The job description will be
published, and applications
must be submitted by Aug. 1.
Leadership Team will meet
on Aug. 7 to review applica-
tions. The Leadership Team
requests prayer during this
time: “Please be in prayer for
all of this. Pray for Wanda
and Tom as they transition to
new assignments and for Re-
gional Pastor Ralph Reinford
as his workload will inevitably
increase. Pray for the Leader-
ship Team, the Conference
and the denomination. Thank
you for your ongoing support
and prayers!”
The Ohio Conference Lead-
ership Team is making plans
for a transition in Conference
staffing.
On June 21 Regional Pastor
Wanda Stopher informed the
Leadership Team that she is a
candidate for the role of lead
pastor of First Mennonite
Church in Bluffton. She antici-
pates ending her work with
Ohio Conference effective
Aug. 31, 2015.
In recognition of Wanda’s
resignation and Conference
Minister Tom Kauffman’s
earlier resignation announce-
ment, the Leadership Team is
planning to have a transitional
conference leader in place by
Sept. 1, 2015. This will be a
full-time position that will last
for 6-12 months. During
these 6-12 months the Lead-
ership Team will continue the
process of listening to all of
Ohio Conference to discern
the needs and direction for
our future.
The Leadership Team and
staff are working on creating
a job description for the tran-
sitional conference leader.
Leadership Team plans for transition
Five of the new pastors serv-
ing Ohio Conference congre-
gations, along with their
spouses, took part in the
New Pastor Orientation June
7-8. Sixteen new pastors and
their spouses were invited,
but only five couples were
able to participate.
The two-day orientation be-
gan with an overnight stay at
the Comfort Inn in Berlin.
Following breakfast the next
morning, Regional Pastor
New pastors learn about Conference
JUL/AUG 2015
2 Editorial
Five-Year Plan
review begins
3 Leadership Team
minutes
4 Conference
minister musings
5 On being
charitable
6 OMW Retreat
7 Reconciliation
through football
Ohio Mennonite
Relief Sale
8 Latino Retreat
9 About people
10 Hesston graduates
11 Bluffton graduates
EMU graduates
12 Back page
briefings
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE:
The New Pastor Orientation held June 7-8 included time at the Ohio Conference office in Kidron.
Continued on page 5
Transitional conference leader sought to serve for 6-12 months
VOL. LXIX, NO. 4
JUL/AUG 2015
Editor: Ann H. Leaman
Ohio Mennonite Evangel
(USPS 404-500) is published
six times per year by the
Ohio Conference of Mennon-
ite Church USA, Box 210,
Kidron OH 44636,
telephone (330) 857-5421.
All material for publication
should be submitted to the
editor at 5854 Sunland St.
NE, Louisville OH 44641, or
via telephone:
(330) 453-0150, or e-mail:
one month prior to desired
publication date.
Ohio Mennonite Evangel is
distributed to all households
of Ohio Conference congre-
gations, other interested
individuals and church agen-
cies.
Ohio Mennonite Evangel is
printed at Carlisle Printing,
2673 TR 421 Sugarcreek OH
44681.
Send subscription information
and address changes to the
editor at 5854 Sunland St.
NE, Louisville OH 44641.
Periodical postage paid at
Millersburg OH 44654.
Review of Five-Year Plan begins
Thanks for traveling alongside us In the 16+ years that I have
served the Ohio Confer-
ence, I have always found
that working with other
Ohio Conference staff
members is one of the best
parts of my job. While we
often have faced financial
pressures and sometimes
faced times of conflict, I
have always found our
Conference staff to be sup-
portive. It is truly a joy to
work with people who are
focused on building others
up, and I credit our Confer-
ence Minister Tom Kauff-
man with setting that tone
for our staff relations.
There is no question that I
will miss his presence and
leadership as he moves on
to a new assignment.
I have worked with quite a
few regional pastors
throughout the years, and
one common characteristic
I have noted is the ability to
find joy in living, even when
the congregations they are
walking alongside are in the
midst of difficult or painful
situations. Regional Pastor
Wanda Stopher has been a
great example of this joy-
filled living, and I will miss
her infectious laugh at our
staff meetings.
Tom and Wanda, thanks
for all you have done as
you have served the Ohio
Conference. I pray God’s
blessings on you as you
begin the next chapter of
your ministry!
— ahl
Personnel of the Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA
Moderator: Dean Beck — [email protected]
Assistant Moderator: Thomas Dunn — [email protected] Conference Minister: Tom Kauffman — [email protected] Credentialing Ministry Chair: Naomi Engle — [email protected] Gifts Discernment Ministry Chair: Mel Hathaway — [email protected]
Stewardship Minstry Chair: Keith Hostetler — [email protected] Regional Pastor: Ralph Reinford — [email protected]
Regional Pastor: Wanda Stopher — [email protected] Administrative Secretary: Judy King — [email protected] Finance Coordinator: Stan Helmuth — [email protected]
Conference Editor: Ann Leaman — [email protected] Coordinator of Volunteers: Alysa Short — [email protected]
of Berlin Mennonite
Church. The team’s first
meeting was held June 17.
A review of the Five-Year
Plan is one of the action
steps in the resolution re-
garding the Confession of
Faith which delegates
adopted at the 2015 Annual
Conference Assembly in
March. A copy of the full
resolution is on the Ohio
Conference website:
www.ohiomennoniteconfer
ence.org. To view the reso-
lution, go to the
“Delegates/ACA” section
and click on “ACA Docu-
ments.”
*Historical note: In 2011
Ohio Conference delegates
approved the Five-Year
Plan, which was a proposal
from the Leadership Team.
The plan called for increas-
ing the regional pastor staff
from 1.5 full-time equiva-
lent (FTE) positions to 2.0
FTE. Originally, when the
regional pastor system was
adopted, the regional pas-
tor staff had 3.0 FTE, but
later staffing was reduced.
The Ohio Conference
Leadership Team has ap-
pointed a four-person team
to review the Five-Year
Plan*. This team is com-
prised of Doug Zehr, lead
pastor of Oak Grove Men-
nonite Church in Smithville;
Paula Snyder Belousek, pas-
tor of Salem Mennonite
Church in Elida; Wes
Graber, a member of the
Ohio Conference Ministry
Development Team and
member of West Clinton
Mennonite Church; and
Myron Weaver, lead pastor
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 2
E D I T O R I A L
March 11-12 at Central
Mennonite Church in Arch-
bold.)
Report from Conference
Minister Tom Kauffman
about his and Marion Beye-
ler’s stewardship meetings
with congregations
Approved a maternity leave
for Coordinator of Volun-
teers Alysa Short for this
summer.
Tom and Dean Beck report-
ed on the Constituency
Ohio Conference Leadership
Team Minutes
April 13, 2015
Present: All members
The following points were dis-
cussed:
Annual Conference Assem-
bly (ACA) — Reviewed
feedback, what was positive
and what could be improved
upon; discussed the location
of the next ACA. (Note:
The 2016 ACA will be
Leaders Council (CLC)
meeting at Bethel College in
North Newton, Kan. Three
resolutions were presented
to CLC for discussion with
only one to be sent to the
Executive Committee. Ohio
Conference Leadership
Team will write a letter to
the MC USA Resolutions
Committee stating that
Ohio Conference delegates
are more aligned with the
beliefs expressed in a differ-
Leadership Team reviews ACA, looks ahead at April meeting
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 3
“This is an
unsettled time
for our
conference and
our
denomination,
and our desire
is to lead with
Godly wisdom.”
ed to provide oversight to the
leadership transition currently
happening with Tom Kauffman’s
resignation. This group is made
up of Mel Hathaway, Dean
Beck, Judy King and Matt
Hochstetler.
Leadership Team also spent
time talking with Matt Hamsher,
pastor of Longenecker Mennon-
ite Church, who brought up the
question of whether it would
be possible for a congregation
to remain a part of Ohio Con-
ference yet not be a part of
Mennonite Church USA. Lead-
ership Team and Matt have
more questions than answers
on this topic at this time, but
realize it may be an important
topic for many of our congrega-
tions. Leadership Team will
continue to look into this topic.
Please continue to be in prayer
and conversation with the Lead-
ership Team. This is an unset-
tled time for our conference
and our denomination, and our
desire is to lead with Godly
wisdom. We want your input,
your prayers, your dreams, and
your concerns. Don’t hesitate
to contact any member of the
Leadership Team!
Dean Beck
(419) 445-0357
Thomas Dunn
Thomas@
crownhillmennonite.com
(330) 317-5587
Naomi Engle
(419) 340-0390
Mel Hathaway
(330) 985-0023
Keith Hostetler
(330) 466-0724
The Ohio Conference Leader-
ship Team met on June 2 in
Tiffin, Ohio, which is a midway
point for most people on Lead-
ership Team. The main agenda
for the morning revolved
around meeting with two rep-
resentatives from Mennonite
Health Services (MHS) who are
providing consulting to Ohio
Conference for both structure
review and leadership transi-
tion.
Based on the resolution passed
in March and affirmation from
MHS, Leadership Team has cre-
ated a task force in charge of
listening to Ohio Conference.
This group is made up of
Naomi Engle, Ralph Reinford
and Thomas Dunn and will be
facilitating the fall cluster meet-
ings, a fall all-pastors meeting
and possibly an online survey.
A second task force was creat-
Leadership Team creates task forces
Continued on page 11
different church tradition than
the one with which I am famil-
iar. It offers me new insights
and perspectives. I don’t em-
brace or agree with all of them.
It provides a more liturgical
perspective than what I general-
ly read or live within. And it
often has Eastern Orthodox
ideas, such as the one repre-
sented here.
I can imagine Elder Paisios re-
calling 1 John 1:8-2:2 about how
we deceive ourselves if we say
we have no sin as he writes
these words, or Jesus’ words in
Luke 6:39ff about logs and
specks in people’s eyes. I sense
in these words a deep longing
and appreciation for both a
level of piety in our daily lives
that many of us find hard to
achieve, while at the same time
a deep recognition of the real
and potential sin in our lives
that keep us from living out that
piety with integrity and authen-
ticity.
I continue to believe, more fer-
vently than ever, that the most
faithful contribution we can
make to the Reign of God is to
focus on ourselves and what it
means to become more faithful.
While we may see the sins of
others clearly (or at least think
we do), it is really our own life
and actions over which we have
the greatest control. That’s
where we have the greatest
ability to make changes. If we
truly want to “straighten out a
particle of the Church,” then
we need to focus on ourselves.
Granted, it may be harder work
than drawing attention to our
neighbor, but it just may be the
work that God is calling each of
us to do — live faithfully in our
own lives.
Several weeks ago the daily
devotional guide I follow had
this closing prayer for the
week: “All that we have and all
that we are is from your hand,
O Lord. Receive what is yours
and do with us what best serves
the full arrival of your reign on
earth. In the name of Jesus and
the power of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.” I have tried to faithfully
pray that prayer for my own
life. To both strive toward faith-
fulness and to yield my own
desires to God is my goal. I
offer this discipline to you as
well!
“I continue to
believe, more
fervently than
ever, that the
most faithful
contribution
we can make
to the Reign
of God is to
focus on
ourselves and
what it means
to become
more faithful.”
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 4
‘Mending one’s own ways requires effort’: How can we become more faithful?
C O N F E R E N C E M I N I S T E R M U S I N G S
By Tom Kauffman Conference Minister
One of the websites that I
read regularly is “Dover
Beach” found at https://
lifeondoverbeach.wordpres
s.com. This reading for June
5, 2015, was from Elder
Paisios of Mount Athos:
"Evil lies within us. There is no love
in us, so we don’t feel all people to
be brothers and are tempted by
[the knowledge of] their sinful
ways. But it’s not right when moral
failings become known to all. The
injunction of the Gospels to “tell it
unto the Church” (Matthew
18:17) doesn’t mean that every-
thing has to become known to
everyone. By exposing the moral
failings of our brother we arm the
enemies of the Church, give them
another pretext to escalate the
war against Her. And the faith of
the weak is shaken in this way
too. If you want to help the
Church, then try to mend your
own ways, rather than others’. In
straightening yourself out you
straighten out a particle of the
Church. If everyone were to do
that then the Church would be in
perfect order. But today’s people
attend to everything under the
sun, only not to themselves, be-
cause it’s easy to teach others,
while mending one’s own ways
requires effort.
One of the reasons I read this
blog is because it represents a
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 5
Scriptures speak with clarity about generosity By David A Miller
My congregation,
Millersburg Mennonite
Church, designated 2015 as
the “Year of the Bible” and
gave each adult a copy of
The One Year Bible, pub-
lished by Tyndale. It is giv-
ing me a renewed apprecia-
tion for the power of scrip-
ture to point me to life is-
sues and opportunities with
clarity and certainty.
New Testament verses that
address the importance and
rewards of generosity obviously
get my attention. Rather than
try to write original comments
about being charitable, I am
sharing a few scriptures that tell
it so much better.
“You must each decide in your
heart how much to give. And
don’t give reluctantly or in re-
sponse to pressures. ‘For God
loves a person who gives cheer-
fully.’ ” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
NLT
“No one can serve two mas-
ters. Either you will hate the
one and love the other, or you
will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and money.” —
Matthew 6:24 NIV
“Tell them to use their money
to do good. They should be
rich in good works and should
give happily to those in need,
always being ready to share
with others whatever God has
given them. By doing this they
will be storing up real treasure
for themselves in heaven — it is
the only safe investment for
eternity! And they will be living
a fruitful Christian life down
here as well.” — 1 Timothy
6:18-19 TLB
“God is able to make it up to
you by giving you everything
you need and more so that
there will not only be enough
for your own needs but plenty
left over to give joyfully to oth-
ers.” — 2 Corinthians 9:8 TLB
Let’s read these scriptures again
“for the first time.” Besides
reflecting on the scriptural im-
plications for our own lives,
discussing them and the topic of
generosity with significant per-
sons can be helpful.
Rick Warren so wisely stated,
“If you learn to be generous,
God will bless you more than
you can imagine.”
David A Miller is an Everence
Charitable Services Representative.
Contact him at 330) 763-3191 or
O N B E I N G C H A R I T A B L E
New Pastor Orientation Ralph Reinford led the group to
Heini's Cheese Chalet, which
was a cultural experience with
an Amish tour guide. While in
Berlin they also viewed Behalt,
the 265-foot circular mural de-
scribing church history which is
located at the Amish & Men-
nonite Heritage Center. The
group then enjoyed the buffet
at Mrs. Yoder's in Mount Hope.
After lunch they traveled on to
the Ohio Conference office in
Kidron to meet Conference
Administrative Assistant Judy
King and Conference Minister
Tom Kauffman, who shared
about the activities and re-
sources of Conference. They
visited Everence and MCC
Connections and learned about
their ministries. They ended the
day at Camp Luz. “It was a
great day of fellowship and
learning,” said Regional Pastor
Ralph Reinford.
Continued from page 1
The New Pastors Orientation includ-ed stops at various locations in Holmes County, including Heini’s Cheese Cha-let in in Berlin.
“Where’s the Pause Button?
Making Space for God in Every-
day Life” will be the theme of
the Ohio Mennonite Women’s
Retreat Sept. 18-20 at Camp
Luz in Kidron.
In our busy lives, sometimes
finding time to connect with
God can feel like just one more
thing on a long “to do” list. And
when we do carve out some
time, what then? Sisters Ginny
Hostetler, Willie Stoltzfus and
Michele Rae Rizoli will share
their own struggles to inten-
tionally slow down and nurture
the spirit in the midst of busy-
ness. Together we will explore
biblical stories, worship in song,
and experience spiritual practic-
es that can help us “press the
pause button” in our everyday
lives.”
In addition to presentations by
Ginny, Willie and Michele, the
retreat will include a mothering
workshop led by Rebecca Lach-
man of Athens, Ohio, and vari-
ous opportunities for a prayer
and nature walk, massages, a
service project at MCC Con-
nections or meeting with a spir-
itual director.
The cost for the retreat is $80
for those staying the entire
weekend, $20 for Friday only,
$50 for Saturday only and $20
for Sunday only.
Ohio Mennonite Women will
send retreat brochures with a
registration form to all Ohio
Conference congregations in
July. Check your church mail-
box for details. Below is an ab-
breviated registration form for
this event.
All registrations are due Sept. 4.
For more information, contact
Marilyn Rossiter at (330) 749-
5654 or [email protected].
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 6
Sisters to share at OMW Retreat
Ohio Mennonite Women Retreat Registration Form
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone
I want lodging at Camp Luz.
I will be at Camp Luz for all meals.
My special needs are
Registration Fee: $80 Full registration (Friday-Sunday)
$20 Friday only
$50 Saturday only
$20 Sunday only
Mail registration form and a check for $25 (payable to OMW) by Sept. 4 to: Treasurer: Edna Troyer 230 Montrose Way Wellington OH 44090 You may contact Edna Troyer at (440) 647-2320 or [email protected].
Sisters Willie Stoltzfus, Michele Rae Rizoli and Ginny Hostetler (pictured left to right) will be the featured speak-ers at the 46th annual Ohio Mennonite Women’s Re-treat this fall. Photo courtesy of Andrew Hostetler.
Reconciliation through football By Erin Dye Adriel Chaplain
Leaving the past behind and
moving forward with a posi-
tive outlook, this May we’ve
witnessed a happy joining of
two worlds: Adriel and the
West Liberty Police De-
partment. Until recently,
the local police worked
with only a small percent-
age of our youth while in
crisis. The police become
involved when situations
with the youth’s behaviors
go beyond how our staff
can best help them. This is
a necessary step in keeping
our youth and staff safe, but
these encounters provided
law enforcement with only
a limited view into the lives
of our youth.
In the same way, our youth
have had minimal positive expo-
sure to police due to previous
trouble with family, friends, or
themselves. With initial interest
from the police department, the
police chief and another officer
joined us for an evening of our
already established weekly cam-
pus-wide game of the month,
flag football.
As the chaplain and oftentimes
main activity coordinator, I have
the privilege of seeing our
youth at their best every day.
Between sharing an encouraging
word with each other in our
weekly worship service to
laughing and experiencing the
Lord’s joy in a game of Ultimate
Frisbee, our youth are incredi-
ble and have so much to offer
to God’s Kingdom. With both
parties willing to look at each
other in the best light, police
and youth shared a memorable
evening of learning new skills,
running drills, and lining up
shoulder to shoulder with new
friends.
Since then, the police chief has
shared his free time in May
helping our youth hone their
football skills. In a letter of ap-
preciation, the chief shared,
“Now that the youth are no
longer only names on a report,
I can focus on the good they
have, and can continue to work
with them to be viable mem-
bers of society.” What a beauti-
ful example for everyone that
God is indeed reconciling all
things, big and small.
wood and tool auction, and a
quilt auction. A 24-Hour Bike
Ride and 5K run also are part
of the annual fundraiser.
The Relief Sale opens on Friday
afternoon with the 24-hour
bike ride beginning at 3 p.m. All
other Relief Sale food and ven-
dor booths open at 4 p.m. The
50th Anniversary Variety Show
Dalton, Ohio —The 50th An-
nual Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale
will be at Buckeye Event Center
in Dalton, Ohio, July 31-Aug. 1.
The 2015 Ohio Mennonite Re-
lief Sale includes live music,
breakfast, food and vendor
booths and children’s activities,
as well as volleyball tourna-
ments. Multiple auctions will be
held, including a silent auction, a
program will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Performers include John
Schmid, Tim Shue and Les
Gustafson-Zook. Friday’s guests
will be able to preview Satur-
day’s auction items and partici-
pate in a silent auction of theme
baskets and other donated
handmade items. The annual
Buckeye Event Center to host Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 7
Continued on page 8
A game of flag football provided an opportunity for positive interaction between youth from Adriel and members of the local police depart-ment.
volleyball tournament will take
place Friday as well.
On Saturday breakfast starts at
7 a.m. The Run for Relief 5K
will be held at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m.,
the wood and tool auction will
begin, followed by the quilt auc-
tion at 9:30 a.m. Gerber’s
chicken barbecue, Laotian egg
rolls, homemade ice cream, and
much more will be available for
lunch.
The My Coins Count program
is designated for water projects
around the world. This project
provides clean drinking water
and new wells for communities
worldwide. Change is being
collected at area Mennonite
churches until the sale. Collec-
tion sites and a coin counter
will be available at the Relief
Sale. Donations can be sent to
the Ohio MCC Relief Sale, Box
62, Kidron OH 44636.
Children’s activities are availa-
ble throughout Friday and Sat-
urday. These include festival
games, a children’s train, and an
auction for children 13 and un-
der where they can bid on
many different items.
To preview auction items
online, see
www.OhioMccReliefSale.org.
Brochures, registration infor-
mation and forms for the 24-
hour bike ride, Run for Relief
5K, and volleyball tournaments
are available online, as well as
information about entry fees for
specific events.
Proceeds from the sale go to
Mennonite Central Committee
(MCC). MCC is the relief, ser-
vice and development agency of
North American Mennonite and
Brethren in Christ Churches.
MCC seeks to demonstrate
God's love through committed
women and men who work
among suffering people.
Admission and parking are free.
Handicap parking and wheel-
chairs are available.
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 8
By Raul Tadeo
The annual Latino Family Re-
treat was held on the weekend
of May15-17 at Camp Luz in
Kidron. The topic of the retreat
was “Living in the Spirit,” based
on Acts 1:8. Present were 72
adults, 23 youth and 44 children
for a total of 139 participants.
Several leaders preached on the
retreat topic, and small groups
were formed to do sharing on
the subject.
Ohio Hispanic groups partici-
pating in the retreat came from
Lima, Columbus and Wayne
County. One sister said, “It was
a marvelous experience. “ One
brother said, “I did not want
the retreat to end. I did not
want to leave.” One young girl
said, “I learned very much.”
Another person said, “The Spir-
it of God was definitely pre-
sent.” In the Saturday evening
service Haroldo Nunes, retreat
coordinator, gave an invitation
for those who wanted to make
decisions for the Lord or make
recommitments to the Lord. A
number of persons accepted
the invitation.
Retreat focuses on ‘Living in the Spirit’
Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale Continued from page 7
One hundred thirty-nine peo-ple attended the Latino Family Retreat at Camp Luz.
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 9
On the afternoon of April 26,
2015, Gary Stuckey and Sandy
Stuckey were ordained for
Christian ministry at Pine Grove
Mennonite Church in Stryker,
where they serve as co-pastors.
The message, “Faithful to the
Call,” based on II Timothy 1:3-7,
was offered by David and
Corina Tijerina, who have
served as mentors for Gary and
Sandy. The ordinations were
celebrated with a meal shared
by family, friends, the Pine
Grove church family and many
colleagues.
Pastoral notes
A B O U T P E O P L E
Ora Shelter was commissioned
as youth pastor at Sonnenberg
Mennonite Church in Kidron
on May 3, 2015. Pastor Mel
Hathway shared the message
from John 15. Regional Pastor
Ralph Reinford led the commis-
sioning, and Margaret Wenger,
from the church’s pastoral
team, led in a prayer of blessing
and dedication.
lies in Nanchong and had Chi-
nese university students as their
guides in many of the locations
in the country. Aside from visit-
ing popular attractions such as
the Great Wall of China and
the Forbidden City, students
also interacted with Chinese
students — middle school
through college — and learned
about the nation’s history.
Bruner, the daughter of Mark
and Jane Bruner, is a senior
BLUFFTON, Ohio — Two
Bluffton University students
from Ohio Conference congre-
gations participated in cross-
cultural experiences during
May.
Adriane Bruner of Wauseon
participated in a cross-cultural
experience in China May 5-25.
She and other Bluffton students
visited four major Chinese cit-
ies as well as the countryside.
Students stayed with host fami-
majoring in mathematics educa-
tion with an adolescent/young
adult licensure. She is a 2012
graduate of Pettisville High
School.
Neil Mast of Millersburg partici-
pated in a cross-cultural experi-
ence in Chicago May 6-27.
He and other Bluffton Universi-
ty students explored the diver-
sity of the “city of neighbor-
Continued on page 10
Bluffton University
Ora Shetler (pictured at cen-ter) was commis-sioned as youth pastor at Sonne-berg Mennonite Church in Kidron. Also pictured are Regional Pastor Ralph Reinford (at left) and Pastor Mel Hathaway.
Gary and Sandy Stuckey were or-dained for ministry April 26. Also pic-tured is Regional Pastor Wanda Stopher (at right). The Stuckeys are co-pastors of Pine Grove Mennonite Church in Stryker.
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 10
hoods” by living in apartments,
sharing cooking and cleaning
responsibilities and learning to
use public transportation. Each
student volunteered part time
at an organization pertaining to
his or her major. In addition to
attending lectures about issues
such as public housing, affirma-
tive action and education, stu-
dents surveyed Chicago’s cul-
ture through live performances.
Mast, son of Dave and Ann
Mast, is a junior double major-
ing in physics and chemistry. He
is a 2012 graduate of Hiland
High School.
mencement address, “Abide in
Me.”
Isaac Dahl earned an associate
of arts degree. He attends
Lockport Mennonite Church
and is the son of Vern Dahl.
Aimee Stein earned an associate
of general studies degree. She
attends Oak Grove Mennonite
Church in Smithville.
Nathan Yoder earned an associ-
ate of arts degree. He attends
Zion Mennonite Church in
Archbold and is the son of
Scott and Barb Yoder.
Three students from Ohio
Conference congregations were
among the 148 individuals earn-
ing degrees from Hesston Col-
lege at the college’s May 10
commencement. Kevin King,
director of Mennonite Disaster
Service, presented the com-
Three OC students earn degrees from Hesston College
Continued from page 9 A B O U T P E O P L E
Goshen College of Mennonite, Anabaptist and
ecumenical denominations. MIP
participants attend congrega-
tional meetings, work alongside
pastors and other church lead-
ers, and join various community
events.
MIP was Goshen College’s first
inquiry program and is now in
its 26th year. Students find op-
portunities to challenge them-
selves and their gifts for minis-
try by serving as pastoral in-
terns. At the end of the sum-
mer, participants receive a
Eliana Neufeld Basinger is one
of five Goshen College students
participating in the Ministry
Inquiry Program this summer. A
sophomore molecular biology/
biochemistry major from
Findlay, Basinger is serving at
Lorraine Avenue Mennonite
Church in Wichita, Kan. She is
the daughter of Iris Neufeld and
Eric Basinger, and attends Lima
Mennonite Church.
Students serving with the Minis-
try Inquiry Program (MIP) are
placed in diverse congregations
$2,000 schol-
arship along
with a $500
stipend from
the host con-
gregation. MIP
provides stu-
dents with
opportunities to participate in
activities and perform duties
such as worship planning and
leading, teaching Bible and Sun-
day school, pastoral visiting,
community service and preach-
ing.
Ohio. She is the daughter of
Karen and Joe Graber and at-
tends Lockport Mennonite
Church.
Goshen College’s Service In-
quiry Program gives students
the opportunity to spend three
months in a service agency with
the goal of exploring the inter-
section of faith and vocation,
while also developing skills for
Natalie Graber, a Goshen Col-
lege senior elementary educa-
tion major from Stryker, is par-
ticipating in the college’s Ser-
vice Inquiry Program this sum-
mer. She is serving at Christian
Children’s Home of Ohio, an
organization that provides
counseling, foster care, adop-
tion, residential and home-
based services for children and
families in need in northeast
leadership.
These goals
are achieved
through active
participation,
observation of
others, inten-
tional reflec-
tion and the tutelage of an on-
site supervising mentor.
Leadership Team minutes
Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 11
Berne, Ind., English, First Men-
nonite (Berne); Tobin Eicher,
Berne, Ind., biology, First Men-
nonite (Berne);
Alexia Fox, Berne, Ind., business
administration and marketing,
First Mennonite (Berne); Sarah
Geiser of Kidron, social work,
Kidron Mennonite; Hannah
Holsopple of Archbold, social
work, Central Mennonite;
BLUFFTON, Ohio —Ten un-
dergraduate students from
Ohio Conference congregations
earned bachelor’s degrees from
Bluffton University this spring.
Those students, their
hometowns, degree fields and
churches are listed below:
Katie Conrad, New Carlisle,
food and nutrition, Southside
Mennonite; Mallory Eicher,
Matthew McCoy of Archbold,
accounting, Zion Mennonite;
Gregory Seymour of Orrville,
graphic design, Orrville Men-
nonite; Laura Short of Arch-
bold, intervention specialist and
early childhood education,
West Clinton Mennonite; and
Lauren Stuckey of Archbold,
food and nutrition, Central
Mennonite.
Twelve OC students graduate from EMU Stryker, biology, Lockport Men-
nonite; Stewart Nafziger of
Harrisonburg, Va., counseling,
Zion Mennonite;
Chloe Raber of Dalton, music
and mathematics, Sonnenberg
Mennonite; Elise Sauder of
Newport News, Va., nursing,
Central Mennonite; Nathan
Schlabach of Millersburg, con-
flict transformation, Longeneck-
er Mennonite; Jacob Shank of
Twelve students from Ohio
Conference congregations were
part of the 2015 graduating
class of Eastern Mennonite Uni-
versity in Harrisonburg, Va., on
Sunday, April 26. Their names,
hometowns, majors and home
congregations are listed below:
Emma King of Stryker, digital
media and communications,
Lockport Mennonite; Isaac King
of Stryker, biochemistry, Lock-
port Mennonite; Rachel King of
West Liberty, biology, Bethel
Mennonite;
Jia Steiner of Orrville, art and
psychology, Dayspring Christian
Fellowship; Kaitlyn Troyer of
Walnut Creek, history, Lock-
port Mennonite; Taylor
Waidelich of Stryker, liberal
arts with an elementary educa-
tion licensure, Lockport Men-
nonite; and Alexander Witmer
of Salem, liberal arts, Midway
Mennonite.
Bluffton grads include 10 from Ohio Conference
by the Leadership Team.
Two of the first steps were
to conduct a review of the
Five-Year Plan and the cur-
rent Conference Leadership
and Leadership Structure.
Names were suggested for
the Five-Year Plan Review,
and Leadership Team mem-
bers will be contacting
them. Regarding the Lead-
ent resolution than the one
recommended to the Exec-
utive Board.
Heard reports from the
coordinator of volunteers,
Credentialing Ministry and
Stewardship Ministry.
Discussed the resolution
that passed at the ACA and
the action steps to be taken
ership and Leadership Struc-
ture evaluation, it was de-
termined that a third-party
evaluation would be best.
Contacts with third parties
will be made.
Approved Central Chris-
tian corporation member-
ship.
Continued from page 3
Back page briefings...
For more Ohio Conference
news, visit the Ohio
Conference website:
ohiomennoniteconference.org
for grants. Please note that
these are one-time grants,
and grant monies are not
intended to be used for
staffing. Priority will be
given to projects involving
multiple congregations.
Applications must be sub-
mitted to the Conference
office by Aug. 17, 2015.
You may either submit an
online application or mail a
printed application form to
Ohio Conference, Box 210,
Kidron OH 44636. To ap-
ply online or to learn more
about the grant process,
please go to
www.ohiomennoniteconfer
ence.org and click on
“Grants.”
Have you had necessary
conversations with your
aging parents? Fairlawn
Retirement Community in
Archbold and Everence
invite families, including
adult children and their
aging parents, to join them
for a free presentation on
this topic either on Sunday,
Sept. 13, at 5 p.m. or Mon-
day, Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. in
the Fairlawn Chapel.
Presenters will be authors
Gerald W. Kaufman and L.
Marlene Kaufman, who
have co-authored the book
Necessary Conversations:
Between Adult Children and
their Aging Parents, drawing
from their nearly 40 years
as counselors working with
families.
The same information will
be presented both days.
The Sunday presentation
will also include a time for
special music and refresh-
ments.
The Ohio Conference
Ministry Development
Team (MDT) is accept-
ing grant proposals from
Conference congregations
and related organizations
for projects and mission
initiatives. This year the
MDT has $40,076 available
Conference Calendar J U L
21-26 Pennsylvania 2015, Mennonite World Conference Gathering, Harrisburg, Pa.
A U G
7-9 Girls’ Jamboree, Camp Luz, Kidron
14-15 LEAD3D (Youth Leadership Project) Retreat, Camp Luz, Kidron
S E P T
18-20 Ohio Mennonite Women’s Retreat, Camp Luz, Kidron
O C T
1 Prepare-Enrich Training Workshop, Shalom Counseling and Mediation Center,
Archbold
N O V
13-15 Ohio Conference Pastor-Spouse Retreat, Mohican State Park Lodge
F E B
5-6 Pastor-Elder Retreat, Widewater Retreat Center, Liberty Center, Ohio
12-13 LEAD3D (Youth Leadership Project) Retreat, Camp Luz, Kidron
19-20 Pastor-Elder Retreat, Comfort Inn, Millersburg
M A R
11-12 Annual Conference Assembly, Central Mennonite, Archbold