Below you'll find upcoming events, helpful information, and mission highlights for the West Ohio Conference and Maumee River District. Please visit our website using the link below for additional resources and info.

HealthFlex Annual Open Enrollment

Ends Thursday 11/14 at midnight!

Active clergy, if you are on the West Ohio Conference health insurance plan, it will soon be time to sign up for your individualized planfor 2025. HealthFlex offers more healthcare options, expanded health savings account (HSA, HRA, Flexible Spending, and Dependent Care) choices, and premium credit to support your healthcare elections. There are no significant changes coming so this year's enrollment process should go smoothly. In addition, if you are an active clergy who has chosen NOT to participate in the plan, you will need to complete a new waiver for the upcoming year.

For helpful resources, meeting dates, forms and more: click here.

Maumee River District Grant Requests

 - due Friday!

As a district, we seek to come alongside local churches and related ministry organizations in their mission to make disciples and reach people with the hope and grace of Jesus. The District Board of Directors will be accepting grant requests through November 15th to be able to partner financially and prayerfully with these churches/organizations for their mission. Please select the appropriate grant application, complete the document, and return it to Michelle at the district office at mrobinson@wocumc.org before November 15th to be considered for a district grant. Please reach out to Michelle with any questions.

Ministry Grant Application

Trustee Grant Application

Information for Ministry Grants

Information for Trustee Grants

Connect-A-Round Table: Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction is an interpersonal relationship in which we learn how to grow, live, and love in the spiritual life. Who are Spiritual Directors? What does Spiritual Direction mean for me? 

Want to learn more? Join Linda Young and others to learn more about Spiritual Direction. Bring your dinner and questions to our zoom gathering on Tuesday, November 19, at 5:30pm. You can expect some really good conversation! Register here.

If you have questions, contact Julie Carter at jcarter@wocumc.org.

MissionInsite is the program used to create demographic reports for our churches, districts and conference. They have made some updates and we, as a conference, are part of the Early Adopters program and will test it before it is made public to others. The log in is slightly different. Your username is the same, but your password will need to be reset. Please see the links below for a Step-by-step user guide for logging in to MissionInsite. The changes will take effect November 1 - 4. Please contact Terri McClain at tmcclain@wocumc.org in the Office of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings if you have any questions or have trouble logging in.

MI User Guide

MI User Login

Leadership Training 2025

Save the Date! Registration is coming soon.

Plan to join us on Zoom if you’ll be serving on Finance, S/PPRC or Trustees, or to explore the One Board Leadership Model.  

These one-hour training sessions are for new and seasoned leaders. They will help you understand the duties and responsibilities of Finance, S/PPRC, Trustees, and the One Board Leadership Model, respectively. Each session will include time for Q&A so you can serve effectively in your role.

Save the Date for the Live sessions on Zoom:

• Finance: Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025
• S/PPRC: Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025
• Trustees: Friday, Jan 31, 2025
• One Board Leadership Model: Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025

Please Note:

• All sessions will take place on Zoom from 10:30 - 11:30 am on the designated date.
• Please register if you can attend live OR if you’d like to receive access to the recording.
• Each session will last one hour. 
• No in-person Leadership Training Day will take place in early 2025.
• All sessions will be recorded and available on the West Ohio Conference Learning Platform.

Mission Help for Cuba

Rev. Melissa Steinecker is going to Cuba with LaSenda De Antigua with Kevin Job. These last few months have been very hard on them, with weeks of no electricity and bad weather. There is a list of needs that they are collecting and packing for the trip by December 1st.  The links below go directly to an Amazon wish list and all you have to do is click and it will send it directly to the office address. Please reach out to Rev. Steinecker at 419-280-5433 if you have any questions.

APM Winter 2024-25 Needs List

APM Medicine & Personal Care Needs

Toledo St. Paul's Clothing Need

St. Paul’s UMC is in great need of men’s clothing (ALL types of clothing). This need is ALWAYS there. We accept donations Monday 11a-1p, Tuesday (by appointment only), Wednesday 11a-1p, Thursday 11a-1p, Friday 12-1p. If questions or need arraignments, please call the church (419) 243-8284. We are located at 1201 Madison Ave., Toledo, OH 43604. Thank you in advance for your support.

Unity UMC - Anything Sale

November 15-16

Unity UMC is having an Anything Sale. There will be Christmas items, Crafts, and many Miscellaneous Items. Stop by and have lunch while you shop. Visit the Bake Sale for dessert.

Printable Flyer

November 15-16th 9am-4pm

Unity UMC

1910 E. Broadway, Toledo, OH

Join Us for the Fall Youth Gathering on November 15th!

We are excited to announce that Powell United Methodist Church will be hosting a Fall Youth Gathering on Friday, November 15th, from 6:00-9:30 PM. This event is open to youth across our district and conference, providing a night of food, games, worship, small groups, and a youth panel. Our featured speaker will be Rev. Amy Aspey, who will share a powerful message for our youth.

Please help us spread the word and encourage youth from your churches to register for this impactful gathering. We look forward to welcoming young people from all over the conference as they come together for a night of faith and fellowship.

Registration is open now at the link below: https://powell.breezechms.com/form/915d5e104267

Upcoming youth gatherings will also take place on February 7th and May 9th, so please keep these dates in mind

Join Bishop Jung for an All-Ohio Day of Thanksgiving & Unity on November 23rd

Bishop Jung invites all Ohio United Methodists to join together for an inspiring day of prayer, worship, and learning on Saturday, November 23. With the theme "Hearts Strangely Warmed,” the day will begin at 10am at Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High St, in Worthington and will conclude by 3:30pm.

The guest speaker for the day is Rev. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote, an award-winning author, Methodist historian, and renowned scholar in Wesleyan theology and Christian discipleship. His theme for our day together is “A Hope-filled United Methodist Future: A Rediscovered Deep Connection and A Refreshed Wesleyan Vision.”

The cost is $10 and includes lunch. Read more and register here.

West Ohio Conference

Family Advent Resources Available

The Emerging Generations Ministry Team is excited to release the 2024 Family Advent Resources. If your congregation is looking for a fun way to engage families throughout Advent, simply click on this link: Family Advent Resources and download the advent calendar. This year’s calendar follows the lectionary texts and utilizes the UM Discipleship graphics. Social media posts will also be available. Contact Ann Marie Carley to learn more.

2025 Virtual Laity Discernment Retreats

Do you feel God's call on your life but are uncertain how to discern that call or what to do next? If so, then this is the Retreat for you! At the Laity Discernment Retreats, we will talk about call, discernment and what it means to be "called by our baptism." We will learn ways to intentionally enter into a time of prayer about discernment and we will discover Spiritual Rhythms that can help guide our journey. We will also discuss the variety of ways Laity can serve both in our churches and in our communities.

In 2025, the virtual laity discernment retreat will consist of two, two-hour ZOOM sessions, followed 6 weeks later by a two-hour ZOOM debriefing. In the 6 weeks between sessions, there will be opportunities to read, reflect, and practice Spiritual Rhythms that will lead you to a better understanding of your own call.

"I would recommend a Laity Discernment Retreat to someone who is searching or has questions about how they can serve their community or their church. It can help guide them through the process, provide resources and help provide a sense of peace about what they can be doing right now." -Twila Boyd, 2019 participant

Dates (please plan to attend all 3 sessions):

• Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
• Register Now!

For more information, contact Kim LaRue at kimlarue@powellumc.org. 

Apportionment E-Statements Update!

We previously announced that The Conference is now offering apportionment statements by e-mail and wanted to share additional information as well as some minor changes. Please carefully read the following: (changes are shown in red.)

      To register:

1.   If a treasurer relationship is not listed for your church at westohioumc.org, please reach out to your district administrator to set one up. This is needed to receive e-statements. Registration and appropriate permissions are required as well, which your district administrator can also assist you with. 

2.   Once step 1 is complete, Go to “MyChurch” in the upper righthand corner > Choose “Apportionments” from the red menu > Choose “Apportionment Statements.”

    Once registered for e-statements:

• Paper statements are no longer sent to your church by mail.
• Treasurers will automatically receive statements by email. 
• To add additional emails to the distribution list, such as your pastor or accounting firm, please email Rhonda Tyree at rtyree@wocumc.org.

·      This service is optional. If you prefer mailed statements, you do not need to do anything at this time.

·      Please e-mail any questions concerning e-statements to rtyree@wocumc.org. 

The New Zenler Platform

The West Ohio Conference provides an on-demand learning platform for local church leaders to engage in training to help them lead successfully. The New Zenler platform includes courses on pastoral transitions and Leadership Labs for justice involved ministries. 

LEARN MORE

New Clergy Financial Wellness Resource Guide

Financial issues can be a serious problem for clergy at all phases of their ministry and can adversely impact their effectiveness, health, and spiritual well-being. The United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio has partnered with the WOC Office of Ministry, the Office of Benefits & HR, Communications and Wespath to create a new resource guide that is meant to be a comprehensive source of information on the many resources available to assist clergy with their financial health. The guide can be accessed online here or can be requested from the Foundation or District offices.

Rev. Richard (Dick) A. Donnenwirth

Rev. Dr. Thomas Sagendorf

Rev. Theodore L. Yewey

Rev. Linda Scott

Ney United Methodist Church - Free keyboard: Ney has a free Yamaha Electone organ with 2 external speakers and bench included that we would like to see go to a good home. If you, or anyone you know in the area, are looking for one please reach out to Pastor Brianna at (419-203-5186) so you can arrange pickup!

Maumee United Methodist Church - Nursery Caregiver: Maumee UMC is hiring caring and dedicated staff members for our church nursery! If you have a heart for working with children and a passion for creating a safe, loving environment, we would love to hear from you.

Position Requirements:

-Commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, and faith-centered environment.

-Reliability and a strong sense of responsibility.

-Availability on Sunday mornings and Wednesday Evenings.

If you or someone you know would be a great fit, please reach out to Danielle at dsillery@maumeeumc.net. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of our little ones!

Messiah Lutheran Church (Toledo, Ohio) - church musician. Messiah Lutheran Church is looking for a church musician. This position requires the following abilities:

· To read sheet music.

· To play the organ and or piano.

· To provide appropriate music for a traditional Lutheran worship service along with the flexibility to incorporate contemporary worship music.

· To be willing to work alongside of the pastor and cantor.

· To be willing to work with a future seasonal choir.

· Be available for weekly Sunday morning service and special services.

The interested candidate should contact Pastor Mark Kuhlman at pastormarkmessiahelcatoledo@gmail.com to schedule an interview and audition.

The Maumee River District Office is open from 9:00am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday. The office is closed on Fridays, but Michelle will still be working from home and available by phone and email. Office appointments can be scheduled on Fridays if needed.