Capitol Area South District
Weekly Updates May 12, 2017
A Bias Opinion  
  
 
HEARTS AFIRE
 
John Wesley had a strong doctrine of the church.  His commitment to the church was unquestioned.  He remained a priest in the Church of England, he resisted the idea of the Methodist movement becoming a denomination, and he urged all the members of the Methodist Societies to stay in communion and receive the sacraments of the Anglican Church.  His total life demonstrated his love for and commitment to the established church.
 
Yet Wesley knew that it took more than hearing the Word and participating in the sacraments for Christian growth and discipleship.  A deep fellowship for mutual encouragement, examination, accountability, and service was essential.  He talked about one loving heart setting another heart on fire.
 
What an image of the church:  A fellowship of loving hearts setting other hearts on fire.  The church is a fellowship of people who have already tasted the kingdom of God.  We demonstrate who we are by what we say, and how we live in relationship and love with one another.  The people of our  communities and the world watch us to see how they are to live in love with one another. 
 
Jim Harnish, former pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida, illustrates this image of the church will the following story: 
 
Yousaf Karsh, a Canadian photographer, spent fifty years taking photographic portraits of the world's great people.  The only Portrait Karsh ever took of a person's back was taken of Pablo Casals in a small French Abby in 1954.  Karsh was setting up his equipment when Casals began playing Bach on his cello.  Karsh was so enthralled by the music that he almost forgot why he was there.  He took his portrait with the little bald-headed man bent over his cello, frozen in time against the plain stone wall of that chapel.  Karsh explained he took it that way to capture the loneliness of the truly great artists and the loneliness of the exile.
 
Years later, when the portrait was on exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, another old, bald-headed man came day after day and stood for long moments at a time in front of the portrait.  The Curator of the Museum noticed him, and when his curiosity got the best of him, went over, tapped the man on the shoulder and asked why he stood so long before the picture.  The old man, with obvious irritation, turned toward the curator and said, "Hush, young man! Can't you see I'm listening to the music?"
 
Karsh watched Casals play his cello and presented a picture.  The old man, looking at the picture could hear the music.
 
Isn't this who we are to be as the church, a picture to the world of loving hearts setting other hearts on fire with the love, compassion, peace, and justice of God?   We are the people who help provide the radical hope that all humanity needs.  God's love permeates all areas of our lives as we listen to God's music and pass it on as a living body, the church. 
 
Then our love will permeate our communities, our cities, and the world.  And we, together with all of God's people, will hasten the day when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Christ, who will reign forever and ever. 
 
O God, set our hearts on fire so that we can be an example of your love for all we meet each and every day.  We offer ourselves to you for this purpose.  Amen

 
50 Days of Love
Your gift this week is prayer. Select one or two others and pray for them daily by name. Make them your special concern for prayer. It may be someone passing through a time of sorrow or illness, a time of decisions, a time of joy and celebration, or someone you would particularly like to help. Those for whom you pray may never know, but your prayers will be particularly blessing to them if you send a card, text, or email indicating your commitment to daily pray for them. Continue to use the  SOAPY Bible Study to explore the scriptures and pray for others. #50DaysLove

 
2017 West Ohio Annual Conference Information Online
 
Not sure where to find information about this year's West Ohio Annual Conference session? Here are links to information you might be looking for:
POTATOES
 
The UMMen Are reminding everyone coming to annual conference to bring your 10 pounds of potatoes. Wewill have our Meals for Millions truck at Otterbein North Shore [by west entrance] from Friday evening [June 5] through Tuesday [June 9] for you to drop off your 10 pounds of potatoes.
Tater will be walking the aisles to accept your donations to help feed the hungry. 

Register for Family Events at Lakeside!
 
There is nothing more important than spending time with your favorite people, especially at Annual Conference! Unite with other West Ohio Conference families, discover new friendships, and experience intentional faith conversations while having fun at one or more Family Connect events hosted at Lakeside. A list of events can be found here. Register your family before June 1 at  
Adult chaperones and Family Connect name tags are required to participate in free Family Connect events. Additional costs for specific events are listed. For any questions or concerns, please contact RaNae Street at  rstreet@wocumc.org
Developing Relationships Leads to Change in Local Churches

The Connection Blueprint is an innovative experiential learning process designed to help congregations maximize the impact of Jesus' redemptive and healing love in neighborhoods and congregations. It builds on the foundational value that developing relationships of mutuality with our neighbors will change communities and congregations. This 12-18 month journey will gather congregational teams of lay and clergy leaders from across the conference into a dynamic learning community. Together, they will learn and practice tools designed to assist each congregation to implement transformative ministry within their unique context, thereby allowing them to realize the dreams God has given them. Read More 
 
                                                        You are invited to the

     Capitol Area North and South Clergy Spouse Gathering
                           on Monday, June 5 at Lakeside

      The CAN and CAS Clergy Spouses are invited to a gathering and fellowship on
                           Monday, June 5, 9:30 am- 11:00 am, 157 Lynn Street. 
                                              Light refreshments will be served.

 
Lay Member Workshops Now Available for Registration

During Clergy Session at Annual Conference this year, four workshops will be offered for Lay Members: Best Practices in Transformative Missional Engagement for the 21st Century; Go with the Flow (worship planning); Embracing the Future with Impact and Excellence; and Reentry COPE: Experiencing the Effects of Incarceration with Families in the Community. These workshops will be held Monday, June 5, from 8-10 am, and registration is required by June 1. Seating is limited, so be sure to register early. For more information or to register online, click  here
All In Community Opportunities at Annual Conference  

 
During 2017 Annual Conference, All In Community offers a variety of events that help our West Ohio churches better embrace our neighbors impacted by incarceration. Check out the list of events and celebrations listed below.
 
Reentry COPE . Monday, June 5, 8-10 am, Wesley Lodge South.  You're invited to step into the lives of the recently released and read more
Churches: Some Reminders about Workers' Compensation

Many of you are making plans to say goodbye to your pastor and to welcome a new pastor. Please make sure your new pastor is covered under workers' compensation. For the clergy leaving your church, a U-117 form needs to be completed to remove the clergy person from being listed under your church. To get the new clergy listed under your policy, a U-3s form needs to be filled out. Both forms can be completed on-line at www.ohiobwc.com if you have an on-line account. You can also print and complete the forms and then mail them to the address listed on the form. Reminder: each church with a workers' compensation policy will be receiving a "true-up" form sometime in the month of May. This form MUST be completed by every church, regardless of your payroll. In July, you will receive a bill that covers July 1, 2017 thru June 30, 2018. As always, our Third-Party Administrator, Comp Management (800-825-6755), is available to assist with questions or concerns about work ers' compensation. 
   Employment Opportunities In Our District

Community and Family Minister
Lithopolis UMC seeks a person with a passionate Christian faith having strong relational and team development skills to help... 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
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!
"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
 
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.
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
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
The 2018 Revitalization/Capacity Building Grant has been posted on the WOC website (Stewardship & Finance, Grants & Scholarships).  There is a fillable form available, as well as a PDF that can be printed and then completed. 

The due date for the Revitalization/Capacity Building Grant applications is July 1, 2017.
STAY CONNECTED:
Visit our website to find:  
Classifieds, Calendar, Resources and more!

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.