2019 Appointments and Changes of Status
Bishop Tracy S. Malone announced the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status since publication of the March 4 E-News. Unless noted otherwise, appointments are effective July 1, 2019.
Districts: (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
| 2019 Appointments | |||
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Don Ackerman | Crossroads UMC | TW | |
| Joyce Hoile | Strasburg UMC | TW | |
| Ed Kovacik | Cadiz Scott Memorial UMC | OV | |
| Mikayla Kovacik | Pleasant Hills UMC | NC | |
| Clark Stein | Hudson UMC | CN | |
| Matt Wilson | Damascus | MV | |
| 2019 Concluding Ministries | |||
| Pastor | Retiring From | District | Effective |
| Roger Morrow | Norwich, Salem, & Sonora UMCs | SH | |
| Dave Spaulding | Amity UMC | TR | 3/31/19 |
View the complete list, including retirees and those concluding their ministry. 2019 Appointments and Changes of Status
Special Session of General Conference
Post General Conference Informational Meetings
More than 1,200 people attended the three post General Conference information meetings held across the East Ohio Conference March 9 and 10. Nearly 1,000 more watched the live stream of the March 10 meeting held at Strongsville UMC. You can watch the video of that meeting on the Conference YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/EastOhioUMC.
You can also view the album and download photos from the three sessions by visiting the East Ohio Conference Flickr page, https://www.flickr.com/photos/eocumc/sets/72157707297795395/.
Task Force to Investigate GC 2019 Voting
The Rev. Dr. Gary George is one of 12 individuals named by the Commission on the General Conference to investigate possible improper voting at the recently completed Special Session of General Conference. A preliminary review found that “a very limited number” of ineligible people potentially obtained credentials to vote. Learn more.
Young People’s Ministries
Practically Honest Podcast
Practically Honest is a podcast for those who work and live with young people. This week’s episode is an open and honest conversation by veteran United Methodist youth leaders who are struggling together to move forward after the Special Session of General Conference. We all come from different perspectives and serve in different areas. What we know for sure is, we love Jesus, and we love young people – and, sometimes, that is enough.
Find the podcast through the blog, on itunes or follow us on Facebook.
Multicultural Ministries
Perspectives: KAIROS Blanket Exercise – May 4
When is the right time for healing?
When is the right time for building new relationships? When is the right time to hear the stories of the indigenous peoples of our land?
Join us at Firestone Park UMC in Akron from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for the latest Perspectives event, The KAIROS Blanket Exercise. This uniquely powerful participatory history lesson — developed in collaboration with indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, and educators — fosters truth, understanding, respect, and reconciliation among indigenous and settler peoples. Come be part of this opportune moment facilitated by Cree Elder Delvina Kejick and her team from Canada.
Camps and Retreat Ministries
Camp Aldersgate Open House – March 30
Visit us from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 to explore the beautiful setting of Camp Aldersgate. Nestled on the shore of 1,000-acre Leesville Lake, Camp Aldersgate boasts summer cabins, a lodge, tree house, pedal boats, canoes, sailboats, pontoon boats, a water trampoline, a water jungle Jim, a splash mat, and a year-round retreat cottage. Take in the awe-inspiring and humbling terrain, check out our amenities, and see all that Camp Aldersgate has to offer.
Camp Asbury Open House – April 14
Lots of people say, “When I pull into Camp Asbury’s entrance, I feel like I’ve come home again.” Others say, “Camp Asbury is my home away from home.” You are invited to visit us at Camp Asbury from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 17. Come get a taste of Camp Asbury. Tour the facilities, meet and talk with current and past summer staff members, get information about our summer camp programs, and find out why people say Asbury feels like home. We look forward to meeting you on April 17!
Missions
Missions 5K Run/1-Mile Walk Celebrates 200 years of Global Ministries
This year’s Annual Conference Missions 5K run/1-Mile walk is a big one! In recognition of the 200th anniversary of Global Ministries, so our goal is to have 200 participants run/walk at Lakeside Chautauqua! Even if you’re not going to Annual Conference, you can still donate to support East Ohio Missions. Learn more and register.
UMVIM Scholarship Applications Due April 5
If your church is heading out on a mission journey this summer with a team leader trained by United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM), your team can apply for scholarships. The UMVIM committee meets quarterly to review applications, the next deadline for applications is April 5. Learn more and apply.
Financial and Administrative Services
Clergy Housing Allowance Exclusion Ruled Constitutional
“We conclude § 107(2) is constitutional. The judgment of the district court is REVERSED.”
With those words, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the clergy housing allowance exclusion in federal tax law is constitutional. The 29-page decision has major implications for clergy across the United States, as it reversed a lower court’s decision that had ruled the housing allowance exclusion unconstitutional in 2018. It is not known at this time whether the case will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and if so, whether the Supreme Court will take it up.
Read the court’s decision in its entirety.
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Bi-weekly Resources
In the March 18 edition: We explore further along A Way Forward, The Inclusive Bible, Leaders for Tomorrow, a different Lenten fast, and CBD for pain relief.
- SAVE-A-DATE: Pastoral Care Day-A-Part, May 16, 2019
- A Way Forward: Post General Conference Information
- A Way Forward: German Church Refusal to adopt Traditional Plan
- A Way Forward: Courage to Back Up
- The Inclusive Bible
- Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders
- A Different Lenten Fast
- CBD for Joint Pain
- 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 recently acquired the following resources:
- She Dreams encourages you to discover and follow your God-given dreams through the biblical story of Moses, which reveals how God calls, equips, and trains us to pursue the dreams He plants within our hearts.
- The New Testament You Never Knew goes behind the explosive story of Jesus’ baptism and journey into the wilderness, the meaning behind his parables and miracles, the significance of his death and resurrection.
- Dialogues on the Refugee Crisis invites readers to look beyond the headlines and into the real experiences of displaced people to determine what a faith-filled response to this ongoing crisis might look like.
- Think Believe Do – Mission gives youth the perspective of mission from the view of another teen, who explores her beliefs alongside your youth group.
To reserve these or other resources, call the Media Center at (800) 831-3972 x139 or send an e-mail to sarnold@eocumc.com. Browse the resource catalog at www.rqmweb.com/eocumc
Message in the Movies
Apollo 11
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first manned trip to the moon, so it is a special pleasure to revisit this moment in history with Apollo 11. It’s a fantastic new documentary that utilizes previously-unseen 65mm film as well as high definition color photography (shot on the moon’s surface) to complement existing material and bring to life the 9-day roundtrip journey.
There is no narration, but the images are accompanied by a dramatic musical score, some brief television commentary (including Walter Cronkite), source audio and sound effects, edited in stunning ways to create a memorable film experience.
The film spends little time with the personalities of astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins but rather depicts them as three guys going to work to do their job, accompanied by thousands of others at ground control committed to making a successful space mission.
Credit Union
Mobile Wallet Will Be Available Soon
The United Methodist Financial Credit Union will soon roll out Mobile Wallet! Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay will all be compatible with our UMFCU debit cards. This is a convenient way to keep your information secure and add ease to your shopping experience. Please check your phone’s compatibility with using a mobile wallet, as it is only available to certain phone models.
Events: March 18 – March 31
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- March 20 & 27
GriefShare @ Church of the Lakes - Sat, March 23
Lay Servant Training Ohio Valley District @ Scott Memorial UMC - March 23, 24, & 30
Facing Racism Lenten Book Study @ University Circle UMC - Fri, March 29
Lay Servant Training Mahoning Valley District @ Canfield UMC - Sat, March 30
Firelands Spring District Conference @ Norwalk First UMC - Sat, March 30
North Coast Spring District Conference @ Berea UMC - Sat, March 30
Ohio Valley District Spring Conference & Leadership Event @ Scott Memorial UMC
- Sat, March 30
Homemade Soup, Salad, & Dessert Dinner @ Manchester UMC
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.)
Obituaries
Please pray for the families of:
- Mark J. Reep, retired Elder, died March 2, 2019.
- Marjorie Ann Pohly, surviving spouse of Kenneth Pohly, died October 20, 2018.
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Organist – Faith UMC
- Christian Education Director – Thoburn UMC
Items Available
- Choral Music Library, Hymnals, Choral Robes – New Beginnings UMC
To submit a classified ad please email swilliams@eocumc.com
To Subscribe
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Information from this E-News may be copied and used in your local church.
The next scheduled edition of the E-News is Monday, April 1, 2019. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 27. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
EAST OHIO NEWS 