STEM Ministry Awarded Breakout Vision of the Year Award at GO! Awards Ceremony
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STEM Ministry Awarded Breakout Vision of the Year Award at GO! Awards Ceremony

The Bishops’ GO! Awards recognize individuals and churches who are passionate and eager to begin innovative ministries to help nurture churches and their communities.

The United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio is a partner of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church for church investing, stewardship resources and charitable giving.

Earlier this month, Riley Creek United Methodist Church in the Maumee River District was awarded the Breakout Vision of the Year Award to support their STEM Club. The award came with a grant for $2,500.

The Breakout Vision of the Year Award, sponsored by the United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio, was presented at the Bishop’s GO! Awards held at Powell United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Riley Creek received their award for their ministry, “STEAM: Hands on Faith,” a ministry to inspire and grow the next generation of creative thinkers through science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

The idea came from Riley Creek member and STEM teacher Mary Burgei who teaches at Glandorf Elementary School in Putnam County. She saw the need in the students and knew Riley Creek was a church full of educators.

In addition to the UMFWO Breakout Vision of the Year Award, Riley Creek was also awarded a Breakthrough Grant, an award that carried an additional $2,500. The total funding will be used to purchase supplies for the club.

The STEM Club expects to launch this spring and will be open to any child grades K through 8. They are looking for people, organizations, or businesses to partner with to build a creative, problem-solving based programming for the club.

For more information about Riley Creek UMC, click here. For questions, please contact Rev. Marcella Ciccotelli at umcpastormarcella@gmail.com.

Written by Amy Graham, Communications Specialist