Gather
Working and worshipping together
By Dan Miller Interim Conference Minister Heading into Annual Conference Assembly, I was both excited and nervous. Excited, because I find such gatherings to be fun. At the end of the day, I can be so energized that it’s hard to go to sleep! Nervous, because I am still learning about Ohio Conference. This might be hard to believe, but…
Sharon Mennonite to host ACA
Meghan Larissa Good to be featured presenter Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City will host the 2024 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) March 1-2. The theme of this year’s gathering will be “Following Jesus Together with a Common Mission,” based on Philippians 2:5-11. The 2024 Annual Conference Assembly is intended for all members of Ohio Conference churches, not just delegates. In…
RSVPs requested for pastor meeting
A reminder for pastors: On Wednesday, Aug. 16, Ohio Conference will be hosting our annual All Active Credentialed Ministers Gathering at the Upper Sandusky Community Library from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is an important gathering, as our process consultant, Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi, will once again be facilitating the gathering to help us discern God’s vision for the future of…
Pastor-Spouse Retreat planners need your help
The planning committee for Ohio Conference’s biennial Pastor-Spouse Retreat needs your help! The committee would like to touch base with a congregational representative from each congregation. Please go to https://bit.ly/CongregationalContactInfo to submit contact information for your congregation’s representative. If you prefer, send the name, email and phone number of your church contact (church chair or lead elder) to alysashort@gmail.com. Please…
Pastor-Spouse Retreat to offer time and space for couples to rest, refresh and reconnect
Ohio Conference will hold a 2023 Pastor-Spouse Retreat Nov. 10-12 at Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, about 32 miles south of Columbus. The theme of this weekend event will be “Fill My Cup.” This retreat has been designed to provide an affordable time away for pastors and their spouses. The retreat will offer…
Pastors meet for discernment
Photos by Sherah-Leigh Gerber By Dick Barrett Conference Minister On Aug. 23 Ohio Conference hosted a gathering of our active credentialed ministers at the Upper Sandusky Public Library. Forty-four ministers were able to attend the one-day retreat, which was facilitated by our consultant, Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi, as part of our one-year review process. With the primary focus on discerning…
Fall delegate gathering dates set
Please mark your calendar: Ohio Conference is planning five fall delegate gatherings for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly. Each meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If a delegate from your congregation is unable to attend one of these meetings, the Conference is encouraging your congregation to send an alternate delegate. These delegate gatherings are a part of…
Pastors to meet in Upper Sandusky
Save the date: Ohio Conference will hold a pastors’ gathering on Aug. 23 at the library in Upper Sandusky. This meeting will be facilitated by our consultant, Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi, as part of the Conference’s review process. This meeting will be for all active, credentialed pastors, including chaplains.
A Year of Discernment
By Dick Barrett Conference Minister There is no doubt that the past two years have been both different and difficult on our churches. In one sense, as Mennonites/Anabaptists we don’t find ourselves to be any different from other Christian churches throughout America. Almost all congregations can say that their church has lost members and attenders, and the church doesn’t look…
Pastors to meet June 15
Attention, pastors: Ohio Conference is hosting a Congregational Pastors’ Gathering at Der Dutchman Restaurant in Plain City on Wednesday, June 15, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This gathering will be a time to pastorally process the MC USA Special Delegate Assembly experience. If you are able to attend, please reserve your complimentary lunch with Judy King at the Conference office…
Consultant to assist in Conference review
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team has approved entering into an agreement with Design Group International to assist in a three-part Conference review. The Leadership Team is taking this step based on feedback from delegates at the March 2022 Annual Conference Assembly. Delegates overwhelmingly affirmed the idea of using a process consultant to assist the Conference over the upcoming two years.…
Delegates approve new mission statement, Conference to review affiliation with MC USA
For photos from ACA and a summary video, please see https://bit.ly/ACAPhotos. Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA gathered in person for its Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) on March 4-5, 2022, at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio. The theme for the assembly was Befriending the Neighborhood: Am I a Good Neighbor? The focus was on the story of the Good…
Delegate News — Winter 2022
Winter cluster meeting dates set Ohio Conference is planning five winter cluster meetings for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly, beginning this week. Each meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. Locations are as follows: Jan. 18 — Bethel Mennonite Church, West Liberty Jan. 27 — Salem Mennonite Church, Kidron Feb. 1 — Tedrow Mennonite Church, Wauseon…