Western Reserve District Newsletter

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Jemimah Osborne
5 years ago
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He was a little squirmy as youngsters will be but was primarily focused on his children s bulletin.

1 Western Reserve District Newsletter April/May 2017 District Superintendent Administrative Assistant Office Hours Sondra Snode Jerri Shultz Mon Thurs 9:00-4:00 Friday closed During a recent worship experience I happened to be sitting next to a mother and her young son. He was a little squirmy as youngsters will be but was primarily focused on his children s bulletin. As prayer time unfolded he crawled into his mother s arms and as we recited The Lord s Prayer together that little boy helped lead me into worship. Words uttered loud and clear in harmony with his mother s voice and the chorus of a community of faith. It was a Spirit-filled moment. God is alive and at work among us. This past weekend I spent a little time with our district youth at their winter retreat. Their theme centered on Heroes of the Faith, with retelling of stories and small group discussions. During the time of praise and worship they sang with gusto. I mean don t-hold-back belt-it-out enthusiasm. During Jesus Freak I had to videotape the chorus so I could have it to replay for my own benefit. There ain t no disguising the truth. It was a Spirit-filled moment. God is alive and at work among us. We are often driven by routine and rituals, even during holy seasons of the year. We recite prayers, we sing songs, we eat fish on Fridays, we give up things for 40 days and then, we return to life as usual. It seems that even in our usual life the unusual can become rote and too usual. How do we awaken from our lethargy, apathy, routineness, and experience an alive and at work God? How can we move beyond differences, conflict, and change to experience the grace and power of God? We journey to Easter s tomb. Early on the first day of the week the women journeyed to the tomb to do the routine --- and in the midst of what they knew needed done the Living Lord appeared. History changed. Life grew out of death! Hope was born out of despair! Joy emerged in the midst of mourning! Faith was born as fear was conquered! They could not return to their routines apart from the transforming presence of Jesus, an alive and at work God! There is no place for apathy or lethargy in the Church when a Living Lord is being worshiped, celebrated, sought after, and served. Oh, we have disagreements; we experience pain and heartache; we face uncertainties. We do methodical, routine things like worship and study and pray. But we, clergy and lay alike, cannot allow life or ministry to be driven by anything other than all-consuming passionate belief in a living, at work Lord. We must constantly find ways to bust out of our routines and experience Jesus. He is ALIVE and AT WORK AMONG US! Easter is the foundation of who we are every day, everywhere. I assert that the world needs a few more Jesus freaks those who are bold enough and brave enough to follow Jesus all the way. through denial and betrayal, through sacrifice and death... through routine prayers and musical offerings as well as risk-taking new endeavors through all of ministry s and life s changes. to discover God alive and at work among us. May you experience Jesus and share him with the world! Sondra

DISTRICT CAMPERSHIP Western Reserve District Campership Applications have been seen to all churches. Completed applications are due in the District Office by April 28 th, 2017.

2 DISTRICT CAMPERSHIP Western Reserve District Campership Applications have been seen to all churches. Completed applications are due in the District Office by April 28 th, Vera Rebrovich Hired as Director of EOC Financial and Administrative Services Vera Rebrovich is the new director of Financial and Administrative Services for the East Ohio Conference, effective April 1. She has extensive finance, accounting, and management experience, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Ohio. Vera brings a strong accounting background and more than 20 years of experience as a financial manager and analyst with major firms in our area, said the Rev. David Palmer, Council on Finance and Administration chairperson. I m very happy to be joining the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. I attended Rittman UMC growing up and have many happy memories of Sunday school, youth group, and summer camp at Camp Wanake, Rebrovich said. She succeeds Jessica Vargo in the re-titled position.

Lisa Withrow from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Dr. Withrow will focus on healthy conflict.

3 SPRING CONFERENCE Pre-registration not necessary for Spring Conference. April 22 (9am-12:30) District Conference & Leadership Mayfield UMC (registration is from 8:30am-9am) Following our annual district business session, our morning will be guided by Rev. Dr. Lisa Withrow from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Dr. Withrow will focus on healthy conflict. This learning opportunity will benefit all people as we seek to live in a diverse society, changing culture, as well as within family structures and churches. Conflict is beneficial when managed in a healthy way. (1 3 p.m.) The afternoon will focus on SPRC committees. ALL SPRC chairs are expected to attend, but all committee members are welcome. We will review the role of the SPRC, important elements of our United Methodist polity, and address common questions and misunderstandings of pastoral appointments. Please RSVP to Jerri at the District Office for the meeting by April 13 th. Lunch will be provided for SPRC attendees. Lisa Withrow is an ordained Elder in The East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, and has served 3 churches, including one in Scotland. She currently is Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Christian Leadership at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She has published 5 books, and consults with theological schools, non-profit organizations, churches, and judicatories on conflict management, innovation, and leadership development. Conflict is inevitable, yet seems to be one of the most anxiety-inducing ways of being in relationship. Conflict can also feel "stuck" when it exists for long periods of time. There is a way out. Learn about conflict styles, self-regulation during conflict, and ways to move forward through difficult conversations that can lead to new horizons, health, and a sense of relationship-building.

Curriculum Swap At the Spring District Meeting (April 22 nd at Mayfield) Bring your no-longer-used curriculum (adult, teen,

Come early for the best selection! For more Information: Pastor Jan @ jan@mayfieldchurch.org.

5 cents per mile for business miles driven; 17 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile in

Other Important Dates April 4,5,6,25,26 and 27 Sondra will be in CABINET April 22 nd Spring District Conference @ Mayfield

4 Curriculum Swap At the Spring District Meeting (April 22 nd at Mayfield) Bring your no-longer-used curriculum (adult, teen, kids) to swap for items you can use. We ll have tables set up in the Gathering Space for the curriculum. Come early for the best selection! For more Information: Pastor jan@mayfieldchurch.org. Mileage Reimbursement Rate The mileage rate for 2017 has been set at 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven; 17 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile in service of charitable organizations Audits were due to the District Office and the Conference Office by March 31 st. Other Important Dates April 4,5,6,25,26 and 27 Sondra will be in CABINET April 22 nd Spring District Mayfield UMC May 8 & 9 Administrative Assistant Retreat (Jerri out of office) May 8, 9 and 10 Sondra will be in CABINET May 11 th Spring Clergy Middlefield 10am-12noon May 15 th thru 18 th Jerri on Vacation May 30 & 31 Sondra will be in CABINET

April May Happy Birthday 1 Jack Childers/Kathy Thomas 2 Christine Germaine 7 Matthew Williamson 13

23 Jan Yandell 25 Allen Frantz/Samara Jenkins 27 Jill Scott 30 Michele Hockran 7 Patti Baker 11

Happy Anniversary 8 Jack & Lynn Childers 18 Scott & Janice Walsh 9 Chuck & Jeanna Oplinger 16

Committees/Chairs Committee Chairs have been sent the Annual Assessment and Action Plan Summary

5 April May Happy Birthday 1 Jack Childers/Kathy Thomas 2 Christine Germaine 7 Matthew Williamson 13 Hazel Partington 15 Diane Casavecchia 16 Ric Harvel 18 Loren Gisselbeck/Cindy Harvel Scott Wilson 23 Jan Yandell 25 Allen Frantz/Samara Jenkins 27 Jill Scott 30 Michele Hockran 7 Patti Baker 11 Bige Combs 13 Aletta Burkholder 17 Gordon Ferguson 19 David Partington 25 Bud Brooker April May Happy Anniversary 8 Jack & Lynn Childers 18 Scott & Janice Walsh 9 Chuck & Jeanna Oplinger 16 Antwone & Samara Jenkins 17 Josh & Dede Elliott 26 Fred & Jane Bell Attention SPRC Committees/Chairs Committee Chairs have been sent the Annual Assessment and Action Plan Summary Form. This form is to be completed in partnership with your pastor, and must be returned to the District Superintendent by May 1, 2017.

EAST OHIO CONFERENCE LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Applications for the 2017-2018 School year are available on the EOC website: www.eocumc.com/scholarships Please watch for deadline dates.

6 EAST OHIO CONFERENCE LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS Applications for the School year are available on the EOC website: Please watch for deadline dates Annual Conference Annual Conference will be held at Lakeside from June Ushers this year (10 of them) will be 2 from Chardon UMC, 2 from Colebrook UMC, 2 from Hope Ridge UMC, 2 from Cortland, 2 from Dorset. Incorrect information was in the Feb/March Newsletter. Wednesday, June 14, 9:00-11 am Clergy Spouse Breakfast and Fellowship Wesley Lodge, Lakeside New Menu for Breakfast: scrambled eggs, meat, biscuits, danish, muffins, whole fruit, dry cereal, yogurt, orange juice, milk, coffee and tea. Marketplace Shopping: During breakfast and after short greeting and singing time! The Marketplace: For every clergy spouse who loves to craft, sew, and bake, we invite you to bring your items to sell. Tables will encircle our venue so don t delay reserving a space. Ten tables/spaces will be available. Contact Elsa Court at elsacourt@twc.com or by calling For those who reserve a table, setup begins at 8:30 a.m. Deadline for a table reservation is June 1. Sponsored by the East Ohio Conference, District Offices, and Cabinet Spouses.

YOUTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE Hello Youth Leaders... Youth Annual Conference is right around the corner. We have an amazing weekend planned for your group!

So, be sure to get the word out to your students asap and get your group registered HERE: http://www.eocumc.

We don t have to worry so much about the traffic and it s a lot smoother than most of the roads around here.

7 YOUTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE Hello Youth Leaders... Youth Annual Conference is right around the corner. We have an amazing weekend planned for your group! Amazing worship, service projects and great times of fellowship will all be a part of the weekend at Lakeside. Next week, April 4th is the last day for Early Bird Registration. So, be sure to get the word out to your students asap and get your group registered HERE: Dear Friends and Family We have a great bike trail (Greenway) right here in our Western Reserve District/East Ohio Conference. We don t have to worry so much about the traffic and it s a lot smoother than most of the roads around here. The Pedaling Parsons will be riding the trail and some side roads for their summer 2017 ride, July They will start in Lisbon, Oh, on Monday morning, do a turnaround at Presque Isle Park, in Erie, Pa, midweek and return to Lisbon on Friday for a 275 mile ride. You can do the entire ride or just hook up with us for a day or so. We will be staying in our UM Churches and the ride is fully supported. We haven t finalized our Mission Project for the year, but it will be related to the drug addiction and overdose issues plaguing our area. Contact Jim George for more info. Ride: Lisbon, Oh to Presque Isle, Erie, Pa and return. When: July Project: (Something to help with the drug epidemic in our area) Fund Raising: Each rider seeks pledges for doing the ride Cost: $150 per rider (family discounts) to cover food and gas. Contact: Jim George, ; jimgeorge004@gmail.com

8 REACHING NEW PEOPLE from March 17th and 18th

Western Reserve District Newsletter

Western Reserve District Newsletter District Superintendent Rev Sondra Snode Administrative Assistant Jerri Shultz sondra@wrdistrict.org jerri@wrdistrict.org 71 North Park Place Painesville, OH 44077 April/May