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, but remember that it is a work in progress with the new districts and website updates!

New Website!!

As most of you have noticed, we have a new website!

https://www.westohioumc.org/maumeeriver

We are excited about it too - we love the new design. Our IT specialists are still working on a few things - mainly the "Breakthrough Goals" and "My Church" sections. We ask that you hold onto your data a little while longer as we continue to update the site. We appreciate your patience.

Mentoring a Young Person

Doesn’t Have To Feel Scary

Who was a mentor to you in your faith journey, and how are you passing on that gift to others? Become a mentor to a young person in your faith community with the Timothy Circle’s online mentor training. 

This two-week online workshop for adults can fit into busy schedules and gives adults the tools and confidence to engage in meaningful christian conversations about faith, hearing God’s voice, and a young person’s plans for the future. The training is written and taught by United Methodists, and it emphasizes following the local church’s boundary and safety practices. Cost is $30 per participant.

Visit BeADisciple.com/mentor to sign up for the August 14 – 25, 2023 training. It’s an excellent way to help foster intergenerational connections in your church and take an active role in raising up the next generation of disciples.

Friendly Center Garage Sale

Put on by The Friendly Center Service Guild

Over 25 churches participating

Proceeds to benefit the FRIENDLY CENTER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

(A Methodist 501C3 urban community center in North Toledo)

Sale dates: August 3rd,4th and 5th

Thursday and Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Saturday 9:00am – Noon

Saturday $5.00 to fill a bag 

Location: Maumee United Methodist Church, 405 Sackett St

Click HERE for a printable flyer and contact information

Festival of Sharing

The annual Festival of Sharing will be collecting kits the month of September. For more information on the several kinds of kits that you and your church can pack, please go to the FOS website. There you will find the list of different kits needed and the packaging instructions for those kits. The kits should be dropped off at one of the locations below between September 18 and September 22, 2023

Drop off sites: Locations/Addresses/Times:

Bowling Green First UMC - 1526 E Wooster St, Bowling Green, 419.353.0682, Mon-Fri, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Defiance St. Paul’s UMC - 400 Wayne Ave., Defiance, 419.782.3751, Mon-Fri, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Please call ahead)

Findlay Journey at Christ - 225 W. Bigelow Ave, Findlay, 419.422.6662, Mon-Fri, 9:00 am to noon, (Please call ahead)

Spencerville Trinity - 119 N. Main St., Spencerville, 419.647.4451, Mon-Fri, 9:00 am to noon (Please call ahead)

NWP District Office - 910 E. Third St., Ottawa, 800.589.7828, Mon-Wed, 9 am to 3:00 pm (Please call ahead to make drop off arrangements)

Van Wert First UMC - 113 W. Central Ave., Van Wert, 419.238.0631, Mon-Thurs, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm & Friday 8:30 to noon (Please call ahead)

Maumee River District office - 1729 Indian Wood Cir, Maumee, 419.897.9770, Mon-Thurs, 9 am- 4 pm

The Maumee River District Annual mission trip to Henderson Settlement will take place October 15-21. You are invited to join this mission trip and serve the people of Kentucky. Please see the printable flyer for more details or to register by mail or use this link to Register Online.

SCRAP METAL DRIVE - Ottawa Trinity UMC

NEW LOCATION - 2023

Do you have an antenna down from a storm, sheet metal, or a chain-link fence you’ve wanted to take down, an old refrigerator or freezer? Here’s your chance to do good while cleaning up from a storm or cleaning out the garage, attic, basement, shed, backyard, etc.

Trinity United Methodist Church invites the Ottawa area community to participate again this year in our Scrap Metal Drive now until the fall. The proceeds from your contributions help to support the many services our facility provides to various community organizations. We believe recycling is good for our earth and we welcome your participation.

This year the trailer will be located behind the Putnam County Council on Aging building located at 1425 East Fourth Street in Ottawa. A tripod sign will mark the location. We respectfully request you enter cautiously as clients and employees use the entrance on the west side of the building. Please be advised the location will be monitored for security and safety.

All METAL accepted – anything and everything. ABSOLUTELY NO TV’S, COMPUTERS OR MONITORS, MATTRESSES, PAINT CANS, TIRES or AEROSOL CANS ACCEPTED. 

Contact Bev Carr @ 419-523-6496 for more information.  

Fresh Starts Multi-Ethnic Ministry Exchange

On Thursday, August 17, the Office of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings is offering a Multi-Ethnic Ministry Exchange at Mosaic Church in Beavercreek. 

If you are engaged in multi-ethnic church ministry or if you’d like to learn more about ministry in a diverse context, we would love to have you at the table.

Each session is limited to 20 people; a morning session from 9:00 am -12:00 pm and an afternoon session from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. An opt-in lunch will be available, sponsored by the Christian Family Credit Union.

Read more...

Women's Retreat - August 26th

The Pandora and Gilboa United Methodist Churches are holding our second annual Women's retreat. Our purpose is to build ourselves up, in life and in our Christian walk. All are invited. We are just one day (9-4) at the Lilac Room (behind the Meadows of Leipsic) at 901 E. Main St. Lunch and an art project are included for a registration cost of $25 per person. Encore presenter is Suzanne Bandy. 

See additional details on the registration sheet. 

Lay Staff Retreats

An exciting opportunity is coming to a town near you! West Ohio Conference Lay staff members – both paid and volunteer – are invited to a day to Sit, Soak, and Shine. 

This day of retreat is sure to refresh our local staff members. Below is the schedule of dates and locations of this event.

·    August 1 – Bowling Green Trinity UMC

·    August 2 – Bellefontaine First UMC

·    August 3 – Maize Manor UMC- Columbus

For more information, please contact Julie Carter at [email protected].

Olivet Lutheran Church Hosts Forum on Gun Violence with Moms Demand Action 

Olivet Lutheran Church will host a forum with Moms Demand Action to learn about the organization’s multi-pronged efforts to address the gun violence epidemic. This gathering of faith-based organizations will take place on Sunday, July 30 at 1 p.m. in the Christian Life Center at Olivet Lutheran Church in Sylvania.

The forum will bring together congregational teams from the Toledo area to discuss ways to promote gun safety, develop strategies to break the cycle of gun violence, and ultimately reduce gun violence in our communities. According to Forbes, more than 300 mass shootings have been recorded so far this year, on pace to become the deadliest year for mass shootings in recent history. In Toledo, shooting incidents have increased by 14.3% from January through April of this year, according to Toledo Police Chief Mike Troendle.

The idea of gathering a group of faith-based organizations emerged from the Olivet Community Mission Emphasis team and is spearheaded by member Mike Linehan. “Our goals are to impact gun safety legislation, address mental health and gun violence in our area, and collaborate with other faith-based organizations to reduce overall gun violence,” Linehan said. “We’ve seen from the record number of mass shootings so far this year that these incidents can happen anywhere. We want to be proactive, rather than reactive, in our efforts to reduce gun violence.”

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement working toward public safety measures to protect people from gun violence, with an emphasis on passing stronger safety legislation. The organization was founded by Shannon Watts, a mother of five, who started a Facebook group after the Sandy Hook school shooting tragedy. The number of volunteers within the organization has grown to 10 million and counts dads, grandpas, teachers, survivors, clergy, and church members, among others. They are the on-the-ground grassroots organization for Everytown for Gun Safety, its parent organization. Moms Demand Action has chapters in every state, including Toledo.

The forum is open to members of all Northwest Ohio faith-based organizations. RSVP to Olivet Lutheran Church at 419-882-2077, or email Shannon Walker at [email protected] by July 25.

Click HERE for a printable flyer

West Ohio clergy and laity interested in attending the Generosity Summit on September 11-12 at Deer Creek State Park and who wish to get a discounted room or cabin need to make their accommodation reservations before the room block closes on July 28. Reservations for the block can only be made by CALLING Deer Creek at 740-869-2020 by July 28. Rooms and some cabins will be available after this date but at full rates. Please note that registration to attend the Summit is required separately and costs $100 including all meals. Register to attend the Generosity Summit here.

Register now for the Fellowship of Associate Members & Local Methodist Pastors Retreat, "Finding Our Way," to be held Sunday, August 20 to Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

This retreat is sponsored by the Fellowships from East and West Ohio Conferences, Michigan Conferences of the United Methodist Church and by Lakeside Chautauqua Religious Life Department. Enjoy workshops/discussions on topics focusing on the specific interests and challenges facing Associate Members and Local Pastors. The Rev. Dr. James Harnish, Pastor of the United Methodist Church, Longwood, Florida and author of "Finding Your Bearings: How Words That Guided Jesus Through Crisis Can Guide Us," will be speaking during Faith for Living Hour each morning.

Deadline to register is Thursday, August 10, 2023. Registration fee of $80 includes a three-day Chautauqua Pass and Auto Pass per registration for one person, plus participation in all events scheduled during the retreat. Lunch and dinner are included Monday and Tuesday for Associate Members and Local Pastors. Additional meal plans can be purchased for $80 per person. Hotel accommodations are not included.

Learn more and register here

Bishop Palmer's Reading List

Reading as one way of nurturing both the head and heart is an ongoing process. There are, however, rhythms and cycles of our work and life that create the opportunity to concentrate some of our reading. Below is my current reading list. I hope you will pursue it and find one or more of these volumes useful if you have not already read them. 

READING LIST

Bridges out of Poverty

Bridges Out of Poverty Virtual Cohort hosted by Missions and Community Engagement in the East Ohio Conference of the UMC will begin this fall! This is an in depth book study of the 5th Edition Bridges out of Poverty Strategies for Professionals and Communities. Participants will meet via Zoom to read, discuss and investigate opportunities for Bridges implementation within their communities.

Participants will meet twice a month, on Wednesdays over lunch (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) for 6 months, September 2023-March 2024. The cohort is free, however, purchase of Bridges books is required for all participants.

·    Getting Ahead Investigator Workbook $22

·    R Rules Student Workbook $17

·    5th Edition Bridges Out of Poverty Strategies for Professionals and Communities $30



If the cost of purchasing books is a barrier to participation, please contact [email protected] for scholarships. For more information or to register Click Here

Rev. Richard L Thomas

Rev. Carl Louis Wiley

Swanton Trinity: Church pianist - Trinity UMC is currently seeking a church pianist to enhance the worship service through playing centering music and accompanying congregational singing. An ideal candidate would have experience as both a solo and accompanying pianist. Worship services include weekly Sunday service at 10 am as well as additional special services (e.g., Ash Wednesday and Christmas Eve). Weddings and funerals (no obligation) are compensated in addition to base pay. Pay (based on experience and skills) begins at $75 per worship service. Applicants may submit resumes including references to Pastor Justin McCall at [email protected].

Bowling Green Trinity: Director of Discipleship and Outreach - Trinity UMC in Bowling Green is hiring! Come join our team. We are currently looking for a full time Director of Discipleship and Outreach. For a position description please visit our website bgtrinity.org and click on the “Now Hiring” tab. 

Bowling Green Trinity: Maintenance Technician - Trinity UMC in Bowling Green is hiring! Come join our team. We are currently looking for a part time Maintenance Technician. For a position description please visit our website bgtrinity.org and click on the “Now Hiring” tab. 

Whitehouse Hope UMC: Children's Ministry Director - Do you love Jesus and working with children? Give us a call. This is an amazing part-time job opportunity overseeing Hope’s Children’s Ministry made up of children ages 2-Middle School age. This position reports to the Director of Discipleship and is supported by a team of adult volunteers. Approximately 15-20 hours a week. For more information, contact Steve Winters at 419-877-5395 or [email protected],

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.