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
Gordon Blickle	Pearl Road UMC	NC
William Eckert	Bolivar & Asbury UMCs	TW
Josh Elliott	Streetsboro & Twinsburg Faith UMCs	NC
Steve Engle	Mt. Carmel & Vickery UMCs	FL
Kimmy Farone	Perry UMC	WR
John Fitch	Damascus UMC	MV
James Lance	Smithville & Church of the Cross UMCs	CN
Aaron Linard	Malvern & Centenary UMCs	TW
David Miller	Madison Park UMC	WR
Virginia Park	Pleasant Ridge UMC	FL
Kory Rowland	Uhrichsville First, Midvale, & Newport UMCs	TW
Jeffrey Stoll	Gageville UMC	WR
Matthew Wald	Strasburg & Wilmot UMCs	TW
Paul White	Crystal Park UMC	TW

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.

Communications

Conference Group E-mails Now Route Through Brick River
Please note that we are now sending E-News and other group e-mails through the new Brick River database. The “from” address for these e-mails will end with @brtapp.com. E-mails sent from the Communications office will show EOC Communications eoccommunications.eastohio@brtapp.com.

Please do not mark these e-mails as spam.

Transform lives with Us in The United Methodist Church. #BeUMC.
The #BeUMC campaign invites us to tell others why we choose to be United Methodist. The #BeUMC campaign is built on four values that unite United Methodists: disciple making; belonging and inclusion; influence, connection, and impact; and experience of God through The United Methodist Church.

The campaign aligns with our shared EOC vision and #BeUMC resources can be accessed from the homepage of the East Ohio Conference website.

Learn more about #BeUMC and download the tool kit.

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.

Annual Conference

Registration Closed May 13
Clergy Executive Session (Wednesday, June 8) and Annual Conference (Thursday, June 9 through Saturday, June 11) will meet in-person at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron. Registration for both sessions closed on Friday, May 13 and there is no onsite registration.

All worship services, celebrations, and business sessions of Annual Conference will be livestreamed on the Conference website. Keynote speakers this year are Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Bishop Laura Barbins of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA, East Ohio clergy Pastor Sheena Cameron and the Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, and Rev. Dr. Michael Beck of the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church.

View the Annual Conference 2022 website.

Get to Know All That Akron has to Offer
There is a lot to do and see while you are in Akron for Annual Conference 2022, all of which you find in the digital concierge produced for the East Ohio Conference by the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (ASCVB). The online guide provides information on restaurants, hotels, entertainment, parking, and shopping – including special offers for AC members at Akron Glass Works, Zeber Martell Gallery & Clay Studio, and Akronym Brewing.

View the Get to Know Akron digital concierge.

Hotel Accommodations for AC 2022
Several hotels in Akron and Summit County worked with the ASCVB and the East Ohio Conference to set aside blocks of rooms at discounted rates for those participating in Annual Conference. Currently these hotels still have rooms available in the East Ohio Conference block: Country Inn & Suites (North Akron), Fairfield Inn & Suites (South Akron), Residence Inn Akron South (South Akron), Holiday Inn (West Akron).

View the list of hotels working with the Conference for AC 2022.

An Evening of Dinner & Live Music – June 10
Make plans now to be part of a special night of dinner and live music the Friday of Annual Conference in the Greystone Hall Grand Ballroom, across the street from the John S. Knight Center. The Howard Howell Experience will entertain guests with an array of great music before, during, and after dinner.

This special event is open to all clergy and laity of the East Ohio Conference but seating in the venue is limited to 200 people. Tickets are $32 each. You can purchase tickets individually or purchase a table of 10 tickets. Make plans with your friends to spend the evening together around the table enjoying food, fellowship, and live music!

When you purchase your ticket, you will choose one of these specially prepared entrees:

• prime filet with a maître d’butter
• parmesan breast of chicken with a red pepper cream sauce
• vegetables and fontina wellington with a pomodoro sauce

Purchase tickets to this dinner and to Annual Conference special events.

Connectional Ministries

Have Lunch with the Connectional Ministries Team – June 9
Join the Connectional Ministries team at 11:45 a.m. for a box lunch and fellowship in the Greystone Hall Grand Ballroom on Thursday, June 9 – the first day of Annual Conference. Greystone is located across the street from the John S. Knight Center. Order your lunch today because only 200 tickets will be sold.

Learn more and order your box lunch by June 2.

Educational Opportunities Tour Hosts luncheon – June 9
Current and prospective EO tour hosts are invited to a lunch on the first day of Annual Conference. Mark Boston, director of Specialized Tours, will be the keynote speaker for the Thursday, June 9 lunch scheduled for 11:45 a.m. in the Bridgestone Firestone Room of the John S. Knight Center. E-mail Rev. Dan Drew to receive your meal code. Limited to 40 people.

Black Pastors’ Fellowship Hosting Lunch – June 10
The Black Pastors’ Fellowship of East Ohio invites you to join them for lunch at 11:45 a.m. on Friday, June 10 in the Bridgestone Firestone Room on the main floor of the John S. Knight Center. The luncheon follows the 25+ year tradition of pastors, members, and friends gathering during Annual Conference for fellowship, sharing, and celebrating ministerial milestones.

Learn more and order your box lunch by June 4.

Methodist Federation for Social Action Lunch Program – June 10
You are invited to the Methodist Federation for Social Action box lunch and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 10 in the B.F. Goodrich Room of the John S. Knight Center. The 2020 and 2021 Bishop James S. Thomas Leadership Awards will be announced at 12:45 p.m. that day. If you have questions about this event, please call Melanie Thomas at (800) 831-3972 ext. 102.

Learn more and order your box lunch by June 2.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio Alumni & Friends Lunch – June 10
MTSO alumni and guests are invited to a free lunch at Chameleon Café (23 S. Main St., Akron) from noon-1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10. There is no cost for the meal but you are asked to RSVP so they know how many to expect.

RSVP for the MTSO Alumni & Friends lunch.

For questions about ministries of the Connectional Ministries office, please e-mail the Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, executive director of Connectional Ministries, or visit the Connectional Ministries pages of the Conference website.

Missions & Community Engagement

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Collection Truck at AC 2022 – June 9-11
Again, this year, the collection truck for Midwest Mission Distribution Center will be onsite during Annual Conference. The truck will be parked outside loading docks 2-5 on the northeast corner of the John S. Knight Center facility in Akron. You will be able to pull into the parking lot to drop-off your items at the truck.

Note that the parking lot is located on the west side (left side) of South Broadway Street – which is a one-way northbound street.

Items will be collected during the following times: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on both Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10 and 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11.

Learn more and view the list of needed items.

Missions 5K Run/1-Mile Walk Sponsorship Challenge
The 5K Run/1-Mile Walk is back at Annual Conference! It will take place June 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Lock 3 Park. Monies raised will support Fund 9001 and be used for projects and missionaries in our Conference. If you won’t be at Annual Conference or able to participate in the run/walk, you can sponsor someone you know who is signed up. The participant with the most sponsor donations will get to select which Conference Advance or Global Ministries Advance project that will receive $500 from the Board of Missions! Sponsor donations must be sent through the Eventbrite registration page so they can be tracked.

Register to participate in the 5K Run/1-Mile Walk.
Learn more about EOC Advance Specials.

#STILLINMISSION – June 2
Join via Zoom as Global Ministries explores the transforming work of United Methodist missionaries still in mission serving around the world. At noon Eastern on June 2, you will hear from: Patrick Abro, health operations manager with the Burundi Annual Conference; Hector Laporta, Methodist Studies faculty member with the Methodist Church of Mexico; Jin Kim, coordinator of Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace with the World Council of Churches in Switzerland; and John Nday, agricultural coordinator for Cambine Mission in the Mozambique Episcopal Area.

Learn more and register for the Zoom #STILLINMISSION event.

Missions Grants from the Board of Missions
The Board of Missions is accepting applications for grants and mission journey scholarships that are supported by the people and churches who donate to the Conference Undesignated Missions Fund 9001. Deadline for this round is June 1.

Learn more and apply.

For questions about 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.

Young People’s Ministries

Youth Annual Conference – June 17-19
Youth Annual Conference will meet in-person June 17-19 at Walsh University in North Canton. Featured guests include Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, Rev. Abby Auman, and artists 321 Improv and Sarah Reeves.

Learn more and register for YAC 2022.

Events During Annual Conference for 18- to 40-year-old AC Members
Please share with other young adults the below information about events taking place during the dates of Annual Conference 2022. Come and enjoy some time together.

Thursday, June 9 @ 6:00 p.m. – Backyard Cookout
Tallmadge UMC young adult group “Faith & Friends on Tap” will host East Ohio young adult at the home of Rev. Scott and Kay Low (1116 Lawndale Drive, Tallmadge). Their home is only 15-minutes from the John S. Knight Center. Hang out, play cornhole, debrief about conference, and share in faith discussions. Call Rev. Low with any questions at (216) 990-5311.

Friday, June 10 @ 5:30 p.m. – Dinner at Lockview Restaurant (207 S. Main St., Akron)

Friday, June 10 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Volleyball at Akron University Auxiliary Gym (382 Carrol St., Akron)

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.

Camps & Retreat Ministries

Still Space to Add Camp Counselors for This Summer
All three of EOC Camps sites, Aldersgate, Asbury, and Wanake, still have positions available for summer camp ministry. We are seeking male and female camp counselors who are at least 18 years old, have a positive attitude, are flexible, and love God, love young people, and love the outdoors. We also have opportunities in our internship programs for 16- and 17-year-olds. If you are interested in a support staff role, we also have a few spaces to fill. For more information on job descriptions, visit each camp’s website: Camp Aldersgate, Camp Asbury, or Camp Wanake.

Learn more and apply.

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.

Credit Union

Mobile Deposit – Wherever You Are
Hopefully you are already aware, but if you aren’t – you can make deposits from your phone using the Christian Family Credit Union mobile app. Take a picture of your check and the amount will be deposited to your account without you ever stopping in a physical office or at an ATM. Please endorse the check “For mobile deposit only” and include your name and your account number. It’s just another way that we have worked to make it convenient for you to access your accounts – anywhere you are!

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.

Media Center

Media Center Garage Sale
Incredible resources from the Media Center can be yours – for only a donation. Some of the items that are available are copies we no longer need, some have served well over the years but are ready to retire, and others are items that have been discontinued. Companion pieces are included, where applicable. These resources are available first come, first serve. Cost is a donation of your choice. Proceeds from the garage sale will be used to purchase new Media Center resources.

View the list of resources available in the Media Center garage sale.

After reviewing the list in the link above, e-mail Media Center coordinator Amy George the name(s) of item(s) you wish to have. She’ll pull them from the garage sale shelf and hold them for you to pick up at the Area Center (8800 Cleveland Ave. NW in North Canton, 44720) or she can mail them to you for the cost of postage.

For questions about the Media Center and its resources, please e-mail Amy George, Media Center coordinator, or visit the Media Center pages pages of the Conference website.

Message in the Movies

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
In this movie, Doctor Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) is a practitioner of magical arts trying to deal with the problems of the multiverse (alternative realities existing side-by-side) that were launched in Spider-Man: No Way Home. He now has a new sidekick, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who is able to jump around the universes, although she can’t tell you why. Strange is also assisted by his friend and fellow sorcerer Wong (Benedict Wong). The team has to find a magical good book (not the Bible) to overcome the powers of a bad book. Things get complicated when Wanda Maximoff / The Scarlet Witch (Olsen) enters the narrative, working through grief by battling alternative versions of herself.

Read entire review.

Celebrations of Life

Please pray for the families of:

• Linda K. Alvey, surviving spouse of the Rev. William Alvey, died April 12. A Celebration of Life/Memorial Service will be held May 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel UMC (2019 Hubbard Rd., Madison, OH).

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

• Director of Youth Ministry and Worship Leader – Avon UMC
• Director of Youth Discipleship – Canfield UMC
• IT Client Development Specialist – GCFA
• Director of Ministries with Children & Families – Marion Epworth UMC
• Director of Children’s Ministries – Christ UMC in Louisville
• Pianist/Organist – Loudonville UMC
• Church Administrator – Bay UMC in Bay Village

Items Available/Wanted

• Media Center Garage Sale – resources available for donation of your choice.

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 Tuesday, May 31, 2022, and will be dedicated to Annual Conference 2022.

Deadline for submission is Thursday, May 26, 2022. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.