News
Monday, Sep 30, 2019
OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare ministry of the United Methodist Church. We have 29,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, and a network of 12 hospitals, 200+ ambulatory sites, hospice, home health, medical equipment and other health services spanning 47 Ohio counties. OhioHealth's connection to the United Methodist Church is long-standing and deep. While other health ministries moved away from faith-based roots... (read more)
Monday, Sep 30, 2019
Connection Blueprint is continuing to have an enduring impact upon the life of the Marion Epworth congregation and the Marion Community. Connection Blueprint is a learning experience that affirmed and acknowledged our congregation's context of ministry, our gifts and resources, and our on-going outreach efforts; and then challenged us to take further steps. The program met us where we were, not by offering some sort of one-size-fits-all solution but by providin... (read more)
Friday, Sep 27, 2019
When the Rev. Jon Ferguson was appointed to Stillwater United Methodist Church seven years ago, the congregation appeared healthy.
However, despite the church's prime location and an average attendance of 500, the Dayton, Ohio, congregation was on the brink of bankruptcy. When the district superintendent approached Ferguson about participating in the Missional Church Consultative Initiative - MCCI - the pastor replied, "I'd get down on my hands and knees and be... (read more)
Monday, Sep 23, 2019
The people of New Hope United Methodist Church in Proctorville are reclaiming their identity as beloved children of God, and they invite everyone to be part of the great work God is doing. After having no professions of faith and 3 baptisms in 2017, New Hope UMC saw 5 professions of faith and 12 baptisms in 2018. New Hope UMC was recognized as the 2018 Shawnee Valley District Light of the World award winner at this year's West Ohio Annual Conference. Light of t... (read more)
Monday, Sep 23, 2019
Providing quality financial education opportunities for your church just makes good sense. Today, many people are struggling with making ends meet. Many Americans live pay check to pay check and have little, if any, money saved to meet even the smallest financial emergency. Perhaps you have been in a similar situation. If so, you know how financial stress can impact a person.
CNBC reports, 30% of Americans are constantly stress about money. Financial stress can... (read more)
Monday, Sep 23, 2019
Pork chops sizzle on the grill while the chef begins preparing a decadent mixed berry cobbler. The room fills with comforting scents reminiscent of grandma's kitchen. Patrons nibble on bits of filet mignon wrapped in bacon discussing everything from cooking experience to religion.This isn't a new restaurant, it's the Pastor's Pantry Cooking School.
This unique dining experience also serves as a dinner church in Wheelersburg, Ohio, led by chef and local pastor... (read more)
Monday, Sep 23, 2019
The deadline to submit legislation to the 2020 General Conference is now in the rearview mirror. So what is ahead?
The coming months will provide a fuller picture of what options will be before delegates when The United Methodist Church's top lawmaking assembly meets May 5-15 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
A big focus of the coming assembly will be dealing with the fallout of this year's special General Conference. The contentious gathering has led to v... (read more)
Monday, Sep 23, 2019
Imagine being forced to leave your home and everything familiar to you. Imagine leaving the place where you learned, gathered with friends and worshipped; where your ancestors were buried. This was the reality for 664 Wyandotte people when the United States government enforced the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
On September 21, United Methodist Global Ministries returned three acres of land, including the historic Wyandot Mission Church,to the Wyandotte people. Th... (read more)
Friday, Sep 13, 2019
Villar's Chapel and Martinsville United Methodist churches are located just eight miles apart in Clinton County, OH. These rural congregations had no professions of faith and just one baptism between them in 2017. In 2018, they baptized 15 and saw 9 professions of faith. Villar's Chapel and Martinsville were chosen as the Ohio River Valley District Light of the World award winners at this year's West Ohio Annual Conference. Light of the World churches are outst... (read more)
Friday, Sep 13, 2019
The West Ohio Camps' experience is about fun, friendship, and especially faith. To enhance that faith component, several pastors join our camps each summer as Pastors of the Week. Their involvement greatly enhances our camps' Christian ministry.
Camp Wesley was honored to have several pastors join camp this summer who are quite familiar with the surroundings. They were: Pastor Gary Wheeler, Germantown UMC, Laura Ramsey, Rushylvania Church of Christ, Matt Ove... (read more)