News
Applications pour in for COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund
By Susan Kim GOSHEN, Indiana — Anabaptist churches in the U.S. have submitted more than 200 applications to the new COVID-19 Congregational Relief Fund since its launch on April 13, 2020. The great majority of the applications have come from churches serving racially or ethnically diverse communities – congregations whose needs center around lost jobs and income that have led…
University Euclid congregation closes
University Euclid Christ New Testament Church, an Ohio Conference congregation in Cleveland, has closed, reports Regional Pastor Ralph Reinford. The congregation’s pastors, Brian Anderson and Sheila Spencer Anderson, resigned in September 2019. A small group from the congregation continued meeting through February of this year, when the congregation decided to close. The congregation intends to donate the church property to…
MC USA provides resources for responding to COVID-19
Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) has compiled a variety of resources for individuals and congregations responding to the spread of COVID-19. Links to these resources can be found at http://bit.ly/RespondingtoCOVID-19. In addition to news from MC USA and church-related agencies, this web page has links to worship and devotional resources, information about livestreaming platforms, articles about caring and connecting with…
Consider carefully whether to meet during coronavirus outbreak
At the direction of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Health issued an order on March 12 banning mass gatherings of more than 100 people. While religious institutions are one of the groups excluded in the ban, the Leadership Team of Ohio Conference encourages each of our congregations to carefully discern what is best, especially for the health…
Conference shares recommendations regarding the coronavirus
In an effort to be cautious but not overanxious regarding the spread of the coronavirus, Ohio Conference offers the following recommendations for our congregations to follow at the present time: Limit the practices that could spread germs, such as the shaking of hands and hugs. Make hand sanitizer and/or wipes readily available, and encourage their use. Communion and other activities…
Pastors participate in leadership program
Four pastors of Ohio Conference congregations recently participated in the Values-Based Leadership Program at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. The program includes two four-day sessions, one in October and one in February. “This is an excellent program that we encourage other pastors to participate in,” said Paula Snyder Belousek, pastor of Salem Mennonite Church in Elida. The…
Everence’s MyNeighbor program benefits Ohio Conference, other nonprofits
During January the Ohio Conference received a check for $1,077.66 from Everence Financial as part of Everence’s MyNeighbor credit card program. With the MyNeighbor program, individuals and businesses generate reward dollars for their favorite nonprofit every time they use their MyNeighbor credit cards from Everence. Everence donates 1.5 percent of each purchase to the card user’s chosen nonprofit agency. Then…
Oak Grove to host concert by Anthony Brown
Update: Please note that this concert has been canceled. Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville is hosting a concert by Anthony Brown, baritone, featuring the theme “Songs and Stories of Peace, Hope and Justice.” The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. Using songs and stories from his international travels, Anthony Brown illustrates how music is…
Emmanuel Mennonite holds closing service
Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Monclova, Ohio, has closed. A main outreach of the congregation was to the men and women of Bittersweet Farms who live with autism. The Emmanuel congregation held its final worship service on Sunday, Dec. 29. Pastor Reid Short, the long-time pastor at Emmanuel, delivered the final message at the closing worship service. He served at Emmanuel…
Churches support radio ministry in Argentina
For several years Sonnenberg Mennonite Church in Kidron and Pike Mennonite Church in Elida have been supporting a radio ministry which reaches out to the Indigenous population in the Chaco region of Argentina. To learn more about this ministry, which is also supported by Mennonite Mission Network, see http://bit.ly/ChacoRadioMinistry.
Engaging Mission 2020 is for all ages
Please note: Due to the uncertainty about when restrictions will be lifted for public gatherings, the Ohio Conference Leadership Team has decided to cancel this event. Save the date: Ohio Conference will hold a missional festival, Engaging Mission 2020, at Bluffton University June 26-28, 2020. Featured presenters will be Seth and Theresa Crissman of Virginia Mennonite Missions. (See http://bit.ly/VMMCrissmans…
Local congregations pack 175 immigrant detainee care kits
By Jennifer Steiner MCC Great Lakes On Oct. 2, area congregations gathered at Orrville Mennonite Church to learn about the current situation for border detainees and to work together on a tangible response. In a little over an hour, volunteers had packed 175 immigration detainee care kits to provide much-needed supplies for those being released from border detention. Volunteers assembled…
Ohio Conference leaders share at Constituency Leaders Council
By Paula Snyder Belousek Assistant Moderator Conference Minister Dick Barrett, Moderator Lynn Miller and Assistant Moderator Paula Snyder Belousek presented information about the Ohio Conference during the Oct. 17-18 meeting of Mennonite Church USA’s Constituency Leaders Council in Glendale, Arizona. Each conference and constituency group gave 10-minute presentations over the two days of the Constituency Leaders Council (CLC). Each group answered…
Congregations to share stories at regional gatherings
Ohio Conference is holding four fall regional gatherings beginning the week of Oct. 21. These gatherings are not just for delegates from Ohio Conference but for all who would like to learn about the exciting things that are taking place in Conference and our congregations. There will be a time of fellowship and sharing. We are asking congregations to answer…
Hesston’s Weekend College to offer Bib Lit course to congregations
Hesston, Kansas — As Hesston College prepares its new church leadership program — the Center for Anabaptist Leadership and Learning (CALL) — it is also offering its famous Biblical Literature course to congregations and other groups across the country in an arrangement called Weekend College. Instead of requiring people to travel to Hesston, Weekend College will bring Hesston College professors…
Tony Doehrmann to serve as regional pastor
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team and the Ministry Development Team are pleased to announce the appointment of Tony Doehrmann as the new regional pastor covering the western half of Ohio Conference. He will begin his work with the Conference on Oct. 1. Tony served as pastor of Jubilee Mennonite Church in Bellefontaine from 2008 until the end of 2017. During…
Lynn Miller accepts moderator position
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is pleased to announce that Lynn Miller of Tedrow Mennonite Church has agreed to serve as our Conference moderator. Lynn has been a part of Tedrow Mennonite Church all his life, and he has served as a delegate to Ohio Conference in the past both as a member of Tedrow and as a member of…
Vickie Yoder accepts new assignment
As of Sept. 1, Vicki Yoder will become chair of the Credentialing Ministry when Verle Brubaker steps down. Verle has accepted a new ministry opportunity in Pennsylvania and will be leaving the Conference shortly. Vickie is part-time interim associate pastor at Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City, and she recently retired from her work as a chaplain. She has served…
Immigration event to include care kit assembly
You’re invited to share God’s love and give your support to immigrant detainees on our southern border. Open Arms Hispanic Ministries invites you to come Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. for an immigration information update and MCC Immigration Detainee Care Kit assembly at Orrville Mennonite Church, 1305 W. Market St., Orrville. A representative from Mennonite Central Committee will provide…
Developing leaders is a ‘Journey’
Ohio Conference is partnering with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) in Elkhart, Indiana, to provide a part-time long-distance leadership development program. Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program is a three-year certificate program designed for people exploring a call to ministry. The program is also for pastors and other congregational leaders who have already been called to serve but who lack…
Credentialed ministers to meet Sept. 12
Credentialed ministers in Ohio Conference will gather Thursday, Sept. 12, to continue their discussion and connect with one another. This meeting will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the library in Upper Sandusky. Everyone attending should plan to bring their own coffee (if needed) and lunch. Light refreshments will be provided. All credentialed leaders are asked to…
Regional pastor sought for western Ohio
Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA is seeking a part-time (50 percent) Regional Pastor for the western region of the state beginning in September. 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 consult: http://bit.ly/OCRegionalPastorWest.…
Cliff Brubaker to end his term as regional pastor on Sept. 13
It was with considerable sadness but also with a clear sense of direction that Cliff Brubaker recently submitted his notice of resignation from serving as a regional pastor of Ohio Conference, effective Sept. 13, 2019. In his notice Cliff shared, “I count it an honor to have served the Ohio Conference for these 3+ years. This stretch of time in…
Pine Grove’s closing service marks 70 years of ministry
By Dick Barrett Conference Minister On June 9 Pine Grove Mennonite Church, just outside of Stryker, Ohio, held its last worship service. It was a time of both grief and celebration. Many recent and former members shared memories of God’s faithfulness during the congregation’s 70 years of ministry in the community. Pastors Gary and Sandy Stuckey led the service with…
Conference begins 2019-20 with a deficit
Ohio Conference is beginning its 2019-20 fiscal year with a deficit, according to figures provided by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. Receipts for the month of April totaled just $13,253, including $12,305 in giving from congregations. Expenses for the month totaled $27,705, resulting in an operating balance of -$14,452 for the month. Even so, expenses were well below the amount budgeted…
Former OC missional consultant to develop new ministry program at Hesston
Hesston College has hired Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg, who formerly served on the pastoral team at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, as the director for a new ministry program that will begin in development stages this spring. The new ministry program will provide Anabaptist theology and nurture missional leadership for pastors and other church leaders in a distance-based format. It comes as…
Pastor-Spouse Retreat planned for Nov. 15-17
Ohio Conference will hold a Pastor-Spouse Retreat Nov. 15-17 at the Mills Park Hotel in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The theme of the retreat will be “Rest. Rejuvenate. Reconnect.” Because of the number of rooms available at this venue, the retreat is limited to the first 22 couples who register. For more information, please see the 2019 Pastor-Spouse Retreat brochure. To…
Pine Grove Mennonite Church to close June 9
Recently the Pine Grove congregation in Stryker, Ohio, discerned God’s will that it was time to close the church after 70 years of faithful ministry in its community. A final worship service marking the closing and celebrating God’s faithfulness over the 70 years will be held Sunday, June 9. Please keep the congregation and its pastors, Gary and Sandy Stuckey,…
Remembering Bob Sauder
It is with deep sadness that Ohio Conference of MC USA announces the sudden passing of its Conference moderator, Robert “Bob” Sauder, on Tuesday, April 9. Bob had served as Conference moderator for the past three years. Visitation and funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitation will be held Friday, April 12, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to…
Berlin to host Healthy Congregations Workshop
Berlin Mennonite Church will host a Healthy Congregations Workshop April 5-6. Bill Blank, associate director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, will lead the workshop. This workshop is designed for pastors, church staff, lay leaders and congregation members. Participants will learn how they can influence the health of their congregations, and how to detect and avoid unhealthy patterns of living…