Jurisdictional Conference
Bishop Tracy S. Malone Re-assigned Back to East Ohio
The North Central Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy has re-assigned Bishop Tracy S. Malone to be resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference for the shortened quadrennium that begins January 1, 2023 and ends August 31, 2024.
“I give thanks to God to have been re-assigned to the East Ohio Conference to continue to lead and partner with the beloved people of the East Ohio Conference as we continue to live into our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, as we continue to be disciples, to make disciples, and to mature disciples of Jesus Christ, as we together continue to be agents of God’s transformation for the healing of our communities and the world, and as we continue to reach new people, young people, and a more diverse people all for the sake of the Kingdom,” shared Malone after learning of the Committee’s decision.
Voting to affirm the work of the Committee on the Episcopacy was the final act of the clergy and lay delegates to the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, which met November 2-5 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. During the Conference, delegates worshipped, shared in small group conversations, heard presentations, considered and acted upon resolutions, passed the 2023-2024 jurisdictional budget, and elected three new bishops: Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Bishop Lanette L. Plambeck, and Bishop Dan Schwerin.
The next NCJ Jurisdictional Conference is scheduled for July 10-13, 2024 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
View the NCJ 2022 recap video.
Financial & Administrative Services
2023 HealthFlex Benefits Enrollment Window Closes November 17
This Thursday, November 17, is the deadline for eligible participants to enroll for 2023 HealthFlex benefits.
HealthFlex is an integrated, wellness-driven health program focused on you that is offered through Wespath Benefits & Investments, a general agency of The United Methodist Church. Pastors appointed ¾-time, or more, and lay employees of local churches, district offices, and the East Ohio Conference who work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for HealthFlex benefits.
Learn more about HealthFlex 2023 benefits.
For questions about Financial & Administrative Services ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Vera Rebrovich, executive director of Financial & Administrative Services, or visit the Financial & Administrative Services pages of the Conference website.
Missions & Community Engagement
Christmas Collection for Midwest Mission – November 28-December 2
The Board of Missions encourages all East Ohio Conference congregations this Christmas season to collect items to support Midwest Mission then drop them off at sites across the Conference the week of November 28 – December 2. Board members realize that there are many charitable organizations that vie for our attention this time of year, and, while their intentions may be good, we seek to develop relationships/partnerships that are healthy and seek justice for the recipients.
Learn more about the Christmas collection and view the list of drop-off sites.
#GivingTuesday – November 29
We know many charities ask for support around the holidays, but if you donate online to one of our East Ohio Conference Advance Specials as part of #GivingTuesday on November 29 the Board of Missions will match your donation! Maximum match per Advance is $500.
View information about each of our EOC Advance Specials.
Make an online donation on #GivingTuesday, November 29.
EOC Collects 168 Cleaning Kits for Eastbrook Mission Barn
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) issued a challenge, and the laity and clergy of the East Ohio Conference responded by generously donating 168 cleaning kits. The kits will help restock the supply after so many kits were distributed to areas impacted by flooding this summer and hurricanes this fall.
Thank you to all who answered the call from UMCOR and thank you to Firelands District Disaster Response Coordinator Dennis Dendinger who travelled the East Ohio Conference the week of October 31 collecting the donated kits and other supplies to be given to Eastbrook Mission Barn in Pennsylvania. Thank you, too, to the leaders at these churches, which served as drop-off sites for kits: Tallmadge UMC, Sandusky Trinity UMC, Boardman UMC, Mt. Gilead Trinity UMC, Strongsville UMC, Carrollton First UMC, Old Washington UMC, Roscoe UMC, Newcomers Chapel UMC, and Mentor UMC.
The district that collected the most buckets and will thus receive a $500 grant for a future United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) long-term recovery mission trip or Early Response Team (ERT) deployment is the Southern Hills District, whose churches donated 55 kits!
Epiphany Migration Sunday
The East Ohio Conference continues to advocate for the inclusion, welcome, and belonging of all newcomers into our communities and worship spaces. The Order of Deacons has developed a worship resource to assist congregations in making room at the table and in the pews as plans are being made for January worship services.
View and download the Epiphany Migration Sunday worship resource.
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission 2023 Mission Journeys
Already there are multiple United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) mission journeys for 2023, including to Liberia and Cambodia. Now is the time to make plans to be part of one of these outreach ministry opportunities. E-mail the Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director, with any questions about these upcoming journeys.
View the list of scheduled Missions journeys.
Blue Rose Mission Welcomes New Executive Director
Congratulations to Jessica Pingitore on being named the new executive director of Blue Rose Mission (EOC Advance Fund 9940) in Mansfield.
Learn more about Blue Rose Mission and Jessica Pingitore.
For questions about Missions & Community Engagement ministries and opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director, or visit the Missions & Community Engagement pages of the Conference website.
Higher Education
United Methodist Student Day – November 27
Sunday, November 27 is United Methodist Student Day. Please consider celebrating this special Sunday on this date or one that is most convenient for your congregation. For more than 100 years, United Methodists have been supporting their students’ educational needs through a special offering. The funds received from the offering go into the United Methodist Student Loan Fund to underwrite scholarships for United Methodist students. Scholarships are awarded to deserving United Methodist students annually. Right now, there are United Methodist young people who might not have the resources to attend a school of their choice or, for some, any school at all. However, through gifts to UM Student Day they will be sent into the world with gifts made through United Methodist Student Day. Our contributions are an acknowledgment that the church has confidence in these students and in their abilities.
Learn more about United Methodist Student Day and all other Special Sundays in the Church.
For questions about Higher Education ministry opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Camps & Retreat Ministries/Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director, or visit the Higher Education pages of the Conference website.
Local Churches
Celebrating Our Veterans
Ohltown United Methodist Church (Mahoning Valley District) celebrated and thanked the veterans of the Ellsworth Veterans of Foreign Wars post with lunch and a visit. Pastor Teresa Krueger said the luncheon, dedicated to Randy Emrich and Harold Baringer, celebrated all veterans and remembered those who lost their life this past year.
Credit Union
14-Month Certificate of Deposit
Savings rates are on the rise and Christian Family Credit Union is happy to now offer a 14-month certificate of deposit (CD) at 3.25%. Please call the North Canton branch of the Credit Union at (888) 651-0971 or stop in the office (8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, 44720) for more information on this special offer.
Remember, 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 Christian Family Credit Union.
Media Center
The Media Center highlights these new resources:
- Lost leads audiences from the original Paradise God created, to the Paradise that can be regained! By helping each person find their true identity, purpose, and destination, Lost delivers the message of true hope and peace our world desperately seeks. Lost complements the internationally award-winning film: Genesis: Paradise Lost.
- Another Gospel? is a great resource for anyone wanting to explore the nuanced topic of progressive Christianity. In a culture of endless questions, you need solid answers. If you or someone you love has encountered the ideas of progressive Christianity and isn’t sure how to respond, Alisa will show you how to determine — and test what’s unmistakably true.
- Confronting Jesus dives into the 4 New Testament biographies of Jesus. Providing biblical and historical context, Rebecca McLaughlin points to Jesus as a Jewish man, the Son of God, the promised King, a mighty healer, the greatest teacher, a lover of sinners, a suffering servant, a perfect sacrifice, and the universal Lord.
To reserve these or other resources, call the Media Center at (800) 831-3972 ext. 139 or e-mail Amy George. Browse the resource catalog at www.rqmweb.com/eocumc.
For questions about the Media Center and its resources, please e-mail Amy George, Media Center coordinator, or visit the Media Center pages of the Conference website.
Message in the Movies
The Banshees of Inisherin
This story is set a century ago in a small village on a small island off the coast of Ireland. If you listen carefully, you might hear the gunshots of a civil war being fought on the mainland. The villagers spend their days farming, raising cattle, gossiping and drinking whiskey and bottles of room temperature beer.
Dairy farmer Pádraic (Farrell) always tries to make time to walk across the fields and visit his close friend Colm (Gleeson). But things have soured between them, if Colm’s avoidance of Pádraic is any indication. “Maybe he just don’t like you no more,” says Pádraic’s sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon). Soon Colm confirms her assessment of things, but cannot provide very many reasons why. Pádraic begs Colm for more information, anything that might provide him with a pathway towards forgiveness and reconciliation.
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Music Program Coordinator – Elyria First UMC
- Director of Spiritual Formation for Children, Youth, and Young Adults – Norwalk First UMC
- Youth Director – Mentor UMC
- Director of Modern Worship – Mentor UMC
- Director of Family Ministries – Hudson UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Deadline for submission is Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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