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 |
| Joe Burkhardt | Wedgewood & Akron First UMCs | CN | |
| Lorrin Radzik | North Canton Grace UMC | TW | |
| Richard F. Smith | New Hope UMC | MV | |
#BeUMC
“I am United Methodist because of our focus on grace and social justice. I feel like if we focus on loving each other like God loves us and reaching out to people who are hurting, who are marginalized, who are broken, then we are living the gospel message,” said Pastor Shane Russo of Niles First UMC.
He is one of many East Ohio Conference laity and clergy sharing the ways our denomination is making a daily difference in their lives and in their ministries.
E-mail Brett Hetherington to arrange a time to share your #BeUMC story of the ways your life is being transformed through The United Methodist Church.
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 Eight is titled “Belonging and Inclusion: Setting the Table”. Hospitality is at the heart of the gospel. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to extend the hospitality of Christ by setting the table and creating space where all persons feel loved, welcomed, embraced, and invited to serve fully in the ministry of Jesus Christ.
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
Last Few Days to Register for Annual Conference 2023
Registration for Annual Conference closes at the end of the day on Friday, May 12. The 54th session of Annual Conference is June 8-10 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron.
Learn about and register for Annual Conference 2023.
Annual Conference 2023 Website
The most up-to-date information about Annual Conference 2023 is posted on the AC 2023 website. There you can:
- view and download the Pre-Conference Workbook, found under the Resources tab.
- view and download the agenda, found under the Resources tab.
- view the Get to Know Akron digital publication, found under the Resources tab.
- read the Cabinet redistricting proposal and view the three submitted resolutions.
- read about this year’s featured speakers.
- read about the clergy who will be commissioned and ordained.
- learn about the ministries being supported by this year’s Annual Conference offering.
- learn about items you can donate to the Midwest Mission collection truck June 8-10.
- book mark the livestream page so you can view the sessions and services of AC 2023 when conference begins at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 8.
View the Annual Conference 2023 website.
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 April 30 issue of E-News highlighted lunches offered on Thursday, June 8. Today we focus on the lunch conversations scheduled for Friday, June 9:
- Mission Partners lunch hosted by Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director; Rev. Tammy Kuntz, North Central Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM_NCJ) coordinator, Tom King, Disaster Response Committee chair, and Brett Hetherington, Communications specialist.
- “SASSY” Church Leadership lunch hosted by Rev. Edward M. Fashbaugh, Connectional Ministries executive director, and Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director.
- Resilient Leadership lunch hosted by Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director, and Kimberly Green, East Ohio Conference lay leader.
Learn about and register for the Connectional Ministries luncheons.
Re-Districting Proposal
Cabinet Re-Districting Proposal Webinar – May 22
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the Cabinet, and other Conference leadership will host a webinar to introduce the Cabinet Re-Districting proposal that will be presented for vote at Annual Conference in June.
During the webinar on May 22 from 6:30-8:00 p.m., participants will hear discussion and be able to ask questions about the recommendation to move from 10 districts to four districts effective January 1, 2024.
More information about the webinar, including the link to join it, will be published in the May 15 issue of E-News.
Read the Cabinet Re-Districting Proposal.
Missions & Community Engagement
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.
Bridges Out of Poverty Training – May 20
Clergy and laity are invited to a Bridges Out of Poverty training workshop offering a comprehensive approach to understanding poverty. The May 20 training is 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 at Hope UMC (79 Center Rd.) in Bedford. Bridges Out of Poverty offers a new way to view the issue of poverty through the comprehensive triple lens perspective on how we as individuals, organizations, and communities can eliminate poverty.
Participants will review poverty research, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of the hidden rules of class, resources, family structure, and language. Registration is $30 and includes the required book and lunch.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the Conference website.
McCurdy Ministries Community Center
Church of the Saviour UMC member Kevin Louise Schaner recently served as a long- term volunteer in mission at McCurdy Ministries Community Mission (General Advance #581479) in Espanola, New Mexico. She was invited there to host a retreat and a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team. When both groups cancelled due to issues related to COVID, she relied on Philippians 4: 6-7 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.” This verse was a reminder to her that what you “do” on mission experiences is not as important as the relationships you built. Whatever skills you bring will match the needs that are present.
McCurdy Ministries was established in the Espanola Valley over 110 years ago and Schaner had known about it since she was a child. She was asked to write about the historic buildings on campus and to record the history back to 1912 for a self-guided walking tour of McCurdy. She also organized the Retreat Center to welcome VIM teams that will be returning this summer. Children, ranging in age from kindergarten to fifth grade, attended the After School program and Schaner created an EarthKeeper craft with them to encourage the children to turn off the tap water while brushing their teeth and taught them about conserving water, part of good stewardship of resources and a necessity in the desert.
Schaner was welcomed by two diverse congregations at Los Alamos UMC and Santa Cruz UMC. Following the traditional UMC Cross and Flame symbol led her to lasting relationships. E-mail Kevin Schaner with any questions about the McCurdy Ministries Community Center.
Learn about and support the McCurdy Ministries Community Center.
Missionary Spotlight: Janice Sehyung Lee
Janice Sehyung Lee is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries serving as the Christian Education specialist at the Methodist Mission in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where she is developing Sunday school curriculum and other Christian education media. She also serves as coordinator for the Susanna Welsey house, a dormitory that houses 25 young women pursuing university education.
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 Missionary Janice Sehyung Lee.
NCJ UMVIM Mission Academy – August 9-12
Join the learning and fun at Epworth Forest Camp and Conference Center in North Webster, Indiana August 9-12 for the North Central Jurisdiction United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM-NCJ) Mission Academy. We will have a group from East Ohio at this event and the Board of Missions has funds to help get you there. E-mail Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director, with questions.
Learn more about and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Deaconess Sherri Buehl Appointed as Volunteer Manager for Flat Rock Homes
Flat Rock Homes (EOC Advance Fund 9174) announced the appointment of UMC Deaconess Sherri Buehl as Volunteer manager. The responsibilities of the new role working side-by-side with groups, individuals, and staff to assess projects are in addition to Buehl’s wok as Flat Rock Homes Church & Community Engagement coordinator. Prior to being hired at Flat Rock, Buehl had 14 years of experience managing volunteers for several non-profits in Ohio. E-mail Sherri Buehl to schedule your volunteer experience.
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.
Young People’s Ministries
Youth Annual Conference Recharge Rally – June 17
This year’s Youth Annual Conference for students in grades 6-12 is a rally day of fellowship, fun, and worship at Camp Wanake on Saturday, June 17. The theme of YAC 2023 is Recharge, and the focus scripture is Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Participating youth and their adult leaders will connect with peers from across the East Ohio Conference during this day of fun and activities that begins at 10:00 a.m. and will conclude at 10:00 p.m. following a time of worship, communion, and a candle-lighting service. The cost is $20/person, which includes a t-shirt, lunch, and dinner.
Learn more and register for the YAC 2023 Recharge Rally.
For questions about Young People’s Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director, or visit the Young People’s Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Camp Aldersgate Open House – May 7
You are invited to tour Camp Aldersgate on Sunday, May 7. 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 5:00 p.m. that day.
If you are unable to visit on May 7, please e-mail Camp Aldersgate or call the office at (330) 627-4369 to schedule a personal tour on a different date.
There is Still Room for you at Summer Camp 2023
At our East Ohio Camps sites – Aldersgate, Asbury, and Wanake – it is not too late to get registered for Summer Camp 2023. To request a brochure or ask questions about Summer Camp 2023, e-mail the Camps office, or call (800) 831-3972 ext. 108. Camperships are available to ensure that all people have an opportunity to attend camp.
Learn more and register for Summer Camp 2023.
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
Air
Air is a 2-hour movie that is consistently entertaining, often funny, and light on its feet as it spins its somewhat (but not completely) uneventful story about how the Nike company created the Air Jordan basketball shoe. Since everyone knows how the story ends, the film takes us back to 1984 at a time before there was a shoe and before Michael Jordan became known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. This setting allows the filmmakers to wallow in nostalgia and fill the screen with pop culture references and a soundtrack filled with singable pop songs.
We follow Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), a talent scout for Nike, as he tries to persuade marketing director Rob Strasser (Bateman), executive Howard White (Chris Tucker) and CEO Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) to spend their entire recruitment budge of $250,000 to acquire Michael Jordan’s endorsement before Jordan began his first year as a pro basketball player. Sonny also has to deal with Jordan’s agent David Falk (Chris Messina), who isn’t about to make things easy.
Events: May 1 – May 14
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Wednesday, May 3
Grant Writing Webinar - Thursday, May 11
Celebrate Arts Series presents University of Mount Union Choir Concert - Friday, May 12
Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course - Saturday, May 13
Lay Servant Advanced Class – Opening Ourselves to Grace - Saturday, May 13
Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
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:
- James T. Henderson, retired Elder, died June 20, 2022.
- Evelyn Fay Sutherland, surviving spouse of the Rev. Robert Sutherland, died February 2.
- James McConnell, retired Elder, died April 17.
- Jean Helen McFarren, clergy spouse, died April 9.
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 Ministries – Carrollton First UMC
- 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
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, May 11, 2023. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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