APRIL 2, 2018

EOC News

Appointments and Changes of Status

Appointments
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, in the past two weeks, has announced the following East Ohio Conference clergy appointments:

  • Don Ackerman  | Canal Fulton & Church of the Lakes UMCs, TW
  • Lawrence Carnes | Union Hill UMC, TW
  • Bill Johnson | Baltic & Sugarcreek UMCs, TR/TW
  • Rebecca Weamer | Mansfield First UMC , MO
Districts Key: (CN) Canal, (FL) Firelands, (MO) Mid-Ohio, (MV) Mahoning Valley,  (NC) North Coast,  (OV) Ohio Valley, (SH) Southern Hills, (TR) Three Rivers,  (TW) Tuscarawas,  (WR) Western Reserve

View the entire list of appointments and changes of status.

Bishop’s Office

Extreme close up of a hymnal and easter lily petals. Very shallow depth of field with focus on only part of the words, "He Lives".

Because Jesus Lives … We Live Also
The Easter story gives us reason to celebrate! The Easter story conveys the truth and promise that Jesus Christ is risen and is alive forever more. Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

As Christians, our sure and certain hope is grounded in the fact and belief that through the life, death and resurrection of Christ we are continually being made new through God’s love. God’s spirit is always at work redeeming, restoring and transforming our lives and bringing about His rule and reign … justice and peace in the world.

Easter reminds us that there is nothing (no thing) too hard for God! Through the power of the Resurrection that is already at work in us … our faith can overcome fear, trials can turn into testimonies, miracles can come out of a mess and praise can have victory over pain. Because Jesus lives … we live also!

Read Bishop Malone’s Easter Message in its entirety.

Communications

EOC Young People Making a Difference
Young people continue to make news, across the country and here in the East Ohio Conference.  In fact, all five stories in the news banner on the Conference website highlight the passion, commitment, and ministry of East Ohio youth.

Solid Rock Retreat - Youth gathered in large circle in gym“Solid Rock Retreat Filled with Solid Faith,” tells the story of Ohio Valley District youth coming together for a weekend retreat at the Future Farmers of America Camp Muskingum.  Fifty-five junior high and senior high students heard keynote speaker the Rev. Joe Burkhardt speak about placing their identity in Jesus Christ, and they participated in classes that focused on spiritual healing, spiritual gifts, and spiritual disciplines.

“The youth took ownership of their faith both personally and as a community of believers, encouraging and supporting one another in powerful ways,” said Jonathan Naylor of Mt. Pleasant UMC.

Youth holding up a signThe article “30-Hour Famine Raises Awareness of Child Hunger” shines a spotlight on the nearly 50 youth from the Three Rivers District, and their leaders, who fasted to raise money for, and awareness of, hungry children through World Vision.  The students participated in small group Bible studies, worshipped, learned what life is like for hungry children around the world, participated in hands-on prayer experiences, and did random acts of kindness – all while making a difference in the world in the name of Jesus!

A student makes her feelings known at the Cleveland rally with a sign that reads. "I want to read books not my friends' eulogies."

“No more silence, end gun violence!” tells of East Ohio Conference youth and adults who participated in the more than 800 March for Our Lives rallies that were held across the United States on March 24.

Olmsted Falls High School senior Andrea, a member of Strongsville United Methodist Church (North Coast District) said, “Gun violence is one of the biggest issues that affects our daily life.  Nothing has been done for the past 19 years and we think that has to change.”

Young People’s Ministry

Training for Tragedy - girl sitting on floor with hands on top of head , which is bowed downTraining for Tragedy Workshop Offered
Each day, our newscasts and social media networks are filled with reports of gun violence, teen suicide, bullying, drug overdoses, and other tragic stories.

These traumatic incidents affect everyone in the schools, churches, and youth groups of the communities in which they occur.  Most adult youth leaders are not professionally trained counselors who know what to say or do when tragedy strikes, but they know that doing nothing is not the answer.

The East Ohio Conference Youth Leaders Network has organized Training for Tragedy, a learning opportunity for adults who work with teens, or who want to engage in the lives of teens.

Join us Sunday, April 15 from 2-4 p.m. at Wadsworth UMC for a panel discussion with psychologists, behavior specialists, a pastor, a guidance counselor, and a high school principal who will offer their professional insights on how to prepare before tragedy strikes, and how to respond after it does.

Youth Annual Conference (YAC)
Early bird registration ends on Wednesday, April 4. Register now to save $10 on attending YAC 2018 We Are One.

DisAbility Awareness

DisAbility Awareness Team
The DisAbility Awareness team of the East Ohio Conference exists to provide you and your church with resources and information needed to design worship, faith formation, and outreach ministries for those who are differently abled so that the church can truly be inclusive.

Ministering to, and with, members of our congregations and those in the communities we serve can be challenging.  When you add the stress brought on by asthma, diabetes, allergies, autism, developmental delays, physical limitations, emotional instability, mental challenges, as well as every other known medical condition, you gain a better perspective of the need for ongoing, biblically-based ministry with, to, and for people who are differently abled, as well as their care-givers and families.

DisAbility Awareness Chairperson the Rev. Dr. Beverly Hall says, “Our EOC team is ready to visit your church to share ideas and resources and answer specific questions for your ministry setting.  We offer church accessibility audits as well as providing speakers for educational events, worship services, and small group discussions.”

Disability Awareness Sunday
Disability Awareness Sunday in The United Methodist Church celebrates “the gifts and graces of persons with disabilities and calls the Church and society to full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community.”  This Special Sunday can be celebrated on any Sunday of the year, and the funds collected from its offering support the DisAbility Awareness ministries of the Conference.

Inclusion Fusion
The DisAbility Awareness team also refers churches and individuals to events that can help resource your church.  The East Ohio Conference is not a sponsor, but you may be interested in attending Inclusion Fusion Live in Bay Village, April 20-21, to learn more about creating ministries for the differently abled.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Bi-weekly Resources
In the April 2 edition you will find reflections on emotional development, the value of embracing sadness and fear, and our capacity for compassion and the healing that comes from it.

  • A Way Forward – VIDEO: Christ Hymn: In Whom All Things Hold Together
  • Human Development in Scripture
  • Fearless Compassion in Face of Violence
  • The Importance of Sadness
  • Discovering the Magic of Fear
  • 5 Ways to Deal with Difficult People
  • How to break Up with Your Phone
  • Spiritual Practice Groups and Listings of our Spiritual Directors

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

United Methodist Financial Credit Union

Personal Loans
With the tax deadline coming up on April 16, 2018, it’s a good time of year to reevaluate your budget. Let us help! The United Methodist Financial Credit Union is there for you with a personal loan to help cover those taxes and any other unexpected financial obligations. Contact one of our loan officers to get started today!

Annual Meeting
The United Methodist Financial Credit Union’s Annual Meeting is Thursday, April 19, at the East Ohio Conference Area Center office in North Canton.

Media Center

The Media Center recently acquired the following resources:

To reserve these or other resources, call the Media Center at (800) 831-3972 x 139 or send an e-mail to sarnold@eocumc.com. Browse the resource catalog at www.rqmweb.com/eocumc

Message in the Movies

Bart Millard (John Michael Finley) in the new film I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. | Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor-Glader

I Can Only Imagine intends to tell the true story behind the creation of MercyMe’s classic worship song (which has sold more copies than any other Christian song in history). Written by Bart Millard (Finley), the song visualizes what it will be like to enter eternal life and see Jesus face-to-face. The background to the song’s composition is the change that Bart saw in his father Arthur (Quaid), who had been abusive to Bart, his mother (Tanya Clarke) and his brother, but who came to accept Christ late in life, become the best kind of dad. Bart also found it in his heart to forgive his father.

Events: April 2-16

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

To submit your event to the East Ohio calendar use this form.

Classifieds

Positions Available
Details of listings may be found here. 

  • Part-time Pianist, Sharon Center UMC
  • Part-time Custodian, Oak Chapel UMC
  • Youth Leader & Director of Christian Education, Carrollton First UMC/The Bridge
  • Executive Director,  New England Conference Camp and Retreat Center
  • Director of Praise Worship, Wintersville UMC
  • Part-time Youth Group Leader, Cardington 1st UMC
  • Part-Time Director of Music Ministries, Shreve UMC
  • Administrative Assistant/Secretary, Faith UMC, Tiffin
  • Modern Worship Leader, Church of the Saviour, Cleveland Hts.
  • Conference Treasurer & Director of Administration, Upper New York Conference
  • Summer Camp Counselors and Support Staff (Lifeguards), Wanake Camp & Retreat Center
  • Ranch Assistant, Wanake Camp & Retreat Center
  • Kitchen Assistant/Dishwasher, Wanake Camp & Retreat Center
  • Supervising Cook, Wanake Camp & Retreat Center
  • Part-time Music Ministry Coordinator – Johnson UMC

To submit a classified ad please email sue@eocumc.com

Obituaries

Please pray for the families of:

  • Betty Jane Immelt, surviving spouse of Rev. Robert J. Immelt, died March 26, 2018. 
  • Budd L. Sprague, retired elder, died March 18, 2018.

For full obituary notices.

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The next scheduled edition of the E-News is April 16, 2018.  Deadline for submission is April 11.