New this week: Brown Bag Lunch and Learn: Faith-based Response to the Opioid Crisis at the District Office on March 1; Ohio Council of Churches Unite to End Racism – travel by bus to Washington DC April 3 and 4; ‘Lead Like Jesus’ Encounter March 9 and 10 at Bellefontaine First UMC; Traction Tracks start in February – check out the options below; Godly Play workshop open to all Children’s Ministry Directors at Marion Epworth UMC March 2 and 3; Free fluorescent light bulbs available; St. Luke’s Valentine’s Day Party February 10; W-2 information for pastors; reminder that year-end reports are due February 9; Scioto Ridge Boys Gospel Quartet available to perform for your church; Harry Denman Evangelism Award nominations sought; Prayer Requests District Prayer Requests Prayer Requests for the Week of February 4: Global Community UMC – Rev. Dan Kim and Rev. John Ma Rush Creek UMC – Rev. Joshua Freshour Rum Creek UMC – Rev. Rob Ulmer Here is a link to the weekly prayer list. Trainings 2018 CAN and CAS District Leadership Training Day Saturday, February 3, 2018, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm at Powell UMC, 825 E. Olentangy St., Powell, OH Register HERE
Transcript
New this week: Brown Bag Lunch and Learn: Faith-based Response to the Opioid Crisis at the District Office on March 1; Ohio Council of Churches Unite to End Racism – travel by bus to Washington DC April 3 and 4; ‘Lead Like Jesus’ Encounter March 9 and 10 at Bellefontaine First UMC; Traction Tracks start in February – check out the options below; Godly Play workshop open to all Children’s Ministry Directors at Marion Epworth UMC March 2 and 3; Free fluorescent light bulbs available; St. Luke’s Valentine’s Day Party February 10; W-2 information for pastors; reminder that year-end reports are due February 9; Scioto Ridge Boys Gospel Quartet available to perform for your church; Harry Denman Evangelism Award nominations sought;
Prayer Requests
District Prayer Requests Prayer Requests for the Week of February 4:
Global Community UMC – Rev. Dan Kim and Rev. John Ma Rush Creek UMC – Rev. Joshua Freshour Rum Creek UMC – Rev. Rob Ulmer
Here is a link to the weekly prayer list.
Trainings
2018 CAN and CAS District Leadership Training Day Saturday, February 3, 2018, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm at
Brown Bag Lunch and Learn: Faith-based Response to the Opioid Crisis March 1 Join us for a ‘Brown Bag Lunch and Learn’ at the District Office on a Faith-based Response to the Opioid Crisis, Thursday, March 1, 2018, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, 2545 Farmers Dr., Suite 350, Columbus. Limited to the first 20 registrants. Bring your lunch, beverages provided. Register here.
Creating a Legacy for Your Church’s Future February 10 Held at Grove City UMC, on Saturday, February 10th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Every church is in need of additional streams of income. Local churches work hard to grow generous givers in their congregations, but a cultural transformation of generosity takes time as part of the individual’s discipleship path. Giving USA indicates religious bodies are the number one recipients of all charitable dollars in the United States. However, they are number five in estate gifts. Education about estate giving a spiritual discipline of giving is just as important as prayer, Bible Study, and workshop. But an appropriate infrastructure to manage estate gifts is essential so donors know their gift will be well managed and the income from it utilized to transform lives in a walk with Jesus Christ. Read more and register here.
VIM Training February 17 Volunteers in Mission Training at Marion Epworth UMC. Click here for information and to register
Stewardship for the Smaller Church February 24 The purpose of Stewardship 101: Growing Generous Givers is to equip local churches to develop generous stewards to advance their mission and vision. This workshop, taught by Rev. George Cooper, has been utilized for three years at Crucible, Licensed Local Pastors School, Starting Well, District Leadership training events and individual local churches. On Saturday, February 24, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, Brice UMC will host Stewardship 101 for the Smaller Church. Cost is $5 per person, including lunch, refreshments, and resources. For more information or to register, click here.
Breakthrough Prayer * Social Media * Church Communications * Family Ties * Worship Design * Outreach “Traction Tracks,” specific training/resourcing/coaching/implementation components developed within West Ohio’s Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI), are now available in individual short courses for churches of any size and setting. Does your congregation need to gain a new specific aspect of traction in order to begin moving forward into renewed vitality? Consider which of these next Traction Track offerings might be right for you. Every Traction Track involves your pastor plus a team from your church. Some offered last fall will be offered again this spring, to accommodate waiting lists and geographic convenience. Other Traction Track MCCI components are offered for the very first time. Click here to find out more about each of the following, and to register online. All launch in February, March or April.
Safety and Security in the Church plus The Difficulties of Opiate and Heroin Addiction March 3 So, what happens in an emergency at your church—lost child, unresponsive adult, accident, a disorderly person, gas line break, smoke, tornado, utility failure, intruder or active shooter? Who directs the members? What’s the plan? Who to call? We should know. Come and learn how to:
• Use the Assessment Tool for safety and security in and around your church.
• Develop Emergency Plans for a multitude of emergencies in and around your church.
• Plan so that a Crisis Team can handle any emergency, illness, or problem during worship.
On Sat. March 3, 2018, in Cambridge, Ohio, TARRP (Town and Rural Resource Program) of East & West Ohio Conferences is offering a very informative workshop to help your church board, mission team, and others learn and be equipped to help your church to make a difference in the lives of your parishioners and community. Plan to bring a team! Discounts for 3 or more. Please see the attached brochure or email Rev. Debbie Ketcham at [email protected] for more information.
Regarding Opiate & Heroin Addiction: Learn how and why persons, even 12-year-olds, are addicted. Why pre-school children are addicted. Why arrests don’t solve the problem. It’s important we:
• Understand the depth of the opiate and heroin problem in our church’s community.
• Offer ways to help families affected by opiate or heroin addiction.
• Be aware of opiates you and family members are prescribed.
Godly Play Workshop March 2 – 3 Friday, March 2 5:00 – 9:00 pm, Saturday, March 3 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at Epworth UMC, 249 E. Center St., Marion, OH Would you like to learn more about Godly Play? Would you like to incorporate Godly Play into your Sunday School curriculum? Come hear Rev. Deb Egloff, Certified Godly Play trainer, as she shares how anyone can be a Godly Play storyteller. Cost is $35. To register contact Aleycia Orecna, Dir. of Children’s and Family Ministries at Marion Epworth UMC, [email protected] or 740-387-8344.
Lead Like Jesus Encounter March 9-10 Sponsored by the Capitol Area North District and the West Ohio Conference UM Men Change your world! Lead Like Jesus imagines a world in which leaders serve rather than rule, give rather than take. We imagine leaders who produce results through service and sacrifice rather than through power and position. Throughout the Lead Like Jesus Encounter you will explore effective and practical
ways to live your faith at work, home and in all relationships. You will dig deep into scripture and examine the perfect and powerful leadership principles that Jesus modeled in every-day life. Open to both men and women, this workshop is packed with 10 hours of action-oriented learning followed by weekly online E-lessons, Encounter is highly interactive, participant-driven leadership development workshop that exposes common leadership misconceptions and offers a practical model based on the greatest leader role model of all time, Jesus. Friday, March 9, 7:00 – 9:00 pm and Saturday, March 10, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Cost is $80, which includes materials and meals Held at Bellefontaine First UMC, 201 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311 Contact Rev. Ben Shaeffer, [email protected], with questions. Register here.
Harry Denman Award Nominations Sought Nominations are requested for the Harry Denman evangelism award given to youth, adults and clergy. Nominations are due March 2, 2018 and information can be found here.
2nd Annual Faith Leaders Symposium March 13 Join us for the second ADAMH Faith Leaders Symposium. Schedule: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm Self-care for Senior Faith Leaders, 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm Tools and Resources for Ministry and Lay Leaders. Rev. Michaela Brown Jasper, Asbury North UMC, is one of the conveners. Free! Breakfast and lunch are provided. Held at the Columbus Foundation, 1234 E. Broad St., Columbus. Information and Registration.
Save the dates! Lay Servant Ministries Spring 2018 Course Offerings Email [email protected] to be notified when registration opens. Leading Prayer - April 6 and 7, 2018, held at Johnstown UMC, led by Rev. Matt Van Winkle and Rev. Kevin Orr Information coming soon!
Introduction to Lay Servant Ministry: The Basic Course - April 7, 2018, held at Johnstown UMC and led by Ms. Kathy Moore and Rev. Jeff Waeger Information coming soon!
Advanced Course: UM Heritage - Living Out Our United Methodist Beliefs - April 27 and 28, 2018, held at St. Luke's UMC and led by Rev. Jon Osmundson
Advanced Course: Justice in Everyday Life: the UM Social Principles - April 27 and 28, 2018, held at St. Luke's UMC and led by Ms. Judy Hug and Mr. Joe Clark
Faith-Based Re-entry Summit: Building Communities of Hope and Healing April 12 Thursday, April 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Central Community Center, 102 W. High St., Springfield. Join us for a day focused on balancing justice with mercy by building relationships of hope and healing between churches, correctional institutions, and communities. Free. Space is limited to the first 200 who register for this free event. Click here for more information and to register.
PAUMCS Membership and Spring Conference April 17 Celebrating over 26 years of service, Ohio PAUMCS is committed to their purpose of recognizing the position of the church administrator as a professional within the church. By providing leadership and educational opportunities around Ohio, the Ohio PAUMCS chapter is linking secretaries, administrative assistants, and volunteer staff as an effective support group in local ministry. The officers and members invite you to use this membership application to renew or begin your association with a group of men and women who are committed to serving at the local church. Individual membership is $25.00, and a staff membership is $40.00. Applications are due by February 15, 2018 to Lisa Gleason, 1750 Eastgate Rd. Toledo, OH 43614. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. PAUMCS is only as effective as its members. Join now and plan to attend the Spring Workshop to held at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, 1636 Graham Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068, April 17, 2018.
Events and Information
Year-end reports were sent out in late December. Those reports are due no later than February 9, 2018. https://www.westohioumc.org/conference/end-year-reports. Contact Jack Frost with any questions, [email protected]. Please don’t wait to submit these important reports. Free Tax Filing from Ohio Benefit Bank The Ohio Benefit Bank offers free e-tax filing services to those who qualify. (Married joint returns Adjusted Gross Income under $95,000 and single or filing single AGI of under $65,000.) Information.
W-2 information for pastors: https://www.westohioumc.org/conference/year-end-w-2s
Ohio Council of Churches Unite to End Racism: Bus to Rally in Washington DC April 3 and 4 ACT NOW: Unite to End Racism is both a rally and a call to action, organized by the National Council of Churches with partners: the National African American Clergy Network, Conference of National Black Churches, Sojourners, Franciscan Action Network, Churches Uniting in Christ, and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and its member communions. The Ohio Council of Churches invites you to join us in a transformational journey, beginning this April. Join us on a transformational journey! Unite to End Racism Rally: Buses will depart Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo on April 3rd to travel overnight to Washington DC. On April 4th we will join people from around the nation for an Interfaith Service of Prayer and Preparation at the Lincoln Memorial and a Rally on the National Mall. At the end of the day, buses will return, driving overnight to arrive back to their home cities. Columbus: Leave approximately 10:00 pm April 3, estimated return 1 am April 5.
Cost: $75/person plus incidentals. You may want to bring a sling chair. More information
Scioto Ridge Boys Gospel Quartet available to perform The Scioto Ridge Boys have been performing for over 25 years. They sing a variety of old favorites and new Southern gospel songs, typically for about an hour, for a free-will offering or honorarium. Hear a sample of their music at www.cdbaby.com/sciotoridgeboys. Contact Bob Joseph at [email protected] or 614-565-1102.
Central Ohio UM Retired Clergy and Spouses Gathering February 8 Our next fellowship luncheon of the Central Ohio U.M. Retired Clergy and Spouses will be Thursday, February 8, at 11:30 a.m. at MCL Cafeteria in Kingsdale Shopping Center, Upper Arlington. We had a great time together when last we met and look forward to our next gathering. Hope you will plan to join us! Bill and Emma Lee Tolliver, [email protected].
Author Father Gregory Boyle to Present at Ohio Dominican February 8 Ohio Dominican University will welcome Father Gregory Boyle, S.J. at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 to discuss his New York Times-bestselling book, “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion.” The event will take place in Alumni Hall, which is located on ODU’s campus at 1215 Sunbury Road, Columbus, 43219. The presentation is free and open to the public. Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world. Hear his 2012 TedTalk. Ohio Dominican is very excited to bring Fr. Greg to Columbus all the way from LA – and he is promoting his new book Barking to the Choir – the Power of Radical Kinship - that was just published last November. More information. Books.
St. Luke’s UMC Valentine’s Party February 10 Join the St. Luke’s Friendship Class for sweets, treats and tunes by DJ Rochelle Stewart and dancing! All ages and abilities welcome. Contact Susanne Vendlinski, [email protected] with any questions about this Community Outreach event of St. Luke’s special needs ministry.
Winter Youth Lock-in February 16 - 17 Linworth UMC and King Avenue UMC are proud to partner to co-present WYLI18, a Winter Youth Lock-In, which is open to all youth grades 6 - 12. Cost: $20 What: A night of swimming, movies, volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, food, friends, and staying up way too late. When: Feb. 16th-17th, 10:00 pm - 6:45 am, at the Worthington Community Center located at 345 E. Wilson-Bridge Rd., Worthington, Ohio 43085. Register here, or contact Jessica Cavinee ([email protected]). Deadline for registration is February 12th. Please note: If your group will be attending, you must have an appropriate number of adult volunteers that will be present for the entire event.
February Flourish with the American Guild of Organists February 24
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding, the Columbus, Ohio chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites you to February Flourish, a day-long series of workshops that offers students, part-time organists, and pianists who have been drafted to serve as organists an opportunity to meet others in similar situations, enhance their existing skill set, and become acquainted with new resources that are available to help part-time musicians. February Flourish will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2018, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at Covenant Presbyterian church, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43221. Schedule and registration information. We hope that you will share this information with others who might enjoy this opportunity and that you will join us for this or one of the other events celebrating our 100th anniversary!
Continuing Education Opportunities from Living Streams Flowing Water Rev. Dr. Brenda Buckwell offers several opportunities for training this year. Some offerings include: One-hour Webinar on The Heartbeat of Leadership Desert Spirituality II Going Deeper – The Seeker and the Saint online course April 9 – May 18 Habits of the Heart – Exploring the Basics of Spiritual Discipline May 7 – June 2 Soul Companioning – An Introduction to Spiritual Direction September 3 – 29 AR – The Advent of God’s Word - A Devotional Retreat December 3 – January 11 http://www.livingstreamsflowingwater.com/upcoming-opportunities/ or contact Brenda at [email protected]
Clergy Day Apart March 8 Register here.
Heber Brown leads ‘Faith, Food and Flourishing’ workshop at MTSO April 17 The Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, founder of the Black Church Food Security Network, will lead a day of learning and inspiration for church leaders April 17 at MTSO. The day runs from 1 p.m. through 8 p.m. and includes five components: a chapel service; a “Faith, Food and Flourishing” workshop; tours of MTSO’s Seminary Hill Farm; a networking dinner featuring locally sourced food; and an evening lecture by Brown. Tuition of $25 per person includes the afternoon workshop and dinner. The chapel service, farm tour and public lecture are offered at no cost. Scholarships are available for those in need. Registration is required. Detailed and online registration are available at //ww.mtso.edu/flourish.
UM Historical Society Spring Meeting April 21 The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) will meet at the Canal Lewisville UMC (198 E. Church St., Coshocton 43812) on Saturday, April 21, 2018, with the theme, “Crossroads of Ohio United Methodism.” The Annual Meeting and Convocation, usually alternating between East and West Ohio Conference sites, brings together UMHSO members (local church historians, pastors, and others) to share historical preservation and exhibition resources, ministry ideas for local church anniversary celebrations, and good Christian fellowship. This year’s event, in the Three Rivers District, also includes optional Friday PM visits to local historical sites, with a block of rooms available for those staying in Coshocton Friday night. Further information and a full schedule for the Convocation will be out in
March in the official UMHSO semi-annual newsletter. Historians and others who are interested in membership may contact Ed Duling as listed below or visit www.umhso.org/MembershipForm
Classifieds
Light Bulbs Available Due to a recent conversion to energy efficient bulbs, Indian Run UMC has over 60 gently used 22” u-shaped fluorescent bulbs. Any ministry or non-profit that would be able to use these bulbs are welcome to have them free of charge. Just contact us at 614-889-7728 or [email protected] and schedule a time to pick them up.
Help Wanted Part-time Worship Musician, Prospect UMC
Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Marysville First UMC University Chaplain & Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, Denison University, Granville, OH Search will close February 18th. Job posting.
