SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

EOC News

Special Session of General Conference

A Message from Bishop Malone
“I believe, and am convinced, that we can find a Way Forward that will keep the unity of The United Methodist Church if we fully embrace this call to conduct ourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience; accepting each other with love; and making an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties us together. I continue to proclaim what I have said before: finding a Way Forward is all of our work to do and all of our commitments to make.

“As a witness to our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of the Gospel and our love for our beloved United Methodist Church, we are called to be steadfast in faith and figure out how to stay together in a way that allows for and embraces our convictions and differences. By God’s grace, and with humility, we can do this! Not for our personal sake but for the sake of the Kingdom of God and our United Methodist mission and witness. This is a holy and sacred work.  It’s all of our work to do … all of our commitments to make.”

Read Bishop Malone’s message in its entirety.

Delegate stands to speak among seated delegates.

NCJ Delegates Meet to Build Relationships
Members of each of the delegations to the Special Session of General Conference from across the North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) gathered at Wespath Benefits and Investments in Glenview, Illinois September 21-22.  The time of shared learning, small group discussion, worship, and fellowship was sponsored by the NCJ College of Bishops and the NCJ Mission Council.

Delegates heard presentations about each of the plans proposed by the Commission on a Way Forward: The One Church Plan that is recommended by the Council of Bishops; the Connectional Conference Plan; and the Traditionalist Plan.  There was time dedicated for delegates to talk and think about how the plans may play out in their context, and for conversation around the question “What is good for the whole Church?”

“Meeting with other delegates from other conferences, there’s a good spirit that the church is going to move forward some way or somehow and these plans, or whatever it is that is decided at the Special Session, will make us a stronger church,” said lay delegate Allen Laferty, chairperson of the East Ohio Conference delegation.

Read the article in its entirety.

Missions

Hurricane Florence

You Can Assist Those Affected by Hurricane Florence
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is working with disaster coordinators and Early Response Teams (ERT) in annual conferences to assist local churches in responding to Hurricane Florence and ongoing situations elsewhere in the United States and around the world.

As we lift these concerns before God, we are reminded to Do No Harm right now by not self-deploying nor sending supplies until we are invited to do so.

We can Do Good right now by:

Learn more about how you can help.

EOC Recognized for Disaster Response
East Ohio Conference Disaster Response was celebrated by the General Board of Global Ministries at Annual Conference 2018.  On behalf of the Conference, Bishop Tracy S. Malone accepted two awards from the Advance recognizing, and expressing gratitude, for the East Ohio Conference being among the top 10 supporters in The United Methodist Church in 2017 for both International and U.S. Disaster Response. Thank you for your continued support of those in need!

Young People’s Ministries

PODCAST: Reaching Teens Who Are Crammed for Time
It doesn’t matter the church size, those who serve in youth ministry all share the same problem: teens are too busy for church!  It is so hard to figure out what day of the week is best for the students in your youth group because they have practice EVERY day of the week.  Sunday morning isn’t even sacred any more!  What is a youth leader to do?!  Unfortunately,there isn’t a cookie cutter answer for every church.  But one thing ALL of us CAN NOT do is make our kids feel guilty! 

This podcast features two local youth leaders who talk about what it is like to also be parents of busy kids.  Listen to: Reaching Teens Who Are Crammed For Time

Congregational and Multicultural Ministries

Employment Opportunity
The East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking applications for a full-time administrative assistant to the directors of Congregational Vitality and Multicultural Vitality.

The administrative assistant reports to and is responsible for supporting the directors of Congregational Vitality and Multicultural Vitality in fulfilling the mission and vision of the East Ohio Conference. This includes communication, event planning, reporting, and coordination for a variety of ministries and committees. View full job description here.

If interested, send a cover letter and resume by October 5, 2018 to both the Rev. Kelly P. Brown (kbrown@eocumc.com) and Will Jones (willj@eocumc.com).

Laity

Lay Servant Ministry is offering many training classes this fall. You don’t have to be pursuing Lay Servant certification to take a class though, anyone interested in growing in their faith is welcome to participate! If you wish to know more about Lay Servant Ministry, visit our Laity page and talk to your pastor. Dates and locations are:

  • Oct. 5
    Strongsville UMC, North Coast District
  • Oct. 12-13
    Boardman UMC, Mahoning Valley District
  • Oct. 19-20 & Nov. 3
    Lockwood UMC, Canal District
  • Oct 27
    Hannibal UMC, Southern Hills District
  • Nov. 2-3
    Bolivar UMC, Tuscarawas District 
  • Nov. 3
    Norwalk First UMC, Firelands District

View details for Fall Lay Servant Ministry Training Courses  (please note, some registration deadlines are approaching fast!)

Health Benefits

Workshops for 2019 HealthFlex Health Benefits
All are welcome to attend any of the scheduled workshops. (1½ – 2 hours in duration) View details of these workshops:

  • Tues., Oct. 2, Western Reserve & Mahoning Valley Districts
    @ Wildare UMC
  • Tues., Oct. 2, North Coast & Canal Districts
    @ Montrose Zion UMC
  • Wed., Oct. 3, Firelands & Mid-Ohio Districts
    @ Ashland First UMC
  • Thurs., Oct. 4, Three Rivers & Tuscarawas Districts
    @ Newcomerstown Christ UMC
  • Thurs., Oct. 4., Ohio Valley & Southern Hills Districts
    @ Cambridge First UMC

Advocacy

Breaking Barriers Scholarship Deadline Nears
Bishop Tracy S. Malone and Bishop Julius C. Trimble will be speakers at the Breaking Barriers HIV/AIDS Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana October 25-27, 2018. The purpose of the Breaking Barriers HIV/AIDS ministry conference is to help create an AIDS-free world through saving lives, reducing stigma and increasing awareness.  The gathering is open to anyone with an interest in reaching out to the HIV/AIDS community with a message of love.

East Ohio CCOM will provide Car Pool grants of $100 for 2 persons, $150 for 3 persons, and $250 for 4 persons from East Ohio traveling together. Email SCourt@eocumc.com with your registration confirmation to qualify.

The Global AIDS Scholarship fund is also available for partial scholarships to be applied to hotel and/or registration expenses.  Scholarship applications must be received and approved BEFORE you register.  You will be given a discount code to use during the registration process. Deadline for applications is September 28, 2018. Download a fill-able Scholarship Application  and send an email to ruthellen.needler@inumc.org . Registration details here.

Communications

Secrets to Integrating New People into the Life of the Church
How do you encourage the transition from guest to fully-engaged member of the church? Overcome the hidden and often unintentional barriers that hinder this growth with tips from the Church Growth podcast series.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Bi-weekly Resources
In the September 24 issue: Seeing is believing: How sight, vision and perception dictates our reality.

  • A Way Forward: Ephphatha: Jesus Encounters his own Blindness
  • Why We Stick to False Beliefs
  • Why Leaders Must Have Vision
  • The Epistemology of Perception
  • The Third Eye: Rohr on Intuition
  • Trataka Meditation: Still Eyes, Still Mind
  • Audio: Eyes of Love
  • How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
  • Spiritual Enrichment Groups

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.

Media Center

The Media Center recently acquired the following resources:

  • Encounter the Father  explores some of the many names of God in Scripture and uses them to enhance your understanding of the Father’s true nature.
  • Quest for Holiness: From Deadly Sin to Divine Virtue delves into the application of spiritual truths to the daily life of a disciple of Jesus, with the purpose that as followers of Jesus we will grow into greater love of God and love of our neighbor.
  • With Jesus in the Upper Room leads us through John 13–17 to this most precious legacy of Jesus’ teaching, the distillation of His thought and message—what He really wants us to hear.
  • Unshakable Hope; Building Our Lives on the Promises of God reveals how the heroes in the Bible came from all walks of life. They were rulers, servants, teachers, doctors. They were male, female, single, married. Yet one common denominator united them: they all put their faith in God’s promises.

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

Message in the Movies banner (colorful film strip

Unbroken: Path to Redemption
The movie is the final chapters of Laura Hillenbrands’s 2010 book of the amazing life of Louis Zamperini and how his wartime trauma led to horrifying bouts of PTSD & alcoholism and how faith in Christ empowers forgiveness & grace. Read full review and watch movie trailer

Credit Union

Seeking Part-time Member Representative
The United Methodist Financial Credit Union, North Canton office is now accepting resumes for a part-time member representative (18-24 hours per week).  Experience with Windows 10, Word, Excel, and Credit Union or Bank Experience a real plus.  A full job description may be found here.

Remote Deposit
Your Credit Union is now just as close as your smart phone! Members may make check deposits to their account by simply taking a picture of the check and depositing it. It’s as simple as that! Please remember to properly endorse the back of your check by writing “For mobile deposit only at UMFCU” then your signature below that.

Download our App! Go to your App Store and search “UNITED METHODIST FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION” to find us.

Columbus Day Closing
On Monday, October 8, 2018 all offices of The United Methodist Financial Credit Union will be closed in observance of Columbus Day. Members may check share account balances, pay bills, and transfer funds online any time through out website at www.umethodist.com or through our mobile app.

Events: September 24 – October 7

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

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

  • Part-time Youth Director, First United Methodist Church of Salem
  • Part-time Custodian, Grace UMC, North Canton
  • Part-time Church Secretary, Rittman UMC
  • Part-time Member Representative, The United Methodist Financial Credit Union, North Canton office
  • Administrative Assistant to Directors of Congregational Vitality & Multicultural Vitality, East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church
  • Part-time Worship Leader, Mulberry Street UMC
  • Part-time Director of Children’s Ministries, Wadsworth UMC
  • Director of Leadership Development and Accountability, General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
  • Communications Specialist, East Ohio Conference Office of Communications
  • Christian Education Director, Thorburn UMC
  • Board of Ministry Administrative Coordinator, Ohio East Episcopal Area
  • Discipleship Pathway Coordinator, Medina UMC
  • Executive Director, Blue Rose Mission
  • Director of Children’s and Family Ministries, Tallmadge UMC
  • Choir Director, Garrettsville UMC
  • Pianist, Andover UMC

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

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The next scheduled edition of the E-News is Monday, October 8, 2018.  Deadline for submission is Wednesday, October 3. Send articles to sue@eocumc.com