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News for West Ohio Conference Congregations

September 2, 2014 - Vol 7, Issue 34

Publications

Fall "Equip" has resources for all generations

The September-December 2014 issue of West Ohio's Equip Resource Catalog features opportunities and information to assist our mission of making disciples of all ages who recognize God's love, grace and faithfulness. Events, learning opportunities and inspiring breakthrough stories.... enjoy the inspiration, training and motivation you'll receive not only to reach children, teens and adults living in your area, but also to disciple your church family into mature followers of Christ who love and serve the needs of the world. Browse online or download.

18th annual legal forum

This year's Legal Forum will be held in November at Ohio Northern University in Ada. Church teams such as pastors, trustees, finance and Christian education leaders are invited to join top notch speakers discussing important issues for the day-to-day operations of the church. Learn more and register online

Bishops author new book

Finding Our Way: Love and Law in The United Methodist Church is authored by several United Methodist bishops, including a chapter by West Ohio's Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. The writers enunciate and clarify pathways that represent faithful, responsible, and constructive ways forward through the current controversies. Each bishop articulates a prescription for moving through current conflict about homosexual practice, same-gender unions, qualifications for ordination, and maintaining the "good standing" of elders. Read more

Our response to the Ebola outbreak

The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries is continuing to be present and respond to the needs in West Africa as health officials try to contain the Ebola outbreak that has infected more than 3,065 people. To date, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has sent $383,000 in grants to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Funds are supporting tents and construction of isolation units, personal protective equipment, training for health staff, public messaging about Ebola, and safe handling of deceased bodies. Learn more and how you can help

Related stories:

Prayers going out to West Africa

Education, economy suffer in Ebola outbreak

Post-war trauma, mistrust, fuel Ebola crisis

Responding to worst Ebola outbreak in history

More coverage of Ebola

Stories of hope from Colombia

A team from the Ohio River Valley District traveled to Brisas del Mar, Colombia, from August 3-11, 2014. Following is an account of the trip written by Team Leader Michael Estep:

"Everything was going well. Our trip from Cartagena to Brisas was right on time. Our driver knew the way...and the team was excited and ready to arrive in Brisas as soon as possible. We had turned off the main road onto a dirt path back into the countryside when up ahead I could see what looked like a checkpoint...with military personnel carrying semi-automatic weapons. All of a sudden the stories of a corrupt government started flying through my head. What would they want, and did I have enough money to pay if they demanded it? When the bus stopped, they ordered us off. " Read what happened next

Interactive online classes, new curriculum offer new options for local pastors

A new curriculum for local pastors focuses on transformative leadership, while online interactive classes will provide easier access for educational opportunities, especially for part-time local pastors who have regular employment outside the church. The new curriculum has an integrated approach. It addresses foundational understandings of the Bible, theology, church history, Wesleyan identity and application of scripture. The other half is more like "on the job training," which builds skills in preaching, worship, mission and evangelism. The integration will help pastors understand that what one believes about the grace of God impacts how a church does mission. And what we believe about the cross, atonement and resurrection will be central to how pastors administer the sacraments, or conduct funerals and memorial services. Read more

Nourishing people hungry for a sacred way of living

Alive Now is a thematic, bi-monthly publication of The Upper Room that speaks to the opportunities and challenges of following Christ in the modern world. Scripture and prayer are two foundational cornerstones of content. Theme-based writing strives to represent the widest possible diversity (theological, geographical, denominational, racial, cultural) among the writers. Along with the magazine (which is offered digitally as well as printed) is a blog, daily reflections, spiritual tools, visual psalmist and an Audio Lectio. Learn more

Young Clergy Initiative awards total of seventy- five grants

Over two rounds, 164 Young Clergy Initiative grant applications were received. Forty-six grants were awarded in the second round, bringing the total amount awarded to approximately $5.5 million. Twenty-nine grants were awarded earlier this year. The grants were awarded to programs geared toward increasing the number of young clergy in The United Methodist Church and supporting the young clergy already serving in the denomination. Ministries and churches in the West Ohio Conference were awarded the following grants:

West Ohio Conference, OH - $65,000.00; Description of project: "Our project is to deploy college-aged students in local churches with trusted clergy members to help them discern God's calling upon their lives."
East Ohio United Methodist Foundation, OH - $97,640.00: Description of project: "A collaboration between the East and West Ohio Annual Conferences to further cultivate a culture of call and to train and equip young clergy."
Summit United Methodist Church, OH - $20,000.00; Description of project: "Bringing together resources of a seminary and a diverse local church, we will create a unique residential context where undergraduates explore their call to ministry."
Sulphur Grove United Methodist Church, OH - $22,000.00: Description of project: "Launch a second Ministry House (partnering with the Huber Heights House) to provide young clergy students opportunity to experience community-building ministry in a local neighborhood."

Reconnect to your baptism

Upcoming Events

September 1-30, National Hunger Month
September 4, Working with Exceptional Children: ADHD and the Autism Spectrum, Webinar
September 6, Small Churches Can Have a Big Impact: Making your Voice & Vote Count!, Delaware
September 11-13, Countdown to Zero: Just Save One...an Equipping Conference on HIV & AIDS Ministries , Denver, CO
September 13, Volunteers in Mission Fall Training, Worthington
September 14-16, East & West Ohio Black Pastors' Retreat, Perrysville
September 19-20, Community Organizing and Development Through Nonprofits, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Delaware
September 20, Worship Leader Training Event, Hilliard
September 25, PAUMCS Fall Workshop, Worthington
September 27, Festival of Sharing, Otterbein University, Westerville
September 27, Early Response Team Training, Fostoria
October 4, MTSO Fall Open House, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Delaware
October 5, World Communion Day - United Methodist Special Sunday
October 6-8, Asian American and Pacific Islander United Methodist Clergywomen Association Biennial Meeting, Claremont, CA
October 17-20, CEF2014: May the Circle be Unbroken, Nashville
October 19, Laity Sunday
October 22-24, Deborah's Daughters: "Take Back Your Temple" Conference, Dayton
October 23-25, Wesleyan Leadership Conference, Nashville
October 25, Embracing Diversity: Developing Effective Ministries in a Multicultural World, Columbus
October 29, Faith, Awareness and Action - Addressing Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence, Dayton
November 1, 'Go On' Tour, Tipp City
November 7, Legal Forum, Ohio Northern University, Ada
November 7, UMW Mission Exploration, Worthington
November 8, UMW Annual Celebration, Powell
November 15, Early Response Team Basic Training, Beavercreek
November 30, United Methodist Student Day - United Methodist Special Sunday
March 4-16, 2015, Ubuntu Journey to Cambodia, Volunteers in Mission
June 24-28, 2015, Youth 2015, Orlando, FL

Passages

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

Mrs. Laurie Clemmer, who passed on August 30. Laurie is survived by her husband, Jeffrey, daughter Melissa, and son, Jason (Leslie) Clemmer. Laurie worked at the West Ohio Conference Office from 1987-2005, serving as conference staff in the Office of Ministry and Episcopal Office. Obituary. Friends may call at Southwick-Good & Fortkamp Funeral Chapel, 3100 N. High Street, Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, September 3 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Private family graveside service. Messages of condolence may be sent online or to Mr. Jeffrey Clemmer and family, 8910 Crouse-Willison Road, Johnstown, Ohio 43031.

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