Contact Us

UM Community Ministries
32 Wesley Blvd. Suite 100
Worthington, Ohio 43085

(380) 223-9356

myoder@wocumc.org

The Mission of United Methodist Community Ministries is to assist congregations in doing ministry with and in the community God has called them.

Our goal is that every congregation becomes involved in life-changing, risk-taking service for the transformation of the world, starting with our local communities. To that end, we offer Grants and Partnership facilitation so that every congregation can become actively involved in life-changing, risk-taking service for the transformation of the world.

We serve five counties of central Ohio, including Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, and Marion counties.

To accomplish our Mission and Goal we:

Encourage - Assist existing District Mission Centers, support churches with community outreach ministries, and provide aid to churches or assistance with outreach ministries.

Enable - Help churches and groups identify community needs and assets, develop a mission and strategic plan, form partnerships and implement community ministries.

Educate - Provide valuable tools that help churches become more involved in community ministries through website information, training, retreats, mission tours, grant-writing workshops, and more.

United Methodist Community Ministries Board of Directors

Class of 2023

Judy Sharpe-Kosmatka (Harlem Road)  judysharpekos@gmail.com
Rev. Judy Cramer (Magnetic Springs Charge) judycramer@aol.com           
Mr. David Pennington (Brushy Fork) dwp69@hotmail.com     (Finance Chair)

Class of 2024

Karen Dill (Rushsylvania) dill2020@yahoo.com 
Daphne Byers (Centenary) byers6143@sbcglobal.net
Rev. Kenneth “Kenn” Barton (Good Shepherd/Fairview) pastorbarton@gmail.com (Board Chair)        
Ms. Lori Fisher (Wesley Church of Hope) lorifisher2@bestdooz.com  

Class of 2025

Rev. Amy Aspey (North Broadway/Short North) amy@shortnorthchurch.org
Mark Reed (William Street) deaconreed@hotmail.com
Rev. Brian Jones (Lancaster First) brianjones@lancasterfumc.org   
Rev. Anita Richter (Jackson Chapel) richteranita43@yahoo.com    

Ex Officio:

Rev. Dr. Tim Bias, District Superintendent
Rev. Matt Yoder, Director - UMCM
Regional Missional Specialist, Rev. Dr. Sara Thomas

Board Members

Board members are asked to participate in four board meetings a year. Board members can participate in other teams or committees of the Communities Ministries, but they are not required to do so.

Board members are nominated by their respective District’s Nominations Committee and approved by their District membership at their Annual District Conference. A term on the Board lasts three years. Persons can be invited to serve a second term. There is a six-year limit for serving on the Board.

Two Standing Committees

1) Local Outreach Support Committee - meets quarterly, conducts site visits to all the sites that have applied for a Local Outreach or District Mission Center grant, and recommends to the Board the amounts to be awarded.

2) Finance and Investment Committee - meets quarterly and oversees our investment portfolio, developing the annual budget and reviewing financial statements.

2023 Meeting Dates

In-person meetings are held at:
West Ohio Conference Center,
32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, OH

Local Outreach Support Committee

Weds. March 1, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am Virtual  

Weds. May 17, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am  In-person

Weds. August 16, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am Virtual 

Weds, November 15, 2023 9:30 am - noon In-person

Finance and Investment Committee

Weds. March 8, 2023 9:30 am - 10:30 am  Virtual

Weds. August 23, 2023 9:30 am - 10:30 am  Virtual

UMCM Board Meetings

Weds. March 8, 2023 10:30 am – noon Virtual 

Weds. May 24, 2023 10:30 am – noon In-person 

Weds. August 23, 2023 10:30 am – noon Virtual  

Weds. November 29, 2023 10:30 am – noon  In-person