910 E. Third St., Ottawa, OH 45875 Telephone: 419.523.9901 / 800.589.7828 Fax: 419.523.3479 Email nwplains@wocumc.org Website: www.northwestplainsdistrict.org

Weekly Bulletin

February 8, 2017

IN THIS ISSUE Leadership Training Days

Clergy Tax Assistance

Weekly Prayer

Remember in Prayer

Lay Servant Ministries

Emmaus/Chrysalis

Local Church & Community Events

West Ohio Connection and Beyond

Resources

Classifieds

Northwest Plains District Website

West Ohio UMC Website

West Ohio You Tube

Lay Ministry

The United Methodist Church

United Methodist VIM

United Methodist Women

Church World Service

Rethink Church

Find A Church

MissionInsite

UMCom Tech Shop

Church Communications Training

UMCOR’S YouTube

Friendly Center, Toledo

Bread for the World

Society of St. Andrew

Stop Hunger Now

Upper Room Dailey Devotional

Saturday, February 18, St. Mark’s UMC, Findlay

Saturday, February 25, Trinity UMC, Van Wert

For details and registration, click on the date

that you’re planning to attend.

CLERGY TAX ASSISTANCE DAY

Tuesday, February 21

Winebrenner Theological Seminary 950 N. Main Street, Findlay map

Guest Accountant: Robin Ridge, CPA and

President of Ridge & Company,

Findlay (www.ridgecpas.com)

Schedule a personal 15-minute appointment to have your specific

ministry-related tax questions addressed.

Appointments available between 9:00am and 3:00pm.

Schedule now by contacting Lisa Cross at 419.434.4208 or lcross@winebrenner.edu (no drop-ins, please).

FREE consult courtesy of Ridge & Company, Certified Public Accountants and Winebrenner Theological Seminary.

Let us remember in prayer those grieving the loss of their loved one, and remember in thanksgiving the life and ministry of:

Dear Father in heaven, you are among us and we can call you Abba, dear Father. In the joy of

being your children we want to lay our lives into your hands to be made good and happy.

Care for us like a shepherd pasturing his flock so that we can have community with one

another. Help us to realize that you have many children here and everywhere, and that again

and again you take a child by the hand saying, “You are mine. I am caring for you.” We thank

you that your eyes watch over all the world. We thank you that your rule is over all human-

kind and will bring good to all people, wherever they may live. May this happen soon

through our Savior. We call to him, “Lord Jesus, come. Come soon! May your hand keep us

all close to the Father in heaven.” Amen.

Rev. Donald I. Ramsey who passed away on January 29, 2017. He was a retired pastor from The West Ohio

Conference of The United Methodist Church (UMC). He served the following churches: Geneva Evangelical

(Western Pennsylvania); Lewistown; Jackson Center; Montpelier St. Paul; Springfield High Street; and Celina

Bethany. At the time of his death he had been attending First UMC in Montpelier.

Rev. Ramsey is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann; two daughters, Donna Ramsey (Brent) Feorene and Karen

Elaine Ramsey; three grandchildren, Catherine, Brent, and Camille Feorene; two brothers David (Judy)

Ramsey and Richard (Ruth Ann Ogle) Ramsey; and a sister Ruth (Joe) Vukovich. He was preceded in death by

his parents Winton and Jessie Ramsey. Obituary

To honor Don’s life all of the churches that he served will hold a dedicated Sunday service in his memory.

Condolences can be made online by clicking here or sent to Ruth Ann Ramsey, 411 Morris Dr., Montpelier,

OH 43543. Memorial donations may be made in Rev. Ramsey's name to the Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter or to the Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center via CHP Home Care and Hospice.

Lay Servant Training Opportunities

Finding Your Spiritual gifts Led by: Rev. Debbie Kaylor

Saturday, March 4, 2017, 8:30 AM—4:30 PM Trinity UMC, Ottawa

Examine the biblical passages referring to spiritual gifts, discover your spiritual gifts through an assess-ment and spend some time brainstorming how you can best use your gifts to build up the kingdom of Christ. We will also spend time considering how our passions and our personalities may impact how we use our gifts. This course qualifies as a re-certification course for Lay Servants and is also open to all other interested persons. Details and registration

Leading A Disciplined Life Led by: Rev. Dr. AK Hoover

Saturday, March 4, 2017, 8:30 AM—4:30 PM Trinity UMC, Ottawa

Richard Foster writes, “The classical disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm. They urge us to be the answer to a hollow world.” Using Foster’s work as a beginning point, we will identify inward, outward, and corporate spiritual disciplines that we desire to more fully and consistently practice. Students will be invited to develop a personal Rule of Life and Service and a plan for support and accountability in remaining faithful to their Rule. This course qualifies as a re-certification course for Lay Servants and is also open to all other interested persons. Details and registration

NWP Directors of Pulpit Supply Pastors, if you are in need of Sunday morning pulpit supply and would like to arrange for a Lay Speaker to fill in for you, please contact our District Directors of Pulpit Supply. Nancy Replogle is responsible for the southern part of NWP District including Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Mercer, Van Wert and Wyandot counties. She can be reached at 419.622.3873 or by email at rnreplogle73@gmail.com.

Stephen Brooks is responsible for the northern part of NWP District including Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, and Williams Counties. He can be reached at 419.519.3319 or by email at sbrooks1101@roadrunner.com.

Note: Stephen is unavailable February 1 through April 10. During this time, for pulpit supply, please contact Larry Zuvers at 419.636.2329| lzuvers@gmail.com.

Emmaus Events

Findlay Emmaus Gathering (on the third Tuesday) Sidney Emmaus Gathering

Tuesday, February 21, 7 pm Tuesday, February 14, 7 pm

St Marks UMC First UMC

800 S. Main St., Findlay |419.422.4236 230 E. Poplar St., Sidney |937.492.9136

http://www.findlayemmaus.org/ http://www.sidneyemmaus.org/

NW Ohio Emmaus Gathering (on the fourth Saturday)

Saturday, February 25, 6:30 pm

Delta UMC

101 Northwood Dr., Delta |419.822.4195

http://www.nwoemmaus.com/

Emmaus Walks ~ A Journey with Christ

While they were talking and discussing. Jesus himself came near and walked with them. - Luke 24:15

A program of the Upper Room division of the General Board

Discipleship which calls forth and renews Christian discipleship.

The Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience, a highly structured weekend, which takes a New Testament look at

Christianity as a life-style. The program is designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people and through

them, their families, congregations, and the world.

Findlay Emmaus Walks @ St. Marks UMC, Findlay, OH

http://www.findlayemmaus.org/

Women's Walks Dates

Women's Walk #100 February 9-12, 2017

Women's Walk #101 June 8-11, 2017

Women's Walk #102 October 12-15, 2017

Men's Walks Dates

Men's Walk #76 March 16-19, 2017

Men's Walk #77 November 2-5, 2017

Sidney Emmaus Walk @ First UMC, Sidney, OH

http://www.sidneyemmaus.org/

Women’s Walks Dates

Women’s Walk #71 February 23-26, 2017

Women’s Walk #72 July 20-23, 2017

Women’s Walk #73 October 19-22, 2017

Men’s Walks Dates

Men’s Walk #67 March 23-26, 2017

Men’s Walk #68 August 24-27, 2017

Men’s Walk # 69 November 2-5, 2017

Bryan Emmaus Walks @ Wesley UMC, Bryan, OH

http://www.nwoemmaus.com/

Chrysalis is a three day experience of

spiritual renewal open to members of any

Christian denomination, ages 15 to 24. It is

an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a

new way. Chrysalis is meant to inspire,

challenge, and equip youth for Christian

action in their homes, churches, communi-

ties and places of work.

St. Andrew’s UMC, Findlay

Boy's Flight #47 - February 24-26, 2017

Girl's Flight #49 - July 7-9, 2017

Boy's Flight #48 - July 21-23, 2017

http://www.findlaychrysalis.org/

Greene Street UMC, Piqua

Boy’s Flight #63 February 18-20, 2017

Girl’s Flight #64 July 7-9, 2017

Boy’s Flight #64 July 28-30, 2017

http://www.westohiochrysalis.com/

(on the second Tuesday)

Local Church and Community Events

Finding Meaning in Work Discussed at Lifetree Café map

How to find meaning and purpose at work will be discussed at Lifetree Café on February 9,

7-8 pm.

The program, titled “Finding Meaning Every Monday: Secrets to a Satisfying Week,” features

a filmed interview with Brad and Libby Birky, founders of Denver’s SAME Café. The eatery

operates on a “pay what you can” pricing plan and allows the Birkys to pursue their passion

for feeding all who are hungry.

“When we first started out, we said if can feed one person who needed it, then we would be

successful,” says Libby Birky. “Everyone who walks through the door needs it, so now I have

50,000 reasons to feel successful because I’ve served 50,000 meals.”

During the program, participants will discover the key factors social scientists claim can make any job feel

meaningful, and discuss how they can increase those factors in their own work.

Admission to the 60-minute event is free. Lifetree Café is located at The Bachwell Center, 116 N. Washington Street, Van Wert, OH. Please park behind the courthouse and enter on Court Street.

Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation about life and faith in a casual, comfortable setting. Questions about Lifetree may be directed to First United Methodist Church at 419.238.0631 or firstchurch@wcoil.com. Note: Topic for February 16th “Crop Circles. They’re not what you think...”

Trinity United Methodist Church map The Ronald W. Richards Music Series presents Young Local Artists Sunday, February 12, 3 pm

Come and enjoy an afternoon of music by Young Local Artists performing various pieces

that will be performed at Solo and Ensemble Contest.

Admission: Free ~ A free will offering will be collected to benefit the Ronald W. Richards

Young Musicians Scholarship Fund.

Trinity Church is located at 301 W. Market St., Lima, OH

Free Tax-Aide Assistance for Seniors

Beginning this month, middle and low-income taxpayers can receive free help filing

their 2016 tax returns from trained AARP Tax-Aide volunteers.

Tax-Aide volunteers will be available to meet with persons at the Allen County Council

on Aging, Inc. and at other locations in Allen County. To schedule an appointment

please call the Allen County Council on Aging office at 419.228.5135. You will need to

bring your 2016 tax documents and your 2015 tax return to your appointment.

The Allen County Council on Aging, Inc., provides adult day care, help with chores, information, referral and assis-

tance, individual outreach, group outreach, senior services resource specialists, transportation and caregivers’ pro-

gram to residents age 60 and older. All services are rendered on a non-discriminatory basis.

Son's Rays performing at Edgerton UMC map

Sunday, February 12, 9:30 am

The Son’s of Rays from Ohio Northern University will be performing at the Edgerton UMC on Sunday, February 12. The group includes 8 students from Ohio Northern University (including one of Edger-ton’s very own congregation members!) The group includes 8 students from Ohio Northern University. They will be presenting their message through mu-sic and testimonies during the morning worship ser-vice, which begins at 9:30 am. Come early and enjoy fresh fruit, donuts and juice or coffee. Stay after the service and join us for a potluck dinner in honor of the students. Edgerton Church is located at 307 N. Michigan Ave., Edgerton, OH.

Pancake and Sausage Dinner at Pandora UMC Pandora-Gilboa Boy Scout Troop 226 is having a Pancake & Sausage Dinner on Sun-

day, February 12, from 10:45 am until 1:00 pm at the Pandora United

Methodist Church, 108 E. Washington St (Rt 12) in Pandora map.

Ticket prices are - Presale: Adults $5. At the door: Adults $7, Kids 4–12 $4, and 3 &

Under Free. Carry-outs available, drinks included.

For tickets, please contact: Scoutmaster, Chris Fleming 419.303.2584 or

order via email at PandoraTroop226@yahoo.com.

The Pandora United Methodist Church will be hosting a FREE Community Meal on Wednesday, February 22, 5:30-7:00 pm in the church fellowship hall, 108 E. Washington Street, Pandora map. The meal this month is provided by Hilty Memorial Nursing Home. The menu will be fried chicken, parsley red potatoes ,mixed vegetables, dinner roll, strawberry shortcake and beverage.

Local Church and Community Events

NEW in 2017! West Ohio Conference “Traction Tracks”….to help your congregation gain traction and begin to move forward towards new vitality! West Ohio’s Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI), a focused training/coaching/resourcing initiative of the Episcopal office and cabinet that has included several dozen congregations and pastors over the last six years, has identified a number of key components that we’ve seen can provide a congregation of any size and setting with a dose of traction to begin to move ahead in vitality. These individual components from the MCCI research and learnings are now becoming available across the entire conference to every church that would like to learn and apply a new step forward, including ongoing implementation guid-ance by a ministry leader “guide” who has already demonstrated that fruitfulness and can bring experience and expertise alongside you. Here’s information about the first foundational Traction Track, a one-day training event that will be offered on four of our West Ohio districts this spring and the other four districts later this year. And look for more information soon on more Traction Tracks to come! Breakthrough Prayer Initiative Traction Track Every church recognizes prayer as important. But what happens when a congregation unites to pray collectively and con-sistently for God to break through in new and miraculous ways? You can launch your congregation into the kind of church-wide breakthrough prayer initiative that fuels the atmosphere of possibility, and the entire focus begins to shift from in-ward to up-and-outward. It's easier than you think--and the results will make spiritual history right in your own community and beyond. Breakthrough prayer can be incorporated into what already happens in the daily life of your congregation--and this one-session Traction Track will provide training, many stories, practical examples and ideas of how other United Methodist congregations across West Ohio and the country have done so with innovation and impact. Additionally, learn how you can utilize breakthrough prayer through key aspects of your weekly worship service, and develop your church's heart to reach its neighborhood with the message and love of Christ. Each church team that attends this one-day training will be partnered with a “guide,” a church leader who in his or her own ministry setting has successfully led and deployed a Breakthrough Prayer Initiative. The guide will walk alongside you and your congregation with that expertise to help encourage and assist you to accomplish this as well. The Breakthrough Prayer Initiative forms the foundation of the MCCI (Missional Church Consultation Initiative), and its im-plementation has shown itself to be the single greatest factor contributing to a church’s revitalization and renewed fruitful-ness. This may be the most important ingredient to add to your church to help shift from plateau or decline into a new sea-son of hope and possibility! Requirement to Attend: Your church’s team must include your lead pastor plus at least 5 persons who have agreed to be the implementation team for your congregation’s prayer initiative afterwards. And bring as large a team to the training event (beyond pastor plus 5 leaders) as possible. We have learned through the MCCI that by bringing a team to the train-ing — of 6, 10, 15, 20 persons or more--the more likely the momentum you’ll have to launch when you get home! Cost: $75 for your church’s team of lead pastor plus five persons—plus $10/person for each additional person who attends from your congregation. This registration cost covers the training materials, refreshments during breaks, and a light lunch or supper as appropriate to your event’s time frame. Register for any of these one-session identical Breakthrough Prayer Initiative TractionTrack training events at the following locations, dates, and times:

Sunday, February 26, 2017, 2:00pm-7:00pm Forest Chapel UMC - Ohio River Valley District 680 W Sharon Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45240

Saturday, April 1, 2017, 9:00am - 2:00pm Church of the Cross UMC - Maumee Watershed District 1750 Eastgate Rd., Toledo, OH 43614-1936 To find events in Equip and register your team click here

West Ohio Connection and Beyond

Sunday, April 2, 2017, 2:00pm-7:00pm Xenia Faith Community UMC - Miami Valley District 100 Country Club Dr., Xenia, OH 45385-1630

Saturday, May 13, 2017, 9:00am - 2:00pm Rolling Plains UMC - Foothill District 3350 Moxahala Park Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701-7757

MTSO offers presentation on end-of-life conversations End-of-life conversations can be among the most difficult and important that family members, caregivers and faith-community leaders undertake. Methodist Theological School in Ohio will offer tools for having these discussions in a presentation at 7 pm, February 15 in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO Campus, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware.

Rev. Kristin Langstraat, system director for faith community relations at OhioHealth, will lead the presentation and discussion “Talking About What Matters Most: End-of-Life Conversations.” The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

This presentation is offered by the Theological Commons at MTSO, which promotes the sharing of knowledge and experience between students, faculty, clergy and the public for the benefit of all participants and those they serve. MTSO Schooler Institute on Preaching March 14-15 Detail and registration here https://www.mtso.edu/theologicalcommons/schooler-institute-on-preaching/ UMCOR Spiritual and Emotional Care Training March 17-18 Held at the West Ohio Conference Center. Details and registration here http://www.westohioumc.org/equip/mission-and-justice/conference/event/umcor-spiritual-and-emotional-care-training Equipping and empowering women to live extravagantly for Christ.

On March 10 & 11, 2017, the Churches of God, General Conference and Winebrenner Theological Seminary will be hosting the Flourish Conference at Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, OH.

Gina Mueller, director of 3DM Stand, will be the keynote speaker. Gina will take participants through issues of identity, discipleship, and mission - all with-in the context of being a woman. Talks include:

Your Core Identity as a Woman

When Your Identity Gets Hijacked

Covenant: What It Means to Belong

Kingdom: Embracing Your Purpose There will be times of teaching, but time has been set aside for both personal reflection and group sharing throughout the event so that participants can begin applying what they're learning to their lives.

During coffee breaks and meals (which are included with pre-registrations) there will be opportunities for fun with painting, a photo booth, chair massages, and more.

More information and tickets can be found at the website: www.theflourishconference.org.

Rev. Kristin Langstratt

West Ohio Connection and Beyond

Resources

How churches can maintain agility in a rapidly changing world By William Vanderbloemen

One of the things I see most pastors struggling with today is how to

keep their churches agile in the midst of a rapidly changing culture. In

this iPhone era, the way people live, communicate and spend their time

is constantly in flux. A church’s ability to “sync up” with this pace is

paramount to creating the most effective ministries possible.

So how do you do it? How can churches fight calcification and maintain

agility in order to reach as many people as

possible in today’s world? I believe there are two great ways church

leaders can do this. Read more http://tiny.cc/bal1iy

Recover the ancient purpose of Lent

Use Living Our Baptismal Calling, the Lent worship and discipleship series from Discipleship Ministries, to help your con-

gregation live out the vows of the baptismal covenant. The series includes both ideas and full services for worship, lead-

er guides for formation groups and outlines for Courageous Conversation events on four different topics, plus graphics

and new music. For more information, go to http://bit.ly/2kxfLys.

Need some help explaining the meaning of Lent?

Use the article Lent 101, prepared by The Upper Room, as a helpful way to talk

about ashes, prayer and fasting, and about preparing for Easter Sunday. The

article also includes 10 ideas for spiritual practices that offer promise for

experiencing a meaningful Lenten season. Get Lent 101 at

www.upperroom.org/lent101.

Get tools to help your church’s lay leaders

Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2017-2020 provides help in 26 ministry areas, including church leadership, as

well as areas focused on nurture, outreach and witness. The booklets get new lay leaders off to a good start and serve

as a reference resource for all lay leaders. The guidelines are available from Cokesbury at http://bit.ly/2kxaYgk.

Supplemental downloads are available from the Discipleship Ministries at www.ministryguidelines.org.

New Equipping Disciples Blog

The Equipping Disciples blog is a space for Discipleship Ministries staff and guest bloggers to offer inspiration and a

unique perspective to growing disciples. Read the latest posts http://tiny.cc/ueg2iy.

Online library open to global scholars

An online library of Methodist and Wesleyan resources is now available to scholars across the world through a joint

project of the Methodist e-Academy and the Global Digital Library for Theology and Ecumenism. Susan Keaton has the

story. Read story http://tiny.cc/k2g2iy

Gospel Magic Presentation Offered Mr. Tim Mabis, who attends Payne St. Paul UMC, is available to bring his Gospel Magic presentation to Northwest Plains District churches during Sunday morning or evening worship services. Tim has been doing this for a number of years for many different denominations. If you are interested in hearing more about this special ministry, please contact Tim at tmabis@yahoo.com. Stackable Chairs Needed Ney UMC is in need of 50 stackable chairs that are in excellent –very good condition. If there is a church that would like to

donate to this need, please contact Greg Johnson at 419.553.7835 | greg@billslockeroom3.com.

Children’s Ministry Leader Twin Oaks UMC has a position open for a Children’s Ministry Leader. This part-time position is open to anyone interested in helping shape children into Disciple for Christ. The position will oversee children ages 18 and under. For a detailed job description please contact Pastor Brady Feltz at 419.594.2992 (Church) | 513.255.5040 (Cell) | pastorbradyfeltz@gmail.com. Click here for complete job description http://tiny.cc/3ggihy Lakeside Housing Available Cottage that sleeps 8 available for 2017 conference week. (6/3/17-6/10/17 Saturday-Saturday) - It is within walking distance of all the venues and the downtown area. The house can be seen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hopehouse453/. For more information and questions, please contact Mike Pecoraro at 216.789.1325.

Do you have news or something interesting to share? Know of anyone who would like to be added to our Weekly Bulletin e-mail list? Contact Deb via e-mail deblee@wocumc.org or call 1.800.589.7828.

When e-mailing the district staff, please use the e-mail addresses listed below:

Rev. Barry Burns, District Superintendent: bburns@wocumc.org

Debra Lee, Office Administrator: deblee@wocumc.org

Sandy Pergram, Administrative Assistant: spergram@wocumc.org