of the west ohio conference is make disciples of jesus
TRANSCRIPT
IN THIS ISSUE District Office Holiday Hours
Weekly Prayer
Let Us Remember in Prayer
Leadership Training Day
Lay Servant Training
Emmaus
Local Church & Community Events
WOConnection and Beyond
Resources
Classifieds
Northwest Plains District Website
West Ohio UMC Website
West Ohio You Tube
Lay Ministry
The United Methodist Church
United Methodist VIM
United Methodist Women
Church World Service
Rethink Church
Find A Church
MissionInsite
UMCom Tech Shop
UMCOR’S YouTube
Friendly Center, Toledo
Bread for the World
Society of St. Andrew
Stop Hunger Now
Upper Room Dailey Devotional
May the Lord bless you this Christmas season, reminding you
of the love, joy and peace He shines in you every day.
THE MISSION of the West Ohio Conference IS TO EQUIP LOCAL CHURCHES TO
MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD… A
world of JUSTICE, Love, and Peace filled with people GROWING
in the likeness of JESUS CHRIST
ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH YOUR DISTRICT?
Visit our website! Contact us! 800.589.7828
Like us on Facebook!
December 20, 2017
District Office Holiday Hours
Closed December 22, 2017 – January 1, 2018
The District Staff will be back in the
office on Tuesday, January 2.
Dear Lord Jesus,
We thank You for coming to us as Emmanuel, God with us.
We pray for those who are lonely this season, for those who are
suffering, that You would visit them as Emmanuel, God with them.
We pray that through their pain, Your presence would wash over
them, leaving them with joy and peace.
Please lead us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may be available to bring love and joy to those around us who may
be lost or lonely.
Give us the ability to see the world around us through Your eyes this Christmas.
Please use us as Your hands and feet, that Your glory may shine wherever we go.
This Christmas, may Your name resound in our hearts and in our lives.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.
Let us remember in prayer those grieving the loss of their loved one, and remember in thanksgiving the life and ministry of:
Mrs. June Hickman who died December 11, 2017. Surviving her in death is her husband, Rev. John Hickman, Jr.
who is a retired pastor from The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Hickman served
Frankfort, Millersport, Williamsburg, Forest Chapel, Delta United and Northwest churches. He also served as a
District Superintendent.
June's Memorial Service will be held at Northwest United Methodist Church, 5200 Riverside Dr., Columbus,
OH 43220 on Friday, December 22, 2017. Visitation will be held beginning at 3:00 pm followed by the service
at 5:00 pm. Dinner will be served after the service. You may send condolences to Rev. John Hickman, 6000
Riverside Dr., Apt. B 257, Dublin, OH 43017.
The Northwest Plains District will not have another Weekly Bulletin until January 10, due to
Christmas and New Year’s. Grace and peace to all.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING DAY Saturday, February 17, 2018
Northwest Plains District’s Leadership Training Day will be held on February 17, 2018 at Immanuel UMC in Elida. This will be an important time for clergy and lay persons to gather in one place for various relevant training opportunities that will benefit our churches and their ministries.
Schedule for the day: 8:30 am - Gathering 9:00 - Welcome-Keynote Message from Brad Aycock on Leading Change in the Church 10:00 - Break 10:15 - Break-out sessions 12:30 - End
Break out sessions and those leading will include:
Expanded information and training on Leading Change led by Mr. Brad Aycock, West Ohio Conference Director of New Church Development
Stewardship and Church Finances led by Mr. George Cooper, West Ohio Conference Director of Council on Development
Heroin/Opiate Epidemic led by Rev. Melissa Steinecker, Pastor Kansas and Rising Sun UMCs
Congregational Care, led by Rev. Lynne Pease, Chaplain of Nationwide Children's Hospital
Pastor Parish Relations training on Understanding Clergy Boundaries led by Rev. Barry Burns, NWP District Superintendent
More detailed information on these sessions will be coming next month. Please share this information with your Lay Leadership and plan now to take advantage of attending this valuable training opportunity!
February 3, 2018- Ministry By Strengths (Advanced Course), led by Rev. Terry McHugh
*March 2-3, 2018- Introduction to Lay Servant Ministry: Basic, led by Rev. Vernagaye
Sullivan
March 3, 2018- Heritage (CORE Course), led by Rev. Brian Arnold
March 3, 2018- Accountable Discipleship (Advanced Course), led by Rev. Barry Burns
April 7, 2018- Lay Servants Lead in Prayer (CORE Course), led by Rev. Jeff Motter
April 7, 2018- Sacraments (Advanced Course), led by Rev. Dr. Taylor Edwards
*Introduction to Lay Servant Ministry will begin on Friday evening, 6:00-9:00pm and be held on Saturday,
8:30am-4:30pm at Trinity UMC, 137 N. Pratt St., Ottawa, OH.
All other courses will be held from 8:30am-4:30pm at Trinity UMC, 137 N. Pratt St., Ottawa, OH.
Online registration for the February and March events is available at http://www.northwestplainsdistrict.org/
events/northwestplains/calendar. Online registration for the April events is not yet available.
Emmaus Events
Findlay Emmaus Gathering (on the third Tuesday) Sidney Emmaus Gathering
Tuesday, January16, 7 pm Tuesday, January 9, 7 pm
St Marks UMC First UMC
800 S. Main St., Findlay |419.422.4236 230 E. Poplar St., Sidney |937.492.9136
http://www.findlayemmaus.org/ http://www.sidneyemmaus.org/
NW Ohio Emmaus Gathering (on the fourth Saturday)
Saturday, December 23, 6:30 pm
Delta UMC
101 Northwood Dr., Delta |419.822.4195
http://www.nwoemmaus.com/
What is the Walk to Emmaus? The walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and
formation that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an
opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God's grace and love is
revealed to you through other believers.
Learn more http://emmaus.upperroom.org/
Findlay Emmaus Walks @ St. Marks UMC, Findlay, OH
http://www.findlayemmaus.org/
Women's Walks Dates
Women’s Walk #103 February 8-11, 2018
Women’s Walk #104 June 14-17, 2018
Women’s Walk #105 October 4-7, 2018
Men's Walks Dates
Men’s Walk #78 March 15-18, 2018
Men’s Walk #79 November 1-4, 2018
Sidney Emmaus Walk @ First UMC, Sidney, OH
http://www.sidneyemmaus.org/
Women’s Walks Dates
Women’s Walk #74 February 22-25, 2018
Women’s Walk #75 June 14-17, 2018
Women’s Walk #76 October 18-21, 2018
Men’s Walks Dates
Men’s Walk #70 March 22-25, 2018
Men’s Walk #71 July 19-22, 2018
Men’s Walk #72 November 1-4, 2018
NW Ohio Emmaus Walks @ Widewater, Liberty Center, OH
http://www.nwoemmaus.com/
Chrysalis is a three day experience of
spiritual renewal open to members of
any Christian denomination, ages 15 to
24. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus
Christ in a new way. Chrysalis is meant
to inspire, challenge, and equip youth
for Christian action in their homes,
churches, communities and places of
work.
St. Andrew’s UMC, Findlay
Girls # 50 - January 25-28, 2018
Girls # 51 - June 28—July 1, 2018
Boys # 49 - February 22-25, 2018
Boys # 50 - July 26-29, 2018
http://www.findlaychrysalis.org/
Greene Street UMC, Piqua
Girls #65 - January 13-15, 2018
Boys #65 - February 17-19, 2018
http://www.westohiochrysalis.com/
Delta UMC, Delta
Girls -June 22-24, 2018
Boys -March 2-4, 2018
http://www.nwoemmaus.com/
(on the second Tuesday)
Local Church and Community Events Candlelight, Carols and the Christmas Story
Thursday, December 21, 7:00 pm, Father John’s in Bryan, Ohio Come hear the story of Jesus’ birth in a new way at Father John’s Restaurant/Brewery in the historic 1895 Methodist Church, 301 W. Butler St., Bryan, Ohio. map Enjoy singing Christmas carols and lighting candles to usher in the Christmas weekend. Join United Methodist Pastor David David as he shares a brief message in this 45 minute pre-Christmas Eve Service at 7:00pm, December 21. Music will be led by Susie Slawinski on piano and Judy Lewis on the organ. Special solos by Thom Singer. The refurbished sanctuary and organ will come to life as we celebrate together the impact of Jesus in our lives and in our world.
Rockford Community Meal in Celebration of Christ’s Birth
Free Christmas Day Dinner, December 25, 10:30am-1:00pm
Rockford Community Building (at Shanes Park), 705 Front Street. map
Lima Westside UMC and Spencerville Trinity UMC will host Rescue Me Ministries featuring Bryan and Yvonne Hutson on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at their morning worship services. Pastor Joshua Andrews serves both United Methodists Churches.
Spencerville Trinity UMChurch: (9:15am) 119 N. Main St., Spencerville, OH
Lima Westside UMChurch (10:45am) 604 Gloria Ave., Lima, OH
Bryan & Yvonne are gifted speakers and vocalists committed to sharing the love of Christ through song, word, and personal testimony. They are a Christian couple committed to encouraging, strengthening, and challenging other couples to fight for their marriage and family. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Women’s Retreat sponsored by Caring Points United Methodist Churches
Leaving a Wake: Aging Gracefully, Friday, February 9—Saturday, February 10, 2018
Cost is $50 per person and includes 4 meals, overnight accommodations, activities, and
motor coach transportation from Leipsic UMC to the retreat and back.
Guest speakers: Andee Marks, a trained spiritual director and associate pastor for Saint
Patrick’s Anglican Church, Lexington, KY and Katie Hodge, Hospitality Team Coordinator for
her local parish, as well as serving on the Prayer and Children’s Ministry Teams. She and
her husband live in Lexington, KY with their two babies and two adorable Boston Terriers.
All women are invited to take part in this special weekend retreat.
For more information/registration please contact Suzanne Bandy 419.943.3556 or Becky Graves, 419.890.7782.
Local Church and Community Events
West Ohio Connection and Beyond
West Ohio Rural Advocates Looking for Vital Churches Each year, the West Ohio United Methodist Rural Advocates (UMRA) recognizes a rural congregation, worshiping 100 or less, that operates out of faith rather than fear, and exhibits faithfulness and effectiveness in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The recipient of the West Ohio UMRA Vital Church Award will receive a $500 grant from the WO-UMRA to help further their ministry impact and will be recognized on stage during a session of the 2018 Annual Conference. In addition, one church from each district will be recognized at the WO-UMRA annual banquet. To be considered for the 2018 Vital Church Award, you are asked to
write a narrative of your church's ministry. Share stories of how you are in ministry to your community, how lives are being transformed, and how your community might be different if you were not there. Also include the following information:
• Church attendance, affirmations of faith, baptisms
• Small groups and other ways you are helping others grow in their faith
• Your outreach ministries to the community and world • How you are being faithful stewards of all God's resources
Please send your narrative by January 15th to Doug Flinn at [email protected] or to 7068 US RT 68, Kenton, OH
43326.
Bishops offer Christmas message
In a Christmas message to the people of The United Methodist Church on behalf
of the Council of Bishops, Council president Bishop Bruce Ough encourages us to
re-ignite the longing for the birth of Christ in our lives.
Read message http://tiny.cc/wolkpy
Evangelism for Non-Evangelists
This five-week webinar from Garett-Evangelical Theological Seminary invites you
to grow deeper in your own faith and, as you do, reflect on why you believe God
is good, articulate your faith in a way that is authentic to that belief, and develop
creative practices that grow from those beliefs. It also equips you to implement
those creative practices in a congregational setting.
Webinars for this course will take place from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (CST) on:
February 1st, February 8th, February 15th, February 22nd, March 1st
Learn more and register online here (free for non-CEU, $100 for CEU)
http://tiny.cc/aq4kpy
Resources
Order Your Guidelines Today: Prepare Your Leaders for their Important Ministry Roles
"The local church is to minister to persons in the community where the church is
located, to provide appropriate training and nurture to all, to cooperate in minis-
try with other local churches, to defend God's creation and live as an ecologically
responsible community, and to participate in the worldwide mission of the
church." — Book of Discipline 2012 ¶202
The twenty-six Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2017-2020, one for each
ministry area, cover church leadership areas, as well as areas focused on nurture,
outreach, and witness. The booklets are tools that get new lay leaders off to a
good start and as a reference resource for all lay leaders. Each booklet includes
the basic "job description" for the leader as well as practical "how-to" infor-
mation important to implementing ministry effectively. Brief and to the point making it a perfect resource for the busy,
but spirit-led leader. Order http://tiny.cc/8npjpy
Spring Loan Application Now Available General Board of Higher Education and Ministry offers United Methodist students
the lowest interest rates for student loans in the U.S. to help minimize debt levels.
Students may borrow up to $5,000 per calendar year. Spring loan applications are
available now through May 2, 2018. Read more http://tiny.cc/7tojpy
Scholarship Application to Open Soon! The Office of Loans and Scholarships at GBHEM distributes over 70 scholarship pro-
grams with one general application. Applications for the 2018-2019 academic
school year will be open January 3 to March 7, 2018. Read more http://tiny.cc/
lwojpy
Intensive Five-Day Safe Sanctuary Policy Workshop
January 08, 2018 - January 12, 2018
Prepare for your children and youth programs with this five-day online workshop
for congregations that don’t have a Safe Sanctuary policy or whose policy is
outdated, needs revision, doesn’t meet the needs of current ministries, etc. Participants will learn why congregations
should have an up-to-date policy, what the policy includes generally and specifically, and how to get a policy written,
approved, and implemented — or edited. Because this is an intensive workshop, participants will need to be involved on
the site every day to receive a completion certificate. Details http://tiny.cc/plpjpy
Do you have news or something interesting to share? Know of anyone who would like to be added to our Weekly Bulletin e-mail list? Contact Deb via e-mail [email protected] or call 1.800.589.7828.
When e-mailing the district staff, please use the e-mail addresses listed below:
Rev. Barry Burns, District Superintendent: [email protected]
Rev. Lynda Lockwood, Assistant to the District Superintendent: [email protected]
Debra Lee, Office Administrator: [email protected]
Kim Tumblin, Financial Secretary: [email protected]
Van Wert Trinity UMC Seeking Administrative Assistant Trinity United Methodist Church is looking for an Administrative Assistant. Good communication and organizational
skills are a must. The ideal candidate should be friendly, have strong computer skills, be willing and able to learn
quickly, be a self-starter and diligently follow through until projects are completed.
Those with Financial management skills are preferred, but candidates without this experience will be considered.
Position is 20 -25 daytime office hours per week; hours and salary is commensurate with experience. Candidates
should mail resume and references to: Trinity United Methodist Church, 220 S. Walnut St., Van Wert, Attn: Admin
Assistant search. Check out www.trinityvw.org for more information. Great Children’s Chairs for Sale—$10 each! These are very well made metal and heavy plastic chairs that have many years of life left in them.
There are 7 tan (smaller) and 14 aqua (a bit larger) available.
St. Paul’s Findlay UMC. Contact Bob Edds at 419.306.7850 or [email protected].
Curriculum Available St. Andrew’s UMC has multiple copies of the following books and would be willing to share these with churches and would be open to a donation for the resources.
Please contact Rev. Becky Schofield Motter at 419.422.4845.
Three Simple Rules by Reuben Job
ReGroup by Cloud, Donahue and Townsend
Network by Bugbee and Cousins
Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue