Announcements
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…
Share stories of how you worship
Ohio Conference wants to hear about how you worship. We are looking for stories, photos, and videos about how your church uses songs, original skits, art, and other forms in your worship services. For more information and an example, visit the How We Worship page. We hope this collaborative collection of worship stories can serve to inspire each other in…
Pastor-elder retreats planned for February
Update: The pastor-elder retreat at Widewater Retreat Center in Liberty Center, Ohio, has been canceled. If your pastor-elder group registered for this retreat, you are encouraged to attend the Feb. 19-20 Pastor-Elder Retreat at Camp Buckeye in Beach City instead. If your congregation’s elder group would like to attend the Feb. 19-20 retreat, please contact Coordinator of Volunteers Alysa Short…
Credentialing Ministry announces new procedures
The Ohio Conference Credentialing Ministry Team (CMT) would like to announce several new procedures they will be using: CMT member LaVonne Hartman will be the person who contacts pastoral candidates to set the time of their interview and to make sure they have turned in the needed documents on time. These tasks were formerly done by the regional pastors. The…
Ministry Development Team awards grants
The Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) has awarded 11 grants totaling $23,242.50 to Ohio Conference congregations and Conference-related groups. The MDT approved the grants at its Aug. 31 meeting in Upper Sandusky. Funding for these grants comes from surplus funds that had accumulated during years in which the Conference ended its fiscal year with a surplus. Grants will provide…
Transitional Conference Leader hired
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team interviewed potential candidates for the Transitional Conference Leader position on Aug. 7 and have hired George O’Reilly. George is currently ending a transitional pastorate at First Mennonite Church in Canton and will start full time with Ohio Conference on Sept. 1. George’s primary role will be to help the Leadership Team in listening, trust building…
Leadership Team interviews candidates
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team met Friday, Aug. 7, and interviewed two candidates for the position of transitional Conference Leader. The Leadership Team is now checking references and will have a conference call on Aug. 12. The staff and Leadership Team will meet for a farewell meal with Conference Minister Tom Kauffman and Regional Pastor Wanda Stopher on Aug. 17. Regional Pastor Ralph Reinford, Thomas Dunn,…
Tom Kauffman accepts call from N.M. congregation
Conference Minister Tom Kauffman has accepted a call to a new pastoral position in Albuquerque, N.M. He will be serving as transitional pastor for the Albuquerque Mennonite Church, starting during the month of September 2015. He will conclude his work as conference minister for the Ohio Conference on Aug. 31, 2015. The following is an excerpt from Tom Kauffman’s letter…
All-Ohio Conference Pastors’ Meeting set for Sept. 2
The All-Ohio Conference Pastors’ Meeting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center, 1000 Comfort Plaza Drive, Bellville, Ohio, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be for listening, trust building and direction setting for our conference. The Leadership Team will send out the agenda and questions for the meeting…
MDT to accept proposals for grants
For the fourth year in a row, the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) is accepting grant proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and mission initiatives. In its decision-making process, the MDT will give priority to projects that are new initiatives or projects that could not be carried out without the grant funding. Please note that this…
Apply now for LEAD3D
Time is running out to apply for LEAD3D, the youth leadership development program offered by the Ohio Conference. Applications are due by May 29. High school juniors and seniors from Ohio Conference congregations are eligible for this program, which includes two retreat weekends, as well as work with an adult mentor. Each participant will choose a leadership project to complete.…
Tom Kauffman to conclude his work with Conference
Conference Minister Tom Kauffman has informed the Ohio Conference Leadership Team that 2015-16 will be his last year with the Conference. He and the Leadership Team have not yet determined the exact ending date for his work with the Ohio Conference. Tom shares his reflections about this decision in his “Conference Minister Musings” column in the May-June issue of Ohio…
New Pastor Orientation is June 7-8
Ohio Conference will hold a New Pastor Orientation June 7-8. Pastors who plan to attend should contact Judy King at ohmc@zoominternet.net or (330) 857-5421 no later than May 15.
Conference ends 2014-15 with a deficit
Ohio Conference ended its 2014-15 fiscal year March 31 with an operating balance of -$60,987. Receipts for the month of March totaled $22,741, while expenses for the month were $45,424. Total receipts for 2014-15 were $425,337, a decrease from the $479,079 received in 2013-14. Total expenses for the year were $486,323, which is less than the amount of spending called…
Ervin Stutzman to meet with delegates in Ohio
Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, will hold two meetings in Ohio during June for delegates to KC 2015, the denominational assembly in Kansas City. Delegates and all others who are interested are invited to attend. The meetings will take place Wednesday, June 3, at Salem Mennonite Church in Elida, and Thursday, June 4, at the Kidron Mennonite…
Pastor-elder retreats planned for 2016
Coming in 2016: Ohio Conference is planning pastor-elder retreats in February 2016. Pastor-elder teams will be able to attend the two-day retreat either Feb. 5-6 at Widewater Retreat Center in Liberty Center or Feb. 19-20 at a location in eastern Ohio.
MCC Great Lakes gathering is May 1
Invitation from Mennonite Central Committee: Join us for the 2015 Celebrate MCC Great Lakes Annual Gathering on Friday, May 1, at Zion Mennonite Church (300 Short Buehrer Road in Archbold). Worship and fellowship with other MCC supporters, and hear updates on MCC’s work both locally and around the world. Special guest speakers Deb and Jim Fine, recently returned MCC service…
Workshops for youth leaders have begun
Dr. Randy Keeler has begun holding workshops for youth leaders in various locations around the Conference. The following workshops remain: April 19 — Oak Grove Mennonite in West Liberty April 26 — Central Mennonite in Archbold May 16 — Midway Mennonite in Columbiana May 17 — Berlin Mennonite Each workshop will begin at 2 p.m. and last about two hours. If you plan to attend…
Mentor-Mentee Retreat planned in Mansfield
Ohio Conference will hold a Mentor-Mentee Retreat for Pastors May 19 at Camp Mowana in Mansfield. Terry Shue of Mennonite Church USA will be the input speaker. All retreat participants must turn in a completed Individual Information Form. If you plan to attend, please contact Judy King at ohmc@zoominternet.net or (330) 857-5421 as soon as possible. Registrations are due no…