Annual Conference
Bishop Tracy S. Malone presided over the 51st session of Annual Conference, the first-ever virtual session in the East Ohio Conference. Continuing the quadrennial theme Bearing Fruit that Lasts: Called, Committed, Connected, AC 2020 underscored the importance of being connected to God and to our neighbors so that clergy and laity can bear fruit by making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The words of John 15:4-8 (CEB) were the foundation on which the worship services of the Clergy Executive Session and the Annual Conference were built.
The worship services and business session presentations of Annual Conference were live from the Great Hall at Church of the Saviour UMC, in Cleveland Heights. The 1,226 members of Annual Conference who registered for the conference viewed the sessions online and used their individual, unique, non-shareable voting codes to cast online votes from their home or church or from one of the internet hotspots established in districts across the East Ohio Conference.
Read the AC 2020 recap article in its entirety.
Watch videos of AC 2020 business sessions & worship services.
View the AC 2020 photo galleries.
Missions
Christmas Collection for Midwest Mission
There are many nondenominational charities that vie for our attention this time of year. While their intentions may be good, East Ohio Conference missions seeks to develop relationships and partnerships that are healthy and seek justice for the recipients. We encourage all EOC congregations to collect items for Midwest Mission Distribution Center (MMDC), a distribution center for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
You can drop-off collected items the week of Nov. 29-Dec. 6 at one of the collection sites established in each district. View full details on the Mission News page of the Conference website and learn about MMDC through the experiences of volunteers John and Charlene Vas of North Olmsted UMC. You may also make a financial donation to Fund 9944 MMDC Christmas by visiting the Donate page of the website.
Together, let’s reconsider what God’s generosity can look like during the Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas seasons.
Learn more about EOC Advance Specials.
Covered Bridge Mission
Covered Bridge Mission in Jefferson, a new EOC advance special, is beginning to schedule teams for June, July and August of 2021. The mission is open to youth and adult teams, skilled and unskilled, to do home repairs. This is an opportunity for a mission week experience that involves shorter travel distance with comfortable accommodations E-mail Lee Deyermand at Jefferson UMC for full details.
UMVIM Virtual Missions
Were you signed up for a mission trip that got cancelled in 2020? Have you always wanted to try a mission trip but barriers to travel got in the way? Most EOC mission journeys were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect with people around the world! Learn about opportunities to plan a virtual mission journey or participate in one on the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) website. E-mail Rev. Kathy Dickriede with any questions.
Learn more about East Ohio Mission Journeys.
Advocacy
Oct. 5 is Deadline to Register to Vote
Today – October 5 – is the deadline in Ohio to register to vote in the November 3 general election. Visit the new online resource, East Ohio Votes, on the Conference website for more information about the voting process and to register to vote.
Visit the East Ohio Votes page.
I AM Her Women’s Leadership Summit Begins Thursday
Time is running out to register for the I AM Her Women’s Leadership Summit, a movement of women coming together to Be Inspired, Be Empowered, and to Be Equipped to do the work personally and professionally and to connect within The United Methodist Church. The Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber is the keynote speaker for this year’s virtual conference. Bishop Tracy S. Malone is the preacher for the Thursday, October 8 worship service.
Online UM Creation Justice Summit – Oct. 16-17
Join United Methodists from across the country for the Online UM Creation Justice Summit: Local Solutions to Global Crises on Friday, Oct. 16 (7:30-9:45 p.m. EDT) and Saturday, Oct. 17 (12:00-2:30 EDT p.m.). Attendees will be encouraged to dream boldly of ways they can play a key role in healing the planet, dive deeper into advocacy and Green Team development training, gather wisdom from speakers and other leaders, and gain strength and inspiration by worshiping together.
Cost is $10, but scholarships are available by request at umcreationjustice@gmail.com. This Zoom gathering will be accessed by computer or cell phone; the link will be emailed to registrants the week before the event.
Disaster Response
Ohio Earthquake Drill October 15
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is urging Ohioans to join the more than 10.4 million people across the globe participating in a worldwide earthquake drill on October 15. Although the risk of a major earthquake in Ohio is low, this is an opportunity to get people talking about emergency preparedness and planning for all hazards including earthquakes, fires, floods, tornadoes or hazard material incidents.
Join your local schools and emergency agencies in the one-minute drill by practicing these simple steps:
- DROP where you are onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter. If you have mobility issues, either lock the wheels of your wheelchair or stay seated and bend over at the waist.
- COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for protection. If no shelter is available, crawl next to an interior wall and stay clear of windows.
- HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If you are under a table or desk for shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
Credit Union
Introducing: Christian Family Credit Union
In August, we sent our members a letter indicating that the United Methodist Financial Credit Union would be changing its name to Christian Family Credit Union in the fall of 2020. We are excited to say that the time has finally arrived! Effective Thursday, October 1, your credit union will officially be called Christian Family Credit Union.
Columbus Day Closing
All offices of the Christian Family Credit Union will be closed for business on Monday, October 12 in observance of Columbus Day. Members may view share account balances, pay bills, and transfer funds anytime through our new website, www.christianfamilycu.com, or by using our mobile app.
Media Center
The Media Center is featuring the following Advent resources:
- A Savior is Born; teaches how can we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior in our frantic, consumer-driven society. Help make sure the Christmas holiday remains a Holy Day.
- A Different Kind of Christmas empowers your family and your church to reclaim the broader missional meaning of Jesus’ birth and experience a Christmas season with more peace and joy than any toy or gadget could ever bring.
- Sent; Delivering Hope at Christmas; shows that Christ sends us to liberate, to heal, to reconcile, to transform, to bring new life. Christ sends us into the world to be his hands and feet, head and heart.
- Light of the World; A Beginner’s Guide to Advent; explores the biblical texts surrounding the story of the birth of Jesus. Join her as she traces the Christmas narrative through the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit from the Magi.
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 
First Cow
First Cow provides a cast of characters from all nationalities (including indigenous Native Americans) and then lets us observe how this disparate group got busy creating America. In many ways this film is a parable about capitalism and greed, reminding us of how many fairy tales – including Jack and Beanstalk – involve a cow. Like many good parables, First Cow leads us into unexpected places and refuses to provide easy answers or a definitive ending. If you can allow yourself to slow down for two hours, I think that you will discover two unforgettable characters as well as one of the best films of the year.
Obituaries
Please pray for the families of:
- Thomas W. Dickinson, retired Elder, died August 12.
View obituaries To submit the obituary of an EOC clergy, clergy spouse, or surviving spouse, family should contact Melissa McGee, executive secretary to the bishop’s office, by phone at (330) 499-3972 ext. 112 or via e-mail.
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Church Caretaker – Hudson UMC
- Benefits/Human Resources Manager – The East Ohio Conference of The UMC
- Secretary/Receptionist – Canton Calvary Mission
- Piano and/or Organ Player – First UMC in Massillon
- Worship Leader – Real Hope Church
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, October 15. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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