● New Events Listing

United Theological Seminary
United Theological Seminary announces the first song and hymn-writing competition, New Songs and Hymns for Renewal. For full details including guidelines, prizes and application.

February 16-19
LEAD
A three day conversation focused on converging, innovating and transforming young adult ministry. It will take place in Las Vegas, NV, at University UMC.  Participants will hear from speakers, in a “TED” like format, offering new and innovative ideas for ministry with young adults.   Visit www.relevancelead.com. Registration for LEAD is now available and is limited to 100 spots. Nearly half of the spots have already been filled to date. If you would like more information please contact rob@valleywesley.com.

February 18
Chili Supper & Movie Night
Manchester UMC, located at 5625 Manchester Road in Akron invites you to join us for our Chili Supper & Movie Night. Supper will be held from 5-6 pm which will include:  chili, beverages and cookies.  We will also supply corn chips, cheese, sour cream and other garnishes for your chili.  Our feature film presentation, “Rookie of The Year”, will begin at 7:00 pm.  The church is wheelchair accessible, and we have ample parking.  Donations are welcome!  For more information, please call (330) 882-4818.

February 21-23
Children's Ministry Forum 2012
Sing a New Song Recreating Your Ministry is designed for children's ministry leaders in larger congregations.  There are workshops on special needs, tweens, weekday ministries, planning helps, creative programming and more. Flyer with more information.

February 22
Ash Wednesday Service
Roscoe UMC will observe Ash Wednesday in a service of worship at 7:00 pm. Worship will include special music, imposition of ashes and communion.  All are welcome. The church is located at 475 High St. Coshocton, OH 43812.  For more information please call the church office at (740) 622-7780 or email rumcsec@yahoo.com.

February 23
Website Workshop – WordPress
Is your church in need of a website? Does your church have limited funding and web expertise?  The East Ohio Communications Office is offering a workshop illustrating the ease and cost effectiveness in which a website can be created using WordPress – without buying software or hiring additional staff. Sue Zakovec, conference web/graphics designer, will share tips on good practices for website design, navigation and content while she teaches the ins and outs of web publishing in WordPress. The Communication Office will also offer follow-up support to those participants who may need additional assistance in building their site in WordPress. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, February 23 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Area Center in North Canton. For further information or to register for the workshop please e-mail sue@eocumc.com.  Seating is limited to insure that each participant will receive individual attention. Workshop registration is closed.

February 25
Town and Rural Resource Program Event
(TARRP) Town and Rural Resource Program is offering an event "The Small Membership Church:  What stops us from moving forward from 9am -4:30 pm at Marion Salem UMC in Caledonia, Ohio. Topics will include: Understand why the smaller church has difficulty moving forward, Learn why historic pain holds churches back from moving forward Learn how to deal with conflict in small churches, Learn ways to work through the pain and move toward healing and wholeness, and How to reach out to new persons.  Seating is limited and the deadline to register is February 16th. View brochure.

February 28-29
Williams Institute
Writer, scholar and activist Monica A. Coleman will deliver two lectures at MTSO. “Interreligious Outsiders” is the theme for the 2012 Williams Institute lectures, to be presented at 7 pm Feb. 28 and 11:30 am Feb. 29 in the Alford Centrum. The lectures are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. Coleman is associate professor of constructive theology and African American religions at Claremont School of Theology in southern California, where she also serves as co-director of Claremont’s Center for Process Studies. Her Feb. 28 lecture title is “Multiple Religious Belonging: How African American History Expands Theories of Religious Pluralism.” On Feb. 29, she’ll speak on the topic “Transreligious Spirituality: Process Philosophy, New Thought Religions and Religious Pluralism.” For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.

March 2
Lakeside Chautauqua on the Road:  Wesleyan Senior Living
Wesleyan Senior Living Foundation is hosting a mid-winter day of renewal from 1-4 pm at Wesleyan Village in Elyria, OH in collaboration with Lakeside Chautauqua to present “Lakeside Chautauqua on the Road.”  There is no charge for this Chautauqua experience which will bring intellectual, spiritual and cultural refreshment to combat the winter doldrums.  Presentations from Lakeside CEO Kevin Sibbring, director of Religious Life/Church Outreach Dr. Ned Dewire, and Lakeside Symphony Orchestra member Steve Ostrow will take place from 1:00-4:00 pm.  Complementing the experience is a Crafts Show from 11-4 and optional Village tours at 4:00.  Please call (440) 934-0770 or email kjones@villageliving.org. if you have any questions.

March 2-3
March Forth for Children
Event will be held at the Cokesbury Center in Knoxville.  Mark Burrows will show ways to involve children in worship. Burrows is the former director of Music and the Arts at FUMC in Fort Worth, TX and recently assumed the position of Children's Ministry Director. He is the author of Children First. Registration and workshop information.

March 7
GriefShare
GriefShare is a 13-session program to promote healing after the death of someone in your life. It is a Biblically based program that delivers hope and support for those going through the grief process. The series will run through the end of May. The Wednesday night sessions will be from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.  There is a $20.00 registration fee that includes the workbook. Scholarships are available to cover the fee. Sessions will be held at Church of the Lakes, 5944 Fulton Drive, Canton, Ohio 44718.  Child care is available with advanced notice.   For more information or to register, please call the church office at (330) 499-8972.

March 9-10
Children’s Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop
Children’s Disaster Services is a Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministry that involves volunteers who provide a safe presence after a disaster by providing special child care centers.  in disaster locations.  Parents are then able to apply for assistance and begin to put their lives back together, knowing their children are safe. The information learned at this workshop can be beneficial to anyone working with children. The workshop is a comprehensive 27-hour workshop that uses applied, experiential activities to help the participants integrate learning.  Host church will be Thoburn UMC, 209 East Main St., St. Clairsville, OH 43950 from 5 pm Friday-7:30 pm Saturday.
More information and registration.
Send to: Children’s Disaster Services, PO Box 188, New Windsor, MD 21776

March 10
Rummage Sale
Spring is coming and so is Rockport UMC Annual Rummage Sale. Come shop from 9 - 2:30 with a $3 bag sale at 1:00. Lunch will be available. If you have any questions, please call the church office at (440) 331-9433. Rockport UMC is located at 3301 Wooster Rd., Rocky River OH

March 17
Cabbage Roll Dinner
Uniontown UMC, 13370 Cleveland Ave., NW, Uniontown will sponsor the dinner from 4-7:30 pm.  Menu will consist of two cabbage rolls, mashed potatoes, salad, roll, beverage and homemade dessert.  Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 4-12 years.  Alternate child-friendly meal will be available. Dine in or carry out.  Please contact (330) 699-3587 for more information.

March 17
Community Spaghetti Dinner
Rockport UMC will host this spaghetti dinner from 4 – 8pm. Early Bird Special for Seniors - $2 off if in before 5:00. Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, Italian bread, beverages and homemade desserts. Tickets will be sold at the door. Adults $9.00 Children $5 (ages 4 - 12) free (age 3 and under.) Take out and pre-orders available. For more information please call the church office at (440) 331-9433. Rockport UMC is located at 3301 Wooster Rd, Rocky River OH.

March 19-20
2012 Mission and Evangelism Institute
Methodist Theological School in Ohio will host the Mission and Evangelism Institute with the theme “Missional Church in Many Contexts.”  The institute will offer pathways toward becoming a missional congregation in rural, suburban and urban settings. 
Schedule and registration form.

March 24
Prayer Encounter with Terry Teykl
Do you struggle to maintain a healthy prayer and worship life? A day with Terry Teykl will energize and equip you to more effectively communicate with the Father. Teykl’s passion is contagious as he communicates foundational principles and practical ideas. You will come away from the experience convinced that you can make a difference in your church, your life, and the lives of those who are yet to find faith in Jesus. This "Day Away" study will teach 10 different prayer models.  Register by March 10 and save $5. For more information please call registrar, Mary Ann, at (419) 289-7551 or send an e-mail to maryann@ashlandfirst.org.

April 19
Deepening Your Effectiveness Foundational Workshop- Restructuring the Local Church for life Transformation,
Church of the Lakes will host the workshop from 9 am-4 pm.  Join Dan Glover & Claudia Lavy for a full day workshop where you will discover: a new understanding of the principles of discipleship; the primary facts about the 6 stages of spiritual development; practical ways to apply the principles through a discipleship pathway.  This workshop will change your understanding of how people develop from unchurched to fully committed followers of Jesus, and how you can help them move toward spiritual maturity.  Registration information is available from Church of the Lakes or the Tuscarawas District office.  Just $10 a person, including lunch.

March 21
Light the Fire!
2nd Annual Light the Fire! Church renewal conference. 
Information and registration.

May 17
“Theology, Eucharist and Ministry: A Conference for Wesleyan Renewal.” For more information.

May 20
5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run
Fairhope UMC, 5660 Louisville, OH  44641 will host this event.  Kids run begins at 2 pm and 5K at 2:30 pm. Details and registration.

May 22-24
“The Charles E. Booth Preaching Conference – Preaching Jesus Christ with a Prophetic Focus.”  For more information.

July 15-20
PAUMCS Institute
The GCFA is sponsoring the Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries Institute in Nashville, TN.  Participants are introduced to business concepts required for understanding the financial operations of the church as well as relationships with the pastor, church employees and members of the congregation. Studying such concepts with professors selected from a strong business school faculty and other experts encourages secretaries to become better informed and more effective church administrators. Registration fee for the 2012 Institute is $325.00. This includes course materials, a few lunches and two dinners and refreshments. Travel, room, additional meals and any other incidentals are the responsibility of each participant.  Class size is limited.  Please contact (866) -367-4232 Ext 2386 or paumcs@gcfa.org. for brochure and registration.