Appointments
Bishop Tracy S. Malone announces the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status which, unless otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2023.
| 2023 Appointments | |||
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Theresa Carter | Henrietta UMC | FL | |
| Joyce Hoile | Medical Leave | FL | 4/1/23 |
| Edward Kovacik | Norwalk First UMC | FL | |
| Karol Lewis | Twin Falls UMC | CN | |
| Tammy Palermo | Mentor UMC | WR | |
| Howard Pippin | Cuyahoga Falls First UMC – Associate Pastor | CN | |
| Ivy Smith | Mentor UMC – Associate Pastor | WR | |
| Jason Snyder | Fusion Community UMC | TR | |
| Andrew Thompson | Caldwell UMC | SH | |
#BeUMC
“I’m a United Methodist because I want everyone to know how tremendously they’re loved by God. And I’m United Methodist because I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,” said Pastor Christy Suffecool, pastor of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in East Canton.
Suffecool is one of many East Ohio Conference laity and clergy who are sharing the ways our denomination is making a daily difference in their lives and in their ministries.
To share your personal #BeUMC story, telling how your life is being transformed through the mission and the ministries of The United Methodist Church, e-mail Brett Hetherington.
View #BeUMC stories & the EOC #BeUMC website.
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Each episode of our East Ohio Conference podcast Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation explores what it means to #BeUMC.
Episode Seven is titled “Disciple Making: Digital and Hybrid Churches Building Faith Communities Online”. The episode features conversation with East Ohio Conference clergy from three different districts who are reaching worshippers in new ways beyond the walls of their church buildings.
For questions about Communications ministries such as the #BeUMC campaign, live-streaming, licensing, social media and more, please e-mail Rick Wolcott, executive director of Communications, or visit the Communications pages of the Conference website.
Annual Conference
Registration for Annual Conference 2023 Closes May 12
The 54th session of Annual Conference is June 8-10 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. Registration opened April 3 and will close at the end of the day on Friday, May 12.
Learn about and register for Annual Conference 2023.
Services and Celebrations
- Thursday, June 8 @ 9:00 a.m. – Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion
Speaker: Bishop Tracy S. Malone, East Ohio Conference, UMC - Friday, June 9 @ 9:00 a.m. – Worship
Speaker: Rev. Angela Lewis, superintendent of the Canal District - Friday, June 9 @ 12:00 p.m. – Board of Ministry Celebration of Retirement
Reflections: Bishop Tracy S. Malone, East Ohio Conference, UMC - Friday, June 9 @ 4:30 p.m. – Service of Commissioning and Ordination
Speaker: Rev. Jay Rundell, president of Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) - Saturday, June 10 @ 9:00 a.m. – Worship
Speaker: Rev. Dr. David Palmer – senior pastor of Kent First UMC
Video Teaching Session – Friday, June 9
Dr. David Field, the Ecumenical staff officer for Faith & Order and Theological Dialogue for the Council of Bishops of The UMC will offer a video teaching segment at 10:15 a.m. on Friday, June 9. We will explore together the teachings and practices of our Christian faith that underscore our core theological convictions as United Methodists.
Connectional Ministries to Host Lunches During Annual Conference
During lunch breaks on Thursday and Friday of this year’s conference Annual Conference members can join the Connectional Ministries team and others for conversation and training around issues impacting the local church. Tickets for the discounted $10 lunches must be purchased by May 26 and are available only for registered members of Annual Conference.
The May 1 issue of E-News will highlight lunches offered on Friday, June 9. Today, we focus on the lunch conversations scheduled for Thursday June 8:
- Safe Sanctuaries luncheon with Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director.
- Cooperative Parish luncheon with Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director.
- Placemaking luncheon with Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director.
- All In Community Introduction luncheon with Jami Nathan and Reba Collins, West Ohio Conference All In Community coordinators, and Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director.
Learn about and register for the Connectional Ministries luncheons.
Midwest Mission Collection at Annual Conference
The collection truck for Midwest Mission (EOC Advance Fund 9944) will be parked in the S. Broadway lot of the John S. Knight Center during Annual Conference June 8-10. Now is the time to start collecting items in your church to drop off at the truck. Midwest Mission is looking to restock its inventory after shipping Personal Dignity Kits to areas impacted by earthquakes in Syria and Turkey and other items of need to areas in the U.S. and abroad impacted by natural disasters. Let’s plan to fill the truck during Annual Conference!
Learn about needed items for the Midwest Mission collection.
Financial & Administrative Services
CCLI License Renewal
In 2007 the East Ohio Conference negotiated a contract with Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) for a license that permits local churches to legally project/print during worship services the lyrics of songs that are part of the CCLI catalog. The Conference pays for the group-discounted licensing and then bills local churches their respective share through apportionments. The current contract expires this month and East Ohio Conference leadership and CCLI have been working together on a plan for renewing our CCLI license agreement.
Included in the conversations is the fact that some churches that are part of the group plan are seeking to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church. But the vote to disaffiliate will not take place until Annual Conference 2023 in June and the CCLI agreement needs to be renewed in the coming weeks. So, we have come to the agreement that the East Ohio Conference will renew the CCLI license through the end of June at a prorated cost so that there will be no interruption of coverage and services for our churches.
A new 12-month agreement will begin in July and will include all EOC churches that are continuing with The United Methodist Church. July will then become the new expiration/renewal date for our EOC group CCLI contract.
COVID-19 Coverage Changes
As of May 11, 2023, the U.S. government will officially end the COVID-19 public health emergency period. As a result, certain rules for health care coverage related to COVID-19 will also change.
After May 11, HealthFlex will no longer cover:
- COVID-19 testing at 100% (including at-home tests and tests performed at a doctor’s office, pharmacy, or other testing center).
- ln-network COVID-19 treatment at 100% before a participant reaches his or her deductible.
COVID-19 tests performed at a doctor’s office, pharmacy, or other testing center, and treatment will all be processed according to regular HealthFlex plan benefits and subject to normal deductibles, coinsurance, and network rules. At-home COVID-19 tests will no longer be covered by HealthFlex. All recommended vaccines and boosters administered by an in-network provider or pharmacy will continue to be covered at 100%, including recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Please e-mail Robin Whitacre, Benefits manager, with any questions about theses changes or call her at (800) 831-3972 ext. 151.
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.
BSA & The UMC
GCFA Issues Update and Frequently Asked Questions Resource
In February 2020, The Boy Scouts of America (“BSA”) filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware in response to facing a significant number of lawsuits involving allegations of child sexual abuse. According to the BSA, the bankruptcy filing was intended to permit it to “equitably compensate victims who were harmed during their time in Scouting and continue carrying out its mission for years to come.”
Because United Methodist local churches have been one of the largest collections of chartering organizations for Scout troops, a “United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee” – consisting of several chancellors, two bishops, and two lawyers employed by GCFA – was formed to advocate for United Methodist interests within the bankruptcy proceeding. The Committee’s involvement ultimately led to a negotiated settlement, which includes a contribution by United Methodists of $30 million.
In September 2022, the bankruptcy court approved a reorganization plan for the BSA that included the settlement negotiated by the Committee. While the approved plan was supported by most bankruptcy participants, the court’s ruling was appealed to the United States District Court located in Delaware. On March 28, 2023, that district court released an opinion affirming approval of the reorganization plan.
Read the new GCFA Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to the BSA settlement.
View the BSA & The UMC resource on the East Ohio Conference website.
Missions & Community Engagement
Missionary Spotlight: Rev. Álvaro Rodrigo Godínez Jiménez
The Rev. Álvaro Rodrigo Godínez Jiménez is a UMC General Board of Global Ministries missionary serving as a faith community-builder in Morelia, Michoacan Mexico. “God is opening doors for us to share Jesus in different ways with different people. It is very pleasing to be able to share with older adults and bring them to Jesus through songs, games, and reflections,” he said. “We continue in this beautiful work with the help of God and your partnership.”
If you have questions about how your congregation can support our United Methodist missionaries serving around the world, please e-mail Kate Colbow, East Ohio Conference secretary of Global Ministries.
Learn more about and support Rev. Álvaro Rodrigo Godínez Jiménez.
Dick Parks Virtual Memorial Race at the Rock
Register now to participate in this year’s Flat Rock Homes Dick Parks Memorial Race at the Rock. The race will again be virtual in 2023. This is the 18th annual event in support of Flat Rock Homes, Care Center, and Community Services. Join Flat Rock from anywhere to hop, skip, jump, or run as part of your virtual event. Flat Rock will host a virtual Race with Us Day on June 25 to share photos and messages from folks participating in the event from across the country and around the world.
May 5 is the last day to register to guarantee you will receive your Race in a Box and t-shirt.
Learn more and register, order your Race in a Box, or purchase a t-shirt.
Reckoning with Reentry and Repair – April 27
It just keeps happening. Another mass shooting. Mass shootings (shootings with four or more people injured or killed) in the U.S. are occurring more than one per day in the U.S. so far in 2023. Those shootings are in addition to the often unnamed and unrecognized violence millions of neighbors experience every single day, especially in distressed communities. The West Ohio Conference is inviting East Ohio Conference clergy and laity to join in a discussion with nationally known restorative justice thought leader Danielle Sered as we reckon with our response to violence prevention and reentry. She will provide practical solutions to making our communities safer, helping victims of violence heal, and stemming the tide on our reliance on incarceration as a “just” response. This event is free and there is an option to attend online.
Learn about Reentry Programs Offered at South Street Ministries – May 11
You are invited to learn about a movement in Summit County being led by South Street Ministries (EOC Advance Fund 9195). The 9:30-11:00 a.m. event on May 11 at the United Methodist Church of Macedonia is sponsored by Nordonia Hills Community Connection. Registration in advance is not required. If you have questions about this opportunity, please e-mail Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director.
Learn more about the May 11 Reentry Programs event.
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.
Multicultural Ministries
Perspectives: Caring for God’s Creation – April 22
Perspectives: Caring for God’s Creation is this Saturday at the United Methodist Church of Berea. This special Earth Day event will be educational on what we can do to take care of creation. Come and learn from Dr. Tim Van Meter and other leaders. Participants must register by Wednesday, April 19.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Native American Ministries Sunday – April 23
Native American Ministries Sunday, April 23 reminds the Church of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. In 2022, United Methodists gave more than $426,000 to develop and strengthen Native American ministries in annual conferences and in Native American rural, urban, reservation ministries and communities. Your support of Native American Ministries Sunday provides development, implementation, and assessment of a higher education recruitment/retention for Native American clergy. We are blessed to support Native American students through scholarships, but we can do more!
Learn about Native American Ministries Sunday.
Download pew cards and other NAMS resources.
For questions about Multicultural Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director, or visit the Multicultural Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Higher Education
Roseberry Scholarship Application Deadline is May 31
The John S. Roseberry scholarship is open to any college-bound racial or ethnic minority undergraduate student who is a member of an East Ohio Conference United Methodist church.
Learn more and apply by May 31.
View the full list of available scholarships and grants.
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.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Tour Wanake Camp & Retreat Center – April 29
You are invited to tour Wanake Camp & Retreat Center and participate in the Resurrection Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 29. During your visit you can take a tour, talk to the staff, and see what is being offered for Summer Camp 2023. The open house will begin at 2:00 p.m. and conclude at 6:00 p.m. that day.
If you are unable on April 29, please e-mail Camp Wanake or call the office at (330) 756-2333 to schedule a personal tour on a different date.
CYF, ReachOut, and Lakeside Institute are for Youth!
Each year, youth from across Ohio are invited to gather at Malone University and Lakeside Chautauqua for great Christian community, in-depth Bible study, creative worship, mission projects, and lots of fun activities. Malone University hosts Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) on its beautiful campus in Canton. Lakeside Chautauqua has long been the place for young people to meet inside the gated community on the Marblehead Peninsula for Lakeside Institute and ReachOut.
Learn more about and register for CYF, ReachOut, and Institute.
For questions about Camps & Retreat Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Camps & Retreat Ministries / Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director, or visit the Camps & Retreat Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Message in the Movies
His Only Son
I am convinced that His Only Son is a sincere act of faith by David Helling to lead people to God’s love as demonstrated by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
I am also saddened to report that His Only Son is one of the most misguided Bible-based films of recent years and not likely to have much of an impact on anyone who is not already familiar with the story of Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Abraham (Mouawad) is called by God to travel from his home country and make a long journey with his wife Sarah (Seyed) to the land of Canaan, where his trust in God will lead him to become the father of a great nation with descendants outnumbering the stars in heaven. Abraham and his wife Sarah have a difficult time conceiving a child, so when their son Isaac is born, it is a cause for celebration. Shockingly, a few years later, God commands Abraham to take Isaac to Mount Moriah and sacrifice him as an act of obedience. Even though an angel of God stays Abraham’s hand and prevents the death of his son, the binding of Isaac is one of the most troubling stories in the Hebrew scriptures.
Events: April 17 – April 30
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Wednesday, April 19
Grant Writing Webinar - Saturday, April 22
Perspectives: Caring for God’s Creation - Saturday, April 29
God Provides Meal
To submit your event to the East Ohio calendar use this form. (The East Ohio Conference only accepts East Ohio United Methodist local church, conference and general UM events for listing on the Conference calendar.)
Celebrations of Life
Please pray for the families of:
- Janet M. Lynn, clergy spouse, died April 12.
- Phyllis Brown, surviving spouse of Rev. Craig Brown, died April 12.
- Donald Booth, retired Elder, died December 15, 2022.
- Maurine Moody Scott, widow of the late Rev. Jack Moody, died March 17.
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
- Financial Secretary – Dover First UMC
- Administrator – Flat Rock Homes, Care Center, and Community Services
- RN/Nurse Trainer – Flat Rock Homes, Care Center, and Community Services
- Children’s Ministry Area Coordinator – # RidgeKidz Leader – Hope Ridge UMC
- Nursery Coordinator/Caregiver – Hope Ridge UMC
- Treasurer – Mentor UMC
- Director of Modern Worship – Mentor UMC
- Youth Director – Mentor UMC
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, May 1, 2023.
Deadline for submission is Thursday, April 27, 2023. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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