Bishop Gregory V. Palmer is one of six bishops who are seeking how to best lead the church in urban ministry. Also attending last week's learning cohort to the Michigan area from West Ohio were Dee Stickley-Miner, Harris Tay and Gregory Kendrick. Two years ago, with the encouragement of the Residential Bishop's Learning Forum, this learning cohort was formed to explore effective new forms of urban ministry. The bishops have sought out ministries trying new styles of worship, that engage in sustainable community economic development and embrace all including the poor, those in recovery, former inmates and people with developmental issues.

Resources for Advent are plentiful this season, starting with our own United Methodist Agencies and our United Methodist Publishing House:

• Cokesbury offers everything from paraments to books and even includes an interactive Planning Guide that lists the many studies available to you;
• Abingdon Press has resources for all ages on its Advent pages, and Ministry Matters recommends these Advent 2014 Study materials;
• The General Board of Church & Society offers The Season for Change, an Advent Study on HIV/AIDS & social justice advocacy;
• The General Board of Discipleship has a host of Advent & Christmas Leadership Resources such as studies, children's ministry resources and even song lyrics;
• United Methodist Communications and Rethink Church provide free bundles of multiple resources like Sharing the Greatest Gift of All and many ways to engage your community;
• The General Board of Global Ministries has an Advent Devotion for the 4 Sundays of Advent and Christmas Eve. Society of St. Andrew, an advance special with GBGM, offers many resources for addressing hunger during Advent;
• The General Commission on Race & Religion has some Jumpstarts for Diversity Work ideas.

Since the General Board of Global Ministries no longer provides insurance for Volunteers in Mission teams, the North Central Jurisdiction has put together insurance options for both international and United States mission teams. Please visit westohioumc.org/vimleader for coverage options and for updated insurance forms and other resources for VIM team leaders.  

West Ohio camps will be hosting two confirmation retreats in 2015, one at Camp Widewater and a second at Camp Wesley. Confirmation retreats are provided as an enhancement to your existing church confirmation program. The retreat setting provides an opportunity to get away and enjoy time with your own and other confirmation groups, attend powerful worship, fellowship and partake of awesome meals together. Teaching sessions offered include spiritual gifts, Wesleyan tradition, covenant relationships in the Bible and "I" Believe", in which students will look at the Apostles Creed and come up with their own belief statements. The weekend away for youth leaders and youth in grades 6-9 will help strengthen their relationship with Christ and appreciate how the church can work together as the body. Find out details here: Camp Widewater Confirmation Camp on February 20-22 and Camp Wesley Confirmation Camp March 20-22.