2022 Appointments
Bishop Tracy S. Malone announces the following 2022 clergy appointments and/or changes of status. Each is effective 7/1/22 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
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Bruce Hitchcock | District Superintendent | NC | |
| Lisa Kropinak | Bay UMC | NC | |
| Elizabeth Weed | Jefferson UMC | MV | |
| David Whitt | Lakemore UMC | CN |
Visit the 2022 Appointments and Changes of Status page of the Conference website to read the Cabinet’s Core Values for Making Appointments and to see the lists of appointments, retirements, and those who are concluding their ministry.
Bishop’s Office
Clergy Day Apart for Clergy Actively Serving in Ministry – April 2
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
– Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)
Bishop Tracy S. Malone invites all East Ohio Conference clergy actively serving in ministry to come together for a day of rest and renewal on Saturday, April 2 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Faith UMC (300 9th St. NW, North Canton, 44720).
Clergy are serving and leading in stressful, exhausting, and difficult times. This Clergy Day Apart, designed by a team of active clergy, is an opportunity to feed your soul through reinvigorating worship, fellowship, self-care, and conversation. Clergy will hear a validating and empowering message from featured speaker the Rev. Twanda Prioleau and will participate in engaging breakout sessions designed to help you reflect, reconnect, re-center, and revel in your ministry. Rev. Prioleau is pastor of Christ UMC in East Baltimore, MD and author of the book Breathe: A Pastor’s Journey to Wholeness.
Clergy are asked to register online by Friday, March 18. During registration, clergy will choose the two breakout sessions they will attend.
Journeys of Paul in Turkey & Greece – September 26 to October 5
Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the Methodist Foundation of Ohio will lead an Educational Opportunities Journeys of Paul in Turkey & Greece tour September 26 – October 5, 2022. The trip is open to all East Ohio Conference laity and clergy. Bishop Malone shares, “On this trip, we will retrace some of the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul and see many significant sites of the New Testament. The Scriptures will take on new meaning as you visit the ancient communities where Paul established churches, including Colossae, Corinth, and Ephesus.”
During the 10-day journey, visit Istanbul, Philippi, Athens, Corinth, Cappadocia, Laodicea, Ephesus, and more. The trip starts at $3,698 (not including the $50 Turkish Visa) departing on September 26, 2022, from Cleveland or Columbus, OH or from Pittsburgh, PA. E-mail Director of Communications Rick Wolcott with any questions.
Learn more and register online.
Advocacy
“Why do United Methodists oppose the Death Penalty?” – February 24
Join Bishop Tracy S. Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference, and the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, executive director of the Ohio Council of Churches, for an online learning opportunity answering the question, “Why do United Methodists oppose the death penalty?”
Participants of the 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. online learning opportunity on Thursday, February 24 will hear the official position of The United Methodist Church on this topic, the theological reasons behind our belief, and ways that we can advocate together to abolish the death penalty in Ohio.
Communications
Promote the #BeUMC Campaign
The #BeUMC campaign reminds us of who we are at our best – the spirit-filled, resilient, connected, missional, faithful, diverse, deeply rooted, committed, disciple-making, Jesus-seeking, generous, justice-seeking, world-changing people of God called The United Methodist Church. The campaign is consistent with the Council of Bishops’ “A Narrative for the Continuing United Methodist Church” adopted in November 2021. The narrative speaks to the excitement, enthusiasm and hopes for the future of the denomination that are shared amongst United Methodists.
The United Methodist Church is founded on a Wesleyan theology of grace, anchored in Scripture, and based in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the continuing movement of the Holy Spirit. Every month the #BeUMC campaign will highlight one of the core values that unite United Methodists: disciple making; belonging and inclusion; influence, connection, and impact; and experience of God through The UMC. A new #BeUMC resource tool kit offers: inspiring ideas and practical suggestions; worship and preaching aids; communication tools; informative research; and more.
The campaign information and resources can be accessed from the homepage of the East Ohio Conference website.
Learn more about #BeUMC and download the tool kit.
Read the “A Narrative for the Continuing United Methodist Church.”
For questions about Communications ministries such as live-streaming, licensing, social media and more, please e-mail Rick Wolcott, director of Communications, or visit the Communications pages of the Conference website.
Strategic Ministries
Both/And Worship Training – March 14
Join us as Jason Moore returns to take our Both/And worship to the next level with radical hospitality. The virtual meeting from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14 will give you more tools and equip you for the next stage of your Both/And experience.
Training for Clergy Who Are Moving This Year – April 5
The Changeover Zone training at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5 is a 90-minute virtual training that will help clergy who are moving this year prepare for a healthy and energized move. Registration is free but required.
Training for Congregations Experiencing a Pastoral Change This Year – April 7
The Changeover Zone training at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 is a 90-minute virtual training to prepare congregations experiencing a pastoral change this year make the time of transition one of energy and hope. This is an ideal training for SPRC, Administrative Council, lay leader and other leaders in the church. Both outgoing and incoming pastors should attend, if possible. Registration is free but required.
For questions about Strategic Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, director of Strategic Ministries, or visit the Strategic Ministries pages on the Conference website.
Multicultural Ministries
New East Ohio Conference Family Guides Celebrate Black History Month
The Multicultural Ministries team encourages pastors, congregations, and faith communities to take time personally and in your communities to celebrate and reflect on the contributions of Black Americans during Black History Month in February. Whether it’s reflecting personally, learning on your own or with a group, or having conversations with African Americans the opportunities to grow are abundant.
You are invited to participate in an East Ohio Conference learning opportunity that will benefit you, your family, and your church small group. Four weekly family guides have been created to teach elementary school-aged students, with adult help, to celebrate Black history. The guides use material from the Sunday school resource “All In God’s Image: A Celebration of Black History and Diversity” written by Corinne Dunn an East Ohio lay person who is a professional Diversity Learning consultant and trainer.
Mentor UMC Director of Children’s and Family Ministry Tammy Palermo is appreciative of the work put into creating the new family guides and sees great value in them. “I am looking to create a mission trip for families to take to explore areas that are important to the Civil Rights movement. As I work to develop how this will look, I will probably be utilizing your curriculum then,” she said.
The family guide for Week 1 was posted to the Conference website on Monday, January 31. The guide for Week 2 was posted today, Monday, February 7. The guides for Week 3 (February 14) and Week 4 (February 21) will be posted each of the next two Mondays. A video has been created from a Zoom session held last month to demonstrate how to use the family guide resource.
Marie Grmek, Children’s Ministry director at Willoughby Hills UMC said five or six people from her group participated in the Zoom session. “I did share the information with the whole group. It was very well received! Several are using it over the summer or for Juneteenth,” she said.
View and download the preview video.
View and download the Week 1 & Week 2 study guides.
For questions about Multicultural Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Will Fenton-Jones, director of Multicultural Vitality, or visit the Multicultural Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Missions & Community Engagement
Earth Keepers Ministries
Earth Keepers is a training program that equips US-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training.
Learn more and apply by March 1.
Environmental & Climate Justice Ministries
Can you think of a young person in junior high or high school who has a passion for recycling and climate justice? Or maybe a young adult who has a career connected to environmental concerns or is an educator in the science field? Consider the possibilities for connecting a life’s work with this calling to serve in a ministry with Church & Society of The United Methodist Church.
Learn more about Climate Justice ministries.
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Journeys
People are planning and leading United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) journeys to Puerto Rico, to Lake Charles, Louisiana, and to local ministry sites in East Ohio. Now is also a great time to be thinking about and planning your next UMVIM journey in East Ohio, including to these sites that can host overnight teams: Nehemiah Mission in Cleveland; Blue Rose Mission in Mansfield; Covered Bridge Ministries in Jefferson; Urban Mission Ministries in Steubenville; and the Epworth Center in Bethesda.
Learn more about scheduled in-person and virtual UMVIM mission journeys.
UMVIM Team Leader Training – March 20
If you are interested in forming a mission team but need some guidance, register for our upcoming United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Team Leader training scheduled for Sunday, March 20 from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. at The Bridge in Carrollton.
#GivingTuesday Match to Conference Mission Partners
The Board of Missions is pleased to announce that it will be matching the $5,770 donated to 18 of our Mission Advance partners on #GivingTuesday 2021! The match is for donations made online on November 30 and December 1, with a maximum match of $500 per mission/ministry. We thank all our Advances for their patience as we finalized year-end accounting. We also thank all the generous churches and individuals who support our Advances.
Learn more about Conference Advance Specials.
For questions about missions Missions & Community Engagement ministries and opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Kathy Dickriede, director of Missions & Community Engagement, or visit the Missions & Community Engagement pages of the Conference website.
Health and Welfare
Crandall Medical Center One of America’s Best Nursing Homes
For the second year in a row, Crandall Medical Center located on the campus of Copeland Oaks Retirement Community has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Nursing Homes.” The prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center CEO Dave Mannion said, “We are honored to be recognized with this award. We are blessed to have a team that continues to provide quality care, especially during these challenging times, in a culture of dignity, respect, and love.”
Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center were founded by the East Ohio Conference. They continue to be an EOC Advance Special and one of the Conference’s Health and Welfare ministries. This year’s Newsweek ranking list of the top 450 facilities out of 11,849 analyzed across 25 states is based on an analysis of information from three critical criteria: overall performance data, peer recommendations, and each facility’s handling of COVID-19, relative to in-state competition.
Learn more about Copeland Oaks and Crandall Medical Center.
View the Newsweek rankings of America’s Best Nursing Homes.
Young People’s Ministries
Youth Leaders Network Book Club
All are invited to join the Youth Leaders Network book club. This month’s book is The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby.
Learn more and get the Zoom links for the book club discussions.
College Scholarship Applications on the EOC Website
Please share with parents and students in your congregations. The application in this link will also qualify the applicant for all General Board of Higher Education scholarships. Deadline is March 1.
View and apply for the many college scholarships offered.
Adult Leaders Directory
Attention all adults who work with our young people, at the request of some leaders, we are putting together a directory. The directory will only be shared with those whose information is included in it.
Click here to submit your information by March 1.
CCYM Lent Devotionals on Instagram
Please be sure you are following the Young People’s Ministries Instagram page during Lent, which begins on March 2. Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) will provide weekly devotionals to coincide with the lectionary for the week. Follow along and be inspired!
Follow the YPM Instagram page.
For questions about Young People’s Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Kaye Wolfinger, director of Young People’s Ministries, or visit the Young People’s Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Higher Education
Scholarship Opportunities for Racial-Ethnic Minority Students
As part of our East Ohio Conference commitment to reach younger and more diverse people with the gospel, our Conference sponsors scholarship opportunities each year for racial-ethnic minority students who plan to attend a United Methodist-related college or university. These scholarships, usually ranging from $1,500-$3,000, are awarded by the Conference Board of Higher Education and Christian Collegiate Ministries (BHECCM). If you have questions about any of the scholarships offered by BHECCM, please e-mail the Rev. David MacDonald.
Learn more and apply by March 24.
For questions about Higher Education ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Kaye Wolfinger, director of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, or visit the Higher Education pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Camp Asbury Recruiting Staff for Summer 2022
Grow your servant leadership skills and your faith through a summer of practical outdoor experience. Collaborate with your peers, to live, work, and worship in a supportive Christian community. Camp is a place to be creative, unselfish, and energetic; a place to be your best self. Being a role model and mentor to a new generation of campers as they grow spiritually is the most important work you will do.
Camp Wanake Looking for Summer Staff for This Year
Do you have some resolutions this year? Are you looking to grow as a person? Do you have financial goals? Are you wanting to make a difference in someone’s life, and make life-long friendships? Do you want to gain invaluable experience, and build your resume? Camp Wanake can help you accomplish all of that and more! We are offering sign-on bonuses this year. You don’t want to miss out. The deadline for new staff to apply is March 20.
Camp Aldersgate Seeking Camp Counselors for Summer 2022
Our counselors are individuals with experience working with children and teens. They lead campers through the week and facilitate a safe, fun, and Christ-centered experience that campers will never forget.
For questions about Camps & Retreat Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, director of Camps & Retreat Ministries, or visit the Camps & Retreat Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Clergy
East Ohio Theological Study Group Meeting – February 11
It’s time for another round of theological reflection! On Friday, February 11, the Study Group for Theological Reflection will meet at Christ Woodland UMC (444 N. Hawkins, Akron, 44313) from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., followed by optional lunch at a local eatery.
The topics are lectionary-based, and the discussion is biblically driven with insights shared and received by all. For February 11 we will look at the Super Bowl Sunday lectionary passage from I Corinthians 15, “Bad Company, Corrupt Morals and Futile Faith.” Note: this is not necessarily an assessment of Super Bowl halftime shows, but of the challenges facing us as followers of Jesus and people of the resurrection. To learn more, please e-mail the Rev. Tom Shaw.
Clergy Renewal Scholarships Offered at Lakeside
Probably more than ever, with the stresses of the past two years, clergy need a time of rest and renewal. Lakeside Chautauqua is here to help. Through an endowment created for this purpose, United Methodist clergy may apply for a renewal scholarship that will provide hotel lodging up to three nights at the Fountain Inn, with a hot breakfast included at the Slack House. Clergy are invited to take time with God along the beautiful shores of Lake Erie for rest and renewal. You can use this unstructured time for prayer, planning, and meditation. The time is yours. Lakeside Chautauqua provides the hotel room free of charge.
Learn more and register by February 25.
Credit Union
Get Your Finances in Shape with a G.O.O.D. (Get Out of Debt) Loan
The journey starts with a review of your current loans and credit cards. We will then determine the best ways a G.O.O.D. Loan can help you lower your monthly payments, raise your credit score, and eliminate high-interest credit card debt. Starting your financial fitness journey today is that easy. For more information on the G.O.O.D. Loan, e-mail the Christian Family Credit Union or call (888) 651-0971.
Remember that when you do business with Christian Family Credit Union, you participate in the Kingdom building work and ministry of the Credit Union. We invite you to align your finances with your faith when you bank with Christian Family Credit Union.
Learn more about the Christian Family Credit Union.
Spiritual Formation & Christian Education
Spiritual Formation Network Gathering – February 17
If you are involved in Spiritual Formation and Christian Education, you are invited to join your friends and colleagues for devotions, support, question-asking and -answering, and sharing ideas at online at 7:00 p.m. on February 17. Invite any of your friends and colleagues involved in Spiritual Formation and Christian Education. We gather every three weeks – alternating between Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. or Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. E-mail the Rev. Gary Jones to receive the Zoom link invitation.
For questions about Spiritual Formation & Christian Education ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, director of Spiritual Formation, or visit the Spiritual Formation & Christian Education pages of the Conference website.
Media Center
The Media Center has recently acquired the following resources:
- Witness at the Cross: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Friday shares how the witnesses at the Crucifixion watch Jesus die, and we watch with them, and we watch them. And we come away transformed.
- Hope Explored offers us an opportunity to explore, to discuss and to discover the hope, peace and purpose Jesus offers.
- When Strivings Cease invites us to rest from the endless pursuit of love and approval, and discover the freedom found in God’s gift of amazing grace.
- Encountering God unpacks the biblical foundation for the spiritual disciplines and shares approachable ways to practice them. We discover how these habits of faith can create more margin in our lives providing peace and rest as we walk closer with Jesus.
To reserve these or other resources, call the Media Center at (800) 831-3972 x139 or send an e-mail to ageorge@eocumc.com. Browse the resource catalog at www.rqmweb.com/eocumc.
Message in the Movies
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Filmed in stunning black and white and shot on a soundstage, The Tragedy of Macbeth uses depth and shadow, special effects, stunning compositions, music and sound design to create one of the best-looking movies of 2021.
The play is whittled down and changed in small ways by writer-director Joel Coen. It moves very quickly; it is not always easy to follow along. I would suggest reading a plot synopsis (Wikipedia has a good one) beforehand. Turning on captions is also advised as an easy aid to comprehension.
Obituaries
Please pray for the families of:
- Allen E. Rose, retired Associate Member, died February 3.
- Steven L. Sullivan, Elder, died January 30.
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, by phone at (330) 499-3972 ext. 112 or via e-mail.
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Choir/Handbell Choir Director – Hope Ridge UMC in Concord Twp.
- Director of Nurture – Hope Ridge UMC in Concord Twp.
- Christian Ministry Coordinator – Brunswick UMC
- Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer – The North Georgia Conference of The UMC
- Administrative Assistant – First UMC of Akron
- Director of Youth Ministries – Crosspoint UMC
- Financial Manager – Lakewood UMC
- Church Musician – Brimfield Faith UMC
- Coordinator of Youth Ministries – Toronto First UMC
Items Available/Wanted
- 100+ folding chairs available – Brecksville UMC
- Choir Robes wanted – to be sent to churches in Africa
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
To subscribe to E-News and all East Ohio Conference news updates, enter your email address in the “Follow News via Email” widget on the right sidebar. Information from this E-News may be copied and used in your local church. The next scheduled edition of the E-News is Monday, February 21, 2022.
Deadline for submission is Thursday, February 17, 2022. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
EAST OHIO NEWS 