Author: Shaquez Dickens
Christiana Peterson – Mystics, misfits and longing for a deep encounter with God
What is a mystic? Ohio Conference Cast hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn explore this question and more with Christiana Peterson, a member of Midway Mennonite Church and the author of the new Herald Press book titled Mystics and Misfits: Meeting God Through St. Francis and Other Unlikely Saints. “Being a mystic in my definition is … longing for a deep…
The Mennonite seeks submissions focusing on church planting
The Mennonite, Inc., invites your original submissions for the August 2018 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on church planting. Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than June 22. For more details, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteAugust2018.
MMN offers Service Adventure
Thinking about taking a gap year after high school? Serve, learn, and develop your leadership skills through Service Adventure. For more info, visit www.MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure or contact SusanN@MennoniteMission.net.
Salem Mennonite in Kidron to host ACA
Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron will host the 2019 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) of the Ohio Conference. ACA will take place March 7-9, 2019.
Peace center to offer one-day seminar
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will hold a one-day seminar, “Leadership and Anxiety in the Church,” on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at First Mennonite Church in Richmond, Virginia. We live in an age of increased anxiety, which impacts church systems and leaders. Family systems theory offers a way of understanding congregational dynamics and anxiety. Please see the registration form for more details.
OrrVilla seeks executive director
OrrVilla Retirement Community in Orrville, Ohio, seeks an executive director to provide leadership to its community of 128 senior residential apartments and homes. The executive director works with a board of directors and provides leadership to more than 50 employees. The preferred candidate will have several years of supervisory level experience, be able to advance and implement the mission of…
What’s holding us together? — Another conversation with Terry Shue
In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn chat with Terry Shue, who recently completed his work with Mennonite Church USA as director of leadership development. Bill, Thomas and Terry discuss a wide range of topics, including (among other things) new staff members for Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite World Conference, and Terry’s hopes for…
Chestnut Ridge shares memories at closing service
Members of Chestnut Ridge Mennonite Church in Orrville gathered Sunday morning, June 3, to hold a final worship service in the Chestnut Ridge church building. Those attending shared many memories of the congregation’s life, and several people mentioned the support that the congregation gave to other ministries, including the way that Chestnut Ridge supported the founding of Dayspring Christian Fellowship.…
Online prayer session set for May 31
Unite For The Search: Online Meetings for Prayer. Please join us as we unite in prayer for the search for a new conference minister for the Ohio Conference. Using the GoToMeeting Web conferencing program, we’ll connect on Thursday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to noon. Please use the information below for logging in to the online meeting: Prayer Time –…
Training begins for Missional Network
The Ohio Conference Missional Network is beginning this summer. Ohio Conference Missional Consultant Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg is conducting an initial training session for participating congregations. This training session will be offered on four dates in June and July. Participants are encouraged to choose the date which best fits their schedule: June 24 — 6-9 p.m., First Mennonite Church, Canton June 26 — 9:30…
Search committee reports progress, asks for prayer
The Search Committee tasked with hiring a Conference Minister has been hard at work over the past six weeks. We have advertised in the Mennonite press, and reached out to constituency groups, seminaries and conference leaders to collect names and contact potential candidates. One of the challenges for our recruitment process is that many have not heard about the exciting…
Where does mission begin? Podcast explores MC USA, MMN and mission
Where does mission begin? With denominational leaders, at a mission agency, or in the local congregation? The guests on the latest episode of the Ohio Conference Cast encourage local congregations to be actively involved in mission. “We sense our call to walk alongside and empower churches to accomplish the vision that they have,” says Stanley Green, executive director of Mennonite…
Plug into Ohio Conference Cast podcasts
Ohio Conference Cast podcasts are a great way to learn more about Ohio Conference and the broader Mennonite Church. Have you listened to Ohio Conference Cast lately? During April and early May, hosts Bill Seymour, pastor of Orrville Mennonite Church, and Thomas Dunn, pastor of Crown Hill Mennonite Church in Rittman, have talked with Paula Snyder Belousek about the search…
Hispanics of Ohio churches to celebrate the 15th year of Hispanic Encounters
By Haroldo Nunes The 15th year of Hispanic Family Encounters will take place at Camp Luz, Kidron, Ohio, during the weekend of June 15-17. This year we will have a celebration of 15 years (called “quinceañera” in Spanish). Hispanics from various Ohio Mennonite churches will come together for the celebration. The topic for the weekend is “The security of the…
What exactly is the Church, anyway?
By Hannah Troyer Summit Mennonite Church Hannah Troyer is a member of Summit Mennonite Church. She shared this sermon at Summit Mennonite in September 2017. When I was growing up, I attended a church that met in the old auditorium at Stark State College in Canton. I remember as a little girl, running around playing tag with all the other…
Online prayer meetings planned for conference minister search
By Dan Hooley Ohio Conference Prayer Coordinator Unite for the Search: Online Meetings for Prayer. Please join us as we unite in prayer for the conference minister search process. Using the GoToMeeting Web conferencing program, we’ll connect on Thursday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to noon, and on Saturday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A link for…
Oak Grove Mennonite Church — a profile in God’s faithfulness
By Paul J. Miller By 1815, at least 16 Amish families were landowners in Wayne County, Ohio. The small community had its first resident minister, Christian Brandt, who was ordained in Switzerland. Bishop David Zook moved into the region from Mifflin County, Pa. With ministerial leadership present, the Amish families began to meet as a congregation by 1818. By…
Grant program to benefit local ministries
Is your congregation looking for ways to fund a ministry that impacts your community? Consider applying for a grant from the Ohio Conference. The Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) is accepting grant proposals from Ohio Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and mission initiatives. This year the MDT has $24,282 available for grants. In light of the current…
Missional Network to begin in summer
By Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg Ohio Conference Missional Consultant All Ohio Conference congregations are invited to join the Ohio Conference Missional Network. Representatives from this network of congregations will begin meeting and working together during the summer of 2018. The purpose and expectation of those who sign up for Ohio Conference’s Missional Network cohort is to equip congregations in both intentional discipleship…
Journal features articles on the church and young adults
“The church and young adults” is the theme of the Spring 2018 issue of Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology. This free online journal is produced by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Canadian Mennonite University. Go to http://bit.ly/VisionSpring2018 to download any or all of the articles.
Mennonite Disaster Service seeks volunteers
Mennonite Disaster Service has an urgent need for volunteers to serve in Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas and British Columbia. See the MDS_Update_for_April_25_2018 for more details.
Pastor-Leadership Team Retreat planned
Save the Date: Ohio Conference will hold a Pastor-Leadership Team Retreat Oct. 26-27 at the Quality Inn & Suites in Bellville. Speaker Duane Beck will help church leadership teams consider the topic, “Leading the Church: Finding God in the Changes.”
Apply for grants by Aug. 6
Is your congregation looking for ways to fund a ministry that impacts your community? Aug. 6 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 mission initiatives. This year the MDT has $24,282 available for grants. Please note that…
Ralph Reinford begins three-month leave
As was announced at Annual Conference Assembly, Regional Pastor Ralph Reinford is taking a three-month leave from his duties with Ohio Conference. His leave will last from May 1 until the end of July. During May, June and July, contact Cliff Brubaker for any regional pastor work needed. Email Cliff at cliffbru7@gmail.com or call him at 517-398-2172. For any other…
MEA, the Church, and MC USA higher education
In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn are joined by Darrin Snyder Belousek and Carlos Romero, executive director of Mennonite Education Agency (MEA). As part of this conversation, Bill and Darrin remind listeners about their role as members of The Voice, a task force which facilitates conversation between Ohio Conference congregations and Mennonite…
Getting the word out — Ohio Conference is a great place to be
As the search for a new conference minister for Ohio Conference re-opens, Paula Snyder Belousek talks with Ohio Conference Cast hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn about the search process and about the positive energy she has been observing in the Conference. Snyder Belousek, the chair of the Conference Minister Search Committee, says, “God is doing exciting things in Ohio…
Grants available for grad students in health care
Graduate Students in Healthcare Professions: Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) offers educational grants for Anabaptist students to learn and serve in cross-cultural mission/service settings in developing countries. The application deadline for the 2018-19 academic year is May 15, 2018. For details and an application form, see www.mennohealth.org/student_term, email info@mennohealth.org, or call 1-888-406-3643.
International Guest House seeks volunteers
The International Guest House in Washington, D.C., has a current need for short-term volunteers beginning this summer who might serve at least two months. (Training requires at least two weeks.) The work consists of cleaning, baking, maintenance, and responding to needs of guests. The breakfast and evening tea are particularly rewarding times for sharing with guests in relaxed and informal…
Bluffton University to host healthcare gathering
Healthcare Workers, Students, and Retirees: You are invited to the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship Annual Gathering 2018, which will take place June 22-24, 2018, at Bluffton University, Bluffton, Ohio. Come join doctors, nurses, dietitians, therapists, chaplains, mental health workers, students, educators, and other healthcare workers and families for a weekend of worship, inspiration, learning, networking, and fellowship. The theme this year…
CommonWord offers lectionary resources
Does your congregation follow the common lectionary in your worship services? Are you looking for worship resources related to lectionary scriptures? CommonWord, a worship resource website offered by Mennonite Church Canada and Canadian Mennonite University, has an online lectionary worship calendar at https://www.commonword.ca/Content/revised-common-lectionary. The calendar has links to resources related to lectionary texts. Some resources may be downloaded for free,…