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.

Bishop Names Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team and Consultant

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has named the members of the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team and the consultant who will facilitate its work. The team consists of eight members and two ex-officio staff members from both the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences. Their role is to actively listen, discuss, discern, and make decisions about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

“God is calling us into this new strategic journey together. This task team has been prayerfully selected—each person strong in faith and deeply committed to The United Methodist Church. They are organized for this important work,” Bishop Jung said.

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St. Paul’s UMC (Toledo)

2025 Community Connections Concert Series

On Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 6:00 pm, St. Paul’s UMC is hosting, singer songwriter Vanessa Kersting. Vanessa Kersting is a well-known Australian artist who recently moved to the United States.

Vanessa was named in 2022 as an up-and-coming Australian Artist and her music can be heard on radio stations across Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK. Vanessa has toured around the US, UK, Canada and Australia for over 20 years sharing music at venues ranging from churches, to conferences, festivals, coffee houses and even home concerts.

In 2023 Vanessa was nominated for people’s choice artist of the year. This was a reflection on Vanessa’s ability to engage with audiences of all ages and sizes. Along with her Australian charm and humor Vanessa is a highly respected artist and takes every opportunity to play and perform as a moment to share hope and bit of joy in the world.

St. Paul’s UMC is located at 1201 Madison Ave, Toledo, Ohio 43604. This is a Free-will offering concert. There will opportunity for interactions following the performance.

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Statistical Year End Reports Are Now Available

The 2024 Statistical Year End Report emails have been sent out to Pastors, Treasurers and Ad Board/Lead Team Chairs! If your church officials have not received an email with the information, pleae let Michelle know at mrobinson@wocumc.org. If you have a gmail account, check your Promotions folder. Thank you for your patience in waiting for the forms.

GO AWARDS Celebrate Innovation In Ministry

To watch the presentations or see the complete list of recipients including grant descriptions, please Click Here. The list of Maumee River recipients is below.

• Florida UMC – Communications Proclamation
• Independence UMC - Communications Proclamation
• Toledo Hope UMC – Sounds of the Spirit
• Van Buren UMC – Building a Literal Bridge
• Waterville UMC – Community Connection Court
• Bowling Green Trinity UMC – Strings of Faith Ukulele Ministry
• Elliston Zion – Light Neighborhood Pantry on the Road
• RiverPoint Ministries UMC – Feed My Sheep & Crock Pot Ministry
• Whitehouse Hope UMC – Wednesdays at Hope
• Findlay St Mark’s – Give a Crock Program
• Riley Creek – Meditation Garden
• Sylvania First UMC – Green Beginnings
• Toledo Wesley UMC – Go Green
• Bowling Green Trinity UMC – UMSO Cares
• Toledo Campus Ministry – Wellness Retreat
• Ottawa Trinity UMC – Refuge 461 – College Intern Training
• Toledo Hope UMC – Holy Happenings
• Maumee UMC – Stuffed Animal Clinic
• Waterville UMC – Messy Church
• Whitehouse Hope UMC – Wiggles and Giggles
• N. Baltimore Church of the Good Shepherd – Pray-Ground for Young Families

Annual Conference 2025!

The 56th session of the West Ohio Conference will be held May 28 through May 31 at Capital University in Bexley. This will be the first Ohio Episcopal Area annual conference in which Bishop Hee-Soo Jung presides. The theme for this year's session is Rise Up, Beloved: Trust in God’s Promises, inspired by Mark 5:35-43, where Jesus encourages Jairus, a synagogue leader, to have faith that his deceased daughter will be raised from the dead. 



Registration will open on March 1. For more information, click here. 

Maumee River District At-Large Members to Annual Conference are needed! if you are interested in serving as a delegate to the Annual Conference and representing the district, please complete the ATTACHED FORM, have it signed by your pastor, and return it to the District Office.

Nominations For Harry Denman Award Are

Now Being Accepted

The Harry Denman Evangelism Award program honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of evangelism – expressed in Word (what), Sign (why), and Deed (how) – brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.

Evangelism occurs in many contexts and settings, impacts and engages all generations, and requires relationships among a variety of people.

What distinguishes a Harry Denman Evangelism Award recipient is the commitment to consistently introduce others to the Good News of Jesus Christ in all ministry settings. Their ministry is exceptional for the number of new Christ Followers who credit encounters with this person as critical in helping to start or reignite their faith journey.

Each year, the West Ohio Annual Conference and the Foundation for Evangelism seek to recognize one youth, one clergy, and one layperson for this award. 



To nominate someone for the 2025 Harry Denman Evangelism Award, click here to download and complete the form with your nomination. Please submit the form and supporting documents to mgrace@wocumc.org, or mail them to West Ohio Conference, Attn. Mariellyn Grace, 32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, OH 43085. Nominations are due by March 15, 2025.

Clergy Spouse Retreat

Spouses of clergy from across many denominations are invited to a retreat March 7-9 at Wanake Camp and Retreat Center in Beach City, OH. The theme of this year’s retreat is drawn from the words of Psalm 93--- 

“The crashing waves of the sea are loud and powerful, but the Lord Above is even more powerful.”

This retreat will be a time of fellowship, support, fun, and worship for clergy spouses, who hold a unique position in the life of the Church.

The cost of the retreat is $135. If you are the spouse of a United Methodist Church clergyperson, the cost is just $100 thanks to a generous donation from the East Ohio Conference. First-time clergy retreat attendees are eligible for a $50 discount. To receive the discount code, please e-mail Jeannette Burkhardt. The deadline to register is Friday, February 21. Click here to be redirected to the East Ohio Conference website to register.

Service to Celebrate Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Rescheduled for Feb 23

The East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church are coming together to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a joint worship service on Sunday, February 23, at Garfield Memorial United Methodist Church in Pepper Pike. Themed “Living the Dream: Bold Faith, Hopeful Future,” the event will focus on building Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community rooted in justice, love, and hope.

The service, scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., will open with gathering music at 3:45 p.m. and feature retired Bishop Julius C. Trimble, General Secretary of the General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church as the keynote speaker. Known for his commitment to justice and reconciliation, Bishop Trimble will offer a message of inspiration and challenge.



Music will be provided by Garfield Memorial UMC’s praise band. The service will be live-streamed.

Carpool To the MLK Event February 23

Did you want to attend the MLK event on Feb 23, 2025 and didn't want to drive alone? We have an option for you.

CARPOOLING with three easy steps:

·   Review options below

·   Click on District/Church that works best for you.

·   Register (please provide contact info for updates)

The address of the event is: Garfileld Memorial UMC, 3650 Lander Rd, Cleveland, OH 44124 Please notice in the location on the registration section that we have provided the approximate driving time it should take from the location you have chosen to Cleveland.

Should you have any questions, please email Lesley Moore at lmoore@wocumc.org

Sign up to carpool here

ALL IN COMMUNITY - Wellness Wednesdays

We cannot do this thing called life without God and without one another. And so, we want to continue undergirding you personally with education, tools and techniques that promote well-being in mind, body, and spirit.

Wellness Wednesdays provide a safe online space, a brave space, to receive a good tip on how to maintain health and well-being in the midst of life’s challenges. Focused on living out the Scriptures and being present for those who are impacted by criminal justice systems, this time together provides real-time conversation and relevant education around creative ways to care for ourselves as we co-labor in “doing justice.”

Join this online community as we addresses and uplift the critical need for nurturing among our All In ministry servants and community partners.

LAST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH - next Wednesday, February 26th

ONLINE 12:30-1:30PM (ZOOM ROOM OPENS @ 11:30AM)

ZOOM REGISTRATION: HTTPS://WOCUMC.ZOOM.US/MEETING/REGISTER/5TOA3DKASQGAMW6T7B3XGA

Presenter: Dr. Camisha Chambers, AIC Nurturing Communities Coordinator nurturingcoordinator@gmail.com

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VBS Mini-Grants Available Through

UM Foundation of West Ohio

Applications for VBS mini-grant applications are currently open thanks to the generosity of a major donor who invested her resources into honoring her family’s legacy through an endowment with the United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio. Grants of $250-$1000 will be available for curriculum materials, supplies, staff costs, or other expenses.

Applications are due by February 28th. Please contact Maddy DeWitt at 380-223-9229 or mdewitt@wocumc.org for more information.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Please send any Celebrations or special ministry stories that you would like to share with the District.

AIC - RESTORATIVE JUSTICE 101

Harm can be perpetuated in different ways. Healing from harm can also be done in different ways; or, in some cases, not at all. Retribution for harm done is one way to seek justice but is it the only way? This month during Ministry Mondays, we will take a look at what restorative justice is and the potential it has to help others heal from harm. We will also talk about using the framework to support healing in your ministry context.

Monday, February 24, beginning at 7:00pm on ZOOM.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION is APPRECIATED: ttps://qrco.de/bfia1a

Cost:   FREE

Questions and requests for the ZOOM link can be directed to Jami Nathan, AIC Ministries Coordinator, by email (jami.nathan.22@gmail.com) or by phone (419-591-9717).  

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COSA Electronics Recycling Event

Church of St Andrew, located at 3620 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo will be holding an Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, March 8th from 9am-3pm and Sunday, March 9th from noon until 1pm. They also have a place to drop off packaging stryofoam. Please see the attached flyer for more information and types of items that can be recycled.

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Team Leader Training

Are you planning a mission journey in 2025 or beyond? Consider this leader training being held at Aley UMC on March 8, 2025. With an experienced team leader as instructor, you will learn how to plan and lead a mission experience in Ohio, the United States, or around the world. You will also be provided with checklists, timelines, team forms, and practical resources for nurturing the spiritual life of your team. A background check is required. Click here to learn more and register.

Workers' Compensation Trainings

In conjunction with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the West Ohio Conference will host three Zoom meetings about important topics for clergy and local churches. 

The next training will be: March 18 - Time: 10:30-11:30

Topics Covered: ·   Slips, Trips and Falls ·   Safe Driving

Speaker: TBD

Zoom Link: https://wocumc.zoom.us/j/85481770294

Click here for the entire schedule.

Ohio Methodist Historical Society Convocation &

Annual Meeting - May 2nd & 3rd

What a wonderful opportunity we have to tell our faith story. Telling our faith story gives us an opportunity to share how God has worked in our lives. It is a way to Praise and Honor God. We want to focus on these stories this year and make sure we use all of our senses. We hope you will come join us for an unforgettable experience. We hope that it will inspire you to explore different ways to tell your faith story as well as your Church’s faith story.

More Information

The new and improved MissionInsite is here!

ACS Technologies has been busy revamping MissionInsite to make their demographic tool more robust. The new system updated Febrauary 3rd and is now ready for you to use to gain insight into your community to maximize your impact. You will need to reset your password to login. If you have questions or issues accessing the system, please contact misupport@acst.com.

You'll also want to mark your calendar for tomorrow, February 20th to join in a free webinar for information about navigating the new system, finding features, running reports, and maximizing your use of these tools for your ministry.

Click here to register

LSM Classes are up & running for 2025

We currently have 8 on the calendar!

Hocking River District - United Methodist Heritage (February 28^th and March 1^st)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/hocking-river-district-lay-servant-ministries-course-united-methodist-heritage

Great Miami River – Introduction to Lay Ministry: The Basic Course (March 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 2025)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/great-miami-river-district-lay-servant-ministries-course-introduction-lay-ministry

Great Miami River – Public Prayer (March 30, April 1, 3, 6, 8, 2025)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/great-miami-river-district-public-prayer-lay-servant-ministries-course

Olentangy River District – Introduction to Lay Ministry: The Basic Course (April 4 and 5, 2025)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/olentangy-river-district-lay-servant-ministries-course-basic-course

Olentangy River District – Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (May 16 & 17)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/olentangy-river-district-discover-your-spiritual-gifts

Hocking River District – Discovering Spiritual Gifts (June 6 & 7, 2025)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/hocking-river-district-lay-servant-ministries-course-discovering-spiritual-gifts

Hocking River District – Introduction to Lay Ministry: The Basic Course (September 12 and 13, 2025)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/hocking-river-district-lay-servant-ministries-course-basic-course

Hocking River District – Loving People and Planet in God’s Name (October 31 and November 1, 2025)

https://www.westohioumc.org/event/hocking-river-district-lay-servant-ministries-course-loving-people-and-planet-gods-name

Emerging Generations Resources

With a new year, some new and exciting things are happening within the area of Emerging Generations.

·      We have an Emerging Generations tab on the West Ohio Conference website! This is where you can find information about ministries connected to children, youth, and young adults. Check back often as this page will grow as the year goes on.

·      Looking for a Family Ministry based Lenten Devotional? We’ve got that on the Emerging Gen website ready for your congregation. If you need this resource in a different language, we are happy to provide you with that as well.

·      Emerging Generations Connections is a new monthly way for those working with children, youth, and young adults to connect with upcoming events, resources, and support one another through stories of celebration. 

If you would like to be added to the distribution list for the Emerging Generations Connection email or would like assistance in any other area that engages children, youth, or young adults contact Rev. Ann Marie Carley, Director of Camps, Retreats, and Next Gen Engagement for the West Ohio Conference (amcarley@wocumc.org or 380-223-9369). 

Foundation for Evangelism Grants

The Foundation for Evangelism Equipping the Local Church grant initiative seeks to empower pastors, laity, and smaller local congregations to dream, take risks, and partner with God in the transformation of lives and communities.

Grants will be "awarded to small and medium church congregations, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. The grant is intended to help launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel in word and deed, build relationships, and invite others into a discipleship journey with Jesus."

For the 2025 grant cycle, up to 50 grants of $5,000 or $10,000 will be awarded. Applications are open through February. Click here for more information.

The GBHEM Scholarship Portal Is Now Open

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) scholarship application portal is open for United Methodist students seeking scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at colleges, universities, and seminaries in the United States. On average, potential scholarships awarded range from $500 to $1,200.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The New Zenler Platform

The West Ohio Conference provides an on-demand learning platform for local church leaders to engage in training to help them lead successfully. The New Zenler platform includes courses on pastoral transitions and Leadership Labs for justice involved ministries. 

LEARN MORE

New Clergy Financial Wellness Resource Guide

Financial issues can be a serious problem for clergy at all phases of their ministry and can adversely impact their effectiveness, health, and spiritual well-being. The United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio has partnered with the WOC Office of Ministry, the Office of Benefits & HR, Communications and Wespath to create a new resource guide that is meant to be a comprehensive source of information on the many resources available to assist clergy with their financial health. The guide can be accessed online here or can be requested from the Foundation or District offices.

Mrs. Roylene Reed

Mr. Randall Flory

Rev. Michael Messick

Mrs. Wanda Beth Boggs

Rev. Charles Amon Shook

Arcadia UMC: Church Van For Sale – White 2006 Ford E350 – 15 passenger van with 84,675 miles. Arcadia UMC purchased van in 2024 with a matching grant from the District but it has not been used as anticipated. We would like to sell for what church put into it. For more information contact: Pastor Gerry at pastorgerryh@gmail.com or 419-894-6515. 

Findlay St Andrew's UMC: Choir Director - St. Andrew’s Church is seeking a passionate and skilled Choir Director to lead and develop the church’s music ministry. The Choir Director will work collaboratively with the pastor, musicians, and congregation to enhance worship through inspiring and meaningful music. This individual will oversee the church choir, plan rehearsals, provide musical direction for Sunday services and special events, and plan special music to enrich the worship experience. JOB DESCRIPTION

The Maumee River District Office is open from 9:00am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday. The office may be 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.