By Rick Wolcott*

“If we want to sure‘nuff move within our Conference, if we want to move in The United Methodist Church, if we want to move, y’all, it’s going to begin with prayer,” declared Rev. Angela Lewis, Canal District superintendent, during her sermon Friday morning to begin Day 2 of Annual Conference. “And, yes, when we get up off our praying knees, if you will, we’ve got to go out into the community. If we want to effect some change, we’ve got to know what God wants us to do and we can’t do that if we’re not praying!”

The day’s business sessions began with a video presentation from Dr. David Fields, the ecumenical staff officer for Faith & Order and Theological Dialogue for the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church. Titled Faith Working Through Love, the presentation explored the teachings and practices of our Christian faith that underscore our core theological convictions as United Methodists. Dr. Field concluded his presentation with five questions for clergy and laity to consider including, “How can you equip and enable The United Methodist Church to become a church in which people experience the transforming grace of God that leads to lives characterized by faith working through love?”

Annual Conference members acted on one resolution on Friday, approving Resolution 2023-01: “Advocating for the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation”. Three resolutions will be presented on Saturday.

Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director, presented information about Lighthouse churches and Oasis groups, two ministries serving as beacons of light for those on a pilgrimage seeking a new church home because their church is disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church.

“Like an oasis on the journey, this is not meant to be the final destination but a place to rest and heal along the journey. Oasis groups are small groups that ideally meet outside the church walls where clergy and members can meet on neutral ground for healing, connection, prayer, and study,” Ortiz shared. “And we have Lighthouse churches which are congregations who are deeply committed to the United Methodist Church, who are hospitable to guests and these churches, who are already excellent in so many ways, have committed to continue to seek their own path towards perfection through a series of trainings on hospitality, on moving a guest to fully-welcomed member of the faith community, on  leading through change with grief therapy tools and more.”

The afternoon began with the Celebration of Retirement, recognizing 40 clergy who served in ministry a combined 1,084 years. In her message to the retirees, Bishop Tracy S. Malone thanked the clergy for their dedicated ministry and for the care they gave to those they served and served with.

“You have held the hands of people, God’s people, in your sacred hands and hearts,” the bishop said.

In her report on behalf of the Cabinet, Rev. Abby, dean of the Cabinet and superintendent of the Mahoning Valley District, shared about cooperative parishes, new ministries, and creative ways that congregations are using their buildings in new ways partnering with community groups to reach people in an ever-changing world.

“We believe that the God who has preserved the church for 2,000 years did not lead us this far to leave us now! But we also know that this church doesn’t look like it did 2,000 years ago, or 50 years ago, or even 10 years ago. So, as we seek the direction of the God who makes all things new, we are trying new things,” Auman said.

Rev. Kelly Brown, superintendent of the Three Rivers District and co-superintendent of the Ohio Valley District, then presented a proposal to re-district the East Ohio Conference from 10 district to four effective January 1, 2024.

“In presenting this proposal, we are asking that we commit to making room for flexibility in our system so that we can grow stronger and get better at living into our shared vision and mission and our connection with each other. By supporting this proposal, we commit together to become more flexible so we can become stronger and live into a future of creative ministry with courage,” Brown said.

The proposal was approved by Annual Conference members. Brown then called to order the gathering of the 10 district conferences of the East Ohio Annual Conference, which voted to dissolve the 10 district unions by June 1, 2024. 

“As part of the process for establishing new districts in the East Ohio Conference, the existing district unions in each district need to be dissolved by action of the district conferences,” Brown shared.

At its fall retreat Cabinet will begin the work of drawing the boundaries of the four districts.

Day 2 concluded with the ordination of nine clergy and the commissioning of five clergy. Rev. Jay Rundell, president of Methodist Theological School in Ohio offered advice and a challenge to the Class of 2023 during his sermon titled “Receiving the Mantle”.

“You do have to find your way. We’re here to get you on that way, but you’re going to have to find your way. You’re stepping into a tradition, and that’s important but that doesn’t mean your steps are directed for you. The history of the church, what we impart to you now, it’s important but history books are not blueprints or road maps. We need you to forge new paths, and we need you to build bridges that will allow people to actually follow you. We need you, friends, to pick up your mantle. We need you to be faithful. We also need you to surprise us. We need you to pick up a mantle, and we pray that you will be blessed as you are, and, in who you become. Amen.”

View Dr. Field’s Faith Working Through Love Teaching Session.
Learn more about Lighthouse churches and Oasis groups.
Donate to the Annual Conference offering.
Visit the Annual Conference 2023 website.
View the livestream of AC 2023 Sessions & Services.

*Rick Wolcott is executive director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.