2017 Annual Conference

Nearly 1,400 clergy and lay members gathered at Lakeside Chautauqua June 12-15 for Annual Conference 2017, Bearing Fruit that Lasts: Called, Committed, Connected.

In her Episcopal Address, Bishop Tracy S. Malone asked that each East Ohio Conference congregation do something bold in this next ministry year, that they connect with the Four Areas of Focus, and that they do these three things:

• Pray for the Commission on A Way Forward,
• Participate in the A Way Forward conversations that will take place in our conference beginning this fall and continuing through the spring of 2018, and
• Stay encouraged and focused on the mission of Christ and his Church.

Read the Annual Conference recap article.
View Annual Conference sermons.
View the Annual Conference photo gallery.

Youth Annual Conference

More than 1,000 youth attended Youth Annual Conference  (YAC)  2017. The theme for the weekend, designed by teens for teens, was Live it.

The youth and their adult leaders came from across Ohio to Lakeside Chautauqua to worship, fellowship, do mission work, have fun, and conduct business together.  Keynote speaker the Rev. David Whitt challenged the youth to remember that in everything they do, they should be worshipping God. The message was reinforced all weekend by YoungHeart, a band of four siblings from Miami, Florida.

In her Sunday sermon Bishop Tracy S. Malone told the youth, “You have an awesome opportunity each and every day to share your faith.  You never know who God places in your path who needs an encouraging word.”

Ministerial Recruitment Institute

Be a part of the 35th anniversary of Ministerial Recruitment Institute (MRI), a spiritual retreat designed to assist youth ages 12 to 18 to hear, ponder and answer God’s call to ministry.

Called By Name, Redeemed & Not Afraid is the theme for a week of learning, Spirit-filled worship, intense Bible study, singing, dancing, praise, and fellowship to be held July 16-21 at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea.

Guest theologians will be the Rev. Troy Benton, a MRI alum now serving in the greater St. Louis area; Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, resident bishop of the West Ohio Conference; and Bishop Tracy S. Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference.

Learn more about, and register to attend, Ministerial Recruitment Institute.

Missions

Ganta, Liberia UMVIM Trip January 20-Feb. 5 , 2018
There will be an informational meeting held at The Nehemiah Mission 6515 Bridge Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44102  on Saturday, August 5 10:00 am.

If you have made a decision to participate on this trip, or if you are considering this trip, please plan on attending this important meeting. If you are at such a distance that you cannot attend this meeting, we will FaceTime or Skype you into the meeting.

We will be discussing the projects planning, pre-trip requirements and meetings, costs and payment plans, Visa requirements, housing/food and everything else that you need to know to help you make your decision and plan your trip.  Approx. cost:   $3000- $3500; registration deadline: August 15, 2017.  Contact Kathy Dickriede for more information.

Resources

New UMC Handbook now available
The new United Methodist Church Handbook for this quadrennium is available, providing a detailed overview of the denomination’s beliefs, mission, structure and history. The handbook is a free, go-to resource for anyone in search of information about The United Methodist Church and is helpful for leaders and new members.

The handbook offers a holistic overview of the church and the ways that all United Methodists are an essential part of the denomination’s work around the world. It also explains the church’s connectional nature, includes denominational maps and graphics, answers frequently asked questions, provides a glossary of key denominational terms, offers communication and connectional giving information and suggests resources to further mission and ministry.

Church leaders are encouraged to incorporate the handbook into new member and confirmation classes, leadership training sessions, welcome packets, church libraries and other congregational gathering spaces.

Printed handbooks may be ordered online at shop.umc.org or via phone at 1-888-346-3862.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

June 26, 2017 Resources
In this edition we feature:

• 4^th Annual Mid-Summer Spiritual Formation Retreat
• 5 Work-Life Mistakes Everyone is Making
• A Basic Meditation to Train Awareness
• Drink Your Water but not Before Bed
• Meditators Have Younger Brains
• Listings of our Spiritual Directors

Contact Us
If you have any questions or issues you would like for us to address, or would like to get email alerts when new resources have been posted, please contact Howard Humphress at hkhumphress@gmail.com or use our quick contact form.

Message in the Movies

All Eyez on Me “Why did I spend so much time sharing so much information about Tupac? It was for the same reason All Eyez on Me was created: Tupac’s life was short and complicated and his genius and potential for greatness short-circuited by bad business decisions and the inexperience of youth. At the time of his death at the age of 25, Tupac was showing signs of maturity and a new positivity. In 2016, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was the real deal.”

For full review by Rev. Bruce Batchlor-Glader

Classified/Items Available

• Pianist, Mulberry St. UMC
• Director of Music Ministry, Louisville Christ UMC
• Choir Director, Orrville Trinity UMC
• Praise Band/Worship Leader, Orrville Trinity UMC
• Organist, Louisville Christ UMC
• Organist / Chime Choir Director, Good Shepherd UMC
• Director of Children’s Ministry, Avon UMC
• Musician, LeRoy UMC
• Youth Ministry Coordinator, Johnson UM
• Worship Leadership, Cambridge Faith UMC
• Director of Discipleship, Wooster UMC
• Director of Christian Education and Program Coordinator, Brunswick UMC

Details of the above classifieds/items wanted can be found here.

To submit job postings and items available please email lois@eocumc.com

Events – June 26-July 10

July 2
Vocal Music Presentation, Roscoe UMC
July 9
Vocal Music Presentation, Roscoe UMC 

Follow this link to the events calendar.

To submit a calendar event.

Dates to remember

July 16-21
Ministerial Recruitment Institute, Baldwin Wallace University  

Obituaries

Please pray for the families of:

• Marshall H. Peterson, retired elder, who died June 13, 2017 and
• Carl L. Gray, retired elder, who died June 11, 2017
• Ruth Wagner Krueck, surviving spouse of D. Wagner Krueck, who died June 8, 2017
• Jacilyn M. Cardosy-Fisher, spouse of Rev. Van D. Fisher, who died May 30, 2017
• Robert E. Henthorn, retired elder, who died May 26, 2017.

For full obituary notices.

To Subscribe

To subscribe please send your request to Lois Speelman.  Information from this E-News may be copied and used in your local church.

The next scheduled edition of the E-News will be July 10, 2017.  Deadline for submission is July 5.