Author: Shaquez Dickens
Developing leaders is a ‘Journey’
Ohio Conference is partnering with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, to provide a part-time long-distance leadership development program. Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program is a three-year certificate program designed for people exploring a call to ministry. The program is also for pastors and other congregational leaders who have already been called to serve but who lack…
The changing church landscape
By Dick Barrett Conference Minister The church landscape in 21st century America has radically changed over the past 20 years. We can no longer expect that the church model that existed for most of the 20th century is going to be effective for carrying out God’s call upon our lives as disciples of Jesus: to go out and make more…
When disciples make disciples
By Laurie Oswald Robinson KANSAS CITY (Mennonite Mission Network) — Several years into her role as pastor at the 178-year-old Salem Mennonite Church in rural Elida, Ohio, Paula Snyder Belousek felt a growing dissatisfaction. Something was missing. Even though the congregation had faithfully followed Jesus for the long haul, older generations — rooted in traditional understandings of the Anabaptist faith…
Summit Mennonite members volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
During the last week of April and the first week of May, members and friends of Summit Mennonite Church in Barberton, Ohio worked with Habitat for Humanity of Summit County at three different home building sites. They did landscaping, hung drywall (on the ceiling!) and installed siding, along with cutting lumber for heating and cooling duct installation. Hank Rossiter said,…
MMN offers prayer resources
By Ann Leaman Ohio Conference Resource Advocate Did you know that the Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) website offers prayer-related resources? Many people may already be acquainted with Prayer Vine, MMN’s monthly prayer newsletter which lists daily prayer requests for MMN workers and programs. Each issue of Prayer Vine is available both as a PDF and as a PowerPoint file. The…
Golf scramble to benefit Adriel
Adriel will hold its annual benefit golf scramble Monday, Sept. 9, at Eagle Rock Golf Club in Defiance, Ohio, starting at 12:30 p.m. The entry fee for this fundraising event covers greens fees, golf cart, dinner after the scramble, and chances to win a variety of prizes. All proceeds benefit children and families in need in Ohio through Adriel’s foster…
One room remains for Pastor-Spouse Retreat
Thinking about attending the Ohio Conference Pastor-Spouse Retreat? There is still room for one more couple to attend this event, which will take place Nov. 15-17 at the Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio. For more information about the retreat, please see the retreat brochure at http://bit.ly/2019RetreatBrochure. To register online, go to http://bit.ly/2019Pastor-SpouseRetreat. If all rooms have been reserved…
Time is running out to apply for grants
Do you have an idea for ministering to your community but aren’t sure how to fund it? There is still time to apply for an Ohio Conference Ministry Grant. Aug. 5 is the deadline to submit a grant proposal to the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT). The MDT is accepting proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects…
Credentialed ministers to meet Sept. 12
Credentialed ministers in Ohio Conference will gather Thursday, Sept. 12, to continue their discussion and connect with one another. This meeting will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the library in Upper Sandusky. Everyone attending should plan to bring their own coffee (if needed) and lunch. Light refreshments will be provided. All credentialed leaders are asked to…
Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale to include online bidding
The 54th Annual Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale and Auction will take place Aug. 2-3 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster. New this year is the option to purchase quilts online at www.ohiomccreliefsale.org. Until Aug. 1 a select number of quilts are available for purchase at posted “buy it now” prices. Quilts not purchased by Aug. 1 will be added…
MDS seeks volunteers
Mennonite Disaster Service has an urgent need for volunteers in several locations, including Puerto Rico. Please see https://mds.mennonite.net/volunteer/current-needs/ for details.
Women’s Retreat set for Sept. 13-15
Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi, superintendent of Central Christian School, will be the featured speaker at the annual Women’s Retreat at Camp Luz Sept. 13-15. She will focus on the theme “Be Strong and Courageous,” based on Joshua 1:9. Registration cost for the full retreat is $95. Reduced prices are available for those not staying overnight at the camp. To learn more,…
MWC Peace Sunday is Sept. 22
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) invites all Mennonite congregations to observe World Peace Sunday on Sept. 22. The theme for the 2019 World Peace Sunday is “A peace that passes all understanding….” MWC has developed worship planning materials for this special Sunday. To download these materials, go to http://bit.ly/MWCPeaceSunday.
Apply now for Ministry Grants
There is still time to apply for an Ohio Conference Ministry Grant. Aug. 5 is the deadline to submit a grant proposal to the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT). The MDT is accepting proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and ministry initiatives. This year the Conference has $24,750 available for grants. To submit your proposal, go to…
Immigration Resource Team seeks information
From the Immigration Resource Team: It’s been about four months since Annual Conference Assembly 2019, when delegates passed a resolution on immigration. Time for a checkup! We’re wondering what’s happening in Ohio Conference congregations. Did delegates do a good job informing their churches about the various components of the resolution? Are churches praying regularly for the needs of immigrants and…
Deficit increases during June
During June 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 June totaled $15,312, including $14,599 in giving from congregations. Expenses for June were $25,993, resulting in an operating balance of -$10,682 for the month. After the first three months…
Regional pastor sought for western Ohio
Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA is seeking a part-time (50 percent) Regional Pastor for the western region of the state beginning in September. The individual will primarily serve as pastor to the pastors and as a liaison between the Conference and congregations. Previous pastoral experience required. Women and men from all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply. For a full job description consult: http://bit.ly/OCRegionalPastorWest.…
Online newsletter offers convention news
Curious about what happened at MennoCon19? Take a look at the convention newsletter at http://mennoniteusa.org/kcsauce.
Peace center seeks new executive director
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) is searching for a new executive director. The current executive director, Rev. Richard Blackburn, is stepping back from that role at the end of 2019, having filled the role since 1983. He will continue to be available as needed to assist with the transition process, which will include providing leadership for LMPC’s major training events, until…
Early registration deadline nears for Mediation Skills Training Institute
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is holding a five-day Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders Aug. 5-9 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Participants will acquire 32 contact hours that they can apply towards continuing education credits. To register for this interdenominational training event, fill out and submit the registration form on…
MCC Central States is collecting immigration detainee care kits
In March, Ohio Conference delegates passed an immigration resolution. In part, the resolution states, “As delegates to Ohio Mennonite Conference, we commit ourselves to become better informed on the issues surrounding immigration, with a willingness to consider a variety of perspectives. Regardless of our own national origin, we will seek to reach out and build relationships with our neighbors, rooted…
Sermon focuses on SENT, sharing good news
In April Alex Dye, associate pastor at Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty, attended SENT 2019, a conference sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network. Recently Alex preached about sharing the good news of Christ and about SENT 2019. Curious about what he had to say? Listen here: http://bit.ly/SENTSharingGoodNews.
Special concert planned at MennoCon19
The Mennonite Piano Concerto, written by Victor Davies and performed by the piano duo Redekopp and Edwards, will be a featured evening event on July 4, 2019, starting at 7:15 p.m. at MennoCon19, the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. This one-time performance will feature Karin Redekopp Edwards of Lombard Mennonite Church and her duo-piano partner and husband,…
Sign up to receive daily newsletter from MennoCon19
Can’t be at the Mennonite Church USA convention? Sign up to receive daily news, photos and highlights during MennoCon19 on July 2-6: http://bit.ly/MennoCon19Newsletter.
MDS responds to flooding and tornadoes in western Ohio
The Western Ohio Unit of Mennonite Disaster Service has been responding to damage caused by flooding and tornadoes during May. Read the MDS report for more information: http://bit.ly/2019OhioMDSReport.
The Mennonite seeks submissions on health care
The Mennonite Inc. invites your original submissions for the September 2019 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on the theme “Faith-filled responses to health-care costs.” Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than July 29. For more details, please see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteSept2019.
Cliff Brubaker to end his term as regional pastor on Sept. 13
It was with considerable sadness but also with a clear sense of direction that Cliff Brubaker recently submitted his notice of resignation from serving as a regional pastor of Ohio Conference, effective Sept. 13, 2019. In his notice Cliff shared, “I count it an honor to have served the Ohio Conference for these 3+ years. This stretch of time in…
Looking for newer car for regional pastor
Due to a recent car-deer accident, the Conference is looking for a vehicle to replace a 2012 model with more than 170,000 miles. We are looking for a car that is newer and has approximately 50,000 miles. If you or someone you know might be willing to donate a car to Conference or perhaps have a lease which is soon…
Learning tour to focus on criminal justice system
Join MCC Great Lakes for a week-long Pipeline to Prison learning tour on Aug. 4-9. Based in Goshen, Indiana, the tour will focus on the challenges and complexities of the U.S. criminal justice system and include day trips to South Bend, Elkhart, and Bunker Hill, Indiana. Participants will journey from the local community level through the criminal justice system, learning…
Candidate for AMBS president announced
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, has announced that David W. Boshart, Ph.D., of Wellman, Iowa, is the candidate of choice for the next president of the seminary. See the seminary news release at http://bit.ly/AMBSPresCandidate for more information.