St. Marks UM receives award at church conference

FINDLAY — Representatives from St. Marks United Methodist Church came home from the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church with something special — the Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer Award for Social Transformation and Justice. It was one of the night's major honors. The award "honors a church or ministry that embodies Bishop Palmer's deep commitment to social holiness, justice, and the transformation of communities in the name of Jesus. This award recognizes ministries that address the root causes of suffering and injustice, stand with those who are marginalized or overlooked, and work toward lasting change through courageous, gospel-shaped action," the Rev. Claudine Leary from the West Ohio annual conference told those in the audience. Some of St. Marks' projects have included opening its building to a preschool, hosting a "Night to Shine" prom for people with special needs, and supporting seniors and families through its "Give a Crock" initiative which provides a crockpot and monthly crockpot meals to more than 25 people who are facing food insecurity. "I'm extremely proud of this congregation. I love this congregation and how willing they are to serve," said Metzger. At the same time, he said he recognizes that St. Marks isn't alone in creating and participating in special programs and events to help with the needs in the community such as mental health, education and food insecurity. "The other Methodist churches in town and all of the other churches in town are doing great things to love their neighbors," he said. The award was named for Palmer, who was the resident bishop of the Ohio West Episcopal Area, which included the West Ohio Conference in the North Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church prior to his retirement in 2024. "One of the really fun things about that event is yeah, it's a time where they're giving out a lot of grants for churches that are either doing new ministries or they're new church starts or they're just somehow doing something new and exciting to be able to serve in their communities," Metzger said. "It's cool for me that not only is that happening in the United Methodist church throughout West Ohio, but I think also it's really neat we're seeing that with other churches locally," he added. "We're just one church that's getting to do some really fun things. And while it's nice to be recognized, I also understand that what we were recognized for was that we're partnering with other people and other churches." Night to Shine, a program of the Tim Tebow Foundation, is one example of that locally, he said. St. Marks is working with Movement Church and College First Church of God this year to host the event which is celebrating its fourth year locally. St. Marks is also bringing Hancock Public Health to the church at 800 S. Main St. on Feb. 22 to offer free health screenings to the community. "We're offering free heart health screenings because this is Heart Health Awareness Month. We always care for people's spiritual hearts, but we want to care for their physical hearts as well," said Metzger. "So we're always just looking for ways we can wrap our arms around the community." In 2025, the church addressed the need for adequate childcare by opening its building to Little Lions Playschool, a preschool for ages 3-5. St. Marks also partners with Habitat for Humanity, City Mission, Open Arms, Grief Share and the Findlay City Schools. Director of Outreach Kellie Bibler said the church will again hold a Super Service Saturday this year. They find projects to help both church members and the community. Some of last year's work included filling the Little Free Pantries, making cards for nursing home residents, doing yardwork and creating Bags of Hope for Cancer Patient Services. "What I liked about that was our congregation provided the items, but then our youth and our Spark kids put all the items in the bags and wrote notes for us," said Bibler. "So we were able to involve all ages in the things that we're doing." She noted that the award really belongs to the congregation. "We are so blessed with our congregation because no matter what the need is, our congregation will step up. We will partner with other churches, and we will help organizations in the community, and we will figure out where those needs are," said Bibler. "I think really it's a testament to the people that go to church here and their servant hearts." Metzger agreed. "We have a very active congregation in getting out and serving," he said. "I feel like in this church, if we can point them at something, they never hesitate to say, we want to reach out and be part of that." Laura Rhodes, who serves as chair of the board's leadership team, said regardless or a person's skills, there's an opportunity to help. "As far as the different opportunities, not everybody is skilled at certain things. It gives the congregation an opportunity, like I feel better doing this and I'm not comfortable doing that. So there's just a vast area of opportunity to help out," she said. Metzger hopes the churches and organizations will continue to work together in the future. "I think if there was anything I would want to emphasize with all this is it's really, really awesome to partner with our other churches and other organizations and nonprofits in town to make this a better place to live," he said. The event, held at Powell United Methodist Church, also honored nearly 80 Go Grant and Greenhouse Grant recipients and spotlighted congregations and leaders who are shaping new ministry across the conference. Area churches that received funds included: • Ottawa Trinity United Methodist Church received a grant in the Beyond Barriers category. The church is creating an inclusive, faith-filled sensory space for children. Funds will provide a Bible stories sensory path with eight interactive stations with scripture to help children of all abilities learn and grow. • Pandora United Methodist Church received a Community Engagement grant. Partners in Hope of Northwest Ohio is the next phase of the church's commitment to welcoming home, working with and walking alongside their neighbors who have touched the criminal legal system. The long-term goal is to launch Partners in Hope as its own nonprofit. • Gilboa United Methodist Church received a Go Green grant that will used to replace all of the lightbulbs in the fellowship hall and educational wing with energy efficient bulbs.