News
Thursday, Sep 5, 2019
Jessie Roark, one of this year's West Ohio Conference Harry Denman Evangelism Award winners, was recently featured in a story on the United Methodist news website, umnews.org. Jessie is the director of St. Mark's Resource Center in Lima, OH, which offers free clothing, food, personal hygiene items, household items, internet access, and referrals to other community resources.In February of 2019, the Resource Center served 834 households, representing 2,383 ind... (read more)
Thursday, Sep 5, 2019
He came on a tourist visa in 2017. Joined by his wife and two children, they disembarked in the US. As the vacation unfolded, visiting family in Ohio, the same God who got hold of his grandfather and father captured his future. Both his grandfather and father were pastors in Colombia, and now God was calling him to stay in Ohio and be a youth pastor and worship leader for a Hispanic United Methodist Church. His wife and children agreed. Now he waits for a stu... (read more)
Sunday, Sep 1, 2019
Hope United Methodist Church is located on the southeast side of Dayton in Greene County. Last year, the church decided to emphasize an understanding of baptism – what it means and why it matters. After having no baptisms in 2017, Hope Church had 13 baptisms in 2018 along with 3 professions of faith.
Hope UMC was chosen as the 2018 Miami Valley District Light of the World award winner at this year’s West Ohio Annual Conference. Light of the World churches are o... (read more)
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2019
Seeking to return sacred lands they have held in trust for 176 years, leaders of The United Methodist Church and the Wyandotte Nation will hold a ceremony on September 21 during which lands held by the agency will be formally returned to the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. A rare occurrence in United States history, the event will include local dignitaries and leaders of Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma and the Wyandot Nation of Kansas. In 1844, the Wyandotte tribe d... (read more)
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2019
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when all United Methodists in the United States can celebrate diversity and the positive contributions of their Hispanic/Latino brothers and sisters to their communities and congregations. During the September 15-October 15 observance, many Hispanic/Latino people are remembering their traditions and celebrating their families' countries of origin and their independence. It offers an opportunity for all church members to better... (read more)
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2019
Are you a lay person with a love of God and neighbor currently volunteering in your local congregation? Do you hunger to serve God with a greater sense of direction?
If so, consider joining others from across the Conference in the upcoming Certified Lay Minister (CLM) Academy! The one-year CLM Academy starts on March 14, 2020 and concludes in March 2021 with recognition occurring at the 2021 Annual Conference. In order to apply, you must complete the basic co... (read more)
Monday, Aug 26, 2019
The New Holland United Methodist Church, located in the corner of Pickaway and Fayette Counties, is turning 0’s into whole numbers. In 2018, the New Holland church received seven persons by profession of faith while baptizing two adults. New Holland was chosen as the 2018 Capitol Area South Light of the World award winner at this year’s West Ohio Annual Conference. Light of the World churches are outstanding in their commitment to shine the light of God’s love... (read more)
Monday, Aug 26, 2019
The struggle to keep doors open at small membership churches can be daunting. Time and money spent on administration and infrastructure eat into the church’s true purpose: to be the heart and soul of a community, a place where people come for renewal and hope.
Collectives bring small membership churches in rural communities together to share Bible studies, fellowship and other activities. An urban collective isn’t quite so common. Light the Way has invested in... (read more)
Thursday, Aug 22, 2019
On August 25, 1619, the first enslaved Africans arrived into what was then the colony of Virginia and onto the shores of English-occupied North America. This Sunday, August 25, 2019, at 3:00 PM, scores of congregants in churches across the United States will participate in the Healing Day National Bell Ringing observance during which they will ring their church bells for four minutes and solemnly mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved A... (read more)
Thursday, Aug 22, 2019
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so-it is well with my soul.
The words of the familiar hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," have been sung at countless services of worship... (read more)