News
Monday, Nov 11, 2019
The West Ohio Conference Council on Development office has received several calls recently asking about stock donation. If you are considering a charitable contribution, let us help. Gifting appreciated stock is one of the most effective means of tax savings available.
The Benefits of Gifting Appreciated Stock
The satisfaction of knowing your money is invested in a cause important to you.
Capital gains taxes on the stock are avoided.
You will be... (read more)
Monday, Nov 11, 2019
The North Katanga Episcopal Area is one of the fastest growing in the United Methodist Church worldwide. One reason is the church's investment in local communities within North Katanga, particularly in the areas of medical care, education, farming and caring for children. In isolated areas of the DR Congo, the inaccessibility of medical care often complicates treatment for those who are ill. The United Methodist Church has built clinics and hospitals to offer c... (read more)
Monday, Nov 11, 2019
Does your church have a Safe Sanctuaries policy but you're not sure how to effectively and creatively train others on your policy? New training resources are available including a powerpoint and tips for good facilitation. Check out the tab "Local Church Training Resources".
Reach out with questions and to learn how to organize a district-wide training: Contact Rebecca Hug, rhug [at] wocumc.org. Congratulations to the 12 congregations from Maumee Watershed Dist... (read more)
Monday, Nov 11, 2019
Dear Friends In Jesus Christ:
The reading from the Hebrew Bible for November 10 was striking at least to me. It seemed it spoke to the mood of the Church, The United Methodist Church and more local congregations than I care to number.
These words of Haggai a post exilic prophet speak volumes to our context. Take a read and a listen if you can. Go slow, pause, reflect, question and imagine.
...on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month.... (read more)
Monday, Nov 4, 2019
After a challenging renewal process with carriers, the Board of Pension and Health have selected the carrier and set the premium rates for 2020. Moving from Aetna, the Conference will join Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical and Delta for dental. VSP will continue to provide vision services. Deductibles and HSA/HRA contribution levels will remain the same.
Premium rates are as follows:
For more information regarding the plan and what these changes mean... (read more)
Monday, Nov 4, 2019
On average, $5.5 million is awarded to students who apply through the United Methodist Scholarship and Loan Programs. Unfortunately, each year up to 1,000 qualified students do not receive a scholarship due to lack of funding. 100% of the donation you provide is used for loans and scholarships to help prepare leaders for our church. The funds are distributed at 45% for loans, 37% for scholarships, 16% for United Methodist schools and 2% for grants. Your gifts h... (read more)
Monday, Nov 4, 2019
A growing number of United Methodist churches, outreach ministries and other non-profits are using Reverse Advent calendars to encourage Christians to give love and charity throughout the season leading to Christmas.
Many people are familiar with traditional Advent calendars and use them at home to guide their devotional time in the days before Christmas. Parents may use interactive Advent calendars with their children, opening a different box or door each day... (read more)
Monday, Nov 4, 2019
It is a hallmark of Christianity: gratitude, giving thanks, showing appreciation for all that we have and the wonderful world God gave us. Gratitude journals and lists are all the rage in popular culture, but how often do we plan expressing gratitude or thankfulness as an activity of the church?
Here are several ideas for bringing people together in the joyous practice of gratitude.
POST ON FACEBOOKUse your church's Facebook page to post what your chur... (read more)
Monday, Oct 28, 2019
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Globally, one in three women experiences sexual or gender-based violence. In the United States, one in four women and one in nine men experience severe physical violence (Centers for Disease Control). The numbers are staggering, and those who seek to survive the violence exist in each of our communities. The United Methodist Church has a long witness standing against domestic violence. "We recognize that family viol... (read more)
Monday, Oct 28, 2019
Beloved in Christ:
"I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of h... (read more)