We will meet June 10-13 at Lakeside Chautauqua for the 50th session of Annual Conference, during which we will worship, fellowship, and learn together as we grow in our capacity to bear fruit that lasts:
- being, making, and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ;
- being God’s agents of transformation in our communities and throughout the world; and
- being bold and courageous in reaching newer people, younger people, and a more diverse people.
In the third year of our quadrennial theme Bearing Fruit that Lasts: Called, Committed, Connected, this year’s emphasis is being Committed.
Opening Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 10.
Adjournment is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. (NOTE: this is later than in previous years.)
Visit the Annual Conference 2019 website daily for recaps of business sessions and worship services, and for photos, videos, and more.
Visit the site now to view the Pre-Conference Workbook, view the Worship Book, and learn more about each of the ministries and events highlighted in this Annual Conference issue of E-News.
Elections
Members of Annual Conference will elect six clergy and six lay delegates who will serve at General Conference 2020 and also at Jurisdictional Conference 2020. Members will also elect an additional six clergy and six lay delegates plus five clergy reserve and five lay reserve delegates to Jurisdictional Conference 2020. Voter guides have been e-mailed to Annual Conference voters. Print versions of the guide will be included in voters’ registration check-in packets and are currently available under the Resources tab of the Annual Conference website, www.eocumc.com/eoac19.
Live Stream
You may view the following sessions live on the Annual Conference website, www.eocumc.com/eoac19:
10:30 a.m., Monday, June 10
Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion
Bishop Tracy S. Malone preaching
3:45 p.m., Monday, June 10
Bishop Malone’s Episcopal Address
7:30 p.m., Monday, June 10
Celebration of Retirement
Bishop Tracy S. Malone offering reflections
8:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 11
Morning Worship
Rev. Andy Call preaching
2:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 11
Living into our EOC Vision: Discipleship
Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr. keynote speaker
4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 11
Service of Commissioning and Ordination
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of the West Ohio Conference preaching
8:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 12
Morning Worship
Rev. Karen Burtner Graham preaching
4:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12
Living into our EOC Vision: Agents of Transformation
Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr. keynote speaker
8:00 a.m., Thursday, June 13
Morning Worship
Rev. Dogba Bass preaching
9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 13
Living into our EOC Vision: Bold and Courageous Leadership
Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr. keynote speaker
Registration Check-in
Name badges must be picked up during registration check-in in the Fountain Inn Chautauqua Room:
Sunday, June 9
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, June 10
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Pick up your badge at Lakeside during registration check-in.
Annual Conference Offering
Pastors and congregations are encouraged to give generously when the offering is collected on Wednesday, June 12. This year’s Annual Conference offering will support:
- The Urban Mission
- Africa University
- Bishop’s Discretionary Fund
Appointments
Clergy appointments for the coming church year will be fixed on Wednesday morning, June 12. Since the May 13 issue of E-News, Bishop Malone has announced the following appointments – effective July 1, unless otherwise noted:
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 |
| David Andrews | Youngstown Trinity UMC | MV | |
| Don Archer | Lowell UMC | SH | |
| Linda Baker | Rileys & Salineville UMCs | MV | |
| Edie Boles | Trinity UMC | MV | |
| Marelize Bruner | Columbia UMC | NC | |
| Joe Carney | Lorain Faith UMC | FL | |
| Floyd Costello | LaGrange UMC | FL | |
| John Finn | Oak Chapel UMC | CN | |
| Paul Freer | Sebring UMC | MV | |
| Nicholas Gliha | Chagrin Falls UMC, Associate | NC | |
| DeBorah Graham | Voluntary Leave of Absence | WR | |
| Shaun Green | Canal Fulton UMC | TW | |
| Thomas Gruver | Uhrichsville UMC | TW | |
| James Lewis | Twin Falls UMC | CN | |
| Leslie Mahaney | Williamsport & Harmony Chapel UMCs | MO | |
| David Miller | North Bloomfield & Orwell UMCs | WR | |
| Amy Ochier | New Washington UMC | FL | |
| Michael Padula | Tiffin Harmony UMC | FL | |
| Leonora Peters | Greentown UMC | TW | |
| Scott Racut | Harpersfield & Rock Creek UMCs | WR | |
| Harlen Rife | Pearl Road UMC | NC | |
| Bob Spaulding | Grafton UMC | FL | |
| Preston Watkins | Ashtabula First UMC | WR | |
| Joel Weekley | Smith’s Chapel & Trinity UMCs | SH | |
View the complete list, including retirees and those concluding their ministry. 2019 Appointments and Changes of Status
Class of 2019
Visit the Annual Conference 2019 website to meet this year’s:
Resolutions
Resolution 2019-01
“To Rebuild, Reclaim the Christian Community: ‘Church’”
This resolution calls for encouraging Conference members to actively model care and compassion for people who are often overlooked and marginalized in our society; to combat bullying, racism, xenophobia, greed, the hoarding of privilege and power, sexual assault and the detention of minor immigrants, separating them from their families; to support all efforts to build relationships among people, instead of building walls among diverse ethnicities and cultures; to celebrate the joy of difference God created, instead of denying and judging. In pursuing this end, local church units should commit to building a true “community” through personal and public activities such as reading Scripture, praying, and seeking to discern God’s guidance in our individual lives, striving towards true discipleship, and transforming our communities by our example and participation in relationship with others.
Submitted by: East Ohio Methodist Federation of Social Action, East Ohio Reconciling Ministries Network, East Ohio Board of Church & Society, and East Ohio United Methodist Women
Resolution 2019-02
“Culture of Call Sunday”
This resolution calls for all worshipping communities to celebrate a Culture of Call Sunday, or series of Sundays, at least once a year, possibly on or around Pentecost, lifting stories of callings to various ministries, including but not limited to, Ordained, Consecrated, Licensed, and Lay Ministry within The United Methodist Church; and that each congregation encourage their members and friends to prayerfully consider how God is calling them to serve in the life of the Church and the wider community.
Submitted by: East Ohio Conference Spiritual Formation Committee, East Ohio BOM Executive Committee
Resolution 2019-03
“Maintain Unity through the Structural Realignment of The United Methodist Church”
This resolution calls for the East Ohio Annual Conference 2020 General Conference delegation to work in favor of a structural realignment of the United Methodist Church that creates an expression of Wesleyan Methodism that allows both traditional and progressive understandings of LGBTQ+ Clergy and same-gender weddings to co-exist within the Church; and that the East Ohio Annual Conference notify the Council of Bishops that the stipulations of the Traditional Plan represent neither the spirit nor the practice of mutual love and shared mission of our annual conference.
Submitted by: Rev. Dan Bryant, Rev. Karen Oehl, Tim Beck, Rev. Andrew Call, Rev. Joe Burkhardt, Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh, and The Young Clergy Network.
Resolution 2019-04
“Educate and Inform the Conference Concerning the Need for Reform of Post Release Sexual Offender Laws such as Public Registries and Residency Restrictions”
This resolution calls for the East Ohio Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church to encourage the Board of Church and Society to investigate how the conference could best respond to the issue of the need for reform of post release sexual offender laws including: How to best educate United Methodists, whether and how to interact with lawmakers about reforms; and any recommendations of the Conferences Board of Church and Society be brought to the 2020 Annual Conference for review and/or action.
Submitted by: Dennis P. Brinton.
Special Events
The following events are recurring during Annual Conference:
Blueprint for Wellness (See next article.)
T-TH, 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Chautauqua Hall (Fountain Inn)
Childcare
M-TH, 8:00 a.m., Lakeside UMC
Vacation Bible School
M-TH, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., South Auditorium
Annual Conference Registration
M-TH, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Information Booth
Prayer Team
M-TH, End of Session • 5:00 p.m., Train Station
Young Adult House
M-TH • All Day (During Breaks) • 314 E. Third St.
Registration is now closed for both Vacation Bible School and child care.
View the full Annual Conference event schedule
Blueprint for Wellness Blood Draw Replaces HealthCheck
The EOC Board of Benefits has made the difficult decision to terminate sponsoring the HealthCheck blood draw that was paid for from Fund III and has been available at Annual Conference since 2001. Because the current HealthFlex benefit plan offers the Blueprint for Wellness blood draw, it was determined that having both programs is not cost effective for the Conference. The Blueprint for Wellness blood draw – very similar to the HealthCheck blood draw, with some added features – is available to HealthFlex participants and their spouses. This includes clergy, lay employees and retirees younger than age 65 currently enrolled in the HealthFlex Plan. You must make an appointment online by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, to get the Blueprint for Wellness blood draw at Annual Conference. Participants can also participate in this blood draw at a Quest facility near their home. Please educate yourself on this program by visiting the Blueprint for Wellness page of the Conference website.
Ministry Fair
The East Ohio Conference Ministry Fair: Connecting through Mission and Conversation will again be inside Wesley Lodge, inside South Auditorium, and on the adjacent lawns at Lakeside Chautauqua. This year’s Ministry Fair is 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12.
The deadline has passed for requesting display space. Come and spend time connecting with others as you learn more about Conference Advance special projects, Conference-supported campus ministries, health & welfare agencies, and ministries sponsored or endorsed by Conference boards, agencies and committees, and ministries and agencies of the General Church.
Run/Walk Celebrates 200 Years of Global Ministries
Health and Welfare, United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) and Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) are partnering to host the 5K Run/1-Mile Walk at Lakeside Chautauqua on Wednesday, June 12.
In recognition of the 200th anniversary of Global Ministries, the goal is to have 200 runners/walkers, each raising at least $200 in sponsorships. Participate by running in the 5k, walking the 1-mile course, or sponsoring a runner/walker from your church or district. The money that is raised will support the work of UMVIM, the Youth Service Fund, and mission partnerships in East Ohio. Global Ministries has been teaching, advocating and improving lives around the world for 200 years. Register to run/walk or to sponsor a runner/walker.
Early Response Training – Friday, June 14
The day after Annual Conference ends, Early Response Team (ERT) training will be held for people eager to respond to immediate needs after floods, hurricanes, fires, and more. Upon successful completion of basic training and a background check, you’ll receive a badge from United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) that certifies you as an ERT member. Sign up now to be a part of efforts for life-giving ministry when it happens! Learn more and register.
Mission Truck
There will be two trucks collecting for missions this year at Annual Conference. Both trucks – one for Midwest Mission in Illinois and one for Eastbrook Mission Barn in Pennsylvania – will be in the Lakeside Chautauqua South Gate parking lot located off of State Route 163. Visit this link on the AC 2019 website to learn more about the items being collected and how your church can participate in making much needed cleaning kits, personal dignity kits, student school kits, feminine hygiene kits, layette kits, birthing kits, and teacher school kits.
United Methodist Financial Credit Union
The Credit Union office at Annual Conference will be open for business at the Lakeside Women’s Club (161 Walnut Ave.) during the following times:
- Monday, June 10: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 11: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 12: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The UMFCU is sponsoring FREE swimming at the pool all week! Come to the Credit Union office for a beach ball! (while supplies last); and will have a table at the Ministry Fair Wednesday night.
Rehearsals for Worship Services and Choir
Sunday, June 9
4:00 p.m. Choir in Hoover Auditorium
7:30 p.m. Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion
Monday, June 10
9:30 a.m. Choir in Hoover Auditorium
1:00 p.m. Choir in Orchestra Hall
6:15 p.m. Celebration of Retirement
6:45 p.m. Choir in Hoover Auditorium
9:00 p.m. Service of Commissioning and Ordination
9:30 p.m. Tuesday Morning Worship
Tuesday, June 11
1:00 p.m. Choir in Orchestra Hall
3:30 p.m. Choir in Hoover Auditorium
8:00 p.m. Wednesday Morning Worship
Wednesday, June 12
7:30 a.m. Choir in Hoover Auditorium
8:00 p.m. Thursday Morning Worship
Thursday, June 13
7:30 a.m. Choir in Hoover Auditorium
Youth Annual Conference
Peace is the theme of Youth Annual Conference 2019, an annual event planned by teens for teens. Join 1,000+ youth and their adult leaders at Lakeside Chautauqua Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9. Stephanie Caro is the keynote speaker and Jacob Finn, A1 Chops, and Egypt Speaks will offer powerful messages through spoken and sung word. Learn more.
Obituaries
Please pray for the families of:
- L. Carrol Johnson, surviving spouse of the Rev. Albert J. Johnson Jr., died May 18.
- Norman Grimes, retired Local Pastor, died May 11.
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Bi-weekly Resources
In the May 28 edition: Farewell to Howard Humphress
- Annual Conference Spiritual Formation Gathering and Luncheon
- 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:
- The Power of Jesus’ Names will go one-by-one through the names of Jesus so you can get to know Him wholly and completely just as He is with the help of in-depth scriptural studies and relatable storytelling.
- Breaking the Code; Understanding the Book of Revelation (Revised) includes updates based on current biblical research, as well as additional teaching from author and respected New Testament scholar David deSilva.
- Holy Roar; 7 Words that Will Change the Way You Worship provides insight and encouragement to deepen your practice of praise by uncovering the true meaning behind 7 Jewish words that translate into praise.
- Find Your Way will show you how to choose a path over a plan, use problems to propel yourself and your organization forward, overcome fear and procrastination, make smart decisions, and reclaim your power and use it for good.
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
To Subscribe
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