News & Stories
MMN to hold Sent 2019 in Colorado
Mennonite Mission Network will hold its Sent Conference 2019 on April 26-28 in Denver, Colorado. The theme for this year is “Beautiful Feet: Hearing Christ’s call to proclaim the good news.” This event will be hosted by Beloved Community Mennonite Church and Mountain States Mennonite Conference. The Sent conference is an event that Mennonite Mission Network organizes every year to…
MC USA video series looks at leadership, structure
Mennonite Church USA has recently posted three presentations on YouTube addressing the denomination’s leadership, structure and polity. These presentations are from the Constituency Leaders Council (CLC) meeting which took place on Oct. 11-13, 2018, in Chicago. The three presenters are Michael Danner, associate executive director for church vitality and engagement; David Boshart, moderator; and Joy Sutter, moderator-elect. Use the links below…
Deficit is erased during January
Giving to the Ohio Conference was strong for the second month in a row during January, resulting in a positive operating balance for the first time during this fiscal year. According to figures supplied by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth, receipts for the month totaled $54,545, including $42,925 from congregations and $11,573 from individuals. That total for the month was somewhat…
Registration deadline for ACA is Feb. 15
The deadline to register for Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) is approaching quickly. Have you registered yet? ACA will take place March 8-9 at Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron, and the 2019 Missional Conference will take place immediately prior to ACA on March 7-8, also at Salem Mennonite. Registrations for ACA and the 2019 Missional Conference are both due Feb. 15.…
Everence to hold development conference
Save the date: The 2019 Everence Development Conference will take place Oct. 8-10, 2019, at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This conference is a biennial event designed to equip fundraisers, development professionals, leaders and board members with the tools they need to fund and care for their organization’s mission and vision.
Ted & Co. show to raise funds for MDS
Ted & Co. TheaterWorks will be performing at South Union Mennonite Church on March 30 at 7 p.m. The show, The Jesus Stories: Faith, Folks and Fettuccine, written by Ted Swartz and starring Ted and Jeff Raught, will be interspersed with a themed auction of baked goods. The show is free, but the money raised from the auction will be…
NW Ohio cluster meeting postponed
Due to the weather forecast, the cluster meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Central Mennonite has been postponed until Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 p.m. The location will be the same. Please spread the word!
MMN offers free Scripture graphics
Are you looking for Scripture-related art that you can use in your office, youth room or classroom? Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) offers a wide selection of Scripture graphics on its website which you can download for free: http://bit.ly/MMNScriptureGraphics. You can browse the entire collection or narrow your search by focusing on a specific book of the Bible. A sample graphic…
A new chapter of ministry begins
By Dick Barrett Conference Minister On Dec. 31 I completed my time as one of the pastors of Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty (four years as associate pastor and 12 years as lead pastor). There was much sadness and grief on my part in the ending. On Jan. 2 I began full-time as conference minister for the Ohio…
Journey transforms learners and leaders
By Ben Parker Sutter and Annette Brill Bergstresser ELKHART, Indiana (Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) — Dennis Miller of Goshen, Indiana, was in his late 50s when he realized it was time for him to explore other vocational possibilities. “I’ve been in construction my entire working life,” he said. “Working in the church is something I always thought about but at the same…
Immigration — Welcoming the Stranger, Part II
In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Thomas Dunn and Bill Seymour talk about immigration with two members of the Ohio Conference Immigration Resource Team, Hannah Troyer of Summit Mennonite Church; and Kelsey Troyer of Oak Grove Mennonite Church in Smithville. Bill and Thomas talk with Hannah and Kelsey about how the resource team worked to develop…
Missional conference to explore the role of established congregations
Ohio Conference will hold a missional conference March 7-8 at Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron, immediately prior to the 2019 Annual Conference Assembly. The theme of the missional conference will be “From Jerusalem to Antioch: Legacy Churches Anchoring Missional Communities,” based on Acts 11:19-30. Presenters will be Sally Schreiner Youngquist, one of the founding pastors of Living Water Community Church in Chicago,…
Salem Mennonite in Kidron to host ACA
Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron will host the 2019 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) of the Ohio Conference March 8-9. The theme of this year’s gathering will be “From Jerusalem to Antioch: Legacy Churches Anchoring Missional Communities,” based on Acts 11: 19-30. Ohio Conference also will hold a missional conference at Salem Mennonite in Kidron immediately prior to ACA, on March…
Salem congregation moves into new building
Two and a half years after breaking ground for a new church building, the Salem Mennonite Church congregation in Waldron, Michigan, has begun worshipping in its new facility. The first worship service in the new building took place on Sunday, Dec. 9. On that day, the congregation met in the lobby of the old church building and marched out together,…
MC USA News Service features Ohio Conference
A new feature article from the Mennonite Church USA News Service looks at the recent history of the Ohio Conference and explores the renewed sense of hopefulness in the Conference. You can find this article at http://bit.ly/OhioConferenceHopefulness.
Everence program benefits Ohio Conference
In January the Ohio Conference received a check for $747.24 from Everence Federal Credit Union as part of its MyNeighbor credit card program. With the MyNeighbor program, individuals and businesses generate reward dollars for their favorite nonprofits 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…
Credentialed ministers’ meeting set for Feb. 12
Credentialed ministers in Ohio Conference will gather again Tuesday, Feb. 12, to continue their discussion and connect with one another before Annual Conference Assembly in March. This meeting will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library in Upper Sandusky. Everyone attending should plan to bring their coffee (if needed) and lunch. Light refreshments will be provided.…
MHF offers grants for grad students
Graduate Students in Healthcare Professions: Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) offers educational grants for Anabaptist students to learn and serve in cross-cultural mission or service settings in developing countries. Deadline for the 2019-20 academic year is May 15, 2019. For details and application form, see www.mennohealth.org/student_term, email info@mennohealth.org, or call 1-888-406-3643. To download a flier with information about this program, go…
Summer service program has openings
Calling everyone ages 15-22: Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to serve this summer? There are spots left to join a 2019 Youth Venture team! See and join in the work God is doing in Indonesia, Peru, Japan, or Benin. Visit www.MennoniteMission.net/SERVE to learn more, or contact Lauren Eash Hershberger at LaurenEH@MennoniteMission.net.
The Mennonite seeks submissions about Lent
The Mennonite Inc. invites your original submissions for the March 2019 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on the theme “Lent: Repentance and Transcendence.” Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than Feb. 1. For more details, please see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteMarch2019.
Open Arms plans fundraiser for March 12
Open Arms Hispanic Ministry is hosting TACO TUESDAY, a fundraising banquet on March 12, at the Kidron Park Community Center. The meal will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature a catered taco bar. A program of Open Arms ministry highlights will follow. A freewill offering will be taken. RSVP by March 8 to OAHM.rsvpify.com to reserve your place for…
Mediation training to be held in Michigan
Utica United Methodist Church in Sterling Heights, Michigan, will host a Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders May 13-17, 2019. This training is led by staff from the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. Acquire contact hours for Continuing Education credits, enjoy fellowship with like-minded church leaders, and rejuvenate your ministry, all at the same time! For more information, see the…
Delegate News — Winter 2019 #2
A reminder: Four cluster meetings planned Ohio Conference will hold four winter cluster meetings for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly. Each meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last for about 90 minutes. The following meetings are planned: Jan. 22 — Beech Mennonite Church in Louisville Jan. 24 — Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty Jan. 29 — Central Mennonite Church in…
Delegate News — Winter 2019
Four winter cluster meetings planned Ohio Conference will hold four winter cluster meetings for delegates to Annual Conference Assembly. Each meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last for about 90 minutes. The following meetings are planned: Jan. 22 — Beech Mennonite Church in Louisville Jan. 24 — Oak Grove Mennonite Church in West Liberty Jan. 29 — Central Mennonite Church in Archbold…
Take a look at MWC year in review
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) invites you to share its 2018 year in review video with your congregation. Watch it to learn how the people of MWC worked together for peace and justice in the power of the Holy Spirit during 2018: http://bit.ly/MWC2018YearInReview. This video is just slightly under 4 minutes in length.
MennoCon19 early registration opens in February
Early registration for MennoCon19 opens on Feb. 6, 2019. Visit convention.mennoniteusa.org/registration now to find rates, forms and additional information. MennoCon19 will take place July 2-6, 2019, at the Kansas City (Missouri)Convention Center.
OHuddle mentoring program supports immigrants
Do you want to support local immigrants? Become a mentor! Open Arms Hispanic Ministry and the OHuddle mentoring program are joining forces to support students at Orrville City Schools. Learn more at ohuddle.org.
Author to speak at Bluffton Student Life Forum
BLUFFTON, Ohio — Spiritual writer Christiana Peterson will present “Searching for Koinonia: In Community with Mystics and Misfits,” at 11 a.m. on Jan. 15 in Yoder Recital Hall at Bluffton University. A blogger and author, Peterson will share her experience of living in a Mennonite intentional community and being drawn to mystics such as St. Francis, Dorothy Day and Clare…
Register now for ACA, missional conference
Online registration is open for the 2019 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA). Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron will host ACA March 8-9. For more information about ACA, see the Ohio Conference website: http://bit.ly/2019ACAInfo. To register online, go to http://bit.ly/2019ACA. Register for ACA by Feb. 15. Register Now for ACA Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron also will host a missional conference featuring…
Giving increases during December
Giving to Ohio Conference increased greatly during December, according to figures provided by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. In fact, the amount received in December was more than double the amount received in any other month of the current fiscal year. (See the chart below for details.) Receipts for December totaled $60,171. Of that amount, $41,174 came from congregational giving. During…