News
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
On May 13, 2020, the West Ohio Conference delegation to the upcoming General and Jurisdictional Conferences endorsed Rev. Dr. Todd Anderson as an episcopal nominee (Bishop) for the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church.
The election of Bishops takes place during Jurisdictional Conferences every four years. Both the 2020 General Conference and 2020 North Central Jurisdictional Conference have been delayed. Official dates for the rescheduled c... (read more)
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
The enormity of a global pandemic can make some feel helpless. A team of women at Springboro First United Methodist Church decided to push that feeling aside and launch a project.
Two or three women began to make masks. The Rev. Amy Haines, lead pastor,said, "I don't remember when it started, but based on the church Facebook activity, it began in early March. People felt the need to do something. Making masks was something they could do."
The masks have been ma... (read more)
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Going On Now: SPRING into a great deal!
The United Methodist Financial Credit Union is partnering with Enterprise Car Sales to give our members a better vehicle buying experience! Receive $400 when you purchase a vehicle with Enterprise and finance it through United Methodist Financial Credit Union. February 14, 2020 through June 14, 2020. Let's get started! Contact one of our loan officers to discuss getting pre-approved today!
*Terms and Conditions. To receiv... (read more)
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
United Methodist Women decries the February shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia, and laments that arrests in his killing were only made last week after a videotape of his final moments went viral although local law enforcement was in possession of this evidence for weeks. The organization also expresses concern in the death of Sean Reed, who live streamed his own killing by police in Indianapolis, Indiana, police officers shooting him more tha... (read more)
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
While I've long paid attention to global United Methodist news for the sake of this blog, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed me to be more thorough in searching for the online presence of every United Methodist central conference, episcopal area, and annual conference outside the United States. In the process of surveying these sources for information about United Methodist responses to the pandemic, I've learned something about the ways in which The United Met... (read more)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
In public health, contact tracing is a key strategy to contain a virus. Until we have a vaccine, contact tracing is a way to fight the COVID-19 virus.
The Ohio Department of Health needs more contact tracers to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In the Ohio River Valley District, clergy and laity have partnered with the Hamilton County Health Department to be trained for this role.
Interim health commissioner Greg Kesterman and the Rev. David Meredith discu... (read more)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
During this time of crisis, the United Methodist Financial Credit Union has been offering our Skip A Payment option for members with existing loans who are encountering financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Members may skip their May payments on qualifying loans with NO FEE.
Members who previously skipped their March or April payment can qualify to skip AGAIN in May.
If you wish to utilize this program, please contact Shanna Davidson via emai... (read more)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
The spread of a mysterious deadly disease emptied city streets and filled hospital beds. Many risking their lives to help were people previously overlooked or even belittled.
Sound familiar?
The year was 1793, and yellow fever was ravaging Philadelphia - then the U.S. capital and the young nation's largest city. On a much smaller scale, the epidemic presented similar challenges to the COVID-19 pandemic. And just like now, church leaders found new ways to respon... (read more)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
“Good Works exists to connect people from all walks of life with people in poverty so that the kingdom of God can be experienced.”
In the midst of coronavirus, many of the ministries provided through Good Works have slowed down or been placed on “pause.” And yet, they continue to operate Timothy House, which provides shelter to people experiencing homelessness in 9 southeast Ohio counties. They work hard to provide a clean, safe, temporary home for adults and c... (read more)
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Greetings in the strong name of Jesus,
Every day throughout this health crisis, I learn more about myself and others. On one hand, I find comfort in knowing Gov. Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton have access to more information regarding the coronavirus than any of us. Their collective wisdom has guided us through these last few months. On the other hand, I find myself wishing I could snap my fingers, and everything would instantaneously go back to normal.
As b... (read more)