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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
O - Offer Christ
It is not uncommon in the church for us to urge each other to witness to our faith. Sometimes we assume that sharing stories of our faith is easy to do. I confess that I have found it incredibly difficult at times. My faith is so profoundly intimate and important that it is sometimes painful to tell my God story or talk about my faith in God. Most opportunities come at unexpected times and places.
Several years ago I had a young father, businessman, church member call me. He said that the Christian faith should be easier and that he was tired of searching for God. He said he was leaving the church. As I listened to him, I tried to understand his dissatisfaction. I began to form my list of questions. I asked him about his work, his home life. I asked if he were bored with life. What he said to me was this, "I feel like I'm running the bases but I never reach home." He said, "I am not sure I really believe in God."
My next words to him were words I had heard in my Sunday school classes when I was a teenager in a small church in West Virginia. They were words I studied in seminary and that I had repeated many times, in sermons, bible studies, and conversations over years. I said, "I know you are searching for God. But have you ever thought that God is also searching for you? Can you imagine that God believes in you so much that God is searching for you?"
In the midst of our conversation I remembered some words I heard one of my instructors say in a homiletics class, "When our parents, Adam and Eve, left the garden of Eden, God whispered in their ears, 'I will come for you.'
I remember my instructor's words as, "They interpreted God's word as a threat instead of a promise. So they ran and hid and we have been running and hiding ever since."
I shared with the young man that is was okay not to believe in God because God believed in him. God believed in him, me, all humanity that God came looking for us. God came to us in a baby. God came as a fragile, vulnerable baby, growing up with the comfort and yet with the restraints of home and family and community and culture. He worked hard and he got tired. He learned what it was to love and be loved and then have people betray him. He learned what it was to have a dream for the world and to be consumed with the dream to make the world better and different. He learned what it was to have his dream rejected to have his friends turn against him, and to suffer and die for his dream. That is how God has come searching for you and for me. God believes in you.
What would happen if you and I began to take the opportunity to tell our stories of "being found" by God? What would happen if we began to introduce persons to God's love as they became part of the fellowship? What would happen if we took John Wesley seriously and began to "Offer them Christ" as we developed relationships and talked about what was deeply meaningful us?
God is providing great opportunities for inviting people to faith in today's world. Your welcoming and inviting action creates an atmosphere of hope and ensures that those who hear the story of God's grace have the opportunity to respond in positive ways which lead to baptism into the body of Christ and to practical engagement in the community and the world.
As important as it is, inviting people to worship or to participate in the activities of the church is not the point of inviting. Taking the initiative to offer hope and care to those who are dissatisfied and discontented with life is the point. Offering your story of God's love is a sign of who you are in Christ.
I believe that we will change the world by inviting persons into their own experiences of God's love. Let us remember that the life we seek is not in knowing but in being known, not in seeking but in being sought, not in finding but in being found.
Let me invite you to tell your stories of God's love in Jesus Christ! Be encouraged! Offer them Christ!
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Madeline Stutler
, who passed on Saturday, November 5, 2016. She was married to Rev. Wendell Stutler who was a retired pastor from the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC). Together they served the following congregations: Eureka Charge; Syracuse Charge; Ironton Immanuel UMC; First Nelsonville UMC; Williamsport UMC; Gratiot UMC; Continental Christ UMC; Trimble UMC; Little Hocking Charge; and North Bethel UMC. Madeline is survived in death by her husband, Wendell, and sons, Rev. Dewayne (Susie) Stutler, Timothy Stutler, and Kevin (Betsy) Stutler, as well as brothers, Kenneth (Charlotte) Williams and Richard (Alice) Williams. Also surviving are her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Evelyn Russell; a grandson, Christopher Stutler; and brothers and sisters, Kathleen Wilson, Imogene Stutler, Lorraine Wilson, Ralph Williams, and Patty Emrick. Obituary. Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Wendell Stutler at 916 16th Street, Vienna, West Virginia 26105 and to Rev. Dewayne Stutler (son), 6775 State Route 339, Vincent, Ohio 45784. Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking here.
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Job
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Job Opportunities
Worship Tech Co-Coordinator/Lithopolis UMC
MAIN GOAL OF POSITION:
Provide computer/sound/audio technology assistance for enhancing the worship and other activities in the ministries of Lithopolis UMC.
OUTLINE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
- This is a shared position with two people serving as Co-Coordinators
- Assist in creating multimedia elements for worship services
- Assist in supervision of the sound and video operation during worship and special services (weddings/funerals/etc.)
- Support Music Team for Wednesday practice
- Train volunteers as needed on the sound/audio/video projection equipment
NOTES:
- This is a part time paid position with salary to be determined.
- The position is currently open and available.
- Necessary training to get started will be provided.
Send resume to and/or request information from Carl Spencer via email:
carl@lithopolisumc.org
Director of Music/Maple Street UMC
Maple Street UMC in Lancaster OH is seeking a Director of Music. This part-time paid position includes directing the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir, selecting anthems and other special music, recruiting instrumental musicians for special holiday services, and working with the pastor to plan worship. Chancel and Bell Choir rehearsals occur on Wednesday evenings. Time involved is approximately 5 - 7 hours per week. Please contact Rev. Phyllis Fetzer/Barb Shaw at Maple Street UMC with questions or to apply. Phone: 614-519-1624 (Rev. Fetzer); email
msumcpastor@sbcglobal.net
.
You may send resumes to:
Rev. Phyllis Fetzer/Barb Shaw
Maple Street UMC
438 E. Wheeling St.
Lancaster OH 43130
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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 joefox@eastviewumc.com.
- 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 jhug8142@aol.com.
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James and Valorie Hildreth in a unique concert
At 7:30 PM on Friday the 11th of November 2016, Livingston United Methodist Church will be presenting James and Valorie Hildreth in a unique concert that will offer organ and flute together as well as organ solos. They are a husband and wife team known Duo Celeste. Jim is organist at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, is the resident organist for the Columbus Symphony. Valorie performs with the Columbus Symphony and also teaches flute. They are two exceptionally accomplished and professional musicians. As an added bonus the LUMC pipe organ was rebuilt in 2015 and offers a rich, delightful fresh sound.
Please join us in what promises to be an outstanding concert in a very welcoming church. LUMC is located at the intersection of Livingston and Mohawk (200 E. Livingston) and has ample free parking adjacent to the entrance of the church. Should you have any questions, please contact Jane @ 614-224-2006.
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Begin your Christmas season with us....
Christmas With The King
Saturday, November 12 @ 7pm
FREE ADMISSION
Featuring Elvis Presley's Original Gospel Team and local musicians.
Also featuring Pastors Steve Rath and Stephen Swisher.
Location:
ETNA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
500 PIKE STREET, SW
ETNA, OHIO 43062
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2016 Annual Celebration and Volunteer Recognition
You are invited to joins us Thursday, November 17 @ 6:30 PM, as Community Development for All People and UM Church for All People conducts its 2016 Annual Celebration Event. This year, we recognize, the NRP Group, our trusted affordable housing development partner as our 2016 Partner of The Year. In collaboration with the NRP Group, we have completed 2 projects, Southern Gateway Homes and Parsons Village which have collectively created 96 new units of high-quality, affordable housing on the South Side. A third project, The Residences at Career Gateway, a workforce housing project, is currently in construction and will create an additional 58 units of high-quality affordable housing. This project is slated for completion Summer 2017. In addition, we will honor and celebrate our volunteers, the bedrock of our programming and ministries with a special conversation planned with some of our longest-standing and most devout volunteers. Once again, this year's event is hosted by our good friends at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The All People Band will provide entertainment before and during the program. Additionally, come early to enjoy a brief slide show depicting highlights from the 2016 program year. We look forward to welcoming you this FREE event.
Register here for this FREE
event
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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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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 camps@wocumc.org 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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