Author: Shaquez Dickens
Winter cluster meeting schedule set
Ohio Conference has scheduled seven winter cluster meetings for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly: Wayne County — Feb. 2 at Sonnenberg Mennonite in Kidron, 7 p.m. Northwest Ohio — Feb. 4 at Zion Mennonite in Archbold, 7 p.m. Holmes/Tuscarawas — Feb. 11 at Berlin Mennonite, 7 p.m. Columbiana/Pennsylvania — Feb. 16 at Leetonia Mennonite, 7 p.m. West Central/SW Ohio —…
To act — or — to react
We live in an age of “reactivity.” Certainly this is obvious in Facebook posts and the mutually disdainful and corrosive responses of our political candidates to one another. And who can blame those who respond with anger or disdain to others who have so treated them? Many consider this quite natural in human interactions, and find no need to apologize…
Conference prayer session set for Jan. 28
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is committed to focusing on prayer for the Conference. As part of this emphasis on prayer, the Leadership Team has planned a “GoToMeeting Prayer Session” for Thursday, Jan. 28, from noon to 12:45 p.m. EST. Everyone is invited to join the Leadership Team in prayer at that time. If you would like to join the…
‘Invitation to Rest’ is Day of Inspiration Theme
Ohio Mennonite Women’s Spring Day of Inspiration will take place Saturday, April 9, 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…
Shepherding sheep
By George O’Reilly Transitional Conference Leader Having never been to present-day Israel or Palestine, the historical setting of much of the biblical stories and events of our Christian heritage, I have never observed “shepherding” in that regional and cultural context. I have seen sheep freely pasturing on the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland and in the lush green fields of…
‘Becoming Missional’ training session to precede Annual Conference Assembly
Coming in March: This year before Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) you have the opportunity to grow in your knowledge and passion for God’s mission right in your own neighborhood. On Thursday and Friday, March 10-11, immediately prior to the start of ACA, Brad Brisco and Lance Ford of Forge Network will lead a training workshop focusing on how we can…
Central Mennonite to host ACA
Central Mennonite Church in Archbold will host the 2016 Ohio Conference Annual Conference Assembly (ACA), which will take place March 11-12. “Holy Ground: Founded on Christ, Flourishing in Faith,” based on I Corinthians 3:6-11, will be the theme of this year’s Assembly. This year ACA will be preceded by a special training session led by Brad Brisco and Lance Ford…
ACA lodging list has been updated
Ohio Conference has arranged special room rates with several area hotels for Friday, March 11, in conjunction with Annual Conference Assembly (ACA). A lodging list for ACA was included with in the packet of registration materials sent to congregations and delegates. Please note the following update to the lodging list: The Holiday Inn Express in Napoleon is becoming a Comfort…
MWC general secretary coming to Ohio
Mennonite World Conference invites you to an evening with General Secretary César García. When: Sunday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Where: Kidron Mennonite Church, 3987 Kidron Road, Kidron, Ohio César García will present on the theme “MWC Beyond Assemblies.” Sing international songs from the Assembly. Hear stories of Mennonite World Conference and the global Church. César García also will be…
Everence is accepting college scholarship applications
Everence is now accepting applications for college scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year. A college scholarship is one of the potential benefits of doing business with Everence. The Everence scholarship program encourages young people to explore the integration of faith and finances while helping them on their educational journeys. The program is open to Everence members and their children. Eligible…
Everence members help with Affordable Christmas Project
KIDRON, Ohio – Members of Everence Financial in Northeast Ohio recently purchased and donated children’s gifts to support the Affordable Christmas Project at Lighthouse Ministries in Canton. Gifts were collected throughout November at Everence Financial offices in Kidron and Hartville, and Everence staff delivered the presents to Lighthouse Ministries. The Affordable Christmas project is an annual event that makes it…
Prayer session is planned for Dec. 17
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is committed to focusing on prayer for the Conference. (See the Leadership Team’s statement for additional information.) As part of this emphasis on prayer, the Leadership Team has planned a “GoToMeeting Prayer Session” for Thursday, Dec. 17, from 12 noon to 1p.m. EST. Everyone is invited to join the Leadership Team in prayer at that…
People or Paper
December 2015 How do we decide whether to honor the contracts we have? In our daily lives, we decide whether to honor our contracts with the ambitions we have for work, our expectations to provide for our children, a commitment to serve on a committee, planning for our education or for our retirement, etc. Time and funds are limited, and we have to make choices. As a Leadership…
Leadership Team reflects on year so far, commits to focus on prayer
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team met on Tuesday, Nov. 17. As a conference we are about three quarters of the way through our calendar year, and Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) begins to appear closer on the horizon. In the months since the last ACA, LT has attempted to work faithfully to lead and to listen to Ohio Conference. At the Nov. 17 meeting…
Register for pastor-elder retreat by Dec. 18
Dec. 18 is the deadline to register for the Ohio Conference Pastor-Elder Retreat. The retreat, which will be offered twice during February 2016, will focus on the theme “Practicing Right Relationship.” Lonnie Yoder, professor of pastoral care at Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Va., will be the input speaker. The cost for this retreat is only $50 per person. The…
Excuse Me
My wife and I sometimes reply to one another when some oversight or discourtesy on our part is expressed with “Sorry!” At times the phrase comes back, “You don’t sound sorry to me!” Apparently at times our tone seems to mean more than our words and to negate their natural meaning. I was pondering the word excuse and noticed the…
Salem receives National Clergy Renewal Grant
Salem Mennonite Church in Elida has received a grant of $50,000 to enable its pastor, Paula Snyder Belousek, to participate in the 2015 National Clergy Renewal Program. Salem Mennonite is one of 144 congregations across the country selected to participate in this competitive grant program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis,…
Child protection: Dove’s Nest offers speakers’ bureau
When you read headlines about child abuse or neglect, you may feel powerless to help. None of us can protect every child, all the time, but we can take steps to protect the children in our homes, churches, and communities. Do you have the tools you need to save a child from abuse or neglect? What is your faith community…
Everence members help organizations help others
KIDRON, Ohio — Everence members from Northeast Ohio recently spent a day landscaping an area outside the SpringHaven Counseling Center’s new equine assisted counseling arena near Mount Eaton. The volunteers planted evergreens that will help protect the confidentiality of clients receiving counseling services. They also created a waiting area for clients outside the arena with pea gravel and pavers. “It’s…
Wooster Mennonite to host worship event
Wooster Mennonite Church, 1563 Beall Ave., Wooster, will host a worship event Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The WHY Worship Event will focus on the theme “Worship How-Tos for You.” The day will include time for participants to worship together as well as take part in workshops. Four workshops are planned: Worship through Prayer led by…
“Spiritual Physics” of God’s Creation
“Spiritual Physics” of God’s Creation — “For every Spiritual action, there is an opposite and equal Spiritual reaction.” In quite a number of passages in the Scriptures, the above “Spiritual Law of Creation Physics” is either implied or directly stated. For example, Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT) — “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you…
Eric and An Raber receive Regional Journey Award from Everence
KIDRON, Ohio — Eric and An Raber are the recipients of the Regional Journey Award from the Everence offices in Northeast Ohio. This award recognizes the Rabers, who live in Millersburg, as models of Christian stewardship through their use of time, talents and lifestyle choices. Created in 2001, the Journey Award highlights what people of faith are doing as stewards…
A day in the life
By Erin Dye Adriel Chaplain It is difficult to describe residential life at Adriel and our youth to who have never spent significant time in such a program. Often we get questions of “where do youth come from?” “Why are they there?” “Do they not have family?” These inquiries certainly play a role in our youth’s identity, but these details…
Wayne County churches work together
By Raul Tadeo Crown Hill, Chestnut Ridge, Salem of Wooster, Orrville and Martins Mennonite churches, all located in Wayne County, have been cooperating on special programs for more than a year now. These churches are moving forward in their evangelistic programs by working together and supporting one another in various projects. This year the five congregations united to have a…
Why do we think that we shouldn’t be having these problems?
Pastor George O’Reilly Transitional Conference Leader “Why do you think you shouldn’t be having this problem?” This question from a marriage counselor to a couple who had come to him complaining, “We shouldn’t be having this problem!” struck me as a good one to ask ourselves when we find ourselves disgruntled about difficulties we are experiencing relating to others within…
Leadership Team works on next steps
On Sept. 23, 2015, the Ohio Conference Leadership Team met with a full agenda. The Leadership Team discussed the Sept. 2 All-Ohio Conference Pastors’ Meeting which was held in Bellville, Ohio, and the review of the Five-Year Plan which had been submitted by Myron Weaver, Paula Snyder Belousek, Wes Graber and Doug Zehr. At the Sept. 2 All-Ohio Conference Pastors’ Meeting,…
Retreat focuses on spiritual practices
By Roxanne Kauffman Camp Luz hosted the 46th annual Ohio Mennonite Women’s Retreat from September 18-20, 2015, where 69 women were in attendance throughout the weekend. Sisters Michele Rae Rizoli, Willie Stoltzfus and Ginny Hostetler shared their various gifts by leading music, worship and providing input to encourage and challenge the women to slow down and find new ways to…
The Axioms of Creation’s Spiritual Physics
Over time I have been drawn to a notion of “spiritual physics” to convey how the Scriptures teach that certain principles in the spiritual matters of life are just as “built into” creation as are those “physical laws” of nature we learned in science. This principle is seen fairly readily in Galatians 6: “Do not be deceived; God is not…
How We Worship – World Communion Sunday
Beech Mennonite Church in Louisville observed World Communion Sunday on Oct. 4. The children learned about places all over the world that were celebrating communion along with us; different types of bread reminded us of the many different traditions around the world; we circled the sanctuary to receive communion; and we heard the Lord’s Prayer in German and Spanish in…
Trust
Is trust extended or earned? We generally consider this question focusing on others — especially people with whom we have some tension or disagreement. But answering how the balance of “earning” or “extending” trust is best approached should likely be considered first in regard to God. One of my favorite verses speaks to this question: “And without faith it is…