#BeUMC
Each episode of our East Ohio Conference podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.
Episode 15 is titled “Disciple Making: A Simplified Accountable Structure for Missional Effectiveness”. The episode features conversation with Conference leaders about exciting opportunities for new and existing ministries created by switching to The Book of Discipline-supported Simple Accountable Structure that reduces the number of people and meetings needed for church leadership governance.
East Ohio Conference laity and clergy are invited to be part of – and spread the word about – the grassroots #BeUMC campaign that is built upon powerful stories of congregations and people living their faith through The United Methodist Church.
When you share your one- to two-minute story you will be a powerful witness to others of the many ways The United Methodist Church continues to change lives and transform our communities and the world. E-mail Brett Hetherington, EOC Communications specialist, to arrange a time to share your #BeUMC story.
View #BeUMC stories & the EOC #BeUMC website.
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.
Area Center
New Sign Being Installed
The East Ohio Conference office in North Canton will soon have a new illuminated sign in front of the building on Cleveland Avenue NW. To accommodate the removal of the old sign and the installation of the new brick sign the parking lot entrance from Cleveland Avenue NW is currently closed. Please use the entrance off Thornton Street to access the parking lot to the Conference office, which also houses the Tuscarawas and Canal Districts office, the Methodist Foundation of Ohio, and the Christian Family Credit Union.
Strategic Ministries
Funding Our Future Zoom Workshop – September 23
Many congregations are discovering after three years of the COVID pandemic that there are fewer people participating in their ministries and this has had a profound effect on the finances of the church.
Funding Our Future is a training and coaching process led by Rev. Paul Nickerson via Zoom to help churches develop a comprehensive stewardship and discipleship process.
The one-day online workshop from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 includes:
- How the charitable giving landscape has changed.
- How to develop a year-round process of stewardship and faith development.
- How to implement an effective stewardship campaign.
- Other resources beyond pledging to increase the income of congregations.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Microgrants Offered
The Connectional Ministries office of Strategic Ministries and the Board of Congregational Development offer microgrants designed to help any church whose leadership is visioning a new future and focused on those not yet with us by experimenting with new ministries! Churches can request $2,000 or less for any new or upcoming ministry that is designed to reach those outside the current church membership. From Fresh Expressions to small groups meeting in restaurants and so much more, these grants are designed to support creative and innovative ministries from our local churches.
The deadline to apply for a microgrant is Friday, Oct 6 – but there is no need to wait until then. Apply today! If you have questions about the grants, please e-mail Rev. Beth Ortiz.
Learn more and apply for a microgrant by October 6.
For questions about Strategic Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director, or visit the Strategic Ministries pages on the Conference website.
Missions & Community Engagement
Thrive 10:10 Open House – August 10
Thrive 10:10 (EOC Fund 9979), which focuses on relief, recovery and restoration through relationships and education, invites to its Thursday, August 10 open house all congregations of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. Come learn about the positive impact Thrive 10:10 is making in its community with programs like Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World, Ruth’s Boutique, and Mental Health First Aid. The open house is Thursday, August 10 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at 22 N. Market Street in Girard, OH 44420. If you have questions about Thrive 10:10 and/or the open house, please e-mail the office.
All In Community Zoom Meeting – August 23
All East Ohio clergy and laity are invited to this conversation about ministry with justice-involved members and neighbors. How can our churches be a part of the reentry continuum of care so that the journey home from incarceration is filled with hope and healing instead of shame and stigma? This 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Zoom meeting on Wednesday, August 23 will feature West Ohio Conference All In Community leaders Reba Collins and Jami Nathan along with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Recreation & Religious Services Administrator Dr. Mike Davis.
Register to participate in the training on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
UMVIM Team Leader Training – October 1
A United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team leader training will be held on October 1 at 1:00 p.m. at First UMC of New Philadelphia. Participants will: share best practices for leading a mission team locally, nationally, and internationally; connect with others who have a heart for missions; discover the many resources and locations available through The UMC to lead mission journeys with youth and adults; develop a strategy for sharing the mission story, and become equipped for reaching new, young, and diverse people to be a part of your next UMVIM journey. We do this so that we can be God’s agents of transformation in our communities and around the world!
There is no cost for the training, but participants need to register online in advance. If you have questions about the training, e-mail Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director, who will lead the team leader training.
Register to participate in the training on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Journeys in 2024
Discover Mission Puerto Rico UMVIM Journey – January 5-13
The goal of this trip is to bring youth/young adults to United Methodist settings for cross-cultural and spiritual experiences and help youth/young adults grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ to discover God’s purpose in their lives. The cost of the trip is approximately $2,000/person. E-mail Rev. Kathy Dickriede with any questions about the trip.
Camphor Mission Station, Liberia – January 27 to February 12
The focus will be on school, students, and relationships at the Camphor Mission Station. The cost of the trip is approximately $3,000, which includes airfare, in-country transportation, food, and lodging. E-mail Ginny Logan with any questions about the trip
Christian Camp Gideon, Estonia – July Dates TBD
Participate in a week-long camp and interact with children at an orphanage in Aa, Estonia on the Gulf of Finland. E-mail Kathryn Adams with any questions about the trip.
Learn about UMVIM mission journeys beyond the East Ohio Conference.
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.
Health & Well-Being
Flat Rock Homes & Care Center Anniversary
Birthdays are special, and, at Flat Rock, our residents celebrate in many fun ways—with gifts, family visits, special outings, and, of course, cake! Last month, Flat Rock Homes & Care Center (EOC Fund 9174) celebrated 157 years of care! From our founding in 1866 as the Ebenezer Orphan Institute of the Evangelical Association to today serving individuals with disabilities, we celebrate 157 years of bringing the unconditional love of Christ to those in need.
Learn more about and support Flat Rock Homes & Care Center.
For questions about Health & Well-Being ministries and opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement director, or visit the Health & Well-Being pages of the Conference website.
Young People’s Ministries
Reimagining Youth Ministry in the Post-COVID Age – August 26
Pastors, youth leaders, and volunteers, you know that reaching young people is a challenge, especially now. New challenges are bubbling up all around us and many tried and true methods aren’t as effective as they once were. It can feel overwhelming, but the good news is you are not alone in the struggle. Let’s build community and connection, so that no one has to go through it alone. Let’s reimagine youth ministry for the post-COVID age, together.
You are invited to Trolley Line Park House and Pavilion in Wadsworth from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 to connect with other leaders as we share ideas and brainstorm for the future of Youth ministry in our local churches and beyond. Come join Tim Beck and Pastor Christy Suffecool, the new Connectional Ministries office co-directors of Young People’s Ministries, as we dream up new methods together. Our goal is to help you reimagine youth ministry in your setting, offering practical next steps to meaningfully connect with teens. The cost for the event in $10.
The last day to register is Thursday, August 24. If you have questions about the event, please e-mail Tim Beck or e-mail Pastor Christy Suffecool.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Young People’s Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Pastor Christy Suffecool or e-mail Tim Beck, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries co-directors, or visit the Young People’s Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Thank You, East Ohio!
We know that there are many things pulling kids in lots of different directions. Thanks for offering summer camp to the kids in your church and allowing us to be a partner in their spiritual formation.
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.
Clergy
FAMLP Retreat – August 20-23
“Finding Our Way” is the theme for this year’s Fellowship of Associate Members and Local Pastors (FAMLP) retreat August 20-23 at Lakeside Chautauqua. Attendees will participate in workshops and discussions on topics focusing on the specific interests and challenges facing associate members and local pastors. The cost for the retreat is $80, which does not include lodging. Rooms are being offered at a discounted rate at The Fountain Inn. The retreat is sponsored by the Fellowships of the East Ohio Conference, the West Ohio Conference, and the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church and by the Lakeside Chautauqua Religious Life Department.
The deadline to register for the retreat is Thursday, August 10. If you have questions about the retreat, please e-mail Pastor Jeri Johnson.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Message in the Movies
Oppenheimer
This film is based on American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, a 700-page biography of the physicist who supervised the development of the first atomic bomb (the prototype for the weapons America used to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki).
While there is a traditional biopic included in this three-hour film, much time is given to two investigative hearings that took place in the early 1950s, when the country’s attention became focused on communism following the first atomic test by the Soviet Union in 1949. Oppenheimer was the head of the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission and his opposition to the hydrogen bomb ran counter to the wishes of scientists and politicians who wished to raise the bar on weaponry as a nuclear deterrent. Consequently, Oppenheimer was investigated as a security risk while Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), the head of the AEC (and a colleague of Oppenheimer), was being considered for a cabinet position under President Harry S. Truman (Gary Oldman).
Events: August 7 – August 20
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- August 9-12
Mission Academy - Thursday, August 10
Thrive 10:10 Open House - August 20-23
FAMLP Retreat
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:
- Alfred J. Hubler, retired Elder, died July 31.
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
- President/CEO – Lakeside Chautauqua
- Worship Music Coordinator/Team Leader – Middlefield First UMC
- Youth Director – Northampton UMC in Cuyahoga Falls
- Organist – North Olmsted UMC
- Children’s Education Coordinator – Willoughby UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, August 17, 2023. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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