910 E. Third St., Ottawa, OH 45875
Telephone: 419.523.9901 / 800.589.7828
Fax: 419.523.3479
Email [email protected]
Website: www.nwpumc.org
IN THIS ISSUE
Spring Conference
Weekly Prayer
Attention Clergy Spouses
West Ohio Annual Conference
Emmaus
Local Church & Community Events
West Ohio Conference and Beyond
Resources
Classifieds
QUICK LINKS
Northwest Plains District Website
West Ohio UMC Website
West Ohio You Tube Channel
Lay Ministry
Local Church Officer Job Descriptions
The United Methodist Church
United Methodist VIM
United Methodist Women
Church World Service
Rethink Church
Find A Church
MissionInsite
Apportionment Support Materials
UMCom Tech Shop
Church Communications Training
UMCOR’S YouTube Channel
Rural Ministry Support
Friendly Center, Toledo
Bread for the World
Society of St. Andrew
Stop Hunger Now
Upper Room Dailey Devotional
Weekly Bulletin
May 15, 2015
Northwest Plains Spring District Conference and
Pre-Annual Conference Briefing
Sunday, May 17, 3 PM
Wesley United Methodist Church
551 Center Street, Van Wert, OH
All pastors, lay members, district at large members, and lay persons are invited to participate in this year’s Spring District Conference.
Gathering time begins at 2:30 pm, allowing participants to meet
one another and build relationships with others across the Northwest Plains. The District Conference will begin at 3:00 pm. There
will also be an “Orientation to Annual Conference for first-time
lay members” at 2:30 pm. The Book of Reports for Annual Conference will be available for pick-up.
During the Conference, we will worship together and recognize
graduates, those being commissioned, first-time licenses for local
pastors, newly certified candidates, transitions and retirements.
We will also approve our district leadership teams and our 2016
budget, present the pre-annual conference briefing, reviewing
the recommendations that will be voted on.
Clergy and Lay Members of Annual Conference are especially encouraged to attend.
Conference business should conclude by 4:30 pm.
A time for fellowship and light refreshments will follow giving
everyone the opportunity to bid farewell to those who are retiring and transitioning to new appointments. No RSVP required.
As we remember Jesus’ Ascension this Sunday, and the mission he has
now entrusted to disciples of all generations, let us pray:
Lord Jesus, it would be delightful to spend our days gazing after you into
the heavens, trying to peer beyond the mystery to understand where you
have gone and when you will return. Instead, it is time for us to be very
down to earth, time to be about the mission you have entrusted to us.
Prepare us with your Spirit’s precious gifts, that through us our neighbors
may experience your love. Bless us with vision, that we may discover creative ways to extends your compassion to every land, so that when you return, it will be to a people prepared. In your name and power we pray.
Amen.
The district office will be closed
Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.
Attention Clergy Spouses
NWP & MWD District Spouses Brunch at Lakeside, Tuesday, June 9, 10:15 am-11:30 am,
Upper Pavilion Room. Please RSVP to Deb Lee, [email protected] or phone
1.800.589.7828.
Clergy Spouse Coffee with Cynthia Palmer, Monday, June 8, 10:00 am-11:15 am, Chautauqua
Hall at the Fountain Inn. Register at Coffee with Cynthia at Chautauqua Hall at Fountain Inn
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
Child care will be offered for the children of annual conference members while the conference is in
session. Registration required by May 22.
Family Fun Events will be available each day at various times. Registration required.
Vacation Bible School will be offered for the children of annual conference members on Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-3 pm. Registration is required by May 1.
MEMBER INFORMATION:
Book of Reports
Lay and Clergy Voter Guide
Videos to watch before Annual Conference
OFFERING INFORMATION:
Imagine No Malaria
Health Kits
This year Health Kits will be collected at annual conference by the Midwest Mission Distribution
Center (MMDC). MMDC will once again provide a tractor-trailer as well as personnel to receive kits.
The tractor-trailer will be parked close to South Auditorium which is where registration will be held.
Note: Mark Freeman, from Midwest Mission Distribution Center is looking for help loading the tractor
-trailer with health kits. If you’re willing to help, please call Mark at 217.691.1575.
Potato Drive
REGISTRATION:
All clergy and lay members must register online for the 2015 Annual Conference Session before the
deadline of May 30. Register via the West Ohio website at Register for Events.
Clergy wishing to be excused from Annual Conference should complete this request form.
Emmaus Events
Findlay Emmaus Gathering
Sidney Emmaus Gathering
Tuesday, May 19, 7 pm
St Marks UMC
800 S. Main St., Findlay
419.422.4131
http://www.findlayemmaus.org/
Tuesday, June 9, 7 pm
First UMC
230 E. Poplar St., Sidney
937.492.9136
http://www.sidneyemmaus.org/
(always the third Tuesday)
(always the second Tuesday)
Emmaus Walks ~ A Journey with Christ
While they were talking and discussing. Jesus himself came near and walked with them. - Luke 24:15
A program of the Upper Room division of the General Board Discipleship which calls forth and
renews Christian discipleship. The Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience, a highly structured
weekend, which takes a New Testament look at Christianity as a life-style. The program is designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people and through them their families,
congregations, and the world.
Findlay Emmaus Walks @ St. Marks UMC, Findlay
Women's Walk #95
Women's Walk #96
Men's Walk #73
June 18-21, 2015
October 8-11, 2015
November 5-8, 2015
Findlay Chrysalis Flights @ St. Andrew’s UMC, Findlay
Girl’s Flight #45
Boy’s Flight #44
July 10-12, 2015
July 24-26, 2015
Sidney Emmaus Walks @ First UMC, Sidney
Women’s Walk #66
Women’s Walk #67
Men’s Walk #62
July 9-12, 2015
October 15-18, 2015
August 6-9, 2015
West Ohio Piqua Chrysalis Flights @ First UMC, Sidney
Girl’s Flight #60
July 10-12, 2015
Boy’s Flight #60
July 31-August 2, 2015
LOCAL CHURCH
AND
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Concert featuring
Molly Pickett
Salem UMC (Wyandot County)
Located at Township Highways 96 & 69
Sunday, May 17, 4:00 pm
Join us for worship and concert to
be followed by a potluck meal.
Offering to benefit Imagine No Malaria, a mission of
the United Methodist Church.
Everyone welcome!
The Pandora United Methodist Church will be
hosting a FREE Community Meal on Wednesday,
May 27, 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the church fellowship
hall, 108 E. Washington Street, Pandora. The meal
this month is provided by the Mission Committee.
The menu will be Sub sandwiches, potato salad,
chips, brownies and beverage.
Otterbein St. Marys Senior Lifestyle Choices
Lima Trinity UMC Youth Camp Yard Sale
June 4-6
900 Fenway Dr., Lima
Please contact Ali Petrey for the start and end times.
419.996.9725.
http://www.womenoffaith.com/events2/fort-wayne/
July 31-August 1, 2015
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, Ft.
Wayne, Indiana
Join Women of Faith as they celebrate 20 years of
laughter and life-changing messages, and experience
the event of a lifetime. It’s your last chance to see
these speakers share a stage together! Come back
one more time and invite other women who need to
hear the message we’ve shared from the beginning:
You are seen. You are known. You are free. You are
LOVED.
Flat Rock Creek Fall Festival
September 18-20
Paulding County Fairgrounds
Attention church musicians!
Be a part of the gospel outreach at the Flat Rock
Creek Fall Festival!
We are looking for church and gospel singers,
choirs, bands, and groups to perform on our brand
new Gospel stage. We are interested in folks who
can perform live music for about one hour.
Please contact the Paulding Chamber at [email protected] or call Kim at 419.956.2025.
NEWS
FROM AROUND THE
CONNECTION
Disciple Making Churches Grant Applications available
DMC grant applications are now available here. Grants must be submitted by June 1.
ERT Recertification Classes
June 6 Bryan Wesley UMC, 903 Center St., Bryan OH (NWP) 9 – 1 Roger Thatcher is the trainer. http://
www.westohioumc.org/conference/event/early-response-team-recertification-bryan-wesley-umc-nwp-0
August 8 Hope UMC, 5980 Wilmington Pike, Dayton OH (MIV) 2 sessions Morning and
Afternoon Registration information.
Youth 2015
June 24-28
Youth 2015 is a national gathering to equip United Methodist youth and youth leaders for
service and provide them the opportunity to experience and express their faith in new and
vibrant ways. This national gathering occurs every four years. This year’s theme is ‘Go On’
and is grounded in both scripture and several of John Wesley’s sermons.
Orlando, Florida / Marriott World Center
Registration is open until May 31.
EFWO Annual Conference Gathering to be Held
Join us for the EFWO gathering at West Ohio Annual Conference Tuesday, June 9 at Wesley Lodge North &
South at 6:30 pm (dinner break following the Ordination Service). Dr. Kevin Watson from Candler School of Theology, Emory University will be our speaker. Menu: Baked potato and salad bar, Coke products and brownies. Be
sure to bring a friend!
Dr. Kevin M. Watson is Assistant Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at Candler
School of Theology, Emory University. An ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Watson has written a history of small group formation in early Methodism, Pursuing Social Holiness: The Band Meeting in Wesley’s Thought and Popular Methodist Practice (2014). He has
also written books that seek to help contemporary Wesleyan/Methodist communities reclaim
a distinctly Wesleyan approach to Christian discipleship and small group formation: A Blueprint
for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living (2009) and The Class
Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience (2014). He is currently
working on a history of the development and fragmentation of American Methodism as a theological tradition. Watson blogs at vitalpiety.com and can be found on twitter at @kevinwatson
Cost: $15.00 Make checks payable to EFWO
Send your reservation and payment to:
Rachel Miller, EFWO Treasurer
5382 Thornhill Court
Grove City, OH 43123
[email protected]
www.efwo.org
RESOURCES
Pentecost Sunday, May 24
Discipleship Ministries is offering a number of liturgies, prayer and other resources to prepare for your Pentecost Sunday worship experience. View, use
and share these resources.
They Were Waiting for a Sign from God and Holy Spirit, Rain Down on This
Place —21st Century Worship Resources for the Day of Pentecost— are calls
to worship for the day of Pentecost.
United Methodist pastor and hymn writer Nickolas Campbell has composed
‘Spirit of God, Assist and Guide Today’ hymn based on John Wesley's prayers
for Sunday morning.
In this light-hearted episode of the Chuck Knows Church series, Chuck Knows Pentecost offers viewers the opportunity to learn the meaning of the birth of the early church, fifty days after Passover, its symbols, and much more.
Connect young people to opportunities for putting their faith into action
Use the searchable platform on the new website UMConnector from
Young People’s Ministries to get young people involved in the many opportunities provided by the agencies of the United Methodist Church.
Browse one-page profiles of other UMConnector users that include direct
contact information, and then go directly to a program or event webpage, or contact the staff in charge of that program. Explore www.umconnector.org today.
How is your church offering H.O.P.E.?
Making disciples for the transformation of the world means offering the hope of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life. At
Discipleship Ministries, H.O.P.E. is an acronym that helps us remember the core process of making disciples found
in The Book of Discipline: Hospitality, Opportunity, Purpose and Engagement. Tell the world how is your congregation making disciples and offering hope to your community. Visit UMCHOPE.org.
Outreach E-Book for Free!
Reach the City. Any Church. Any Size. Any City.
Included inside the E-Book is:
10 OUTREACH IDEAS THAT EVERY CHURCH CAN DO PLUS
10 OUTREACH MYTHS EVERY CHURCH SHOULD BUST!
http://www.reachthecity.com/10and10/
Help Wanted: Children’s Ministry Coordinator (full-time)
Coordinator of Children’s Ministry, full-time, St. Andrew’s UMC, 120 W. Sandusky St., Findlay, Ohio.
Please send resume to [email protected].
Do you have news or something interesting to share? Know of anyone who would like to be
added to our Weekly Bulletin e-mail list? Contact Deb via e-mail [email protected] or call
1.800.589.7828.
When e-mailing the district staff, please use the e-mail addresses listed below:
Rev. Barry Burns, District Superintendent: [email protected]
Rev. Amy Haines, Assistant to the DS: [email protected]
Debra Lee, Office Administrator: [email protected]
Sandy Pergram, Administrative Assistant: [email protected]