Announcements
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…
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…
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…
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…
Rooted and Grounded returns to AMBS
Save the date! On Sept. 27–29, 2018, Rooted and Grounded: A Conference on Land and Christian Discipleship will take place at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana. Imagine and embody alternative ways of relating to the land that cultivate shalom among human beings, the rest of creation and God. This three-day event will weave together worship, theology, biblical study and praxis. Keynote…
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility releases statement on gun violence
The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), of which Everence Financial is a member, has recently released a statement on gun violence. To read the statement, go to http://bit.ly/GunViolenceStatement. To learn more, see the full news release from ICCR.
Journey International offers year of discipleship, service
Take the plunge into a year of exploration, discipleship, and service with Journey International. Mennonite Mission Network is currently accepting applications to join the work of the local church in England, Indonesia, and Tanzania. For more information, visit www.MennoniteMission.net/JourneyInternational or contact John Murray at JohnM@MennoniteMission.net.
Disabilities network seeks executive director
Anabaptist Disabilities Network is seeking a new executive director. This is a .75 – 1.0 FTE position. The Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) board of directors seeks a visionary leader to be the ADN public face to constituents, supporters, and congregations. Proven faith-based fundraising and constituent cultivation ability is required. A heart for inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families in the life of the church is a must. The executive director must…
Oak Grove celebrations mark 200th anniversary
All are cordially invited to Oak Grove Mennonite Church’s Historical Reflections Weekend, the first of three events marking the congregation’s 200th anniversary. The event will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Road, Smithville, Ohio. A two-century timeline, to be installed in the sanctuary, will be unveiled. Sketches of God’s Faithfulness, a historical…
Register now for April 21 boundaries training
The registration deadline for the April 21 Healthy Boundaries training event at Shalom Counseling and Mediation Center in Archbold has been extended to Friday, April 13. Healthy Boundaries training is mandatory for continued credentialing in the Ohio Conference. Cost of this training is $25 per person. To register, go to http://bit.ly/HealthyBoundariesApril21.
Apply for Youth Venture by April 1
Calling everyone ages 15-22: Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to serve this summer? There are a few spots left to join a 2018 Youth Venture team! See and join in the work God is doing in Ecuador, Peru, Spain, or Benin. Apply by April 1. Visit www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve to learn more, or contact John Murray at JohnM@MennoniteMission.net.
Laughter is Sacred Space coming to Springfield
Laughter is Sacred Space, performed by Ted and Co., is coming to Springfield, Ohio, on Friday, May 4, at 7p.m. at the John Legend Theater, 700 S. Limestone St., Springfield. The event is a collaborative effort of Southside Mennonite Church, Huber Mennonite Church and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) along with several mental healthcare resources. The Ohio Conference also has provided…
Shalom to host boundaries training April 21
Friday, April 6, is the registration deadline for the Healthy Boundaries training event at Shalom Counseling and Mediation Center in Archbold on April 21. Healthy Boundaries training is mandatory for continued credentialing in the Ohio Conference. The Ohio Conference Credentialing Ministry is encouraging each congregation to send a layperson to the training along with the pastor to share the experience.…
Stewardship Ministry seeks volunteers for study
The Ohio Conference Stewardship Ministry Team has spent some time recently brainstorming ways to save money for the Conference. One possible area of focus is the expenses of the Conference office located in Kidron. Consequently, the Stewardship Ministry would like to form a group to do a feasibility study. This group would review the current Conference office structure to see…
The Mennonite welcomes submissions for May issue
The Mennonite, Inc., welcomes your original submissions for the May 2018 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on the theme Love Across Borders. Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than March 19, 2018. For more details, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteMay2018.
Online course to focus on transforming conflict
Online short course: Transforming Congregational Conflict and Communication: April 11 – May 22. In this online Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary short course, Betty Pries will introduce Anabaptist conflict transformation techniques for leading in the midst of difference and disagreement — drawing from biblical, theological and practical sources. Cost is $200 before March 21, and $250 after. For details, see ambs.edu/shortcourses.
MHF offers grants for cross-cultural study to graduate 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 http://mennohealth.org/SET/, email info@mennohealth.org, or call 1-888-406-3643. See the flier about this grant program for more…
Berlin Mennonite seeks music leader
Berlin Mennonite Church is looking for a music leader to lead congregational singing on Sunday mornings for worship. Applicants will be able to play an instrument, and are asked to lead congregational singing from songbooks and lead/accompany contemporary songs. Our church has several musicians who currently make up praise teams (pianists, guitar players, violin, percussion, singers). We are looking for…
Discovery: A Comic Lament is coming to Ohio
Ted & Co. is bringing its production titled Discovery: A Comic Lament to Ohio this weekend for two performances. Admission is free and open to the public at both performances. Lima Mennonite Church will host a performance of Discovery: A Comic Lament on Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m. Lima Mennonite Church is located at 1318 N. Main St., Lima.…
Glen Guyton to be next executive director of MC USA
The MC USA Executive Board has announced that Glen Guyton will serve as the new executive director of Mennonite Church USA. He will begin a three-year term on May 1, 2018. To learn more, see http://bit.ly/MCUSAGlenGuyton.
Peacebuilding institute adds shorter courses
The Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has recently added a series of three-day workshops on June 18-20, 2018. These shorter workshops are designed for individuals who want to come for trainings but are unable to take a week or more away from home or work. See the latest SPI newsletter for details: http://bit.ly/SPI-Newsletter.
Healthcare students invited to submit essays
Healthcare Student Essay Project: Anabaptist students in all healthcare disciplines are eligible to submit an essay in connection with the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) Annual Gathering 2018, June 22-24, 2018, at Bluffton University. Share your perspective on the theme “Stories of Healing.” This contest is open to those currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, professional, residency, fellowship, or internship program…
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 9-10 at Bluffton University, and the Gathered and Sent Missional Conference will take place immediately prior to ACA on March 8-9, also at Bluffton University. Registrations for ACA and the Gathered and Sent Missional Conference are both due by…
Mediation training to be offered
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will be offering its Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders March 12-16 in Columbia, South Carolina. To receive the discounted registration rate, register by Feb. 9. See http://bit.ly/2018MediationTraining for details.
OC viewpoints shared at EMU meeting
During January all Ohio Conference congregations were asked to complete a Mennonite Colleges Survey. Thanks to all congregations who completed to survey. The survey responses provided valuable information for Keith Hostetler as he represented Ohio Conference at Eastern Mennonite University’s Constituent Conferences Committee meeting on Jan. 18. To learn more about what was discussed at this meeting, see his report: 2018…