MID-OHIO DISTRICT NEWS

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT: Rev. Karen M. Oehl June 2016 Volume 4, Issue 5

eocumc.com/mid-ohio

General Conference Begins at Home Comments by Rev. Karen Oehl

We sometimes forget that General

Conference is not a “they”. It is “we”. Dele-

gates are elected by annual conferences. Peti-

tions and resolutions acted upon come from

local churches and people. General Conference

begins at home. Mid-Ohio was there: Allen

Laferty as a lay delegate, Rev. Delaine McGhee

as a clergy delegate. As a clergy reserve, I also

got to be there and participate in a variety of

ways and times.

Now that General Conference is over, our

work continues at home. As you can see from the

letter from the Council of Bishops below, we have

a lot of work to do in missions (see back cover of

this newsletter), worship, service, and celebration.

Most importantly, we have work to do with each

other. Unity begins at home; in conversations,

prayer, relationships, respect. More to come as I

continue to reflect and talk with all of YOU, here

at home. Karen

To the people of The United Methodist Church: The Council of Bishops brings you greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has called us to be servant leaders of the church. In 1812, Bishop Francis As-bury, Bishop William McKendree and General Conference Secretary Daniel Hitt sent the first letter to churches following General Conference. This letter seeks to revive that tradition. Many bishops will also be communicating individually in their own areas. Hundreds of lay and clergy delegates from around the world gathered in Portland, Oregon, along with bishops and pastors, church members and staff, volunteers and visitors, to engage in Christian conferencing, to make decisions for our church’s future, to affirm our global connection, to wor-ship and to celebrate God’s faithfulness. We celebrated the success of our Imagine No Malaria initiative, which seeks to raise $75 million in the fight against malaria, a disease that takes the life of a child in Africa every two minutes. We celebrated our ecumenical partnerships as we move into full Communion with the Uniting Church in Sweden and toward full Communion with the Moravian church. We celebrated our heritage: the 250th anniversary of our oldest church, John Street United Methodist Church, the 200th anniversary of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the 150th anniversary of United Methodist Women, the 25th anniversary of Africa University and others. We continued in our acts of repentance with a presenta-tion from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes about the Meth-odist involvement in the 1864 Sand Creek massacre. We shared in the consecration of deaconesses and home mis-sioners and the commissioning of missionaries. We moved toward a global Book of Discipline and global Social Princi-ples. We voted to add five new bishops in Africa after 2020, and approved a churchwide study on our ecclesiology. The Episcopal address set the tone for the event, focus-ing on humility and lifting up our accomplishments. We heard

from our laity an invitation to members to be more involved in making disciples and getting involved in ministries to bring the love of Christ to others. We heard our young peo-ple say they “are engaged in Christ’s journey with energy and love.” We also heard them say clearly that they do not want a divided church and urged us to “be in unity even if we do not have unanimity.” They give us hope for our future. The body had difficult and challenging work before it as we acknowledged our differences over human sexuality. Amidst those differences, the delegates affirmed they want their bishops to lead and we found ourselves with an oppor-tunity for a holy moment. We spoke candidly about what divides us and what our church might look like in the future if we dared to consider new possibilities. We offered a way forward, postponing decisions about sexuality matters and committing to having a different kind of global conversation that allows all voices to be heard. Our differences do not keep us from being the body of Christ. They do not keep us from doing good in the world. They do not keep us from making a difference – and so we set forth bold new goals: to make a million new disciples of Jesus Christ; to engage 3 million new people to make a dif-ference in the world; to transform 400 communities for vital abundant living; to reach a million children with lifesaving health interventions; and to double the number of vital con-gregations. Most importantly, we affirmed our commitment to stay united. We proved that we are more than debates and divi-sions, more than rules and resolutions. We stood together as the body of Christ. As we reflect on our time in Portland, our prayer is for unity in the church for the advancement of our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the trans-formation of the world.

As John Wesley reminded us, “Best of all, God is with us.” Signed on behalf of the Council of Bishops, Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council

PRAYER CONCERNS: Millard Mead, Jean Hess, Glo-ria Loughman, Rita Sprague, Myrl Gephart, Dorothy Daniel (mother of De Wayne Smith & Delaine McGhee), Leslie, wife of Rev. Glenn Hamilton (Lexington Church of the Cross); Olivia, daughter of Rev. Becky Smithey (Bucyrus) and Pastor David Smithey (New Washington) SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY & FRIENDS OF: Rev. Sarah Macdonald, died May 2. Eldi Sue Wagner, died May 17.

CARES AND CONCERNS

Page 2 MID-OHIO DISTRICT

www.eocumc.com/

mid-ohio

6/2-3

FAMLP

Renewal &

Reunion

6/4

Pre-Conference &

Broome Blessing

@ Three Crosses

6/10-12

YAC 2016

6/13-16

East Ohio Annual

Conference

7/12

RETIREES

7/21

CLERGYWOMEN

7/13-16

JURISDICTIONAL

CONFERENCE

CLERGYWOMEN

RETIRED CLERGY

At Annual Conference

Tuesday - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Clergy Women's Luncheon

Lakeside UMC Fellowship Hall Gather for Breakfast @ Der Dutchman

off 97 @ 71 3rd Thursday of each month at 9 a.m.

Next dates: July 21

All retired clergy and clergy spouses are invited to the

Mid-Ohio Retirees gathering July 12 @ noon

Ontario UMC 3540 Park Ave. West, Mansfield

APPOINTMENT CHANGES effective 7/1/2016 Pastor Jason Snyder from Three Crosses Associate & Perrysville to Polk & Perrysville UMC’s

Pastor David Smith, Boundary & Denmark with the addition of Canaan UMC

Rev. Paula Archdeacon, Hayesville with the addition of Lakefork & McZena Hope UMC’s

Pastor Frank Zugaro, from Kirkpatrick Claridon & Liberty to Malvern UMC, Tuscarawas Dist.

Pastor Matt Wilson, from Bucyrus Mt. Zion

to Center/Birmingham UMC’s Southern Hills/Three Rivers Districts

Jonathan Williams from Cardington Center & Fairview

to Bellevue Seybert/Flat Rock Ebenezer UMCs Firelands District

Don & Karen Upson from Mt. Zion, Bergholz & Chestnut Ridge, Ohio Valley District

to Kirkpatrick Claridon & Liberty, Iberia & Sixteen

Pastor Jackie Biederman to Bucyrus Mt. Zion

Austin Mertz to Ashland Team Ministry as Associate Pastor of Service and Witness.

MID-OHIO MEMBERS-AT-LARGE TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 - ELECTION RESULTS

1. Phyllis Harrington (Faith) 2. Sharon Sours (Lakefork) 3. Judy McFarlin ( McZena Hope) 4. Cathy Broome (Paradise Hill) 5. Linda Fritz ( Harmony Chapel) 6. Lynn Shinaberry (Chesterville) 7. Dianne Carwell (Cardington Fairview) 8. Thelma Hawkins (Bucyrus Woodlawn) 9. Leonard Lust (Bucyrus) 10. Mary Platt (Bucyrus Mt. Zion) 11. Dave Zeuch (Crestline First) 12. Sally Dye (Cardington Center) 13. Lu Ellen Ness (Iberia) 14. Jeff Vannatta (Lex.Church of the Cross) 15. Ellen Wells (Jeromesville) 16. James Brucker (Mt. Gilead Trinity) 17. Kerrie Zeuch (Crestline First) 18. Galen Whitmeyer (Bucyrus) 19. Paul Dawson (Mansfield First) 20. Greg Lyons (Bucyrus) 21. Ray White (Chapel Hill) 22. Ed Hoar (Delaware Asbury) 23. Judy Maxwell (Delaware Asbury) 24. Charisse Smith (Edison) 25. Jane Benson (Fairview – Wayne Co.) 26. Debbie Muntis (Crestline First) 27. Vera Sulser ( Canaan)

PIANIST NEEDED:

Main Street United Methodist

Church , Mansfield is looking for a

pianist for Sunday Mornings. Any-

one interested may contact the

church at 419-524-3762 for a copy

of the job description.

It’s a BOY - Daniel Philip Clark was born

May 28th. Proud parents are Rev. Becky

Weamer (Crestline First) and Joseph Clark

and big brother Charles. God Bless You!

Celebrating the Ministry of

Bishop John and Elaine Hopkins

Monday, June 13 Celebration of Bishop John & Elaine Hopkins in Hoover Auditorium Thursday, June 16 Dinner Cruise Aboard the Good Time III, leaving from Sandusky Friday, June 24 Akron Rubber Ducks vs. Trenton Thun-

der at Canal Park-Bishop Hopkins throws out the first pitch Tickets: www.eocumc.com/eoac16/hopkins_events.html click on Online registration here

The theme for the June 13-16 conference on the shore of Lakeside Chautauqua will be “Jesus is Calling Us Out.“ Our time together will focus on the need to leave the walls of the church, enter our mission fields, and transform the world as the hands and feet of Christ.

The 2016 Scripture Verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17. “So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!” (CEB) Offerings: Tuesday a.m. Annual Conference Offering: 1/3 Bishop Discretionary Fund 1/3 Young Clergy Initiative 1/3 Youth Service Fund Wednesday a.m. 3C’s Offering. Midwest Mission Distribution Center truck will be lo-cated on Sixth Street between South Auditorium and Epworth Lodge. Sunday until Tuesday a.m. MINISTRY FAIR Monday, 5-7 p.m. @ Wesley Lodge and South Auditorium.

5k Run / 1-mile Walk for Missions, Wed. 7 a.m. DON’T FORGET to bring seat cushions for Hoover Auditorium. We are in the back session this year. Follow Annual Conference 2016 online: Articles, photo galleries, and Live-Streaming + A COMPLETE LIST OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND THE DAILY SCHEDULE FOR WORSHIP AND BUSINESS SESSIONS CAN BE FOUND AT

www.eocumc.com/eoac16

Volume 4, Issue 5 Page 3

This the season when all over the

country, signs are being put into church

yards alerting everyone that Vacation Bible

School is coming. In my experience, VBS

is this marvelous mix of a church coming

together to accomplish a goal, summer fun,

silliness and the passion to share the good

news of Jesus with children. It is a privilege that people

trust us enough to share their children with us for the week.

The question then comes, “how do we utilize this tool to the

best of our abilities in order to impact those who come to

VBS for Jesus?”

As I ask the preceding question, another question

comes to mind, “What is the hand off?” Ultimately, the

Christian faith is spread through relationships. At VBS, you

will have the opportunity to build relationships with both

Children and their parents. Without a strategic hand off to

the next event or relationship which can draw those families

into deeper relationship with Jesus, those new relationships

will not solidify in a way which will draw people closer to

Jesus in the church.

As ideas, could you possibly have adults from your

church present at the drop off and pick op of the children in

order to focus on creating relationships with their parents?

Do you have an ongoing children’s ministry, that the kids

from VBS could immediately be welcomed in to? Do you

follow-up with the children and their families after they

come through VBS? Do you follow-up more than once?

How can you bless these families so that the relationship

that they form with you and your church will create the op-

portunity for you to share your relationship with Jesus with

them in a meaningful and ongoing way? The District Strategy Team

The mission of the District Strategy Team is to

resource pastors and local churches in Mid-Ohio in

ways that help to make and mature disciples of Jesus

Christ both inside and outside the church walls.

YOUTH NEWS

YAC 2016 June 10-12, 2016

www.eocumc.com/yac Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Making the Most out of VBS

2016 Jurisdictional Conference Every four years each of the five geographical jurisdictions in the United States holds a Jurisdictional

Conference to elect new bishops and select members of general boards and agencies.

The North Central Jurisdictional Conference will be held July 13-16, 2016 in Peoria, Illinois.

The following annual conferences comprise the North Central Jurisdiction: Dakotas; Detroit; East

Ohio; Illinois Great Rivers; Indiana; Iowa; Minnesota; Northern Illinois; West Michigan; West Ohio; and Wisconsin.

East Ohio Delegates

Our conference will be represented at Jurisdictional Conference 2016 by 12 clergy and 12 lay delegates, who were elected

during Annual Conference 2015 at Lakeside Chautauqua.

Endorsed Episcopal Candidate

The delegation elected to represent the East Ohio Conference at this year’s General and Jurisdictional Conferences voted on

February 20 to endorse the Rev. Dr. Gary George as a candidate for the Episcopacy.

The East Ohio Clergywomen voted on March 29 to endorse the Rev. Susan E. Brown as a candidate for the Episcopacy.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS

Mid-Ohio District Newsletter

All articles must be sent to:

MidOhiodistumc@aol.com

by the 15th of each month.

Renee Davis, Administrative

Assistant, or 419/522-3881.

Visit us on the web at:

eocumc.com/mid-ohio If you would like to help us save

postage and paper, you may go to

our website to get a copy of this

newsletter each month-anytime.

Please email us to be listed on our

monthly EMAIL notification and

removal from the postal mailing list.

Thanks.

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

MANSFIELD, OH

44902

PERMIT NO. 348 Return Service Requested

Mid-Ohio District Office

United Methodist Church

410 Park Avenue West, Suite 2

Mansfield, Oh 44906

June 2016

JUNE 2016 MISSIONARY ITINERATION Aaron and Mary Blencoe Vandersommers

(Democratic of Congo) will be at: Mansfield FUMC (Mid-Ohio District) June 12, 2016 for Morning Worship. OPEN DATE FOR AARON AND MARY VANDERSOMMERS: SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A MISSIONARY SPEAKER!!

COMMISSIONED AS GLOBAL MISSIONARIES AT GENERAL CONFERENCE 2016

Aaron Vandersommers East Ohio Annual Conference

Placement: Chief Operations Officer for the

Church of Christ in the Congo, Democratic

Republic of the Congo

Advance #3022154

Mary Vandersommers East Ohio Annual Conference

Placement: Community Development Con-

sultant for the Church of Christ in the

Congo, DR Congo

Advance #3022155

They will be at the Annual Conference for the MINISTRIES FAIR and will remain for the rest of AC.

Beth Ferrell, EOC CSGM. April 17, 2016.

Please contact Beth Ferrell for scheduling and/or for fur-

ther Missionary Itineration Information:

beth_ferrell2001@yahoo.com; Cell phone 520-203-2092;

Home Phone 740-922-5338.

Missionaries of Global Ministries are:

Professing Christians who are familiar with and committed to The United Methodist Church and its doctrine, history, and polity

Able to articulate their call to missionary service

Able to demonstrate experience and/or passion in mission and active involvement in the life and ministry of a faith community

Willing to engage in ministry with people of different racial, eth-nic, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds

Willing to serve in a context that best matches their gifts and experiences as discerned and affirmed (or authenticated) by Global Ministries

Willing to connect the church in mission by itinerating and culti-vating financial and spiritual support

Global Missionaries Global missionaries are from everywhere going to everywhere to engage in cross-cultural mission service outside of their home context. They serve within the global Methodist connection in a variety of roles and ministries with Methodist partners around the world in alignment to the Mission Theology of Global Ministries. These missionaries vary in age, trade-skills, and occupations, and they serve in ministry with others as teachers, pilots, lawyers, agriculturalists, dieticians, physicians, nurses, administrators, ac-countants, pastors, photographers, journalists, community organ-izers, and Christian educators — just to name a few. They desire to learn about and share God’s love in Jesus Christ in tangible, everyday ways. www.umcmission.org/missionary HOW TO SUPPORT MISSIONARIES:

PRAY for your missionaries and their ministries.

Stay in CONTACT through newsletters or social media.

Seek ways to PARTICIPATE.

DONATE by using the missionary’s Advance # (provided in the individual listing) at www.umcmission.org.