Whether you live in the north or not, the grey, dreary days of winter can be a challenge. Add in snow and ice and howling winds … it may seem easiest to hibernate until spring. Yet hibernation doesn’t work for everyone. I read a tweet recently: Wherever you go, regardless of the weather, take sunshine. Our attitude and determination are essential to facing the challenges of our lives. Paul wrote to the Philippians …. “ For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (4:11 – 14) The Apostle Paul wasn’t challenged by the frozen tundra of northern Ohio, but he had his fair share of challenges. Yet in spite of it all … actually in the midst of all things … he found strength in Christ. He models a faithful life, and challenges us to do the same. This winter, I’ve been reading Ann Voskamp’s, The Broken Way. Among her many illustrations and insights she writes, “The best way to de-stress is to bless.” She tells of facing a difficult day by taking her children on a blessing outing. They sought to love o n others, be kind and considerate … in abundance … and they had a wonderful day. Sometimes we make blessing and abundance too difficult. I helped a woman at the grocery store recently find an item in the frozen food section. She was so grateful … she told me th at her husband recently died ... and she has trouble cooking for one … and she cried … and apologized … and moved on. I circled back around the aisle, convinced I needed to invite her to our house for dinner. But I didn’t find her. She was gone. Sometimes we make blessing and abundance about our time frames and convenience. The work of the Church is difficult. We live in a changing culture, an uneasy environment, and a growing population of folks who don’t seem to care that a local church “always did it this way.” It seems that even churche s are tempted to hibernate. How do we care for the brokenness all around us? Sometimes we make blessing and abundance about us … and not about Jesus. So I encourage you to offer Jesus. Be the people Jesus calls us to be … by offering hope and kindness and love. Don’t wait for everything to be convenient. Don’t withhold from those who are most broken and most vulnerable. Don’t work to figure out the easiest way or the most familiar way. Offer Jesus. You may change someone’s day … and brighten your own. Sometimes we can offer a blessing and experience life, abundant and full. Even in the winter … Grace and Peace, Sondra Western Reserve District Newsletter February/March 2018 District Superintendent Administrative Assistant Office Hours Sondra Snode Jerri Shultz Mon – Thurs 9:00-4:00 [email protected][email protected]Friday closed
Transcript
Whether you live in the north or not, the grey, dreary days of winter can be a challenge.
Add in snow and ice and howling winds … it may seem easiest to hibernate until spring.
Yet hibernation doesn’t work for everyone.
I read a tweet recently: Wherever you go, regardless of the weather, take sunshine.
Our attitude and determination are essential to facing the challenges of our lives. Paul wrote to the Philippians …. “For I have
learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret
of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ,
who gives me strength.” (4:11 – 14)
The Apostle Paul wasn’t challenged by the frozen tundra of northern Ohio, but he had his fair share of challenges. Yet in spite of it
all … actually in the midst of all things … he found strength in Christ. He models a faithful life, and challenges us to do the same.
This winter, I’ve been reading Ann Voskamp’s, The Broken Way. Among her many illustrations and insights she writes, “The best
way to de-stress is to bless.” She tells of facing a difficult day by taking her children on a blessing outing. They sought to love on
others, be kind and considerate … in abundance … and they had a wonderful day. Sometimes we make blessing and abundance too
difficult.
I helped a woman at the grocery store recently find an item in the frozen food section. She was so grateful … she told me that her
husband recently died ... and she has trouble cooking for one … and she cried … and apologized … and moved on. I circled back
around the aisle, convinced I needed to invite her to our house for dinner. But I didn’t find her. She was gone. Sometimes we make
blessing and abundance about our time frames and convenience.
The work of the Church is difficult. We live in a changing culture, an uneasy environment, and a growing population of folks who
don’t seem to care that a local church “always did it this way.” It seems that even churches are tempted to hibernate. How do we care
for the brokenness all around us? Sometimes we make blessing and abundance about us … and not about Jesus.
So I encourage you to offer Jesus.
Be the people Jesus calls us to be … by offering hope and kindness and love. Don’t wait for everything to be convenient. Don’t
withhold from those who are most broken and most vulnerable. Don’t work to figure out the easiest way or the most familiar way.
Offer Jesus.
You may change someone’s day … and brighten your own. Sometimes we can offer a blessing and experience life, abundant and full.
Even in the winter …
Grace and Peace,
Sondra
Western Reserve District
Newsletter February/March 2018
District Superintendent Administrative Assistant Office Hours
Rev. Kathy Dickriede and Rev. Jan Yandell co-facilitators
Anyone is welcome but targeting youth workers, professional and volunteer who have best practices to share
and things to learn. Bring youth along to be trained and learn how to take some of the leadership for the
ministry of mission!
UMVIM Team Leader Training Information & Registration
Friday, June 15, 9:00-3:00
Lakeside, Ohio at the Fountain Inn
Enjoy a day of fellowship and conversation to learn about leading a mission team locally, nationally, and
internationally.
Kathy Dickriede, the North Central Jurisdiction UMVIM coordinator will lead this training.
UMVIM Team Leader Training Information & Registration
EOC: CONVERSATION ON A WAY FORWARD
The Commission on a Way Forward was proposed by the Council of Bishops and approved by the 2016 General Conference to do a complete examination, and possible revision, of every paragraph of The Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality, and explore options that help to maintain and strengthen the unity of the church. All clergy and laity in the East Ohio Conference are invited, and encouraged, to participate in any one of the Conversations on a Way Forward offered throughout the EOC throughout the year. Please see the article HERE for more information and registration link.
Conversations on A Way Forward hosted at these churches (please register using the link above): 10 a.m. - Saturday, February 3, 2018 @ Thoburn
2 p.m. - Sunday, February 4, 2018 @ Willard First 6 p.m. - Monday, February 5, 2018 @ Lakewood 9 a.m. - Saturday, March 3, 2018 @ Church of the Lakes
14th – Bud & Sheila Brooker, Matt & Kerri Williamson, 22nd – John & Wendy Bramley,
26th – Fred & Jane Bell
2-1-1
2-1-1 is a free community service that provides information about social, health and government resources 24 hours a day. Simply dial 2-1-1 to be directed to helping agencies that provide:
Food, clothing, housing and utility assistance
Services for older adults and people with disabilities
Family support, children and youth services and parenting
Substance abuse and mental health treatment
Employment programs
Tax assistance, budgeting and credit counseling
Volunteerism and donation programs
Community Voice Mail Call 2-1-1 or visit them online at 211neohio.org
WR District Youth 2018 Schedule
February 11th – DYV Meeting @3:30pm. Thompson UMC, 6758
Madison Rd., Thompson, OH.
March 9th-11th – District Youth Retreat. Camp Asbury. 10776
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 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 Dr. Ed Duling, UMHSO President 8 Mackenzie Ct. Bowling Green, OH 43402-4543 (419) 353-9273 [email protected]
Many thanks to those who were able to join us at the 2018 Epiphany Dinner at Mary Yoder’s on January 6th. We all enjoyed the fellowship and the food was wonderful. It’s nice to see that the kids even had a good time thanks to the little gifts they were given.
YOUTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE (YAC)
Teens from across Ohio will gather at Lakeside
Chautauqua June 8-10 for YAC ’18. Ephesians 4:3-6 is
the guiding verse for this year’s theme We Are One.
Register now through April 4 and pay only $40/person.
Learn more about YAC ’18.
2018 Retirements
Pastor Retiring From District
David Baker Cuyahoga Falls First UMC CN
Bruce Batchelor-Glader Port Clinton Trinity UMC FL
Ricky Burkhardt Newport and Hills UMCs SH
Patricia Christ Kinsman UMC WR
Dana Flemming Willoughby Hills UMC WR
Pamela Gable Mogadore UMC (¶346.1) CN
Debra Gibbons Christ Woodland UMC CN
Karen Gibson Conesville UMC TR
Chester Harris Dueber UMC TW
Laura Hottle Extension Ministry: Genesis Health Care TR
Larry Hukill East Liverpool First UMC MV
James Humphrey New Philadelphia First UMC TW
Martha Mathatas Bennett’s Corners & Mount Pleasant UMCs NC
Linda McCowen Pleasant Hills NC
Beth McGuire Canfield UMC MV
Douglas Meek Personal Leave CN
Sturman Moore Cambridge Christ UMC SH
James Nolte Uniontown UMC CN
Warren Outhwaite Mount Vernon Mulberry UMC TR
Michael Padula Bloomville UMC FL
Charles Peal Extension Ministry: Hope Hospice, Florida
Western Reserve District / Lay Servant Ministries Training
Friday, March 16, 2018: Registration Begins @ 6:00pm
Friday Training From 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Saturday, March 17, 2018: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Mayfield United Methodist Church
7747 Mayfield Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026
(330) 729-4006
Please Print Legibly:
Name: Home Church: Mailing Address:
City/Zip: Home Phone: Cell Phone:
Email: Name as you wish it to appear on your certificate:
Pastor's Signature:
Classes - Check which class you wish to attend.
BASIC: All first time candidates and any candidate whose certification has expired. This course guides participants to discover the gifts of caring, leading and communicating and offers practical suggestions for becoming an active congregational servant leader.
Everyone registering for an Advanced Class will be checked against our database to ensure their eligibility.
Justice in Everyday Life: Justice in Everyday Life takes an in-depth look at the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church—the church's attempt to speak on contemporary issues with which it is confronted today. The book covers topics such as: natural world, social community, economic community, political community, Biblical foundations of the Social Principles, teaching the Social Principles.
Leading in Worship: This class (REQUIRED CLASS FOR LAY SPEAKER CERTIFICATION. OPEN TO ALL).explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons' lives.
Please check one only : I am taking this class for □ Certification; □ Education only
Please check one only : □ I will pick up by book at the District office □ Please mail my book
REGISTRATION FEE: $45.00/PERSON : REGISTRATION DEADLINE February 16, 2018
Make checks payable to: Western Reserve District
Your registration fee is required with this form. Fee includes lunch and light breakfast.
We are sorry, we are not able to accommodate specialized diets.
NO REFUNDS AFTER THE BOOKS HAVE BEEN PICKED UP OR MAILED.
For Questions or or information, call or email:Cathy McIlvaine
