News & Articles - Page 2 of 58 - Ohio Mennonite Conference

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…

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…

AMBS to launch Practical Leadership Training

In August, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) is launching a new Practical Leadership Training program to help pastors, lay leaders, community leaders and leaders of nonprofit organizations increase their capacity to provide effective Anabaptist leadership in a variety of settings. This program grew out of a listening process in which church leaders shared that they needed practical leadership skills to meet challenges resulting from the pandemic, polarization, shifting church…

ADN creates accessible baptism curriculum

Anabaptist Disabilities Network (ADN) has published Believing and Belonging: An Accessible Anabaptist Membership Curriculum for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. Written by ADN Executive Director Jeanne Davies, this curriculum fills the increasing need for curriculum written specifically for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. This curriculum has 36 lessons covering God’s first people, the story of Jesus, the story…

School Kit Challenge seeks 10,000 school kits in August

Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) School Kit Challenge has a goal to collect 10,000 school kits during the month of August. To hear from Mary, a school kit recipient from South Sudan, see the MCC video: https://bit.ly/2023SchoolKitChallenge. For more information, see https://mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.

MWC invites congregations to celebrate Peace Sunday 2023

Mennonite World Conference (MWC) invites your congregation to observe Peace Sunday on Sept. 17, 2023. The MWC Peace Commission has prepared Peace Sunday worship resources for congregations. These resources can be used on Sept. 17 or another Sunday which fits your congregation’s schedule. MWC Peace Sunday Worship Resources for 2023

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.

Delegate News – 7-25-23

Delegates are an important part of the discernment process As Ohio Conference works through its second year of the discernment process, delegates from congregations have an important role in the discernment. Ideally, each congregation’s delegates should be individuals who are able to participate in the entire discernment process, including the fall delegate meetings, winter delegate meetings, and Annual Conference Assembly…

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.

Delegate News – 7-14-23

Conference Minister Dick Barrett to retire in October Greetings Conference Pastors, Credential Ministers, Congregations and Delegates, It is with profound sadness that the Leadership Team of Ohio Conference of Mennonite Church USA received and accepted the official notification of retirement for Conference Minister Dick Barrett. Dick will officially retire from his Conference Minister role and all ministerial duties on Oct.…

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.

Register for Pastor-Spouse Retreat by Sept. 1

Pastors: Are you planning on attending 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. Registration is due by Sept. 1, 2023. For more information, see https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseBrochure. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseRetreat.

CommonWord offers resources for outdoor worship

Want to take your worship outside this summer? CommonWord has a curated collection of outdoor worship resources that you can use. Whether you’re in a forest, a field, or your backyard, these resources will help you find God in the world around you. Visit commonword.ca/go/3535 to see the collection.

Anabaptist World reports on MC USA delegate assembly

On July 7 Mennonite Church USA delegates narrowly rejected a recommendation to lengthen the delegate assembly cycle from two years to three. See the report from Anabaptist World for more details about the 2023 delegate assembly: https://bit.ly/DelegateAssembly2023Report.

Anabaptist World seeks submissions

Anabaptist World invites your original submissions for an upcoming issue focusing on the theme “resisting Christian nationalism.” Articles should be between 600 and 1,200 words. For more information about this theme, see https://bit.ly/AWResistingChristianNationalism. Submissions are due to editor@anabaptistworld.org no later than July 24, 2023.

Everence Blessing Booth

Everence in Northeast Ohio was privileged to partner with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale this year. The sale was held on July 7 and 8, 2023, at the Mt. Hope Event Center in Mt. Hope, Ohio. Everence staffed a Blessing Booth where attenders could donate directly to their favorite MCC project without having to bid or take…

MCC to offer immigration law training

Mennonite Central Committee is hosting an in-person Basic Immigration Law Training Sept. 11-15 in Akron, Pennsylvania. This 40-hour training will be conducted using the curriculum of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). This course will help to provide the necessary training component for individuals who wish to apply for accreditation from the Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ recognition and accreditation allows…

Giving to Conference drops during June

Giving to Ohio Conference dropped during June, according to figures provided by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. Receipts for the month of June totaled $13,531, including $12,377 in congregational giving. In contrast, receipts for May totaled $27,670, more than twice as much. Expenses for June totaled $24,472, resulting in a deficit of $10,941 for the month. As of the end of…

MC USA to continue abuse prevention work

ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Church USA) — Mennonite Church USA has named Nancy Kauffmann, former board president of Dove’s Nest and longtime Mennonite church leader, as the interim denominational minister of Church Safety for MC USA’s Church Vitality office, effective June 26, 2023. This new position was created so that the denomination could address the need for continued abuse education and…

Open Arms Board hires new executive director

The Open Arms Hispanic Ministry Board has hired a new executive director. Pablo Delgado will begin as executive director on Aug. 1. Over the past six months he has been serving Open Arms as a community outreach worker. To learn more about this new appointment, see the Open Arms website: https://bit.ly/OpenArmsExec.

God’s kingdom is bigger

By Kevin Himes In Acts 10, Peter had a dream — a weird dream. Foods that any God-fearing Jew knew to be unclean were no longer off limits. It’s like a vegetarian dreaming of bacon high fiving a cheeseburger while God says, “It’s okay to eat meat now!” Although it seemed ridiculous at the time, Peter’s dream ultimately paved the…

Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale gives globally while staying close to home

All over the world people are hurting. From war-torn Ukraine to providing clean water in the Congo, and even closer to home where families in Appalachian areas struggle to thrive, people are hurting. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) understands the plight many families face every day. MCC is making an impact and helping those in need with a focus on biblical…

New resources are available for leadership training and faith formation

By Ann Leaman Ohio Conference Resource Advocate In this column I would like to highlight two new sets of resources, one for leadership training and one for faith formation. Practical Leadership Training In August Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) is beginning a new program called Practical Leadership Training. This program is designed to equip not only pastors, but also lay…

Fund your local mission with a Ministry Grant

Do you have an idea for a ministry that could impact your community? Why not apply for a Ministry Grant? The Ohio Conference 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 in 2023. The deadline to submit a grant proposal is Friday, Aug. 4. The MDT…

MC USA Executive Board peace and justice ministries to include Mennonite Creation Care Network

ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Church USA) — Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) Executive Board is strengthening its ongoing commitment to creation care and climate justice by expanding its Peace & Justice ministries to include Mennonite Creation Care Network (MCCN). The transition is the result of a mutual agreement with Everence®, an agency of MC USA that has previously provided administrative services…

Five fall delegate meetings scheduled

Please note: The schedule has been updated. The Sept. 19 meeting will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church in West Liberty. Five fall delegate cluster meetings have been scheduled for Ohio Conference delegates to Annual Conference Assembly. Each meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. Locations are as follows: Sept. 19 — Bethel Mennonite Church, West…

MCC sets goal for School Kit Challenge

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is holding a School Kit Challenge this August. The challenge: Help 10,000 kids attend school by donating 10,000 school kits during the month of August. To assist in this challenge, MCC is offering a free school kit activity resource for Sunday school and vacation Bible school students. To learn more about the challenge or to order the school…