WOC logo
 
NewsNET
News for West Ohio Conference Congregations
August 12, 2014 - Vol 7, Issue 31

  

Join Our Mailing List!

 

Publications
 



malaria



Chaplain of the Week
Prayers and solidarity for churches in Northern Iraq


We invite United Methodists to be in deep prayer for Christians and other religious and ethnic communities in Iraq who are being driven from their homes, some herded into isolated encampments where they face death by starvation and thirst. For the past several months, UMCOR has been working with a partner in Northern Iraq who has been providing food and other assistance to internally displaced people who have fled from the violence. Read the statement from United Methodist Mission Leaders  In a statement last week, the World Council of Churches acknowledged reports confirming the forced displacement and indiscriminate killing of Christians, Yazidis and members of other religious and ethnic communities in Iraq by the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).  Read the World Council of Churches Statement

Seven sites every United Methodist should see

World travelers may seek out pyramids, cathedrals and safari parks, but United Methodists have destinations across the globe that hold their own allure. Here are suggestions for seven fascinating places to visit.

Addressing Gun Violence through a Biblical Lens

This new three-session Bible study guide by Bill Mefford, Director of Civil & Human Rights at the General Board of Church & Society is available for download. "Kingdom Dreams, Violent Realities" offers biblical analysis of the Micah text, uses examples that bring the Old Testament scripture into current contexts, and provides questions to stimulate discussion. Download the study.

September is National Hunger Action Month

sosa Nearly 50 million people in the United States today are hungry or food insecure. Yet in this country, we will throw away over 133 billion pounds of good food this year. As people of faith, it is time for us to take action-to say that this situation is unacceptable and to do something about it. September is National Hunger Action Month.


Plan now to make September 2014 a time for your congregation to stand together against hunger, joining with the Society of St. Andrew to see that each person in this country has healthy, nourishing food to eat.


Society of St. Andrew is an approved Advance Special of the General Board of Global Ministries. More information can also be found on the West Ohio website at www.westohioumc.org/hunger.


Resources for Hunger Action Month from Society of St. Andrew

"Wheel done"  at Clough United Methodist Church

The Highway Disciples and Cough United Methodist Church in the Ohio River Valley District joined to hold their annual "All Wheels Welcome" motorcycle blessing June 1 in the parking lot at Clough. Motorcyclists, strollers, bikes, scooters and wheelchairs received prayers for safety. Participants enjoyed God Star Chili coneys, a coney eating contest, music by Model Behavior and a BMX demonstration as they raised more than $1,130 to save lives through Imagine No Malaria. Read more about INM at www.inmohio.org and look for ways your church can save lives!

History of Hymns: "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 474

B.B. King Feat. Gladys Knight, Etta James & Chaka Khan - Take My Hand, Precious Lord - Los Angeles 1
B.B. King Feat. Gladys Knight, Etta James & Chaka Khan
Many hymns are conceived in the throes of tragedy. "Precious Lord" was written in Chicago in 1932 following the death of Thomas Dorsey's wife Nettie and infant son during childbirth. Even though he had hundreds of jazz and blues songs to his credit, he turned to gospel music, one of the first to use that term, following this tragedy. Martin Luther King Jr. drew inspiration from this, his favorite song. It was sung at the rally in Memphis the night before the civil-rights leader's assassination. President Lyndon B. Johnson requested that "Precious Lord" be sung at his funeral. Dorsey was the first African American elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame. Learn more
Scholarships Available for the National UMRA Legislative Consultation

The National United Methodist Rural Advocates is holding their Legislation Consultation Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2014 in Portland, Oregon to: advocate for the rural church and its community, help develop UMRA legislation for General Conference 2016, learn what is going well in rural ministry, team building, help plan GC work, and meet the Ecumenical Rural Church Network. Brochure and Registration forms. In addition, two scholarships are available:

  1. The North Central Jurisdiction Town & Country Association is offering $250.00 scholarships to NCJ lay and clergy who register and attend this event. 
  2. The Town & Rural Resource Program (TARRP) is offering $350.00 to East and West Ohio lay or clergy who register and attend this event.

Contact: Rev. Debra Ketcham for scholarships and to register by the Aug. 23 deadline

Sunday School Curriculum for all ages at Cokesbury.com

 

Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents

 
Passages


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

 

John Arthur Cramer, 90, who died on August 4. He was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita. Survivors include his son, Michael L. (Brenda) Cramer, daughter, Denise (Ken) Beaty, and nephew, Rev. Steve Cramer. Mr. Cramer served at Peoria United Methodist Church (1983-95) and as a supply pastor within the former Springfield District. Obituary. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Rev. Steve Cramer, 235 E Broadway, Granville, Ohio 43023.
 
Deadline for News.NET articles is noon on Thursday. Articles are published based on available space and relevance.  
All articles are subject to editing.
Please submit article requests to