News & Stories
Conference minister search re-opens
In February the Leadership Team made the decision to hire a full-time conference minister, rather than seek someone to fill this important role part-time. This is possible because Ralph Reinford, regional pastor, will be moving to part-time hours by Nov. 1, 2018. The previous search committee has been recalled and reorganized, and the members of that committee have again begun…
Setting priorities for Ohio Conference
‘Gathered and Sent’ is theme of 2018 Assembly What valuable services does Conference provide to your congregation and pastor? What are the activities of Conference that you could do without? Delegates to the 2018 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) of the Ohio Conference discussed these questions when they met at Bluffton University March 9-10. Two hundred seven people participated in ACA,…
Missional conference focuses on evangelism and discipleship
Just prior to Annual Conference Assembly, the Ohio Conference held the Gathered and Sent Missional Conference at Bluffton University March 8-9. One hundred eight people from across the Conference participated in this event. During four sessions, speakers Meghan Good and Marvin Lorenzana challenged common assumptions about evangelism and discipleship. Meghan Good, the teaching pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale,…
Volunteers accept Conference positions
Members of Ohio Conference congregations who volunteer their time play a vital role in Conference life. Without the help of numerous volunteers, many of the programs and functions of the Ohio Conference could not take place. Much of the work of Ohio Conference is done by the Leadership Team, the Ministry Development Team, the Credentialing Ministry, the Stewardship Ministry and…
Resolution in appreciation of regional pastors
We the delegates of Ohio Mennonite Conference wish to convey our deepest respect and appreciation to Ralph Reinford and Cliff Brubaker for faithfully and gracefully carrying heavy responsibilities for the good of the Conference. We acknowledge that we have not always appreciated nor affirmed them nor recognized the burdens they have carried on our behalf. We pledge our continued prayers…
Full-time conference minister sought
By Bob Sauder Ohio Conference Moderator After many hours spent discussing the conference minister position and a very comprehensive search process, the Search Committee and the Leadership Team are in agreement that hiring someone at a half-time capacity is not a healthy thing for any candidate or the Conference at this time. We apologize to the Conference staff and to…
Video summary tells about Annual Conference Assembly
Want to know more about Ohio Conference’s 2018 Annual Conference Assembly? Take a look at this brief video summary!
Apply for Youth Venture by April 1
Calling everyone ages 15-22: Are you looking for a fun and meaningful way to serve this summer? There are a few spots left to join a 2018 Youth Venture team! See and join in the work God is doing in Ecuador, Peru, Spain, or Benin. Apply by April 1. Visit www.MennoniteMission.net/Serve to learn more, or contact John Murray at JohnM@MennoniteMission.net.
Laughter is Sacred Space coming to Springfield
Laughter is Sacred Space, performed by Ted and Co., is coming to Springfield, Ohio, on Friday, May 4, at 7p.m. at the John Legend Theater, 700 S. Limestone St., Springfield. The event is a collaborative effort of Southside Mennonite Church, Huber Mennonite Church and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) along with several mental healthcare resources. The Ohio Conference also has provided…
Shalom to host boundaries training April 21
Friday, April 6, is the registration deadline for the Healthy Boundaries training event at Shalom Counseling and Mediation Center in Archbold on April 21. Healthy Boundaries training is mandatory for continued credentialing in the Ohio Conference. The Ohio Conference Credentialing Ministry is encouraging each congregation to send a layperson to the training along with the pastor to share the experience.…
Stewardship Ministry seeks volunteers for study
The Ohio Conference Stewardship Ministry Team has spent some time recently brainstorming ways to save money for the Conference. One possible area of focus is the expenses of the Conference office located in Kidron. Consequently, the Stewardship Ministry would like to form a group to do a feasibility study. This group would review the current Conference office structure to see…
The Wheelhouse – A bicycle ministry in the city
“We don’t feel like we were particularly gifted to do this. Every time, though, we were worried about something — like where would we store the bikes, how would we learn how to fix bikes — every time we were worried about that, something came forward. An answer came from God.” — Ginny Cress, speaking about the Wheelhouse, a bicycle ministry…
Evangelism and discipleship – How are they related?
What’s the relationship between evangelism and discipleship? Ohio Conference Cast hosts Thomas Dunn and Bill Seymour discuss this question with Meghan Good and Marvin Lorenzana, the speakers at the Gathered and Sent Missional Conference at Bluffton University. https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/18_03_09_MissionalConf_Submitted.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Evangelism – Is Jesus Christ worth knowing for his own sake?
Ohio Conference Cast has come to Bluffton University! In this podcast episode, Ohio Conference Cast hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn discuss the Gathered and Sent Missional Conference with two conference participants, Sarah Geiser, and Robb Esh. On Thursday night, featured speaker Meghan Good, teaching pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Arizona, opened the missional conference by talking about…
Stories from Tanzania – seeking peace and dealing with difficult issues
“We have been praying for you [Mennonite Church USA],” says Bishop Amos Muhagachi, a leader in the Tanzanian Mennonite Church who is currently studying at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. In this episode of the Ohio Conference Cast, hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn talk with Bishop Amos Muhagachi about his experiences with seeking peace on the national level…
The Mennonite welcomes submissions for May issue
The Mennonite, Inc., welcomes your original submissions for the May 2018 print magazine issue and corresponding online content focusing on the theme Love Across Borders. Submissions are due to Editor@TheMennonite.org no later than March 19, 2018. For more details, see http://bit.ly/TheMennoniteMay2018.
Online course to focus on transforming conflict
Online short course: Transforming Congregational Conflict and Communication: April 11 – May 22. In this online Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary short course, Betty Pries will introduce Anabaptist conflict transformation techniques for leading in the midst of difference and disagreement — drawing from biblical, theological and practical sources. Cost is $200 before March 21, and $250 after. For details, see ambs.edu/shortcourses.
MHF offers grants for cross-cultural study to graduate students in health care
Graduate Students in Healthcare Professions: Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) offers educational grants for Anabaptist students to learn and serve in cross-cultural mission/service settings in developing countries. The application deadline for the 2018-19 academic year is May 15, 2018. For details and an application form, see http://mennohealth.org/SET/, email info@mennohealth.org, or call 1-888-406-3643. See the flier about this grant program for more…
Berlin Mennonite seeks music leader
Berlin Mennonite Church is looking for a music leader to lead congregational singing on Sunday mornings for worship. Applicants will be able to play an instrument, and are asked to lead congregational singing from songbooks and lead/accompany contemporary songs. Our church has several musicians who currently make up praise teams (pianists, guitar players, violin, percussion, singers). We are looking for…
Discovery: A Comic Lament is coming to Ohio
Ted & Co. is bringing its production titled Discovery: A Comic Lament to Ohio this weekend for two performances. Admission is free and open to the public at both performances. Lima Mennonite Church will host a performance of Discovery: A Comic Lament on Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m. Lima Mennonite Church is located at 1318 N. Main St., Lima.…
Delegate News – Winter 2018 #2
Service project to benefit trafficking victims We are looking forward to seeing you at Bluffton University next week for the Gathered and Sent Missional Conference March 8-9 and Annual Conference Assembly March 9-10. A reminder for all Annual Conference Assembly participants: This year for a service project, the Conference is collecting donations to benefit survivors of human trafficking through the…
Church planting and seeing the church differently
This episode of the Ohio Conference Cast features a conversation with Jason Rissler, a church planter from the Ohio Conference based in Strasburg, Ohio. Hosts Bill Seymour and Thomas Dunn discuss church planting with Jason, and they consider Jason’s question, “Can we give ourselves permission to see the church differently?” What if new churches don’t look like traditional congregations? https://media.blubrry.com/3716337/ohiomennoniteconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/18_02_14_JasonRisler_Submitted.mp3Podcast: Play…
Event focuses on ‘Reading the Bible with Jesus’
Updated March 26 Salem Mennonite Church in Kidron hosted a four-session Bible study on the book of Mark with Bryan Moyer Suderman, “Reading the Bible with Jesus,” Feb. 16-17. Fifty people participated. On Sunday, Feb. 18, Bryan Moyer Suderman visited Summit Mennonite Church in Barberton, taking part in the morning worship service and performing a community concert for all ages. An…
Glen Guyton to be next executive director of MC USA
The MC USA Executive Board has announced that Glen Guyton will serve as the new executive director of Mennonite Church USA. He will begin a three-year term on May 1, 2018. To learn more, see http://bit.ly/MCUSAGlenGuyton.
Kidron Mennonite to host ‘Growing Young’ seminar
Kidron Mennonite Church is sponsoring a “Growing Young” seminar on Saturday, April 14, from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. This seminar will focus on making young people a priority in your church. Speaker Dr. David “Duffy” Robbins, professor of youth ministry at Eastern University, will share about Keychain Leadership, empathy, taking Jesus’ messages seriously, and creating a warm community that…
Peacebuilding institute adds shorter courses
The Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has recently added a series of three-day workshops on June 18-20, 2018. These shorter workshops are designed for individuals who want to come for trainings but are unable to take a week or more away from home or work. See the latest SPI newsletter for details: http://bit.ly/SPI-Newsletter.
Healthcare students invited to submit essays
Healthcare Student Essay Project: Anabaptist students in all healthcare disciplines are eligible to submit an essay in connection with the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) Annual Gathering 2018, June 22-24, 2018, at Bluffton University. Share your perspective on the theme “Stories of Healing.” This contest is open to those currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, professional, residency, fellowship, or internship program…
Giving is stronger during January
Ohio Conference experienced stronger-than-normal giving during January, according to figures provided by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. Total receipts for the month were $58,189, including $48,544 in giving from congregations. (Congregational giving also was strong in December, totaling $43,591.) January’s receipts from congregations were the highest monthly total since December 2015, when congregations gave $60,121. Expenses for January totaled $28,146, resulting…
Leadership Team reports on search process
After many hours spent discussing the conference minister position and a very comprehensive search process, the Search Committee and the Leadership Team are in agreement that hiring someone at a half-time capacity is not a healthy thing for any candidate or the Conference at this time. We apologize to the Conference staff and to those of you who have counseled…
21st Century Discipleship and the Parable of the Sower: A Contemporary Rendition
By Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg A farmer knew that he was supposed to go out and sow some seeds. The seed was to bear much fruit and nourish and give life to the nations, abundant life. But the farmer didn’t want to get his shoes dirty. So he gathered little packets of seed samples with a set of instructions and hung them…