Below you'll find upcoming events, helpful information, and mission highlights for the West Ohio Conference and Maumee River District. Please visit our website using the link below for additional resources and info, but remember that it is a work in progress with the new districts and website updates!

Check out these mission opportunities at

Annual Conference this year!

Clergy and Lay Members of the Annual Conference are invited to participate in various mission opportunities in the Central Ohio area before the start of Annual Conference, on Wednesday afternoon May 29, 2024.

Come participate and learn about a new ministry! All mission opportunities take place on Wednesday afternoon, and will be finished in time for you to have dinner before Annual Conference opens at 7:00 pm.

Click on the links below for more information and to register. Registration closes May 23, 2024 or when full.

Urban Farm Church - located in north central Columbus

The Charitable Pharmacy - located in downtown Columbus

The Church for All People Free Store - located in downtown Columbus

The Church for All People Market FIRST AFTERNOON SHIFT - located in downtown Columbus

The Church for All People Market SECOND AFTERNOON SHIFT - located in downtown Columbus

Lewis Center UMC's 'Amina's Dream' sewing ministry - located in Lewis Center, north of Columbus

Churches Receive VBS Mini-Grants

Fifteen churches across West Ohio received help with their upcoming VBS programs from the United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio. Thanks to the generosity of a Foundation donor, $5750 was provided for VBS programs in this year’s grant cycle.

Previous support was limited to the former Capitol Area Districts but was recently expanded at the discretion of the donor.

“We’re so excited to be able to support so many programs,” said Maddy DeWitt, Donor Relations Manager for the Foundation. “59 churches applied – which is incredible! And although we don’t have enough funding to support them all, we were able to provide funding to churches in every district this year.”

Funds were provided by Ketha Robbins, who established the Clara’s Kiddies/Jesse’s Vine Endowment with the Foundation in 2017 to support VBS programs in honor of her grandmother and great-grandfather who encouraged her faith. To Ketha, this is what made, and continues to make, VBS so special. In her words, “It is a bookend. It is the start of what a person’s spiritual life can become.”

Congratulations to the following churches:

• Clifton UMC on behalf of the Grace and Possibilities Circuit (Great Miami River District)
• New Paris - St Paul UMC (Great Miami River District)
• South Perry UMC (Hocking River District)
• Canaanville Stewart UMC (Hocking River District)
• Hopewell UMC (Hocking River District)
• Gilboa UMC and Pandora UMC Charge (Maumee River District)
• Edgerton UMC (Maumee River District)
• Hilliard UMC (Olentangy River District)
• Smith Chapel UMC (Olentangy River District)
• Iglesia Hispana St. Marks (Olentangy River District)
• Urbana UMC (Western Lakes District)
• West Jefferson UMC (Western Lakes District)
• Ada UMC (Western Lakes District)
• Rushsylvania UMC (Western Lakes District)
• Five Points UMC (Scioto River District)

For more information or to receive notification of next year’s grant cycle, please contact Maddy DeWitt at mdewitt@wocumc.org.

National Day of Prayer - May 2nd

This year the National Day of Prayer is on Thursday, May 2nd. Our own Rev. Dan Metzger has been asked by the City of Findlay to organize a special event that welcomes all to come and join in prayer. The event will take place at the Marathon Center for the Arts. St Marks will kick off the day at 8:00 am with prayers and praises by Pastor Dan and our praise band “Crossings.” It would be wonderful if you could make plans to be there as well. For the rest of the day, until 7:00 PM, nine different area churches will be taking the stage and leading the prayers. The theme of the day will be “Praying the Fruits of the Spirit for Our City, Our Country and Our World.

General Conference started April 23rd

The United Methodist Church General Conference is set to begin on April 23 in Charlotte, NC. This conference takes place every four years and is the only entity that speaks for the denomination. The United Methodist Book of Discipline is updated every four years to incorporate changes made by the General Conference.

The voting delegates for this conference will come from various parts of the world, including the United States (55.9%), Africa (32%), the Philippines (6%), Europe (4.6%), and concordat churches that have close ties to The United Methodist Church (1.5%). Half of the delegates will be clergy and the other half will be laity.

In the days ahead, many will have opinions about what happens at the General Conference. Please see these reliable sources for the most accurate information:

• The United Methodist Church: Website, Facebook
• West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church: Website, Facebook

West Ohio Conference Delegates - These persons have been elected to serve as General Conference Delegates. You may send your prayers and messages to West Ohio Conference delegates via email: GCDelegates2024@wocumc.org. 

Opportunities to Celebrate the Palmer’s Lifetime of Ministry

Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer is retiring after serving 24 years in Episcopal leadership. We in West Ohio, have been blessed to have him lead our conference for the last twelve. First Lady Cynthia Palmer has had a significant role in this conference and in every aspect of Bishop’s stellar career.

In honor of their service to the Church, you are invited you to express your appreciation in the following ways:

• Send a card to the Palmers. Please send them to: Bishop Gregory and Mrs. Cynthia Palmer, West Ohio Conference, 32 Wesley Blvd., Worthington, Ohio 43085.
• Contribute to a love offering. Financial contributions may be made here or by sending a check made payable to West Ohio Conference c/o the Foundation (UMFWO), 32 Wesley Blvd., Worthington, OH 43085 with "Palmers Gift Fund" in the memo line.
• Leave your words of appreciation online here and those sentiments will be shared with them as well. 
• Your cards and gifts must be received by May 15, 2024. The Palmers will be presented with these gifts at the West Ohio Annual Conference on May 31.

Please keep the Palmer Family in your prayers as they begin this next chapter of their lives. May they feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as they are surrounded by this outpouring of love and appreciation.

Buckets of Blessing Challenge

As we do every year at Annual Conference, West Ohio Disaster Response Ministries will be collecting kits and supplies for Midwest Mission Distribution Center, our North Central Jurisdiction UMCOR depot.

However, this year's collection will also include the Bishop's Buckets of Blessings Challenge, where we see which District can contribute the most buckets of cleaning supplies! Also called Home Care Kits, these buckets include liquid household cleaner, dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, and a scrub brush, all in a 5-gallon bucket. Click here for more on how to make Home Care Kits. For his final Annual Conference as West Ohio's Bishop, let's make sure we shower Bishop Palmer with Buckets of Blessings!

In addition to Home Care Kits, we will also be collecting the following items:

• UMCOR Hygiene Kits
• Shampoo (12-19 oz.)
• Deodorant (2-3 oz.)
• Lotion (8-10 oz.)

Kits and supplies will be collected on Thursday, May 30, from 7:30am-5:30pm, and on Friday, May 31, from 8:00am-1:30pm. Take all donations to the Midwest Mission truck located west of the Capital Center near the golf cart station. Please do not bring supplies into the Capital Center where Annual Conference is being held.

*In order for your donation of Home Care Kits to count toward your District total, be sure you notify the Midwest Mission personnel at the truck about which District your supplies are from.*



If you have questions or need more information, email mgrace@wocumc.org

MRD Nominations

The Maumee River District is looking for individuals who would like to serve on a committee of the district. If you are interested in serving on one of the Leadership Committees, Lay Servant Ministry Team, Disaster Response Team or Church Building & Location Team please send an email to the district office at maumeeriver@wocumc.org.

Calling All Laity!!! District At-Large Members Needed for Annual Conference

Registration Ends May 1st

Time is running out! Registration for Annual Conference will be ending on May 1st. if you are interested in filling one of those spots, please complete the Availability Form and give to your pastor for their signature. If you know anyone that would be interested in, or would be good for this position, please share the information and form with them as well. Submit completed forms to the district office at mrobinson@wocumc.org. The first round of requests will be confirmed on April 9th.

Connect with others working with Emerging Generations

If you are a volunteer or staff person who oversees your local church ministry with children, youth, or young adults we invite you to connect with others who are doing the same in one of our Family Ministry or College Ministry Networks. These networks are designed to help share resources, best practices, and provide support for those engaging emerging generations across the connection. Each district is working on developing Family Ministry Networks for those working with children and youth and our College Ministry Network is for anyone who is working with college-aged students either on a college campus or in a local church. Information about network development, key leaders, and any upcoming zoom meetings are below. If you would like information on how to connect to these networks, email Director of Camps, Retreats, and Next Gen Engagement, Ann Marie Carley (amcarley@wocumc.org).

College Ministry Network Zoom Meeting, April 23^rd 12:00pm-1pm (Sammi Shivener)

Maumee River District Zoom Meeting, May 2^nd 12:30pm-1:30pm (Jodi Packard)

2024 West Ohio Annual Conference: God is Able

Registration Ends May 1st

Register Now for West Ohio Annual Conference and Events

The 55th session of the West Ohio Annual Conference is set to convene from Wednesday, May 29, through Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio. This year's theme, "God is Able," draws inspiration from Ephesians 3:20-21, promising a gathering that celebrates the limitless power of God. Information regarding meals, housing, and special events is posted on the conference website.

Click here to register for Annual Conference

Click here to register for the Clergy Spouse Brunch with Mrs. Palmer. 

Click here to give to the Love Offering for Bishop and Mrs. Palmer.

SCRAP METAL DRIVE - YEAR ROUND SERVICE

Do you have an antenna down from a storm? Got sheet metal, or a chain-link fence you’ve wanted to take down? Here’s your chance to do good while cleaning up from a storm or cleaning out the garage, attic, basement, shed, backyard, etc.

Trinity United Methodist Church’s Scrap Metal Drive - All METAL accepted. A dumpster is located in the parking lot at Putnam County Council on Aging, 1425 E. Fourth Street Ottawa, waiting for your cast-offs. All proceeds will go to Trustee projects at Trinity United Methodist Church. Call 419-523-6496 for more information.

ABSOLUTELY NO TV’S, COMPUTER MONITORS, PAINT, TIRES, MATRESSES/BOX SPRINGS or AEROSOL CANS ACCEPTED.     

Basic & Recert ERT Classes to be offered May 11 in Plain City

UMCOR’s Early Response Team (ERT) Basic class will be offered on Saturday, May 11, 8:00 am-4:00 pm at Jerome UMC in Plain City. A four-hour recertification class will also be offered. West Ohio ERT trainers will teach participants how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need. Trainees will learn how to provide a caring, Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family's personal property.

Skills that are taught include tarping, debris removal, mucking out flooded homes, etc. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene. A background check is required, and a link to complete this will be provided upon registration. East Ohio Conference members are also welcome! Cost is $40 for the Basic class or $35 for recertification. ERT members are not required to be United Methodist but must deploy with a United Methodist-led team. For more information or to register, click here: https://www.westohioumc.org/event/early-response-team-training-recert-jerome-umc

Preschool Training Day

Join us for a Preschool Training Day on Thursday, May 23, from 10am-4pm, at the West Ohio Conference Center, 32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington. We are hopeful that this five-hour training will be approved by OCCRRA for use in credentialing. Storytelling, theming, and prayer as professional development will be the areas we focus on. Come share your thoughts and ideas with other leaders in the preschool world. Enjoy conversation over lunch, which will be provided. To register, please email lmoore@wocumc.org.

Maumee River District Spring Conference

The Maumee River District will hold it's Spring Conference on Sunday, May 19th. The Spring Conference will help us prepare for Annual Conference and the upcoming conference year. Join us at 3:00pm at Waterville UMC, 7115 Waterville Monclova Rd, Waterville, OH, to see the appointment/status changes in the district as well as topics of discussion that will take place at Annual Conference. The Spring Conference is open to anyone in the district, even if you will not be attending Annual Conference.

Deconsecration Service at Camp Widewater set for June 15th

Former campers, employees, camp counselors, and supporters of Camps Widewater and Otterbein are encouraged to attend deconsecration services this summer.

The services are set for Saturday, June 15, at 2:00pm at Camp Widewater and Sunday, June 16, at 4:00pm at Camp Otterbein. More information will be made available soon.

Mission u - Registration open

All are invited to attend Mission u this year, which will be held in-person June 21-23, 2024, at the Bergamo Life-Long Learning Center in Beavercreek, OH. 

A virtual Mission u will also be held during the month of July. Mission u is co-sponsored by the West Ohio Conference United Women in Faith and the West Ohio Conference. 

This year's theme is "The Kin-dom is Among You...Drawing Closer to God and One Another." Adults and youth (6th-12th grades) will participate in dynamic discussions, meditative worship, engagement with the natural world, and reflection on the lovely grounds of the Bergamo Center. 

Martha Scholarships for first-time attendees will be available as well as Mission u scholarships. More information is available here.

Click here for Save the Date flyer.

Click here for Youth Save the Date flyer. 

Registration begins April 1. Questions? Contact Linda Bales Todd (Dean) at joylab47@yahoo.com or Carolyn Johnson (Assistant Dean) at cjohnson3253@yahoo.com

Church Reporting

Statistical Reporting - Year End

2023 statistical reporting information was recently emailed out to pastors, treasurers, and administrative council/leadership team chairs.

• Reports were due April 15 - Please complete as soon as possible. Reach out to the district office for any questions or needed help.
• Please make every effort to complete the information online.
• Have your church’s GCFA# ready
• Open this link: https://stats.gcfa.org/Login.aspx and input your GCFA# and the password ACStats2023#
• Once you’re in the system, you’ll establish new credentials for accessing your church’s information. Note that more than one person at a church can establish credentials for inputting data, which should make it easier if in your church different people have access to different data.

For questions around these reports contact Jack Frost, jfrost@wocumc.org. 

Annual Reporting

The information for the church and clergy Annual Reports has also been updated recently and is available for access. These reports include the Fund Balance Report, Trustee Legal & Property, Parsonage Inspection, Clergy Self-Assessment and SPRC Assessments. They can be found on the district website on the Resource tab or by clicking HERE. They are due June 1st.

For questions about these reports contact Michelle at the district office, mrobinson@wocumc.org.

Insurance Considerations for Leasing and Renting Church or Ministry Property

Sharing space with other organizations and ministries is a great way to extend your relationship with the community, provide assistance to those in need, and perhaps generate some additional revenue or resources. Doing so may also introduce new insurance exposures for your church to deal with.

Read more...

Rev. Beverly Avers

Mrs. Marjorie Uth

Rev. Howard Preston

Rev. Gene Well

Swanton Trinity UMC: Pianist - Trinity United Methodist Church in Swanton, Ohio is currently looking for a Pianist to accompany congregational singing and enhance our scheduled worship services. Our weekly Sunday worship service is at 9:30am. We would also ask for your talents for special additional services throughout the year(e.g. Christmas Eve and Ash Wednesday). You will be paid $100 per service. The ideal candidate will have experience with all aspects of piano playing, including technical knowledge/performance skills, and the ability to work well with others. There is also an organ on the premises for use. Weddings and Funerals (no obligation) would be compensated in addition to the base pay rate. If you are a skilled pianist/organist and are interested in having a pivotal role in the musical life of our church, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume to trinityumc150@gmail.com Attn: Pastor Justin McCall. For questions, please contact trinityumc150@gmail.com or 419-826-2492 

Messiah Lutheran Church: Organist, Pianist - Messiah (4703 Summit Street Toledo, Ohio) is currently seeking a church musician. This position requires the following abilities:

• To read sheet music.
• To play the organ and or piano.
• To be able to play music for a traditional Lutheran worship service along with the flexibility to incorporate contemporary worship music.
• To be willing to work alongside of the pastor and cantor.
• To be willing to work with a future seasonal choir and children’s choir.
• Be available for weekly Sunday morning service and special services.

The interested candidate should contact Pastor Mark Kuhlman at pastormarkmessiahelcatoledo@gmail.com to schedule an interview and audition.

The Maumee River District Office is open from 9:00am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday. The office is closed on Fridays, but Michelle will still be working from home and available by phone and email. Office appointments can be scheduled on Fridays if needed.