Announcements
Retreat for pastors’ wives set for Nov. 11-13
What is life in the parsonage like? Being a pastor’s wife is a high calling and a great joy, a great responsibility and a great blessing. Pastors’ wives, do you ever wonder if other pastors’ wives experiences are similar to yours? How do they handle the struggles, lean on the blessing of this ministry and enjoy their high calling? During…
Goshen College to offer new Study-Service Theology Term for high schoolers
GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen College’s new Study-Service Theology Term (SSTT) is currently seeking 20 high school applicants for a two-week study tour in Guatemala in June 2017. Students will be provided with the opportunity to explore their understandings of Jesus’ life and mission in light of contemporary challenges and their own sense of calling. “Faith perspectives are often developed in…
Kelly Troyer joins Everence church relations/charitable services team
KIDRON, Ohio – Everence Financial recently announced the hiring of Kelly J. Troyer as church relations and charitable services representative. Troyer is part of the Everence team based in Kidron and will be helping individuals, organizations and congregations in Northeast Ohio plan for philanthropic goals that integrate their faith and values. She also will provide stewardship education resources and help…
Scholarships available for Women’s Retreat
Ohio Mennonite Women has scholarships available for women who want to attend Women’s Retreat at Camp Luz Sept. 16-18, 2016, and need financial assistance. Roxanne Kauffman is the contact person for obtaining applications for this scholarship. Please contact her at roxykauff@gmail.com or (937) 465-1204, or write to…
OMW to give toward Girls’ Jamboree registration fees
Do you know a girl who would enjoy attending the Girls’ Jamboree at Camp Luz this summer? This is a great opportunity for girls in grades 3 through 8 to have fun and grow closer to God. Jamboree dates are Aug. 12-14, 2016. In support of this event, Ohio Mennonite Women will contribute $10 towards each girl’s registration fee, reducing…
Love is a Verb: Spiritual practices resource explores MC USA convention theme
Mennonite Church USA —The Mennonite Church USA Executive Board staff has released a year-long spiritual practices resource that explores the 2017 convention theme Love is a Verb through the lens of Richard Foster’s six spiritual streams. The resource is intended for use by delegates, youth groups, presenters, planners and other convention attendees from July 2016 through June 2017. Leo Hartshorn…
MDS responds to flooding in West Virginia
Lititz, PA — A Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) investigation team is currently in West Virginia assessing needs after devastating floods on Thursday, June 24. The team arrived on Sunday, June 26, in White Sulphur Springs. MDS is currently welcoming donations to assist with its response to the flooding. MDS has been working in the southwestern part of West Virginia for nearly…
Time remains to apply for ministry grants
Is your congregation looking for ways to fund a local ministry? Consider applying for a grant from the Ohio Conference. July 18 is the deadline to submit a grant proposal to the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT). For the fifth year in a row, the MDT is accepting proposals from Ohio Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and…
Conference’s deficit continues in May
Ohio Conference expenses were higher than giving during May, according to figures provided by Ohio Conference Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. Expenses for the month were $27,408, while receipts totaled just $20,406, resulting in an operating balance of -$7,002 for the month. That shortfall, combined with the deficit from April, resulted in…
Four local organizations receive donations from Everence
KIDRON, Ohio – Using income generated from its Visa card transactions, Everence® Federal Credit Union is supporting local organizations through its Rebate for Missions program. Salem Youth Fellowship, Camp Buckeye, New Grounds Café and Walnut Hills Employee Assistance Program each received $500 from Everence Federal Credit Union’s Northeast Ohio branches. The four Christian-based organizations were chosen to receive the donations…
Women’s retreat to focus on sharing stories
“Sharing Your Story” will be the theme of the annual Women’s Retreat Sept. 16-18 at Camp Luz in Kidron. Guest speakers for the weekend will be Vickie Esh and Kim Leichty. Women’s Retreat is designed for women of all ages to come and spend time with others worshipping, laughing, and relaxing. The cost of the retreat is $90 for those…
MDT to accept proposals for grants
For the fifth year in a row, the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) is accepting proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and mission initiatives. This year, the MDT has $21,614 available for grants. In light of the current Year of Mission focus within Ohio Conference, the MDT will give preference to proposals that are particularly mission…
Conference to focus on faith formation
A conference for individuals concerned about faith formation is coming to Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Ind., this fall. Deep Faith: Anabaptist Faith Formation for All Ages will be held Oct. 6-8 at the seminary. Conference planners describe Deep Faith: Anabaptist Faith Formation for All Ages as a practical conference designed to empower Anabaptist pastors, teachers and lay leaders in…
Lilly grants to provide financial assistance, financial education programs for pastors
Financial assistance is available for pastors of congregations in Mennonite Church USA. At Annual Conference Assembly in March, Jim Frado of Everence and Terry Shue, director of leadership development for Mennonite Church USA, talked to delegates about a program designed to address the financial challenges facing pastors. This program, which is a three-year initiative, is made possible by a grant…
Salem Mennonite in Elida plans celebrations
Salem Mennonite Church in Elida is celebrating 175 years as a congregation during 2016. The church has planned a series of events to celebrate not only the congregation’s history but also the history of the surrounding area and Anabaptist Christian traditions. On May 22 John Roth, professor of history at Goshen College, will be the guest speaker at Salem. He…
Taxpayers can benefit themselves, charities with income tax refunds
KIDRON, Ohio– Retailers offer special promotions this time of year, encouraging people to buy new mattresses or TVs with their income tax refunds. Everence® would like to offer a different idea. Taxpayers may use their refunds to help charities advance their missions – and the donors can lower their own taxable income for their 2016 tax returns in the process.…
Funding available for Sentralized Conference
Are you interested in learning how to engage in God’s mission in life-changing ways? Ohio Conference is offering financial assistance for up to four people from Ohio Conference to attend Sentralized, a missional conference which will be held in Little Rock, Ark., May 5-6. Sentralized is organized by Forge America and sponsored by a variety of Christian organizations. Among the…
Workshop to focus on faith and values in business
KIDRON, Ohio — Everence® and Mennonite Foundation are presenting a workshop titled Faith and values in the marketplace at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the Kidron Park Community Building, 4434 Kidron Road. Christians are called to be good stewards of their gifts from God — including their time and talents in addition to their money. How does that standard…
Congregations invited to sign Year of Covenant document
At the 2016 Annual Conference Assembly, delegates discussed the Leadership Team’s proposal to enter into a Year of Covenant, and congregations have been invited to sign the covenant. The document can be downloaded here: One Year of Covenant sign up for Congregations Some excerpts from the covenant document are included here: We will attempt to participate fully, converse respectfully, and to…
Conference has new Resource Advocate
Lois Bontrager is the new Ohio Conference Resource Advocate. The role of the Resource Advocate is to be aware of the latest resources from the various Mennonite Church USA groups and to find creative ways to make these resources useful to area conferences, pastors and lay leaders in congregations. Resource Advocates from conferences across Mennonite Church USA held their annual…
Conference’s deficit continues in January
Ohio Conference’s deficit increased during January, according to figures provided by Ohio Conference Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. Congregational giving during January totaled $24,864, and total income for the month was $26,302. Expenses for January were $34,803, resulting in an operating balance of -$8,501 for the month. That shortfall brought the operating balance for the first 10 months of the fiscal…
Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship offers student grants
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 2016-17 academic year is May 15, 2016. For details and application form, see http://mennohealth.org/SET, email info@mennohealth.org, or call 1-888-406-3643.
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 —…
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…
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…
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…
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…