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!

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. More information will be coming soon.

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)

UWF District Spring Celebration 

Registration Ends Saturday, April 13th

The Maumee River United Women in Faith will be holding their Annual Spring Celebration on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 10am-3pm. They are inviting all ladies of the district to attend their United Women in Faith Soul Care Retreat at Wintergarden Park, Rotary Center in Bowling Green, Ohio. Dress is casual with an extra, old shirt required. The cost is $20. For more information, or to register, please see the attached flyer HERE.

Fellowship For All People

Worship Night

Come join us for a night of worship! We will be having a special guest speaker this month. Chris Everett, founder GAP Toledo will come to share his story. Chris has persevered through 25 years of addiction, street life, violence, incarceration, homelessness, a myriad of treatment centers, detoxes, and psych wards. He developed a non-profit as a reaction to what he saw working in private treatment, the immense failure of both treatment and shelters. He vowed to fill in the gaps of these systems, but in the midst of this, found himself in another precarious situation. On the 21st, Chris will share his story of salvation, perseverance, determination, and redemption. "Wars never end, they just change" - Chris Everett. 

Mission Scholarship Opportunity

Many of our churches and youth groups are planning mission trips for the summer or early fall. The Wilkins family started a Wilkins Scholarship Fund to benefit first-time mission goers in our district. If your church or youth group has persons in this category, please reach out to the district office for details on this opportunity.

2024 West Ohio Annual Conference: God is Able

Registration Ends May 1st

Clergy Session Registration ends April 15th

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 Clergy Session. 

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.     

Foundation Webinar with Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane

Registration is not required. A link to join this Zoom presentation can be found at https://umfwestohio.org/foundation-program-calendar-2024/. Contact Susan Black for more information at sblack@wocumc.org.

Grief and Next Steps Seminar

Rev. Elaine J Sturtz, a LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor), Pastor, Former Hospice Chaplain, Author (Books available to purchase), will be holding a seminar for anyone who has experienced any type of loss or grief. The Focus will be; how to live in this different life, defining grief, how to take next steps into life.

There is no cost or registration required

Saturday, April 20, 2024

10 AM – 12 PM

Peace United Methodist Church 235 Diley Road, Pickerington, OH

www.livinginthedifferent.com       ejsturtz7@gmail.com

Learn about Creation Care during Earth Day Connect A-Round Table

On Earth Day, Monday, April 22, from 5:30-6:30pm, you are invited to Connect A-Round Table for a virtual conversation on creation care.

The panel of speakers will include Bob Downs, founding member of the West Ohio Creation Care Task Force (CCTF); Rev. Ryan Grace, current chair of CCTF and pastor of the Urban Farm Church in Columbus; and Rev. Jessica Stonecypher, a Deacon who is a vocational agriculture instructor and chair of West Ohio's Net Zero team.

Bring your dinner and break bread with us as we learn more about caring for God’s earth! Registration link is below.

Register now...

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

Where to find General Conference News & Info

Next Month, General Conference, the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, will convene in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 23-May 3, 2024.

Although General Conference is a business meeting to review legislative law, policy and budgets, it also includes time for passionate worship, an exhibition of general church agencies, and fellowship with our brothers and sisters across the global connection.



For more information on the West Ohio Delegation, answers to frequently asked questions, and news updates, click here. This webpage will continuously be updated as more information becomes available.

Church Reporting

Statistical Reporting - Year End

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

• Reports are due April 15
• 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. 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.

Ottawa Trinity: Financial Administrator - Trinity has an immediate opening for a financial administrator. Hours would be part time and flexible. For more information, Contact Pastor Marcella @ 419-204-0734 or send resume to trinity_church@yahoo.com

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.