With an anticipated 42 trillion dollars of wealth to be transferred in the next couple of decades, a strategic approach to planned legacy giving is vital. Does your church have a Legacy building plan designed to equip your future ministry? This is a day dedicated to helping you understand why the development of a proactive planned giving program is essential to your future. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer will be keynote speaker. Other breakout session leaders are financial planning experts in a variety of fields. Pastors, Finance Committees, Endowment Committees and Leadership Teams will benefit. Details and registration.

In October, Pastor Kenneth Martin of Oldtown United Methodist Church near Xenia issued a challenge to his 30-member congregation: Bring in a can of food every Sunday until Christmas for the local food pantry. The cans stated rolling in and were stacked in the front of the church. Weekly the stash grew and by Sunday, December 21 the chancel was overflowing with food - over 564 food items were gathered! According to Pastor Ken, "Not exactly loaves and fishes, but a good start! A small church moved by the spirit can accomplish big things."

Ash Wednesday is only a few weeks away and your church's plans for Lent may be well in hand by now, but please make room for Imagine No Malaria at your church this winter into spring. From Shrove Tuesday pancakes to spaghetti dinners to talent nights, there are ways to use Imagine No Malaria to invite your community to participate in this lifesaving mission. Order INM tri-fold brochures, INM prayer cards and wristbands by contacting INM Coordinator Dave Boling. Read more in the latest copy of Equip, page 46-47. Every life can save a life, how many lives will you save? 

We live with the reality of brokenness. It is visible, intimate and truly ours to embrace. How can we respond to brokenness? The deep truth is that our human suffering does not need to be an obstacle to the joy and peace we desire, but can be the means to it. The January 2015 issue of West Ohio's EQUIP resource catalog exposes the brokenness and the blessings that can be experienced in unique, healing and radical ways.

Equipping & Training Events, Lay Servant Ministry Classes, Breakthrough Stories, Key Dates to Remember. You are welcome to participate in any of the events listed in this resource catalog, regardless of the district in which the event is located.

Upcoming Events

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

Rev. Jon Henley Cook, who died on December 30. Jon was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Lou (Evans) in 1956 and by his second wife, ViAnn LeVan in 2012. Surviving are his children, Donnell (Lori) Cook, Kevin Cook and Stacey (Steve) Dye; step children, April (Ray) Pulfer, Sheri (Tim Tevis) Costin and Charles LeVan; grandchildren, Kelley Gibson and Taylor Hodge, Clay LeVan, Coltin Costin, Connor and Caiden Dye, Josh Cook, Jacob Cook; and a sister, Judy (Richard) Maurer. Rev. Cook served at East Liberty (1991); Thornville (1998); Good Hope (2000); and Maple Grove (Washington Court House, 2000) United Methodist churches.  Obituary.