. . .The Canal District United Methodist Church Newsletter. . . Rev. Ed Peterson, District Superintendent, Canal District The mission of the Canal District UMC is to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Keeping Out of the Ruts and on New Paths! Greetings Friends! I find comfort in routine; in things that are familiar and predictable. I love watching the same movie or TV show over and over again. I enjoy going to familiar places. Even when doing something new, I plan it all out. Cindy says that I can plan the fun out of anything. I am most comfortable when in a groove. Many years ago, as early settlers from Connecticut were making their way to the Western Reserve in Ohio to claim their plot of land, there were no road signs, and maps were very primitive. Over time, as more settlers continued to move west, trails began to develop. When the settlers found a trail, they were elated, because the trails contained grooves carved into the earth by all of the wagon wheels that had gone on before them. All they had to do was put their wheels in the groove, and hang on until they arrived in the Western Reserve. There was no worrying about if they were going in the right direction. The ride also got a lot smoother in a groove. So, life was good when they got in a groove. In church life, we love getting in to a groove. When we are in a groove, we can take our hands off the reigns and just hold on. When we are in a groove, there is no worrying about if we are going in the right direction. Things are a lot smoother, when we are in a groove. When we are in a groove, we ask things like, “How did we do it last year?” When we are in a groove, we don’t look for other ways of doing things. When we are in a groove, we keep doing what we’ve been doing. As the years went on, and more wagons travelled west in the same grooves, the grooves got deeper, until they became ruts. And then, what those early travelers once sought out, they then avoided. Getting a wagon wheel caught in a rut was dangerous. Once you got your wheel in a rut, you couldn’t go in a different direction. Once you were in a rut, you couldn’t get out. And so it is for us in the church. It is very easy for a groove to become a rut. When we get in a rut, we don’t think we can do things any other way. When we are in a rut, there is only one way. When we are in a rut, we begin to believe that we are betraying tradition if we dare to consider going in a different direction. Sometimes, there is wisdom in doing things differently, simply for the sake of doing them differently. This enables us to carve out new paths in new direc- tions, to discover new things, and to look ahead in joyful anticipation for what lies ahead. God help us to keep out of the ruts and on new paths! Love ya’ - Ed During the coming weeks, please lift the following churches and their pastors in prayer: February 5: Wedgewood UMC, Rev. Joe Burkhardt February 12: West Lebanon, Pastor Ruthann Bosley February 19: Wooster UMC, Rev. Charlie Tobias and Pastor Jon Hutchison February 26: York UMC, Rev. Lisa Kropinak FEBRUARY 2017 www.eocumc.com/canal - Canal District - United Methodist Church - East Ohio Conference - Save the Date - Canal Spring District Conference Sunday, April 30, 2017, 3:00 - 4:30 pm at Lockwood UMC, 3680 Manchester Rd., Akron Resident Bishop East Ohio Conference: Tracy S. Malone Conference website: www.eocumc.com
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. . .The Canal District United Methodist Church Newsletter. . . R e v . E d P e t e r s o n , D i s t r i c t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , C a n a l D i s t r i c t
The miss ion of the Canal District UMC is to make and mature discip les o f Jesus Christ for the t ransformation of the world .
Keeping Out of the Ruts and on New Paths!
Greetings Friends!
I find comfort in routine; in things that are familiar and
predictable. I love watching the same movie or TV show over
and over again. I enjoy going to familiar places. Even when
doing something new, I plan it all out. Cindy says that I can
plan the fun out of anything. I am most comfortable when in a
groove.
Many years ago, as early settlers from Connecticut were making their way
to the Western Reserve in Ohio to claim their plot of land, there were no road
signs, and maps were very primitive. Over time, as more settlers continued to
move west, trails began to develop. When the settlers found a trail, they were
elated, because the trails contained grooves carved into the earth by all of the
wagon wheels that had gone on before them. All they had to do was put their
wheels in the groove, and hang on until they arrived in the Western Reserve.
There was no worrying about if they were going in the right direction. The ride
also got a lot smoother in a groove. So, life was good when they got in a
groove.
In church life, we love getting in to a groove. When we are in a groove, we
can take our hands off the reigns and just hold on. When we are in a groove,
there is no worrying about if we are going in the right direction. Things are a lot
smoother, when we are in a groove.
When we are in a groove, we ask things like, “How did we do it last year?”
When we are in a groove, we don’t look for other ways of doing things. When
we are in a groove, we keep doing what we’ve been doing.
As the years went on, and more wagons travelled west
in the same grooves, the grooves got deeper, until they
became ruts. And then, what those early travelers once
sought out, they then avoided. Getting a wagon wheel
caught in a rut was dangerous. Once you got your wheel
in a rut, you couldn’t go in a different direction. Once
you were in a rut, you couldn’t get out.
And so it is for us in the church. It is very easy for a groove to become a rut.
When we get in a rut, we don’t think we can do things any other way. When
we are in a rut, there is only one way. When we are in a rut, we begin to believe
that we are betraying tradition if we dare to consider going in a different
direction.
Sometimes, there is wisdom in doing things differently, simply for the sake
of doing them differently. This enables us to carve out new paths in new direc-
tions, to discover new things, and to look ahead in joyful anticipation for what
lies ahead. God help us to keep out of the ruts and on new paths!
Love ya’ - Ed
During
the
coming
weeks,
please
lift the following churches
and their pastors in prayer:
February 5: Wedgewood UMC,
Rev. Joe Burkhardt
February 12: West Lebanon,
Pastor Ruthann Bosley
February 19: Wooster UMC,
Rev. Charlie Tobias and
Pastor Jon Hutchison
February 26: York UMC,
Rev. Lisa Kropinak
FEBRUARY 2017
www.eocumc.com/canal - C a n a l D i s t r i c t - U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h - E a s t O h i o C o n f e r e n c e
- Save the Date - Canal Spring District
Conference Sunday, April 30, 2017,
3:00 - 4:30 pm at Lockwood UMC, 3680 Manchester Rd., Akron
Wednesday, February 8 - Friday, February 10 - Cabinet
Tuesday, January 3 - Thursday, January 5 - Cabinet
Wednesday, February 15 - Regional Meeting with CCOM Tuesday, February 21, 9 to 10 am - TAP Grant Review Meeting at Canal District Office
► May 18-20, 2018 - National Assembly, Columbus Ohio
► Web Page: http://www.eocumc.com/canal/umw.html
► Elizabeth Feldman, Communications, Canal District
UMW, 330-465-5782, or email: eflogil@gmail .com
Canal Dist r ic t and East Ohio Conference
3Cs Mission—Put Your Love in Act ion
Every mission site always cares for the whole person — body, mind and spirit — with a church, a medical
clinic and a school. The 3Cs Mission Project — Churches, Clinics and Classrooms — has been partnering with
UMC folks in Russia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Zimbabwe.
You are invited to put your love in action and form relationships that will strengthen the fabric of your faith.
How is your church being called into relationship building out in the mission field and how can we help to
make God’s dreams a reality?
Speakers are available to be a part of your worship experience, mission meeting, compass group, UMW
gathering or any ministry event to share the mission story. If you would like to learn more about how your congregation can
connect with this ministry please contact Kathy Dickriede, [email protected]
3Cs Mission UMVIM Experiences, teams are being created! It is time to respond to the invitation to join us in
relationship building and risk taking mission. ► Zimbabwe Emsizini School - Young Adult UMVIM Team - Late May/Early June 2017 - Cost $3,500 - Contact John
Rejoicing Spi r i ts Worship Service at Fi rst UMC of Cuyahoga Fal ls
First United Methodist Church of Cuyahoga Falls began holding Rejoicing Spirits Worship
Services in September of 2014 under the ministry of the Access Ministry of FUMC. Their leader
is Mary Ellen Atwood and their staff advisor is Karol Lewis.
Rejoicing Spirits is a non-denominational worship service that works to enrich the faith lives
of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Families, friends and other supportive
community members are invited to attend. Rejoicing Spirits was founded on the belief that all
people should have the opportunity to explore faith and spirituality.
Unfortunately, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often overlooked
when it comes to inclusion in our faith communities. Most churches have done significant work
in adapting buildings to accommodate physical needs, but unseen barriers often prevent people with disabilities from becoming
active members in a faith community they choose.
This innovative ministry works with congregations to provide a meaningful, inclusive worship service for everyone but it is
tailored for those with intellectual disabilities. People are free to be themselves while actively participating as contributing mem-
bers in an inclusive faith community.
Rejoicing Spirits Worship Services are Shush-Free. Services include lots joyous singing along with a brief, meaningful mes-
sage. The short service is followed by “Fellowship Time” which includes light refreshments. Worshippers are invited to come as
they are and are encouraged to be themselves without fear of being "shushed." There are lots of opportunities for worshippers to
serve, lead, learn and participate.
The Rejoicing Spirits worship service can meet people's needs in various ways:
· Serves as a stepping-stone for those wanting to take the first step into a faith community.
· Offers complementary worship and fellowship opportunities for those who already belong to a faith community.
· Provides an inclusive faith community that may fully meet their current needs and desires.
Website: http://www.rejoicingspirits.org
In 2003 Rejoicing Spirits began at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Exton, Penn. In 2014 it became a part of Mosaic, a national
faith-based service provider of a “life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities." Today there are 30 Rejoicing Spir-
its host sites in 11 states. Two of these congregations are in Ohio: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hudson meets the first Satur-
day of each month at 5:30 pm., and FUMC Cuyahoga Falls meets the third Saturday of each month at 5:30 pm.
JOB OPENINGS IN THE CANAL DISTRICT and Conference
For job openings in the district and conference, check the classified page
on the conference website: http://www.eocumc.com/classified/index.html
Page 6
Canal District of The United Methodist Church 800 E Market St Akron OH 44305
THE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS THE 20th OF THE MONTH. There’s
a combined newsletter March/April, June/July, Sept./Oct., and
Dec./Jan. (subject to change)
“The Connector” February 2017
Return Service Requested
CANAL DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF—District Superintendent: Rev. Ed Peterson, Administrative Assistant: Debbie Bryant, Treasurer: Sheryl Reynolds If you would like to receive our newsletter by mail or email, please contact Debbie. Address: 800 East Market St., Akron 44305 - Phone: 330-252-0299 - Fax: 330-252-0297 E-mail: [email protected] - Web Site: www.eocumc.com/canal/
HISTORIAN OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS/CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES REQUESTED
The East Ohio Commission on Archives and History in conjunction with the United Methodist Historical Society
of Ohio is seeking nominations for the 2017 Historian of the Year. This is an opportunity for local congregations to
recognize and celebrate the work of those local church historians who go far
“above and beyond” what is expected to preserve the rich heritage of the local
church.
It is helpful to include samples of the work that has been done. It is also benefi-
cial to say if the work has been done by an individual or a group of people.
The Society also seeks Local Church anniversary information for those church-
es that are celebrating special anniversaries, such as 50, 75, 100, 150 etc. in 2017.
The Society provides an attractive commemorative certificate to these churches.
Local Church Historian nominations and anniversary information should be sent
to Rev. Don Trigg, P.O. Box 32, Seville., OH., and postmarked by March 1, 2017.
Please note, Historian of the Year Awards and Local Church Anniversary certif-
icates will be distributed April 22, 2017 at the United Methodist Historical Society
of Ohio meeting at the Bowling Green Trinity United Methodist Church, 200 N
Summit St., Bowling Green, OH.
If you have questions please contact Rev. Don Trigg at [email protected],