By Brett Hetherington*

“God is doing a new thing in the East Ohio Conference and in these unprecedented times, God is making a way and unfolding new ministry and leadership possibilities,” shared Bishop Tracy S. Malone in a message to East Ohio Conference clergy and laity on February 15, 2022, when announcing a new EOC superintendency plan for several districts. The bishop’s plan, which took effect July 1, 2022, was created after several months of consultation with the Cabinet and with the district superintendents and district superintendency committees affected by the new configuration.

“These missional, strategic leadership changes will better position the Conference as we continue to be faithful stewards of our mission and resources,” said Malone.

The new leadership structure includes two superintendents co-leading one district, one superintendent leading two districts with the assistance of an associate superintendent, and two superintendents and their districts sharing an administrator.

Two Superintendents Co-Leading One District

In the southern region of the East Ohio Conference Rev. Laura White serves as superintendent of the Southern Hills District and Rev. Kelly Brown serves as superintendent of the Three Rivers District. Together they partner as co-superintendents of the Ohio Valley District.

“That whole region – Ohio Valley and Southern Hills – they are feeling forgotten by the world,” shared White. “The industries have left, they are in steep population decline, schools are closing because there are not enough students, and all of that feeds into this feeling of ‘nobody cares about us.’ This is a region where there is no internet service in some areas. There is no cell service in some areas!”

Brown added that the march of time has only exacerbated this feeling of alienation. “One time this might have been a coal mining town or a train stop, or whatever. And just over the years those people are gone. Even the places where there are farms all around there used to be 10 small farms but now there’s three large farms which means you lost seven families out of that community that would have possibly been a part of that church.”

Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh, chair of the Ohio Valley District Committee on Ministry, said she is pleasantly surprised at how well the two superintendent approach is working in the district.

“I was a little hesitant when it was first announced and I felt that our district as a whole would feel they were not being taken care of or that we were not important enough to have our own DS but in reality, I feel it works well and have not heard any of the comments I was expecting,” she shared. “Even in conversation with many laity in our district they all seem to be very clear on who their DS is and how to reach out if needed.”

Brown and White have been able to work together, building on each other’s strengths and connecting with churches within the districts to help build and strengthen connections with each other and with the Conference.

“We are doing a lot more cooperative parishes and you see the cooperation. People are yearning for that support system. Once they see Kelly and I working together they can move past their fear and embrace cooperative ministry,” said White.

Brown echoed that sentiment.

“I am encouraged to see what working together as a team continues to bring about. And I am encouraged about the people there in the districts and how much they want to serve and make a difference. I think that speaks to some level of outward focused-ness that will lead to dynamic ministry happening or continuing.”

Both superintendents shared appreciation for the faithful work done by the administrative assistants who are vital partners to them and the churches and clergy they serve: Carol Evans in the Ohio Valley District, Mollie Gerlach in the Southern Hills District, and Joy Snyder in the Three Rivers District.

One Superintendent Leading Two Districts

In the northwest region of the Conference Rev. Nestor Nazario serves as superintendent of both the Firelands District and the Mid-Ohio District. Like White and Brown, who partner with one another in many areas of their leadership, Nazario is not alone in modeling creative leadership and ministry to the nearly 140 churches and approximately 90 pastors in the districts he serves.

“I have the luxury, if you will, of having Donna Van Trees as associate district superintendent in the Firelands District,” he shared. Van Trees is a retired Elder who was appointed to serve part-time in her newly created position effective July 1, 2022.

“Donna is able to cover meetings I am not able to attend, be places I can’t when I am supposed to be two places at the same time, handle calls that come in that can be easily resolved. Basically, Donna can handle what an administrative assistant does but she provides an extra layer of expertise as well. She has been an incredible blessing and without her it would be a lot more difficult,” said Nazario.

Van Trees considers it an honor and a privilege to work with Nazario as they develop the new position together.

“I have had the benefit of working with the Firelands District superintendents for several years, in a smaller capacity, but the role of the associate superintendent greatly expanded my responsibilities on the district. Nestor and I have been deliberate in communicating frequently, and that has enabled us to be on the same page. Working more closely with the local churches enables me to relate critical issues to Nestor, while handling the smaller issues. It also provides opportunity to strategize with Nestor regarding the various churches and pastors as we seek to care for the Kingdom of God in this district,” Van Trees said. “I think this has been a challenging time for the Cabinet, and I am glad that I can help be the feet on the ground in the Firelands District for Nestor.”

Nazario is pleased to team with Van Trees and is also quick to recognize the important contributions made daily by the district administrative assistants with whom he partners in ministering to and with the clergy and laity in the districts he serves: Renee Davis in the Mid-Ohio District and Patti Pirc in the Firelands District.

Superintendents and Districts Sharing an Administrator

In the central region of East Ohio, the superintendents, churches, and pastors of the Tuscarawas District and those of the Canal District share ministry partner Megan Myers, who serves as administrator for both districts. This creative arrangement allows for resources of each district to be employed for maximum effectiveness.

Myers said she needed to adjust to the different working styles of Rev. Angela Lewis, superintendent of the Canal District, and Rev. Cara Stultz Costello, superintendent of the Tuscarawas District, but she is honored to have the opportunity.

“I get to meet, interact, and witness God’s work across both districts, and each has churches that are doing amazing ministry!” she said. “This new arrangement has created new ministry cooperations across the districts, which in turn utilize their resources more effectively.” 

Lewis shared that while there are advantages and challenges to the new structure, the end result is what’s most important: resourcing and supporting the ministries of the local churches.

“You can’t just schedule things whenever you want because you need to coordinate calendar items with others. But that’s also a blessing because we get to share ideas and dream together how to create new ministries,” she said.

Stultz Costello said this new alignment reminds her of the early days of Methodism.

“Ministry in The United Methodist Church is revisiting a foundational way of engaging in ministry – circuit riding. Like so many of our Wesleyan ideals this style of ministry has practical and biblical/theological principles holding hands. A body – in particular the body of Christ – is built for coordination and flexibility in service to motion. Two districts being served by one administrator calls for the body of Christ in the Canal and Tuscarawas Districts to function more as the church is created and called to – moving ever forward toward a transformed world powered by the love and grace of Jesus Christ.”

Looking Ahead

In her February 15, 2022 message, Malone shared that she would create a District Realignment/Restructure Task Group made up of a diverse group of laity and clergy from across the East Ohio Conference to do assessment work. The task group has completed that work and submitted a report to the Cabinet, which considered the findings when creating a re-districting recommendation that will be proposed during Annual Conference 2023 in June.

The Conference Communications team would like to share other stories that highlight ways that each of us is answering the call of Bishop Tracy S. Malone to reach out to our communities in creative ways. Please e-mail your ministry story to EOC Executive Director of Communications Rick Wolcott at wolcott@eocumc.com.

* Brett Hetherington is the Communications specialist for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.