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                                                                                                           NewsNET February 25, 2015 - Vol 8, Issue 8
From trauma to hope: How one initiative is transforming prisons

This is the fourth in a series of articles about our five West Ohio Conference Advance Specials organizations. This one is written by Katelin Hansen, a member of United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus, and was published online at Urban Faith. 

 

For so many, prison is a place of trauma, of retribution, that only adds to a lifetime of hurt. But the Horizon Prison Initiative is working to make prisons a place of hope. Prison can feel like a forgotten place. A place where we send our broken and unwanted to hide them away from the nation's consciousness. For so many, it is a place of trauma, of retribution, that only adds to a lifetime of hurt. But what if instead, prisons were a place of redemption, a place of hope? What if prison became a beacon of God's love, not just to those living there, but to the world? These are some of the questions that the Horizon Prison Initiative tries to answer.  (continued)
Summer Impact: An Ohio mission experience for youth
The Summer Impact program at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church offers youth from all over the country the chance to impact on poverty and homelessness in Cincinnati. Summer Impact offers six week-long experiences that build relationships and follow a pattern of Bible Study, Service, and Celebration. Working alongside nine city ministry partners, teams might minister to children in a camp or literacy setting, assist people who are homeless, or distribute furniture to families. In the evenings youth will worship and celebrate all that God has done. (find out more)
Rotary recognizes Imagine No Malaria as Superhero at global meeting
Thanks to your ongoing support, Imagine No Malaria has received a Superhero Award from the Rotarians Action Group on Malaria. Imagine No Malaria, the only faith-based organization represented among the award recipients, was recognized for its grassroots efforts in reaching rural and hard-to-reach areas with its prevention methods. Dr. Olusimbo Ige of the General Board of Global Ministries was on hand to receive the award, which was signified by the bestowing of a red "superhero" cape. Consider how you might creatively partner with the Rotary group in your community and fight malaria together.  Read more.
Slain hostage was following call to offer aid

Kayla Mueller died 6,000 miles from her Arizona home, taken hostage and then killed as she followed her call to offer humanitarian aid in Syria. Friends and family say the 26-year-old was walking the path she believed God set for her. Mueller was an active member of the United Christian Ministry, an ecumenical campus ministry that includes The United Methodist Church. In 2011, Kayla wrote: "I find God in suffering. I've known for some time what my life's work is, using my hands as tools to relieve suffering." (continued)

How to pray even when you don't feel like it
Young man praying earnestly in the darkWe are a generation who doesn't know how to express our souls to God, even though we drive ourselves to exhaustion, doing for Jesus. As Richard Swenson says, "Chronic overloading is not a spiritual prerequisite for authentic Christianity. Quite the contrary, overloading is often what we do when we forget who God is." Extend yourself the kindness and comfort you generously give others. Ironically, the times we most need God's comfort are the times we deprive ourselves of soul-nurturing time. Here are a few ways to connect with God when you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed or just burned out. (continued)
Four reasons every pastor needs a good pastor friend

So many pastors - in large churches and small churches - feel isolated in ministry. In the same way that only a police officer can fully understand the work of another police officer, or only a nurse can fully understand the work of another nurse ... only a pastor can fully understand the work of another pastor. That's not to say a pastor shouldn't have friends who aren't pastors. Absolutely do. But every pastor needs at least one pastor friend.  (continued)

Test your knowledge of the season

Does The United Methodist Church have official rules for observing Lent? Are Sundays counted in the 40 days of Lent? These are just a couple of the questions on the Lent & Easter Quiz. See how much you know about the traditions and symbols of Lent & Easter by answering daily quiz questions and checking your answers.  

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We were there then and are still there today

On this last week of Black History Month, come along as UMC.org visits Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church and Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, both with early ties to United Methodism, including being a stop on the Underground Railroad and having a  dynamic pastor who drew huge crowds in the '20s and composed the lyrics of a very familiar song.

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

Rev. John M. Fall, retired elder, who died on January 10. John is survived by his wife, Shirley Fall. 

Rev. Fall transferred to West Ohio in 1990 where he served as the Administrator for Otterbein Portage Valley Home (1990) and Executive Director of Otterbein Homes Northwest Ministries (1992). Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Shirley Fall, 2301 West Constitution Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001. No additional information is available at this time. 


 

Rev. Paul R. Brown, 84, who died on February 12. Paul is survived by his wife, Barbara England Brown, and their two children, Cheryl Lynn Lamb (Fritz) and James Richard "Rick" Brown (LyAnne). He also had 9 grandchildren: David Michael (deceased), Chris, Nathaniel, Ashleigh, Joshua, Eric, Jason Christian and Arielle. In 1961 Paul led the Gore Charge for the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church in Logan. In 1965, he was appointed to Northwest United Methodist Church, Upper Arlington, where he grew the new congregation from 35 to over 1,000. He then served St. Paul United Methodist Church (Celina, 1984); Faith Community United Methodist Church (Xenia, 1988); and Landfair United Methodist Church (1995). Obituary. A memorial service will be held at Northwest United Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Drive, Columbus, Ohio on April 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Barbara Brown, 1112 Larkspur Lane, Celina, Ohio 45822


 

Rev. Billie Jean Melton who died February 13. Her husband, Charles Melton, preceded her in death in 1966. Billie Jean is survived by her son, Walter (Nanette) Melton; daughters, Risa Melton and Michelle (Tom) Easttey; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Wanda (Tom) Fuller. Billie Jean was a missionary to Japan for 5 years alongside her husband. Following his death, she returned to the United States and taught for 17 years, after which ;she was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of being a pastor by becoming an ordained Elder in the West Ohio Conference. Billie Jean served at Hayes (Fremont, 1995) and Oakwood (1998) United Methodist Churches. Obituary. There will be a "Celebration in Song" Memorial Service held on Saturday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Boulevard United Methodist Church, 113 Grand Boulevard, Binghamton, New York, with Rev. Thomas Easttey officiating. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Michelle Easttey, 91 Park Street, Binghamton, New York 13905.


 

Rev. Edwin D. Beach, 83, who died on February 18. His wife, Betty Clark Beach, preceded him in death in September. ;Surviving are a daughter Dala (Denny) Heeg, a son Rollie (Laurel) Beach, four grandchildren, a brother Alan (Rose) Beach nd a sister Doris Beach. Rev. Beach served as an Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) circuit preacher in Iowa for 5 years before moving to Ohio in 1960 to attend the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He then served as a United Methodist pastor for 33 years at the Chattanooga Charge (1960); and at Gilboa (1963); Ney (1966); Ayersville (1969); Arcadia (1975); Gibsonburg (1983); and Walnut Grove (Hardin County, 1988). Ed was a chalk artist who performed his "chalk talks" in schools, churches and auditoriums until his retirement in 1993. Obituary. Visitation begins at noon on Saturday, March 7, followed by a 1pm Memorial Service at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Boulevard, Elkhart, Indiana. Special request from the family: Rev. Beach always gave away the pictures at the end of his "Chalk Talks" so the family doesn't have any to pass to his grandchildren. If anyone has one of his drawings the family would be most appreciative if you would take a picture of it and either email or text it to Rollie Beach, 216-272-3500. 

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