News
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
You’ve likely heard the phrase, “the calm after the storm.” But how do you find calm during the storm? After all, the current storm we’re navigating with the COVID-19 pandemic is already (at least) 8 weeks old.
How Long, O Lord?
You might be thinking, “How long will this last?” or “I’m not sure how much more I can take.” Here’s what we know: This storm is projected to last 12-24 months. That’s called a slow-moving storm. When leading through slow-moving s... (read more)
Thursday, Apr 30, 2020
We recognize and accept that life is not going to return to what it was before COVID-19; therefore, how we live out our mission as the church will not go back to what we have always known. We will continue to change, adapt and develop new ways of being the church.
Our return to public worship is not, and never should be, based on our own comfort, desires or preferences. It is based on our fulfilling God’s mission and purpose for us, which is loving God and lovi... (read more)
Thursday, Apr 30, 2020
Greetings in the unfailing name of Jesus the Risen Christ.
Here you will find a set of Guidelines and Considerations as you prepare to slowly and thoughtfully take up some ways of gathering as the church. I am indebted to the small team that worked on this and all the persons who agreed to be readers. More than 100 folks had a chance to see it and give feedback. Many thanks to these friends for working together with sensitivity and humility for the good of t... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
Greetings in the name of Jesus the Risen Christ.
I promised you that by May 4 I would share my guidance and encouragement about what I have come to refer to as Return to Public Church. By that, I mean the when and the how of our gathering for worship, Bible study, small groups and meetings in alignment with the clear guidance of state and federal leadership. Gov. Mike DeWine's briefing today was helpful and needed. In the special edition of NewsNet that y... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
Read this announcement and FAQ and join Conference CFO, Bill Brownson, Thursday, April 30 at 1:00PM for a Facebook Live conversation to learn more.
When an offering plate can’t be passed, we need other ways to receive tithes and offerings. While mailed checks can work, on-line giving is even better. Many churches already provide ways to give online. Others are new to this way of giving and still rely mostly on passing an offering plate and mailed checks.
Recogn... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
The Volunteers in Mission SOWER project to Henderson Settlement, KY, has set new dates for its 2020 West Ohio teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six weeks of teams are needed to construct a house for a family in need, and the first group was originally scheduled to travel in May.
New dates for teams are:
August 9-15 and 16-22;
September 13-19 and 20-26;
October 11-17 and 18-24.
The Cost for each participant is $260, plus materials. For more inform... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bishops of The United Methodist Church will gather in a virtual meeting April 29 to May 1 to celebrate new leadership and to discuss plans for episcopal supervision brought on by the disruptions and postponements due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The April/May meeting of the Council of Bishops will also hear leadership reports regarding immigration, ecumenical relations, racism, disaster relief, and other mission and ministry work arou... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
Little did the North Katanga Annual Conference in DRC know how valuable its soap-making enterprise would turn out to be.
In 2019, the women's work coordinator of the North Katanga Annual Conference applied for an Economic Development Grant from United Methodist Women. The $14,000 grant the Conference received was earmarked to train women in 24 Districts of North Katanga Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
United Methodist Women Regi... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
Now in the second month of "sheltering in place," many United Methodist pastors and members are wondering about the effect on local church giving. The Rev. Stan Ling is optimistic.
"While some local church operational costs may have gone down because of COVID-19," Ling said, "the mission is expanding beyond the walls of the physical church." Ling directs the West Ohio Annual Conference Council on Development.
"Today," he noted, "church is not just one day a wee... (read more)
Tuesday, Apr 28, 2020
Well, that escalated quickly.
I suspect that we will look back on March 11, 2020 as the tipping point for the United States' response to COVID-19. It seemed to me to really start when the NBA announced that it was suspending the season. An avalanche of cancellations followed. I waved to my daughter as she stood at the bus stop on Thursday morning and felt like there was a good chance this would be the last time I would do that this year.
Th... (read more)