NOVEMBER 19, 2018

EOC News

Bishop’s Office

The Mission Is Still Yet Alive
“As we prepare for the 2019 Special Session of General Conference, I am fully aware that many of you are anxious.  I recognize that there is a level of uncertainty about what The United Methodist Church might look like in the future,” Bishop Tracy S. Malone shares in the above video message.

The bishop states that a leading cause of the anxiety is “the passion, the love, and the hope that we all have for this beloved United Methodist Church,” before adding that “none of us have all the answers.”

“We need to trust in God’s grace and God’s wisdom.  Not our will, but God’s will be done.  The day after the Special Session of General Conference the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world will still be yet alive.  We must stay focused on the mission.”

Download Bishop Malone’s video message. Right click the link and save to download for church use.

Conversation and Prayer Guide
Bishop Malone encourages all clergy and churches to continue to be in conversation and prayer as we seek a Way Forward to maintain and strengthen the unity of The United Methodist Church, and to stay focused on our vision.

The Conversation and Prayer Guide for Local Churches resource includes links to suggested readings, hymns, Scripture, summaries of the three plans, questions for conversation, and a 4-minute prayer guide.

Find Guide Here.

Attend a Pan Methodist Advent Celebration on Dec. 2
The bishops of the Pan-Methodist judicatories (UMC, AME, AMEZ and CME) will host simultaneous Advent worship services across the State of Ohio at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2.  The theme of the services is We Are One in the Spirit.

Clergy and laity of the Pan Methodist family are coming together for intentional worship and fellowship as a sign of unity and racial harmony among the Methodist family in the state and as a witness to the world.  An offering will be taken at each service to support the work and ministry of the Ohio Council of Churches.

East Ohio clergy and laity are encouraged to attend the service nearest to you:

  • Metropolitan CME Church
    2815 Melrose Avenue in Cincinnati
    Bishop McKinley Young (AME) preaching
  • Wesley Temple AME Zion Church
    104 N. Prospect Street in Akron
    Bishop Tracy S. Malone (UMC – East Ohio) preaching
  • Church of the Saviour UMC
    2537 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights
    Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. (CME) preaching
  • Concord UMC
    1123 S. Main Street in Englewood
    Bishop W. Darrin Moore (AME Zion) preaching
  • Mount Vernon Avenue AME Church
    1127 Mount Vernon Ave. in Columbus
    Bishop Gregory V. Palmer (UMC – West Ohio) preaching

Learn more about the Pan Methodist Advent Celebration

General Conference

2019 General Conference Special Session
The General Conference page of the Conference website has the most up-to-date information regarding the Special Session of the General Conference to be held February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Visit the page to:

  • Read the Final Report from the Commission on a Way Forward
  • Read a side-by-side comparison of the three Plans proposed by the Commission
  • Read the Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate
  • Contact the EOC delegates

General Conference 2020 – Choirs Needed
United Methodist choirs and worship ensemble groups from around the world may now audition online for an invitation to perform at the 2020 General Conference, which will meet in Minneapolis, Minnesota May 5-15, 2020.

To apply for an invitation to General Conference, groups are asked to submit a letter of application that includes the following: 1) name of group; 2) name of primary contact person along with email address and phone number; 3) brief history/bio of the group including number of members, general age range, group’s location, and any unique characteristics; and 4) a link to a private YouTube video of the group performing.

Applications should be e-mailed to GC2020WorshipDirector@gmail.com by February 28, 2019.

Missions

Giving Tuesday Graphic with multiple photosSupport #GiveUMC on #GivingTuesday
On #Giving Tuesday, November 27, join United Methodists across the denomination in supporting #GiveUMC by generously donating to Conference and global UM-related mission projects and missionaries of The Advance.  Each project/missionary is researched and approved by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), and 100% of all gifts made through The Advance are given directly to the designated project.

View East Ohio Conference Advance projects.

When donating make checks payable to East Ohio Conference UMC, write the fund # of the project on the check, and mail it to:  East Ohio Conference, P.O. Box 76019, Cleveland Ohio 44101-4755.

Download #GiveUMC/#Giving Tuesday resources.

UM Student Day is Sunday, Nov. 25
Right now, there are young people in The United Methodist Church who might not have had the resources to attend a school of their choice, or, for some, any school at all who have been sent by you into the world God loves because of your giving to United Methodist Student Day. When you give generously you support these students as they prepare for a life that unites faith with knowledge. Through your generosity, we are doing together that which no one person or congregation could do alone.

Learn more about – and support – UM Student Day.

Current Disaster Response
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and our partners are responding to disasters both in the United States and around the world. Please join us in prayer for the areas affected and consider a gift to UMCOR Disaster Response. As we assess the impact of these disasters, we will provide timely updates as we receive information. We will also share additional ways in which you can provide assistance.

  • Wildfires in California
  • Hurricane Michael on the Gulf Coast
  • Hurricane Florence
  • Earthquakes and Tsunami in Indonesia
  • And more

Camps and Retreat Ministries

Confirmation Retreats Set for 2019
Register now to participate in Confirmation Retreats next February.  The focus will be on UM History & Beliefs, the Sacraments and UM Structure. You will have the opportunity to answer the question, “Where did the UMC get its start and what are they about?”  Come and enjoy making new friends, discover great ways to grow closer to God through practicing spiritual disciplines, and be a part of a creative worship experience.

  • Confirmation Weekend at Camp Asbury
    February 8 – 10, 2019
    COST: $109/youth; $99/adults.
    Registration Deadline: January 23, 2019
  • Confirmation Weekend at Camp Wanake
    February 22 – 24, 2019
    COST: $109/youth; $99/adults.
    Registration Deadline: February 6, 2019

One adult chaperone is required for every 6 youth. 

Registration Form | Online Registration

For more info contact the East Ohio Conference Camping office at (330) 499-3972 ext. 108; Camp Asbury at (330) 569-3171;, or Camp Wanake at (330) 756-2333.

Clergy

Advent Resources
Advent marks the beginning of another year in the cycle of Scriptures that presents the narrative of the love of God revealed to the world.  To assist churches “prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4) United Methodist Church Discipleship Ministries has created the seven-part worship series Prepare the Way: Advent to Epiphany.

Jesus is coming! It is our responsibility to “prepare the way” and get ready. What is your church doing to make a place for Christ to be known in your community?

Download the Prepare the Way worship series.

You can also find Advent books, studies, bulletin covers and other resources through the online Cokesbury store.

Communications

Sean Williams Joins Communications Office Team
Sean Williams is the new web designer/graphic designer in the East Ohio Conference Communications office.  His first day in the office was November 15.

Williams will maintain the Conference website and the 10 district websites, and create content to promote the ministries of the East Ohio Conference.  He can be reached by calling (330) 499-3972 x. 105 or by sending an e-mail to swilliams@eocumc.com.

Williams is a graduate of the University of Akron, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design.

2018 Conference Journal
The complete 2018 Conference Journal, and individual sections of it, are available for download on the Conference website.  Access the Conference Journal.

Social Media Graphics for Expressing Gratitude

Need a last-minute Thanksgiving image for a Facebook post? Lack the time, tools or know-how to create your own? Good news, United Methodist Communications has done the work for you!

Download a social media graphic here.

UMCom has gathered a collection of graphics for the most important seasons of the church and calendar year.  View the collection of free seasonal and thematic graphics.

Financial and Administrative Services

Moving Expenses & Additional Pension Liability
A new 2018 IRS ruling states that the total moving expenses paid toward a pastor’s move will be added to their 2018 total plan compensation.  Subsequently, due to the provisions set forth by  the denomination’s pension plan – Clergy Retirement Security Pension Program (CRSP) – an additional billing for the pastor’s CPP, CRSP DB & CRSP DC premiums in December 2018 is warranted.

Note:  This is an additional cost to the regularly-invoiced December premiums for CPP, CRSP DB & CRSP DC.

This ONLY applies to those churches that experienced a pastoral move for 2018, and this process will continue to occur for any future pastoral moves as long as the denomination’s definition of Total Plan Compensation remains the same.

A letter of explanation to the affected churches will be distributed in early December to the treasurer and the pastor.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding this procedure, please call Robin Whitacre at (800) 831-3972, ext. 151.

Pastoral Care and Counseling

Bi-weekly Resources
In the November 19 issue:  We focus on the struggles we experience in our churches, in our relationships, and within ourselves. And in all things, we give thanks.

  • A Way Forward: Book: Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the UMC
  • Can Small Churches Change
  • 13 Horrifying Symptoms of a Real-Life Sociopath
  • Gratitude Meditation
  • YouTube: Gratitude Meditation
  • Bedtime Story for Sleep
  • YouTube: How to Handle People Who Hurt You
  • Spiritual Enrichment Groups
  • 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.

Media Center

The Media Center recommends the following resources from our Social Issues section:

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


Bohemian Rhapsody Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar; his family was Parsi and moved to Middlesex, England in 1964 to escape religious persecution (his father has a position with the British Colonial Office). Freddie was a gifted vocalist with a four-octave range who joined guitarist Brian May (Lee), drummer Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy), and bassist John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello) to create Queen. The band had a distinctive sound that set it apart from a number of other glam rock bands of the era. Their musicianship was stellar with distinctive close harmonies. Most of their lyrics are borderline silly, but their songs are so catchy they still hold up today, including their six-minute mini-opera “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Read entire review

Credit Union

Thanksgiving Closings

All offices of The United Methodist Financial Credit Union will be closed Thursday, November 22, 2018, in observance of Thanksgiving Day.

Our North Canton office will remain closed the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 23. Members may visit our website to view share account balances, transfer funds, and pay bills anytime at www.umethodist.com.

Events: November 19 – December 2

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

  • Minister for Congregational Care – New Philadelphi UMC
  • Worship Coordinator – New Philadelphi UMC
  • Part-time Administrative Assistant – New Philadelphi UMC
  • Part-time Director of Christian Education/Spiritual Formation – Huron UMC
  • Part-time Media Director – Willoughby UMC
  • Part-time Director of Teen Ministry – Medina UMC
  • Part-Time Church Secretary – Rittman UMC
  • Part-time Bookkeeper – Painesville UMC
  • Church Administrator – Willoughby UMC
  • Child Care Coordinator – Willoughby UMC
  • Financial Accountant – Willoughby UMC
  • Part-time Custodian – Smithville UMC
  • Pianist – Andover UMC
  • Professional Archivist – The Archives of Ohio United Methodism
  • Director of Youth Ministries – Rocky River UMC
  • Part-time Music and Worship Director – United Methodist Church of Macedonia

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

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The next scheduled edition of the E-News is Monday, December 3, 2018.  Deadline for submission is Wednesday, November 28. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com