Announcements
Encourage women in your congregation to attend Women in Leadership Retreat
Online registration is open for the Ohio Conference Women in Leadership Retreat planned for Feb. 2-3, 2024, at the Lial Renewal Center in Whitehouse, Ohio. The retreat will feature Jewel Gingerich Longenecker of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, who will focus on the theme “Finding Your Voice.” The planning committee for this retreat would like you to think about women in…
AMBS launches Forming Leaders Together campaign
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, has launched its Forming Leaders Together fundraising campaign. Funds raised through the campaign are supporting the seminary’s collaboration with Anabaptist-Mennonite organizations serving the church in Canada, the United States, and around the world. According to Paula Killough, MDiv, Director of Campaign, the seminary has reached 83 percent of its $12 million campaign…
Zoom meeting about Corinthian Plan scheduled
Did you know that Mennonite Church USA has a health plan? The Corinthian Plan provides health coverage for eligible pastors, church employees and their families Learn more during an upcoming Zoom meeting on Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. ET. Current participants of the plan are also welcome to ask questions. Register online at https://bit.ly/CorinthianPlanQandA.
On the Level explores the benefits of being a volunteer
The October edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In the current issue: Kevin King shares the health benefits of being a volunteer; an old grocery store is transformed near Red Lake, Minnesota; and if you enjoy quilting, knitting or crocheting, you’ll want to learn more about the MDS Housewarmer Project. To read more, go…
Updated flyer has instructions for reporting misconduct
The Credentialing Ministry Team of Ohio Mennonite Conference has updated the “How to Report Pastoral Sexual Misconduct” flyer and strongly encourages congregations to post it in their meeting spaces. Please consider posting in visible places, but it doesn’t have to be the first thing people see when entering the church. Consider posting in bathrooms, on bulletin boards or other conspicuous places around…
ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Church USA) — Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) has launched “Learn, Pray, Join: End Gun Violence,” an initiative to bring awareness to the complex issue that intersects with poverty, racism, discrimination, criminal justice, education and the environment. MC USA will host two webinars about the topic of gun violence, beginning with “Anabaptism and U.S. Gun Culture” on…
Author Summit to feature Meghan Larissa Good
Jesus Collective is planning an Author Summit featuring Meghan Larissa Good, who will be the featured speaker at the 2024 Annual Conference Assembly. In the Author Summit, participants will meet via Zoom to explore Good’s soon-to-be published book, Divine Gravity: Sparking a Movement to Recover a Better Christian Story. The series will include seven meetings, all featuring conversation with Good.…
Zoom meetings are for public educators
Mennonite Public Educators is hosting a series of Zoom meetings, “Being a Mennonite in Public Ed.” The first meeting will take place Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. ET. Participants will be invited to have real discussions about what it means to live out their faith in the public schools. Mennonite Public Educators is a group that brings together Mennonite teachers…
Mennonite Men to hold retreat Dec. 9
Mennonite Men will hold a Men’s Retreat Saturday, Dec. 9, at Pathways Retreat in Goshen, Indiana. The theme of this half-day retreat will be “Living that Matters for Men.” Steve Thomas, US coordinator for Mennonite Men, will be the retreat leader. For more information, see the retreat flyer. To register, go to bit.ly/pathways_Living_That_Matters.
Seminary short course to focus on resisting Christian nationalism
Online Short Course: Resisting Christian Nationalism with the Gospel of Peace: Oct. 25 – Nov. 21. Join Drew Strait, Ph.D., in this four-week online short course from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary to deepen your understanding of White Christian nationalism and explore practical and effective nonviolent strategies for resisting it — drawing insights from how Jesus countered oppression. No grades, no…
Christian organizations join together in prayer and action against world hunger
Mennonite World Conference is one of 14 Christian organizations joining hands with World Vision International in prayer and action against world hunger. The third annual Weekend of Prayer and Action Against Hunger will be observed Oct. 14-16, 2023, coinciding with World Food Day, which falls on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Learn more at https://bit.ly/2023WorldHunger.
Explore a call to ministry with Journey
When God calls someone to leadership, a journey begins. Perhaps you are on that journey. Perhaps you are looking for mentors and companions along the way. Ohio Conference invites you to join Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. This program is for lay leaders, pastors, church planters, and other emerging leaders who are called without specific training for ministry or…
Young adult perspectives sought
Ohio Conference’s racial reconciliation resource team, Grace & Groundings, is working on actions related to social justice. However, the team wants to address those issues that are of utmost concern to young adults in particular. Please encourage the young adults in your congregation to let us know what topics they would be most interested in. Please encourage them to reach…
Camp Luz to host Women’s Retreat
Camp Luz in Kidron will hold its annual Women’s Retreat Oct. 13 and 14, with an option to extend the experience through Oct. 15. The speaker will be Sarah Short, focusing on the theme “Abide in Me.” Register on the Camp Luz website: https://bit.ly/10-23WomensRetreat.
CommonWord offers resources for World Communion Sunday
CommonWord, a collaboration of Mennonite Church Canada and Canadian Mennonite University, has curated a collection of resources for World Communion Sunday, which is traditionally observed on the first Sunday in October. To see these resources, go to https://bit.ly/WorldCommunion.
Retreat about climate designed for pastors, leaders
Anabaptist Climate Collective (ACC) is partnering with several other organizations to sponsor an ecumenical retreat on climate change for pastors and congregational leaders in Ohio and Kentucky. The theme will be “Pastoral Influence in a Climate Changed World.” This retreat will take place Oct. 16-18 at Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Applications are due Sept. 24. ACC is working…
MMN seeks regional director for Africa and Europe
Mennonite Mission Network is hiring a Regional Director of Africa and Europe. This staff member will oversee the logistics involved in long-term service work in Africa and Europe. The regional director will foster collaboration, implement strategies, and innovate for partnership, as well as represent Mennonite Mission Network around the world. For more information or to apply, see www.MennoniteMission.net/about/Employment. If you…
EMS to offer seminar on family systems Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is offering continuing education options for pastors and Christian educators. Beginning in October, the seminary is offering an online continuing studies seminar in Bowen Family Systems Theory. This seminar is intended for those with some acquaintance with Bowen Theory and who welcome the opportunity to deepen their…
Transition to Leadership is for new pastors
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is offering a Transition to Leadership program. This two-year program guides and nurtures new pastors during the crucial first years of ministry through one-on-one mentoring, biannual learning events, and specialized coaching sessions throughout the year. The Fall 2023 cohort starts Nov. 9; apply by Oct. 9. See https://www.ambs.edu/transition-to-leadership for details.
AMBS to offer Ministry Integrity Circles
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) is offering Ministry Integrity Circles. Pastors, do you need help with ministry transitions or significant challenges? The seminary’s Ministry Integrity Circles program provides the support of consultants within a community of peers. Two cohorts will begin this fall: one will be meeting once in person Sept. 25-26 and then three more times on Zoom. Another…
Delegate lists requested
A note for congregational administrators and pastors: Please send your delegate lists to Judy King at the Ohio Conference office (ohmc@zoominternet.net) soon. The first fall cluster meeting for delegates is Sept. 19. Ohio Conference leadership is hoping that once delegates have been chosen, those same delegates will remain engaged in the work of reviewing Conference structure throughout the fall and winter…
Sept. 1 is registration deadline for Pastor-Spouse Retreat
Last call for registrations: Sept. 1, 2023, is the registration deadline for the Ohio Conference Pastor-Spouse Retreat. The retreat will take place Nov. 10-12 at Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center in Mt. Sterling, Ohio. For more information, see https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseBrochure. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseRetreat.
Register now for Pastor-Spouse Retreat
Sept. 1, 2023, is the registration deadline for the Ohio Conference Pastor-Spouse Retreat. The retreat will take place Nov. 10-12 at Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center in Mt. Sterling, Ohio. For more information, see https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseBrochure. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseRetreat.
MCC canning planned for Oct. 13, 14 and 16
MCC Canning for Relief will take place Oct. 13, 14 and 16 at the Gerber Building, located behind Central Christian School in Kidron. The plan is to can 30,000 pounds of boneless cooked turkey over the three days. The canned meat will be distributed by Mennonite Central Committee, both globally and to domestic disaster areas. To volunteer, call or text…
Preliminary relief sale results reported
The treasurers of the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale & Auction have reported preliminary results from this year’s event, which was held July 7-8 at the Mt. Hope Event Center. The sale day total was about $365,000. However, sizeable donations to the My Coins Count campaign are still expected, which will add to the amount raised. All funds raised benefit the…
Gen Z challenge focuses on creation care
Mennonite Creation Care Network is challenging young people to actively care for the planet through its Generation Z Energy and Spirit Challenge, which runs through April 2024. Jennifer Halteman Schrock, director of Mennonite Creation Care Network, describes the challenge as “a friendly competition to embrace our Anabaptist calling as earth keepers, reduce our carbon footprints, nurture environmental leadership, and utilize…
July On the Level features MDS stories
The July edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). In the current issue: Kevin King shares some lessons learned in the wilderness; an MDS family project is bringing a new look to a campground in Wyoming; and a long-time project director talks about why he continues to serve with MDS. Click on this link…
Anabaptist World seeks submissions on theme of simplicity
Anabaptist World invites your original submissions for an upcoming issue focusing on the theme “What is simplicity?” Articles should be between 600 and 1,200 words. Photos or other art are welcome. Submissions should be made to editor@anabaptistworld.org by Aug. 21. For more information, see https://bit.ly/AWSept22issue.
Open house planned for Haroldo Nunes and family
An open house will be held for Haroldo Nunes and his family on Sunday, July 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sonnenberg Mennonite Church (14367 Hackett Road, Kidron). Open Arms Hispanic Ministry wants to celebrate and express appreciation to Haroldo for his 17 years of ministry with Open Arms. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Ministry Grant proposals are due Aug. 4
There’s still time to apply: Aug. 4 is the deadline to submit a grant proposal for an Ohio Conference Ministry Grant. The Ministry Development Team (MDT) is accepting proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and mission initiatives. The MDT has $7,395 available for grants this year. Learn more and apply online at http://bit.ly/OCMinistryGrants.