NEWSLETTER.

Of New Beginnings, Lent, and Pruning Fruit Trees This is the first week of a new Church Year. March is the perfect time to start thinking ahead and making a missional plan for the year. January might kick things off, but let’s be real—it’s tough to pick up speed after the holiday chaos. February is all gloom and cold, so we’re just sort of coasting through, counting down the days until it’s over. But March is when we can really get things rolling! Lent also begins this week. Lent is to Easter what Advent is to Christmas—a season of preparation…

Thank You I want to take this opportunity to thank our pastors and churches for partnering with us in district ministries. Your faithful, and at times sacrificial, gifts allow us to accomplish more together than any one pastor or one church could accomplish on their own. As we focus on starting churches, strengthening churches, and developing leaders we continue to rely on our partnership and the synergy created when we share the same mission. Some churches contribute to the District Unified Ministries Fund each week, several contribute on a monthly basis, and a few contribute quarterly. We are grateful for all…

Looking Forward What are you looking forward to these days? Perhaps it is the arrival of Spring – the sight of the pink and white dogwood blossoms, the sound of a bat hitting a baseball, the smell of freshly cut grass, the taste of fresh strawberries. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to: EQUIP: February 22 at Pickerington Nazarene (PickNaz). Dan Meek, (SCO NDI Director) and his team are preparing a significant resourcing opportunity for pastors and lay leaders. SCO District Conventions: April 12, at Circleville Heritage. Carol Lee Carpenter (NMI) and Christina McCully (NYI) and their councils, are…

What Comes to Mind When You Think of Winter? When I think of winter, I’m reminded of the simple joys of childhood: sledding down hills and seeing icicles hanging from rocks on the road to my grandparents’ house at Christmas. And, as an adult, the unforgettable morning in 1995 when 22 inches of snow fell in Wilmore, KY, and snowflakes as big as silver dollars gently drifted from the sky. Each season holds its own unique beauty, and winter is no exception. This morning, the snow blankets the ground, sparkling in the sunlight, outshining any diamond. The crackling sound and…

New Start Congregation Registered! There is a question I’ve been asked often. Just a couple days ago I heard it again.  This time it was a pastor’s spouse posing the question, during a dinner with a dozen pastors and their spouses.  The question: “What is your vision for the South-Central Ohio District?”  The response came quickly: That we start churches, strengthen churches, and develop leaders. Before I ever arrived, plans had been laid by prior leadership regarding each of these priorities. Today’s announcement is not due to my work, but to the work of several other individuals, over several months….

Sharing Christmas Encouragement Want to bless a parsonage family or another church? With the arrival of the Advent season, several of our churches will be considering how they might encourage some of our ministerial families serving smaller congregations on the South Central Ohio District. When congregations adopt one or more of our pastors and their families, it really makes a difference! I’ve already had a couple occasions when a pastor has asked me to recommend someone they could bless. Your church may want to provide a love offering, Christmas gifts, or maybe even a scholarship to next year’s District Pastors…

Thanks – Giving I am greatly enjoying traveling the district, meeting our pastors, and visiting our churches. Thank you for the ways in which you are welcoming Diane and me and making us feel a part of the SCO family. In October, Diane and I had the privilege of spending several days in Africa (South Africa and Mozambique) with around 40 other leaders from the USA/Canada Region and the Africa Region. We were able to see first-hand the result of our giving for World Evangelism (WEF). The purpose of the trip was three-fold: 1) Strengthen our relationships, 2) Explore strategic…

We’re Here to Serve You Well The SCO District Advisory Board (DAB) has approved the following restructuring of our office support staff. The goal is to provide efficient and responsive service to the pastors and churches of the South Central Ohio District. Effective November 1, Christy Robison began to serve the district as Director of Communication, in a part-time (10 hours a week) capacity. Christy will work remotely, serving as the person responsible for district-wide communication, keeping the district informed of pertinent news items and upcoming events, primarily through the bi-weekly district newsletter and social media. Christy will also maintain the district calendar…

Anticipation A question I often ask Diane is, “What are you looking forward to?” Many years ago, I committed to making sure that she always has something to anticipate – a trip, an event, or fun experience. That question has served us well over the years and helped us live in a state of eager expectation. What are you looking forward to? Here are some things I’m looking forward to: The annual SCO Christmas Banquet: Monday, December 2, at The Naz in Grove City at 7 PM.  When I was informed of the date and location of this event, it brought on a big smile….

As the month of October rolls around each year, we are reminded of the gift that our pastors are to each of us. They pray for us, administer the sacraments to us, preach Good News to us, officiate at weddings, funerals, and baptisms, care for us in times of crisis, and call us to a missional vision for our communities and the world. I have been blessed by the ministry of some fine shepherds over my lifetime.  John Lawwill, T. James Boshell, O. C. Rushing, Robert Atkinson, Leroy Hostutler, Forest Harvey, Everett Clay, Jack Archer, and Keith Wright pastored churches…