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Capitol Area South District
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Weekly Updates, January 13, 2017
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A Bias Opinion
Over the past year, we have experienced unbelievable and unspeakable acts of violence that continue to unfold in our country and world. On Friday, another act of violence unfolded in one of our airports. This time we heard reports from Ft. Lauderdale.
As I reflect on these reports, there are too many to name: a few weeks ago, we were hearing reports of violence at the Ohio State University; at the end of the year we learned over 700 homicides occurred in the city of Chicago in 2016; and daily reports occur on the evening news of violence in our city. I pause asking myself the question, "What is our response to violence?"
When I heard the news, just like when other events of terrorism and violence occur, I recall the words of Paul in his letter to a church in Ephesus: "
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. . . so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."
(Eph 6:10-12)
Everything about this act of violence is outside of my experience. It is outside my assumption about what it means to be peace-loving. And, it threatens my desire to be safe and secure in public areas. How are we to respond to such attacks? How do we stand firm?
First, let's look beyond the immediate thoughts and feelings of outrage, horror, and fear. We know things are not right in the world. It's as if something or someone is organizing things against God. The acts of taking 5 lives, 49 lives, over 700 lives and wounding countless others cannot be chalked up to differences in opinion. Nor can we write it off as poor communication. No, we cannot explain it away as someone's likes and dislikes. It is called evil. And evil is large, cosmic, organized, subtle, pervasive, and real. The struggle in which we find ourselves is real and dangerous.
Second, as Christ followers and as peacemakers, we have the opportunity to show our communities and the world a power that is greater than evil. I challenge all of us to stand firm in the faith. Our faith is given to us by God and is not always convenient. Let's not abandon who we are as followers of Christ for the sake of convenience. We know that to do so is to give into evil. We must, in the midst of our vulnerability and weakness, stand firm in the strength of the living God.
If we stand in fear and react out of emotion, we give power to the evil that is not real or true. The people behind such acts of terrorism embody the evil of hatred and bigotry. At any given time, motivated by fear and emotion, you and I embody the same evil. Let's not give into the intimidation.
Third, because of what we have experienced, we have the opportunity to be who God created us to be. We can join hands, if not hearts, with people with whom we may not associate, agree, or understand. We have the opportunity to model for the world God's design for all creation. Evil can seem overpowering. Yet, God's plan for creation is greater than any evil embodied in violence and terrorism.
When we come to the end of the day "having done everything," we can stand firm. We can stand firm because we know that against all aggression there is the presence of God.
Against all attacks, there is the promise of God.
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GET INVOLVED IN HORIZON PRISON INITIATIVE
January 22, 2017 3-5 p.m.
North Broadway United Methodist Church
Make a Difference in the Lives of Others
Transforming prisoners who transform
prisons and communities.
Horizon Information Day
At Horizon Prison Initiative, we believe that honor, respect, and dignity are due to each and every human being, not because of the greatness of their achievements nor how they have behaved, but because they are home to a soul that is inherently holy.
Please join us to learn
more about our work with incarcerated men and women, ask questions, and discover what it means to be a Horizon volunteer.
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"Fresh Expressions"
There will be training on Thursday, January 26 at the West Ohio Conference Center. Fresh Expressions is a new and fast-growing approach to reaching the unreached. It's sort of the Wesleyan version "Missional Communities" (3DM). Your cost is only $25 and space is limited to 60 people.
Today, Christians are stepping-out in faith, beginning "Fresh Expressions" of church. New or different forms of church can change culture. Beginning a fresh expression of church out of and alongside your church could breathe new life not only into your church, but also into you. Starting a fresh expression of church could be the answer to our innate sense that a contemporary service, a vision statement, and a strategy team sometimes aren't enough. This training is for pastors of existing congregations, pastors interested in new church starts, superintendents, and staff.
William Chaney from Path 1 will be leading this training. For more in on Fresh Expression, visit
freshexpressionsus.org
To register for the event, Click
HERE
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LEADERSHIP TRAINING DAY - GROVE CITY UMC
FEBRUARY 4, 2017 @ 8:30-12:30
Schedule:
Doors Open at 8:30 AM
Opening will be held in the Sanctuary at 9:00 AM
Session 1 Workshops start at 9:15 AM
Break at 10:45 am
Session 2 Workshops start at 11:00 AM
Session 2 ends at 12:30 pm
There is no cost to attend the workshops
Workshops and Presenters:
Session 1 9:15 - 10:45 am
Asset-Based Community Development - Rev. Karen Cook
Board of Trustees - Mr. Chris Hogan
Children's Ministries - Ms. Carla Fox-Chiles
Church Lifecycles - Rev. Bill Lyle
Church Revitalization - Mr. Brad Aycock
Finance - Mr. Bill Brownson
Life Groups - Rev. John Wooden
Pension and Health Insurance - Mr. Mike Kremnitzer
Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations - Rev. Tim Bias and Rev. Linda Middelberg
Special Needs Ministry - Rev. Laurie Clark
Session 2 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Community Ministries - Rev. Gregory Kendrick, Rev. Matt Yoder, Dr. Katelin Hansen and Rev. Karen Cook
Discipleship Pathways - Rev. Tim Bias
Door to Core Strategies - Rev. Todd Richards and Ms. Brandy Merryman
Global Mission Partnerships - Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner
Leading Through Prayer - Rev. Curnell Graham and Rev. R. Scott Miller
Multi-Media - Rev. Ryan Grace
Prison Ministry - Ms. Reba Collins
Social Media in Ministry - Mr. Seth Evans
Stump the DS - Rev. Linda Middelberg
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The Capitol Area South District Office will be closed on Monday, January 16th in observation of Martin Luther King Day.
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2017 Summer Camp Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for next summer's full camp season at West Ohio's three camps: Otterbein, Wesley, and Widewater. Summer guides are being mailed, but if you have not received one, please email
camps@wocumc.org
. You may also view a flip-book and full descriptions on our website:
www.westohiocamps.org
. An amazing 49 different camping opportunities for ages 6-17 are available, including a One Day Adventure Camp for beginners to get a feel for camp or for those who want to bring a friend and just have a good time. Contact us by email or phone at 1-800-437-0028.
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Health and Bedding Kits needed at UMCOR Sager Brown
Amy Fuselier, Director of UMCOR Sager Brown, sent the following message: "I would like to thank all of the many churches who responded to our call for cleaning buckets in September after the flooding. The response was overwhelming. Because of your generosity, we at UMCOR Sager Brown were able to replenish our inventory and prepare ourselves for the next request for assistance. I now come to you with a new request. Sager Brown is in need of health kits and bedding kits. Our inventory is not quite where we would like it be should we be called to respond to another disaster. In light of the on-going fires in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina, I expect that requests for kits will soon occur. If you and your congregation are able to assist with this request, that would truly be a blessing."
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A Message for Local Churches: Send Us Your Stories!
Every local church has stories to tell - stories of faith, of community, of sharing God's love with neighbors near and far. We want to help you tell those stories! Here at NewsNET, we are looking for stories with broad appeal (beyond individual congregations) that can inspire other churches across the West Ohio Conference (no fundraisers, please). You can send stories (and photos, if possible) to
mychurchstory@wocumc.org. Thank you, and we look forward to telling your stories!
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Immediate Job Opportunities In Our District
Administrative Assistant
Summit Station United Methodist Church, located on the far east side of Columbus in Licking County, is seeking a cheerful, positive person to serve as their
Director of Children's Ministries
Hilliard UMC has an immediate opening for a Director of Children's Ministry. We are looking for a strong leader that has a passion for children and their families...
more
Assistant for Children and Student Ministries
The Assistant for the Children and Student Ministries Pastor is responsible for assisting the Children and Student Ministry Pastor and volunteers in the administrative...
more
Director of Music
Alexandria UMC in Alexandria OH is seeking a Director of Music. This part-time paid position inc
ludes directing the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir (currently inactive),
more
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Desert Spirituality: Wisdom from the Ammas and Abbas
January 16 - February 24, 2017
Rev. Dr. Brenda K. Buckwell, Obl. OSB, Instructor
2 CEU's $300.00
Have you noticed we live in a new age of continuous change? The old saying "we've always done it that way" does not hold true in an age of disorientation when folks' fears guide thinking, doing, reacting, and relationships. The trouble I see with "always doing it that way" is that we only look back to recent history - we like things to stay the same with how we have experienced our past. This six week continuing education course brings wisdom from the ancient past into contemporary culture.
You are invited to join me in looking back to look forward by experiencing the wisdom of our ancient ancestors in faith, the Desert Mothers and Fathers. These every day, ordinary folks desired more than their contemporary society provided. They fled away from the temptations, the toils, and the terrors of urban living to search for an authentic experience of sole reliance upon God in the desert. Through this class participants will explore:
- Stability of heart in God while in the midst of the life's storms
- The wisdom of wasting time with God
- Spiritual Disciplines of Silence and Solitude
- Spiritual Disciplines of Connecting and Community
- Attributes of endurance and celebrations of joy
For complete information please visit here
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SAFETY & SECURITY IN THE CHURCH - plus
THE DIFFICULTIES OF OPIATE & HEROIN ADDICTION
So what happens in an emergency at your church-lost child, unresponsive adult, accident, disorderly
person, gas line break, smoke, tornado, utility failure, intruder or active shooter? Who directs the
members? What's the plan? Who to call? We should know. Come and learn:
ยท To use the Assessment Tool for safety and security in and around your church.
- Develop Emergency Plans for a multitude of emergencies in and around your church.
- Plan for a Crisis Team to handle any emergency, illness, or problem during worship.
Regarding Opiate & Heroin Addiction: Learn how and why persons, even 12 year olds, are addicted. Why pre-school children are addicted. Why arrests don't solve the problem. What pain killers does your doctor prescribe to you? It's important we:
- Understand the depth of the opiate and heroin problem in our church's community.
- Offer ways to help families affected by opiate or heroin addiction.
- Be more aware of opiates you and family members are prescribed.
On February 18, 2017, in Hebron, Ohio, TARRP (Town and Rural Resource Program) is offering a very
informative workshop to help your church board, mission team, and others learn and be equipped to
help your church to make a difference in the lives of your parishioners and community.
information.
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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!
If you have anything you would like to have shared or posted in our Newsletter, feel free to email your request to me by Wednesday at Noon.
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