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The Foothills District

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Volume 1, Issue 4 Home Newsletter Archive November 2006

District & Conference News

group Charge Conferences Consecrate Leaders

Five Charge Conferences are scheduled for November. Tom Hanover and Brent Watson have led group charge conferences across the Foothills District since mid Sept. In addition to the important actions of electing new officers, approving budgets, and affirming lay speakers; church leaders discussed the vision of their churches through the question: “What fruit is God calling us to produce in the coming year?” Following individual conference sessions, church leaders gathered for prayers of consecration. This picture taken by Ray Wiblin shows the prayer time at Hamden UMC in Vinton Co.

Church Leaders Oppose Issue 3

Bishop Ough. “Thousands of Ohio children from our poorest families will go hungry and inadequately clothed because their parents’ paychecks will go into state sanctioned slot machines. This is bad economics and irresponsible government.” Quoting the United Methodist Discipline, Ough condemned gambling as a means to produce tax revenue. “We are called to resist the practices and systems that exploit other human beings, leaving them impoverished and demeaned,” said Ough. “We promote governmental standards and personal lifestyles that will make unnecessary and undesirable the resort to commercial gambling as a recreation, as an escape, or as a means of producing publicity.”

Ohio churches may endorse issues, but not candidates, say legal officials. “Churches and pastors are legally permitted to advocate for issues on the ballot, including use of yard signs,” said Rev. John A. Bouquet from the Ohio Roundtable. He encouraged Ohio pastors to take a stand against Issue #3 from their pulpits.

Bouquet and other religious leaders spoke at a press conference recently organized by the Ohio Council of Churches. “Federal IRS guidelines say churches cannot endorse individual candidates running for election,” said Bouquet and other officials representing the Ohio Council of Churches. Issue #3 would change the state constitution and open the way for increased legalized gambling in Ohio.

Credit Union Open to Church Members

Members of local United Methodist churches are now eligible for benefits and free membership to the West Ohio United Methodist Credit Union. “Originally chartered in 1939 to serve the needs of clergy, the West Ohio United Methodist Credit Union has now expanded to include all those who attend a United Methodist Church within the West Ohio Conference, said Director Russ Abbott.

The credit union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative that operates solely for its membership. It is located at 431 Ohio Pike - Suite 100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255.

“We offer an array of financial services. Member checking is designed to cost you less than those at other financial institutions. Home banking through our website allows you access to your accounts without charge, 24 hours a day and all at the click of a mouse,” said Rev. Rachel B. Miller, Vice President of Church Services. “Savings, money markets, certificate accounts and IRA’s offer members access to a variety of high yield savings options that are designed to meet their unique needs,” said Miller. Worldwide ATM access allows members to access cash wherever and whenever it’s needed. Two visa card options are available.

“We also offer a complete line of lending with member loans, first mortgage loans and commercial loans. Whether you are buying for the first time or refinancing we can help,” she continued. For more information, contact Miller at 1-800-373-1059 or visit the website: www.umethodist.com.

Clean Up Day

The renovations at the Foothills District Office are almost complete. What is needed now is some cleaning: washing windows, dusting shelves, touch up painting, vacumming, mopping, and washing counters. Sherri has set aside Wed, Nov 8, for office cleaning. If you would like to help, contact Sherri at 888.868.1225 or office@foothillsdistrict.

In the spring the Athens District Trustees approved a plan that improved lighting, replaced carpet, and generally retooled the office for improved traffic flow and security. Stop in and view the improvements.

An open house is in the works and will be announced soon.

2007 Health Care Rates Announced

The 2007 Health Care Insurance rates were just announced.

Single –	$6,756
Family of 2 -	$13,380
Family of 3 or more	$16,416

These are approximately a 7% increase over 2006, considerably less than the standard in other areas. Pastors can check the calculator on the district web site to determine the appropriate amount for personal deductions.

CRSP 2007 Pension Plan

The 2004 General Conference authorized a new pension plan to be launched Jan 2007. If you are already retired, these changes will not affect you. Active pastors will want to learn how the changes will affect them. Five meetings will be offered across the conference. All meetings are 7-9 pm.

Nov 13 @ Findlay St. Andrews

Nov 14 @Arcanum Grace

Nov 15 @Athens Richland

Nov 16 @Columbus Livingston

Nov 17 @ Waverly Grace

There will be no change in the method for pension billing. The new pension plan will bill at the same level as the old MPP – 12%. However, in 2007 CPP will decrease from 4.4% to 3%.

District Apportionments Distributed

The office staff has mailed the 2007 Foothills District apportionments to pastors and treasurers. Due to transition issues, there were many extra details to manage this year. We apologize for the delay. Some notes for your information.

There is only one district apportionment. In past years the Newark District divided the operations portion of the budget from the missions side of the budget. The Foothills District is currently functioning on a unified budget.
The Athens District Trustees approved a plan to spend down reserves to limit significant increases to former Newark District Churches. Working out these details took longer than anticipated.
We are uncertain about non-capital funds left over from the former Newark District assets. Consequently, we are proceeding prudently in adapting to the various mission and operational responsibilities of our new district.

If you have questions, please contact us. We’ll do our best to help!

Pumpkins, Praise, and Punchlines…

Camp Otterbein is hosting fireside fun, Sunday, Nov 19. Gather between 4-5 pm. Eat at 5 pm. Meal is $10. Jo Lee and his amazing camp improv known as “Jo Time” will entertain after the meal. The funds will help replace sound and electronic equipment recently stolen from Camp Otterbein and not covered by insurance. Please RSVP to Camp Otterbein (740.385.5712) by Nov 12. Click here to view brochure.

Tenth Annual Legal Forum, November 3, 2006, presented by The West Ohio Conference Board of Trustees and Law Clinic at Ohio Northern University. The forum is being held at the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, OH. For more information contact Mary Ellen Pennisi, 800/43/-0028 or mepennisi@wocumc.org.

SOWER Continues

SOWER (Sharing Our Witness - Enriching Relationships) was a VIM project of the old Newark District and is now a West Ohio Conference VIM project. Sower constructs small homes for families in need in conjunction with the Henderson Settlement Work Camp Program of the Red Bird Missionary Conference. Since 1999 SOWER has constructed 6 houses for individual families as well as helped complete two staff/transitional housing units on Henderson Settlement property.

In addition to the 70 volunteers, Sower leaders have set targets to raise $36,000 per home built. Cost to workcampers is $200 per person which covers room and board at Henderson Settlement. For more info, contact Ralph Brandon 740-344-5581 or rcbrandon@ee.net.

Messiah Sing-a-Long

The district is invited to participate in a Messiah Sing-a-Long on Friday, December 8, 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church, 2 South College Street, Athens. Conducted by Dr. Peter Jarjisian and other area guest conductors, this event is free and open to all. Please bring your own score or borrow one at the church that evening. Parking is available across the street in the parking garage. For questions, contact the church at 593-3977.

Safe Harbor Receives Grant

The National Foundation to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse has made a major forward-looking gift of $15,000 to Morgan County (Ohio) based Safe Harbor Resources, to seed a unique deployment plan for Safe Harbor’s suite of child protection inquiries and interventions. The gift was inspired by results of a joint-development project of Malta United Methodist Church and Safe Harbor over the last two years.

Festival of Sharing Committee Sought

The conference is looking for folks who would be willing to serve on the Festival of Sharing Committee. The committee meets about once every other month during the day at the West Ohio Conference office at 32 Wesley Blvd. In Worthington. The meetings generally last about 3 hours. If you are interested, please contact Jack Frost at 1-800-437-0028.

Regional Ministry Needs

1) Good Works (Athens)- 12 Passenger Van, spray cleaners, umbrellas, bleach, zip lock

freezer bags, food and volunteers to cut hair, lay carpet and tile

2) The Life Well (Zanesville)- Volunteers for the Free Store, COAT HANGERS! and folks who are willing to transport/ work with kids

3) Meigs County Cooperative Parish and God’s Net are selling engraved pavement bricks as a fundraiser. Please call them at 740-992-7400

4) Jackson Area Ministries- Work Trip Volunteers (November 4-11) to New Orleans. Call 1-888-237-3141

5) Morgan County United Ministries- Blankets, Winter Coats and other winter items

6) Care Outreach Ministry (Vinton County)- Volunteers for the Food Distribution Day (4^th Tuesday of each month from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) and volunteers for the Thrift Store (T,W,R from 9:00 a.m.-Noon) as well as monetary donations.

7) Belpre Area Ministries – Paper products, Soaps, Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

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.

Jan 7	3 pm	Gallipolis Grace	Feb 5	7 pm	Logan Trinity
Jan 10	7 pm	God’s Net, Pomeroy	Feb 6	7 pm	Gibisonville
Jan 14	3 pm	Racine	Feb 11	3 pm	New Lex First
Jan 16	7 pm	Belpre Rockland	Feb 18	3 pm	Bremen First
Jan 21	3 pm	Marietta Christ	Feb 25	3 pm	Malta
Jan 24	7 pm	Athens Richland Ave	Feb 27	7 pm	Crooksville First
Jan 28	3 pm	McArthur	Mar 5	7 pm	Somerset
Jan 28	7 pm	Nelsonville	Mar 6	7 pm	Rolling Plains
			Mar 13	7 pm	Zanesville Coburn