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Visit our website at www.eocumc.com/mid-ohio April 2018

Annual

Conference

June 11-14

Bearing Fruit that Lasts: Called, Committed, Connected is the quadrennial theme. This year we will focus on

what it means to be called and equipped as followers of Jesus Christ based on John 15:13-17. The Reverends

Kimberly Arbaugh (Ohio Valley), Chip Freed (North Coast) and Becky Weamer (Mid-Ohio) will be leading

morning worship. Rev. Dr. Joseph Daniels, Jr. (Baltimore-Washington Conference) is the keynote speaker

for Shared Learning on Thursday, June 14 and Bishop Malone will deliver the sermon for the Service of

Commemoration and Holy Communion as well as for the Service of Commissioning and Ordination. Bishop

Malone will also offer reflections at the Celebration of Retirement. Our business sessions will continue to

reinforce our EOC vision to equip and support pastors, congregations and faith communities to grow in their

capacity to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

NEW SCHEDULE LINE-UP this year includes the following highlights:

Executive Clergy Session (will be held off-site two weeks prior on May 30 at University of Mt. Union)

Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion (Monday, June 11, 10:00 a.m.)

Celebration of Retirement (Monday, June 11, 7:30 p.m.)

Service of Commissioning and Ordination (Wednesday, June 13, 4:30 p.m.)

Housing Packets have been mailed. If you did not receive yours please call the district office (419-522-3881).

The Mid-Ohio District Gathering will be held prior to annual conference on Sunday, June 3 from 3-5 p.m. at

the Marion-Salem UMC (1640 Salem Rd. * Caledonia * 43314). All clergy, lay members and their families

are welcome.

Visit www.eocumc.com/eoac18/index.html for additional info, schedules and registration.

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District Conference

April 29 * 3-5p * Trinity UMC (Mt. Gilead)

This year at Spring District Conference the district Superintendent along with the district Strategy Team worked to provide learning opportunities (listed below) with hopes for networking, inspirational addresses, and discussions related to matters of interest. In addition, the district conference would not be complete without conducting the following business: 1. Approve the proposed 2019 District Budget 2. Elect AC At-Large Nominees 3. Adopt the District Leadership Report 4. Receive the 2019 District Apportionments 5. Review the 2017 District Committee Reports The hope is for members of the District Conference to get inspired by the learning opportunities and to have fun with fellowship as you open yourselves up to the experience and get acquainted with others in the district while conducting the required annual business.

Learning Opportunities

1. Coaching as a Ministry Tool (Craig Moock) - Ministry through the lens of Coaching is a signifi-cant shift in the way that we view and engage people on their spiritual journeys. We will engage what this shift looks like, practice a technique or two and learn about further opportunities to grow in this skills set which are coming through the EOC.

2. Intercultural Development Inventory (Jake Heskett) - “Every day we interact across cultures. Race, age, ethnicity, geographic location. Each of these things impacts the way we perceive our own culture and the way we interact with people from other cultures. Come learn about what Inter-cultural competence is, a tool you can use to measure it, and how to grow in it!”

3. Mission Insite (Rick Oaks) - Discovering your church’s ministry opportunities with instant access to community information. The materials provided through Mission Insite can be vital to church development, mission outreach and the empowerment of congregations within their communities.

4. Rule of Christ (Sue Antolik) - A Biblical process brought to our conference by Bishop Malone. Many of our churches are in conflict with each other and this process looks at those concerns and conflicts. The goal is that every church in East Ohio via their SPRC team will go through the train-ing and will establish their own procedures based on Matthew 18.

5. Small Groups (Dale Turner) - Rev. Dale Turner has produced Tender Loving Care Groups for Busy Disciples. Dale’s over 50 years of ministry and commitment to the Wesleyan model of small groups have combined to produce a helpful, practical resource that can help spiritually transform not only the lives of those who participate but to the congregations to which they belong.

6. Spiritual Formation (Valer ie Stultz) - As leaders and members of our congregations, we some-times find ourselves at a loss when faced with difficult decisions. Scripture offers us the most valu-able of all resources as we discern and decide, not only with our heads, but with our hearts. Practice reading scripture with fresh eyes and discover God’s amazing wisdom, compassion and guidance.

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Church Safety: How can we prepare?

Most churches want to be welcoming to strangers, following the model Jesus gave to us. We also want our church members to be safe. Statistics reveal that over 90 people have been killed since 1999 in churches. In the past three years, 26 people were killed and 20 injured at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Tex-as during worship and 9 people were killed and 3 injured during a Bible Study at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

What is a church to do? We know we cannot completely prevent forms of violence in our communi-ties and our churches, but we can be prepared with a practical plan of action with procedures in place. My church, Delaware Asbury UMC had our ushers participate in a church safety training offered by our local police department. This gave us an opportunity to develop procedures in case of an emergen-cy at our church. We also set up a time where law enforcement officers and fire officials toured our building to get the lay of the land and give us ideas for safety in our particular setting. Developing rela-tionships with first responders and other key people in the community is a good first step. Ask for their expertise and they will be more than willing to share. In worship, be alert to around you. Introduce yourself to those you have not met before. Keep an eye out for unattended children. Approach the person who appears to be agitated and offer a shoulder on which he or she can lean. Every church member can employ these practices as a way to connect with visitors. This also helps us remain aware of others in the church with us. Does your building have an accurate sign and street address visible so first responders can respond quickly? Do you have a landline that is accessible? Do you have cell reception in the sanctuary? Do you have a lot of doors that are unnecessarily open during worship? If you see something out of place, report it to an usher or greeter. Each church should have a safety plan that includes best practices dur-ing an emergency. Knowing the plan ahead of time will make it easier to follow instructions and assist others during an emergency. When something catastrophic happens in a congregation, the best defense is often to get out as quickly as possible. There may be doors in your worship space you have never used that are available in case of an emergency. Look around and take note. Think about those around you. You may be able to assist less ambulatory members of your congregation during an emergency. Feeling safe in church comes when we are willing to be prepared and actively participate in the safe-ty of our congregation. Focus on what we are there to do: connect those in our midst with God by giv-ing hope, sharing love and praying together. Bishop Gregory Palmer of the West Ohio Conference offers a video with Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs sharing guidance for churches to consider in an emergency. It is available by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arS4wV7kldE and for an Active Shooter Prevention Guide please use this link: http://folio.umc.org/GCFA---3122018_LP---GCFA-Insurance---3122018.html?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWlRJMk1ETXdPR1UxTmpneSIsInQiOiJ0RmI0Y0NidEN2K050TkpyQTltWFJrbFwvZUNPRllSZ2w1Y2I1dUF1UTRzMDVjdWhJOVYzcUpjT2xnR2xIWnV3bm42VUFlTmhycnVOc1dYSW0yVk9RME5BRGUzbmpMWlg0SkgxSWFiaFwvdm9XaUxMRUJYOFJIQ0s3amdXd3hSbHRDIn0%3D In safety and security, Rev. Tamara Francis Wilden District Strategy Committee

Safety Concerns

Is your church safe?

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Contact Us

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Mid-Ohio District Office

410 Park Ave., W. Suite 2

Mansfield, OH. 44906

(419) 522-3881

(419) 522-5485 fax

midohiodistrict@gmail.com

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www.eocumc.com/mid-ohio

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Mid-Ohio District Office of the UMC

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Mansfield, OH. 44906-3121

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Itinerancy Appointment Making

In The United Methodist Church, clergy appointments are made annually

by the bishop, who has the responsibility for setting all the pastoral ap-

pointments in the conference. This unique system of assigning clergy dates

back to John Wesley. This is not the type of system where the church

“calls” or “hires” its pastor.

The pastor parish committee consults with the district superintendent and

communicates if they desire a change in pastoral leadership. Recommenda-

tions of the pastor parish committee are advisory only.

Pastors can also indicate whether they wish to stay at their current appoint-

ment, wish to move to another appointment, or have no preference. How-

ever, they are not assured that they will get their first choice. Pastors in The

United Methodist Church agree to serve where sent and to accept and abide

by the appointment (Itinerancy).

The bishop and cabinet (all district superintendents) look at appointment

needs throughout the conference, taking into consideration the needs of

each church, the gifts and talents of each pastor, and other circumstances.

They then determine the appointments for each church in the conference

and the bishop will “fix” the appointments at Annual Conference.

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors… The People of the United Methodist Church