JULY 10, 2017

Communications

Updating Find-A-Church Profiles
July is the start of a new appointment season – and the perfect time to make sure that your congregation’s Find-A-Church profile is up-to-date.

Find-A-Church is the official online directory of United Methodist churches in the United States. Developed by United Methodist Communications, it is one of the most visited sections of the denomination’s website, averaging more than 1,000 page views a day.

Find-A-Church helps you to connect with busy people in your community on their terms, on their time, and in their comfort zone. It also serves as a companion to your church’s existing website – giving you twice the local visibility online. Find-A-Church tutorial guide

United Methodist Church Handbook
Fresh for the 2017-2020 quadrennium, the updated United Methodist Church Handbook is ready and available for FREE from United Methodist Communications. Packed with denominational details, beliefs, history and contact information, this handbook is a one-stop destination for all things United Methodist. To order.

Health Benefits Update

Annual Conference 2017 approved a change in conference-sponsored health benefits, effective January 1, 2018. (NOTE: There will be no changes to the health benefits of retirees who are age 65 or older, their spouses, and surviving spouses.)

The new conference-sponsored HealthFlex plan for 2018 will utilize Blue Cross Blue Shield’s (BCBS) national BlueCard PPO network. BCBS has excellent coverage throughout the country.

Participants will choose between one of the following two options:

1) The provided H2000 – an IRS-qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA), or

2) The buy-up C2000 – a consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) with a health reimbursement account (HRA)

Young People’s Ministries

November 3-5
“Exploration” Called to Make a Difference
An exciting opportunity is available for young adult’s ages 18-26 who want to learn more about ordained ministry. Join other United Methodist young people who are discerning a call to ministry in Portland Oregon November 3-5, 2017 at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s event, “Exploration.” For more information. To register or details about those traveling from East Ohio, please contact Rev. Tim Morrison: 440-823-3089 or pastor@gsumparma.com. (The cost of this event is covered by the Board of Ordained Ministry.)

Camps and Retreat Ministries

August 5, (2-7pm)
Camp Aldersgate 70^th Anniversary Celebration
Camp Aldersgate first opened in 1947, making this year our 70th Anniversary! We are inviting your entire family to join us for a celebration! For more information.

Missions

Midwest Mission Distribution Center
We want to thank you for inviting us to participate in the Annual Conference. 16,720 pounds worth of donations were collected for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Many lives have been touched throughout the United States and in developing countries around the world through shipments made from the Center. Thank you so much for your support.

In Christ,
Pat Wright, MMDC Executive Director

August 26
UMVIM/3Cs Partnership Meeting
Come and be a part of this mission movement motivated by God’s love for us and the world. United Methodist Volunteer in Missions: local, national and global. If you are leading youth and/or adults to places of mission, being the hands feet and heart of Jesus, this meeting is for you!

Agenda items will include: introductions, funding process, website ideas, best practices and UMVIM Leader Training ideas. Meeting at the Area Center, from 9:30 am-noon.

Contact Kathy Dickriede, East Ohio UMVIM Coordinator and Partner in Mission

August 27 – September 2
The Joy Center in Big Creek, KY
Trinity UMC (Tuscarawas District) to lead a team of up to 20 people on this trip, that features both light construction and relationship building opportunities. Deadline to register is August 11.

Cost: $150/person, plus a donation for materials. Contact: Patti Partridge

December 26-January 8
Honduras
Discover Mission is heading to Honduras. Young adults will join Maria Wilcox (Northern Illinois) and Jason Frazer (East Ohio) in communities in and around Tegucigalpa. Estimated cost is $2000 from Chicago. Application here. Contact Tammy Kuntz for more information.

Resources/Training

July 24
Religious Freedom Seminar and Lunch
American society and culture are changing rapidly. This seminar will address issues that may place churches and ministries in negative publicity, governmental scrutiny and litigation. Issues include: gender identity, employment and volunteer issues, and insurance coverage limits. For more information.

August 9-11
Preaching Seminar: Getting to Grace: The Joy of Preaching
Featuring Dr. Paul Scott Wilson, professor of Homiletics as Emmanuel College of the University of Toronto, the 16^th annual Summer Preaching Seminar will explore theological and practical matters of preaching grace in times of trouble. For more information.

September 27-29
Leadership Institute 2017
Bring your ministry leaders to be equipped, strengthened and inspired in God’s call to ministry in their lives. Help them expand the impact of practical leadership principles and inspirational and visionary teaching with a spirit of renewal. Leaders with fresh ideas, renewed focus and rekindled hope for the future can unleash the potential of a church and community. Held at Church of the Resurrection UM, Leawood, Kansas. Early bird registration closes July 13. For more information.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

July 10, 2017 Resources
In this edition we feature:

4^th Annual Mid-Summer Spiritual Formation Retreat
Rebranded Church: Place for Believers and Non-believers
Audio Interview: Relationship: Setbacks Creating Resilience with Elaine Smookler
A Tuning Fork: Resonating with God
Book: Life’s Greatest Lessons: 20 Things that Matter
Writing Your Way Healthy: A Journaling Guide
Listings of our Spiritual Directors

Contact Us
If you have any questions or issues you would like for us to address, or would like to get email alerts when new resources have been posted, please contact Howard Humphress or use our quick contact form.

Message in the Movies

Paterson “What Paterson tries to do (and I believe that it accomplishes this very well) is to encourage the viewer to observe simplicity with a poet’s eye. As the writer, Stephen King once said: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” Paterson wakes up and goes to work; inspiration finds him. I felt blessed to spend a couple of hours with this unassuming and beautiful soul whose life, marriage and town shine a bit brighter, touched by the hand of God.”

For full review by Rev. Bruce Batchlor-Glader