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News for West Ohio Conference Congregations
September 9, 2014 - Vol 7, Issue 35

  

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Emerging ministry grants awarded

Two deacons in The United Methodist Church have been awarded 2014 Emerging Ministry Grants from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. One of them, Rev. Amelia Boomershine, will develop "Seeds of Grace," a ministry of spiritual formation for formerly incarcerated people in the West Ohio Conference. Amelia intends to partner with the Montgomery County Jail in Dayton and Horizon Prison Initiative in Chillicothe Correction Institution in Chillicothe, Ohio. The program will be an integral part of the development of ministry with inmates and "returning citizens" in the greater Dayton region. Learn more

Is the simplest form of church just a dinner table?

The experiences of two United Methodist church plants begin with people sharing a meal together. What can we learn from these models of smaller religious communities? According to the author, dinner matters because food may be one of the holy moments that reaches across all the lines that usually divide us. The future of church may leave the middle and creep towards the extremes: the megachurches that offer everything to everyone, and the microchurches that offer deeper community and personal relationships. Read more

Church continues to see clergy aging trend

The graying of The United Methodist Church's clergy ranks continues, with the median age of active elders reaching an all-time high of 56, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership found in its annual study of clergy age trends. The just-released report also shows that active elders between ages 55 and 72 constitute a record high 55 percent of  the active elders pool, while the share  of active middle-aged elders (ages 35 to 54) continues to drop. The 2014 study also confirms that The United Methodist Church is increasingly dependent on licensed local pastors. West Ohio doubled its number of elders under the age of 35 from 2013-2014, going from 12-24.  Learn more
Wesley 5K Trail Trot

Every year scholarships are provided so campers who can't afford camp can attend. Come support Camp Wesley's scholarship fund for campers needing financial assistance. The October Trail Run/Walk will take you through the woods and around the lake for a beautiful day exploring God's great creation. CAMPFIRE, BEVERAGES & S'MORES AT THE FINISH! Registration begins at 9am and the race starts at 10am. For more information on the Trail Trot and to print a flyer and mail-in registration form, click here or go to www.westohioumc.org and click on Register for Events.

Global Ministries mission opportunities for young adults

Generation Transformation is an initiative of Global Ministries to increase opportunities for young adults to engage in mission throughout the connection. We need your help in spreading the word to your churches. Check out the media/info toolkit - a range of materials that can be used to convey more details about this awesome program. The program opportunities available are:

Looking for a work project?

Does your church have a group of servants that love to get their hands dirty while working together and serving the Lord? West Ohio Conference campgrounds have perfect opportunities for a work day or even a work camp overnight project. Fall is a great time to get out the paintbrush or clear the summer growth from trails. There is carpentry work and more to fit your skill levels. See page 14 of the fall issue of Equip for more information about work days or contact Rebecca King for details. 

E-readers for theological education
A pilot project to provide e-readers loaded with theological texts has proven so successful that GBHEM General Secretary Kim Cape and GBOD General Secretary Tim Bias renewed their joint agreement, continuing this interagency collaboration until December 2016. The renewed agreement extends the "E-Reader Project" and includes a partnership with the African Association of United Methodist-related Theological Institutions (AAUMTI) and its sixteen United Methodist theology schools in Africa. The new agreement also includes four theology schools in the Philippines. Learn more
What not to say when someone has lost a job
Photo illustration by Joe Iovino

Your phone vibrates and the picture of a dear friend appears on the screen. Excitedly you answer only to hear, "I got laid-off today." No matter how you put it - downsized, let go, terminated, eliminated, pink-slipped - this is a difficult day. After the initial shock and grief, your friend will begin a dreaded period of unemployment. You want to help of course. It's in our United Methodist DNA, but sometimes you say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Not wanting to make matters worse, you may be tempted to keep your distance. Don't. Read the tips  

2014 Saddlebag Award winner
The Historical Society of The United Methodist Church annually presents the Saddlebag Award for the best book on the history of United Methodism, or its predecessors, published in the year. The 2014 winner is the Historical Dictionary of Methodism (Third Edition), edited by Charles Yrigoyen Jr. and Susan E. Warrick. This edition presents the history of Methodism through a detailed chronology, an introductory essay, an extensive bibliography, and over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries on important institutions and events, doctrines and activities, and especially persons who have contributed to the church and also broader society in the three centuries since it was founded. The book is an ideal access point for students, researchers, or anyone interested in the history of the Methodist Church. View online at Cokesbury.

Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents

 
Passages


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

 

John Floyd Robbins, 83, who died on September 3. John is survived by his wife, Rosemary Odle Robbins, daughter, Barbara (Jeff) Coakley of Portsmouth; grandson, Alex (Fiance, Kenzy Vanderpool) Coakley of Portsmouth; sister, Dorothy Alderman of Jacksonville, NC and several nieces and nephews. Rev. Robbins served at United Methodist churches in McDermott, Lucasville, Stockdale, Marietta, New Albany and last at Coles Boulevard United Methodist in Portsmouth for 39 years. Obituary. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm, Saturday, Sept. 6 at Rubyville Community Church, 5365 Ohio 139, Portsmouth, Ohio. The family will receive friends at the church from 11am until the funeral hour on Saturday. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Rosemary Robbins, 1232 Bihlman Drive, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 or online at Adkins-Brant Funeral Home.

 

Rev. Robert Keith Chiles, 81, who died on September 8.  He was preceded in death by wife, Carrol in 1997, and wife, Dee Ann in 2002. Carla Jeanne Fox, his wife of eleven years, survives him as well as eight children and fifteen grandchildren. Daughter, Rev. Kristin Markay, and grandaughter, Rev. Katy Borhauer, are both West Ohio United Methodist ordained elders. Rev. Chiles served United Methodist churches in Xenia, Monfort Heights, Celina, Newark, and Worthington and as a superintendent in the former Toledo District.  Obituary. Visitation will be at  Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High Street, Worthington, on September 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Service will be at  Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High Street, Worthington, at 11 a.m. on September 12. Bob requested that clergy not bring robes or sit in mass together, but instead sit with family and friends throughout the sanctuary. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Carla Fox-Chiles and family, 212 Greenglade Avenue, Worthington, Ohio 43085.

 

Rev. Doris E. Johnston, retired, who died on September 8. Rev. Johnston served at Bluelick-Ridge, Church of The Master in Wauseon and Tedrow United Methodist Churches. Services are planned for a future date at First United Methodist Church in Perrysburg. Please check the website for Witzler Shank Funeral Home for arrangements. Additional information will be distributed once it becomes available. Condolences may be sent to daughter, Debbie Sehlmeyer, 14590 Thistledown Lane, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551.
 
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