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. | | Annual Church Conferences | | |
Update: The first 3 weeks of Church Conferences have gone well! The connection that people have had with each other has been wonderful. The missions and ministries that have been shared are encouraging. The music has been full of joy and harmony. The snacks, ice cream at one location, have been plentiful and delicious. We are looking forward to seeing the rest of you on November 16th.
Every fall, as United Methodist congregations, we are called to gather to care for our ad-ministry details at our charge/church conferences. Again, this year, we will hold regional in-person Church Conferences on Sundays in October and November. This is a time for us to gather together for worship, celebration, business, and to give thanks for our greater connection.
As a Church Conference, all members are invited to attend and vote. Be sure to check with your pastor to see when and where your church's charge conference will be held. We would love to have you join us and fill our churches to celebrate and honor our connection.
| | Weston UMC - Christmas Cookies & Crafts | |
The Weston United Methodist Women are hosting a Cookies and Crafts Sunday to raise funds to support their mission agencies which include: Friendly Center, Cherry Street Mission, BG Pregnancy Center, Cocoon Shelter, UM Family Services, Weston Food Pantry, Otsego Christmas Baskets, and Habitat for Humanity.
This annual event will be held Sunday, December 14th from 11:30a.m. - 1:30 p.m. There will be many cookies and vendors to choose from for your shopping or gift buying.
If you are a vendor, they would love to have you join them. There is more information on the flyer below.
Cookie donation/Vendor Information
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Enroll Now for 2026 HealthFlex Coverage -
Enrollment Ends Thursday!
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As the U.S. government shutdown continues, more than 40 million people are expected to lose food assistance benefits beginning Nov. 1.
To address this growing hunger crisis, Global Ministries has established "Feeding our Neighbors," an emergency food grant program for U.S.-based United Methodist congregations with food ministries, pantries and ministry partners.
Learn more and encourage your church to apply now: https://umcmission.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Feeding-Our-Neighbors-Grant-Application-PDF-V1.pdf
| | Archbold UMC is sharing free Thanksgiving Meals | | Archbold UMC is offering a free Thanksgiving dinner to anyone who wants one. These will be individual, prepared meals with either turkey or ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, vegetable, roll and butter, and dessert. People can sign up for as many meals as they need by calling the church at 419-445-5566 no later than Tuesday, November 18. All meals must be reserved in advance and will be available for pickup on Wednesday at the church (401 Ditto St., Archbold) between 4 - 7 p.m. | | Green Church Mini Grants Reopen | | |
Green Church Mini Grants provide limited funding for a church's "green" projects such as recycling or composting programs; native plants for a pollinator garden; an Earth Day event; or installing energy efficient light bulbs. In order to receive funding, churches must sign the Green Church Pledge and complete a sustainability audit (both provided). Each grant will supply $100-$750 for a green project.
Grant applications for 2026 have reopened! Email Mariellyn Grace at mgrace@wocumc.org for the new grant application form.
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Congratulations to the Kang Family!
Congratulations to Peter & Helen Kang on the birth of their daughter, Sammy. Peter is a local pastor and is serving with his family at Hoytville UMC and N Baltimore St James. Sammy was born on September 27 in Bowling Green, and we’re so grateful she’s healthy and doing well.
| Waterville UMC - Operation Christmas Child Hub | | |
This is the time of year that we start thinking about the holidays and that includes Operation Christmas Child. Many of our district churches take part in this wonderful ministry, reaching thousands of kids throughout the world just through our district. Thank you all for your part in this ministry! One of our local churches is a hub for this mission and was just featured in the Toledo Blade. Read below for more:
By MELISSA BURDEN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Christian Kohler, a member of Waterville United Methodist Church, was busy Sunday filling decorated shoeboxes with gifts for a boy he doesn’t know. “I also did this last year,” the 11-year old said. “This time I decided to pack a box for a boy between the ages of 10 to 12. I think I know what they would like.” Dozens of volunteers of all ages took part in the church’s Operation Christmas Child ministry after church.
Run by Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization, the program sends decorated shoeboxes filled with items to children all over the world. Local churches in more than 100 countries hand out the shoebox gifts at festive outreach events.
The Waterville UMC event has been run and organized by Anne Stevens for the last 29 years. “We started collecting shoeboxes in 1997,” Ms. Stevens said. “It began with our classes packing eight boxes. We have been a collection site for NW Ohio, Great Lakes Region since 2012 for National Collection Week, which always is the third week in November.” The congregation packs an average of 200-250 shoeboxes, Ms. Stevens said. Last year they did 294 boxes.
“Shoeboxes come from many churches in the area, as well as individual families and friends,” Ms. Myers said. Once the individual shoeboxes come into the church, volunteers count and pack them into cartons. Once packed, the cartons get stacked, Ms. Myers said.
Pastor Teresa Wenrick said the decades long participation in the program is a testament to the church members and their faith. “People continuing to make boxes is a true representation of everybody giving through the body of Christ,” she said. “Old and young people are helping to pass on the love of Christ.”
Don Sigman, of Maumee, said he has helped pack boxes all 29 years. “I find it important to do,” Mr. Sigman said. “It is always great when you do things for other people. It is important to help people.”
The church is a collection center for other churches in northwest Ohio to drop off their boxes as well, Ms. Myers said.
This year boxes may be dropped off at the church, 7115 Waterville-Monclova Road in Waterville, between Nov. 17-24.
Daily drop off hours are on the church website at watervilleumc.org.
Contact Melissa Burden at mburden@theblade.com.
| | Please send any Celebrations or special ministry stories that you would like to share with the District to Michelle at mrobinson@wocumc.org. | | |
McClure UMC
Baked Steak Supper
The McClure United Methodist Baked Steak Supper season continues on Friday, November 14, serving from 5:00- 6:30. The menu is Baked Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Harvard Beets, Green Beans, Corn, Dinner Rolls, Dessert & Drink, for a donation of $12 or more. Carry outs will be available. The church is located at 430 South East Street in McClure. The phone number is 419-748-8505. Follow this event at https://www.facebook.com/McClureumchurch.
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November Expanding Connection Book Club:
"My Body Is Not a Prayer Request"
November 18 from 7-8:30pm on Zoom
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The November book club gathering will discuss "My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church," a powerful and thought-provoking book by Amy Kenny. Amy is a disabled Christian and advocate for disability justice. In this work, Kenny reflects on her personal experiences within the church to highlight the unintentional ableism often present in Christian communities. She challenges the notion that disabled bodies are inherently broken or in need of fixing, instead emphasizing the sanctity and value of all bodies as reflections of God's image.
The book calls for a reimagining of how churches engage with disability, advocating for a disability-centered approach that celebrates diversity and includes disabled individuals as integral members of the faith community. Kenny's writing is both deeply personal and prophetic, offering a vision of justice, inclusion, and belonging for all.
This book is an essential read for anyone interested in disability advocacy, faith, and creating more inclusive spaces in religious communities.
Please register by clicking here and if you have questions contact Julie Carter at jcarter@wocumc.org.
| | Clergy Spouse Retreat: March 6-8, 2026 | | |
Spouses of clergy, you're in for a treat! Clergy spouses of the East and West Ohio Conferences are busy planning a wonderful weekend of relaxation, fellowship and reflection just for you March 6-8, 2026. The retreat will take place at beautiful Wanake Camp & Retreat Center in Beach City, OH. Blessings will come your way as you take some time to relax and connect with others who share your unique position. More information and registration for the event will be coming soon.
Mark your calendar and plan to take some time away from your busy family and church events early next year.
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North Central Jurisdiction IGNITE! Conference
March 13-15, 2026
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Have you felt a nudge toward ministry? Maybe it’s a gentle whisper… or a strong tug at your heart. However, it shows up, it might just be God calling you! Don't miss this opportunity for discernment, fellowship, education, and support as you explore your call into ministry, March 13-15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
Sponsored by the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, IGNITE is a powerful gathering for anyone exploring a call - lay or clergy. Whether you're just starting to wonder or actively discerning your next steps, this event is created with you in mind.
Click here to learn more and register.
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Lay Servant Ministries is one of the most significant lay leadership development programs available within the United Methodist connection. Through this equipping and empowering system, lay servants have the opportunity to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ who then go and make other disciples.
Check out the new classes that have been added to the schedule. Most are offered online via Zoom unless indicated. Click each link to learn more and sign up:
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Seeking Pianist/Organist - Rossford UMC is seeking an experienced pianist/organist for Tuesday evening choir practices and Sunday worship services. Outside contractor to be paid per performance. Job sharing possible. Call 419-262-9472 (Kathy) or submit CV/resume to Rossford UMC, 270 Dixie Highway, Rossford, OH 43460
FREE Pianos - McClure United Methodist Church is seeking a new home for two upright pianos. One of them (the darker finished) is made by Everett, and the other is a Schilling, made in Oregon, Illinois. Anyone desiring one, or both, of them, will have to move them. They are available free of charge. If you are interested, please call 419-748-8505.
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| | 2025 Family Advent Resources Available! | | |
With Advent right around the corner, we wanted to let you know that the 2025 Ohio Episcopal Area Family Advent Resources are ready and live on the West Ohio Conference website. These resources are designed to be intergenerational and help foster faith-filled conversations and Spirit-lead actions throughout the season. This means there are no age limits on who can utilize them!
The 2025 Family Advent Resources includes: a printable pdf Advent calendar, a printable pdf daily family devotional, and downloadable social media graphics that correlate with the daily devotional. All resources are available in both English and Spanish and were developed utilizing the lectionary resources from Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
As you journey towards Christmas this year, may you remember that you are not alone in the waiting and that we often experience God’s love through our relationships with others. If you have questions about these resources, contact Rev. Ann Marie Carley, Director of Engagement with Children, Youth, and Young Adults for the Ohio Episcopal Area (amcarley@wocumc.org)
| | The Maumee River District Office is open from 9:00am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday. The office may be 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. | | If you'd like to submit an article, event, or classified ad to be featured in the Maumee River District E-Newsletter, please use the submission form found by clicking here or go to the News & Events section of our website. Each submission will run for (up to) 3 weeks. If you require more than 3 weeks, your article will need to be re-submitted. Please make your submissions each week by no later than 12 noon on Wednesday. Thank you! | | Maumee River District | 419.897.9770 | www.westohioumc.org/maumeeriver | | | | |
