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                                                                                                           NewsNET October 14, 2014 - Vol 7, Issue 40

  

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New videos to inspire and use in your churches

Churches Embrace Breakthrough Prayer Lab
Churches Embrace Breakthrough 
Prayer Lab

INM Gaston's Story Subtitled
Imagine No Malaria - Gaston's Story
Church tree is monument to life after death
The 50+ year old ash tree in front of Grace United Methodist Church in Springfield, Ohio was killed by emerald ash borers and needed to come down. Out of the realization that even when something looks dead new life is always possible, another idea was proposed. With the help of a local artist, the tree was transformed into a monument to the Good Shepherd, illustrating the central message of Christianity. Pastor Vicki Downing writes in her article that "Transforming the tree is a wonderful example of what God does in the life of each of us when we find a relationship with the good shepherd, Jesus."Read the story
Congregation shares blessings with Imagine No Malaria

On Sunday, September 28, the Convoy United Methodist Church hosted a mission conference featuring Mr. Dave Boling, West Ohio's field coordinator for the Imagine No Malaria campaign. As Convoy pastor Greg Leigh noted,  "Once again, through the streets of Convoy, over the countryside of Van Wert county, and to Africa and to the ends of the earth: may Jesus Christ be praised!" Dave Boling's message was followed by a morning offering and Walk/Bike-A-Thon.  By day's end, the congregation was blessed to have raised $1,502 for Imagine No Malaria!  Read more

Ebola: A Poem for the Living

Ebola: A Poem for the Living (English)

United Methodist Communications, Chocolate Moose Media and iheed have collaborated to produce an animated video for use in West Africa that helps dispel myths about how Ebola is spread and promotes prevention of the disease. United Methodist Communications provided partial funding for Chocolate Moose Media to create the video, which will be produced in various languages, including English and French with West African voices and other West African languages. Read more about the video

United Methodist News Coverage about Ebola

Mission Agency Prepares for Long-term Integrated Response to Ebola 

Ebola Checklist for Pastors and Church Leaders

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is not just a women's issue. It is an issue of faith. United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men have partnered to launch a domestic violence initiative to raise awareness and provide training in congregations. Resources have been developed that include fact sheets, discussion starters and useful links to increase understanding about domestic violence and help churches help victims. Hear from United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men about their joint initiative on domestic violence. Learn strategies for interrupting domestic violence through work with men and boys in your community or church. Resources   October 29 Domestic Violence Conference in Ohio
 

West Ohio position announcement

WOC logo The West Ohio Conference is excited to launch a search throughout our greater United Methodist connection for the right leader to join our staff as the West Ohio Conference Director of New Church Development. This position will collaboratively partner with the bishop, cabinet, conference staff as well as pastors and leaders across all districts as together we form a strategy for starting new worshiping congregations  of all types to reach new persons for Jesus Christ.  Job description and how to apply

Music or Dance Ensembles Sought for General Conference

United Methodist choirs and worship ensemble groups from around the world may now audition online for an invitation to perform at the 2016 General Conference, The United Methodist Church's top legislative assembly which meets in Portland, Oregon, from May 10-20, 2016. To apply for an invitation to General Conference, groups are asked to submit a letter of application that includes the following: 1) name of group; 2) name of primary contact person along with email address and phone number; 3) brief history/bio of the group including number of members, general age range, group's location, and any unique characteristics; and 4) a link to a private YouTube video of the group performing. The application should be emailed to [email protected] by January 12, 2015.  Performance opportunities for invited choirs and ensembles include morning worship and/or a lunchtime showcase venue. Groups are responsible for their own expenses. More about General Conference 2016.

Nigerian Area Bishop to visit West Ohio

United Methodist Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, resident bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area in Africa, will be the guest at Asbury North United Methodist Church in Columbus this October. The church and the local United Methodist Women's unit are hosting a luncheon with the Bishop Bishop Yohanna on October 21, 2014. He will also preach at Asbury on Sunday, October 19. In April 2014, 200 girls were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria and Bishop Yohanna has been a leader in advocating for prayer and for the safe return of the girls. Luncheon and service are open to the public. Flyer with details

Miami Valley disaster response team in Indiana

Miami Valley team members, Jean Lockwood, Dan Burden, Dan Seela, Steve & Cindy Miller 

It's been almost eleven months since an F-1 tornado roared through parts of Indiana leaving a mess in its wake. Now, after months of work and recovery the area is showing fewer and fewer impacts from the devastating storm. While many of the houses were repaired through private insurance a number of other homes were fixed through the efforts of volunteers from many parts of Indiana and neighboring states including the Miami Valley District Disaster Relief Team which helped out last week in Indiana with tornado recovery efforts. Full story from Washington Times Herald

Hollywood's year of faith-based films
Actors Reese Witherspoon and Ger Duany in a scene from "The Good Lie." Photo courtesy of Alcon Entertainment
With 2014 shaping up to be the year of faith-based films, the two films reflect the increasingly fierce competition to tap into the purchasing power of Christian moviegoers. Two movies that opened last weekend aim to attract a faith-based crowd. The two films, "The Good Lie" and "Left Behind," reflect two different filmmaking strategies: One is geared for a wider audience that could attract Christians, while the other produces a movie clearly made for the Christian base.  Read more
Electronic payments company expands partnership with GCFA
Vanco Services, LLC, a leading provider of electronic payment solutions, today announced it has expanded its strategic sponsorship with the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA)-the administrative and financial body of  The United Methodist Church.The multi-year sponsorship marks a significant expansion of an electronic giving program that has been in place since 2002 when GCFA first approved Vanco as the administrator for the United Methodist Electronic Funds Transfer (UM EFT) program. The goal of the expanded partnership is to accelerate the adoption of electronic giving methods in United Methodist congregations.  News release    October "Compliance Connection" Newsletter from Vanco.  Electronic Giving through Vanco
How To Get The Most Out Of The Religious Exemption
There aren't many exceptions or exemptions to the U.S. Copyright Law, but churches can really benefit from the religious service exemption (RSE) in the law (Section 110[3]) if they fully understand it. The exemption is vital for churches, but it also can be very confusing for church leaders to understand and identify what it covers and what it does not include. There is a lot of misinformation or myths when it comes to the RSE. Learn more about the RSE   Copyright Licensing Webpage
Seminary Hill Farm: Theology, Ecology and Good Food for All
Seminary Hill Farm: Theology, Ecology and Good Food for All

Upcoming EventsUpcomingEvents

 
Passages


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

 

Mrs. Daisy Lee Porter-Macon, who died on October 7. Mrs. Macon was the wife of Rev. Norman Macon, who survives; sister of Joseph S. (Gloria) Porter II; loved by a host of great nieces & nephews.

Mrs Macon served alongside her husband while he was pastor at Broaddus Chapel (1984) and St Mark (Bond Hill, 1989) United Methodist Churches. Obituary. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Rev. Norman Macon, 3905 Oak Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236


 
Mr. Ronald Kyser, who died on October 9. Mr. Kyser is survived by his wife, Rev. Susan Kyser; daughters, Lauren (Ray) Newsom, Stacey Kyser, and Alexandra (Daniel) Street; grandchildren, Olivia and Kyser Street and Annabel and Oak Newsom; mother, Dr. Marion Kyser; brother, Chris (JoEllen) Kyser; sisters, Cynthia Haas and Susan (Mike) Scalisi. Mr. Kyser was owner of R.C. Kyser and Associates Inc., active with Methodist ElderCare and supported his wife, Rev. Kyser, in her ministry at Epworth United Methodist Church (Columbus, 1985); as Chaplain at Columbus Children's Hospital (1986); and as Director of Pastoral Care at Columbus Children's Hospital (1994). Obituary. Expressions of condolence may be sent to Rev. Susan Kyser, 201 Montrose Way, Columbus, Ohio 43214


Mrs. Evelyn A. Hoover, who died on October 9. Mrs. Hoover is survived by her husband, Rev. John Hoover; children, Larry (Jane) Hoover of Forest, Stephen (Diana) Hoover of Upper Sandusky, Thomas (Gretchen) Hoover of Whitehouse, Kathleen (William) Sumner of Heath, Linda (Michael) Barth of Upper Sandusky, and Peggy (Dean) England of Upper Sandusky; 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Mrs. Hoover held a business degree from Tiffin University and worked as a secretary for Bellevue Manufacturing, then served as a church secretary along with other duties alongside her husband at Green Spring-Calvary EUB (1950) and the Upper Sandusky Circuit-Salem/Belle Vernon EUB (1954); and at Hoytville (1960), Trinity-Upper Sandusky (1969) and Trinity-Delphos (1984) United Methodist Churches, before his retirement in 1990. Obituary. Expressions of condolence may be sent to husband, Rev. John Hoover, 850 Marseilles Avenue, # 216, Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351-1648 or son, Rev. Tom Hoover, 10834 Lakeview Drive, Whitehouse, Ohio 43571-9673

Mrs. Lorraine N. Miller, who died on October 11. Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband, Rev. Paul W. Miller (retired associate); two children, Bruce (Sandy) Miller of Grabill, Indiana, and Paulette Burnett of Van Wert; a sister, Nancy Parlette of Lima; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Miller was a homemaker who served alongside her husband at Grover Hill Charge (1961); St. Paul's (Payne 1965); Wesley (Van Wert 1971); Wesley (Marion 1977); Bethany (Celina 1981); Calvary-Pleasant Chapel (Van Wert 1992); Countryside Chapel (1994); and Wren (1994) United Methodist churches. ObituaryExpressions of condolence may be sent to Rev. Paul Miller, 731 Susan Drive, Van Wert, Ohio 45891.

 

 

 
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