The Connection

The Official Publication of the Capitol Area South District

February 2013

In This Issue
CAS Strategic Vision
LIke Us on Facebook
Office Closing for MLK Day
Featured Article
Equip Now Available
Historical Society Mtg
Upcoming Events
Article Headline
Leadership Training Day
Jim's Tool Box
UM Community Ministries News
Stewardship 201
Lay Servant Ministry Classes
Schooler Institute
Article Headline
Easter Preaching Workshop
Contemplative Way
TARRP Workshop 3/16
SOWER VIM Update
Mission Discovery
Mission and Training Opportunities
Apportionment Update
Prayer Concerns

Barb Sholis 5 
The Vision of Capitol Area South District is to create vibrant, growing, congregations changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ.
 
The Mission of Capitol Area South District is to equip congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.                                
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Who Stuffed Your Eggs this Easter?!?!
Easter Egg

 

Looking for some locally stuffed eggs for the big Easter egg hunt this year?!

 

Join St. Luke's on 5th in Grandview and our ministry with persons with disabilities by participating in our Easter Egg Project!

 

Our persons with disabilities are stuffing and selling Easter eggs for your Easter 2013 events!

This is an outreach endeavor and economic initiative of our beloved Friendship ministry.

 

We'll be receiving orders from January 1st to March 27th

 

Deliveries will be made during Lent- Feb 13th to March 30th

  Cost: $3.60 a dozen

 

You can choose either Candy or Toys to fill your eggs or have a mixture of both!

 

Buy them by the dozen or order, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, etc!

 

Price Breaks for orders of 300 eggs or more:

300- $81   ($0.27 per egg)

400- $100   ($0.25 per egg)

500- $115  ($0.23 per egg)

 

TO ORDER: Please email Heather Bishop hbishop2@gmail.com  

 

Provide info on size of order, to where the delivery will be made and indicate if you want the candy option, toy option or the mixed option.

 

"I no longer call you servants...but instead I have called you friends." John 15:15  

 

Also, email if you are interested in finding out more about our  Friendship ministry with persons with disabilities.

 

Positions Available

 

Linworth UMC, Columbus

Full-Time EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER

Linworth Children's Center  (7070 Bent Tree Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43235; 614-336-9559; www.linworthcc.org) is currently looking for a fulltime teacher.

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and previous experience in the field.  An Associates degree in Early Childhood Development or Elementary Education or equivalent is preferred.    

Please fax resume to Anna at 614-336-8486 or call 614-336-9559.

 

Part Time Afternoon Teacher

Linworth Children's Center (7070 Bet Tree Blvd., Columbus OH 43235; 614-336-8485; www.linworthcc.org) needs part-time teacher for afternoon Toddler class at northwest Christian school. 3pm - 6pm, M-F

Requires a high school Diploma & experience working with children.

Please fax resume to Anna at (614) 336-8485 or call (614) 336-9559

 

Maize Manor UMC

Immediate part-time opening for Christian Education Director of 291 member Maize Manor United Methodist Church, 3901 Maize Road, Columbus, OH 43224.

 

Responsibilities will include planning and overseeing Christian Education Program and Small Groups for Children, Youth, and Adults. Salary negotiable based on education and experience.

 

Please contact the Church office at 614-267-4939 or by e-mail at information@maizemanorumc.org to receive a detailed job description.

 

Worthington UMC

Director of Children and Young Families Ministry, Part-time at Worthington UMC.  This position would begin on June 2nd, 2013.  If interested, please send a resume to Cyndylg@aol.com or Cyndy Garn, 600 High St. Worthington, Ohio  43085 

 

Director of Youth Ministry, Part-time at Worthington UMC. This position would begin on June 2nd, 2013. If interested, please send a resume to Cyndylg@aol.com or Cyndy Garn, 600 High St. Worthington, Ohio 43085

Spring Equip Now Available
spring equip 13
Check out the trainings and events planned throughout the West Ohio Conference this spring.  Click here.

UNITED METHODIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF

OHIO ANNUAL CONVOCATION & MEETING

Friday,  April 19, 2013

Historical Tour at the Wright Brothers Interpretive Center, Dayton, OH

 

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Annual Meeting at United Theological Seminary, Trotwood, OH

 

Details are available at www.umhso.org

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Upcoming Events
calendar 2

April 26-27 Lay Speaker Training at Crossroads UMC.

May 5 District Conference

June 9-12 West Ohio Annual Conference
Mark Chow Named as Assistant to the Superintendent
Mark Chow Bishop Gregory V. Palmer has appointed the Rev. Mark Chow as the Assistant to the Superintendent of the Capitol Area South District. Mark will begin his work in the district office on July 1, 2013.

Most recently Mark has been the Associate/Executive Pastor at First UMC, Newark.  Married to Nancy Schumacher-Chow, Mark and and Nancy are the parents of four daughters.  After graduation from Ohio Northern University in 1983, Mark attended Asbury Seminary where he graduated in 1987.  Mark has served in the following appointments:

 

● July 1, 2006 present Associate/Executive Pastor, First UMC, Newark OH

● July 15, 2003 June 30, 2006 Assistant to the District Superintendent, Toledo District

● July 1, 2000 July 15, 2003 Lead Pastor, Woodville UMC, Woodville OH 

● April 15, 1995 June 30, 2000 Associate Pastor, Oxford UMC, Oxford OH 

● January 1, 1991 April 15, 2000 Pastor, Vaughnsville UMC, Vaughnsville OH 

● June 15, 1987 December 31, 1990 Associate Pastor, Urbana UMC, Urbana OH

 

Mark says that he is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the Capitol Area South District in his new appointment.

CAN/CAS Leadership Training Day is Big Success
Leadership Training Day

 The Capitol Area North and Capitol Area South Districts collaborated on a Leadership Training Day on Saturday February 2 at the Grove City UMC.  Over 300 lay and clergy leaders traveled from across both districts on a snowy morning to participate in the event.  From "Agreeing and Disagreeing in Love" to United Methodism 101, a number of classes were offered during the two morning sessions.

 

Click HERE to view some pictures of the training day.

Jim's Tool Box
Jim's Tool Box pic Dealing with Difficult People
 
Earlier this month Jim attended an Alban Institute seminar on "Dealing with Difficult People".   Susan Nienaber, Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute, led the training.  Susan is a trained therapist as well as an ordained pastor.  She now spends most of her time consulting with troubled and conflicted congregations.  On the one hand, conflict is a part of life and relationships in many settings.  Yet we are often surprised to find conflict as a part of our life in the faith setting.  According to some studies, clergy tend to be even more averse to dealing with conflict than the general population.  Often lay leaders in the church would prefer to "look the other way" when it comes to dealing with difficult situations in the church. 
 
This month Jim shares some of his learnings and reflections from attending the event. 
 
Click HERE to read Jim's article.
News from United Methodist Community Ministries

UM Community Ministries

A Story Yet to Be Told: A Cookie Ministry 

 

At the Community Ministries Festival last fall, participants of small groups discussing their ministries were randomly given a $10 bill and an assignment: use the money to start a ministry.  Here is another of the "Stories Yet to Be Told" from that event.

 

I attended the Community Ministry Festival in September and was a recipient of $10.00 to be used for starting a new ministry. I listened to all of the wonderful stories of the outreach ministries being provided throughout the district and how they touch so many lives and I thought there is no way I can come up to those standards. I had recently lost my husband and felt that this was just too much for me at this time, but the more I prayed  about it I knew that I needed to try.  At our next UMW Women of Grace meeting I talked it over with the members and asked if they had suggestions. Our group at this same time was beginning a fundraiser selling cookie dough and pies from Der Dutchman. One of the members suggested I do a Cookie Ministry with Brown Memorial Nursing Home. Everyone thought that was a good idea. I ordered cookie dough and the project began! This ministry would be beneficial in  three ways: purchasing the cookies helps our circle,  Brown Memorial's board is made up of board members from four local churches including ours,  and my husband was a long time board member and I would be honoring him. I knew that is what he would want me to do.

 

On Thursday February 7, at 2:00pm, 5 members from Good Shepherd UMW Women of Grace met at Brown Memorial to complete our Cookie Ministry and make it a Valentine gift to them. Krissy, the Activities Director met us and escorted us to the Social Room where we set out our cookies, that I had baked the day before, to distribute to the residents. There were 12 men and women in the room and we gave them cookies and visited with them. Several were putting together puzzles and we talked to them about the puzzles. It brought back memories of my childhood! Paul Norris, a long time member of Good Shepherd, was in the room and  he was pleased to 
see us. I visited with a friend, Suzanne Phillips, whom I had not seen for awhile. She and I had both recently lost our husbands and he had been a good friend of my husband and I.  

 

Isn't it wonderful how God works in reuniting us with friends and loved ones that we have lost touch with overtime? I felt so blessed. While we were there the Activity Aides told us Brown Memorial would be having a Silent Auction in April. We thought our group could help in some way either by donating items for the auction or just attending and buying something. That works for me; if shopping is involved in any way I am there! We were not able to spend a lot of time with the residents,  but we enjoyed the time we were able to be there and I think they enjoyed it too. So ends my story but not the ministry. I know this is a small step, but with each step and with God leading the way, we can turn this into something good that will be a blessing to us and to the residents of Brown Memorial!

 

Sue Roan, Good Shepherd UMC, Pickaway County

 

 

Mission Roundtable Invitation

Reminder: the March 23 Mission Roundtable is open to churches from all the counties in the district- if you haven't been able to attend a Mission Roundtable yet, you can come to Maize Manor UMC on March 23 from 9:30-11:30 am!  Register at www.umcommunityministries.org or call 877-228-0521 for more information.

Click HERE to download a flyer for the roundtable.

 

2013 Community Ministries Brochure

Here is the new 2013 United Methodist Community Ministries brochure. Click HERE to download a copy.

Stewardship 201 Training Event Scheduled for April 20

Stewardship 201: 

Next Steps for Growing Generous Givers

 

Are you ready for the next step? You have been informed and enlighten in Stewardship 101, but now discover how to make it real in your congregation!  Stewardship 201 equips you with the tools to take Generous Giving to the next level.

 

What will you get by participating? 

  • Understand your personal theology and objectives for growing your personal generosity.
  • Discover how to complete and apply a Generosity Audit to the stewardship initiatives for your local church.
  • Gain insights as to what is going on with charitable giving in the current economy/culture.
  • Fill your toolbox to grow generous givers with an Annual Worship Plan, Communication Plan, How to customize appeals, and Appropriate Fiscal Reporting.
  • Up, Up & Away with significant donors.  Is it acceptable to treat them differently? Who are they?  What will or will not motivate them?  What are some sample strategies?
  • We Won't Leave You Stranded: What if I want coaching/mentoring for development and implementation of a strategy?

Stewardship 201 walks through "Next Steps" for Growing Generous Givers.  This will be a working session for local church leaders to develop a customized strategy for their local church.  Stewardship 101 is not required to participate.  Key regional church and conference leaders will be presenters and guide brainstorm/small group dialogue. 

 

Refreshments will be provided upon arrival and lunch will be served.

 

When: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: North Broadway UMC, 48 E. North Broadway, Columbus, 43214

 

Cost:  $5.00 per person, with a maximum of $20 per church (payable at the door).

 

Registrations are due by April 16.  Please email Jill Philipp at jphilipp@wocumc.org.

Lay Servant Ministry Classes Set for April 26-27
Announcement

The Board of Laity will offer Lay Servant Ministry Training Classes on April 26-27 at the Crossroads United Methodist Church, 1100 S Hague Ave, Columbus, OH 43204.  

The following sessions will be offered:

 

Basic Lay Servant Training

This introductory class is the required class for all persons who want to enter the ministry of lay servant.   Upon completion of the class, the participant is eligible to become a Local Church Lay Servant.  Approval of the pastor of the participant's church and the charge conference or church council of the local church is also required for one to become a Local Church Lay Servant.

 

Advanced Lay Servant Class

Those who are Local Church or Certified Lay Servants may take the Advanced Class that will be offered.  The advanced class is entitled "Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way."  Through this course participants will share in a basic exploration of the beliefs and practices of The United Methodist Church as defined in Part II of The Book of Discipline and explore a deeper understanding and experience of Christian faith in the United Methodist way.

 

Basic Lay Servant Recertification Class

This class will meet on Saturday only.  Registration will begin at 8:00 am (along with continental breakfast).  The class will conclude with the closing service for the entire lay servant school at 5:00 pm.  The recertification class is "Opening Ourselves to Grace."  It is a four-session group study on the Means of Grace in the Wesleyan tradition.  This class is intended for current local church lay servants who need to take a class to continue their certification as local church lay servants. Local church lay servants may still take the Advanced Certified Class if they choose to do so to meet their requirement.

 

Click HERE to download the registration sheet for the lay servant ministries classes.

Community Development for All People
Featured in Columbus CEO Magazine

Columbus CEO Magazine recently featured the Community Development for All People (the non-profit outreach arm) of the Church for All People and the Rev. John Edgar in an article in their magazine. Click HERE to read the article.

Hospice Services Through Methodist Eldercare
hospice

Hospice Services at Methodist ElderCare had the privilege of sharing in the District Leadership Training Event on February 2nd at Grove City UMC.  The Rev. Elaine Sturtz - Hospice Outreach Professional Educator and the Rev. Michelle Baker - Spiritual Counselor/Bereavement Coordinator led one of the workshops sharing about Hospice and End of Life issues.

 

The workshop sparked many questions and here is the follow up to those questions and answers as an ongoing continuing education from the workshop -

1.      If a person comes on hospice because a doctor says has 6 months or less to live, and they live longer than 6 months, do they have to come off?

No - as long as a person continues to qualify under the guidelines of Medicare.

They continue to decline.  The disease process is different in each person as well as the timeline.

 

2.     What if you have no insurance?

Hospice is 100% benefit paid through Medicare and Medicaid and many private insurance companies.  If a person has no insurance, charitable care would provide support.

 

3.     Do you have the right to question if you are discharged from hospice?

Yes.  You have the right to meet with the Hospice team, talk with your doctor or the medical director.  Hospice is a choice.  A person can choose to come off hospice.  A person can be discharged or graduate if get better and no longer qualifies.

 

4.     How bad does the stroke have to be to be admitted to hospice?

Within each guideline of a disease, Medicare provides qualifications to be admitted to hospice.  Each disease needs to be end stage to qualify.

 

5.     Can a "legal guardian" from Dept. of Aging place their client in hospice care?

If a person can no longer make own decisions and has a legal guardian/medical power of attorney, the guardian/POA can make the decision for Hospice.

 

Hospice Services at Methodist ElderCare provides a team of support for comfort care, pain and symptom management in the last months, weeks or days of life.   Care is given wherever a person calls home.  We are available to speak in your church groups about Hospice, End of Life issues, finding meaning and purpose in the transitions of life and related topics.  Please contact our office - 614-451-6700 for more information or to schedule a speaker.
S.O.W.E.R. Update

 

Raised Hands The SOWER VIM construction project has completed it's 12th home in the vicinity of Henderson Settlement, Frakes, KY.

 

The SOWER VIM Team is in the planning stages for constructing the 13th home for a family in 2013.  The cost of materials to build one of the 28' x 28' or 28' x 32' houses from the ground up is approximately $38,000 to $42,000.  The SOWER VIM Project is in need of both funding to cover material costs and volunteers for the build, please see registration form attached.  The SOWER VIM Leadership Team is requesting that the churches of West Ohio prayerfully consider supporting this worthwhile project in Southeastern Kentucky financially with a pledge of support as well as providing volunteers to do the actual construction.  Those that have served on SOWER work teams comment that, while they have helped a family by serving, they gained much from the interaction and relationships with the family and fellow team members.  West Ohio Conference churches are invited to participate in this rewarding project with your prayers, your volunteer labor, and your financial support. 

 

Work weeks for the house construction have been scheduled for May 5-11, May 12-18, July 7-13, July 14-20, August 11-17, and August 18-24 of 2013.  The attached Build Schedule outlines the anticipated work to be done each week.  The registration fee is $250/person and covers food, lodging and required VIM insurance from the General Board of Global Ministries.   While there is no requirement for volunteers to contribute to the cost of materials, it is suggested that each volunteer or their church contribute at least $350 toward the cost of materials.  Volunteers without materials to work with are not very effective!

 

Click HERE to download more information and a registration/material donation sheet for the S.O.W.E.R. VIM project.

The Contemplative Way -- Event Scheduled at First Community 
contemplative way

You are invited to an exceptional opportunity to join Dr. James Finley, renowned retreat leader, Merton Scholar, and master of the Contemplative Way for a weekend of renewal designed to enrich your path on the spiritual journey. We will explore the mystical heritage of the Christian tradition as well as Thomas Merton's dialogue with the Eastern Mystics.  This event will be held First Community Church North Campus, 2777 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43221 on March 1-3.  Click HERE to download a flyer for this event.

 

TARRP Training Event Scheduled for March 16

 

UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES & OTHERS and

CHURCH CONFLICT MANAGEMENT & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

Learn, in a one day setting, our preferences of interacting with each other plus tools for living into a healthy church model.  In the morning, an assessment will be administered discovering our styles in which we view and operate in the world.  You will learn the strengths and weakness of your style and how to communicate more effectively with those of differing styles, understanding their tendencies.  During the afternoon session, Gene Brundige will introduce the various types of church conflict; applying those to situations the participants have experienced, then move toward strategies to deal with the various conflicted situations.  This will be interactive.

 

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

Host Location:

Waterford UMC

20595 Waterford Rd.

Fredericktown, OH 43019 - completely handicapped assessable

740-694-9862  

 

Registration/Brochure: Available by clicking HERE

 

For more information contact: Debbie Ketcham at revdsk@frontier.com  or 614-580-2382.  Registration deadline and payment is due to Debbie Ketcham by    March 8

 

Cost: $25.00 for one; $20.00 each for two; $15.00 each for three or more from the same church/charge.  This includes the assessment tool, meals, snacks, and hand-outs. 

 

CEU's: .05

 

Recommended for: Clergy and Lay PPRC & Church Council members

 

Sponsored by: Town and Rural Resource Program (TARRP) of West & East Ohio Conferences.  This session is right over the border of East & West Ohio Conferences so all churches may have easy access.

A Course for Preachers, Pastors and Worship Designers

April 23-24, 2013 Toledo, Ohio

Village Church

Today, worship looks, sounds and feels different than it did 5, 10 and 20 years ago. The people coming to worship are different, too. So are the ones who might come to worship but are skeptical about coming. Sunday morning worship is rapidly changing. In fact, Sunday Worship isn't even limited to Sunday morning anymore. Some of us worship on Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, or a mid-week lunch hour. Creative preachers, pastors, and worship designers who want to keep pace with the culture have to constantly re-tool and develop new skills. Dr. Karyn L. Wiseman, preaching professor from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and Pastor Cheri Holdridge, new church start pastor and coach, invite you to come to an innovative new church start, The Village Church in Maumee, Ohio, for a two day course on preaching and creative worship design that engages the heart, emboldens the spirit and lifts the faith of those present and those we are striving to reach.

 

Click HERE for more information and registration brochure.

Church for All People Hosts Mission Discovery July 13-20

volunteers in mission

The Church for All People in Columbus will be hosting a 'Mission Discovery' North Central Jurisdiction youth/young adult VIM team this summer, July 13-20, 2013. 

 

Mission Discovery is a great opportunity for youth from smaller congregations to join in mission! The week will include worship, service in the community, meals with community members, and a fun day. 

 

The cost for the week is $250 each (excluding transportation), with a max of 20 people (youth and adults). Each team member will be responsible for getting themselves to and from the mission site. Adults and youth 18 and over are encouraged to take the UMVIM team leader training option that will be given during the week, enabling them to be ready to lead a team themselves. A deposit of $50 should be sent to UMVIM-NCJ, 920 4th St Suite D, Brookings, SD 57006. For more information, contact Lorna Jost, NCJ VIM Coordinator, at                            Umvim-ncj@brookings.net or 605-692-3390. 

 

Click HERE for a flyer about the event.

Additional Mission and Training Opportunities
Mission opportunities

VIM TEAM TO NICARAGUA

 

VIM team endorsed by the Ohio River Valley District of West Ohio Conference will continue its work in Managua, Nicaragua June 18-26, 2013
  
This will be the sixth annual June VIM team working with the Foundation AMOS (A Minsitry Of Sharing) which has ministries directed toward medical and educational needs in poor Nicaraguan communities. These VIM teams do a variety of ministries which will involve possible construction at a Christian school, public hospital ministry in maternity, oncology and pediatric wards (giving love gifts of layettes, health kits and toys), support of a physical therapy clinic, and Bible school and child feeding ministry supporting the Nicaragua Methodist Church. There will also be time allotted for worship and community engagement in the Nejapa barrio, the team's home base, plus sightseeing and shopping. The expected cost per person will be $1,300. Most departures will be from Columbus Ohio, however, other departure points can be arranged where available. 

 

A brochure and application form is available from jack.reif@zoomtown.com.

  
 
VIM Trip to Bolivia

VIM Team to Bolivia:  Improving Educational Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Rich Shultz, member at Christ UMC in Kettering, will be leading a team to Bolivia this summer to conduct a conference on Improving Educational Opportunities for Students with Disabilities.  This will be a 10 day mission during the end of July/beginning of August.  Specific dates will be determined based on school schedules of those interested.

Interested people should contact Rich Shultz at  schultz5@aol.com; 937-304-6333

 

Description of Mission Experience

At the request of the Principal of the Walter Henry Educational Complex (a Methodist school) we will conduct a multi-school 3-day conference to increase the inclusion of disabled students in Methodist schools and provide practical teaching techniques, materials and facilities for special needs students and to better educate teachers, administrators, students and families about disabilities.  After returning home, we hope to continue the relationship and mentoring through emails, technical assistance, information exchange, Skype, social media, future mission teams, etc. 

 

Opportunities for serving include:

1. Assist in the development of the materials and program.

2. Being a member of the team to lead the program.

 

Interested people should have knowledge of and interest in the education of disabled students, including special needs teachers, social workers, public health personnel, and, industrial arts teachers.  Youth who have an interest in special needs education are also welcome to help out in the classrooms and conference.  Knowledge of Spanish is not required.  We will be accompanied by Susie Henry, former long-time United Methodist missionary to Santa Cruz. Interested people should contact Rich Shultz.

  

 

Mission Trip to Piedras Negras, Mexico

October 10-14, 2013

 Poverty is a fact of life for many families and children living on the outskirts of Piedras Negras, Mexico, a border town located three hours west of San Antonio, TX. But the children who live at Casa de Misericordia orphanage, and the families who attend worship at Templo Aleluya Methodist Church, have discovered an identity beyond that poverty. Joy radiates from the faces of children who know they are loved by the house parents at the Casa, and gratitude fills the gazes of parents whose children receive a daily nutritious meal at Templo Aleluya.

 

Both ministries are supported by the Mexico Oriental Conference of the Methodist Church, and through our mission partnership, by the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Volunteers in Mission teams regularly visit Piedras Negras, playing with the children, doing construction projects at the orphanage, and worshipping with the congregation at Templo Aleluya. Now, an open invitation is being issued to any United Methodist congregation in West Ohio to participate in an upcoming trip to Piedras Negras, October 10-14, 2013. The trip is being organized by John Keeny, pastor at King Avenue United Methodist Church. For more information, email jkeeny9@hotmail.com.

 

Click HERE to download a brochure

 

 

Early Response Team Training

Would you like to volunteer your services and provide physical labor to assist survivors of natural disasters and help them rebuild their lives?

 

Early Response Team training will teach you how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. You will provide a Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to a family's personal property, tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes, etc.  FEMA recognizes this training to be able to enter a disaster scene. Certification from UMCOR and UMVIM will be issued to attendees. All participants must complete the West Ohio Conference initiated background check prior to issuance of ID badges. Cost for training is $35.00.

 

Upcoming ERT Training Events:

Linworth UMC, Columbus, OH - Saturday February 23 2013 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Hilliard UMC, Hilliard OH - Saturday March 9 2013  8:30 am - 4:00 pm 

Worthington UMC, Worthington, OH - Saturday March 16 2013 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

  

For more information about ERT Training on the West Ohio Conference website, click HERE.

  

 

Festival of Sharing Report for 2012

All 8 districts in the West Ohio Conference participated this year.  Ohio collected 1/3 of all kits collected in the US.  Next year's Festival of Sharing will be on Saturday, September 28, 8:30 am - 12:00 noon at Otterbein University in Westerville. Click HERE for instructions about kit contents on the Church World Service website.

 

"Green Thumb" Seed Ministry

 

The Green Thumb Seed Ministry is in its 41st year.  Consider doing a seed collection during Lent.   "When we launched the vegetable garden concept back in the early 1970's, 43 families participated, while in 2012, 4,049 plots were established.  It is amazing that if you were to determine that each garden generated $200 worth of produce, then the total value of this ministry would be $809,800.  This is a miracle through the generous donations of individuals."  If your church is interested in participating contact jamajar@midohio.twcbdc.com or (888) 237-3141. Click HERE to go to the Green Thumb page on the JAM website.  The deadline for seed donations is April 15.

Apportionment Update
Four Areas of Focus

Click HERE to see the congregations that have paid 100% of their West Ohio conference apportionments as of 2/13/13. 

 

Click HERE to see the congregations that have paid 100% of their combined CAS district apportionments (the CAS District Apportionment and the UM Community Ministries Apportionment) as of 2/13/13. 

 

Thanks to all for faithfulness in the payment of apportionments.

Prayer Concerns
Prayer Concerns

Our prayers are with the family of the Keith Deel in the death of Keith's mother on January 24.  

 

Our prayers are also with family of the Rev. Ben Weisbrod and the Rev. Beth Weisbrod in the death of his Ben's father Dave Wesibrod.

 

The Rev. Mamie Jenkins was hospitalized recently, but she is 

     now home from the hospital.