January 13, 2012

● News

January 15
Human Relations Day
This is the first of six United Methodist Special Sundays.  The offering collected will support vital community ministries that teach and advocate for justice.  It will also support: youth offender rehabilitation ministries through the General Board of Church & Society; and the General Board of Global Ministries’ Community Developers and United Methodist Voluntary Services programs. For more information.

January 16
Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
The 2011 Annual Conference passed a resolution encouraging the closing of all church offices on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and strongly recommend that each UM Church suspend activities or meetings on this holiday, unless it is to commemorate its observance.  The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is Monday, January 16, and all the churches of our conference are encouraged to adhere to this resolution.

Five Star Stewardship Challenge
Congratulations to all of the churches who completed the Five Star Stewardship Challenge in 2011.  Remember to submit your tally sheet to the East Ohio United Methodist Foundation office by Wednesday, February 1.  Download tally sheet. For more information please call Brian D. Sheetz, executive director, East Ohio United Methodist Foundation,
(800) 831-3972 ext. 152.

Historian of the Year Nominations and Church Anniversary Dates
The East Ohio Conference Commission on Archives and History is seeking nominations for the Local Church Historian of the Year Award.  Nominations with supporting evidence of historical work and activity done by him or her should be submitted by March 1.  Local churches celebrating significant anniversaries of their founding (100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 years) are asked to send a letter on church stationery stating  anniversary information by March 1.  Please send nominations and anniversary information to: Rev. Don Trigg, 130 E. Walnut St., Galion, OH 44833.  For further information you may call (330) 715-5504, or email DLT419@aol.com

● Treasurer's Office/Benefits Office

EOC HealthMiles Update – as of December 30, 2011
More than $35,455 of HealthCash has been earned by East Ohio’s VHM participants in the last two years. Walking pays! 
Participants have uploaded 5,920,050 HealthMiles!

VHM replaced its current rewards structure on January 5, 2012.
Check out the changes to the program.  

2012 Mileage Rates
For 2012 the standard IRS mileage rates will be:

• 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The rate for business miles driven is unchanged from the mid-year adjustment. The medical and moving rate has been reduced by 0.5 cents per mile.

Year End Reports
Year end reports are due by January 24.  It is expected the forms will be posted on the www.eocumc.com website the week of January 9.  If you cannot access the forms by internet and desire to have a copy mailed please call Jessica at (800) 831-3972, ext. 123.

● Mission Opportunities

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Updates

• Distribution numbers
  In 2011 the MMDC received 58,119 health kits, 721 layette kits, 5,452 cleaning buckets, 9,624 school kits, and 662 sewing kits from various churches and conferences (including East Ohio Conference).
  Detailed list of needs.
• New Kit
  The Midwest Mission Distribution Center is currently finalizing the details of a new kit to be made available particularly for the purposes of economic relief within the United States and abroad.  Learn about this new kit.

La Gonave, Haiti
March 22-April 3
Haiti Response Plan, Dakotas Conference. Contact Gene Fastnacht.

September 8-22
UMIV Holy Land Trip
East Ohio Conference. Contact Linda Haswell. Brochure attached.

● Camps

 Free Youth Events 
Three FREE youth events are coming in 2012.  Camp Aldersgate invites all Christian youth groups to participate in “2 B Free”.  These events will consist of a worship service, a large group activity and a youth leaders’ workshop.  Camp Aldersgate will provide the program, as well as supervision and leadership and all the food.  Each worship service will have a message relating to the topic of Freedom In Christ.  The first event will be a Beach Party…an Indoor Beach Party… on January 15 from 1pm to 4pm!!!  The second event will be The Easter Egg Arena from 5p – 8pm on April 15.  Our third planned 2 B Free event will be a Beach Party at the Aldersgate Waterfront on July 21 from 11am to 5pm.  2 B Free is for students in grades 6 thru 12.  Registration of each individual youth and adult will be required so we can divide groups into teams based upon age and community.  For more information or to pre-register your group email eric@campaldersgate.org or call (866) 627-4369.

February 17-19
HALT 2012
Back by popular demand at Camp Aldersgate is HALT, a retreat for 15 to 18 year old high school students.  This will be a weekend of fun, friends, Bible study, discussion, activities, service, worship, renewal, relaxation, and plenty of "Camp Aldersgateness".  This year we will focus on the topic of "Purity Paves The Way To Intimacy".  More information and registration information online at www.campaldersgate.org or by calling (866) 627-4369.

Confirmation Weekends are Coming up Fast!
John Wesley Is Coming To Camp
Nope, this isn’t the start of some lame joke; John Wesley is coming to confirmation retreat.  Using a living history character actor (Rev. Paul White as John Wesley), a life sized Jenga game, interactive sessions, video elements, fun and reflective conversation and devotionals...we will bring the importance of a focused growing relationship with Jesus Christ, United Methodist History, understanding of sacraments, worship and more to life in the minds, hearts and souls of your youth.  One adult chaperone is required for every 5 youth.  Contact the East Ohio Conference Camping Office at (800) 831-3972, extension 108, Camp Wanake at (330) 756-2333, or Camp Aldersgate at (330) 627-4369. Register online.

• February 10 -12
  Confirmation Weekend at Camp Wanake  
  COST: $89/youth; $79/adults. 
• February 24-26
  Confirmation Weekend at Camp Aldersgate
  COST*: $89/youth; $79/adults. 

Summer Camp Open Houses
Want a chance to tour the sites, talk to the staff and see what is being offered for 2012?  Join us at Camp Asbury - February 5th, Camp Aldersgate - April 15th, Camp Wanake - March 31st, May 6th, and May 19th.  For more information please call (800) 831-3972 ext. 108 or check us out on the web at www.EOCSummercamps.org

● Youth

June 15-17
Youth Annual Conference 2012
Plans are already underway for another amazing YAC!  Our theme this year is "Set Free" based on the passage from Galatians 5:1.
Get more details here.

● Grants/Scholarships

Robert D. Snyder Memorial Scholarship
Applications are now being accepted for the scholarship in memory of Rev. Robert D. Snyder.  The award gives preference to, but is not limited to, seminarians, whose faith, practice and beliefs echo those of Snyder and  the conference he served.  Application deadline is March1. Contact Becky Evanoff, 2830 Abraham Ave., Massillon, Ohio 44647 or email beckyevanoff@yahoo.com for application. Award determination finalized by April 30.  We are asking that the recipient would be available to attend the EOEF Banquet on Wednesday evening of annual conference.  Contributions to the fund can be made to the Robert D. Snyder Scholarship Fund, in care of Mrs. Lynn Carper, 800 N. Market St., Minerva, OH 44657. Contact snyderfund@neo.rr.com for more information.

● Resources

Work Camp for Jackson Area Ministries
Jackson Area Ministries (JAM) is a United Methodist Church mission project serving the Appalachian counties in southeast Ohio.  For 35 years JAM has welcomed youth and adults to our region for the work camp experience.  Your congregation might consider exploring such an opportunity.  A typical week begins Saturday evening and concludes the following Friday.  Fees are $400 per group registration, $75.00 per person for supplies/materials, one adult for every 5 youth, and the work team will provide for their own meals and transportation. If you would like additional information and/or to schedule a week contact Jackson Area Ministries by phone (888) 237-3141 or e-mail:  jamjar@midohio.twcbc.com  Visit us at the web site:  www.jamumc.org.

The Window
The January / February issue of “The Window” is now online, this issue includes information on scholarships.  Information and applications.

Scout Sunday
Scout Sunday can be a memorable day for troops and groups sponsored by and meeting in your church (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, Big Brother Big Sisters).  It may also be a special day of recognition for parents, some of whom will be members of your church and some of whom are searching for a faith community.  Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other youth may be invited to lead various parts of the service; Scouts can serve as greeters and ushers, and time can be set aside for various awards.  Scout Sunday in the UMC is celebrated the second Sunday in February for Boy Scouts and the second Sunday in March for Girl Scouts (Scout Sunday may be any Sunday the church selects).  Scouting Ministries includes four youth-serving agencies that we promote as outreach ministries to local churches: Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire USA and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Over 550,000 youth meet in over 6,700 UM churches each year as members of one of these youth organizations. For more information.

Journey to Hope Lenten Resource
This Lent, Rethink Church invites you to lead your congregation on a Journey to Hope. We’ll travel with Jesus to the cross and discover the Hope that can be found amid life’s most difficult circumstances.  This non-lectionary based sermon series is free and is accompanied by relational and relevant Bible experiences for children, youth, young adults and small groups.  The series provides an opportunity for intergenerational faith conversations outside of worship and beyond the classroom setting.  Videos and artwork for worship and outreach are also available in a multimedia bundle ($25) – helping you share the journey with the broader community.  Journey to Hope is meant to be experienced with the entire congregation on Sunday morning.  Order now! (USPS first-class shipping is free.)  Find hope in your world, your life and your relationship with Jesus.

Media Center
The Media Center recently acquired these DVD resources:

• Pursuing God's Beauty explores the riches of the Gospel of John. Whether you are watching on your own or with a group, you'll find breathtaking portraits of salvation, redemption, and restoration. Filmed in an art studio, this six session video study explores what it means to celebrate and radiate the beauty of Christ in your own life.
  
  
• Love is an Orientation aims to equip the Christian community to bridge the gap between LGBT and religious communities. This is not a group study about 'fixing' gay people. It's about getting to know them, engaging them, and loving them like Jesus does. After this study, you, your small group and your church will know what it means to peacefully and productively build bridges with the LGBT community.
  
  
• OneTimeBlind – Art at its best makes people think. It makes you question, provokes your thought, and moves you to a deeper place. OneTimeBlind communicates the reality of Christ in a modern-day language, using onstage conversation and dramatic elements to convey a message. Short skits for discussion or worship illustrations.
  
  
• Something Bigger 2; Heroes of the Faith will help your students consider a series of essential practices and habits that can launch a lifelong journey of doing great things for God. Each lesson guides teenagers through the pages of the Bible to discover accounts of people whose lives made a difference and offers practical, real-world steps on following a similar path.
  
  
• Fatherless; Moving Beyond the Pain of an Absent or Imperfect Parent - Hear from Donald Miller, bestselling author of Blue Like Jazz, as he shares what it was like growing up with an absentee father and his attempts to reconnect with his father.

To reserve these or other resources, call the Media Center at 800-831-3972, ext. 139 or send an e-mail to sarnold@eocumc.com or browse the resource library.

● Message in the Movies

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor-Glader
".. If anyone still doubts that we are living in a Post-Christian culture.. "

● Positions/Items Available/Needed

• Pianist Lorain Lighthouse UMC
• Assistant Custodian Westbrook Park UMC
• Director of Spiritual Growth Ministries Westbrook Park UMC
• Youth Ministry, Church Administration, Communications and Christian Education North Canton Faith UMC
• Executive Director United Christian Ashram International (affiliate of the General Board of Discipleship [GBOD]
• Organist/choir director Church of the Saviour

View full details regarding job openings.

● New Events Listing

Follow this link to view the New Events listing.

● Event Listings for 1.13 -2.15

• January 13 Becoming the Pastor You Want To Be
• January 18 Clergy Study Group
• January 19-20 Pre-General Conference News Briefing
• January 21 Leadership Workshop
• January 21 Ohio Northern University Singers
• January 30 Worship and Reflection Service
• February 4 Equipping Missional Congregations for 21st Century
• February 11 MFSA Spring Meeting
• February 15-16 Moll Lectures

Events calendar
Follow this link to the events calendar for a complete listing of conference, jurisdictional/general church and local events.

● Please pray for

the family of Rev. Dorothy Penny-Larter who died December 15th, Dorothy Meiser who died December 15th, Patricia Edwards Hinerman who died December 15th, Rev. David Sperry who died December 18th, Edna Biglow who died January 2nd, Rev. Netty Burkey who died January 4th and Rev. Robert L. Smith who died January 10.

Please pray for:  A group of 14 persons from the Cambridge area on a mission team to Haiti January 18 – 27.  Pastor Sturman Moore of Christ UMC in Cambridge is leading this mission team.

Obituary notices for clergy and surviving spouse available on the conference web site. ►

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