Annual Conference 2018

Bearing Fruit that Lasts: Called
Annual Conference 2018 explored what it means to be called and equipped as followers of Jesus Christ.  Worship services were guided by John 15:13-17 (CEB) while business sessions reinforced our EOC vision.

Visit the Annual Conference 2018 website to view and download the Annual Conference recap video, read the summary report, and much more.

Visit the EOC YouTube page to:

• view the Episcopal Address
• view each worship service
• view the daily business sessions and the EOC vision segments
• view Kimberlee Medicine Horn’s Native American Ministries presentation
• view the presentation of Markus McKinney, Black College Fund Lina H. McCord Summer Intern

Financial and Administrative Services

Apportionments
It was announced at Annual Conference in June that the East Ohio Conference paid 100% apportionments to the General Church for the year 2017 – the 13^th consecutive year the Conference has paid 100%.  Apportionments in 2017 totaled $2,718,481, broken down as follows:

• World Service, $1,398,447
• Ministerial Education, $472,330
• Episcopal, $414,137
• Black Colleges, $188,408
• General Administration, $166,054
• Africa University, $42,165
• Interdenominational Cooperation, $36,940

NOTE: EOC apportionments are 1.7% higher in 2018 than they were in 2017, and they will be 3.2% less in 2019 than they are in 2018.

Missions

Missionaries Can’t Leave Philippines
United Methodist officials are making a public appeal to the Philippines government to release detained missionary Tawanda Chandiwana of Zimbabwe and allow him and missionaries Adam Shaw of the East Ohio Conference and Miracle of Malawi to leave the country.

The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has worked for weeks with Filipino United Methodist bishops and others to secure Chandiwana’s release with no success.

The mission agency and the United Methodist Council of Bishops have begun a public campaign on behalf of the church workers.  We are encouraged to pray and to sign an online petition to #Let Them Leave.

Multicultural Ministries

How United Methodists Can Support Immigrant Families
UMNS Photo: Mike DuBose – The United Methodist Church continues to respond to reports of immigrant parents and children being separated after detention at the southern borders of the United States. Despite an order to stop the family separations, many concerns remain.

The Board of Church and Society has been outspoken in its opposition to these separations, while reminding all what the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church say about welcoming the migrant.

If you are interested in ways that you can help offer compassion, here are a few ideas:

• Donate to organizations like Justice for Our Neighbors and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
• Contact elected officials.
• Learn other ways you can get involved.

Bishop’s Office

Position Available
The Ohio East Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church is seeking a full-time Executive Secretary to the Bishop.  A detailed description of the position may be found here.

Interested, qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume, including at least three references, to Assistant to the Bishop the Rev. Dr. Gary George.  Resumes will be received through August 31.  They can be sent via e-mail or U.S. mail (8800 Cleveland Ave., N.W., North Canton, OH 44720).

Council of Connectional Ministries

Position Available
The East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking applications for the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Connectional Ministries.

The administrative assistant reports to and is responsible for supporting the director of Connectional Ministries in fulfilling the mission and vision of the East Ohio Conference. This includes communicating, budgeting, reporting, and coordinating for a variety of ministries and committees.

Experience with and understanding of The United Methodist Church is desired but not required for this position, which is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt with health care and retirement benefits provided.

A detailed description of the position may be found here.

Christian Unity

Moravian Church in America ratifies full communion agreement with The United Methodist Church
The Northern Province of the Moravian Church in North America voted on Friday, June 22 at its synod meeting in Bethlehem, PA to enter into a full communion relationship with The United Methodist Church.

A formal “full communion” relationship is one in which two or more churches publicly and visibly recognize one another as members of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.  In such agreements the parties recognize each other’s sacraments, offices of ministry, and Christian mission as fully valid and authentic, while also maintaining the autonomy and distinctive gifts of each church.

The Southern Province previously approved the agreement at its synod meeting in April and the General Conference of The United Methodist Church approved it at its meeting in 2016. The full text of the agreement can be found here.  The next step in the implementation of the agreement will be for the two churches to establish a joint commission for the coordination of the full communion relationship.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Bi-weekly Resources
In the July 2 issue we address:  Justice: the immigration crisis in America; our need to slow down, ways to address anxiety and allergies; and some good summer reading.

• A Way Forward: “We Are One” 2018 YAC Theme
• Justice Close to Home
• El Centro of Lorain
• Families Belong Together: Here’s How You Can Help
• Slow Down to Get Ahead
• Audio: A Meditation on Working with Anxiety
• 7 Mindful Books Worth Reading this Summer
• 5 Ways to Deal with Allergies Naturally
• 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.

Leadership Development

Lead Like Jesus Encounter Workshop
August 24-25 at United Theological Seminary
This workshop imagines a world in which leaders serve rather than rule, give rather than take, and imagines leaders who produce results through service and sacrifice rather than through power and position.

The Lead Like Jesus Encounter is 10 hours of action-oriented learning followed by weekly online E-lessons. The encounter is a highly interactive, participant-driven leadership development workshop that exposes common leadership misconceptions and offers a practical model based on the greatest leader role model of all time, Jesus.

Participants can earn  1 CEU credit.  Learn more and register.

Media Center

The Media Center recently acquired the following resources:

• A Disciple’s Path; Deepening Your Relationship with Christ and the Church (updated) is an engaging approach to discipleship from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective that is perfect for a new member class or other small group.
• How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth covers everything from translation concerns to different genres of biblical writing in clear, simple language.
• Making Your Case For Christ; An action Plan for Sharing What you Believe and Why equips believers with practical tools to equip them articulate this same message to their unsaved friends and present evidence that backs up Jesus’ claims and credentials.
• The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi; Come to the Land Where it All Began provides fascinating background details and eye-opening revelations that make the story of the New Testament come alive.
• Inclusion Tool Box; Practical Ideas to Include Individuals with Disabilities shows how to best support children and youth who struggle with attention, interpreting sensory input, reading and writing – enabling them to experience the full life of their church, while also utilizing their gifts.

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

He’s Back! Rev. Bruce Batchelor-Glader, our movie reviewer, returns with a review of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and the best thing you could do would be to seek out this film at your earliest convenience and give thanks for the singular genius who was Fred Rogers, who lived out the gospel so well that his adult children compare him to Jesus. Welcome back Bruce!

Credit Union

Independence Day Closing
On Wednesday July 4, 2018, all offices of The United Methodist Financial Credit Union will be closed in observance of Independence Day. Members may check share account balances, pay bills, and transfer funds anytime on our website or through our mobile app.

Member Information Update
If life is taking you in a new direction, don’t forget to let your credit union know! If there are any changes to your personal information like a new home address, phone number, or email address, contact one of our offices. This way, you never miss out on important news and updates from The United Methodist Financial Credit Union!

News from Our Districts

Gospel Artist Guy Penrod Performing in Cambridge September 16
Cambridge Faith UMC (Southern Hills) is sponsoring a concert by Guy Penrod, Gospel singing artist and former lead vocalist of the Gaither Family Band.  Penrod will bring his “Pray About Everything” tour to the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center on Glenn Highway for a 3:00 p.m. concert that day.

Tickets are $25 each, and may be purchased through etix.com or by calling the Pritchard Laughlin box office at (740) 439-7009.  Box office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Events: July 2 – July 15

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

• Wed, Jul 4
  Area Center Closed
• Mon, Jul 9 – Fri. July 13
  Vacation Bible School @ Smithville Brethren Church
• Wed, Jul 11
  Ice Cream Social @ Marion Salem UMC
• Sat, Jul 14
  CRUISIN’ in the ‘VILLE @ Smithville UMC
• Sat, Jul 14
  Green Sibshop @ Green Sibshop
• Sun, Jul 15  -Fri. Jul 20
  2018 East Ohio Ministerial Recruitment Institute (MRI)

To submit your event to the East Ohio calendar use this form.
(The East Ohio Conference only accepts East Ohio United Methodist local church, conference and general UM events for listing on the conference calendar.)

Classifieds

Details of listings may be found here. 

Positions Available

• Executive Secretary to the Bishop, East Ohio Conference Area Center
• Administrative Assistant to the Director of Connectional Ministries, East Ohio Conference Area Center
• Organist/Pianist/Accompanist, Wooster UMC
• Choir Director, Christ UMC, Cleveland westside
• Organist, UMC of Kent
• Children/Teen Program Director, Canton Calvary Mission
• Director of Connectional Ministries, Illinois Great River Annual Conference

Items Available/Wanted

• Wanted – Used Allen or Rodgers Organ
  
• Available – Malmark Handchimes – 25 note Choirchime Set

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

Obituaries

Please pray for the families of:

• Gayle E. Maly, spouse of Rev. David E. Maly, died June 9,
• and Donna M. McCoy, surviving spouse of Norman E. McCoy, died June 8.

Obituary notices may be found here.

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