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 2 weeks of Church Conferences have gone well! The connection that people have had with each other has been wonderful. 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 2nd or 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.
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Maumee River District Grants -
Friday is deadline to submit request!
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Next Tuesday, November 4, our speaker for Frankly Speaking will be Erin. Erin lives in the Dayton area and will be sharing with us her experience and knowledge around events at the Montgomery County jail located in Dayton. Over the past several years the jail has had issues with deaths of inmates, mental health issues for those serving sentences in the jail, maintenance issues and lawsuits. Erin has been a part of these issues with firsthand experience. We hope you will join us and learn from Erin. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on November 4.
Zoom link: https://wocumc.zoom.us/j/86240001092
| | Maumee Valley Gleaners Reorganizing | | |
The Maumee Valley Gleaners are moving forward in creating a 501(c)3 organization. We are looking for people throughout the district who would like to serve as volunteers at events or become Board Members. Board Members meet quarterly to guide the mission of the organization, which is to recover surplus food from farmers or distributors and deliver it to food banks in Northwest Ohio. Year to date in 2025, with a small group of dedicated volunteers, we have delivered over 200,000 pounds of fresh produce to several food banks in NW Ohio.
Contact Bruce Robinson with any questions at bruce.homerepair@gmail.com
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Day of Thanksgiving and Unity
November 15, Roscoe UMC, Coshocton
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You are invited to join laity and clergy from across Ohio to celebrate the second annual Day of Thanksgiving & Unity on Saturday, November 15 from 9:30am-3pm at Roscoe UMC.
The theme for our time together will be “Christ Holds All the Parts Together” grounded in the words from Ephesians 2:21-22. Bishop Lanette L. Plambeck, resident bishop of the Minnesota Conference and the Dakotas Conference, will preach and lead a one-hour plenary in the morning. Rev. Dr. Beth Stroud, assistant professor of History at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, will present in the afternoon. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will preach the closing worship service.
The cost for the event is just $10, which includes lunch. Click here to learn more and register by the deadline of November 7.
| | 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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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.
| | 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)
| | Fall 2025 UMCOR Kit Collection Begins | |
After spring storms and summer flooding and tornadoes, Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC) needs our help replenishing their stock of hygiene and home care kits. From October 13-November 10, these kits - as well as other supplies - can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Hocking River District Office (Southeast)
47 Johnson Rd, The Plains, OH
Drop-off hours: typically Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3:30pm - but call first!
Contact Barbara Conover at 740-677-0136 or hockingriver@wocumc.org for questions
- Lima Trinity United Methodist Church (West/Northwest)
301 W Market St, Lima, OH
Drop-off hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00am-3:00pm
Contact Rev. Jim Nathan at 419-591-8148 for questions or to make other arrangements
- Maumee River District Office (Northwest)
1729 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, OH
Drop-off hours: Mon-Thurs, 9:00am-4:30pm
Contact Michelle Robinson at 419-897-9770 or maumeeriver@wocumc.org for questions
- Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church (Southwest)
681 Mt Moriah Dr, Cincinnati, OH
Contact Clark Van Scyoc at 513-290-2294 for drop-off information
- Scioto River District Office (South)
260 Mill Street, Chillicothe, OH
Drop-off hours: Mon-Weds, 9:00am-4:00pm
Contact Diana Hall at 740-851-5243 for questions
- West Ohio Conference Center (Central)
32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, OH
Drop-off hours: Mon & Weds, 10:00am-4:00pm
Contact Mariellyn Grace at 380-223-9212 or mgrace@wocumc.org for more information or questions.
Click here for instructions on how to make UMCOR Cleaning & Hygiene kits. MMDC also accepts these simpler Home Care Kits. Additionally, the supplies on this list are needed by MMDC.
| | District Churches Partner Together in Mission | | |
Between July 20th and July 24th, 24 individuals led by Rev. Christine Case (Bryan Wesley Associate), and representing Bryan Wesley, McClure, and Weston, travelled to Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Pawnee, Illinois to participate in their impactful ministry. This was the first mission trip joining together the efforts of the congregations. While in Pawnee, members of the team assembled Meal kits, Personal Dignity kits, and helped assemble and finish desks. Throughout the week, young people and adults who were formerly strangers became friends through partnering in prayer, lodging and working together. Pastor Charles Case (McClure/Weston) recollects, "It is a wonderful experience, with an opportunity for everyone to be a part of world transforming work."
| | Please send any Celebrations or special ministry stories that you would like to share with the District. | | Craft Fair - Bowling Green Trinity | | |
Trinity United Methodist Church is having a Craft Fair. Stop by for some early Christmas shopping or a little something for yourself!
When: Saturday, November 1, 2025 - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 2, 2025 – after church
Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, 200 N. Summit St., Bowling Green, OH 43402
Please contact the church office at 419-353-9031 with any questions. The office is open Monday – Friday, 9 am to 12 pm.
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Maumee River District
United Women in Faith
2025 Fall Annual Day
The Maumee River District United Women of Faith will be meeting on Saturday, November 8th for their Fall Annual Day. They would love for you to join them at St Marks United Methodist Church (location change), 800 S Main St, Findlay, Ohio. They are collecting travel size personal hygiene items for the Howard Church Outreach. Registration ends November 3rd.
Registration Form
September Newsletter
| | Early Response Team training – Nov. 8 | | |
The eight hour basic class ERT training will teach you how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. You will learn how to provide a Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property; this may include tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene. The recertification class will end around 1:00pm and is only for those who have completed the basic course and are within one year of the date their badge expired. Cost is $40 for the basic class; $35 for recertification.
For more information or to register, CLICK HERE
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Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Join Foundation Program Manager, Maddy DeWitt, on November 11th at 6:00PM over zoom as she helps unravel the mystery of planned giving for your congregation. All churches and individual members are welcome to join this legacy giving presentation. To access the zoom link, click the link on the graphic, or click here: Join Zoom Meeting.
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FREE Whiteboards - The Church of St. Andrew on Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo has two wall mounted whiteboards that they will give to any church in the district that can use them. They measure about 5’ wide and 4’ high. Contact Paul Wood for details.
Home: 419-865-1934
Mobile: 419-356-9002
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Free Discipleship Resource for Pastors
along with Family Devotionals
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Pastor Jennifer E. Miller has written a devotional series for adults and children where each week’s readings connect directly to Sunday’s sermon, helping congregations keep engaging the message all week long.
She’s offering her full one-year sermon and scripture plan, sermon notes, liturgy, song suggestions, and graphics for any pastor to use. Email pastorjennifermiller@outlook.com to receive the resources.
The devotionals can then be purchased from Pastor Jennifer or online at Amazon. Profits will go to purchasing devotionals for foster kids, Lifewise kids, and other kids in need in Northwest Ohio. If purchased on Amazon every 3 books purchased will provide 1 book and if purchased directly from the author every book sold is enough to buy 1 book for a child in need!
These devotionals can be used by families without following the sermon series and can be started anytime of the year.
| | Free Tools For Church Leaders | | |
Running the day-to-day administration of a local church or ministry often stretches both time and budget. Thankfully, there are several high-quality free ministry (or nonprofit-discounted) tools available to help ministry leaders with design, accounting, presentations, communication, and overall administration. The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has roundup of some of the most useful tools that can help your ministry run more smoothly. Click here to learn more
| | Free 2026 Worship Calendar Bundle Digital Download | | |
2026 Worship Planning Calendar
The full planning calendar for each Sunday in 2025, as well as special days and times throughout the year. Helpful for pastors, worship leaders and planners, musicians, choirs, committees, Sunday School teachers, and more. 12-page, 8-1/2″ X 11″ printable PDF calendar in month-at-a-glance format.
2026 Revised Common Lectionary Sundays and Special Days Calendar
This two-page PDF lists the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings and liturgical colors is one of Discipleship Ministries’ most popular worship planning resources. The resource includes Sundays and Special Days, along with space for your own notes.
Click here to download the free calendars
| | Pay Your Apportionments Online with E-Check | | |
The West Ohio Conference now offers apportionment payments online via e-check. And! they will cover the processing fees!
Before you decide if e-check is a good option for your church, please log into www.westohioumc.org > MyChurch > Apportionments. There you will find a link to the "e-check Good to Know." You will also find the tutorial and link to make your payment.
If you are a treasurer or someone authorized to make payments on behalf of your church, you will need to be registered at westohioumc.org, have permission to view MyChurch, and editing privileges. Please reach out to Michelle mrobinson@wocumc.org or 419-897-9770 for assistance.
| | Resources Available To Celebrate The Advent Season | | |
In two months, the liturgical calendar will begin with the Advent Season, a time of waiting in expectation for the birth of Jesus.
During this season, congregations observe the season through prayer, participating in Advent-focused bible studies and worship liturgy.
Click Here for Resources
| | 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 | | | | |
