Clergy and lay members from across the conference convened at Lakeside Chautauqua on the shores of Lake Erie for the 46th session of the West Ohio Annual Conference, held Sunday, June 7 through Wednesday, June 10, 2015. This year continued the theme Becoming the Beloved Community: Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given, using the word Broken to shape the direction of this year's Annual Conference session. Daily written and video summaries plus results of voting are at westohioumc.org/ac2015 plus photo albums on our West Ohio Facebook page. Multiple videos are also available on our West Ohio YouTube Channel:

Episcopal Address, Bishop Gregory V. Palmer

Dr. Thomas Long Teaching, Session One

The Making of the Global Praise Worship Service

More videos on our West Ohio YouTube Channel

One of my personal highlights at our Annual Conference session was coming down to the floor Wednesday afternoon to bless our disaster response leaders. Many of these leaders were headed to Detroit to assist in work related to the devastating flood that city experienced a year ago. Praying with and for them was a privilege. As these committed leaders responded in Detroit last week, a disaster in our own conference began to unfold in Marion, Logan, Pickaway and many other counties. 

We continue to experience the spirit of God's generosity throughout our conference. I invite you to extend that generosity once again so that our committed disaster volunteers may assist our neighbors in their upcoming recovery.  

Please click here and read the complete letter I sent out across the conference this week.

Through Sunday sermons, prayer vigils and public statements, United Methodists are expressing feelings of sorrow, determination and hope over the racially motivated June 17 massacre of nine church members at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Many congregations mourned the loss and vowed to take a hard look once again at the plague of racism and violence in the U.S. In West Ohio, Bishop Palmer issued a statement, pastors preached on racism from the pulpit, members prayed. 

• Mourning for Charleston, then praying for action by United Methodist News Service
• Brokenness is rife in our midst by Bishop Gregory V. Palmer
• West Ohio prayer vigils scheduled
• Children tackle hate and racism at Toledo vigil for Charleston, sponsored by St. Paul United Methodist Church, Toledo
• Prayer vigil in Lima co-sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church, Lima

Throughout history, people have found ways to defy gravity. At "What Goes UP" camp at Camp Widewater, a week full of activities and games will find campers trying to keep things UP in the air. Does everything that goes UP always come down? From Frisbees® to kites to remote-controlled blimps, campers will enjoy an UPlifting week of fun and worship. Weather permitting, the week includes the chance to reach UP and touch the clouds in a hot air balloon! Details and registration. 

Linworth United Methodist Church will hold a summit on ministry with the people of Laos and 50/50 partnerships. Missionaries' Bev and Em Barte will discuss their work in Laos and two United Methodist Bishops, Bishop Scott Jones of the Great Plains Episcopal Area and our own Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, will offer inspiring messages. Participate in live interactive worship and communion with our brothers and sisters in Laos and join in discussions to strengthen the 50/50 partnership with the Lao Sampang Methodist Church. Early Bird registration available until July 1. Details and registration. 

Join us for a special three-day preaching seminar on "The Poetry of the Parables: Preaching as Improvisation," with guest speaker Rev. Dr. Eugene L. Lowry, author of six books on narrative preaching and former Professor of Preaching at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, where he taught for over 30 years. Dr. Lowry is an ordained United Methodist minister and has written and lectured extensively on preaching, worship, biblical study, educational philosophy and creativity. He is also an accomplished blues/jazz pianist. During this conference, participants will explore how to use the structure of Jesus' parables to create lively and interesting sermons. Details and registration