News & Stories
Soccer camp builds connections
By Dave Maurer Pastor, Bethel Mennonite During the evenings of July 27-30, 2015, Bethel Mennonite Church in West Liberty, Ohio, hosted its fifth annual soccer camp for the community. The camp, which took place from 6 to 8 p.m. each day, was done in partnership with the West Liberty Soccer Association, which helped the congregation get the word out about…
The need for radical self-honesty
During a pastors’ event with teaching by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove the topic of truth was raised. A paraphrase of his response might run something like this: “A deep need exists in the church today for radical self-honesty. So often in the church today when we speak to one another what we say is not exactly lies, but often something other than…
Ministry Development Team awards grants
The Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) has awarded 11 grants totaling $23,242.50 to Ohio Conference congregations and Conference-related groups. The MDT approved the grants at its Aug. 31 meeting in Upper Sandusky. Funding for these grants comes from surplus funds that had accumulated during years in which the Conference ended its fiscal year with a surplus. Grants will provide…
How We Worship – FMC
On Sunday, August 23, Friendship Mennonite Church in Bedford Heights, Ohio, celebrated a “World Conference Sunday” during our worship service. Several of our church members and attenders were able to attend the July 2015 Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and were eagerly anticipating the chance to share these experiences with the congregation. The worship service had several elements: an…
A good beginning
A good beginning — As the very recently hired Transitional Conference Leader for Ohio Conference, I find myself amid a flurry of activity and a considerable range of complexities! And yet I can say without reservation that for me this has been a good beginning! I have already begun to sense how much graciousness and warmth will characterize my relationships…
Fall 2015 Delegate News
Ohio Conference pastors meet for trust building, make recommendations Pastors representing 53 churches in the Ohio Conference met at Bellville, Ohio, to discuss their future recommendations relative to the relationship of the Ohio Mennonite Conference and Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Pastors were divided into table groups with table leaders who used a modified Circle Process. The Leadership Team facilitated the meeting…
Pastors meet for trust building, give recommendations
Pastors representing 53 churches in the Ohio Conference met at Bellville, Ohio, to discuss their future recommendations relative to the relationship of the Ohio Mennonite Conference and Mennonite Church USA (MC USA). Pastors were divided into table groups with table leaders who used a modified Circle Process. The Leadership Team facilitated the meeting in a process of trust building, listening and direction…
My Trip to a Farm
Girl Talk is a ministry of Friendship Mennonite Church in Bedford Heights, Ohio for girls ages 9 to 13. The majority of the girls who attend are from Bedford Heights Daycare, a 35 year old community daycare that rents space from the church. Pastor Nan Kanagy leads the group. My name is Michelle and I am here…
Transitional Conference Leader hired
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team interviewed potential candidates for the Transitional Conference Leader position on Aug. 7 and have hired George O’Reilly. George is currently ending a transitional pastorate at First Mennonite Church in Canton and will start full time with Ohio Conference on Sept. 1. George’s primary role will be to help the Leadership Team in listening, trust building…
Words from Tom 8-12-15
As I bring my work in Ohio Conference to a close, I am in a reflective mood. I did not aspire to the conference minister role. I was attracted to and invigorated by the regional pastor assignment. After 18 years of congregational ministry, I had a clear idea of what kind of pastoral resourcing I would have liked to have…
Leadership Team interviews candidates
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team met Friday, Aug. 7, and interviewed two candidates for the position of transitional Conference Leader. The Leadership Team is now checking references and will have a conference call on Aug. 12. The staff and Leadership Team will meet for a farewell meal with Conference Minister Tom Kauffman and Regional Pastor Wanda Stopher on Aug. 17. Regional Pastor Ralph Reinford, Thomas Dunn,…
Celebrating 50 years of raising funds for MCC
The annual Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale was held July 31-Aug. 1 at the Buckeye Event Center in Dalton, Ohio. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this fundraising sale for Mennonite Central Committee, everyone in attendance on Saturday was invited to have a free piece of cake. Fundraising results from the weekend sale will be posted on the Ohio Mennonite…
3 Things I Loved About MWC
by Dan King Pastor, Beech Mennonite Church Thanks to my church Beech for allowing me (and 14 others) to attend the unforgettable MWC in PA. Here were my top 3 things I loved most about MWC. The worship. Singing praises to God in many languages, in an arena with 7,000 plus, gave us a very real foretaste of John’s vision…
Mennonite World Conference Concludes in Harrisburg, Pa.
Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania came to a close on Sunday, July 26. Many who attended reported hope and appreciation for seeing and hearing stories of God’s faithfulness from around the globe.
Don’t miss the 2015 Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale
The annual Ohio Relief Sale takes place the first Friday and Saturday of August every year. This year the sale begins Friday, July 31. At 4 p.m. Friday food is available and the booths are open; the evening program begins at 6:30 p.m. Then at 7 a.m. Saturday, breakfast is served. The 5K Run and Walk start at 8 a.m.…
Ohio Mennonite Conference unveils new website
Ohio Mennonite Conference unveiled a new website on Friday. The Conference enlisted the help of web designer/developer Greg Yoder and has been working with him over the past few months to give the website a much-needed update. The goal of the redesign is to provide an easier and more intuitive way to access news and information from around the Conference,…
Summer 2015 Delegate News #2
Conference minister accepts call to N.M. Conference Minister Tom Kauffman has accepted a call to a new pastoral position in Albuquerque, N.M. An excerpt of his letter to the Ohio Conference Leadership Team and staff giving details about this call is included below: I want to thank the Leadership Team for giving me flexibility in determining when my conclusion of…
Location chosen for 2016 ACA
Central Mennonite Church in Archbold will host the 2016 Annual Conference Assembly March 11-12.
Summer 2015 Delegate News
Leadership Team to seek transitional conference leader A message for delegates from the Ohio Conference Leadership Team: The Leadership Team received the following in a letter from Wanda Stopher, regional pastor, on June 21, 2015: “I have been invited and accepted a call to candidate at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton, Ohio, for the role of Lead Pastor on June…
Spring 2015 Delegate News
Leadership Team announces plans The Ohio Conference Leadership Team would like to keep Ohio Conference delegates informed about several developments. Please see the following announcements for details: Five-Year Plan Review The Ohio Conference Leadership Team has appointed a four-person team to review the Five-Year Plan*. This team is comprised of Doug Zehr, lead pastor of Oak Grove Mennonite Church in…
Spring and Summer Delegate News issues are available
The Spring 2015 and Summer 2015 issues of Delegate News are now available. Both issues include information from the Ohio Conference Leadership Team: Spring 2015 Delegate News Summer 2015 Delegate News
Tom Kauffman accepts call from N.M. congregation
Conference Minister Tom Kauffman has accepted a call to a new pastoral position in Albuquerque, N.M. He will be serving as transitional pastor for the Albuquerque Mennonite Church, starting during the month of September 2015. He will conclude his work as conference minister for the Ohio Conference on Aug. 31, 2015. The following is an excerpt from Tom Kauffman’s letter…
All-Ohio Conference Pastors’ Meeting set for Sept. 2
The All-Ohio Conference Pastors’ Meeting will take place Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center, 1000 Comfort Plaza Drive, Bellville, Ohio, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The purpose of this meeting will be for listening, trust building and direction setting for our conference. The Leadership Team will send out the agenda and questions for the meeting…
Sisters to share at OMW Retreat
“Where’s the Pause Button? Making Space for God in Every- day Life” will be the theme of the Ohio Mennonite Women’s Retreat Sept. 18-20 at Camp Luz in Kidron. In our busy lives, sometimes finding time to connect with God can feel like just one more thing on a long “to do” list. And when we do carve out some…
New pastors learn about Conference
Five of the new pastors serving Ohio Conference congregations, along with their spouses, took part in the New Pastor Orientation June 7-8. Sixteen new pastors and their spouses were invited, but only five couples were able to participate. The two-day orientation began with an overnight stay at the Comfort Inn in Berlin. Following breakfast the next morning, Regional Pastor Ralph…
Leadership Team plans for transition
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is making plans for a transition in Conference staffing. On June 21 Regional Pastor Wanda Stopher informed the Leadership Team that she is a candidate for the role of lead pastor of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton. She anticipates ending her work with Ohio Conference effective Aug. 31, 2015. In recognition of Wanda’s resignation and…
Aug. 17 deadline for Ministry Grants
Is your congregation looking for ways to fund a ministry that impacts your community? Aug. 17 is the deadline to submit a grant proposal to the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT). For the fourth year in a row, the MDT is accepting proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and mission initiatives. This year the MDT has…
Transitional Leader Search
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team will be accepting applications until Aug. 1 for the position of transitional conference leader. Please see the job description (PDF) for details. If you have interest in this position, please submit your name to the Ohio Conference Office using the form below. If you are applying and your MLI (Ministerial Leadership Information form) is not…
Flat Menno goes to Bible School at Inlet Mennonite Church
Flat Menno recently spent time visiting Inlet Mennonite Church in Wauseon. He especially enjoyed participating in Bible School. While at Inlet, Flat Menno also helped with a work project. Flat Menno also spent time visiting with people at Inlet.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be…