News and information from around the Ohio Conference

New Video Message from Elder Bob Cundiff, Ohio Conference President

“This week I have some good news, and then some bad news, and then some good news.” begins Ohio Conference President Bob Cundiff. The first good news Cundiff shares is the announcement of the newest addition to the Ohio Conference family. “We have made the painful decision to cancel camp meeting,” said Cundiff. Due to Ohio’s extension of the “Stay Safe Ohio” order through May 29, the “June 6 Camp Meeting date just felt too soon.” Cundiff goes on to explain the additional decisions factoring into making this final decision. The other good news is the faithfulness of our constituents in their stewardship. “It is obviously too early to know what the totality of our April financial numbers will look like, but several of our churches have done their remittances already, and the early evidence is bearing witness to your faithfulness. That is encouraging,” he said.  “I can assure you that the Lord’s Church stands at the very center of what is important to me, and my heart is encouraged to learn that that is true for many of you as well.” Watch video

Safe Spaces By Michael Stough II, Pastor Delaware, New Carlisle, Springfield First District

The advice when I arrived in Cambodia, never venture too far off the road or path you are on. Why? Landmines. Today, that advice is still true in many parts of Cambodia, still one of the heaviest mined countries in the world. Although CMAC (Cambodian Mine Action Center) and other groups like it have done much to create safe spaces absent mines, the ubiquitous landmine warning signs are still present throughout the country. Many of the country’s amputees are victims of landmine incidents. Although we don’t deal with landmines on a daily basis here in the United States, it raises the question, is your church a safe space or is it like walking into a mine field? Over the last several months we’ve looked at various ideas about small groups. Now we need to look at something quite important for a small group to be successful, mainly the need of safe spaces for those small groups to exist and function. In Numbers 35, God mandates the creation of refuge cities, places where people who accidently killed someone could flee and live protected from the wrath of vengeance seeking relatives. In today’s world there is still a need to build cities of refuge. People both inside and outside the church are hurting, seeking answer to difficult, or even simple, questions, or just merely looking for relationships where they won’t be stabbed in the back or criticized. We all want to see God’s kingdom grow, but I wonder if a lack of safe spaces where genuine caring relationships exist cause us to fail in achieving momentum along these lines. Growing up in the church, I know I have only really experienced a few places where I would feel safe sharing struggles I was facing or pondering questions I was thinking. Talk with many people who are turned off by Christianity, and this lack of a safe space is typically at the root of why they made decisions not to become a disciple of Christ, or at the least not want to be a part of organized Christianity. Even many church members struggle with these thoughts and feelings, continuing because their eyes are thankfully focused on Christ, but wanting a safe space to seek healing from the wounds of this sinful world. Stop and think about how different even the Gospels would be if the disciples did not feel a safe space existed to freely ask Jesus the questions they did. So often their wrong perceptions were met by Jesus’ love and concern for their growth. Even Peter, hearing the rooster crow a third time, met the loving gaze of the Master he had just denied for third time. We often quote the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But, I wonder, in creating safe spaces, is it time to start approaching this from the idea of “Doing unto others as Jesus has already done unto you?” It is a thought I’ll leave for you to ponder.

"Drive-In" Worship Service at Bucyrus Church

The Bucyrus Adventist church held their first "drive-in" worship service last Sabbath. The event was open to the entire district and surrounding community. According to district pastor Marcellus de Oliveira (pictured, with wife Cisa), " We had 14 cars in the parking lot and a total of 24 people from the district." "What a beautiful day it was," said Teresa Catlett, Bucyrus church treasurer. "For our small church, this was wonderful! We had members from Bucyrus, Galion, and Marion and some non-members as far away as Prospect." The service was broadcast live to members via Zoom and to the public on Facebook . "Everyone said they enjoyed the program," said Catlett. With the notable exception of some slight audio interference by strong winds, the quality of the program was said to be quite good. "We are doing some trouble shooting for this Sabbath's service," she said. Pastor de Oliveira plans to continue the drive-in service throughout the month of May. All are welcome to attend. More Photos

Returning Tithes & Offerings During a Pandemic

Even though our members have not meeting in physical church buildings, our members have continued to support God's work by returning their tithe and offerings.  The Ohio Conference suggests three ways: online, US Mail (to your church treasurer) and drop off at your local church. When utilizing the online AdventistGiving, please visit  https://adventistgiving.org/  then select your church. The Ohio Conference team thanks you for your continued faithfulness and prayers during this coronavirus pandemic. We're in this together! #MinistryDoesNotStop

#ThankATeacher: Teacher Appreciation Week

Now more than ever, teachers are changing the lives of our children. With the abrupt end to in-person school year, our teachers have done even more to continue education with virtual classrooms and learning-at-home curriculum...all to ensure every one of our students has the tools they need to reach their full potential. "Thank you to the educators of the Ohio Conference for their love and dedication to their students and also their commitment to serving God through Adventist Education." Rick Bianco, Ohio Conference Education superintendent. Adventist Education in Ohio is alive and well. Have you thanked a teacher yet today? Feel free to comment on any of our daily posts this week on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Use the hashtag #ThankATeacher.

Ministry Does Not Stop at Toledo First Church

How does a pastoral couple visit members while remaining "socially distanced?" Toledo First Pastor Mike Fortune and his wife Jackie found a unique way to beat the doldrums of the "Stay Safe Ohio" orders while bringing joy and a dash of color to the lives of their members. "Jackie was going stir crazy. And frustrated that more and more seniors were missing school recognition and awards," shared Fortune. So the pair "decided to honor them somehow by anonymously planting pinwheels and balloons from the Dollar Store in seniors' yards." The Fortunes said it was so much fun that they began doing the same thing with the most isolated seniors in their church. "We bought more pinwheels and balloons and started offering the driveway visits to whoever wanted one on Sabbath afternoons from 4:00 pm to sundown," continued Fortune. "We've visited ten homes so far and have some more lined up for this Sabbath." "Calling a few days ahead gives the church members an additional phone call and something to look forward to," said Fortune. An unexpected side benefit may be that some people are more comfortable knowing the pastor and his wife are not actually coming inside their house, so they don't have to 'clean it up.' "You made my mom so happy!" said Toledo First member Cindy Naus, in response to one of the driveway visits. "Thanks Pastor Mike and Jackie." The Fortunes believe this may be something they and their church could possibly continue even after the "stay at home" orders are lifted. Do you or your church have a unique way that #MinistryDoesNotStop in your area? Let Heidi Shoemaker, communication director, know at hshoemaker@ohioadventist.org .

Photo of the Week

We are pleased to announce the newest addition to the Ohio Conference family: Kayleen Alana Simpson! Kayleen was born last Sabbath, April 25, to Ohio Conference Treasurer Roy M. Simpson and his wife Melissa, auditor for the conference. Both mother and baby are healthy and safe. The newly growing family will take some time to settle into their new routine before Simpson returns to work later this month, and Melissa later this summer. Join us as we thank God for His blessings upon this young family, and for continued health and wellness.

Verse of the Week

Inspirational Quote of the Week

Read the Current Issue of Mission Ohio in the Columbia Union Visitor Highlights of this issue include new Ohio Conference president, Bob Cundiff and his wife Tanique; Ohio Conference students excel in the third annual Geography Challenge and Art Auction. Read these articles and more in the current issue of Mission Ohio in Visitor magazine. Read more

Heidi A. Shoemaker, Communication Director Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 1251 E Dorothy Ln, Dayton, OH 45419 www.ohioadventist.org | information@ohioadventist.org View as Webpage

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