Author: Shaquez Dickens
Conference shares recommendations regarding the coronavirus
In an effort to be cautious but not overanxious regarding the spread of the coronavirus, Ohio Conference offers the following recommendations for our congregations to follow at the present time: Limit the practices that could spread germs, such as the shaking of hands and hugs. Make hand sanitizer and/or wipes readily available, and encourage their use. Communion and other activities…
Pastors explore spiritual direction
On Feb. 4 Ohio Conference held a daylong event to introduce pastors to spiritual direction, a practice of deepening one’s relationship with God and learning to grow in one’s own spiritual maturity. This event, held at Camp Luz, brought together an equal number of spiritual directors and pastors, approximately 20 people altogether. Facilitated by Janice Hershberger, Randy Murray, and Christine…
Missional festival is for people of all ages
You’ve probably heard the word “missional” many times before. But what does it really mean? And how can you live missionally? You can explore the answers to these questions at Engaging Mission 2020, an Ohio Conference missional festival planned for June 26-28 at Bluffton University. This will be a bilingual event in both English and Spanish. Engaging Mission 2020 is…
Seeking
By Dick Barrett Conference Minister Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. — Matthew 6:33 (NIV) I recently spent a week alone with God. I try to do that a couple of times a year. I have learned to go into the week without my own expectations of how…
Pastors participate in leadership program
Four pastors of Ohio Conference congregations recently participated in the Values-Based Leadership Program at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. The program includes two four-day sessions, one in October and one in February. “This is an excellent program that we encourage other pastors to participate in,” said Paula Snyder Belousek, pastor of Salem Mennonite Church in Elida. The…
Delegates gather for business, worship
One hundred seventy-three people gathered at Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City on March 7 for the 51st Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) of the Ohio Conference. Delegates from 36 congregations participated in the one-day meeting. Delegates worship In addition to business sessions, the one-day event included a time of worship, focusing on the theme “Hearts of Wisdom,” based on Psalm…
Volunteers accept Conference positions
Members of Ohio Conference congregations who volunteer their time play a vital role in Conference life. Without the help of numerous volunteers, many of the programs and functions of the Ohio Conference could not take place. Much of the work of Ohio Conference is done by the Leadership Team, the Ministry Development Team, the Credentialing Ministry, the Stewardship Ministry and…
Christians at the Border looks at immigration through the lens of scripture
By Greg Bowman Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible, 2nd Edition (2013) by M. Daniel Carroll R. This author makes a profoundly simple — but perversely challenging — request: Christians, please base your attitudes about immigration on the clear teaching in the Bible — in both testaments — before considering cultural, economic, and legal arguments. He…
Everence’s MyNeighbor program benefits Ohio Conference, other nonprofits
During January the Ohio Conference received a check for $1,077.66 from Everence Financial as part of Everence’s MyNeighbor credit card program. With the MyNeighbor program, individuals and businesses generate reward dollars for their favorite nonprofit every time they use their MyNeighbor credit cards from Everence. Everence donates 1.5 percent of each purchase to the card user’s chosen nonprofit agency. Then…
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship seeks executive director
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) is seeking a half-time executive director to start between May and September 2020 who is committed to Anabaptist values and the mission of MHF, has proven skills in administration, communication, and networking, and has an intergenerationally compelling vision for MHF. Interested persons are invited to send a resume and statement of intent, including the broad strokes…
May issue of The Mennonite to focus on beauty
The Mennonite Inc. invites your original submissions for the May 2020 issue focusing on the theme “the presence of beauty.” Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than April 3. For more information about this theme, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteMay2020.
Work for restorative justice with MVS
Interested in partnering with others who care about restorative justice? Join an MVS unit in places like Chicago; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; and Alamosa. Age: 20+; term: 1-2 years. Learn more at www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve.
Immigrant detainee care kits are touching lives
From Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes: Thank you for your generous, heart-warming response to the desperate needs of migrants in crisis at the southern U.S. border! Since June 2019, churches and individuals across the Great Lakes region donated more than 350 kits and more than $65,000. MCC has provided a fact sheet which shows how your gifts are being utilized through…
Maple Syrup Festival to support missions
Please note: This event has been postponed until further notice. Sonnenberg Mennonite Church in Kidron will hold its 23rd annual Maple Syrup Festival including a pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday, March 28, from 7 to 10:30 a.m. This annual event features locally-made maple syrup, and proceeds support missions, both local and international. For more details, please see the event…
Oak Grove to host concert by Anthony Brown
Update: Please note that this concert has been canceled. Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville is hosting a concert by Anthony Brown, baritone, featuring the theme “Songs and Stories of Peace, Hope and Justice.” The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. Using songs and stories from his international travels, Anthony Brown illustrates how music is…
Engaging Mission 2020 to feature VMM workers
Please note: Due to the uncertainty about when restrictions will be lifted for public gatherings, the Ohio Conference Leadership Team has decided to cancel this event. Online registration is open for Engaging Mission 2020, an Ohio Conference missional festival planned for June 26-28 at Bluffton University. To register, go to http://bit.ly/EngagingMission2020. This event will be for people of all…
Growing Disciples, Part 5 — Ecumenical Rebuking
This episode of the Ohio Conference Cast is the final podcast in a series about Missional Discipleship Groups. Lucas Johnson of Valley View Mennonite Church in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, talks with Nate, a member of his Missional Discipleship Group. Nate and Lucas talk about rebuking, ecumenism, ministry, and love — all from a guy’s perspective. For more information about Missional…
Delegate News — Winter 2020 #5
Gifts Discernment Ministry to present slate at ACA At the 2020 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) in Plain City March 7 delegates will be asked to affirm a slate of individuals for Conference positions. The Gifts Discernment Ministry will present this slate during business sessions. Narrative spending plan now available At ACA delegates will be asked to adopt a spending plan…
Growing Disciples, Part 4 — Building Trust
This episode of the Ohio Conference Cast is the fourth installment in a series about Missional Discipleship Groups. In this episode, Lucas Johnson of Valley View Mennonite Church talks with Randi about her three-person small group and the trust that has developed between the members of the group. “It’s just turned into my favorite time of the week,” Randi says.…
Open Arms to host ‘Gracias Banquet’
Open Arms Hispanic Ministry is hosting its annual fundraising dinner, a “Gracias Banquet” on Thursday, March 19, at the Kidron Park Community Center. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature an enchilada dinner followed by a program of Open Arms ministry highlights. A freewill offering to benefit Open Arms will be taken. RSVP by March 16 to…
Time remains to apply for Everence college scholarships
There is still time to apply for an Everence college scholarship. Regional recipients receive $1,000 while national recipients can get up to $3,000. Applications must be received by March 10, 2020. See eligibility requirements here: https://www.everence.com/living-the-values/grants-and-scholarships-and-awards.
AMBS president’s inauguration set for April 19
The AMBS Board of Directors is pleased to announce the inauguration of David Boshart, Ph.D., as the fourth President since Goshen Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Biblical Seminary incorporated as Associated (now Anabaptist) Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 1994. All are invited to take part in the celebration, which will be Sunday, April 19, from 2:30 to 4 pm. at Prairie Street…
ACA delegates invited to donate to Plain City Food Pantry
As a service project at Annual Conference Assembly (ACA), Ohio Conference will be collecting items for the Plain City Food Pantry. Please see the list of suggested donation items. ACA will take place March 7, 2020, at Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City.
MMN offers service opportunities for youth and young adults
Calling everyone ages 15-22! Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to serve this summer? Join a 2020 Youth Venture team! See and join in the work God is doing in Spain, Colombia, Arizona, Peru, Nazareth Village, or Benin. Visit www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve to learn more, or contact Lauren Eash Hershberger at LaurenEH@MennoniteMission.net. … Service Adventure is a gap year…
Strong January giving erases deficit
Giving to the Ohio Conference was strong for the second month in a row during January, resulting in a positive operating balance for the first time during this fiscal year. According to figures supplied by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth, receipts for the month totaled $59,642, including $47,199 from congregations and $11,312 from individuals. That monthly total was slightly lower than…
Growing Disciples, Part 3 — Developing Relationships
The Ohio Conference Cast podcast is back with the third installment in a series exploring Missional Discipleship Groups. In this episode, Lucas Johnson of Valley View Mennonite Church in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, talks with several people about how these small groups are building relationships and changing lives. For more information about Missional Discipleship Groups, see these articles: http://bit.ly/YourInvitationToMakeDisciples http://bit.ly/DisciplesMakeDisciples http://bit.ly/WindoftheSpirit…
Credentialed leaders meet for discussion
On Feb. 11 credentialed ministers from across Ohio Conference gathered at the Upper Sandusky Public Library. Thirty-five pastors and other credentialed leaders worshipped in song, dwelled in God’s Word together, discussed the recently released Mennonite Church USA Membership Guidelines Report, ate together, and prayed for one another. The biannual meeting is part of Ohio Conference’s Gathered and Sent initiative, which…
Have you registered for ACA yet?
The deadline to register for Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) is approaching quickly. Have you registered yet? ACA will take place March 7 at Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City. Registrations for ACA are due Friday, Feb. 14. After that date, the registration fee increases from $30 to $45 per person. To register online, go to http://bit.ly/OCACA2020.
Learn, Pray, Join initiative looks at climate justice
Mennonite Church USA encourages people and congregations to focus on climate justice by highlighting prayers, resources and ways to get involved in February and March. This focus is part of MC USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join” initiative in partnership with Mennonite Creation Care Network (MCCN) and the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS). To learn more about this focus on climate justice, go…
The Mennonite seeks submissions for April issue
The Mennonite Inc. invites your original submissions for the April 2020 issue focusing on the theme “resilient hope.” Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than Feb. 28. For more information about this theme, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteApril2020.