The theme for the 2015 Annual Conference is Broken. But as Bishop Palmer stated in his address that we heard at our Charge Conferences, Broken is not always something negative.

As we gather together as leaders of the church, I want to continue our discussion started at our Charge Conferences on Ephesians 2:14

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups
into one and has broken down the dividing wall . . .

In the Keynote address, we will be celebrating the places across our district where walls are being broken and people are finding the peace of Christ.

To that end, please send me your stories (include pictures where possible) about what you are doing at your church to break down the walls that divide people, particularly the wall between the church and the community. Send your stories and pictures to lmiddelberg@wocumc.org by January 14^th. These do not need to be professional presentations, just a brief story about a ministry of your church with a picture or two.

I look forward to gathering together to celebrate all that is happening to build the Kingdom of God here in Northwest Ohio!

We know you are busy but

Leadership Development Day 2015

will be here before you know it.

Our list of workshops are:

Wellness: Connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit and Why this matters to the life of the Church
Stewardship is more than a Fall Campaign
Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Church Environment for children, youth, and families
Holy Currencies
Communicating through Social Media
Hunger in a Land of Plenty
There is an Opiate & Heroin Addiction Public Health Crisis!
Leading Positive Change
Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee

George "Tater" Jensen is moving up the Food Chain

As of January 1st, HRA George "Tater" Jensen will be the Society of St Andrew's Representative to the North Central Jurisdiction. When George became the Society of St Andrew's Hunger Relief Advocate for the West Ohio Conference 15 years ago, he made the statement, "I will go wherever God leads me." I thank God for this opportunity to serve. Congratulations George!

George would also like you to know that the UMMen's truck is helping Unity United Methodist Church move excess beds, mattress and dressers from UT to the old Unity UMC to give the women and girls who are coming out of Human Trafficking.

Keep the Truck Fund donations coming.

Monroe St. United Methodist Church presents:

Sounds of the Season

a Christmas concert

You are cordially invited to attend our Christmas concert,

Sunday, Dec. 14, 4:00 p.m.

Monroe St. United Methodist Church, 3613 Monroe St., Toledo.

With special performers Carol Dusdieker and Thaddeus Archer, and featuring Young Voices of Greater Toledo with the choirs of Monroe Street United Methodist Church, this concert promises to be fun for everyone! Including a mix of sacred, secular, and classical tunes, it will definitely increase your Christmas Spirit!

Free and open to the public--all are welcome.

Join us for a quiet night of Hope & Healing.

Open to Community.

The Ohio chapter of The United Methodist Motorcycle Association will be meeting at the conference office in Worthington, Ohio on February 12, 2015 at 10 AM

This will be an informational and organizational meeting. The Association has the mission of taking the Word of Jesus Christ to the world, beyond the walls of the congregational buildings.

Any professing Christian who enjoys riding motorcycles in ministry, or who does not ride but still desires to support the ministry is welcome to attend this first meeting. Ideally, there will be at least one representative from each district in attendance at this meeting.

For questions or further information contact:

Rev. Becky Ploughe/pastorbeckyann@gmail.com/419-906-7964

Pastor at Evansport/ Pulaski UMC

Chaplain of Tiffin Twp. Vol. Fire Department

Sincerely,

Casey Smith