Four cluster meetings planned

Ohio Conference will hold four winter cluster meetings in January for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly. All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last about 90 minutes. The following meetings have been scheduled:

• Jan. 21 — Berlin Mennonite Church
• Jan. 23 — Salem Mennonite Church in Elida
• Jan. 28 — Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold
• Feb. 6 — Summit Mennonite Church in Barberton

Annual reports to be available both online and in print

In previous years, all delegates have received a copy of the Ohio Conference Annual Report Book in print format.

This year delegates have a choice: All annual reports from Ohio Conference staff and church-related agencies are available online at http://bit.ly/ACAReports. Delegates can either access the reports online, or they can choose to receive a printed copy of the report book when they check in at ACA. If you wish to receive a printed copy of the report book, you must indicate this preference on your registration form. Those registering electronically will also be able to request a printed report book during the online registration process.

Register for ACA by Feb. 14

Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City will host the 2020 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) on March 7. The theme of the 2020 ACA will be “Hearts of Wisdom,” based on Psalm 90:12.

The registration deadline for ACA is Feb. 14. The cost to register is $30 for those who register by Feb. 14, and $45 thereafter. There is an additional fee for lunch.

If you have not already received registration forms from your congregation, you may find them online at http://bit.ly/2020ACAInfo.

Online registration is available at http://bit.ly/OCACA2020. If you register by mail, send your registration form and fee to Judy King, Ohio Conference, Box 210, Kidron OH 44636.

Please note this change for 2020

Due to the one-day format of ACA in 2020, there will be less time for business sessions than in previous years. Consequently, there will be no time for delegates to bring resolutions from the floor.

In the past, delegates were allowed to present proposed resolutions to the resolution committee the evening before the last day of the assembly. This year, the only resolutions from the floor that will be considered will be the ones considered to be exceptions, such as resolutions of acknowledgement, thanks or appreciation.

Engaging Mission 2020 is for all ages

Over the past four years, Ohio Conference has held a missional conference immediately prior to Annual Conference Assembly. This year there will not be a missional conference in March. Instead, the Conference will hold a summer missional festival, Engaging Mission 2020.

This missional festival will take place at Bluffton University June 26-28. Featured presenters will be Seth and Theresa Crissman of Virginia Mennonite Missions. (See http://bit.ly/VMMCrissmans for more information about the Crissmans.)

Engaging Mission 2020 is a weekend designed to give participants an introduction to missional living. They will be challenged to create space for mission in their everyday lives.

Participants will enjoy worship led by the worship team from Huber Mennonite Church and input from Seth and Theresa Crissman. There also will be several breakout opportunities for discussion, service and neighborhood-related activities.

Engaging Mission 2020 is for people of all ages, including family groups. It will be a bilingual event in English and Spanish.

Deficit increases during November

During November giving to the Ohio Conference was lower than expenses for the third month in a row, according to figures supplied by Ohio Conference Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth.

Receipts during November totaled $22,774, including $18,909 in giving from congregations. Expenses for the month were $37,046, resulting in an operating balance of -$14,272 for the month. After the first eight months of the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the year-to-date operating balance stands at -$40,750.

Delegate News is for you

…if you are a delegate to Ohio Conference’s Annual Conference Assembly. Each Ohio Conference congregation is eligible to send at least two delegates, as well as an additional young adult delegate. In addition, the following people are automatically delegates:

• Credentialed pastors of Ohio Conference congregations
• Ohio Conference staff members
• Ohio Conference Leadership Team
• Ministry Development Team
• Stewardship Ministry Team
• Credentialing Ministry Team
• Gifts Discernment Ministry Team

If you are no longer a delegate for your congregation, please forward Delegate News to the new delegates in your congregation. In addition, please inform Judy King, Conference administrative assistant, of the change. You may contact her at ohmc@zoominternet.net or (330) 857-5421.