Weekly Updates         February 5, 2016
You will find the District Calender, Classified Ads, and How to Contact Us

Greetings Dear Ones in Christ,
 
Jesus encouraged his followers to pray constantly (see Luke 18:1). We have another glorious opportunity to uphold the church with our prayers. The Council of Bishops has called every Annual Conference to take a day (one 24 hour period) to bathe the upcoming General Conference in prayer. On January 1 these 24 hour conference prayer vigils began. They will continue for the 131 days leading up to the start of the General Conference. The day assigned to West Ohio is February 22 starting at midnight and ending at 11:59 PM. This is an opportunity for every West Ohioan to get into the action.
 
Please click this link and you will be able to sign up for the time(s) that you are willing to commit to be intentionally in prayer for the General Conference. The slots are in 15 minute increments. Feel free to sign up for more than one slot. You will also be able to see who else is praying during the same time. My hope and prayer is to have every time slot covered by one or more of us here in West Ohio. Remember there is no limit to the number of people who can commit to the same time slot. You will note links to resources and an opportunity to share your heartfelt prayers.
 
Thanks in advance for deepening the West Ohio commitment to be a people of prayer. Blessings and Peace in Christ Jesus.
 
+Gregory V. Palmer
Resident Bishop, Ohio West Area 
 
Capitol Area North District Presents
Spring 2016 Advanced Lay Servant Course 
  "Leading Healthy Small Groups"
   
Friday March 4, 2016 - 6:30-10:00 pm
and Saturday, March 5, 2016 - 11:00 am-5:00 pm
 
Lewis Center UMC (CAN District)
1081 Lewis Center Road, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035   


The March 23 Franklin County Opiate Crisis Summit is offering a free session for clergy to learn about the heroin epidemic in Franklin County and to explore possibilities for faith based engagement in prevention and intervention. This epidemic crosses all demographic groups and heroin deaths now exceed auto accidents as the leading cause of accidental death. If you would like to learn more, please email The Rev. Nancy Day-Achauer at [email protected] for an invite to the summit. 
T he From Homeless to Home campaign will fund a transformational new model that's the first of its kind in the country. It is a comprehensive, collaborative plan to aggressively address homelessness with a focus on housing as the solution. It will move single adults more quickly into stable housing, stop repeat homelessness, and add capacity to make sure everyone who needs shelter is able to get it. It also added a second family shelter to right-size capacity and significant additional resources focused on housing to address the exponential growth in homelessness among families over the past few years.

It takes strong community support to make this happen, and we want to thank the churches in the Capitol Area North and South Districts for your commitment to basic needs in central Ohio.
 
Here is a flier for your congregation to use to plan your campaign.  In addition, we have created this  video, which you may also want to use.
 
See this flier that explains the different volunteer opportunities. We are in need of volunteers to serve meals every day of the week. It would be wonderful to have this information shared with your congregation as well.
 
Thank you again for everything you are doing in our community. 
Charity Eilerman,  Volunteer Coordinator - 
Van Buren Center,  595 Van Buren Drive,  Columbus, OH 43223
614-715-2030 x211
Part Two: Exploring Scripture
  Sunday, February 28, 2016 -  4:00 pm  to  6:30 pm
In September, 2015, over 900 laity and clergy participated in a Circles of Grace conversation focused on human sexuality in The United Methodist Church. The feedback indicated a desire to continue the dialogue and explore how the Bible can inform our conversations.
 
We are excited to announce Circles of Grace Part 2: Exploring Scripture. The evening will be an opportunity to participate in small group conversation with your sisters and brothers in Christ and to hear from two of our West Ohio elders as they explore scripture. 
Certified Lay Ministry:  Explore Your Call to Leadership
 
Is God calling you? Do you desire to know how the Certified Lay Ministry Academy will further equip you for ministry?  Join us at one of these regional informational events.  Listen to personal call stories from CLMs serving across West Ohio. Learn about NEWLY designed CLMA, curriculum and course instructors, class schedule, fees, steps to certification and possible District Superintendent assignments.
 
Certified Lay Ministry Academy is recommended for paid and unpaid laity, certified lay servants, and lay speakers and is sponsored by the West Ohio Conference Lay Servant Ministries Committee and Certified Lay Ministry Task Force.
 
The upcoming info sessions are being offered:
Saturday, February 13th from 10 am to 12 pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Waverly, Ohio
Thursday, February 18th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Forest Park United Methodist Church in Lima, Ohio
Saturday, February 27th from 10 am to 12 pm at First United Methodist Church in Marysville, Ohio
Saturday, March 5th from 9:30 to 11:30 am at First United Methodist Church in Athens, Ohio
Saturday, March 12th from 9 to 11 am at Maumee Watershed District Office in Maumee, Ohio
Saturday, March 12th from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Crossroads Ministry Events Center in Lancaster, Ohio
Saturday, April 16th from 10 am to 12 pm at Hartzell United Methodist Church in Blue Ash, Ohio
 
Registration is open at www.westohioumc.org and click on "Register for Events"
Or contact Dr. Barbara Lee at 419-738-340, bjcwapak@brightnet
 
The next academy class will launch in September 2016. Applications are available at:  www.westohioumc.org/clm

What Athletes and Musicians Have to Teach New Pastors... And Some More Seasoned Pastors
By Carl Ellis | January 29, 2016

I believe that athletes and musicians have something to teach pastors when it comes to the craft of preaching and leading the local church.  First, they all get ready by warming up. If you arrive early to a baseball, football, basketball, or any athletic event, you will notice that the athletes warm up. They do stretching, running, and go through drills that they have gone through thousands of times before. If you arrive early at a concert, symphony, or recital you will notice that musicians are warming up. Just like they did thousands of times before they are running through musical scales to limber up their fingers or their vocal chords.     Read more.....
Saturday, February 27, 2016
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Armstrong Chapel UMC
5125 Drake Road, Cincinnati, 45243
At Super Charge 2016, you're going to experience what it is like Playing for an Undefeated Coach. You'll hear from men who are playing for this coach, Jesus Christ, right now.  They'll share with you the secret to winning life.
You can learn more about speakers and  Register Here




You're Invited!

  • What? An educational and inspirational WALK experience focusing on helping adults and children of all ages to better understand poverty and homelessness in Appalachian Ohio.
  • When? Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.
  • Where? The WALK starts and ends at First United Methodist Church, 2 South College St., Athens, OH. See the map
  • Why? To raise money for the Good Works Timothy House, the only shelter assisting people who experience homelessness in 8 rural southeast Ohio counties.
  • How?  Through the participation and donations of people like YOU!, together, we can provide tangible hope and support to people who are feeling hopeless and in need of shelter. Can you help by spreading the word?
Learn More about the 14th Annual Good Works Walk.   
Please share these updates with others in your congregation!

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