The Mission of United Methodist Community Ministries is to assist congregations in doing ministry with and in the community 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 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 counties.
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 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 2023
Judy Sharpe-Kosmatka (Harlem Road) judysharpekos [at] gmail.com
Rev. Judy Cramer (Magnetic Springs Charge) judycramer [at] aol.com
Class of 2024
Karen Dill (Rushsylvania) dill2020 [at] yahoo.com
Daphne Byers (Centenary) byers6143 [at] sbcglobal.net
Class of 2025
Rev. Amy Aspey (North Broadway/Short North) amy [at] shortnorthchurch.org
Mark Reed (William Street) deaconreed [at] hotmail.com
Ex Officio:
Rev. Dr. Tim Bias, District Superintendent
Rev. Karen Cook, Regional Missional Specialist, and Director - UMCM
Capitol Area South District
Class of 2023
TBD
Mr. David Pennington (Brushy Fork) dwp69 [at] hotmail.com (Finance Chair)
Class of 2024
Rev. Kenneth “Kenn” Barton (Good Shepherd/Fairview) pastorbarton [at] gmail.com (Board Chair)
Ms. Lori Fisher (Wesley Church of Hope) lorifisher2 [at] bestdooz.com
Class of 2025
Rev. Brian Jones (Lancaster First) brianjones [at] lancasterfumc.org
Rev. Anita Richter (Jackson Chapel) richteranita43 [at] yahoo.com
Ex Officio:
District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Tim Bias;
Regional Missional Specialist, Rev. Dr. Sara Thomas
Regional Missional Specialist and 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 quarterly, conducts site visits to all the sites that 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 oversees our investment portfolio, developing the annual budget and reviewing financial statements.
2023 Meeting Dates
In-person meetings are held at:
West Ohio Conference Center,
32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington, OH
Local Outreach Support Committee
Weds. March 1, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am Virtual
Weds. May 17, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am In-person
Weds. August 16, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am Virtual
Weds, November 15, 2023 9:30 am - noon In-person
Finance and Investment Committee
Weds. March 8, 2023 9:30 am - 10:30 am Virtual
Weds. August 23, 2023 9:30 am - 10:30 am Virtual
UMCM Board Meetings
Weds. March 8, 2023 10:30 am – noon Virtual
Weds. May 24, 2023 10:30 am – noon In-person
Weds. August 23, 2023 10:30 am – noon Virtual
Weds. November 29, 2023 10:30 am – noon In-person