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Capitol Area South District
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DS Rev. Dr. Tim Bias
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A2DS Rev. Dr. David Cady
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A Bias Opinion
My fourth grade Sunday school teacher, Mary, would greet me every Sunday at the classroom door with the words, "Timmy, I knew you were going to be here this morning." Then with a welcoming hug she would send me into the classroom to meet other classmates who had gathered. As I entered the room I would hear her say, "Nancy, I knew you were going to be here this morning." When I would look back she would be hugging Nancy and sending her into the room to meet the rest of us. Mary greeted us as if she had been waiting on us all week and as if we were the most important people she knew.
She modeled hospitality by the way she welcomed us. She acted out what she taught us in class. I remember her lesson on Jesus touching a leper and the story of Jesus receiving a woman that was sick. I will never forget her saying that "we love like Jesus because that is the way we thank Jesus for loving us."
Hospitality is essential to the health and ministry of every congregation. But as important as it is, it is more than a gesture of greeting people on a Sunday morning. Hospitality is a sign of who we are.
Here are four practical ways you can extend hospitality:
1. Enlarge your table. Invite children, teens, senior adults to a meal at your table. Or create cross-cultural connections with another congregation. Share a meal with someone who is different from you.
2. Learn the language of the community around you. This could be learning the language of teens and young adults, or it could mean learning to communicate with people who live around you and are a part of your community.
3. Explore and examine how you are inviting and welcoming people into worship. How are announcements made? What is the format of the printed bulletin? Does it assume people know the Lord's Prayer, how to respond following the reading of scripture, and/or how to pray before worship begins?
4. Become a learner. Seek to understand instead of teach. This could be as simple as getting to know your neighbors. Learn their names, their needs, their talents, and interests. Show an interest in others as a way to build relationships with others. Soong-Chan Rah suggests the following about hospitality, "In the household of God, we are called to a humility that places our relationships in a new light."
5. Create an atmosphere of hospitality for all persons. Welcome all persons as guests as God in Christ has welcomed you.
Maybe you will try one of the above suggestions. How can the presence of your church in the community become a reminder of God's love for all creation?
Maybe the best place to begin is by praying "Lord, send us the people no one else wants" and "Help us receive the people you are sending to us." When you do, expect your church and your community to experience the beauty, complexity and love that brings about the vitality and the transformation of the living Christ.
God is providing great opportunities for hospitality in today's world. Your welcoming and inviting action will create an atmosphere of acceptance and will ensure that everyone is welcomed, as Christ has welcomed you.
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Find your date and location
here
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Lay Servant Ministry Fall Courses
Cost: $10.00 Registration Deadline: November 16,2016
UMC Heritage Course and Board of Laity Q&A
(An Offering of the Capitol Area North and South Districts' Board of Laity)
Friday, November 18 (6:30pm-9pm) and Saturday, November 19 (8:30am-5pm)
Circleville Community UMC, 120 North Pickaway Street, Circleville, OH 43113 (740-474-4796)
- UMC Heritage Course: This highly interactive, immersive and participatory Friday-Saturday session will explore the roots of our Methodist theology and uncover how our historical forbears should continue to shape our ministries. A variety of learning styles will be engaged, and no reading prior to the course is needed. Cost for food, fun and fellowship is only $10! For additional questions, please contact Rev. Joe Fox at [email protected].
- Lay Servant Ministry Information Session: Want to be equipped and developed for leadership in your local church? Join us Friday night (6:30pm-9pm) for an informational, Q&A session about the great opportunities available to all United Methodist laypersons through the Lay Servant and Certified Lay Ministry programs! For additional questions, please contact Judy Hug at [email protected].
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Featuring music of Emmy-winning Artist Dave Powers (piano)
and Louis Tsamous (percussion)
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Soup/Salad/Sandwich/Dessert - 4:00-5:45 PM
Concert - 6:15 PM
Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church
4343 Dublin Road
Hilliard, OH 43026
Free-will offering
Additional information is found
here
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Registration for Clergy Day Apart - November 30, 2016
BE NOT AFRAID! PRISONERS OF HOPE! - A HOPE-FILLED CLERGY DAY APART
For West Ohio Conference Elders, Deacons & Local Pastors under appointment
Featuring guest speaker Rev. Dr. James A. Harnish
Rev. Dr. James A. Harnish retired in 2014 after 43 years of pastoral ministry in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was the founding pastor of St. Luke's UMC in Orlando and served for 22 years as the Senior Pastor of Hyde Park UMC in Tampa. He currently serves on the Board of Africa Upper Room Ministries and on the Board of Visitors at Duke Divinity School where he is also a facilitator for the Institute of Preaching. He is the author of numerous books and bible studies including "
A Disciple's Path", "
A Disciple's Heart" and "
Earn. Save. Give. Wesley's Simple Rule on Money." He and his wife, Martha, have two married daughters and five grandchildren. He enjoys walking, reading and cheering for the University of Florida Gators.
- Date & Time: Wednesday, November 30, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm (includes lunch)
- Location: Columbia Heights UMC - 775 Galloway Rd., Galloway, OH 43119
- Price: No charge but registration is required for lunch.
- Registration: Registration for lunch
- Deadline to Register: Tuesday, November 22 at 6:00 pm
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Beginning December 1, 2016 - Is your Church ready?
Please read how this may affect your church employees.
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Conference Health Plan Costs and Informational Meetings
Please review the
attached guide for single, family 2 and family 3 premium details.
The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits has set details for the 2017 Active and Retiree Health Insurance Plans. There are changes from the 2016 plan that you will need to know about. Plan to attend one of the meetings
listed here so you can learn how the changes will affect you. The agenda for each meeting is the same, so attend the one that best fits your schedule. The Active portion of the meeting, for those of you enrolled in Aetna, will begin at 10:00 and last about an hour. Aetna, Credit Union and Conference staff will be available to answer questions specific to your circumstances after each meeting. The Retiree plan meeting, for those of you enrolled in Humana, will begin at 1:00 and conclude about 2:00, depending on questions. In between, a light lunch will be provided that you'll be able to take with you should you wish.
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Winter Camp 2016: Wise Campers Still Seek Him
The theme for Winter Camp 2016 is "Wise Campers Still Seek Him." We will reflect upon when the son of God was born in Bethlehem, there were many people
going about their everyday lives in that area. Only a few people noticed the 'special' star in the sky, understood the importance of God's gift to us and went to
meet the Savior.
Cost includes: Course materials, lodging, food and activities.
Recommended for: Children and youth ages 7-17.
Price: $95 per student, siblings within the same family $75 per student; $50 per adult
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Confirmation Retreat 2017
Students starting the confirmation process this fall within their local congregation, will want to attend a great retreat designed to supplement the confirmation experience. Confirmation Retreats are a fun opportunity for youth to connect with other young believers in a camp and retreat setting. There are three options of dates and camp locations to choose from.We require that a church group send one adult leader per gender for each six youth.
Recommended for:
Middle school students to include grades 6-9 that are part of a confirmation class at their church.
What does the cost include? Course materials, lodging, meals and activities. If attending as a group, please email [email protected] for more details.
Price: $95 per student, siblings within the same family $75 per student; $50 per adult.
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Visit our website to find:
Classifieds, Calendar, Resources and more!
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Please share these updates with others in your congregation!
Articles welcome before noon on Thursday.
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