Processing to a chorus of, "Christ is Risen!" the Maumee Watershed District churches welcomed Rev. Linda Middelberg and celebrated her ministry with us as our new Superintendent. Churches from all over the Watershed brought water from taps and streams, from rivers and ponds, and poured them into one bowl, symbolizing our unity of call and purpose to be the body of Christ, the people called United Methodist in this time and place.

In a rousing sermon, Bishop Gregory Palmer drew our attention to Paul's exhortations in Romans 12, calling us to attend to our own discipleship as leaders and to work for the unity of our witness as United Methodists. As one body, served by our bishop and new superintendent, we broke bread and shared the cup, celebrating the renewing waters that united us within the Maumee Watershed.

Churches from around the district brought Bibles from their altars to signify our unity gathered around the word. From churches and district ministry partners, leaders brought symbols of our sacramental unity, a bowl with water, bread and a cup. Still others brought a hymnal and book of worship representing our voices united in praise and prayer, and a towel and basin signifying our hands unified in service and love of neighbor. Symbols of leadership: a stole, book of discipline, and globe were presented as we invited Rev. Middelberg to lead us by helping to order our life together with the recognition that the world is our parish. Music was led by Maumee UMC music leaders as well as the choirs of Monroe St. and Epworth United Methodist Churches.

Even our offering pointed to our oneness as we gave $1111.84 to Imagine No Malaria.

With one voice we welcomed Rev. Linda Middelberg as our superintendent: "We welcome you. We celebrate your appointment to the Maumee Watershed District. We affirm your leadership. We pledge to you our support in our mutual ministry in the name of Jesus."

Thanks be to God for gracious leadership, for faithful servants, for voices of praise and thanksgiving, for new life. It is a joy to be part of the one body of Christ in the Maumee Watershed!

WOC Breakthrough Story: Small Decisions with Big Missional Impact,
Church of St Andrew

Breakthrough Story:

Small Decisions:

Big Impact

Laura Bensman, the pastor of United Methodist Church of St. Andrew in Toledo, tells how West Ohio's Missional Church Consultation Initiative and All in the Family worked hand-in-hand to help the congregation impact family-driven ministries. For more West Ohio Breakthrough Videos, visit the West Ohio YouTube Channel, or the video gallery on our West Ohio website. (select Breakthrough topic)

Volunteers are needed for Project Connect Wood County (PCWC). This is a one-day event designed to provide hospitality and access to support services for all people in our community. Many local providers will be present: hot meals, haircuts, housing, employment and so many more!! PCWC will be held on Wed. October 15 from 9 am until 3 pm at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 315 S. College, BG.

Volunteers, must be age 18 and over, will serve as couriers, hosts to escort guests through the event and Food Service workers. Please sign up between now and October 10.

Click here for a paper application or here for online registration.

Besides volunteers, specific clothing and personal care items are needed: shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, diapers, feminine products, new underwear, sweatpants, sweatshirts and winter boots.

For more information, call 211 or send an e-mail. Would you please make an announcement regarding this need?

Thank you so much.

Esther Nagel, Chair, Vol. Management Comm., Project Connect Wood County

Bishop Palmer to Speak

at Church of the Cross

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer will be at Church of the Cross, 1750 Eastgate, Toledo, this Sunday, October 12th. Contact the church for service times, 419-382-6722.

Ministering to the Graying Church Event

On Thursday, October 16^th Otterbein Portage Valley and Faith Methodist Church, Luckey are hosting a

one day seminar for Pastors and Lay Leaders called "Ministering to the Graying Church". It is open to all denominations and we are excited to be hosting a nationally known speaker for the event. The charge for each person is only $20 and includes coffee service in the morning and Lunch. Click here for more information.

Arts + Crafts Bazaar and Silent Auction

Saturday Nov. 1, 9 am-4 pm

Epworth UMC, 4855 W Central Ave.

Over 50 regional vendors

selling homemade items.

Lunch available 11:30-1:30, advanced tickets,

call the church office 419-531-4236.

Click here for flyer.

DISCOVERING OUR NEIGHBORS:

Those We Do Not See or Understand for Outreach, Mission, and Evangelism!

Saturday November 15, 2014

Methodist Theological School in Ohio
3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware Ohio 43015

Small membership churches, whether rural or urban, have unseen, ignored people in their midst. Demographic studies often don't find them, as census workers tend not travel down dirt roads or speak the language of immigrant people.

Rural, urban, along with town & country landscapes are changing socially, with neighborhoods and communities shifting and diversifying, in all areas of the state.

As we continue to receive an influx of poor and disenfranchised from other states, middle-class Americans do not understand those who hide among the back roads or temporarily live-in with others.

These are God's children. Jesus said, "Care for the least of these." Jesus calls us to go forth in his name.

Click here for brochure and registration.

Narrative Lectionary Bible Study

Do you miss the kind of Biblical study you had in Seminary, where you were challenged to really delve into the scripture in a critical way, looking at the issues of language, cultural context, authorship and application for today?

If you are looking for something that goes deeper, I want to invite you to join with other clergy for Bible Study on Tuesday mornings from 8:30 to 10:00 am. We meet at the Black Kite coffee shop (https://www.facebook.com/BlackKiteCoffee) on the corner of Collingwood and Delaware in Toledo.

We are using the Narrative Lectionary for our study. http://www.workingpreacher.org/narrative_faqs.aspx

If you have questions please contact Larry Clark at lclark@sylvaniafirst.org.

Sincerely,

Casey Smith