Author: Shaquez Dickens
Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi to lead Central Christian
The Central Christian School (CCS) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi as the superintendent of CCS beginning Aug. 1, upon the retirement of the current superintendent, Gene Miller. Jantzi is a 1982 Central Christian alumnus originally from Orrville. She is married to Dan, and they have three adult sons. She received her undergraduate…
Conference ends 2016-17 in the black
For the first time since March 2011, Ohio Conference has ended its fiscal year in the black, according to figures provided by Conference Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. On March 31, 2017, the Conference finished the 2016-17 fiscal year with an operating surplus of $22,095. The Conference’s total expenses for the month of March were $20,905, and receipts for the month…
Pastor-Spouse Retreat set for Nov. 10-12
Ohio Conference will hold a Pastor-Spouse Retreat Nov. 10-12 at the Mohican State Park Lodge in Perrysville. Presenters for the weekend will be James Lapp and Miriam Book. Tim Shue will be the worship leader for this event. The Ministry Development Team of Ohio Conference encourages congregations to gift this weekend to their pastors by paying the registration fee and…
Kingdom Living Amidst Political Divisiveness
Hosts Thomas Dunn and Bill Seymour chat with Sean Swanson, pastor of First Mennonite Church in Canton, in this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast. They learn a bit more about Sean, who is one of the newer pastors in Ohio Conference, and talk with him about a group from First Mennonite which engaged with some of their neighbors to…
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…
OC leadership pays tribute to Naomi Engle
By Bob Sauder On behalf of the Ohio Conference Leadership Team Naomi Engle, Credentialing Ministry Chairperson and a member of the Leadership Team of the Ohio Conference, went to her heavenly home on Jan. 1. At the beginning of their meeting on Jan. 21, the Ohio Conference Leadership Team spent some time remembering who she was, what she brought to…
Seminar to focus on worship
Are you interested in deeper, more meaningful worship experiences in your congregation? Sonnenberg Mennonite Church in Kidron will host a worship resourcing seminar on Saturday, May 6. This seminar, featuring speaker Rachel Miller Jacobs, will provide participants with practical training, resources and theological teaching for planning and leading worship. Rachel Miller Jacobs is an assistant professor of congregational formation at…
Gathered and Sent initiative begins
Ohio Conference will merge the focus of the two initiatives of the past year (Year of Covenant and Year of Mission) into one. The combined initiative will be called “Gathered and Sent.” A longer version could be, “Gathered in Covenant, Sent in Mission.” The “Sent” part of “Gathered and Sent” will provide us with resources, tools, training and support to…
Direction statement affirmed
Delegates at the 2017 Annual Conference Assembly affirmed the following direction statement proposed by the Ohio Conference Leadership Team: Setting Direction for the Next Chapter of the Ohio Conference As we prayerfully consider God’s leading into the future, we commit ourselves to the following: We will continue our affiliation with Mennonite Church USA. Three changes would trigger a review of…
Missional Conference challenges participants
Immediately prior to Annual Conference Assembly, the Ohio Conference held a Missional Conference with Alan and Debra Hirsch at Kidron Mennonite Church. One hundred forty-two people from across the Conference participated in this event. During six different sessions, speakers Alan and Debra Hirsch challenged participants to look more closely at Jesus, discipleship, mission, and sexuality. “How do we know we…
Cliff Brubaker takes on new assignment
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team has agreed to employ Regional Pastor Cliff Brubaker for a special half-time assignment beginning in April. Since September 2016 Brubaker has been serving half time as regional pastor and half time with the Year of Covenant process and focusing on trust-building between congregations and the Conference. That second half-time position concluded at the end of…
Delegates affirm direction statement
Delegates overwhelmingly affirmed a direction statement presented by the Ohio Conference Leadership Team at the 2017 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) of the Ohio Conference. Those gathered at Central Christian School in Kidron on March 24-25 numbered 217, including delegates from 46 congregations. Ninety-three percent of delegates affirmed the Leadership Team’s direction statement for Ohio Conference. Vote totals were as follows:…
What happened at CLC this time?
In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Thomas Dunn and Bill Seymour talk to Ohio Conference’s representatives to the Constituency Leaders Council (CLC), Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg, Ralph Reinford, and Bob Sauder. They discuss what happened at the March meeting of the CLC and they preview the Future Church Summit, which will take place at the denominational convention in Orlando…
ACA wrap-up – Hope for the future
“We have a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s exciting work.” So says co-host Thomas Dunn in this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast podcast. Thomas and his co-host, Bill Seymour, take a few minutes to reflect on happenings at the 2017 Ohio Conference Annual Conference Assembly (ACA). They talk about ACA with someone fairly new to Ohio…
Talking with Alan and Debra Hirsch
In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn talk with Alan and Debra Hirsch, the presenters at Ohio Conference’s missional conference. They discuss broadening our understanding of ministry roles, bi-vocational ministry, the future of the church and the Hirsches’ impression of the people they have met in the Ohio Conference. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/12_03_24_Alan_Debra_Hirsh_Submitted-1.mp3Podcast: Play in new window…
Missional Conference Musings from Joel Shenk, Hannah Troyer, and Karla Minter
Ohio Conference Cast hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn talk with three participants of the Ohio Conference’s missional conference featuring Alan and Debra Hirsch. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Tom-and-Bill-hear-from-Hannah-and-Karla-and-Joel-final.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Delegate News – Spring 2017
We look forward to seeing you at ACA As we count down to the start of Annual Conference Assembly and the Missional Conference with Alan and Debra Hirsch, this issue of Delegate News includes some vital information for delegates. We look forward to seeing you in Kidron this weekend! Leadership Team taps Cliff Brubaker for new assignment The Ohio Conference Leadership Team…
MC USA Convention to include Future Church Summit
Every two years, at the Mennonite Church USA convention, the Delegate Assembly convenes to tend to the business of Mennonite Church USA. However, at the convention in Orlando, Florida — July 4-8, 2017 — the role of delegates will be anything but business-as-usual. This year the denomination will be trying something new — the Future Church Summit — in conjunction with…
MMN seeks Service Adventure leaders
Do you enjoy mentoring young adults and living in community? Service Adventure is looking for unit leaders for their Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Jackson, Mississippi, units. The two-year term begins in late July. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Susan Nisly at SusanN@MennoniteMission.net or visit www.MennoniteMission.net.
Submissions sought for new hymnal
In 2016, with excitement and anticipation, the Mennonite Worship and Song Committee began developing a new collection designed to succeed Hymnal: A Worship Book (1992), and supplements Sing the Journey (2005), and Sing the Story (2007). One aspect of building a collection is the call for new and original work. The Mennonite Worship and Song Committee is calling on authors…
A good neighbor
The Ohio Conference Cast is continuing to highlight stories of congregations engaged in mission in their local settings. In this podcast episode, hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn talk with Craig Strasbaugh and Kris Nussbaum of Kidron Mennonite Church about the blessings and challenges of ministry in a local trailer park. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Kidron_Nussbaum_Final_01-1.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Delegate News – Winter 2017 #3
One regional meeting remains Our thanks go out to all delegates who have attended the regional meetings at Tedrow Mennonite Church and Crown Hill Mennonite Church. The final regional meeting for delegates will take place on Tuesday, March 7, at Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ACA registration deadline is near Have you registered for…
How to process difficult decisions
How can congregations work through difficult issues together? In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn talk with pastor Doug King of Tedrow Mennonite Church and congregation member Lynn Miller. They learn about the process Tedrow Mennonite has used to work with questions about affiliation. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/17_02_22_Tedrow_Working_02.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Dollars, Donuts, and Milk – Missional Stories from the Northwest
In this episode, Ohio Conference Cast hosts Thomas Dunn and Bill Seymour travel to a regional meeting in Northwest Ohio at Tedrow Mennonite Church. They hear stories of mission from members of three congregations — Salem Mennonite in Elida, Lockport Mennonite in Stryker and Central Mennonite in Archbold. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/NW-Regional-Gathering-Podcast-Final.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Delegate News – Winter 2017 #2
Regional delegate meetings begin this week We are looking forward to meeting with you at our regional meetings beginning this week. Meeting dates are as follows: Feb. 21 — Tedrow Mennonite Church in Wauseon Feb. 23 — Crown Hill Mennonite Church in Rittman March 7 — Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty The meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.…
Where are we going next?
In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Thomas Dunn and Bill Seymour discuss the Leadership Team’s proposed direction for Ohio Conference, which includes a strong focus on mission. Delegates will be learning about this statement at regional meetings. Joining Thomas and Bill for this discussion are members of the Ohio Conference Leadership Team and Stewardship Ministry. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-02-15-13.34-Stewardship-Ministry-Team-meeting_01.mp3Podcast: Play…
Youth Venture is accepting applications
Explore what God is doing around the world through Youth Venture, a short-term service and learning program of Mennonite Mission Network. Teams of youth and adult leaders will join local ministries in Belfast, Benin, Detroit, and Perú for two to three weeks this summer. These formational experiences are geared for young people ages 14-22. Space is filling up fast, so…
Pastors meet in Toledo for Year of Covenant discussion
Thirty-nine people representing 29 congregations participated in the Year of Covenant Meeting for Pastors on Feb. 2 at Toledo Mennonite Church. Pastors met in groups for discussion, led by Regional Pastor Cliff Brubaker. See http://bit.ly/YofCPhotos for pictures from that meeting.
Stronger giving puts Conference in the black
Following stronger-than-normal giving during January, the Ohio Conference’s operating balance is in the black for the first time during this fiscal year, according to figures supplied by Conference Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. Congregational giving in January totaled $42,964, the largest monthly amount for this fiscal year. Total receipts for the month were $46,729, including giving from congregations and individuals. Expenses…
Janice Hershberger to speak at Day of Inspiration
Ohio Mennonite Women’s Day of Inspiration will take place Saturday, April 8, at Crown Hill Mennonite Church in Rittman. Featured speaker Janice Hershberger will focus on the theme “Invitation to Rest,” based on Matthew 11:28-30. Several workshops will be offered. Janice Hershberger has an M.A. in pastoral counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. She has been a clinical counselor for more…