The world marks Earth Day each April 22. This video features stunning images of Nature along with the beautiful words of a prayer written by United Methodist Bishop Ken Carter. All United Methodists are called to be good stewards of the planet, as our Social Principles about the Natural World explain: "All creation is the Lord's, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it."  You are encouraged to use this video for personal reflection and also download and share it with others. 

Across the nation, United Methodists are gearing up to #BringChange to celebrate World Malaria Day on Saturday, April 25 by hosting various events, such as pancake breakfasts, lemonade stands, 5K walks and fashion shows to raise funds and awareness for Imagine No Malaria. 

We've created resources for you in our Imagine No Malaria Box including Facebook and Twitter graphics. You can also join the World Malaria Day Thunderclap or add a Twibbon to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

Be sure and direct your congregation and friends to West Ohio's Imagine No Malaria Donation page to help West Ohio reach our goal of $3.5 Million/350,000 lives saved!

Rev. Russ Abbott has been named President/CEO at United Methodist Financial Credit Union, effective April 1.  The Chief Operating Officer since July 1, 2012, he previously was President/CEO of the West Ohio United Methodist Credit Union for 11 years. In addition to his work at the credit union, he serves as pastor of Perintown United Methodist Church. Russ follows R. Wayne White, who is retiring after serving as the credit union's top executive since 1992. United Methodist Financial Credit Union provides banking and financial services to clergy, churches, members and employees of  churches, conference staff and affiliated organizations of the East and West Ohio Conferences.

What if you could take a college-level course that covers US copyright law and how It impacts church ministries? Now you can and it's free. The Copyright Coach from Christian Copyright Solutions (CCS) offers an online curriculum that covers the same material you would study in a college accredited course. With 29 years in the Christian music industry, Susan Fontaine Godwin, MS Education, will be your instructor and coach. She has been teaching Copyrights and Intellectual Property for five years at the University of Mobile in the School of Worship Leadership. And now she has tailored her curriculum for easy and accessible online instruction.  More information

Caregivers, whether professional or personal, know the joys and anguish of providing care for one another. Henri Nouwen, in much of his writing, offers a perspective of caregiving that sets the heart's inner compass in a life-giving direction. In a live call-in event on April 23, sponsored by The Upper Room and the Henri Nouwen Society, Gordon Peerman and Marjorie Thompson will engage in a conversation about their own experience with caregiving, Henri's writing, and Henri's life-giving perspective on caregiving. Listening in on this rich conversation will offer comfort, courage, and inspiration for your spirit. More information

Few activities take the place of hands-on, dive in and see what it's really like when it comes to learning. Dan Steinberg, professor at United Methodist affiliated Otterbein University in Westerville ascribes to that philosophy too, which is what led to the semester-long assignment for Steinberg's Public Relations for Non-Profit Organizations class. The assignment: organize and publicize the Skeeter Stomp 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, an event to raise funds for Imagine No Malaria, an initiative by the people of The United Methodist Church to prevent malaria deaths. Read more

From 1998-2052 an estimated $42 trillion will be transferred from one generation to the next.

Secular nonprofits know this and the competition is great for a share of this wealth transfer. 

Rev. George D. Cooper has developed a strategy to ensure that the kingdom work of our West Ohio United Methodist Churches is included in this wealth sharing. Cooper, who is Executive Director of the West Ohio Council on Development, welcomes your church team to a legacy-building strategic planning session for churches on Saturday, May 2. Details

Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be offered for the children of annual conference members by International Child Care (ICC). VBS will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.
 

Caucuses and Interest Groups creating slates for voting at this year's Annual Conference need to submit a Covenant Form with the Election Team.by April 15.

Multiple Ways to Give:  In addition to our Imagine No Malaria offering, Health Kits will be collected at annual conference as well as our annual Potato Drive

All clergy and lay members should register online for the 2015 Annual Conference Session before the deadline of May 30. 

Ellen M. Deaven, 97, who died on April 9. Mrs. Deaven was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harry W. Deaven, her son, John Deaven, and her daughter-in-law, Nancy T. Deaven. She is survived by her daughter Sandra (Emil) Reck of Germany; grandchildren, Peggy Sue (Deaven) Smiltnieks, Joseph Deaven, Stephanie Sepassi, Markus Reck; 5 great grandchildren; special niece and nephew Frank and Joanne Smith as well as other numerous nieces and nephews. Ellen served alongside her husband, an elder in the West Ohio Conference, at Hummelstown Methodist (1936), Steelton Methodist (1942) and Trinity Methodist (Lebanon, 1949) churches until his retirement in 1959. Obituary. Graveside services were held in Dayton. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at Tobias Funeral Home.