Foothills District UMC
Footnotes from the
Foothills
October 2015
Inside this issue:
From the Desk of the DS


IMPPORTANT
E-Mail
Changes!!!
Fall Lay Servant
Classes
2

Festival Of Sharing 3
Report/Thanks

Clergy Event at
Camden-Clark
Hospital

5
Pennsville 150
Year Celebration
Choir Music Available
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
4
Town & Rural
Resource Programming Event:
Appalachia—
Building Relationships & Ministries
6

2015 Legal Forum
7

Camp & Retreat
Ministries Upcoming Events
8

Camp cont.
9

Holy Spirit Seminar—Prayer:
Touching Heaven,
Changing Earth
10
Dear Friends in Christ,
Welcome to October! I love this
month! Crisp air, beautiful changing
leaves, pumpkins, good apples and
cider, wiener roasts, college football,
and fun-filled events at church!
Did you know October is Clergy Appreciation Month? Your pastor does not need to
be given any undue special treatment just for doing his or her job. But your pastor
does deserve appreciation, respect, and affirmation. Being a pastor today is not easy.
In fact, in my 24 years of pastoral leadership, I have seen ministry become far more
difficult, complex, and discounted. Church consultant Lovett Weems suggests that
many of our congregations will show some sort of appreciation for their clergy leadership during this month. While such gestures are thoughtful and appreciated, most
clergy would settle for more modest ongoing respect and encouragement.
Here are five suggestions from Lovett Weems’ article, “Showing Appreciation for Your
Pastor” from his Leading Ideas newsletter:
1. Pray for them. Prayer helps you and your clergy leaders understand your partnership in ministry and your mutual dependence on God.
2. Respect them. It is crucial that you do not talk to them in ways you would not want
or permit them to talk to you. Clergy can handle questions and criticism. They need
them. But it is essential that you not add a layer of hostile attitude or attribution of motives to your conversation.
3. Respect boundaries. It is easy for a pastor’s life to become 24/7 — with all members feeling their situation, meeting, or question is the exception to respecting the
pastor’s personal time. It is the pastor’s family and the pastor’s well-being that often
suffer the most from such blurred time boundaries.
4. Be positive. Practice reframing both your concerns and those of others into opportunities to advance God’s work through your congregation. Ask about things other
than Sunday School room assignments. Pastors enter ministry because of their desire to help others know God through Christ and to grow as disciples. They invest
years in study and then hours each week in preparing to preach and teach. They
would gladly welcome thoughtful inquiries about the substance of their messages.
5. Support the mission of the congregation. Good pastors most want their congregations to take the next faithful step that God has for them. No amount of personal
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Footnotes from the Foothills
affirmation can match the example of dedicated laity who are serving that vision.
I am sure there are other ways to participate in Pastor Appreciation month, but my point is this: As you
offer appreciation to your pastor this month, make sure to support and encourage them all through the
year.
In Christ’s love,
Dennis
FOOTHILLS E-MAIL IS CHANGING!!!
We are currently in the process of switching out our current e-mail addresses at the Foothills District
Office. The current addresses will continue to work for at least another month, but we would like to
phase them out completely by year’s end.
Please place the following NEW e-mail addresses for the Foothills District Staff in your e-mail address book:
The Foothills District Office: [email protected]
District Superintendent, Dennis Miller: [email protected]
Asst. to the DS, Steve McGuire: [email protected]
Office Administrator, Sherri Rogers: [email protected]
LAY SERVANT FALL CLASSES
Two classes will be offered in October:
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Basic Training will be held Friday, Oct. 9-10

Advanced Training—United Methodist Polity will be held Saturday, Oct. 10
Both of these classes will be held at the Hocking Hills UMC in Logan, Ohio.
The UM Polity class will be led by the Rev. Roger Grace, former District Superintendent of the Athens
District and currently the Assistant to the District Superintendent in Capitol Area North.
One class will be offered in November:

Advanced Training—United Methodist Heritage—Living Our Beliefs the United Methodist Way
This is an additional advanced, core class for Lay Speaking and will be offered on November 14. It
will be held at the Albany UM Church, Albany, Ohio and will be led by the Rev. Mark Chow and Rev.
Jeff Belt.
Registration forms for all of the above classes have been sent to current Lay Servants as well as
those who were recommended by their charge conference to pursue Lay Servant Ministry.
For more information, contact Sherri at the Foothills District Office.
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Footnotes from the Foothills
Festival of Sharing Report
On behalf of Church World Service, I want to thank all of the Foothills District churches for their participation in the Ohio Festival of Sharing. Without your dedication we couldn't do what we do!
Your commitment shows in that we were able almost entirely fill the truck with a final weight of 32,520
lbs! Many people in need will receive these kits because of your contribution of health/hygiene kits,
school kits, flood buckets, and baby kits. Thanks also to those who helped organize this wonderful
event, those who unloaded cars and vans, loaded the truck and to the volunteers who helped build a
storage shed for David and Mary Jo Barringer of Alfred UMC in Meigs County.
Congratulations on another successful year and the difference that we can all make together when we
share.
Thank you.
Matthew Stevens
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Footnotes from the Foothills
In addition to the adults
who put together items
for the Festival of Sharing, The children of
Hocking Hills UMC assembled 58 health kits.
The boys and girls took
turns "shopping" for the
kit items and delivering
them to another team to
count the items and bag
them up. The girls and
boys took turns shopping and assembling.
The group prayed over
all 58 health kits before
they left the church and
for those in need who
would receive them.
Hospital Clergy Education Event
Plans are coming together for the Community Clergy Educational Event on Tuesday, October
13, 2015 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg,
WV. We have a good cross section of presenters and topics.
Agenda:
9:00 am Welcome, Introductions and State of CCMC – Chaplain David Kaufman & CEO Dave
McClure
9:15 am – Biomedical & Healthcare Ethics – David Lake
9:45 am – Patient Advocacy & Discharge Decisions – Kristin Leaman
10:15 am – Break
10:30 am – Advance Directives Alphabet Soup – Chaplain Kaufman
11:00 am – Understanding Palliative Care – Donna Adams
11:30 am – Chaplain’s vs. Community Clergy Role in Patient Care – Panel Discussion
Noon – Lunch
1 pm – Quick Clergy ID – Chaplain Johnny Briles (Optional for those who need an updated ID)
For more information or to register, please contact
David Kaufman, Staff Chaplain
Camden-Clark Medical Center
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 424-2173
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Footnotes from the Foothills
Pennsville to Celebrate 150 Years
On October 17th and 18th, Pennsville United Methodist Church will hold a 2 day celebration event to
honor the 150 year anniversary of their church building. The present building was constructed and
dedicated during the years 1864 and 1865. The Church was originally founded as a Methodist Protestant congregation in 1833.
Saturday, Oct. 17
5:00 p.m. Free Dinner—Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and more. There will be a historical display and open
house. There will be children’s activities including corn hole, piñata, pumpkin painting and more.
7:00 p.m. Music will be provided by Sharon Hardman of Logan, Ohio.
Sharon serves in full time music ministry and travels throughout the US and
has performed internationally. She has been nominated and has received
numerous awards for her country gospel music.
Sunday, Oct. 18
10:15 a.m. Coffee time
10:45 a.m. Worship Service—Rev. Dr. Max Steven McGuire, Asst. to the District Superintendent of the
Foothills District of the West Ohio Conference will be the guest preacher.
12:00 noon Dinner open to all—provided by the church
2:00 p.m. Rededication Service—will include a message by Rev. Stephen Bondurant, recognition of
former pastors and a rededication by Rev. Dr. Max Steven McGuire.
Special music will be provided by Cross Pointe Trio of Lancaster. Cross
Pointe is made up of Bill Pitts, Conda Barlow and Debbie Wright. They
have released 5 national songs in the past 2 years and have enjoyed
much success with their southern gospel music.
Cake and refreshments will follow the service.
All are welcome. Please come for all or part of the celebration.
Choir Music Available
Belpre St. Mark's UM Church has some of its choir music from the 80's and into the 90's that they no
longer need. At least some of it is individual pieces (not books) and there are 20 - 25 copies each.
They are interested in giving it to any church that would
like to have it. If you are interested, please contact the
church office at 740-423-7065.
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Footnotes from the Foothills
APPALACHIA: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS &
MINISTRIES THAT HELP OVERCOME POVERTY
October 31, 2015
9:00 am—4:00 pm
both sessions at Pleasant Grove UMC
400 Pleasant Grove Rd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
(Exit 157—SR 93N. Just north of 70, and 3 miles east of Zanesville)
What are the goals of this event?
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Be introduced to and understand the Appalachian and poverty cultures
Understand all people are created for a purpose
Importance of building relationships, meeting needs, and partnering with others
The possibilities of ministry with those unable to overcome poverty, for whatever reason
Process of Appalachian Ministry Grants (#1)
Framework of mercy and justice ministries (#2)
Cultural Spiritual Formation & Discipleship (#2)
Best practices for ministry with the poor
Lift up attending churches and their ministry/outreaches
Choose one or both sessions!
Registration pricing for sessions:
$25.00/person/one session
$20.00/person/one session with 4 or
more persons attending
$40.00/person/both sessions
$30.00/person/both sessions with 4 or
more persons attending
Each session includes: continental breakfast, lunch,
snacks, and handouts.
0.6 C.E.U’s for clergy and lay.
Each session will feature practical and contextual speakers from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, & Ohio.
There will be no repeat speakers between the two sessions, so the greatest value will be from attending both sessions, at a reduced rate. Each session will stand alone and be of great benefit. Bring a
team and discover every size church can make a difference
Session 1 Key Speakers:
Nora Stanger grew up as a child of poverty in Lawrence County, Ohio, in the foothills of Appalachia,
earning a Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Abilene Christian University. Nora is a
storyteller, offering her story. Her teachings will focus on the Appalachian culture, growing up poor,
understanding the culture of poverty, and excelling through poverty. She authored “Diamonds in the
Dew: An Appalachian Experience.”
John Baney is the Vice-Chair of the United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network, and chair of the
Hunger & Poverty teams. He will share what the UMANM does, the grant application process & crite-
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Footnotes from the Foothills
ria for a successful application. He will highlight some of the ministries that they have supported as
examples of the kind and type of ministries that have been successful in other parts of Appalachia. He
will offer a short training module about ministry with the poor.
Session 2 Key Speakers:
Dr. Michael Linger is the Executive Director of the House of the Carpenter, a Christ centered organization affiliated with the WV Conference, UMC. The HOC has three vital parts of its mission: Ministries of
Mercy: Helping provide the basic needs that people have; Ministries of Justice: Assisting people in developing skills and understandings that make it easier for them to improve their quality of life; Ministry
of Spiritual Formation: Introducing and helping disciple people through faith in Jesus Christ.
Keith Wasserman is now in his 35th year with Good Works, with the vision to create and sustain a
COMMUNITY OF HOPE with and for people who are struggling with poverty and homelessness in
rural Appalachia Ohio. They offer people in need biblical hospitality, assistance, and a way to share
their gifts/abilities with others. Transformation Station gives people needed resources, while volunteering in meaningful ways to help other people in the Athens County.
Registration Deadline is: 9/8 or 10/20. For a brochure and registration form go to the Foothills District
website under events—www.foothillsdistrict.org.
2015 Annual Legal Forum
The 19th Annual Legal Forum sponsored by the West Ohio Conference will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015. The forum is designed to address legal issues that churches face as they go about their
day to day ministry as well as other important issues and information that pertain to churches in our
changing world.
The event will be held at :
Ohio Wesleyan University
61 S SANDUSKY ST, DELAWARE, OH 43015-2333
Topics Covered this year:
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Sexual Misconduct - How We Take Charge Together
Affordable Care Act - Your Local Church Responsibilities
Twenty Years of Chancellor Inquiries - Top Ten
Your Church Insurance - Why You Likely Need Changes
Registration occurs at 9:00 a.m., event begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 3:30 p.m.
Cost is 35.00 per person.
To register on-line click here
For more information, contact Joy Perry at [email protected] or 1-800-437-0028 ext. 222
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Footnotes from the Foothills
Experience Camping Fun All Year Round!
The West Ohio Conference is blessed with beautiful land that God has uniquely created to be a place
to explore and become adventurous in your faith. Our camp and retreat sites exist to be places for self
examination, spiritual refreshment and growing deeper in your walk with Jesus.
West Ohio Camping & Retreat Ministries provides three great Ohio locations for year-round hosting of
church retreats, youth events, conferences, meetings, trainings or just relaxing group getaways. Each
of our camps has a unique style packed with indoor and outdoor resources and facilities for a multitude of activities. We can assist with the programming, meal service or fun activities, or you can
schedule your own group time and activities. Each camp has Wi-Fi and media to meet your presentation needs.
Camp Otterbein is located in Logan within the Hocking Hills of southeast Ohio on 450 acres of wonderful wilderness where you can enjoy great hiking trails while enjoying the breeze through the tall
white pines. For information call Scott Seese at 740-385-5712.
Camp Wesley is in west central Ohio in Bellefontaine where 225 acres of beauty surrounds a lake
tucked within the trees and gently sloping land. For information call Phil White at 937-592-1571.
Camp Widewater, in northwest Ohio across the Maumee River from historic Grand Rapids, offers a
rich blend of rural countryside along with a pond and camp setting. For information call Eric Witte at
419-262-7598.
To learn more about our West Ohio Camps & Retreats, contact Ken Overholser, Director of Camping
& Retreat Ministries at [email protected] or 614-844-6200.
Upcoming Events
Winter Camp at Otterbein (15779 Cox Road, Logan, Ohio, 43138)
Enjoy Winter Camp fun with warm campfires, hot chocolate, cold nights, cool games, wagon rides and
downhill sledding, snow or no snow at Camp Otterbein during your Christmas break. We will celebrate
the season of Jesus’ birth with worship, teachings and a cool blast of fun.
Date: Sunday, December 27 1:00 PM through Tuesday, December 29 7:00 PM
How to Register: Visit www.westohiocamps.org
Cost: $95 per student (early discount $79 by
December 1) $39 per adult; includes lodging,
food and activities
Contact: Scott Seese 740-385-5712,
[email protected]
Recommended for:
Children and youth ages 7-17
Sponsored by: West Ohio Conference
Camping & Retreat Ministries
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Footnotes from the Foothills
Winter Camp: For First Year Campers at Widewater (4050 Old County Road 24, Liberty Center,
Ohio, 43532)
First year opportunity for campers to experience camp at Camp Widewater in the winter during Christmas break. Come feel the chill in the air as we celebrate Jesus’ birth in worship and teaching. Activities include wagon rides, camp fires, winter games and great meals. Individuals or groups welcome!
Widewater—
Date: Sunday, December 27 2:00 PM through Tuesday, December 29 5:00 PM
How to Register: Visit www.westohiocamps.org
Cost: $95 per student (early discount $79 by December 1), $39 per adult; includes lodging, food and
activities
Contact: Eric Witte 419-533-5900, [email protected]
Recommended for: Children and youth ages 7-17
Sponsored by: West Ohio Conference Camping & Retreat Ministries
Confirmation Retreats
Students starting the confirmation process this fall within their local congregation will want to attend a
great retreat designed to supplement the confirmation experience. Confirmation Retreats are a fun
opportunity for youth to connect with other young believers in a camp and retreat setting. There are
three date options and camp locations to choose from. We require that a church group send one adult
leader per gender for each six youth.
Recommended for: Middle school students in grades 6-9 that are part of a confirmation class at their
local church
Registration: westohiocamps.org or email [email protected] for groups
Cost: $95 students (early discount for students $79 by March 1, 2016) $39 adult leaders; includes retreat materials, lodging, meals and activities
Camp Otterbein—15779 Cox Road, Logan, Ohio, 43138
Date: Friday, March 4, 2016 7:00 PM through Sunday, March 6, 2016 11:00 AM
Contact: Scott Seese, 740-385-5712, [email protected]
Camp Wesley—653 Twp Road 37 East, Bellefontaine, Ohio, 43312
Date: Friday, March 11, 2016 7:00 PM to Sunday, March 13, 2016 11:00 AM
Contact: Phil White, 937-592-1571 [email protected]
Camp Widewater—4050 Old County Road 24, Liberty Center, Ohio, 43532
Dates: Friday, April 8, 2016 7:00 PM through Sunday, April10, 2016 11:00 AM
Contact: Eric Witte, 419-533-5900, [email protected]
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FOOTHILLS DISTRICT
UMC
PO Box 67
47 Johnson Rd.
The Plains, OH 45780-0067
Phone: 888-868-1225
Fax: 740-797-4582
E-mail: [email protected]
Rev. Dr. Dennis Miller, D.S.
Rev. Dr. Steve McGuire, Asst. to the
D.S.
Sherri L. Rogers, Office Administrator
Merv Davis, Treasurer/Bookkeeper
DATE: December 4, 2015
SPEAKERS: Dr. James W. Goll, Dr. Mark Virkler
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Place: Ginghamsburg UM Church, 6759 S. County Rd. 25A, Tipp City, Ohio
CEU’s: 0.6 (add $10 fee for CEU Certificate)
Registration Information:
www.united.edu under “Events” or www.holyspiritseminar.org
Contact: Laura Weber at 937-529-2201 or [email protected]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Office Hours: M-F 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m. Lunch 12:00-1:00 p.m.
E-Mails:
Office - [email protected]
Dennis Miller, DS - [email protected]
Steve McGuire, ADS - [email protected]
Merv Davis, Treasurer/Bookkeeper - [email protected]
Check us out on the Web:
www.foothillsdistrict.org
Sherri Rogers, Office Admin. - [email protected]
Roger Thatcher, Dist. Disaster Response [email protected]