Bishop L aunches New Forum
to Spark Conversation 

That we are in a challenging season is the understatement of the year and maybe the decade. The church and the society are for example fighting for health and shalom for all God's children as we face two prominent viruses. The one is the Novel Coronavirus COVID -19 and the other is virulent racism. The one is new, the other old. This doesn't even name the anxiety about what's ahead for the United Methodist Church. So I say again, this is a challenging season.
 
Such seasons are an opportunity to engage as never before. To that end I have initiated some conversations via Zoom that will be recorded and posted. The goal is to provoke  conversations that move us to action. We are good at words as a church and a society. We have resolutions that represent fine aspirations but action and change are often slow to come on many things. Thus the title Faith & Works based on James 2:14-17:

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill', and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead."

I may come up with a better title later but for now I'll stick with Faith & Works. I am starting off with conversations focused on race without apology. Be assured I won't be limited to that. We have lots to discuss and more to do. So click here and enjoy my first venture as I talk with Pastor F. Willis Johnson .  

Be encouraged in the one who leads us in the power of the Holy Spirit,
the Risen Jesus.
+Gregory V. Palmer

Peace with Justice Sunday

Peace with Justice Sunday is one of
six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church.

Peace with Justice Sunday enables
The United Methodist Church to have
a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs. This special offering benefits peace with justice ministries in the annual conference and through the General Board of Church and Society. 

Here in West Ohio, 50% of the Peace with Justice Offering goes to Freedom Schools. 

United Methodist June Prayer Focus - Racism

Each month, The West Ohio Conference joins together in praying for the ministries of The United Methodist Church. In June, we pray for all people affected by the realities of racism.
 
Racism is not dead.

In fact, racism is an everyday reality. Often this racism goes unnoticed, like the Black child who is never considered for the gifted program at school or the White woman who crosses the street when she sees a Black man walking towards her. Much of the time, racism only becomes apparent when something truly hideous happens - such as the recent killing of George Floyd. (And Ahmaud Arbery. And Breonna Taylor. And the list goes on.) 

But these are not random, isolated, unrelated acts - they are the symptoms of systemic, widespread racism that still grips our country today. The racism that began during the days of slavery has reinvented itself time and again - through Jim Crow laws, then mass incarceration, and now in the killing of People of Color - not to mention the disproportionate number of Black and Brown lives being taken by COVID-19.

Racism is not dead. And none of us should be ok with that. To learn how you can pray for and about racism, click here.

Your Emotional Wellness and COVID-19

As this COVID-19 crisis continues, the Ohio Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is providing confidential telephonic and videoconferencing counseling options to support West Ohio Conference members, spouses, and dependent family members. WOC members, spouses, and dependents can also call for brief phone support -  no appointment necessary to speak with a clinician for emotional support by phone during business hours M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

In a time when many plans, including church summer camps and family vacations, are being cancelled or postponed, connection and support are crucial for you and your family members. The EAP is here and ready to support. To meet the ongoing needs of members and dependent family members, please know that COVID-related support does not count against the 6 EAP sessions for the calendar year. For assistance, please c all (614) 566.3348 or email  [email protected]. 

West Ohio Provides Grant for Native Ministries Fighting COVID-19
 
The West Ohio Conference recently provided a $100,000 grant to the Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP) of The United Methodist Church. The funds will provide support to organizations already active in helping Native communities combat COVID-19. Native tribes in the southwest United States have been hit hard by the coronavirus, particularly the Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo peoples. In fact, Navajo Nation has the highest per capita infection rate of any place in the U.S. Lack of access to basic necessities like water and healthcare make it challenging to stem the tide of the outbreak. "Indian Health Services is always underfunded, despite the treaty obligations required of the federal government," says Rev. Chebon Kernell, Executive Director of the NACP. "People are living in very vulnerable situations." Read More
 

Hispanic/LatinX Leaders

Thursday, June 4, 10:00am - Informal fellowship Zoom call for Hispanic/Latinx leaders. A time to pray, check in and share how things are going. Contact April Casperson at [email protected] for more information.
Let us remember in prayer those grieving the loss of their loved one, and remember in thanksgiving the life and ministry of

Ruth Burk who died Saturday, February 29, 2020. She was married to the late Rev. Rodney Burk who was a retired pastor from the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. He served appointments at Big Springs, Shiloh, Grand Rapids, Magnetic Springs, Casstown Bethel, Phillipsburg, and Zion churches.

Proceeding her in death, along with her husband, were her sister, Mildred (A. Eugene) DeWeese and brother, Robert (Betty) Maxwell. Surviving are her sons, Richard (Lynn) Matson and Don Matson; step-daughters, Miriam Snyder and Marylyn (Joe) Warner; grandsons, Aaron (Jolene) Matson and Wesley (Carrie) Matson; 8 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren

Her funeral service was held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Suber-Shively Funeral Home in Fletcher, Ohio. To view her obituary and leave condolences online click here.


Rev. Bruce Gischel who died Saturday, May 23, 2020. He was a pastor from the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. He served appointments at East Linden, Southside Church Without Walls, Baltimore United, Story Hypes and High Street churches.

Surviving are his wife, Bonnie (Nickerson); son, David Gischel; daughter, Jennifer (Tom) Fischer; grandchildren, Nathan and Joshua Fischer; sisters, Dottie (Bill) Hilschiemer, Ginnie Bache and Helen Deri; sister-in-law, Carol Gischel and many nieces and nephews.

Due to the current Covid-19 crisis there will be a Celebration of Life service at a date and time when it is safe for all to gather to celebrate. To view his obituary and leave condolences online  click here.


Rev. Richard Royalty who died Monday, May 25, 2020. He was a retired pastor from the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. He served appointments at Anna/Botkins Charge, St. Luke Fairborn, Trinity, Cleves, Broadway, Good Shepherd Germantown, Belpre St. Marks, Price Hill, and Medway churches. He also served as Manager of Pastoral Care at Scarlet Oaks. He is survived by his wife, Judith Royalty. You may send condolences to her at 4172 Goldfinch Court, Lebanon, Ohio 45036.
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