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Capitol Area South District
Weekly Updates April 21,2017
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A Bias Opinion
50 DAYS OF LOVE
We are entering the second week of the 50 days of Love. Week Two is a Week of Letter Writing (April 23-29).
During this week, write a letter of appreciation to at least one person. It may be a letter to someone whom you have long appreciated but have never formally expressed it; it may be a letter of reconciliation; it may be a letter of encouragement. Its message is one of appreciation, of gladness, and of loyalty and friendship. Continue to use the SOAPY Bible Study to explore the scriptures and pray for others.
Remember, we are working to be the evidence of the resurrection
. This is a 50-day experiment provides us the opportunity to practice being agents of Christ's love. As we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, we need to be evidence of the resurrection.
A 50 Day Experiment
For fifty days, will you practice, experiment, and engage in being an agent of Christ's love?
Dr. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard writes,
"...the resurrection is a continuing event which involves everyone who dares be involved in it. Easter is not just about Jesus, it's about you. Jesus has already claimed his new life. What about
you? Easter is not just about the past, it's about the future. Your best days are ahead of you. The proof of the resurrection is in your hands and in your life."
So how are we "proof" of the resurrection?
For the 50 days between Easter and Pentecost, show God's love as proof of God's presence in our lives. Don't worry, the first week is all about preparation and everything you need is below. (You can do this over any 50 day days throughout the year.) This is an opportunity to demonstrate Christian love to friends, neighbors, church members and non-church members in intentional ways over 50 days.
The goals of 50 Days of Love are to:
1. Become more like Jesus by engaging in acts of study, prayer, and action.
2. Develop and deepen relationships with both inside and outside the church.
3. Experience God's love by sharing God's love.
4. Invite persons to participate in and experience God's love through acts of love and kindness.
5. Promote and embody love and kindness in daily life.
Feel free to copy and paste this information into your email or written communication for your local church. We invite you to use #50DaysLove on social media.
We look forward to hearing from you about the ways Christ's love is being shared in the community.
Below is a review of week one. If you did not start 50-Days of Love this week, maybe you will start with Week One below: Week One - WEEK OF PREPARATION
This week, prepare yourself to share God's love through Bible study and prayer. If you're already reading through scripture, use your daily reading. If not, download our daily SOAPY Bible Study as a way of preparing your heart and mind. In addition, call to mind two or three people you know who would benefit from knowing God's love. Pray for those persons. Pray daily for their well-being and for their openness to God's love in and through you. While this is a week of preparation. It is also a week to practice what you will experience in the coming weeks.
May you be blessed as you become more the evidence of the Resurrection in the places you live, work, and play.
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DISTRICT APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
The Capitol Area South District Office wishes to announce the intention of Bishop Gregory V. Palmer to appoint the Reverend Dr. Sara B. Thomas to the position of Assistant to the District Superintendent on July 1, 2017. Sara comes to the position from serving several congregations within West Ohio Conference and from serving as the Chief Strategist for Vital Congregations at Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
As Assistant to the District Superintendent, Sara will assist
the Superintendent with the ongoing mission and ministry of the District to identify, develop and strengthen congregational leaders to fulfill the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. Sara will work on developing materials that assist leaders in creating congregational systems for making Christian disciples. She will facilitate training, workshops, and coaching to assist local churches in increasing missional effectiveness; and, lead, teach, and coach individuals and/or groups in the area of leader development for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ
District Superintendent, Timothy Bias said, "I look forward to Sara joining the district staff to assist our congregational leaders in focusing upon our mission of 'making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world' and upon developing disciple-making systems that make a difference in our congregations and our communities."
Ordained as an elder in 2008, Sara has served local churches in the West Ohio Conference and at the General Board of Discipleship for the United Methodist Church (Discipleship Ministries).She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and ICF Trained Professional Coach. Sara has demonstrated skills in
developing disciple-making systems and in coaching congregational leaders of local churches in increasing missional effectiveness.
Sara said, "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Capitol Area South District. The opportunity has never been greater for the local church to focus on our mission of making disciples and transforming the world. I look forward to coming alongside leaders in the district to focus on disciple-making so that we expand our capacity to share the love of Jesus."
Sara received a bachelor's degree in communication arts at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and a master's degree in higher education administration at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She oversaw new student programs at Miami for four years before following God's call to full-time ministry.
She served as the Youth Director and Associate Pastor at Mason UMC in Mason from 2001-2008 while earning a Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary in 2004. She served on staff at Hyde Park Community UMC in Cincinnati, OH and as the pastor of Maize Manor UMC and Asbury South UMC. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree in Missional Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California in 2015.
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During this week, write a letter of appreciation to at least one person. It may be a letter to someone whom you have long appreciated but have never formally expressed it; it may be a letter of reconciliation; it may be a letter of encouragement. Its message is one of appreciation, of gladness, and of loyalty and friendship. Continue to use the
SOAPY Bible Study
to explore the scriptures and pray for others. #50DaysLove
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*DISTRICT CONFERENCE*
Capitol Area South District Conference And Pre-Annual Conference Briefing!
Brice United Methodist Church will be hosting our Church conference this year, please join us on
Sunday, May 7th - 2:00 PM
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Scioto Ridge Does Stay-at-Home Mission for Spring Break
W
hile some members of Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church in Hilliard, OH, traveled out-of-town for Spring Break, other families joined together to participate in service activities in their local community. Inspired by the book, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado, the week offered 10-plus service opportunities in which more than 100 people participated! Service experiences included delivering meals to shut-ins, litter clean-up, putting together hygiene kits and box lunches, visiting residents at a nursing home, doing odd jobs around the church, as well as paying for loads of laundry at a local laundromat. One parent said, "We need to do those much more often, I am so happy to get my children involved in mission work."
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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
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SELF DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
Need a grant for your grassroots group?
Free community workshop
Light Lunch provided
Wednesday, April 26
at 12:00 PM (Noon)
United Way of Central Ohio
360 S. Third St., Columbus, OH 43215
T
o register or for more information click here
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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
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DENMAN AWARD
Denman Award Nominations Due to Conference by May 1
Harry Denman, noted lay evangelist and Christian leader, believed that each person must live their call to make disciples of Jesus Christ through relationship, mission, and preaching. Each year, Annual Conferences join The Foundation for Evangelism (FFE) to recognize outstanding youth, clergy, and laity in their conference with the Harry Denman Evangelism Award. Recipients are committed to introducing others to Jesus Christ and are exceptional in the number of people who credit them with helping start or reignite a personal faith journey. Nomination forms for the 2017 Harry Denman Evangelism Awards can be found
here. Deadline to submit nominees is May 1, 2017.
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The Gathering
A Joint Celebration of Openness and Inclusion
Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the Livingston UMC, 200 E. Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH.
You're invited!
Join us on May 7th for another gathering of West Ohio Reconciling United Methodists and Friends! Laity and clergy alike are invited to hear an update from David Meredith, share fellowship, and hear another testimony about the significance of the reconciling work we do as community.
Details: Sunday, May 7th, 3:00-5:00pm at Livingston United Methodist Church, 200 E. Livingston Ave, Columbus. Childcare is provided. RSVP not necessary.
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Rx Riders
May 20th
Please plan to join us on Saturday, May 20, for the first-ever Rx Riders. All proceeds will go to purchase breathing medication and inhalers for low-income individuals and families in Franklin County. Riders can choose from a 25-mile or 50-mile trek through the bike paths of German Village and downtown Columbus. Registration is $35 and all participants are encouraged to invite support from friends, co-workers and family. We'll give you all the tools you need to meet your own personal fundraising goal. To sign up, email
melanie.charitablepharmacy@gmail.com and put "Bike Ride" in the email subject line to get started now!
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"When Kids Come Out" - A Four-Session Class for
Parents
of LGBT Children
When a child comes out to his/her/their family, it often raises many questions for
both the child and for the family. For example:
* What does it mean for the family when a child comes out to his/her/their
parents?
* What does it mean for the parents' relationship to their church?
* What does it mean for the parents' own faith?
* How do parents navigate their own "coming out" after their children have
come out to them?
These questions are among those that will be addressed in the four-session
class that will be held on Wednesday evenings from May 3 through May 24 at
the Worthington United Methodist Church. The meetings will begin at 7:00 pm
and conclude by 8:30 pm. The church is located at 600 High Street,
Worthington.
Parking is available at the church. Look for signs directing you to
"Kids Coming Out" class.
The Rev. Jim Waugh, retired pastor in the West Ohio Conference...see more
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B
ishop Palmer Invites Us to Join in Light the Way Campaign
At Annual Conference this year, Tuesday morning worship will be of special importance as we launch the LIGHT THE WAY CAMPAIGN to support the bold leap of starting new diverse worshiping communities and collaborating with congregations to extend their vitality for our mission across Ohio. I am inviting you to join me in raising at least $200,000 in this offering. Our mission is clear - to equip local churches to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world...a world of justice, love and peace filled with people growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Our strategic plan guides us in reaching more people, more young people, more diverse people with the love of God through Jesus Christ. We have already made significant progress in just one year of identifying, assessing, training and preparing a new band of new church pastors. At the same time, vital congregations are reaching out in new and significant ways to those on the margins. To read more of Bishop Palmer's letter,
click here.
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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.
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LIVE YOUR FAITH
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2017 All People Conference:
Rise Up...and Build!
Early bird registration is now open through July 1! Register here
Join us as we delve deep into God's heart for diversity, inclusivity, and justice in our communities. Each of our unique gifts strengthen the Body of Christ, helping us become local agents for community transformation. Explore how multiethnic and multiclass ministry can take your church community deeper in becoming the hands and feet of Christ on earth.
Whether you yearn to take the next step in reaching out to a community that is different from the people who sit in the pews on Sunday, or are already engaged in multicultural ministry and desire for it to grow, this event is right for you!
This conference is experiential. Participants will join members of our diverse community in worship, dialog, shared learning, and fun. Plenaries and workshops are designed to meet you where you are and engage your questions as we explore best practices for inclusive ministry.
You'll learn how to:
- Foster a racially diverse congregation with members across the income spectrum
- Use worship that is diverse and welcoming to strengthen your community
- Launch outreach programs that use local assets to address community concerns
- Engage a base of partners that can support and sustain your ministries
- Maintain your spiritual center through the swirl of ministry
- And so much more!
When:
October
21-23, 2017
Where:
UM Church for All People
(946 Parsons Avenue; Columbus, OH 43206)
Early Bird Registration
(Until July 1): $195
Regular Registration
(Until October 10): $225
Late Registration
(After October 10): $245
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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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