While at Annual Conference at Lakeside Chautauqua this June, Rev. Jurandir Beline, baptized a group of children and adults by immersion in the lake. The moving ceremony was captured on the Sunday Daily Video and in the Sunday Photo Album on Facebook.

Pastor Beline is a Brazilian missionary with The United Methodist Church serving two Latino/Hispanic faith communities, Camino Nuevo at Church of the Good Shepherd and Comunidad de Esperanza at Whitehall United Methodist Church. In sharing the story, Pastor Beline writes:

After a long trip and overcoming some opposition, the baptism day arrived. While a group of parents and friends sought the best spot on the edge, another group went deeper into the cold water of Lake Eire. God`s grace was shining in each face. Midst sound of songs and screams on the edge, I started the ceremony of the baptism. Daniella, 7 years old said, "I could not wait for this day when I am sure God is writing my name in His book of life, right now, also, I want to be baptized by the Holy Spirit." In addition, Allison, 9 years old, said. "I thank God because I received the seal of the Holy Spirit and I want to serve and adore Him." 

The baptism for the kids made a huge sense because they are much more confident and committed with God, they demonstrate that during the week coming and participating in the discipleship, worship, and serving the God during the service. Moreover, such attitude enhanced their grades in the school, better behavior, and closer relationship in the community. Furthermore, we, Hispanic ministry, are working strongly our second generation to establish it in Jesus Christ.  

On September 1, Mr. Brad Aycock will join the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church full-time as Director of New Church Development. Brad currently serves as Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, Missouri. In this new position, Brad will work with the bishop and cabinet to strategically identify new mission fields in West Ohio and partner with existing churches in developing satellite worshiping communities. Brad will also guide new United Methodist worshiping communities to move toward becoming chartered, outwardly-focused, financially sound and fruitful centers of worship.  Read the full news release

Please be in prayer for our summer interns (and chaperone/driver RaNae Street) who began the first of two weeks of road trips on their journey of discerning their call to ministry. Along with serving under the guidance of clergy mentors in select churches, the 12-week internship offers other ministry experiences, including visiting seven of the thirteen seminaries accredited by The United Methodist Church.The summer trips are intense, meaningful, and chock full of conversation about faith, hard questions, and important information regarding the next steps on the journey towards ordination. You can follow their journey at #wocinterns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Read more about their itinerary.

At Camp Wesley, Ultimate Camp is THE ultimate way for your teen to create lasting memories of summer fun. Traditional camp activities will be mixed with some new and crazy ideas like glow-in-the-dark ultimate Frisbee® or ultimate spoons. The week will be loaded with swimming, canoeing, archery, and stand-up paddle boarding plus some new games to make sure this is the best summer ever before school starts.All this in a faith-filled environment.  Learn more

Lately there has been much in the news regarding the Worthington campus land owned by UMCH Family Services (formerly the United Methodist Children's Home). UMCH Family Services is a ministry of the West Ohio Conference and both clergy and lay members serve on its board. The West Ohio Conference and the UMCH Family Services offices have received multiple inquiries concerning the sale of the property. Please read and share this letter from UMCH Family Services Executive Director, Sean Reilly so that all have the most accurate information and answers to questions.. 

Mission u is in full swing at Ohio Northern University. The featured classes this year are Created For Happiness: Understanding Your Life in God, Latin America: People and Faith, and The Church and People With Disabilities.  Daily newsletters produced by the United Methodist Women's talented communication team can be found on the Mission u Facebook page or at these links:  Monday  Tuesday   The Weekend Program and One-day Sampler are still available

Bishop and Mrs. Palmer leave for the Congo on July 9 where they will travel to Kamina in the North Katanga Conference and Bishop Palmer will preach at their Annual Conference session. To get a feel for what they will experience, watch this video from August 2013, when a team from West Ohio visited North Katanga on the new Wings of the Morning plane, participated in their ordination service and saw ministries of The United Methodist Church everywhere.