Capitol Area South District
Weekly Updates, March 17, 2017
A Bias Opinion  
 
Scott Levy, a United Methodist pastor, was preaching for a pastor friend one Sunday morning. He went early to the church to see what it was like and to get a feel for the context and atmosphere. As he was walking down a long hallway, his sermon notes in one hand and his pulpit robe draped over the other arm, he came upon a large room used as a nursery for preschoolers. Glancing in, he saw a little boy who looked about four years old, sitting all by himself.

The little boy said, "Hi, my name's Tommy and I'm all alone in this big room."

Scott, who had done a lot of counseling, decided to use his nondirective counseling technique on the little boy. He answered back, "You feel all alone in that big room?"

"I don't just feel it," said the little boy, "I know I am all alone!"

Trying to reassure the boy, Scott replied confidently, "Don't you worry now. I'm sure that before too long somebody will come to be with you."

With big eyes looking up at Scott, little Tommy said, "Why not you?"

Why not you?

That question has been asked through the ages. More often than not, we ignore it, neglect it, fail to hear it, or refuse to act upon it. Somehow we hope that someone else will come along and do what needs to be done.

The scenarios are endless:
  • a problem needs to be solved
  • a word needs to be spoken
  • a job needs to be done
  • a situation needs to be corrected
  • a person needs to be helped
  • a community needs to be transformed
  • a reconciliation needs to be worked out
  • a word of appreciation needs to be expressed
  • or a wrong needs to be righted.
We know it. We see it. We want these things done, but we expect someone else to do it. We feel that someone more talented will come along and do what needs to be done. If not more talented, we feel someone more eloquent, with more authority, or a greater commitment will come along and do what needs to be done.

I am convinced that God calls us to answer that question each time it is asked, "Why not you?" When I stop to think about it, I can see the great people of faith responded to the call of God. In the Scriptures, throughout history, and to this present day, the people who see a situation that needs to be made better are people of courage. They respond to the call of God in and through the question, "Why not you?" or "Why don't you correct this?" They have the courage to take up the torch, to speak the word, to do the deed.

Moses, Peter, Paul, Luther, Wesley, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and many more like them recognized a problem and heard God calling them to do something about it. Each responded creatively and courageously to the question, "Why not you?"

It is my prayer that each of us will be prepared to answer God's call. When you see what needs to be done, then know that God is calling you. God is asking, "Why don't you do something about this? Why don't you right this wrong? Why don't you make this world a better place? Why don't you give yourself to the care of these children, or to the feeding of these people, or to the leading of this group? Why not you?"

"Why don't you address the racism that creates unnecessary fear and anxiety? Why don't you speak up with truth in the midst of confusion and chaos?  Why not you?" There is no one better to take up the cause or to take up the cross. Remember, God does not call the qualified...God qualifies the called.

So, why not you?
 
Let us remember in prayer those grieving the loss of their loved one, and remember in thanksgiving the life and ministry of:


Rev. Karen Shepler passed on Friday, March 10, 2017. Surviving are her sister, Marilyn Simpson, and brother, Harry Shepler.   Karen retired in 2013 from The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC) having served the following churches: Victory; St. Paul; Monroe Street; and Unity. She also served as: the Director of Church and Community Workers; the Director of Urban Ministries; and Pastor/Chaplain at Refugio del Rio in Texas.

Obituary: A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Monroe Street UMC located at 3613 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio 43206. Friends and guests will be received beginning at 1:30 pm and the service will begin at 3:00 pm. A reception will follow the service. Clergy colleagues will not be robing or processing. Those attending can enter Monroe Street UMC either at the door with the green awning or by the front steps. An elevator is next to the green awning door.

Condolences can be made online by clicking here . Cards can be sent to her sister, Marilyn Simpson at 1445 Riverwalk Ct, Waterville, Ohio 43566.
Memorial donations can be made to: MWD Monroe Street Freedom School and can be sent to Monroe Street UMC at 3613 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43606. 


Ernest Haynes,father of Kathy Moore passed away this week.  Kathy is the wife of Rev. Roland Moore. The celebration for Mr Earnest Haynes will be held at Myricks Funeral Home, 514 Tipton Street, Kosciusko, Ms 39090, on Saturday, March 18, 2017, 11:00 am
Visitation is Friday from 5-6 pm.
      2017 Annual Conference
    Lake Chautaqua
    Sunday, June 4 - Thursday, June 7
Each year all clergy members and lay members selected from local churches within The West Ohio Conference attend this event to meet together to worship, fellowship, and conduct the business of the conference. During these sessions, members of the conference hear reports of past and ongoing work; adopt future goals, programs and budgets; and ordain clergy members as deacons and elders. Bishop Gregory V. Palmer presides over these meetings and will convene the annual conference on Sunday at 7:30 pm prior to the start of opening worship.

Mark your calendars!
  • Wednesday, March 1: Online registration (to include housing requests) is open and requests for event space can be made.
  • Wednesday, March 15: Deadline to submit recommendations (legislation)
  • Childcare & VBS registration are both open. For more information click here.
   Employment Opportunities In Our District

Director of Children's Ministry
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... more


Intern for Youth Group and Music/Worship Leadership
Chatham Charge UMC is searching for a dynamic musically inclined individual to assist with their weekly Wednesday afternoon youth group as well as... 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

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
 
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 click here for information
Friday, April 21, 2017 - 6:30pm  to  Saturday, April 22, 2017 - 5:00pm

Advanced Lay Servant Training - Go Preach click here for information
Saturday, April 22 and 29, 2017 - 8:30am to 5:00pm at Hebron UMC
 
  NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP MINISTRY INTERN
 
It is with great pleasure that we announce the opening of the Next Generations Leadership Ministry Intern Application process. Since its inception, the Next Generations Leadership Ministry Interns have been able to discern calls to Ministry and Service in a variety of ways. 

The pay for the Internship is $4600.00 during the summer, starting May 21 and ending August 7. Internship placements are with engaging local churches throughout the West Ohio Conference and include trips to local Ohio Seminaries as well as those on the East Coast and in the Southern part of the United States. Applicants must be college students who are available for the duration of the Internship. 

Please encourage students who have expressed a desire to explore a call to ministry and/or service to apply at www.westohioumc.org. The Application Deadline is March 29, 2017. For questions, please email Rev. Donnetta Peaks ( dpeaks@wocumc.org) or call 614-505-7334, 314. 
John Morgan
Saturday, March 18th at @ 2pm & 4pm
Sunday, March 19th at 8:15 am & 10:30 am

John Morgan is a nationally known author and presidential tribute artist and will be speaking at Etna UMC Upward award celebrations on Saturday, March 18th as well as both church services on Sunday, March 19th.   He will also be signing copies of his    bestseller "War on Fear". 

 Everyone is welcome!       FREE ADMISSION
 
RMA SPRING LUNCHEON

The West Ohio United Methodist Ministers' Association will be having the Spring Luncheon on APRIL 4, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the North Broadway United Methodist Church, 48 E. North Broadway, Columbus, Ohio.   All Retired United Methodist Pastors and Spouses are invited.
Please send your reservations and checks to The Rev. Darrel Loar, 6000 Riverside Drive, Apt. A409, Dublin, Ohio  43017. The cost is $10 per person.  You can also send your reservations to Cean Wilson at catfishlcw@outlook.com . and pay at the door.
Madison County Coffee with UM Community Ministries

Church pastors and laity are invited for a time of coffee and conversation around visioning for mission and ministry in your area, and how Capitol Area Community Ministries can partner with you!
We welcome everyone to join us for this informal time of visioning and dreaming.  We will be joined by special guest Sharon Ware, Assistant Impact Director for the United Way

Tuesday, March 21 at 10:30 am at the London Coffee Peddler, 127 S. Main St., London, 614-578-1040  Map

Contact Rev. Karen Cook, Director, Capitol Area Community Ministries, with any questions,  kcook@wocumc.org, 614-222-0602.
Date:  03/21/2017 (Tue.)Time:  10:30am - 12:00pm ESTLocation:  London Coffee Peddler, 127 S. Main St., London OH  Sign up here
 
In our world today, an estimated 925 million people are chronically hungry, though there is enough food in the world for everyone to have adequate nutrition.1 As followers of Christ, we cannot accept this reality. Christ demands us to respond.2
 
At Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church on March 24 and 25, we all have the opportunity to be doing just that: responding. Through a Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePackTM, we will produce over 100,000 meals for God's children around the world.  FMSC is a Christian nonprofit hunger relief organization working with volunteers to produce MannaPackTM Rice, a scientifically formulated food formula that is culturally acceptable worldwide. Organizations in nearly 70 countries around the world distribute these meals to children in greatest need. To learn more about FMSC, visit fmsc.org.
 
We invite you to join us in producing these meals. We need to recruit 500 volunteers and raise 22 ยข for each meal-$23,950 total-for this MobilePack.
  • Volunteers: Adults and children will measure and scoop ingredients, seal bags, and prepare boxes for shipping. Register at 1feeds1.com
  • Donations: To help us meet our $23,950goal, please consider taking a special offering or check with us for creative fundraising ideas. Donations may be submitted online at fmsc.org/mobilepack or mailed to
Feed My Starving Children
ATTN: MobilePack # 1703-173AU
401 93rd Avenue NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
               Checks should be payable to FMSC, memo line MobilePack # 1703-173AU
 
We hope to partner with you in this important service for God's hungry children. If you would like to learn more, please contact Beth Marshallat 614-866-5864 or bmarshall@rumc.org.



Coming
April 4th & 5th 2017
 
The Capitol Area South District and Christ United Methodist Church
 
Featuring: Telley Lynnette Gadson
National Preacher of Preachers

  Stand Still & Take Your Position in Christ

" A T ime o f S piritual  R estoration a nd R evival"
1480 Zettler Road, Columbus
 
     Tuesday, April 4th @  7:00 pm -  R estoration and R evival
 
Wednesday, April 5th @  6:30 pm - Fellowship Meal 
(reservation required for the meal)   
7:15pm -  R estoration and R evival

THE LAST SUPPER

A dramatization of Jesus' Final Meal

Free Performance and Communion
April 13, 2017 - 7:00 PM
Holy (Maundy) Thursday

PARKVIEW UMC
344 South Olgonquin, Columbus, Ohio

There will be a free will offering for the Parkview Food Pantry and Westside Free Store

2017 Ohio PAUMCS Spring Conference

Spring Conference will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Oak Chapel UMC, 4203 W Old Lincoln Way, Wooster, OH.  

The Ohio Chapter of PAUMCS (Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries) is very proud to welcome Rev. Stan Ling presenting "Money Is  A Ministry".  Rev. Ling serves as Associate Director of the West Ohio Conference.  He will share with us how effective stewardship is vital to our church members, our pastors and our own office ministry.

"Stories From the Front Lines" Kay Panovec is a name that both conferences will recognize.  Kay served as the Director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference for 13 years.  Following her years at UMCom in Nashville she has returned to serve now as Director of Communications for the West Ohio Conference. 
 A storyteller at heart, she offers us helpful information - and fund.
Cost for a the conference for an Ohio PAUMCS member is $25.00, Non-PAUMCS member is $30.00.


Academy Registration Is Now Open!

NCJ Volunteer Leadership Academy
Camp Warren, 
4225 Camp Warren Lane, Decatur, IL 
April 27-30, 2017    Mark these dates on your calendar!

Register your team here
 
                                                      
PLEASE COME!
The West Ohio Conference United Methodist Women are presenting: 

Racial Justice Spiritual Retreat
                                            
Key Note Speaker: Reverend Karen Cook
                                             
Also featuring L. Cean Wilson and Ethel Johnson
Special guest Vickie Shurelds
Date:  April 29, 2017
Time:  10:00 AM to 2:00 PM check in 9:30
Where:  Warehouse 839 @ Hilliard UMC
               3691 Main St, 5445 Scioto Darby Rd,  Hilliard, Ohio

Registration deadline is April 19, 2017.  Box lunch provided, contributions accepted to cover cost of lunch.  Please send your name, district, email, phone and dietary restrictions to Sylvia Kempton at kemptonss@yahoo.com
 Dates: June 12-17, 2017

The purpose of the EXPLORE Institute at Ohio Wesleyan University is to provide rising high school juniors and seniors with six days of an academically-solid, spiritually-grounded foundation for discernment of God's calling for their life journey.   Learn More. ...


LIVE YOUR FAITH
NEW in 2017!  
West Ohio Conference "Traction Tracks" 

T o help your congregation gain traction and begin to move forward towards new vitality!
West Ohio's Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI), a focused training/coaching/resourcing initiative of the Episcopal office and cabinet that has included several dozen congregations and pastors over the last six years, has identified a number of key components that we've seen can provide a congregation of any size and setting with a dose of traction to begin to move ahead in vitality. Read more

To find events in Equip and register your team C lick here :
Praying together with you, in Christ's name, for the unleashing of God possibilities beyond imagination in and through all of our congregations--
Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey
Director, Office of Missional Church Development
West Ohio Conference
Visit our website to find:  
Classifieds, Calendar, Resources and more!

STAY CONNECTED:
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.