#BeUMC
Tim Beck, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries co-director, shares why he is United Methodist.
“I really appreciate the opportunity that The United Methodist Church offers to all, that anyone and everyone has the freedom to answer their calling and to live out their calling in this denomination. I certainly appreciate the Christ-centered community and the value it has added to my life,” he said.
Beck is one of the many EOC laity and clergy sharing the many ways our denomination is making daily differences in their lives and in their ministries. E-mail Brett Hetherington, EOC Communications specialist, 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.
Each episode of our East Ohio Conference podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.
Episode 13 is titled “Disciple Making: Making Disciples Around the World”. The episode features conversation with two UMC missionaries, one returning from teaching in Costa Rica and one currently serving victims of human trafficking in Cambodia.
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.
Communications
2023-2024 to Include Re-Districting and General and Jurisdictional Conferences
Summer is a great time for vacation to re-charge our minds and bodies, and for making plans for the new church year that begins July 1 every year and usually includes a local church rally day in late August or early September.
The 2023-2024 church year will be a busy one in our East Ohio Conference and across The United Methodist Church.
Annual Conference members voted during the June session for the East Ohio Conference to re-district from 10 districts to four beginning January 1, 2024. Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the Cabinet determine the boundaries of the new districts and will begin that work during the Fall Cabinet Retreat in September. Learn more about redistricting.
Fall is also the time when district superintendents have their annual consultations with clergy and Staff Parish Relations committees, and when clergy and local church leadership complete their charge conference forms. Download charge conference forms.
Ministry is all-consuming work so self-care is important. All active clergy in the East Ohio Conference are invited to participate in a one-day clergy day apart at Camp Wanake on September 30 and/or October 4. The days will include worship, fellowship, spiritual practices, and the ability for clergy to choose the activity that relaxes them most. Register to attend the clergy day apart.
Important dates to note in 2024 include:
- April 23 – May 3: the postponed 2020 General Conference will meet in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- June 13-15: the 55th Session of East Ohio Annual Conference will meet at the John S. Knight Center in Akron.
- July 10-13: North Central Jurisdictional Conference will meet in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Camp is Happening Right Now
Right now, hundreds of children, youth and adults have been or are attending summer camp here is East Ohio. Campers’ lives are being transformed as they experience God in creation. Campers are testing their limits in new adventures and are experiencing community and making new friends. If you want a child from your congregation to be a part of this life-changing experience, call the East Ohio Conference Camps office at (800) 831-3972 ext. 108.
Learn more about and register for Summer Camp 2023.
Clergy
Ordination Celebration at Lakeside Chautauqua – August 14
As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Lakeside Chautauqua this summer Lakeside leadership will honor the hundreds of United Methodist pastors from the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference who have been ordained in Hoover Auditorium. A special ordination celebration is planned on Monday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. inside Hoover Auditorium with a reception to follow. A special gate fee of $10 per person will be offered for clergy and spouse/significant other and a parking pass for the South lot will be included. The cost for children and youth will be $5. Normal gate fees are $30/person, $17/youth, and a parking pass is $8.
With this special gate pass, you may arrive anytime on Monday and stay until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15. All facilities of Lakeside Chautauqua, including the pool, will be open for your enjoyment. Both Hotel Lakeside and the Fountain Inn are offering a special rate of $109 pre-tax, which includes breakfast. Come, relax, and reconnect with fellow pastors and families and enjoy this special time at Lakeside.
RSVP for the Ordination Celebration to receive more information.
Message in the Movies
Nimona
Nimona is based on a popular award-winning web comic and graphic novel by ND Stevenson which takes place in an alternative future world in which knighthood, flying cars and authoritarian government coexist.
The spoken prologue tells of a time a thousand years ago when a legion of knights, led by the hero Gloreth fought a terrible Monster and banished it from the kingdom. While statues of Gloreth are displayed publicly, it is important for the knights to keep a vigilant watch. As the narrator states: “You can never let your guard down, because the monsters are always out there.”
Events: July 10 – July 23
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Monday, July 10
Centenary UMC Drama Camp - Sunday July 16
Canal District Lay Servant & Lay Speaker Summer Picnic
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:
- Ezzie Milliner, clergy spouse, died July 4.
- Bige L. Combs, retired Associate Member, died June 25.
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
- Organist – North Olmsted UMC
- Children’s Education Coordinator – Willoughby UMC
- Sports Ministry Coordinator – Rocky River UMC
- Youth Ministry Coordinator – Medina UMC
- Sound Room Tech – Church Hill UMC in Youngstown
- Contemporary Worship Leader – Kent UMC
- Assistant Custodian – Kent UMC
Items Available/ Wanted
- Cantata Books – Granger UMC in Medina
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, July 20, 2023. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
East Ohio News 