News
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…
Register for Mentor/Mentee Retreat by Aug. 16
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
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…
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…
You’re invited to Assembly 17
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…
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…
‘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…
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…
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.…
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,…
Conference seeks Regional Pastor
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…
Pastor-Spouse Retreat offers time for rejuvenation
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
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…
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…
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…
Climate Ride seeks to raise awareness
The Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions (CSCS) is leading a cross-country bike ride to raise awareness regarding climate change and related issues, as well as to learn and to connect with people along the way. CSCS is a collaborative initiative of Goshen College, Eastern Mennonite University, and Mennonite Central Committee. The Climate Ride started in Seattle May 31 and will…
Pastor-Spouse Retreat planned for fall
Ohio Conference will hold a Pastor-Spouse Retreat Nov. 12-14 at the Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The theme of this event will be “Live and Laugh.” Pastors and their spouses are invited to find the joy in the everyday through laughter and stories. The weekend will include a show by comedian Shawn Reynolds, as well as free time and…
Glen Guyton to lead youth worker retreat
Ohio Conference will hold a youth worker retreat Oct. 15-17, 2021, at Camp Luz in Kidron. Glen Guyton, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, will lead the retreat, focusing on the theme Equipped for the Journey: The who, what and how for youth leaders. Participants will be challenged to settle into who God is calling them to be as leaders,…
New Pastor Orientation set for Aug. 15-16
Ohio Conference will hold a New Pastor Orientation Aug. 15-16 at the Sleep Inn & Suites in Mt. Hope. This free event is designed for all pastors new to the Ohio Conference. Spouses are also invited. In addition to being introduced to Conference resources, participants will have the opportunity to get to know other pastors new to the Ohio Conference.…
Missional festival canceled
Engaging Mission 2022: A missional festival for all ages, which was scheduled for June 24-26, 2022, has been cancelled. Ohio Conference will continue to assess its objectives and goals regarding this festival and other missional events. We encourage you to make plans now to join us for our next missional conference, which will be held in March of 2022. More…
Voices Together accompaniment edition recalled
Due to a manufacturing defect with the binding, MennoMedia is recalling the accompaniment edition of Voices Together. If you would like a replacement copy, please fill out the online form at http://bit.ly/VTRecall by May 1, 2021. After the May 1 deadline, replacement copies will no longer be provided. If you are unsure if your copy is a recalled version or…
Register now for Pastor-Spouse Retreat
Ohio Conference will hold a Pastor-Spouse Retreat Nov. 12-14 at the Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The registration cost is $240 per couple. The theme of this event will be “Live and Laugh.” Pastors and their spouses are invited to find the joy in the everyday through laughter and stories. Due to the size of this venue, a…
Mennonite Disaster Service Early Response Teams head to Texas
Lititz, PA — Early Response Teams from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) are heading to Texas with a focus on repairing broken pipes and waterlines so residents hard-hit by the recent deadly ice storm can make their first step toward recovery. The storm sent some 29 million people into a state of crisis and, though power is back on for many,…
Webinar features Ohio pastors
“Speak the Truth in Love,” a webinar provided by Mennonite Mission Network, featured two Ohio Conference pastors. Vikki Pruitte-Sorrells, pastor of Lee Heights Community Church in Cleveland, and Kevin Himes, pastor of Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron, were featured panelists. Ann Jacobs of Mennonite Mission Network hosted the webinar, which celebrated relationships and considered how to mend divides that are…
MC USA to hold virtual Delegate Assembly in July
The Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA has voted to hold the denomination’s biennial Delegate Assembly online due to uncertainty around COVID-19 gathering restrictions. Originally scheduled to meet in person on July 6-10, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Delegate Assembly will meet virtually on Saturday, July 10, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. While the 2021 MC USA Delegate Assembly will…
Scholarship fund supports seminary students
ELKHART, Indiana — For the past 30 years an endowed scholarship at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) has helped dozens of students pursue pastoral leadership education, and now AMBS has begun a campaign to celebrate the aid given and raise funds for continued student support. Since its inception in 1990, the Paul M. and Bertha M. Miller Pastoral Leadership Scholarship…