JESUS CHRIST January 31, 2018

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1 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 January 31, 2018 IN THIS ISSUE ARE YOU CONNECTED WITH YOUR DISTRICT? Coming Soon! Leadership Day Weekly Prayer Year-End Reporting Spring Conference Healing Communities Training Emmaus Mission Trip-Henderson Settlement Local Church & Community Events WOConnection and Beyond Resources Classifieds Visit our website! Contact us! Like us on Facebook! District Leadership Training Day Saturday, February 17, 2018 Northwest Plains District Leadership Training Day will be held on February 17, 2018 at the 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. There is no charge for this training day. 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 Training Day Schedule: 8:30am - Gathering 9:00 - Welcome and Keynote Presentation Leading Change by Rev. Brad Aycock, WOC Director of New Church Development 10:00 - Break (refreshments provided) 10:15 - Break-Out Sessions 12:30pm- End Break out sessions and those leading include: 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 Door to Core led by Rev. Brad Aycock, WOC Director of New Church Development Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee s Role and Healthy Boundaries in the Church led by Rev. Barry Burns, NWP District Superintendent Stewardship 101: Growing Generous Givers led by Rev. George Cooper, West Ohio Conference Director of Council on Development Congregational Care Ministry, led by Rev. Lynne Pease, Chaplain of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Dayton Heroin/Opiate Epidemic led by Rev. Melissa Steinecker, Pastor Kansas and Rising Sun United Methodist Churches Visit leadership-development-day-2018 for details and online registration. Please share this information with your Lay Leadership and plan now to take advantage of attending this free of charge valuable training opportunity!

2 Lord, show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. In expressing my care, may I show people that they are valued, loved and appreciated for who they are. Amen. Submitting Year-End Reports We ve received this tip from one of our pastors regarding submitting the Year-End Reports in the Ezra database. If you are using Google Chrome as your web browser and are experiencing error messages or slow downs when transitioning from one page to another, try using Microsoft Edge as your web browser. It seems to work much better than Google Chrome. Remember, Year-End reports are to be submitted no later than February 9, Please don t be late! Save the date! Northwest Plains District Spring Conference Sunday, May 20, :30 pm Gathering Time 3:00 Business of the Conference St. Paul s United Methodist Church 218 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, OH Everyone is welcome to attend!

3 MAUMEE WATERSHED DISTRICT NORTHWEST PLAINS DISTRICT ALL IN COMMUNITY Vision: Healing Communities Training Healing Communities is a framework for ministry with men and women returning from or at risk of incarceration, their families, and the larger community. Healing Communities training helps congregations, through mobilization of their existing resources, to become Stations of Hope for persons affected by the criminal-justice system. TRAINER: Reba Collins, AIC Consultant WHERE: Archbold UMC 401 Ditto Street, Archbold WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2018 TIME: 10 AM - 3 PM COST: $25.00 (Includes lunch and supplies) PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AT: conference/event/healing-communities-training-maumeewatershed-district A world of justice, love, and peace filled with people impacted by incarceration growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Mission: To train, resource, and connect WOC churches to embrace our neighbors impacted by incarceration. Who is our neighbor? Residents of correctional institutions People returning to our communities after incarceration Victims of crime The families of the incarcerated, the returning, and the victim AIC Team Purpose: To engage individuals, churches, criminal justice professionals, and community leaders at the local level to create a framework of support and service with our neighbors impacted by incarceration.

4 Emmaus Events Findlay Emmaus Gathering (on the third Tuesday) Sidney Emmaus Gathering (on the second Tuesday) Tuesday, February 20, 7 pm Tuesday, February 13, 7 pm St Marks UMC First UMC 800 S. Main St., Findlay E. Poplar St., Sidney NW Ohio Emmaus Gathering (on the fourth Saturday) Saturday, February 24, 6:30 pm Delta UMC 101 Northwood Dr., Delta 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 Findlay Emmaus St. Marks UMC, Findlay, OH 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 First UMC, Sidney, OH 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 Widewater, Liberty Center, OH 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 # 51 - June 28 July 1, 2018 Boys # 49 - February 22-25, 2018 Boys # 50 - July 26-29, Greene Street UMC, Piqua Boys #65 - February 17-19, Delta UMC, Delta Girls -June 22-24, 2018 Boys -March 2-4,

5 Northwest Plains district UMC MISSION TRIP TO HENDERSON SETTLEMENT Sunday, May 6 Saturday, May 12, 2018 Be a part of a mission project! Don t miss out! Get on board! Where is Henderson Settlement? HS is near the Kentucky/Tennessee border about 35 miles east of Interstate 75. What is the schedule? Participants need to be at Henderson Settlement before the 7:00 PM orientation on Sunday, May 6. (Eat your evening meal before arrival.) Everyone will depart for home after breakfast on Saturday, May 12. What will we be doing? There will be construction/maintenance crews (ladies welcome). There is also work to be done in the greenhouse, library, food pantry, senior center and community store. What is the cost? $360/person with accommodations in the mission dorm. $440/person for more private housing (Baldinger Dorm, Zuki House). (3 meals Monday Friday and breakfast Saturday.). Travel and food to and from Henderson Settlement is the responsibility of the participant. No additional insurance is available your own insurance is the only insurance in effect. What is to be expected? Weather hot to cool, rain possible. Be prepared. Clothing work clothes. Area 50%+ unemployment, coal mining, forestry, mountainous How do I sign up? Complete and return the registration form with your deposit of $50/person by March 1. Remaining balance due by April 13. Please make check payable to: Northwest Plains District Henderson Mission Trip. Send check and registration to: Northwest Plains District Office, 910 East 3 rd St., Ottawa, OH For more information, contact Ruth Pease at A planning meeting for all registered participants will be held to determine who is driving/riding and to answer all other questions. This meeting will be on Sunday, April 29, 2:00 pm at Trinity UMC, 220 S. Walnut St., Van Wert, OH Henderson Settlement Mission Trip Registration May 6 12, 2018 Name(s) (First and Last Names) Address: City/State/Zip: Telephone Church name Housing: Mission Dorm ($360) Baldinger Dorm, Zuki House ($440) Work area interest: (Construction/maintenance, electrical, plumbing, painting, gardening, etc.)

6 Local Church and Community Events Westside United Methodist Church 604 Gloria Drive, Lima, OH Friday, February 2, 2018, 12:30 pm LeeAnn Shade with Lima Police Department will speak on: Bystander Training: Should You Get Involved? Bring dish to share & table service. Public Welcome! Van Wert First UMC Valentine Meal Choir Fundraiser Sunday, February 11, 2018 First United Methodist Church Choir, located at 113 W Central Avenue in Van Wert, will be hosting a Valentine Fundraiser at 5:00 and 6:30pm. The meal will be held in our church Krout Memorial. The choir prepares, serves and interacts with community guests and First Church members alike. Please consider this an open invitation to come dine with us. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Proceeds from the meal will be used toward the choir s upcoming trip to Chicago. There will be babysitting available, entertainment and a children s menu for those interested. Adults tickets are $17.00; Children under 12 $7.00. For more information, please phone Ext Arise A Musical Drama of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth Trinity United Methodist Church, Delphos, OH Family Life Center, 702 Ambrose Dr., Delphos, OH Performance Dates: Friday, March 16, 7pm; Saturday, March 17, 7pm; Sunday, March 18, 2pm Open seating. Doors open one-half hour prior to performance. Free Admission (A free-will offering will be taken.) For more information please call West Ohio Connection and Beyond The Capitol Area North and South Districts are offering a workshop during leadership training day on Clergy Taxes. Anyone can attend but it s especially helpful for Clergy, Treasurers, and SPRC/Finance committee members. Registrations are appreciated to insure we have adequate space and information for everyone. Clergy Taxes - Rev. Deb Oskin, Saturday, February 3, 2018, 11:00 am at Powell UMC - Register here: Mystified by the complex rules surrounding clergy taxes? Not sure what you're required to do? This interactive seminar explains the IRS rules for clergy, including clergy's hybrid employee status (common law employee and self-employed at the same time), self-employment taxes, the housing allowance exclusion, common business expenses, and how deductions are handled. For Treasurers, this seminar also tackles clergy compensation (including salary and housing allowance), payroll, and the preparation of information documents. And for Everybody, an overview of the new provisions that will affect most taxpayers: the changes to the personal exemption, standard and itemized deductions, and 529 plans. Led by Rev. Deb Oskin, a local clergy tax expert.

7 Speakers Announced for UMW Assembly 2018 Speakers and workshop leaders have been announced for the United Methodist Women's Assembly 2018, which will be held May in Columbus, OH. Speakers include Michelle Alexander, author of the book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, and climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe. For more information on speakers and workshop leaders, visit For general information on Assembly 2018, or to register, visit Church Revitalization Grant Application Available Online The Revitalization/ Capacity Building Grant Application for the 2019 award year is available through the Office of Missional Church Development. Churches will be able to complete the application online at Churches in any of the eight districts within The West Ohio Conference will have an opportunity to apply for a grant. Funding goes to existing churches in support of their efforts to revitalize their congregations for increased fruitfulness. Emphasis is placed on the missional work that must be done in turning a plateaued or declining church around, or fueling its capacity for fruitfulness. Award recipients will need to be ready to hit the ground running to develop and implement their plans, and to show significant progress by a specified time. The total funding available for the Revitalization/ Capacity Building Grant Awards will be determined by the 2019 WOC budget. The award period is January through December Interested churches are encouraged to submit an application by midnight July 1, Please direct any questions to Kim Anderson at or kanderson@wocumc.org. Heber Brown leads Faith, Food and Flourishing Workshop at MTSO 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 pm through 8 pm 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 theologicalcommons/faith-food-and-flourishing/.

8 Resources Accountability without Control By: Lewis Center for Leadership Lovett H. Weems, Jr., explains that in these times, when church leaders can rely less on structure and hierarchy to undergird their authority, accountability flows from faithfulness to mission, vision, and values, not hierarchical control. Read more Church survey finds drop in sexual harassment Incidents of sexual harassment within The United Methodist Church have decreased for clergy, laity and employees in recent years, but seminary students reported an increase. The survey by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women was concluded before allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein and others snowballed into the #MeToo movement. Linda Bloom has the story. Read story Bishops, agency respond to #MeToo movement W-2 for Pastors The WOC has an excellent resource for you to use when preparing your taxes. Find example clergy W2's, directions according to the IRS, and social security info. Click here Lent 101 By Rev. Penny Ford What is Lent? Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. When is Lent? It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. Learn more Lenten Prayers Lent is a season of the Christian Year where we focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. The same author wrote the prayers within each set, therefore you will experience thematic continuity by praying with a specific set throughout the season. Join us on this prayerful forty-day journey toward the empty tomb with these prayers. Click here

9 Westside UMC is currently seeking applicants for Church Secretary Please download the job description at If interested, please submit your resume with cover letter to: Westside United Methodist Church, Attn: Rev. Joshua Andrews, 604 Gloria Dr., Lima, OH Family Ministry Director Ada First United Methodist Church is seeking a Family Ministry Director. The desired applicant will be a mature, passionate leader who can work with our family ministry team to cast a long-term vision for a Christ-centered, family driven, church supported ministry with children, youth and families. Our hope is to find someone with a desire to reach out in our community to build relationships, encourage intergenerational connections, and equip and empower families to be the primary agents of spiritual formation in the lives of their children and teens. This is a part-time position with hopes of moving toward full-time in the next 1-2 years. A full job description can be found on our website at Interested parties must submit a letter of interest, resume, and three references by February 23, 2018 to Rev. Brandi Rigsby, Ada First UMC, 301 N. Main St., Ada, OH or to: Rigsby@adaumc.org. Youth Director Delphos Trinity United Methodist Church is seeking a Christ-centered leader to join our ministry team as director of youth ministry. The youth ministry director is primarily responsible for connecting youth in grades 6-12 to Christ and the church. This person will disciple youth to be witnesses for Christ in the community and to connect to the larger Body of Christ through the ministries of the local church. Our youth ministry mission statement is Guiding Youth into a God-centered life, nurturing their relationship with Christ, and inspiring them to share God s love with others. A full job description can be found on our website at This is a part-time position but could be combined with other responsibilities for full-time employment. Interested parties must submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three references by February 19, 2018 to: Delphos Trinity UMC, 211 E. Third Street, Delphos OH or to: ericapimpas@gmail.com. Praise Team Leader Delphos Trinity United Methodist Church is seeking a gifted musician who is passionate about worship and can lead others in praising the Lord. This person is primarily responsible for planning and leading the 10:30am contemporary service in conjunction with the senior pastor. They must be a team builder who can draw upon the skills of others to create a praise team. A full job description can be found on our website at This is a part-time position but could be combined with other responsibilities for full-time employment. Interested parties must submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three references by February 19, 2018 to: Delphos Trinity UMC, 211 E. Third Street, Delphos OH or to: ericapimpas@gmail.com.

10 UPWARDS Sports Director Delphos Trinity United Methodist Church is seeking a godly man or woman to lead our sports ministry. Currently, this means organizing and promoting the Upwards basketball and cheerleading programs from October until March. The church has been blessed to have contact with over 160 children and their families every year in this program. We desire to not only invest in their skill development, but also their spiritual development. A full job description can be found on our website at This is a part-time, seasonal position but could be combined with other responsibilities for full-time employment. Interested parties must submit a letter of interest, a resume, and three references by February 19, 2018 to: Delphos Trinity UMC, 211 E. Third Street, Delphos OH or to: ericapimpas@gmail.com. Single Man-Lift For Sale West Independence United Methodist Church has a used JLG one person man lift with a battery operated electric life available for sale. The man lift is not self-propelled. The lift is 26 in height and has four outriggers. The church has acquired a new lift. The lift for sale is operational, but will require some maintenance/repair. To see the lift or ask other questions, contact Building Superintendent, Mike Morris at Do you have news or something interesting to share? Know of anyone who would like to be added to our Weekly Bulletin list? Contact Deb via deblee@wocumc.org or call When ing the district staff, please use the addresses listed below: Rev. Barry Burns, District Superintendent: bburns@wocumc.org Rev. Lynda Lockwood, Assistant to the District Superintendent: llockwood@wocumc.org Debra Lee, Office Administrator: deblee@wocumc.org Kim Tumblin, Financial Secretary: ktumblin@wocumc.org