I want to thank you again for a remarkable Annual Conference. I continue to feast upon and benefit from our time together. We all were the beneficiaries of all the hard work that takes place before, during and after the Annual Conference Session. So a ginormous thank you to all the staff and volunteers that make it happen.

There are so many highlights in my mind that it would be difficult to list them all. But I would be remiss not to express my gratitude and sheer delight in our not only reaching but exceeding our goal for Imagine No Malaria. As of this date we have reached $3, 575, 248.00 (102%) in cash and pledges. Feel free to keep it coming. It can only do good and remember "we were created to do good". We will keep you updated as this continuing Good News story continues to unfold.

On July 9 Cynthia and I will be headed for Kamina, Democratic Republic of the Congo in your behalf. We will be with Bishop Ntambo and all our sisters and brothers in the North Katanga Annual Conference, our partner in mission and ministry. While there we will participate in the Annual Conference Session and visit a number of projects deeply connected to the West Ohio Conference. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we minister in your behalf. We look forward to having much to share upon our return. I remain,

Your servant in Christ Jesus,

  

+Gregory V. Palmer

Resident Bishop, Ohio West Area

The West Ohio Conference is pleased to announce the 12 West Ohio students who will receive Next Generations Leadership Scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year. Through the generous donations received during the United Methodist Student Day Offering as well as funding through the conference's Connectional Ministries area, $13,420 in scholarships was provided to qualified West Ohio students attending accredited institutions of higher education. Students who were chosen for the scholarships are active members of a United Methodist Church in West Ohio and have demonstrated strong achievement, involvement and leadership in their churches, schools and communities. 2015 Recipients

The Wilmington United Methodist Church and 6 other churches serenaded their local A.M.E. Church on Sunday by walking together to the church while singing "Amazing Grace." The Rev. Victor L. Davis, pastor of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, said he was at the podium Sunday when he began to hear soft singing. The music became louder and clearer, he said, and Davis asked someone to "open those doors so we can see what's going on."  The vestibule, said the pastor, was "full of folks I didn't know." Read more of this great story

This summer, campers will hit the trails with their backpacks and buddies and take in the grandeur of nature under the endless sky. While learning how to pack their bags with the essentials, campers will also find out how to determine what is needed and what can be left behind. After prep, the group is off to spend the week trekking through awesome, scenic locations on foot, like Camp Otterbein's Buckeye Trail, and witness the wide and open majesty of the great outdoors. There's still time to join in the fun for ages 12-17. Bring a hiking buddy!  More information

According to Jeff Walker, West Ohio Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, 13 Ohio counties are under a Flood Warning and 17 counties are closely monitoring flood conditions. Jeff attended a meeting this week to discuss flooding and recovery plans in Marion and Union counties. Present at the meeting were directors from Union and Marion counties, and representatives from the West Ohio Conference (Jeff, Mike Fogle, and Deb Berry), Mennonite Disaster Response, American Red Cross DAT, Ohio VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), Lutheran Disaster Services, ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services), and Rev. Joe Rhea, pastor at First United Methodist Church in Richwood. West Ohio's Deb Berry has agreed to handle all case work in the area. Ten homes at present need recovery support. Disaster Response Team support will be requested after the rain and flooding have abated and funds to support this effort will be necessary. Donate to West Ohio Disaster Response.

Garfield Memorial United Methodist Church has scheduled a presentation and lunch with Mark DeYmaz is the founding pastor of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas. Mark is also co-founder and current Executive Director of the Mosaix Global Network, an organization dedicated to inspiring unity and diversity in the local church. A recognized leader in the emerging Multi-Ethnic Church Movement, his first book, Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church, laid out seven core needs for building a multi-ethnic church. For pastors, staff and lay leadership. Details and registration