Delegate News – Retirement Announcement

Greetings to members of Ohio Conference, Tony Doehrmann, regional pastor for the western region of Ohio Conference, has informed the Conference’s Leadership Team that he intends to retire at the end of March 2024. Pastor Doehrmann began as a regional pastor on Oct. 1, 2019. In that time, he has been a meaningful Conference connection with pastors and congregations in…

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Arsenic mitigation efforts continue in Bangladesh

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At the 2023 Annual Conference Assembly, Bill and Carole Schumacher of Sharon Mennonite Church shared a presentation about the Arsenic Mitigation Project, which focuses on removing arsenic from the water supply in Bangladesh. The Schumachers have continued to work with this project. To learn more, see the project’s most recent newsletter: https://bit.ly/11-23ArsenicMitigation.

Retreat offers couples time for rest, reconnection

Fourteen couples attended the Ohio Conference Pastor-Spouse Retreat, which was held Nov. 10-12 at Deer Creek State Park Lodge in Mt. Sterling, Ohio. The theme of the weekend gathering was “Fill my Cup,” and participants were encouraged to rest, be refreshed and reconnect with their spouse. Our thanks go to the sponsors who helped to underwrite this event: Hummel Group,…

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MC USA Executive Board meets in Cleveland

Ohio Conference Leadership Team welcomes MC USA Executive Board to Ohio By Camille Dager CLEVELAND, Ohio (Mennonite Church USA) — The Mennonite Church USA Executive Board strengthened key relationships and discussed creative strategies for convention and revitalization at the first Executive Board meeting of the biennium Oct. 18-20, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio. Ohio Mennonite Conference welcomed the Executive Board and…

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Delegates meet for discussion, look to the future

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  Thank you to everyone who attended Ohio Conference’s fall delegate cluster meetings. Delegates met for a time of discernment and discussion, considering these questions: What is the context in which Ohio Conference congregations find themselves in today? What are the needs and longings of the communities in which Ohio Conference congregations reside? In light of the context, what is God’s…

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Leadership Team appoints interim pastoral staff

The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is pleased to announce the appointment of an interim conference minister and a half-time interim regional pastor for the eastern portion of the Conference. The Leadership Team has appointed Dan Miller to serve as full-time interim conference minister for 12 months, beginning Dec. 1, 2023. Dan has enjoyed various roles over the years, at congregational…

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New Hispanic Ministries course coming this fall

ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Education Agency) – The Schowalter Foundation recently awarded a $9,000 grant to the Hispanic Ministries seminary program of the Mennonite Education Agency (MEA). This grant will enable the Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Hispano (SeBAH) to offer an online continuing education course this September titled “The Journey of the Bible in the Spanish Language.” The course is designed for…

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Gilead Mennonite Church holds final service

On Jan. 29th Conference Minister Dick Barrett worshiped with Gilead Mennonite Church as the congregation worshiped together as a church for the last time. Located in the rural area of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, the church began in 1952 when several Mennonite families moved to the community with a desire to plant a church that was committed both to the Anabaptist/Mennonite…

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Ohio Conference Leadership Team Announcement: Resignation of Sherah-Leigh Gerber as regional pastor

It was with sadness that the Leadership Team of Ohio Conference recently accepted the resignation of Sherah-Leigh Gerber as our regional pastor in the east. Sherah-Leigh was called to this role of regional pastor because of her unique skill set and gifting, and her presence and contributions will be greatly missed. One of the primary reasons she gave for her…

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Winter Read to return in January

Returning this January: The Ohio Conference Winter Read. This win­ter Ohio Conference will once again hold a Conference-wide book study using the Zoom videoconferencing platform. This year we will be study­ing Just Mercy, a book by Bryan Stevenson. Winter Read discussion sessions will take place in the evening on Zoom. Specific meeting dates will be announced at a later time.…

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Mennonite Arts Weekend set for Feb. 3-5

“Between: Embracing Vulnerability” is the theme for the 16th Mennonite Arts Weekend, February 3-5, 2023, in Cincin­nati, Ohio. This weekend celebrates the creativity and discipline of Anabaptist Mennonite artists. Presentations and workshops by musicians, visual artists, writers, and craftspeople start on Friday evening and conclude with Sunday morning worship. Activities and workshops designed specifically for Pre-K children through high school are planned throughout…

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Women’s leadership conference planned

Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Women USA are planning a women’s leadership conference Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2022, in Elkhart, Indiana. The theme of this gathering will be “Leaders Inspiring Leaders.” Conference events will take place at the Mennonite Church USA offices and on the campus of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. African American women will lead the conference through prophetic witness…

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Register for Mentor/Mentee Retreat by Aug. 16

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Ohio Conference will hold a Mentor/Mentee Retreat for pastors on Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Francis Spirituality Center in Tiffin. Terry Shue will provide input, along with repre­sentatives from Ohio Conference. Registration is due by Aug. 16. For more details, see the 2022 Mentor-Mentee Retreat flier.

Congregational pastors gather on June 15

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On June 15, 2022, Ohio Conference hosted a gathering for congregational pastors at Der Dutchman Restau­rant in Plain City. It was a time of fel­lowship and a chance to debrief after Mennonite Church USA’s spe­cial delegate assem­bly in Kansas City, Missouri, which was held May 27-30. There were 30 pastors present, representing 24 congregations. Ohio Conference was represented by our…

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Staying the Course

With affirmation from our delegates at our Annual Conference Assembly on March 4-5, 2022, at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio Conference embarked on a review/discernment process looking at our vision based on our new mission statement1, our structure, and our future affiliation with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Also with affirmation from our delegates, we contracted with a process…

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You’re invited to Assembly 17

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You’re invited: Mennonite World Conference’s Assembly 17 in Indonesia will be a hybrid event, held both virtually and in person. “Following Jesus Together Across Barriers” is the theme of this gathering, which will take place July 5-10. Learn with the global Anabaptist-Mennonite family this summer. Register for Assembly to receive access to 10 worship services, which can be aired whole…

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Celebration of Peace Mennonite planned for May 29

A time of celebration and sharing memories of Peace Mennonite Church in Elyria will take place May 29 in Elyria. The congregation, which was founded in 1983, recently merged with North Olmsted Evangelical Friends Church. This celebration will include a time of giving thanks for the ministry of George and Mary Dunn. Please see the PMC Commemoration Flier for details.

Peace Mennonite merges with North Olmsted church

On Sunday, April 10, Peace Mennonite Church in Elyria held its last service as Peace Mennonite. Over the past several months its members have gone through a discernment process that led the congregation to merge with North Olmsted Evangelical Friends Church. Peace Mennonite’s Church building will become the Elyria campus of North Olmsted Evangelical Friends Church. Conference Minister Dick Barrett…

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‘Joy in the Journey’ is retreat theme

Ohio Conference will hold a retreat for wives of Ohio Conference pastors on Nov.  4-6, 2022, at the St. Francis Spirituality Center in Tiffin, Ohio. Miriam Zehr, associate pastor of Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville, will be the speaker for this retreat, which will explore the theme “Joy in the Journey.” Using the Psalms, participants will reflect on the…

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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…

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Mennonite Church USA releases guidelines for Special Session of Delegate Assembly

Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) has released guidelines for allowable actions and procedures during its Special Session of the Delegate Assembly, May 27-30 in Kansas City, Missouri. According to the guidelines, delegates must submit suggested amendments to the proposed resolutions by Monday, May 6. For a full news release about the guidelines, please see https://bit.ly/MCUSASpecialSession.

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.…

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Sherah-Leigh Gerber

New regional pastor appointed

It is with much anticipation and excitement that the Ohio Conference Leadership Team announces the appointment of Sherah-Leigh Gerber to serve as regional pastor – east. Many people will remember Sherah-Leigh from when she served as our coordinator of volunteers from 2009 to 2014, prior to moving to Harrisonburg, Virginia. While in Virginia, she was the associate pastor for worship,…

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Conference seeks Regional Pastor

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Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA is seeking a half-time Regional Pastor for the Eastern region of the state beginning April 2022. The individual will primarily serve as pastor to the pastors and as a liaison between the Conference and congregations. Previous pastoral experience required. Women and men from all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  For a full job description, please see…

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Pastor-Spouse Retreat offers time for rejuvenation

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Twenty-four couples attended the Ohio Conference Pastor-Spouse Retreat Nov. 12-14 at the Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs. In keeping with the retreat theme, “Live and Laugh,” Christian comedian Ron Sweet performed on Friday night. The retreat offered pastors and their spouses a chance to relax and to connect with other pastoral couples from around the Ohio Conference.

COVID-19 Meeting Guidelines

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Update: The COVID guidelines that were established for Conference events will stay in place until the end of the calendar year, and the Ohio Conference Leadership Team will re-visit this issue in January. The Leadership Team made this decision at its Nov. 18 meeting.

New Pastor Orientation held Aug. 15-16

Ohio Conference held a New Pastor Orientation Aug. 15-16 in Holmes County and Wayne County. Thirteen people participat­ed, including Ohio Conference pastoral staff members. The orien­tation helped pastors new to the Ohio Conference learn to know each other and learn about resources available to them. In addition to visiting the Ohio Conference office in Kidron, par­ticipants spent time at MCC…

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All-Ohio Conference Pastor Meeting features fellowship, worship and dialogue

By Dick Barrett Conference Minister On Aug. 5 congregational pastors from across Ohio Conference gathered at the Upper Sandusky Community Library for a time of fellowship, worship and discernment together. It was the first time they were able to gather in person in a year and a half. While fellowship was the highlight for the 28 ministers present, time was…

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Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale will be an in-person event this year

Wooster, Ohio — For 56 years, the Mennonite, Brethren, Apostolic and Amish churches of northeastern Ohio have worked together to create a festive event that raises funds for the work of Mennonite Central Committee. After a COVID-limited virtual auction in 2020, the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale will return in person Aug. 6 and 7. The event will take place in…

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