"Weird Animals" VBS at Epworth United Methodist Church, Toledo

Whatever you call it-VBS, kid's week, backyard Bible club, etc.-dedicating a week of your summer schedule to focus solely on serving and sharing Christ with kids is important and deserves all the energy and resources we can muster. VBS can take on different shapes: day camps, evening programs, neighborhood-based backyard Bible clubs, big, small, everything in between. Each may require special wording or promotion. Check out these ideas that you can use this as a starting point on how to promote your VBS.

Ron McDaniel, an UMCOR-authorized ERT trainer and Early Response Team leader, recently returned from Alabama, where he and teammates from Indiana, Alabama, and Tennessee, worked on sawing and removing trees following an outbreak of spring tornadoes. Ron is a member of North Broadway United Methodist Church in Columbus. Read more about current disasters and our response.

Missional Ministries in the Grace Margin is a 12-hour dialogue program for local church leaders to explore how they can share their gifts with the wider community. This spring, a group of Holy Currencies Catalysts facilitated this dialogue with over 15 churches in West Ohio. Read how Hyde Park Bethlehem United Methodist Church's team was challenged to make connections between a Christmas gift ministry and local pubs and restaurants. 

(Part 1 - The First 30 Days) When pastors receive a new appointment, they have 90 days to prove themselves, gain credibility and start to establish positive momentum. Learn how to get off to a quick start at your new appointment. (Learn more)

(Part 2 - Day 31 & beyond) Part one teaches you how to assess the congregation and community quickly. Now the focus needs to be on translating those insights into action. (Learn how)

For many years, the matter of the worldwide nature of The United Methodist Church, while an impetus for visioning and change, has challenged us to live into new ways of being the church today. The issue of the worldwide nature of the church is more than just a conversation about structure. Fundamentally, it is about the theology of a global church that seeks to do mission in the different locations of its members and how they structure themselves for effective ministries within their own context. The Connectional Table and the Commission on General Conference invite you to enter a new into a conversation that has been at the center of our global denomination. Learn more

Nola Diane Arthur, who died on June 12. Diane is survived by her husband, Rev. Ricci Arthur, stepson, Scott (Tricia) Arthur of Denver, Colorado; stepdaughter, Jo (Steve) Poling of Logan; five grandchildren; two brothers; a sister and several nieces and nephews. Rev. Arthur is a retired elder currently serving the Haydenville-Smith Chapel Charge which includes the churches of Haydenville United Methodist Church, Smith Chapel United Methodist Church, Ebenezer United Methodist Church and Carbon Hill United Methodist Church. Obituary  Expressions of condolence will reach the family online at Cardaras Funeral Home or via mail to Rev. Ricci Arthur, 395 Mae Street, Logan, Ohio 43138.

Erma Mae Geissinger, who died June 7. Her husband, Rev. Frank Oliver Geissinger, preceded her in death in 2001. Erma Mae is survived by two children, Rev. Wayne (Connie) Geissinger of Kenton and Rev. Audrey G. ( Rev. Carl) Ritter of Manning, South Carolina; four grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Obituary. Funeral services for Erma Mae will be private. Condolences may be sent c/o her son, Rev. Wayne Geissinger, at 19364 County Road 190, Kenton, Ohio 43326.

Rev. Larry Hopkins who died June 17. Larry is survived by his wife Sharon Hopkins. Rev. Hopkins served at Bryan EUB Assoc 1960; Edgerton Trinity EUB 1962; Continental Christ S & Mt Zion 1965; Rockford Grace (L) 1970; Paulding (D) 1983; Lima Forest Park (L) 1991; Cridersville Calvary (NWP) 2007. Arrangements are being made with Chamberlain Huckeriede Funeral Home. Visitation and funeral service will be at Forest Park United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 315 S. Collins Avenue, Lima, Ohio 45804. Visitation is Thursday, June 19, 2-8 pm; funeral service is Friday, June 20, 10 am. Attending clergy are asked to wear a robe with white stole, form a procession into the Family Life Center and sit together. Condolences will reach the Hopkins family c/o Keith and Lori Belcher, 3775 Armstead, Lima, Ohio 45804.

Rev. George Oerke who died on June 14. His wife, Barbara Oerke, preceded him in death in 2011. Rev. Oerke served the Wesley Foundation, Athens 1954; Wesley Foundation, Greeley, Colo 1956; Orwell-Windsor, NE Ohio Conf 1958; Leipsic (D) 1962; Minister Of Education, Riverside 1967; Kettering Christ Assoc (DS) 1968; Sabbatical Leave 1973; Portage, Christ (T) 1974; Pleasant Ridge 1976; Executive Administrator, West View Manor, Wooster, Ohio 1982; Administrator, The Methodist Home, Orangeburg, SC 1985 Retired 1988. Information about services is not available at this time. Condolences may be sent to the family via his son, David W Oerke, 8872 E Amherst Drive, Denver, Colorado 89231.