with concurrent classes and activities designed for adults, children, and youth. (more information)

In this new video, learn how your donations to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) make it possible for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)  to keep its lights on and help underwrite UMCOR's cost of doing business every day. 

Reading Room at Ohio Wesleyan's Beeghly Library

The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) has been taking care of the preservation of Ohio Methodist history for 175 years. The Ohio United Methodist Archives are housed at Ohio Wesleyan University at Beeghly Library and cared for by Archivist, Carol Holliger. Each year at their annual meeting and convocation,  UMHSO honors local church historians and churches who are having special anniversaries. This year's event is being held at Grace United Methodist Church in Delaware, Ohio on Saturday, April 26. In addition, a special event will be held at our Archives of Ohio United Methodism the day before - a "White Glove Afternoon" for local church historians, including a tour of the archives. Click here for more information. 

Churches are ready to get started in communication, but they need some help. 43% of church communicators have four years of experience or less, according to a 2013 survey by the Center for Church Communication (CFCC). Only 22% have more than 10 years of experience, which means the church communication field is dominated by beginners. The Center for Church Communication and its flagship blog, Church Marketing Sucks, announce the launch of a series of beginner ebooks for churches and communicators who are getting started. This new series covers writing, websites and landing a job, three volumes available separately or collected in a single ebook.  (details)

Click to watch a video tribute to Bishop Kelly.

Women of Character, Courage and Commitment is the 2014 theme for the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women as it celebrates women's history month. The commission is highlighting a different woman each day on its website, offering worship elements and sharing voices of today's United Methodists on the agency blog. One of the women highlighted is Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly from Ohio was the first African-American women to be elected bishop in any major Christian denomination and the second woman bishop in The United Methodist Church.  Read story   Worship resources   Read the blog

Connect to the work of UMCOR through a new church-wide Sunday school study for adults, youth, and children.

Being Hope, United Methodists in Global Mission, is a four-week Bible study that explores the biblical and Wesleyan foundations for our work as a denomination in the areas of disaster relief, global health, and global development, as well as the role we play in our churches' mission efforts close to home. The study follows the 2014 theme of One Great Hour of Sharing-Be Hope.  

Pastor Miguel de Leon and Pastora Rolindez from Piedras Negras, Mexico, will be in the central Ohio area March 20-24. The ministries led by Pastor Miguel are partially funded as Advance Specials of the West Ohio Conference.  Several of our conference churches have sent money and/or teams to the Casa de Misericordia orphanage and Templo Aleluya. Persons interested in our conference partnership with Mexico, sending a team, or supporting these important ministries will want to attend.  Please direct any questions to John Keeny. 

The Foundation for Evangelism is seeking nominations for the 2014 Culture of the Call Church Award. This award, given annually, recognizes one local United Methodist congregation that encourages the next generation of leaders with a passion for evangelism to enter full-time Christian service.  The Foundation for Evangelism awards this honor to highlight the outstanding work being done in the local church where young persons, age 35 and under, are encouraged, supported, and nurtured as part of the culture of that congregation. (More information and to download nomination form.)

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