CAS Weekly Updates

Capitol Area South District

Weekly Updates, February 10, 2017

A Bias Opinion

Making A Difference

It was lunchtime. Linda had bought a hamburger in a crowded McDonald's, surrounded by strangers. She and her husband had moved to California a month earlier because of his new job and Linda was lonely. Standing alone in McDonald's made her feel more isolated. No one's eyes met, which reminded her of her own "disconnectedness." As she stood holding her tray, no one offered to share a table; so she waited for an empty one and finally sat down, brooding silently over her situation.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man walked in and called out, "Is there a Bob Maxwell here?"

A man at a nearby table stood up, looking puzzled. "Yes? I'm Bob Maxwell."

The two men huddled in a brief discussion and the middle-aged man left after a hearty handshake and a slap on the back. Bob Maxwell sat down, shaking his head. "Can you believe that?" he kept saying. "I feel like I've met the original Good Samaritan." It turned out that he had dropped his bank envelope in the parking lot. Over two hundred dollars and two blank checks were inside.

Suddenly everyone was smiling, commenting on the man's good deed. A lady at the table next to Linda said, "Amazing, isn't it? How one person changed the atmosphere of this whole place."

As Linda looked up, she saw a woman who was waiting for a table. Catching her eye, Linda patted the empty chair near her and said to the woman, "Would you like to share my table?"

It is amazing how one person can change things. Have you stopped to consider what impact you have on the situations in which you find yourself? Consider how much a kind word, or a helping hand, or a reassuring smile would change the atmosphere of so many places and the attitudes of so many people.

What impact could you have upon someone who feels 'disconnected," or lonely, or forgotten? What would happen if you made a phone call or wrote a note of encouragement, or made a brief visit this week? It is amazing how one person can change things.

As Christians, we know that one person has made a significant difference in our lives. Because of the difference Jesus Christ has made in our lives, we have the opportunity and the privilege to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.

Take the next two minutes to think of one person who is "disconnected" from the family or the church or from God. Pray for that person. Pray for his or her well-being. Decide upon one act of kindness that would make a difference in his or her life. Now, one day this week, make that difference become real.

What difference will you make? I pray that your Christian witness will make a difference in your community, in the Capitol Area South District, and around the world.

Lay Members At-Large to Annual Conference

Every year each District has a number of openings for the election of additional lay members to the Annual Conference. These additional lay members come from the heart of our United Methodist congregations. We invite you, the laity in our churches to consider offering your name to represent our District at Annual Conference. Our goal is to have a diverse group of individuals to represent our district. This means that we will do our best to be diverse in respect to ethnicity, age, demographic context (rural, urban, suburban, small membership church, large membership church) and more. If you are interested in serving in this capacity please contact the district office at capitolareasouth.org f or more information or to be placed on the list for consideration. If you have previously served in this capacity, please contact us to register your continued interest in serving.

For those of you who have already responded, THANK YOU!!

REMINDER: YEAR END REPORTS!!

Year-end Report Data Submission Deadline is February 15

If you need assistance with submitting your year-end data please contact the district office.

Employment Opportunities In Our District

WFSM Store Manager

Setting: The Westside Free Store Ministries is seeking qualified applicants to serve as its Store Manager. The part time position averages 15 hours per week...more

Church Accompanist

Maple Street United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Ohio is in search of an accompanist for piano (mostly) and organ (occasionally). This paid position could start... more

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

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:

· 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.

Please see the attached brochure or email Rev. Debbie Ketcham at revdsk@frontier.com for more

information.

Spring 2017 Lay Servant Ministries Courses:

Are you ready to answer God's calling for you as a lay servant leader? Look in the West Ohio Conference's recent EQUIP resource catalog for upcoming courses! You can take courses offered in any District. You may also take courses online here

Advanced Course: UM Polity click here for information

March 31 and April 1, 2017 at Marysville First UMC

Basic Lay Servant Ministry click here for information

April 1, 2017 at Marysville First UMC

Advanced Lay Servant Training - Pastoral Care

Friday, April 21, 2017 - 6:30pm to Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 5:00pm

Advanced Lay Servant Training - From Your Heart to Theirs

Saturday, April 22 and 29, 2017 - 8:30am to 5:00pm at Hebron UMC

Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries Feb 15 deadline

Celebrating over 20 years of service, Ohio PAUMCS is committed to their purpose of recognizing the position of the church secretary as a professional within the church. By providing leadership and educational opportunities around Ohio, the Ohio PAUMCS chapter is linking secretaries, administrative assistants, and volunteer staff as an effective support group in local ministry. Ohio PAUMCS President Vicki Miller, the officers and members invite you to use the membership application to renew or begin your association with a group of men and women who are committed to serving at the local church. Individual membership is $25.00 and a staff membership is $40.00. Applications are due by February 15, 2017 to Lisa Gleason, 1750 Eastgate Rd. Toledo, OH 43614. If you have any questions, please email me at office@cotcumc.com or visit the web site. PAUMCS is only as effective as its members. Join now and plan to attend the Spring Workshop to held at Wooster UMC (tentative date of April 18th).

FAITH.HOPE.LIFE

THE ROLE OF FAITH COMMUNITIES IN SUICIDE PREVENTION

Date: February 23, 2017 @ 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Faith communities of all traditions have an important part to play in fostering mental health and helping prevent suicide. Faith leaders are on the "front lines"-the first people many turn to in times of emotional or spiritual crises. Moreover, our congregations offer the faith and hope needed to get through the most difficult of times. This webinar offers practical information about suicide prevention for faith leaders and it highlights the many ways congregations foster mental health-through "communities of connection," narratives of hope, worship and educational resources, and advocacy in the wider community. To learn more and register click here

Project Dawn

FREE NALOXONE KIT

St. Mark's UMC - February 28th @ 8:30 pm - 5200 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, 43228

It's no secret that there has been an overwhelming surge in opiate overdoses and fatalities within our communities. It's a saddening and devastating problem, and Mount Carmel wants to be part of the solution. That's why Mount Carmel Outreach and the Mount Carmel Mobile Medical Coach have joined forces with Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone), a community-based overdose education and Narcan (naloxone) distribution program.

Through generous donations to the Mount Carmel Foundation our Project DAWN program provides Narcan kits free-of-charge to those without health insurance and limited financial means. Narcan is a safe medication that can reverse an overdose caused by prescription pain medication or heroin and save lives.

Stewardship 101 for the Smaller Church

West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church

Saturday, March 4, 2017

(Check-in begins at 9:30am) Event: 10:00am-2:30pm

Hope United Methodist Church

83 E. Columbus Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110

$5.00 per person (includes lunch, refreshments and resources)

Who Should Attend????

Pastors, Finance Committee Members, Stewardship Team Leaders, Church Leaders

Growing Generosity

The smaller church has unique cultural issues to address to grow generosity. The following topics will be addressed, customized to their unique historical practices.

* Biblical foundation for giving to God
* Understanding generosity as a lifestyle
* Holistic approach to stewardship
* Modified local church year-round strategy to grow generous givers
* What is the role of the pastor?
* What is the role of the finance committee?
* Best financial practices
* Address: "But we've always had the money when we need it!"
* Why or why not use CD's (Certificates of Deposit) as stewards?

For more information contact Council on Development at 614-844-6200

Rev. George Cooper - gcooper@wocumc.org

Rev. Stan Ling - sling@wocumc.org

Mrs. Joy Perry - jperry@wocumc.org