I'm terrible at "Goodbye."

Dear Shiloh Church Family, 

I’m not good at goodbye.  In fact, I like to avoid goodbye at all cost. Goodbyes are awkward, painful, and I just don't like them!  But this Sunday, June 15, is my last opportunity to say goodbye.  Last week I was having a conversation with the Director of the Office of Ministry and former member of Shiloh, Rev. Wade Giffin.  Wade asked me how things were going and how I was handling the goodbye.  In a moment of sincere honesty, I said to Wade, “Wade, I’m sad.  Although I know God has clearly called me to serve at Ginghamsburg Church, it’s really hard to leave the people and the ministry I love!  It’s really hard to say goodbye.”  Wade reminded me that Shiloh was the first opportunity God, along with the Bishop, gifted me to serve as Senior Pastor.  He said, “you never forget that first appointment as Senior Pastor.  The place and the people always hold a special place in your heart!”  Wade was right!  (He’s always right!)  It’s why it’s so hard to say goodbye.

Shiloh, for the last four years you have been a gift!  You have been a gift of grace, love, and leadership.  You’ve been a space and place for me to train and to work my leadership muscles.  There have been moments that I’m sure you’ve wanted to write the Bishop and say, “I’m not too sure about this,” but there have been other moments when God’s presence has been so real, so tangible we could literally feel it.  We knew we were making the right decisions.  Perhaps one of the reasons I am struggling to say goodbye is because I am inspired by your courage.  You have a history of courage: your forefathers and mothers in the faith stepped out in courage determined to start a Methodist movement right on the corner of Anderson Ferry and Foley Road.  They were determined to see lives transformed, to touch a community, and to make disciples for the transformation of the world!  But that courage didn’t stop with them!  No!  You were determined to do your part by investing your lives and resources in this movement of God!  And for you, it wasn’t just about Delhi.  You had the courage to say our neighbors in Price Hill are also part of this God movement and so you’ve decided we have to invest God’s resources in Price Hill!  And now you have the courage to move on, to rally behind an exceptional leader, Rev. David Hood.  Pastor Dave is one of the most courageous leaders I know, his faith is genuine, his walk with Jesus real, and he is going to challenge Shiloh to continue to take courageous steps into God’s future!  But in order for Shiloh’s future to be God’s future, I have to say goodbye.

Goodbye, Shiloh.  When greeting the church in Thessalonica, Paul wrote, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1: 2 NIV).  Shiloh, I thank God for you!  I thank God for the gift you have been in my life and the life of my family!  We will never be the same because of your generosity and love.  Shiloh, you will always be in my prayers!  I will pray for you!  I will pray that God continues to give you the gift of courage, and I will pray that God ignites a movement so full of God’s fire that the whole world is touched by its flames!  Shiloh, I love you!  

With Jesus’ Love, 

Pastor Rachel 

Wear Red!

Nearly 2000 years ago a group of Jesus followers gathered in Jerusalem to wait for the help that Jesus promised to send their way.  Suddenly, without warning, the room was filled with a violent wind and something that looked like flaming tongues fell all over the men and women gathered.  This weird but fascinating spiritual experience happened on the Jewish festival of Pentecost.  As Christians, we celebrate this occasion as the birth of the church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the event that ignited God’s kingdom movement on earth.  And it’s the one time of the year that the church wears red.  Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with liturgical colors-there are colors for every season in the church.  White for Easter, blue (purple) for Advent, purple for Lent, green for Ordinary Time, and red for Pentecost.  It’s a great opportunity to wear red!  We wear red to celebrate the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and the lives of others.  

At Shiloh, it’s also the Sunday that we celebrate our confirmands.  The confirmands are young men and women who have spent the last 6 months preparing themselves to say yes to Jesus and yes to the Church.  On Sunday, during the 9:30am service, we will celebrate with 10 confirmands their commitment to following Jesus.  Discipleship is no simple decision; not only have these confirmands spent time learning with Pastor Brent, but they have been lead by mentors, attended various worship experiences, and served in the church.  They have spent this season of their lives getting ready to say yes to following Jesus!  At the 11:00am services at Delhi and Price Hill, we will be experiencing baptism.  Baptism is also a sign of commitment to following Jesus Christ.  These are incredible ways to celebrate Pentecost!  That’s what is happening in our local church, but our Annual Conference begins Sunday as well. 

58 of the 88 counties in Ohio make up The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Starting on Sunday, lay people and pastors from nearly 1100 churches will gather for what we call Holy Conferencing.  It’s an opportunity for us to worship together, conduct the business of the church, celebrate those who are retiring, those who have gone on to glory and the pastors who are being ordained.  Did you know that former Senior Pastor, Rev. Bill Patterson, is retiring this year?  Not only is Pastor Bill retiring, but Pastor Danny will be speaking at the Youth Big Event and our worship band will be leading the youth of the Annual Conference in worship.  I ask that you be in prayer for the conversations and decisions that will be made at this year’s Annual Conference!  

The fresh wind of the Holy Spirit continues to move and this week we have the honor of celebrating some of the most significant spiritual moments in people’s lives.  So I encourage you to wear red and come celebrate with us!     


Pastor Rachel 

Oh The Places You'll Go

Just the other day I was reading Dr. Suess’s, “Oh the Places You’ll Go” to my eight year old daughter Adeline.  The book was a high school graduation gift from my best friend Sarah Davidson Driesbach.  I still remember the feelings of fear coupled with absolute excitement as we wondered where our lives would end up post high school.  Next weekend, Sunday June 1, we will be celebrating the accomplishments of our graduates and I suspect they will be dreaming of their futures with that same combination of fear and excitement.  Whether graduating from high school or college, many of our students will be asking the questions, “What’s my major?” or “Will I get a job?”  These practical questions are really all about purpose.  People are really asking themselves and God the question, “What is my purpose?”  We were created for a purpose--to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Loving God and loving others changes the world.  Our graduates are world changers!  We can’t wait to see how our graduates will use their lives and their gifts to change the world for Jesus Christ! 

But we need more than the graduates to invest in this next opportunity to change the world!  The weekend of June 7/8 we will be taking up a special Shiloh Fest offering.  On the first Saturday of August, hundreds of people will come to Shiloh to collect necessary school supplies for the first week of school.  As many parents and guardians know, school supplies are expensive and every year Shiloh is able to partner with families by providing over 800 backpacks full of supplies.  The Shiloh Fest offering is an opportunity for us to personally invest in the education of our children and teens.  Kids matter--kids matter to us and they matter to God.  There will be special Shiloh Fest envelopes in the bulletins June 1st and 8th.  I challenge you to give generously.  

Graduates and non-graduates alike, I want to leave you with a little advice from Dr. Suess,  So...be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting.  So...get on your way!   

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

You are called!

This week I heard our own District Superintendent, Rev. Brian Brown, remind our Leadership Council that all of us are called.  We all work for Jesus and Jesus Christ has laid claim to our lives.  Rev. Brown was reminded us of our call to ministry, whether clergy or not.  We were gathered to help Pastor Danny wrestle with his call to ministry.   On Tuesday night, May 13th, the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee, along with the Charge Conference, confirmed Pastor Danny’s request to become a Candidate for vocation of Local Licensed Ministry in The United Methodist Church.  It was refreshing to hear the movement of God in Danny’s life and how Shiloh has become part of Danny’s call to ministry!  As Danny and others have discovered, the steps toward credentialed ministry are numerous and it’s a process that takes time.  For the next several years of Danny’s life, he will be in the process of being and becoming a Licensed Minister.  For those of us unfamiliar to the process, you might be asking yourself, "What does that mean?"  It means that although Danny functions as a pastor on staff here at Shiloh, he is working through the education and formational requirements.  He has been and will continue to meet with our District Board of Ordained Ministry.  This summer Danny will attend Local Licensing School, and when he has completed the steps and is affirmed by the District will become appointed as a Local Licensed Pastor at Shiloh.  You also may be asking the question, “What will change?”  For Danny, a lot, for you not much.  The biggest change you will experience is that being a Local Licensed Pastor gifts Danny with the opportunity to administer the sacraments (Holy Baptism and Communion) within the context of the local church.  It doesn’t mean that the Senior Pastor will stop administering the sacraments, but it means that there will be more than one person on staff able to administer the sacraments at Shiloh.  This will give Pastor Danny the opportunity to explore new gifts in ministry and deepen his practice of church leadership.       

On Wednesday, Pastor Dave and I gathered with hundreds of clergy throughout our Annual Conference for Clergy Session.  Once again the topic at hand, call to ministry.  This time focused on those persons coming into ministry and those persons going out.  As I listened to several clergy give witness to the presence of God and the call of God in their lives, Rev. Brown’s words rang true.  We are all called to ministry!  This is truth!  This is truth for you!  Whether ministry comes in the form of your professional career or ministry becomes a vocational opportunity, we are all called to ministry!  You are called!  If you’ve been wrestling with a call to ministry, please see one of the pastors at Shiloh, so that we can help you prayerfully discern that call!  

I challenge you to continue to pray for Pastor Danny and all the pastors on staff at Shiloh as we continue to wrestle with God’s call on our lives.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day, Shiloh!  It’s interesting that our culture takes one day a year to celebrate motherhood!  I believe being a mom is a gift, but it’s a gift that comes with incredible responsibility.  And in the church, it’s not just about biology; mothers are the many women who invest their time and resources in improving the lives of women and children throughout the world.  What about the girls in Nigeria?   The promises we make at baptism makes me pray for, mourn with, and frankly angrily want to do something about the 234 school girls who were abducted in Nigeria last month!  Why?  Because these girls are our girls!  They may not be my children biologically, but every time a child is baptized, I make promises to God that says, “I will help this child become a disciple of Jesus Christ.”  We are family!      

On the cusp of the abduction, 8000 United Methodist Women gathered from throughout the world in Louisville, Kentucky, for the quadrennial (every 4 years) UMW Assembly.  The UMW is an organization of nearly 1 million women throughout the world and although the average age of an UMW member is 67 in the US, women in Africa are flocking to UMW meetings by the hundreds.  There is a real global interest in the development of women and girls throughout the world.  Why?  Because change, real life world-changing kind of change, happens when women are empowered!  From education to micro-businesses, the empowerment of women changes communities, it changes countries, it changes the world!  Two members of our United Methodist Women attended Assembly, Nancy Gallat and Kathy Erpelding.  There they not only heard testimony of the many ways that the UMW changes children’s and women’s lives, but they were also challenged to do their part!  The theme of the Assembly was, “Make It Happen!  Faith, Hope, and Love in Action.”  The UMW were challenged by fellow United Methodist Hillary Rodham Clinton.  who reminded the women that it wasn’t Jesus who fed the hungry.  He blessed the food, allowed it to multiply, and then said to his disciples, ‘YOU feed them.”  Nancy shared, “that’s what Jesus is asking of us!  People are hungry for safety, justice, peace, and of course food.”  Both Kathy and Nancy said it was an incredible reminder of the missional DNA of the United Methodist Women.  “It’s why we do the Rummage Sale in the first place!”  It’s not about the stuff, it’s about people and changing the lives of people throughout the world.  

Today millions of women and children are separated from their families because they’ve been forced into slavery.  It’s not just the 234 school girls from Nigeria, it’s millions.    As we celebrate Mother’s Day, remember the world’s kids are our kids and Jesus is asking us to do something about it, “YOU feed them.”  

To find out more about the UMW and 234 girls go to: 

http://prod.umwomen.org:88

http://prod.umwomen.org:88/news/faith-groups-around-the-world-call-for-school-girl

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

Did you know?

There are awesome things happening in the life of the church and I wanted to share a few of them with you:

Where we have been: Holy Week and Easter

• On Palm Sunday, 70 people gathered to watch our No Strings Attached Puppet Ministry present “Planned With A Purpose.”
• 60 shared in Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday .
• 101 prayed through Stations of the Cross .
• Over 725 people celebrated the risen Christ in one of our four worship services on Easter Sunday .
• Our Children’s Ministry experienced over 100 kids through our two locations . 

Where we are going: May 

• May 4 is interim Campus Pastor Dave Hood’s first Sunday at our Price Hill Location.
• May 7 & 8 Rummage Sale                                                      
• May 11 we will celebrate Mother’s Day .
• May 15 6:30pm The United Methodist Women have the Annual Spring Dinner at the Farm. 
• May 15 7pm the Daniel Plan course begins at the Delhi Campus.  
• May 17 at 8:30am Change the World Day we will be loving our Price Hill neighbors.

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

This is My Body…..This is My Blood

Today as I read through the story of Jesus, the disciples and His Last Supper, I was reminded that Christians throughout the whole world are receiving Communion today-- Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Orthodox and yes, even some Non-Denominational Churches participate in Maundy Thursday services.  There is something incredibly unifying when I imagine people who don't look like me, speak my language, and are not part of the same church receive the gift of Jesus' body and blood.  Today as you continue to read through the last week of Jesus' life, I want to challenge you to remember what unifies us, what makes us part of the same family!  No matter how big our differences, Jesus Christ is Lord of us all!    

I also want to remind you that tonight, Thursday, April 17, at 7pm we will be having a Maundy Thursday Service in Fellowship Hall.  It is an incredible way to remember The Last Supper and prepare for the remainder of Holy Week.  

Don't forget we also have the opportunity to pray through Stations of the Cross in the sanctuary tomorrow, Friday, April 18, 11am-7pm.  And our Easter Services are this Sunday, April 20, at our Delhi Campus 8, 9:30am, and 11am and at our Price Hill Campus at 11am.  

We are the body of Christ redeemed by His Blood!  

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

 

“No Change” Change

Last fall, the Leadership Council in partnership with the SPPRC (Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee) announced plans to shift Pastor Brent’s role as Pastor of Youth and Young Adults to the Pastor and Director of Adult Discipleship. This shift lead the SPPRC to begin a search for a new Director of Student Ministry.  Throughout this prayerful process, Pastor Brent has discerned a call to remain in the Student Ministry seat while taking on the role and responsibility of the Director of Discipleship.  The Director of Discipleship supervises and partners with the Staff and servant leaders in the Discipleship Ministry areas including: Children, Youth, Adult, and Preschool.  Since Brent is remaining in Student Ministry, we will be looking to hire a part-time Adult Discipleship Director along with a Full-Time Director of Operations.  The Director of Operations will be concentrating on all things building and finance in partnership with the Trustees and Finance Committee. The great news about these hires is that they are budget neutral.     

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tana Casper, Chair of the SPPRC, at tanajean@aol.com,  or Pastor Brent Dearnell at brent@shilohumc.com, 451-3600 #106.   

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

Here is a rough idea of these organizational adjustments:

What’s Happening In Price Hill?

There is a lot happening at our Price Hill campus!  In January, I wrote a blog about our strategy for our Price Hill location.  At the time, we were focused on rotating preaching on a monthly basis.  Since January’s blog, a lot has changed! Not only will there be changes in the pastoral staff in both locations, but our strategy has changed with the appointment of Rev. David Hood.  Rev.  Hood will begin serving as interim Campus Pastor starting May 1, 2014.  Pastor Dave will get an on-the-ground look at what is happening at Shiloh at Price Hill.  The appointment of Pastor Dave to Shiloh at Price Hill is a sign of both Shiloh Church’s and The West Ohio Annual Conference’s commitment to Shiloh at Price Hill.  You may not know this, but the District and Conference have granted $157,000 for our Price Hill location, which means that even though we have budgeted money for Shiloh at Price Hill in our Delhi budget, we have not used one penny of those budgeted funds in our Price Hill location!  We are grateful for the generosity of the Annual Conference and take the stewardship of those resource dollars very seriously.  God has given us a gift, an opportunity to claim our Price Hill community for Jesus Christ.  Here are some of the ways that you can be a part of what is happening in Price Hill:  

• BLOC after school program- Mondays and Tuesdays 6pm-8pm at Shiloh at Price Hill  
• Question & Answer Session- Wednesday, April 2 at Price Hill and Sunday April 6 at Delhi we will have opportunities for people to ask questions and to clear up any confusion around the transition between pastors in our Price Hill location.  
• Easter at Price Hill- There will be an Easter service, Sunday April 20, at 11am followed by brunch.  There will be an Easter Egg hunt for kids of all ages after brunch.  
• Celebration of Dorian's Ministry on Sunday, April 27, following the 11am service at Price Hill, there will be a luncheon celebrating Dorian’s ministry.  Please RSVP to Sandy Dietz at sandy@shilohumc.com or 513-451-3600 #101.
• Change the World Weekend United Methodists throughout the nation will be engaged in serve projects to make the declaration “we are making disciples for the transformation of the world.”  On Saturday, May 17, we will be gathering at our Price Hill location to be deployed in East Price Hill to serve throughout our neighborhood.   

Transition

Dear Shiloh Church Family, 

God is moving!  The Holy Spirit’s movement always brings life and change in our lives and the life of the church.  I am writing this letter to inform you of the changes that are happening here at Shiloh.  With this new appointive season, our Campus Pastor, Rev. Dorian Daniels, has requested a change of appointment.  Dorian’s request was granted and on Thursday, March 20, he was introduced to the Pastor Parish Relations Committee of Mt. Washington United Methodist Church as their new Senior Pastor effective July 1, 2014.  In preparation for that appointment, Dorian has also requested time off so that his last Sunday as Campus Pastor of Shiloh @ Price Hill will be Sunday, April 27, 2014.  The whole of Shiloh will celebrate Dorian’s ministry with a luncheon following the 11am service in the Fellowship Hall at Shiloh @ Price Hill.  If you would like to participate in the celebration by attending the luncheon please RSVP to Sandy at 513-451-3600 #101 or sandy@shilohumc.com.

God has made it possible for our incoming Senior Pastor, Rev. David Hood,  to join us and to step into Dorian’s role at Price Hill on May 1, 2014.  This is an opportunity for Dave to develop a hands-on understanding of the context, ministry, and mission of the Price Hill Campus so that he can maximize his leadership at the Delhi Campus when he arrives in July.  During the months of May and June, Rev. Hood will spend one hundred percent of his time and energy focused on the Price Hill Campus.  What an opportunity to maximize the impact that we can have in both the Price Hill and Delhi communities!   

Attached is a list of possible questions that you may have concerning this new transition.  If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at 513-451-3600 #105 or rachel@shilohumc.com or the Chair of our SPPRC (Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee) Tana Casper at tanajean@aol.com.   We will have Question and Answer sessions at Price Hill during Music, Meal and Message at 6:30pm on April 2 and at the Delhi Campus following the 11am April 6, to address any confusions or concerns.   

God is moving and we are anticipating all that God will do in us and through us!   

Christ’s Peace, 

Rev. Rachel Billups

Lead Pastor 

Shiloh United Methodist Church 

Questions that you may have......

• Why is all this happening?

After prayerful consideration, Dorian requested a move and the Conference (Cabinet) honored that request.  We celebrate with Dorian as he continues to follow his call into ministry.  

• Is Dave coming early to be the new Senior Pastor? 

No.  Pastor Dave will focus 100 percent of his energy on learning and developing the Price Hill Campus until June 29 when he arrives in Delhi.  Dave’s official introduction will happen on Sunday, June 29, 2014.  Dave and his family will be enthusiastically welcomed at that time.  Pastor Rachel will continue to serve as Senior Pastor until that time.   

• Will Dave move to Price Hill?

No. Pastor Dave will be commuting from Dayton until he moves into the parsonage in Delhi.  

• Should we expect more surprises from the rest of our pastoral staff?  

Short answer, no.  Brent and Danny have expressed a clear commitment to God’s call here at Shiloh Church.  

• What happens to Shiloh @ Price Hill in July?

Effective immediately, the leadership of Shiloh Church and the Cabinet are prayerfully searching for a New Campus Pastor to lead Shiloh @ Price Hill to start Sunday, June 29, 2014.  

Thank God for Basketball!

I’m thankful for basketball!  Not only because it’s March Madness and the NCAA tournament is well under way, but also because of ministries like Upward.  For the last three months, our church has been bursting at the seams from the growing numbers of Upward families who participated in this incredible ministry.  Every Saturday, over 730 people gathered for basketball games that taught the fundamentals of basketball and the fundamentals of faith.  This year, 172 boys and girls participated as basketball players and cheerleaders, 66 different people served as coaches, coordinators, half-time speakers, and referees.  All of this orchestrated by the passion and leadership of the Upward’s core team Luanne Thorman, Sissy Galbraith, Sandy Brannon, and Kathy Shea!    

This ministry is incredible!  But the focus of Upward isn’t basketball and learning cheers, the focus of Upward is Jesus.  This is an opportunity for us to teach our kids and the kids of others what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  During every practice, the kids are engaged in conversations about how their faith affects their lives.  What does it mean to be patient?  How can we be kind to friends, family, and even siblings?   As athletes, what does it mean to be honest on the court?  We here at Shiloh know that God has called us to invest in the next generation.  Upward is just one of the incredible ways that make a Kingdom investment in our kids and their families.  

I want to encourage you to continue to pray for these kids and families and pray for Upward ministry.  If you would like to be involved with our next Upward opportunity, call Children’s Ministry Director, Kathy Shea, at 513-451-3600 #102 or email kathy@shilohumc.com.  

Thank God for basketball and thank God for Upward!

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

The Way

On May 28, 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man in the modern era to climb to the summit of Mount Everest.  Hillary was part of the 9th British expedition to attempt to climb the mountain.  It was with intense training and intentional preparation that Hillary made the way to climb Mount Everest.  Throughout this season of Lent we too will be making our way, but instead of climbing a mountain we will be following he footsteps of Jesus.  Jesus was on a journey.  From the moment that Jesus was baptized to the final days of his life Jesus was focused on a single destination, but instead of climbing Mount Everest, Jesus climbed the cross.  This is The Way!  In the Church we spend the 40 days of Lent praying, preparing, serving, fasting, and remembering the life and death of Jesus so that we can experience the spiritual transformation that happens when we follow the footsteps of Jesus.  In order to experience the fullness of the journey we too just like Hillary and his fellow mountaineers must focus on training and intentional preparation.  What will you do, how will you fast, what habits will you form to help you experience the footstep of Jesus?

 Our preparation will begin with Ash Wednesday Services on Wednesday March 5.  Our traditional Ash Wednesday services will be at 7pm in the sanctuary at the Delhi Campus and 6:30pm at the Price Hill Campus.  The Pastoral Staff will be at Refuge Coffee Bar on Wednesday March 5 from 6am-8am and 11am-1pm with Ashes and free coffee for those who would like the imposition of Ashes during the day.   

Church it's time to prepare!  It's time to begin our climb!  It's time to experience The Way!  


Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel   

Midweek Is Back!

Midweek Is Back!

Starting Thursday, March 13, Midweek Bible Study is back!  This lenten season we will be studying Pastor Adam Hamilton’s The Way.   We will be walking in the footsteps of Jesus from his baptism all the way to the cross.  You are not going to want to miss this in-depth study of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  Midweek Bible Study is held in the sanctuary at 7pm where we will watch a DVD of the actual locations of Jesus’ ministry in the Holy Land followed by group discussion.  Study materials will be handed out for those interested in the study and books are available for purchase (see the bulletin for an order form).  Although The Way books are available for purchase, they are only supplemental to the study and are not necessary for participating in the study.  Child care is available.  

Don’t forget Ash Wednesday Services at the Refuge Coffee Bar 6am-8am and 11am-1pm on March 5 and also 7pm Traditional Ash Wednesday Service at Delhi and 6:30pm Ash Wednesday Meal, Message and Music at Price Hill.

If you are interested in hearing Pastor Adam Hamilton speak, he will be a Keynote Speaker at the Change The World Conference at Ginghamsburg Church.  Rev. Hamilton will be speaking at 9am on April 3.  The Conference runs April 3-4th and early bird registration is $135 by March 1 and $155 post March 1.  If you are interested in registering with Shiloh, please see Sandy in the church office or contact her at sandy@shilohumc.com or 513-451-3600 #101.

Can’t wait to retrace the footsteps of Jesus!

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel  

Got Ashes?

Have you ever noticed someone at Kroger's or even the gas station that seems to have a major smudge on their forehead?  You are trying not to stare, while at the same time wondering if they got into an altercation with their fire place. Then it dawns on you, it's Ash Wednesday!  Ash Wednesday is a holy encounter with the reality of our morality!  It's a spiritual practice that reminds us that "from dust we have come and to dust we shall return."  Many find this spiritual discipline very moving, that's why this year we want to give you as many opportunities as possible to experience Ash Wednesday at Shiloh!  We will continue to have traditional Ash Wednesday Services on Wednesday March 5, 7pm at both our Delhi and Price Hill locations, but we will also be traveling to The Refuge Coffee Bar for the imposition of Ashes during the day.  Our pastoral staff will be at Refuge from 6am-8am and 11am-1pm on Wednesday, March 5, for Ashes and a free cup of coffee.   Everyone is welcome, even those who plan on attending the evening services.  This is a great way for us to get into the community and to offer this spiritual practice to a maximum number of people!

The Refuge is located at 5010 Glenway Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45238.  

So come and remember "from dust you have come and to dust you shall return!"

Blessings, 

Pastor Rachel 

Answering the Call

January 24, 2014

Dear Shiloh Church Family, 

I can remember the night I came to meet the SPPRC (Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee).  I was both nervous and filled with anticipation.  By the time I reached Queen City Avenue my eyes began to well up with tears because I knew soon I would be calling this community, this city, this Delhi home.  Delhi has been home: our kids go to school here, my husband coaches here, David was born and baptized here.  Delhi feels like home.  We’ve developed such incredible relationships here and Shiloh has been a dream church, an incredible appointment, and truly a gift from God.  I realize that I’ve been afforded privileges,  one of which has been doing ministry along with you, that many pastors never experience in their life times let alone within their first few years of pastoral ministry.  You are incredible!  You are family!   I love this church!  

That’s why it’s been so difficult for me to wrestle with a call that God has placed on my life.  I’ve tried to ignore it, I’ve ran away from it, and now I believe God is calling me to embrace it.  In the same way that Jacob wrestled with God in the middle of the night, I have spent time wrestling with God through prayer, fasting, and silence.  I wrestled, giving God reasons, excuses, and fear-filled thoughts that kept me from trusting God’s voice in my life.  But there comes a time in our lives that we have to step out in faith and walk into the call that God has placed on us.  When an opportunity opened at Ginghamsburg Church I expressed my call to District Superintendent, Rev. Brian Brown and Bishop Gregory Palmer.  On Thursday night I stepped out in faith and was introduced by The Miami Valley District Superintendent, Dr. Rev. Christopher Heckaman to the Leadership Board of Ginghamsburg Church as their Executive Pastor of Discipleship, effective July 1, 2014.  Although I know this is God’s call on my life, it is both heartbreaking and absolutely exciting at the same time.  Why?  Because I have to leave the place that I love.  This wasn’t a choice between good and bad, this was a choice between great and call.  I believe that Shiloh United Methodist Church is still the most single resourced church of it’s size.  You, the people are our greatest resource!  I know that God has incredible plans for the people of this church and although I do not know who will be the Senior Pastor, I do know that God will send us a spirit-filled leader that will continue to help Shiloh claim our communities and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ!    

Shiloh you will always feel like home.  You share a part of my family’s history that will never change, and leaving this place will be one of the hardest things I ever do.  I will always pray for the Kingdom work that God will do in and through you.  It has been an honor and privilege to be your pastor.  

Love in Christ, 

Rev. Rachel L. Billups

More Than A Game

Saturday mornings at Shiloh are filled with kids, parents, coaches, and the sound of dribbling basketballs.  These students are learning the fundamentals of how to pass, proper shooting techniques, help-side defense, and the ready position.  Parents are eager to witness their kids learn new skills and coaches are eager to teach.  It is Upward Season!  But Upward Basketball is more than teaching kids the fundamentals of basketball and cheerleading, Upward is all about sharing Jesus!  We’ve been talking a lot around Shiloh about sharing our story.  Throughout the next several weeks we are in a sermon series called I Am Second. The series is all about sharing how our story collides with the story of Jesus.  Upward is an opportunity for us to share Jesus’ story with hundreds of kids, parents, families, and friends.   This year 171 kids are participating in the Upward Basketball Program as players and cheerleaders.  We have 70 coaches, referees, hosts, and half-time facilitators!   Many people participating in Upward sports are from our community and Shiloh they are entrusting us with their kids!  We have an incredible opportunity to share Jesus with the kids and families participating in Upward ministry.  So I want to challenge you to embrace the opportunity.  I’m asking everyone to pray for Upward-pray that the Holy Spirit would open hearts, pray that the kids would be filled with words of encouragement, pray that people would come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  I am asking you to pray!   Maybe you feel lead to go a step further.  There are still opprotunities for people to serve as referees, host for hospitality on Saturday mornings, or even help with this year’s End of Season celebration.  If you are interesting in helping with Upward please contact Kathy Shea at kathy@shilohumc.com or 513-451-3600 #102.

We have a story to share!  The story of how the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ brings life to our lives!  For more information about Upward go to www.upward.org and if you are interested in the I Am Second series check out www.iamsecond.com

On Mission With You, 

Pastor Rachel 

Shiloh in 2013....

Although the New Year is well underway, it’s important to know what we have accomplished toward claiming our communities and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ.  Here are some year-end accomplishments you’ll want to know about:    

Church Wide

• Shiloh launched our second campus: Shiloh @ Price Hill that worships both on Wednesday Nights and Sunday Mornings
• Shiloh completed the Parking Lot Project and increased the parking capacity by 47 spots
• Over $400,000 was contributed to our General Fund by YOU giving to the mission and vision of claiming this community and the city of Cincinnati for Jesus Christ! 
• We finished reading 66 books, over 1200 chapters, and 31,000 verses of the Bible! 

Christmas

• 15 families were served through the Christmas Shop and on December 7, 25 servant leaders spent the day ministering to those families.  
• The Angel Tree Ministry brought Christmas gifts to over 30 children whose parents were incarcerated and would not have been able to give them gifts.
• Nearly $5000 was collected for the Imagine No Malaria Campaign saving lives and saving the future of our world.  
• Shiloh’s Children’s Play partnered with the Stations of the Crib and Live Nativity to welcome over 500 people into our church building for our Christmas Activities. 
• Over 500 people attended one of our four Christmas Eve worship services  

Bible In A Year

On Tuesday, January 14, we will have completed reading the 66 books, 1189 chapters, and over 31,000 verses that make up the Bible!  Way to go, Shiloh!  It is something to celebrate.  For some this is the first time you’ve read through the entire Bible; for others, it’s one of many, and still for others maybe you didn’t quite make it all the way through.   If you read any of the Bible in a Year, I’m sure you found that reading the Bible is a spiritually transformative experience!  It’s been amazing as your pastor to listen to how reading the Bible has really shaped your faith!  Many of you have shared with me your surprise of what’s actually in the Bible- stories like that of Jael (the woman who drove the tent peg through the head of Sisera).  Other have wrestled out loud saying, “reading through the Old Testament was really tough” or “I didn’t know Jesus said that, does Jesus really expect me to do that?”  God really does speak to us through His Word.  The Bible is our story; it’s God’s story; The Bible is the story that shapes our identity as followers of Jesus Christ.  

Just because you’ve read through the Bible doesn’t mean you should put it back on the shelf, place it on your night stand or delete your Bible reading App.  Don’t stop reading!  Reading and reflecting on God’s Word is the single most fruitful spiritual activity we can engage in as followers of Jesus Christ!  If you don’t know what to read, there are Bible Reading Plans available in the Gathering Space or in the Church office.  If you prefer technology over a written plan, go to www.biblegateway.com  or even download www.youversion.com  to your smartphone or tablet.  These sites give you the flexibility to choose plans that help you dive deep into areas of the Bible you want to explore.  Keep reading!  Allow God’s Word to transform your life. 

So what about Mid-week Bible Study?  What will happen after Bible in A Year?    Thursday, January 16th will be the final Mid-week Bible Study of Bible in A Year.  We will conclude with a little celebration.  At 7pm we will be having snacks followed by a question and answer session.  Anything you want to know about the Bible and we will do our best to answer it or at least point you to the resources you need to wrestle with the answer!  Then we will take a break from Mid-Week Bible Study and return on Thursday, March 13, at 7pm with Adam Hamilton’s The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.     

Church, let’s continue to let the Bible transform our lives.

On Mission with you, 

Pastor Rachel