News & Stories
Methodist Covenant Prayer
I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things,…
Call to Prayer and Fasting
OC Ministry Development Team (Dana Short, Prayer Coordinator) May 3, 2014 This is a call for Ohio Conference congregations to engage in a three day fast between now and the August 9th special delegate session. At this session, delegates will discern OC’s response to the Concerned Pastors’ Letter and Resolution in response to Mountain States decision to license a…
Mentoring in the Bible
Type in the word “mentor” in a word search on Bible Gateway…and you get 0 Results! Type in the word “mentee” in a word search on Bible Gateway…and you get 0 Results! You get the same results when you enter “mentored” or “mentoring!” But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing in the Bible on the subject! Consider this list of the…
How We Use Our Child Protection Policy
By Kris Nussbaum Kidron Mennonite Church Minister of Christian Education A child protection and abuse response policy benefits everyone in our congregation. Not only does it work to create a safe environment for children, but it also protects volunteers from the appearance of wrong doing and the church from potential accusations. Our entire child protection and abuse response policy fits…
Words From Tom 6-3-15
I have often been intrigued by “liminality.” To be in transition is to be in an in-between place – neither here nor there. Anthropologists and theologians call this ‘liminal’ space. Since announcing that this is my last year as conference minister, I have entered that liminal space, the transition from this work and set of relationships to another that is…
2015 ACA Sermon by Rick Stoner
Saturday, March 14, 2015 ACA Message: “Burning with Love” Romans 12:9-13 Tangle Leaves Paralyzed Fear is a funny thing, isn’t it. In our fear we can do some wild and irrational things. However, we know that if we name our fears then we can have power over our fears and they will not control us. So, I have a confession…
2015 ACA Sermon by Larry Augsburger
Faith Rolling Up Its Sleeves Romans 12:9-13 March 13, 2015, Ohio Conference ACA I. Okay, so there are 452 words in Romans 12 and 64 words in vv. 9-13, but six of us preachers are supposed to speak on only two of them…..? A.I’m sure glad I get to go first. B.Now the two words we six preachers were encouraged…
MDT to accept proposals for grants
For the fourth year in a row, the Ohio Conference Ministry Development Team (MDT) is accepting grant proposals from Conference congregations and related organizations for projects and mission initiatives. In its decision-making process, the MDT will give priority to projects that are new initiatives or projects that could not be carried out without the grant funding. Please note that this…
Apply now for LEAD3D
Time is running out to apply for LEAD3D, the youth leadership development program offered by the Ohio Conference. Applications are due by May 29. High school juniors and seniors from Ohio Conference congregations are eligible for this program, which includes two retreat weekends, as well as work with an adult mentor. Each participant will choose a leadership project to complete.…
Tom Kauffman to conclude his work with Conference
Conference Minister Tom Kauffman has informed the Ohio Conference Leadership Team that 2015-16 will be his last year with the Conference. He and the Leadership Team have not yet determined the exact ending date for his work with the Ohio Conference. Tom shares his reflections about this decision in his “Conference Minister Musings” column in the May-June issue of Ohio…
Flat Menno visits Tedrow Mennonite
Flat Menno enjoyed spending some time with the Tedrow Mennonite Church Family recently. Flat Menno enjoyed celebrating at Brandon (holding Flat Menno) and Evan’s birthday party at MYF one night. He sneaked into the church office to have some fun as he copied himself on the copy machine. Flat Menno enjoyed playing games and visiting with some of the older…
New Pastor Orientation is June 7-8
Ohio Conference will hold a New Pastor Orientation June 7-8. Pastors who plan to attend should contact Judy King at ohmc@zoominternet.net or (330) 857-5421 no later than May 15.
Conference ends 2014-15 with a deficit
Ohio Conference ended its 2014-15 fiscal year March 31 with an operating balance of -$60,987. Receipts for the month of March totaled $22,741, while expenses for the month were $45,424. Total receipts for 2014-15 were $425,337, a decrease from the $479,079 received in 2013-14. Total expenses for the year were $486,323, which is less than the amount of spending called…
Ervin Stutzman to meet with delegates in Ohio
Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, will hold two meetings in Ohio during June for delegates to KC 2015, the denominational assembly in Kansas City. Delegates and all others who are interested are invited to attend. The meetings will take place Wednesday, June 3, at Salem Mennonite Church in Elida, and Thursday, June 4, at the Kidron Mennonite…
Good Shepherd Mennonite hosts Flat Menno
Flat Menno recently spent time at Good Shepherd Mennonite Church in Archbold. Flat Menno was introduced to the congregation, and they were exited to hear how he has been visiting different Mennonite churches and has been impressed with what he has witnessed. Praise the Lord! Earlier, before Flat Menno’s visit, the church hosted a women’s gathering on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. They had…
Pastor-elder retreats planned for 2016
Coming in 2016: Ohio Conference is planning pastor-elder retreats in February 2016. Pastor-elder teams will be able to attend the two-day retreat either Feb. 5-6 at Widewater Retreat Center in Liberty Center or Feb. 19-20 at a location in eastern Ohio.
MCC Great Lakes gathering is May 1
Invitation from Mennonite Central Committee: Join us for the 2015 Celebrate MCC Great Lakes Annual Gathering on Friday, May 1, at Zion Mennonite Church (300 Short Buehrer Road in Archbold). Worship and fellowship with other MCC supporters, and hear updates on MCC’s work both locally and around the world. Special guest speakers Deb and Jim Fine, recently returned MCC service…
Workshops for youth leaders have begun
Dr. Randy Keeler has begun holding workshops for youth leaders in various locations around the Conference. The following workshops remain: April 19 — Oak Grove Mennonite in West Liberty April 26 — Central Mennonite in Archbold May 16 — Midway Mennonite in Columbiana May 17 — Berlin Mennonite Each workshop will begin at 2 p.m. and last about two hours. If you plan to attend…
Mentor-Mentee Retreat planned in Mansfield
Ohio Conference will hold a Mentor-Mentee Retreat for Pastors May 19 at Camp Mowana in Mansfield. Terry Shue of Mennonite Church USA will be the input speaker. All retreat participants must turn in a completed Individual Information Form. If you plan to attend, please contact Judy King at ohmc@zoominternet.net or (330) 857-5421 as soon as possible. Registrations are due no…
Leadership Experience Benefits Mission
By Anita Shetler Ask any leader in the church or business world and they will likely tell you that leadership skills did not necessarily come easily or naturally for them. A case in point is Berlin Mennonite Church member and local businessman, Jeremy Kauffman, the Executive Director of Walnut Hills Nursing Facilities. He said, “At an early age, I was…
Words from Tom 3-31-15
My daily devotional readings are guided by the Upper Room devotional called A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God. As it prepares us for Holy Week in anticipation of Easter Sunday, the authors provide a brief commentary on the season of Easter. In churches that observe the liturgical church calendar, Easter is not merely one day, but…
Flat Menno visits Pine Grove Mennonite
Is there anyone more fortunate than Flat Menno? Recently when Flat Menno traveled up to the northwest corner of Ohio to visit Pine Grove Mennonite Church in Stryker, he discovered he had the opportunity to visit not one but two congregations! Flat Menno just happened to be present on the very day that Pine Grove Mennonite and Good Shepherd Mennonite…
Sharon Mennonite welcomes Flat Menno
Flat Menno received a warm welcome when he visited Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City. He participated in service projects, enjoyed meeting the youth and even assisted the pastor in sermon preparation! Flat Menno joined the youth group in making “yarn” out of plastic bags that will be crocheted into sleeping mats for the homeless. Flat Menno helped to…
Words from Tom 3-4-15
Because we had to make a last-minute change of plans for the pastors’ day meeting last month, all the pastors learned of my wife’s pending surgery to remove her thyroid, which was cancerous. This precipitated a great deal of prayer for which my wife and I were profoundly grateful. As the surgery approached, I was informed many times that we…
Flat Menno meets children and youth at Lockport
While at Lockport Mennonite Church in Stryker, Ohio, Flat Menno had the chance to meet with some of the children and youth of the congregation. During Lent, Lockport is using worship materials based on the magazine Leader, following the theme “Upside Down and Inside Out.” Each week during children’s time, the children are invited to learn more about different ways…
North Lima Mennonite welcomes Flat Menno
Despite the cold February weather, Flat Menno found a warm welcome at North Lima Mennonite Church in Columbiana County. He spent some time participating in congregational life. While at North Lima, Flat Menno helps prepare Valentine boxes for college students. Flat Menno helps to get things ready for the monthly breakfast buffet. Flat Menno joins Pastor Bob Wengerd at…
Zion Mennonite hosts Flat Menno
Flat Menno traveled to Archbold to spend some time with the members of Zion Mennonite Church. He found a warm welcome there. Flat Menno was able to meet participants in Zion Mennonite’s LOGOS children’s program. LOGOS is an intergenerational program dedicated to the breaking of bread, bible study, fun, and worship. It is enjoyed by children from throughout the community.…
Flat Menno Visits LifeBridge North in Strasburg
Flat Menno recently traveled to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and spent time in Strasburg, getting to know the LifeBridge North congregation. Flat Menno joins a Wednesday night community Bible Study that is led by LifeBridge North’s Mike Mast. One of the younger members of LifeBridge North says “hi” to Flat Menno. Flat Menno joins pastor Jason Rissler making espresso at…
Words from Tom 2-6-15
Once again I have been reminded that our context plays an important role in how we hear and understand the biblical stories. People who have been marginalized read biblical stories differently than people who have been a part of the dominant culture. This is a point made by Lloyd Pietersen in his book Reading the Bible After Christendom. The example…
Flat Menno enjoys movie at Pleasant View
Flat Menno has been spotted again! This time he was seen visiting Pleasant View Mennonite Church in North Lawrence. The congregation recently showed the movie God’s Not Dead as a free event for the community. In the picture above, Flat Menno is welcoming all for food, fellowship and a great movie. If your congregation would like to host Flat Menno,…