The Mission of United Methodist Community Ministries is to assist congregations in doing ministry with and in the community where God has called them.
Our Goal is that every congregation becomes involved in life-changing, risk-taking service for the transformation of the world, starting with our own local communities. To that end we offer Grants and Partnership facilitation so that every congregation can become actively involved in life-changing, risk-taking service for the transformation of the world.
We serve nine counties of central Ohio, including Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Pickaway, and Union county.
To accomplish our Mission and Goal we:
Encourage - Assist existing District Mission Centers, support churches with community outreach ministries, and provide aid to churches or assistance with outreach ministries.
Enable - Help churches and groups identify community needs and assets, develop a mission and strategic plan, form partnerships and implement community ministries.
Educate - Provide valuable tools that help churches and clusters learn how to become more involved in community ministries through website information, training, retreats, mission tours, grant-writing workshops and more.
United Methodist Community Ministries Board of Directors
Capitol Area North District
Class of 2021
Rev. Matt Yoder (Lewis Center) myoder [at] lewiscenterumc.org (Local Outreach Chair)
Karen Dill (Rushsylvania) dill2020 [at] yahoo.com
Class of 2022
Judy Sharpe-Komafka (Harlem Road) judysharpekos [at] insight.rr.com
Rev. Judy Cramer (Magnetic Springs Charge) judycramer [at] aol.com
Class of 2023
Rev. Kathi Herington (Whitehall) kaherington [at] gmail.com (Secetary)
TBD
Ex Officio:
Rev. Linda Middelberg, District Superintendent
Rev. Karen Cook, Assistant to DS and Director - UMCM
Capitol Area South District
Class of 2021
Rev. Brian Jones (Lancaster First) brianjones [at] lancasterfumc.org
Rev. Anita Richter (Jackson Chapel) richteranita43 [at] yahoo.com
Class of 2022
Mr. David Pennington (Brushy Fork) dwp69 [at] hotmail.com (Finance Chair)
TBD
Class of 2023
Rev. Kenneth “Kenn” Barton (Good Shepherd/Fairview) pastorbarton [at] gmail.com (Board Chair)
Ms. Lori Fisher (Wesley Church of Hope) lorifisher2 [at] bestdooz.com
Ex Officio:
District Superintendent, Rev. Tim Bias;
Assistant to the District Superintendent, Rev. Sara Thomas
Director: Rev. Karen Cook, kcook [at] wocumc.org;
Board Members
Board members are asked to participate in four board meetings a year. Board members can participate in other teams or committees of the Communities Ministries, but they are not required to do so.
Board members are nominated by their respective District’s Nominations Committee and approved by their District membership at their Annual District Conference. A term on the Board lasts three years. Persons can be invited to serve a second term. There is a six-year limit for serving on the Board.
Two Standing Committees
1) Local Outreach Support Committee - meets on a quarterly basis, conducts site visits to all the sites who have applied for a Local Outreach or District Mission Center grant and recommends to the Board the amounts to be awarded.
2) Finance and Investment Committee - meets quarterly and is in charge of oversight of our investment portfolio, developing the annual budget and reviewing financial statements.
2021 Meeting Dates
All meetings are held at:
West Ohio Conference Center,
32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, OH
*Due to the Pandemic, all meetings will be held via zoom until further notice!
Local Outreach Support Committee
Weds. February 24, 2021 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Weds. May 19, 2021 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Weds. August 18, 2021 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Weds, November 17, 2021 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Finance and Investment Committee
Weds. March 3, 2021 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Weds. August 25, 2021 10:00 am - 10:30 am
UMCM Board Meetings
Weds. March 3, 2021 10:30 am – noon
Weds. May 26, 2021 10:30 am – noon
Weds. August 25, 2021 10:30 am – noon
Weds. December 1, 2021 10:30 am – noon