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. | |
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The Festival of Sharing is a yearly service opportunity for United Methodists to prepare kits for hygiene, school, and cleanup to be delivered to those in need.
Kit collection is taking place at a new location this year - First Community Church--North Campus (3777 Dublin Rd, Columbus) on Friday, September 27th from 3-5 pm and
Saturday, September 28th from 9-11 am.
We will once again be collecting kits at churches in our district so you don't have to make the drive to Columbus with your donation. Visit the FOS website to find the list of kits needed and the packaging instructions for each one.
Drop-off locations in our district:
- First United Methodist Church - 1526 E Wooster St, Bowling Green, OH 43402
- St. Paul's United Methodist Church - 400 Wayne Ave, Defiance, OH 43512
- Journey at Christ UMC - 225 W Bigelow Ave, Findlay, OH 45840
- Van Wert First United Methodist Church - 113 W Central Ave, Van Wert, OH 45891
- Sylvania United Church of Christ - 7240 Erie St, Sylvania, OH 43560
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Discover FX Days - Maumee River District | |
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Discover FX is coming to your district! You’ve heard about Fresh Expressions popping up all across West Ohio. Here is your chance to explore how fresh expressions could revitalize your church and reach people in your community. Is God stirring something new within you? Fresh Expressions are an effective way to build relationships, serve the people within your context and community, and revitalize your church.
Fresh Expressions are about going outside of the norm, going beyond the typical boundaries of ordinary church to build human community with and among people with whom the church has forgotten, ignored, marginalized, or dismissed.
Discover FX is a 5-hour immersion into what Fresh Expressions are and how to launch your own expression of church. After the training, optional coaching sessions will be available via zoom to walk with you through launching a fresh expression of church.
Discover what FX can do for your church in a convenient location in your district and learn from your colleagues who are already doing Fresh Expressions in your region.
Training is from 9:30am - 2:30pm and lunch is included.
Cost is $50/person or $25/per team member (Pastor + at least one layperson is recommended)
(assistance available if needed)
Space is limited at each site.
Register Here – Ada First, September 3rd
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Apportionment E-Statements Now Available! | |
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The Conference is now offering apportionment statements by e-mail.
· Service begins 11/1/24.
· To receive your first e-statement in November, sign up by 10/18/24.
· After the initial 10/18 deadline, registration will remain open indefinitely; however, your first emailed statement will not begin until the following month after you’ve signed up.
· Once registered:
- Paper statements are no longer sent to your church by mail.
- Treasurers as well as lead pastors are automatically added to the e-statement distribution list.
- If a treasurer relationship is not listed for your church in our main database, please reach out to your district to set one up. This is needed to receive e-statements.
· This service is optional. If you prefer mailed statements, you do not need to do anything further.
· Please e-mail any questions concerning e-statements to rtyree@wocumc.org.
Treasurers:
To sign-up, register and/or sign on to our website at Homepage | West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church (westohioumc.org). Then go to MyChurch in the upper righthand corner > Choose Apportionments from the red menu > Choose Apportionment Statements.
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The Church of St. Andrew UMC Yard Sale
3620 Heatherdowns Blvd.
Saturday Sept. 21
8:00 until 3:00
Items offered will include: housewares, large and small appliances, furniture, art work, electronics, sporting goods, tools, antiques, jewelry, toys, Christmas decorations, games, and many other items too numerous to mention.
There will be breakfast and lunch available. Paul’s famous potato wedges will be back!!
There once again will be a table of FREE items!
The ladies will have a bake sale.
Everything will be priced for quick sale. We will consider all reasonable offers on furniture and appliances all day.
Dealers are welcome.
We will be accepting donations starting Monday, 8/19. Bring your items to the church between 9:00 and ??, or call Tom Yurysta: 419-350-2889, or Paul Wood: 419-356-9002 to arrange a pickup.
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United Women in Faith Fall Extravaganza | |
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Join the Braden UMC United Women in Faith for a delightful Fall Extravaganza, a time for fellowship, inspiration, and connection. Our event will feature a keynote address and the testimonies of women who will share insights and encouragement for women of faith.
Keynote Speaker: Elder LaToya Williams, of The Worship Center
Our keynote speaker will present how We are the Apple of God's Eye and how he protects us.
Event Highlights:
• Delicious fall lunch & baked potato bar
• Uplifting keynote address
• Opportunity to shop and support local vendors
• Fellowship with other women from our community
Vendors:
Browse a variety of booths showcasing local women-owned crafts, and businesses. This is a perfect opportunity to support local vendors and discover unique products.
RSVP:
Please RSVP HERE by September 13th to ensure your spot at this special event.
Come and be part of this wonderful gathering. We look forward to seeing you there!
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SCRAP Festival - Gleaning Ministry | |
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The Annual SCRAP (Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power) festival is coming up in Gibsonburg this Labor Day weekend and the Gleaning Ministry Team could use your help! The team is famous for selling fried bologna sandwiches (and Roots products) there. They are looking for people to take a three hour shift grilling bologna or serving sandwiches. There are 4 spots available each shift so feel free to sign up your family or group from church. Contact Debbie Mills at 419-276-9218 or the district office at 419-897-9770 with any questions. If you aren't able to help, still come out for a sandwich and support the ministry!
The Friendly Center will have pie and ice cream there too!
Click here to view opportunities and Sign-up
Click here to view SCRAP Flyer
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2025 Go Grant Applications will be available from Sept 1 – Oct 15!
Need help brainstorming your Go Grant ideas? Have questions about your Go Grant ideas? Join us for a WhiteBoard Zoom sessions over your lunch hour at one of the following dates:
Wednesdays at noon. Click on the date to register: 8.14.24 | 8.21.24 | 8.28.24 | 9.4.24
Feel free to check out our Q&A page on our website. We offer answers to our most frequently asked questions about Go Grants.
For a list of the ideas, please click here to see the 2024 Go Grant recipients.
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With mid-August upon us, many pastors and church leaders are beginning to think about annual stewardship campaigns. Many are finding themselves in the same place they were last year: unsure what to do, unsure what to say, and generally feeling like it’s time for the annual doctor’s checkup: everyone knows it’s good for them, but no one wants to go!
Don’t be that church!
The United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio is YOUR go-to resource for stewardship education information. If you need help with this year’s campaign, give us a call and we will discuss it with you.
If you just want to get through this year but know that changes are needed, our program, Generosity Abounds! is free to any church to use. It is NOT a plug and play one-size fits all annual campaign package. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you increase discipleship and engagement and start on a path to creating a culture of generosity in your church. The best time to start this program is about a year in advance of when you want to start seeing results. So start now for next year! We can walk you through it or you can do it on your own. Find out more at https://umfwestohio.org/services-for-churches/stewardship-education-resources/ or give us a call.
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Education and Engagement Opportunities through the UMFWO | |
Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being – we’re excited that Wespath is providing an online version of this course open to anyone this fall, starting soon on September 9. Financial literacy is one of our stewardship standards, so we highly recommend this for any church leader who wants to provide the class in their church next year.
Financial Leadership for Churches – this comprehensive course with content similar to our Generosity Abounds program is offered through Garrett Theological Seminary. It is pricey but you can get 2 CEUs and take another person. Call us if you want to attend and we can discuss scholarships. There is also a $500 incentive program for attendees who qualify.
Cultivating the Craft of Asking - develop your skills and confidence in asking donors for financial support. Through the five online sessions, you will learn techniques to help you deepen donor relationships to connect vision to mission while actively making progress on your own ministry goals – from a capital campaign to funding mission work. Provided through Myte Ministries.
The Foundation has lots of other resources we can share with you. Just give us a call to discuss your needs so we can make tailored recommendations.
sblack@wocumc.org 380-223-9257
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All In Community - Fall Offerings | |
All In Community - Ministry Monday | |
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In August at All In Community’s Ministry Monday information session, Reba Collins will be sharing a SNEAK PEEK of what will be available at this year’s Building Bridges of Opportunity Community Experience: Bridging Pathways to Hope.
The purpose of the Community Experience is to convene Ohio’s reentry community to provide high quality reentry education, emerging Ohio reintegration efforts, reintegration best practices, network opportunities, environments for sharing ideas, and advocacy opportunities for systemic reform.
Join Reba and others on Monday, August 26, beginning at 7:00pm on ZOOM.
ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED
https://qrco.de/bfF6or
Cost: FREE
Printable Flyer
Questions and requests for the ZOOM link can be directed to Jami Nathan, AIC Ministries Coordinator, by email (jami.nathan.22@gmail.com) or by phone (419-591-9717).
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Toledo CROP Hunger Walk - September 22 | |
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The Toledo CROP Hunger Walk, partnered with Church World Service, raises funds to end hunger and poverty around the block and around the world, one step at a time. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised stays in our community to support the good work of Rocket Fuel - the food pantry that serves students in need at the University of Toledo.
Join us on Sunday, September 22nd for an experiential event with educational activities along the route and a beautiful walk around the University of Toledo campus. Meet at the Toledo Campus Ministry building at 2086 Brookdale Rd, Toledo, OH at 1pm for registration. The walk begins at 2pm.
Team Captain Training - will be held on Thursday, August 15th at 6:30pm at Sylvania First UMC, 7000 Erie St. At least one representative from each congregation/group needs to attend this training.
For more information on the walk or Church World Service, please see the printable flyer HERE.
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New Clergy Financial Wellness Resource Guide | |
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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.
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Upcoming Lay Servant Ministries Classes | |
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Lay Ministry is the work of mission or ministry to which each believer is called. As Christians we are all called to this ministry or priesthood – not just clergy. Each of us has a responsibility to proclaim the Good News and reach out to others in love.
Public Prayer: September 8, 10, 11, 15, 17 from 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom only. Sponsored by the Great Miami River District. Registration opens July 29.
Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries (Basic Course): Friday, October 4 from 6-8pm (Zoom) & Saturday, October 5 from 9am-5pm (either in person at the Hocking River District office or by Zoom). Registration opens September 2.
Leading Worship: October 18-19, 2024 – Sponsored by Olentangy River District. Registration opens 8/30/24
Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (United Methodist Heritage): November 3,5,7,10,14, 2024 – Sponsored by Olentangy River District. Registration opens 9/27/24
A reminder: Even if you have completed the Basic Course and all of the Core Courses, you need to take an Advanced Course every 3 years as part of maintaining your certification. Not sure what you need next? Contact Michelle at the district office - 419-897-9770 or mrobinson@wocumc.org
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HealthFlex Participants - Don't Leave Money on the Table | |
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You can avoid a higher 2025 HealthFlex deductible and earn $100 of Pulse Cash by completing the Health Check questionnaire and the Blueprint for Wellness® screening by August 31.
Schedule the Blueprint for Wellness by logging in to your Virgin Pulse account at virginpulse.com/login or via the app. Select the “Benefits” tab and then search for Quest Blueprint for Wellness Screening. You can also call 1-855-623-9355 to register.
The deadline is August 31, so don’t wait!
In order to receive incentives for completing the Blueprint for Wellness, you must register with Virgin Pulse. Not registered for Virgin Pulse? Click here to sign up.
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SCRAP METAL DRIVE - YEAR ROUND SERVICE | |
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Do you have an antenna down from a storm? Got sheet metal, or a chain-link fence you’ve wanted to take down? 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’s Scrap Metal Drive - All METAL accepted. A dumpster is located in the parking lot at Putnam County Council on Aging, 1425 E. Fourth Street Ottawa, waiting for your cast-offs. All proceeds will go to Trustee projects at Trinity United Methodist Church. Call 419-523-6496 for more information.
ABSOLUTELY NO TV’S, COMPUTER MONITORS, PAINT, TIRES, MATRESSES/BOX SPRINGS or AEROSOL CANS ACCEPTED.
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Monroe Street Neighborhood Center - Did you know that in 2025, the same year the Monroe Street UMC is turning 200, that Monroe Street Neighborhood Center is turning 25 years old? Right now they are looking for a dynamic Executive Director to work with the staff and volunteers in the various programs. Please consider applying if you are interested or passing on to others who might be a good fit for this full-time opportunity. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but will start to be reviewed August 31.
Job description HERE.
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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. | |
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 | | | | |
