News & Stories
CommonWord offers resources for World Communion Sunday
CommonWord, a collaboration of Mennonite Church Canada and Canadian Mennonite University, has curated a collection of resources for World Communion Sunday, which is traditionally observed on the first Sunday in October. To see these resources, go to https://bit.ly/WorldCommunion.
Retreat about climate designed for pastors, leaders
Anabaptist Climate Collective (ACC) is partnering with several other organizations to sponsor an ecumenical retreat on climate change for pastors and congregational leaders in Ohio and Kentucky. The theme will be “Pastoral Influence in a Climate Changed World.” This retreat will take place Oct. 16-18 at Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. Applications are due Sept. 24. ACC is working…
MMN seeks regional director for Africa and Europe
Mennonite Mission Network is hiring a Regional Director of Africa and Europe. This staff member will oversee the logistics involved in long-term service work in Africa and Europe. The regional director will foster collaboration, implement strategies, and innovate for partnership, as well as represent Mennonite Mission Network around the world. For more information or to apply, see www.MennoniteMission.net/about/Employment. If you…
Leadership Team appoints interim pastoral staff
The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is pleased to announce the appointment of an interim conference minister and a half-time interim regional pastor for the eastern portion of the Conference. The Leadership Team has appointed Dan Miller to serve as full-time interim conference minister for 12 months, beginning Dec. 1, 2023. Dan has enjoyed various roles over the years, at congregational…
2024 ACA theme and speaker announced
Sharon Mennonite Church in Plain City will host the 2024 Annual Conference Assembly (ACA) March 1-2, 2024. The theme of the 2024 ACA will be “Following Jesus Together with a Common Mission,” based on Philippians 2:5-11. The gathering will include input from Meghan Larissa Good, who will be presenting on her soon-to-be published book Divine Gravity: Sparking a Movement to…
EMS to offer seminar on family systems Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is offering continuing education options for pastors and Christian educators. Beginning in October, the seminary is offering an online continuing studies seminar in Bowen Family Systems Theory. This seminar is intended for those with some acquaintance with Bowen Theory and who welcome the opportunity to deepen their…
Transition to Leadership is for new pastors
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary is offering a Transition to Leadership program. This two-year program guides and nurtures new pastors during the crucial first years of ministry through one-on-one mentoring, biannual learning events, and specialized coaching sessions throughout the year. The Fall 2023 cohort starts Nov. 9; apply by Oct. 9. See https://www.ambs.edu/transition-to-leadership for details.
AMBS to offer Ministry Integrity Circles
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) is offering Ministry Integrity Circles. Pastors, do you need help with ministry transitions or significant challenges? The seminary’s Ministry Integrity Circles program provides the support of consultants within a community of peers. Two cohorts will begin this fall: one will be meeting once in person Sept. 25-26 and then three more times on Zoom. Another…
Delegate lists requested
A note for congregational administrators and pastors: Please send your delegate lists to Judy King at the Ohio Conference office (ohmc@zoominternet.net) soon. The first fall cluster meeting for delegates is Sept. 19. Ohio Conference leadership is hoping that once delegates have been chosen, those same delegates will remain engaged in the work of reviewing Conference structure throughout the fall and winter…
Sept. 1 is registration deadline for Pastor-Spouse Retreat
Last call for registrations: Sept. 1, 2023, is the registration deadline for 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. For more information, see https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseBrochure. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseRetreat.
Deficit increases during July
Ohio Conference’s year-to-date deficit increased during July, according to figures provided by Financial Coordinator Stan Helmuth. However, giving to the Conference was higher in July than in the previous month. Receipts during the month of July totaled $24,297, compared with just $13,531 in June. Even so, expenses for July were greater than receipts, resulting in a deficit of $3,529 for…
Pastors meet for discussion and discernment
On Aug. 16 Ohio Conference hosted its annual all pastors gathering at the Upper Sandusky Community Library. There were 32 credentialed ministers in attendance, representing 24 of our congregations. The day was facilitated by our process consultant, Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi of Design Group International. Jeanne’s focus was on helping the pastors discern God’s future vision for Ohio Conference and…
MCC Seek program is for young adults
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is accepting applications for Seek, its newest young adult program for 18- to 20-year-olds who want to do six months of service, discipleship training and cross-cultural sharing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Starting in January 2024, Seek participants from around the world will stay in the Southeast Asian country, considering together what it means to live, love…
Series to explore generosity and stewardship
Starting this month MennoMedia is offering three online sessions focused on generosity and stewardship, featuring input from consultants at Everence. Beginning Thursday, Aug. 17, the monthly sessions will unpack the “why” behind our giving and provide input on specific charitable tools that you can use to support the causes and organizations that are important to you. All sessions begin at…
Register now for Pastor-Spouse Retreat
Sept. 1, 2023, is the registration deadline for 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. For more information, see https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseBrochure. To register, go to https://bit.ly/2023Pastor-SpouseRetreat.
MCC canning planned for Oct. 13, 14 and 16
MCC Canning for Relief will take place Oct. 13, 14 and 16 at the Gerber Building, located behind Central Christian School in Kidron. The plan is to can 30,000 pounds of boneless cooked turkey over the three days. The canned meat will be distributed by Mennonite Central Committee, both globally and to domestic disaster areas. To volunteer, call or text…
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.