THE CURRENT
July 16, 2021
Three Rivers District
The United Methodist Church
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OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW LIFE AND GROWTH
I am excited to be in ministry with you in the Three Rivers District. Our family is thankful for and been blessed by the warm welcome we have received and look forward to meeting all of you. Our transition to Coshocton has gone well. While the moving process has been long and tiring it does not compare to the last 18 months which has been difficult and trying for many reasons. During this time, it may seem that our resources are depleted and our energy waning, but I am convinced this is a time of opportunity for new life and growth. Some have already experienced this new life through their individual discipleship journey, or a new online ministry presence, or by creating a new connection to the community. In many ways, these trying times have brought out the best in who we are as Christians as we take care of each other and our neighbor. As we share in ministry and navigate this time together, I pray that we remember the church was created to live out the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.
When we focus on the Great Commission and grow disciples amazing things can happen. Lives are changed and communities are transformed. As we begin this journey of living fully into the Great Commission let's covenant to do three things:
- Pray for each other--pray for churches, pastors, and laity to be Great Commission leaders and churches.
- Be in communication with each other--talk to each other, offer words of encouragement and support, share stories about your ministry.
- Stay positive--Remember God is in charge and we are following God and with God all things are possible.
Hopefully, these three things will be the first step on our journey together to renewal and transformation.
Blessings,
Rev. Kelly Brown, Three Rivers DS
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ClergyEducation is a resource for clergy and church leaders, offering CEUs accepted by most United Methodist annual conferences. Class instructors are noted authors, clergypersons, and leaders from throughout the denomination. Explore their online courses for ministry education webinars at https://clergyeducation.com/
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AC Vote Updates Clergy Vacation Policy
During East Ohio Annual Conference 2021, members voted to make changes to the clergy vacation and time away policy. “One very important step we took was bringing local pastors onto equal ground with ordained clergy with their time away from work. [See chart below.] This ensures that local pastors have time away for their education as well as adequate time for rest, family, and spiritual renewal.” said BOM Chair the Rev. Jonathan Priebe. “We also increased the minimum number of vacation Sundays for full-time clergy from four to five. This is in addition to two Sundays for continuing education and renewal leave. This means that a full-time clergyperson who is responsible for a pulpit should preach no more than 45 Sundays per year plus special services and holidays.”
Pastors are expected to take one day a week (not a Sunday) for Sabbath (a day apart) and inform the congregation of that day. Additionally, clergy should have a day that is generally reserved for home and family work, but on which they may occasionally do some church work: a pastoral emergency, officiating a wedding, etc. When this happens, the clergyperson is encouraged to adjust the rest of their work week to make up those hours and keep their schedule healthy and manageable.
There is far too much burnout among clergy that causes them to leave the ministry early or make poor ethical decisions. Priebe and the Board of Ministry ask that laity and members of local church staff parish relations committees encourage their clergy to take their needed and necessary time away.
*Minimum Annual Vacation Schedule (July 1-June 30) outlined at 2021 East Ohio AC
1.) 30 days including FIVE Sundays paid vacation for clergy appointed full-time.
2.) Conference members serving less-than-full-time appointments shall be entitled to vacation in proportion to the percent of time they are serving. The minimum shall be
- appointed at 75%: 24 days including 4 Sundays
- appointed at 50%: 15 days including 3 Sundays
- appointed at 25%: 8 days including 2 Sundays
3.) These 'vacation days' do not included days considered part of education requirements or conference-sponsored events.
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TELLING THE OLD STORY IN A NEW TIME:
August 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Join author, creative worship, and guest readiness coach Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions for a 2-hour webinar for how to face these unique challenges to worship in this time of blended virtual and in-person worship. Jason will lead your church into a deep dive through the questions and answers that must be asked and addressed as we worship today.
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BOTH/AND
MAXIMIZING HYBRID WORSHIP
August 5, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
In-person worship is back! Yet, many are still attending virtually and the benefits of running quality worship for both in-person and virtual continue. This 2.5-hour workshop led by Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions will delve into strategies for how to create powerful transformative worship where no one feels like they’re an afterthought.
*SPECIAL OFFER: by attending both Telling the Old Story and Both/And (it counts if you attended a session earlier this year), you and your team qualify for 7 coaching sessions with Jason! You can register a team of 3 or more people at a discount!
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Roscoe United Methodist Ice Cream Social
July 31, 2021 beginning at 5 PM
Rain or shine, you'll be comfortable in our air-conditioned fellowship hall. Serving will begin at 5:00 PM until the food is gone. The menu consists of: shredded chicken, sloppy joes and/or grilled hotdog sandwiches, noodles, baked beans, potato salad, homemade desserts, ice cream and a soft drink. Donated monies will benefit the various church projects. Roscoe UMC is located at 475 High St., (near historic Roscoe Village) Coshocton, OH. For more information, please call (740) 622-7780
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CHARGE CONFERENCE PAPERWORK
Click here to view fall consultation schedule with the DS.
Meetings begin August 4! That means papework is due July 28 for some clergy and churches. Below is a general summary. A detailed checklist can be found on the district website to assist your church. Charge Conference Guidelines & Checklist
These forms are due 2 weeks prior to clergy meeting with the DS as scheduled here
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CPA (Clergy Profile: Annual)
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BIO (Clergy Personal Information)...requested of all TR clergy in 2021
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CPL (Clergy Profile: Long-term). updated every 3-5 years.
These forms are due 2 weeks prior to the SPRC meeting with the DS as shown here
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CMA (Clergy Ministry Assessment)...to be completed by pastor and SPRC together
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LCPA (Local Church Profile: Annual)
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LCPL (Local Church: Long-term...requested of ALL EOC Churches in 2021
The forms* can be found here . We request digital copies of forms and reports. (Signatures can be obtained at a later date during meetings if necessary.) The forms on the website are in .pdf format. If you need a word.doc format, send a request to Joy.
The remaining forms and reports are due OCTOBER 4 for ALL Three River Churches.
Questions about completing the forms? If there is enough interest, Joy will offer a Forms Review session (either at the end of July or first part of August.) Times and location will be determined based on response. If you are interested please email Joy your best day and time of the week (i.e. Tuesday afternoons or Saturday mornings). Joy is happy to assist with completing the forms over the phone or in the office. If you have questions in the meantime, please call.
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Christ is Alive in Three Rivers District!
- Called and equipped to serve others
- Committed to extend the love of Jesus
- Connected to God and our neighbor
Three Rivers District is bearing fruit that lasts as we are called, committed and connected to our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We have a presence on social media and invite you to participate with us.
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Three Rivers District
415 Walnut St, Coshocton, OH 43812
740-622-8880
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