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News for West Ohio Conference Congregations
April 1, 2014 - Vol 7, Issue 13

  

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Covenant Bible Study

Bishop PalmerDear friends in Christ Jesus:

 

Is your church showing a hunger for biblical knowledge combined with a need for strong, small group relationships? The answer to this need may be found in the new Covenant Bible Study, a 24-week study through Cokesbury. Covenant is an in-depth group Bible Study that centers on our relationships with God, with each other, and with the world. It differs from other Bible studies in that it emphasizes the biblical concept of Covenant-the enduring commitment between God and people-as a unifying pattern throughout the entire Bible. (continued)

Women pastors growing in numbers

Bishop Larry Goodpaster, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner and West Ohio's Rev. April Casperson
Women pastors are finding more acceptance and more reasons to stay in local church ministry than any time in the denomination's history, according to a survey of clergywomen. While some clergywomen, like Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, president of the Council of Bishops, reach top positions in the denomination, the study shows that a lack of support is the reason other women pastors leave local church pulpits for other ministries. (read more)  
United Methodist Church conference on Palestine

United Methodists are invited to "walk with Palestinian Christians . . . for holy justice and peace" at Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Ohio August 7-8. The conference is sponsored by the denomination's General Board of Global Ministries and Ginghamsburg Church. Workshops will focus on biblical/theological perspectives; pilgrimage and presence; political, economic and social advocacy and actions; and involvement and positions within The United Methodist Church. (learn more)

United Methodists ready to assist after Washington mudslide

United Methodist Early Response Teams stand ready to assist after the deadly mudslide in Washington State, but Jim Truitt doesn't expect a call soon. Because of the extensive debris and damaged roads, "it's going to be a very long time before they allow anything like an ERT in that area," said Truitt, the United Methodist Volunteers-in-Mission coordinator for the denomination's Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conference. The unexpected March 22 mudslide blocked a state highway and flattened homes and property near Oso. By the morning of March 25, 14 people had been found dead and more than 170 people were considered missing.  (learn more)

Getting ready for Vacation Bible School (VBS)

In the United States, it is time to start planning this summer's vacation Bible school. Below are some program options.

New United Methodist Church commercial for Easter

Rethink Church: Easter Is it all about beautifully colored eggs and chocolate bunnies...or are you looking for something more? Unconditional love, for instance. What about a second chance? A more fulfilling life? Odds are you won't find what you're looking for in a basket. Maybe it's time to rethink our search. Maybe we can find what we're looking for by opening our hearts; reaching out to others, and embracing the miracle of God's love.


Get a preview of the RETHINK CHURCH campaign's seasonal spot, which asks "Is it simply eggs you're searching for this Easter or are you looking for something more?" 
Which came first: Easter or the eggs?

For most Christians, Easter is the most important day of the year. However, when it comes to traditions such as decorated eggs, lilies and Peter Cottontail, even the most seasoned Easter celebrants may have questions. How decorated eggs relate to Easter? There are multiple versions of the story. According to Eastern Orthodox tradition, Mary Magdalene visited the Emperor Tiberius and showed him an egg as a way to talk about the Resurrection of Jesus.  (learn more)

Family camp this summer at West Ohio Camps

This July, Camp Widewater in Northwest Ohio is the place for "CHRISTmas in July - It all began with a family." This camp meets in July to focus on the birth of Jesus. It is all about Christ and His life. Activities include worship, archery, crafts, swimming, sports and canoeing. Stay in an air conditioned lodge! (details and registration information)  

 

Camp Otterbein in Logan, Ohio will host a Summer Family Camp this August. Come take time to renew as a family while staying in air conditioned cabins. This weekend allows for laughter, play, relaxation and a chance to rekindle your faith fire. Enjoy all of the favorite camp activities like the mud pit, giant slip 'n slide, swimming and a cookout. (details and registration information)

Alignment of conference staff around mission

WOC logo One of the things that we keep working on is alignment around the mission. Sometimes this drives responding to the question of where to place more or less emphasis for a season. For the last nine months there have been various conversations like this regarding the Office of Connectional Ministries. Bishop Palmer is pleased to announce that as of April 1, 2014, Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey will become the Director of Missional Church Initiatives. This move positions her to spend more time and energy in taking the Missional Church Consultation Initiative to the next level. Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner will now serve as the Director of Connectional Ministries for the West Ohio Conference, also effective April 1. Dee will maintain some of her current portfolio, such as overseeing our mission partnerships. (read more)

Lives changed at confirmation camp

We were very blessed to have 50 young adults come to West Ohio's Confirmation Camp to strengthen their relationship with Christ and learn more about confirmation and the United Methodist Church. The confirmands were joined by 21 amazing leaders who gave their weekend to come and mentor the young adults. Five area churches also helped, including First (Bellefontaine), Belle Center, DeGraff, Kenton and West Mansfield United Methodist Church. Lives were changed and we give all the glory to God!  (View the photo gallery on Facebook)

Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents

Passages
Let us remember in prayer those grieving the loss of their loved one, and remember in thanksgiving the life of:

 

Rev. Mack Joe Armstrong who died on March 23. Mack is survived by his wife, Martha, two children, four grandchildren and several siblings. He served at Cloverdale United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, Ohio, 2004-2011 and both he and Martha served one term as missionaries in El Salvador. Mack taught at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, until 2014. Expressions of condolence may be sent via the Walker Mortuary website. 

 

Nina Mae Burson Skeen who died March 18. She was preceeded in death by her husband of 67 years, Reverend David W. Skeen. Rev. & Mrs. Skeen served pastorates in the East Ohio Conference as well as Linden (Columbus) United Methodist Church, 1974; Eastview (Columbus) United Methodist Church, 1972; Trinity (Portsmouth) United Methodist Church, 1968; and Broad Street (Columbus) United Methodist Church, 1961 in the West Ohio Conference. Messages of condolence may be made at Griffith-Cline Funeral & Cremation Services.

 
 
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