The Foothills District

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Volume 2, Issue 1 Home Newsletter Archive January 2007

Can Every Church Grow?

Lots of things do not grow: my ink pen, my coffee cup, my Black & Decker turbo charged stud finder, and many more. They are things. They are not living.

On the other hand, living things grow. They grow physically, emotionally, socially, relationally, mentally, spiritually, and more. If they do not grow in some way, we observe that they are beginning to die.

What about churches? Can every church grow? Yes, every church that is living with a mission and a vision can grow.

Pastor Bill Marshall, East Letart, told me that the church was down so far they were beginning to think that closing the church was inevitable. Now, they are talking about tearing down the old sanctuary to build a new one, right after they finish paying off the new fellowship hall they added recently. East Letart is not in high paced suburban growth, but they are impacting their community.

I visited with Junction City, Webbs, Maxville, and South Harvey just last week. They shared with me several examples of miracles happening in their churches and communities. Moreover, Junction City is in a building program, too.

How do these things happen? There are many factors, and each situation is unique. However, nearly every growing church I know began with prayer and Bible study. When leaders pray fervently for God’s vision (What fruit is God calling us to produce in the coming year?) and search the scriptures to experience God’s passion for people in our world; God does remarkable things.

I could go on. I am hearing many exciting stories across the Foothills District. There are many churches that are alive with the Spirit and growing in fruit.

I believe every church can grow. Is yours? What fruit is God calling your church to produce in the coming year?

That’s why we are counting the numbers in the Acts 2 data of faithful and fruitful churches. Each number represents a person whom God loves dearly. So the year end reports pastors and key leaders are preparing right now help us to see the fruit: new members, increased worship attendance, baptisms, professions of faith, small groups, and generous giving. In 2005, 44 churches demonstrated fruit in at least 5 of the 6 areas. An additional 29 churches documented fruit in at least 4 of the 6 areas.

Will 2006 and 2007 be better? It’s up to us.

Tom

District & Conference News

Foothills District Official

Effective January 1, 2007, the Foothills District will be official and legal. All financial and legal operations will begin. So, if you are sending a check to the district for apportionments, registrations, or any other purpose; please make it out to the Foothills District. We appreciate your patient cooperation in these matters.

Apportionment Brochures Mailed

Each pastor received a mailing of enough brochures for their bulletins and a cd power point presentation to share with their key leaders answering questions about apportionments. Where is the money spent? What missions depend on our giving? How do apportionments enable you to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the elderly, and so much more. If you didn’t get a brochure, ask your pastor for one. There are additional brochures at the district office, if you need more.

At Large Delegates to Conference

Because of the recent redistricting and the legislation that passed at the 2006 conference regarding youth and young adult lay members we need to adjust the way we select lay members at large.

We will need 33 total lay members at large, 7 of which must be youth or young adults. Unlike past years, you will not be automatically asked to serve because you served in that capacity the previous year. If you have an interest in attending this year’s West Ohio Conference, June 10-14, you will need to submit your name to the district office via e-mail, snail mail, or phone. We will create a pool of interested people and try to have equal representation from each geographic area of the district. Persons serving as supply pastors will be given first consideration and then we will fill the vacancies with persons from the pool.

Summer Internships for ethnic young adults: June 4 – August 11, 2007

Each year, the General Board of Church and Society provides summer internships for ethnic young adults 18-22 years old. The application deadline is March 15, 2007.

Applicants must have interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change. In addition to the work of the internship, participants will live in Christian community with each other, lead nightly devotions, participate in field trips and Friday seminars and actively attend Sunday worship in United Methodist congregations. The internship will provide each participant with round trip air fare, housing for 8 weeks, commuter travel, and a $1500 stipend. If you know of young adults who are African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino American, Native American or Pacific Islander who would be interested, please encourage them to apply. For more information, please contact Dee Stickley-Miner at 800-437-0028; dstickley@wocumc.org. For a link to the application go to http://www.umc-gbcs.org/atf/cf/{325AB72F-313E-4CC3-BB1A-EFOA52968A8D}/APPLICATION-eya_internship-2006.pdf

Important Dates

Pastor Parish Relations Committee Training

This training is for PPR Committees and other key leaders. Select the date and location most convenient for you. Please contact the district office (see contact links below) to let us know the date, location, and approximate number of people coming so we can have adequate materials and seating for your team!

Jan 7, 3 p.m. - Gallipolis Grace

Jan 10, 7 pm - God’s Net, Pomeroy

Jan 14, 3 pm - Racine

Jan 16, 7 pm - Belpre Rockland

Jan 21, 3 pm - Marietta Christ

Jan 24, 7 pm - Athens Richland Ave

Jan 28, 3 pm - McArthur

Jan 28, 7 pm - Nelsonville

Feb 5, 7 pm - Logan Trinity

Feb 6, 7 pm - Gibisonville

Feb 11, 3 pm - New Lex First

Feb 18 , 3 pm - Bremen First

Feb 25, 3 pm - Malta

Feb 27, 7 pm - Crooksville First

Mar 5, 7 pm - Somerset

Mar 6, 7 pm - Rolling Plains

Mar 13, 7 pm - Zanesville Coburn

GBHEM Announces Scholarship Winners

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry announced the scholarship winners in West Ohio. Five students are from the Foothills District:

Susanna Dinnen, Euclid Ave, Zanesville (Mount Union College)

Laura Duff, Central Trinity, Zanesville (Mount Union College)

Roy Farley, Tunnel, Marietta

Holly Murphy, Rolling Plains, Zanesville (Malone College)

Heather Stalter, Christ UMC, Marietta (Mount Union College)

Your apportionment dollars and offerings to World Communion Sunday and Student Day help fund scholarships and loans for more than 3000 students. Approximately, $1 million will be awarded to seminary students in this academic year.

Thanks to you, many are preparing themselves for leadership in the years to come!

OHIO UM History Convocation

UM Historical Society of Ohio is sponsoring this convocation in celebration of the 300^th anniversary of Charles Wesley’s birth, Sat, April 21, 2007, Cornerstone UMC in Portsmouth. Featured speakers include Dr. Robin Knowles Wallace, Professor of Worship and Music, Methesco, and Rev. Millard Mead, East Ohio Conference. Leaders will also provide three workshops to assist local church historians in preserving the history of their local churches.

Registration materials will be mailed in late Feb. For additional info, contact Jim Barbee, (614.322.1010 or barbeejr@aol.com) or Carol Holliger (740.368.3285 or aoum@owu.edu).

Credit Union Year End Special

West Ohio UM Credit Union is running a year end CD special for local churches: a rate of 5.2% with an APY of 5.29 for 3 months up to 3 years. There is no penalty for early withdrawal, if withdrawn to fund ministry.

For more info, contact Rachel Miller