#BeUMC
“I am United Methodist because Methodism allows me to put faith into action. I can work to build beloved community wherever I am and be the feet of Jesus in the community,” shared Dr. Liz Piatt, lay leader of the Canal District and a member of Family of Faith UMC in Akron.
Make plans now to tell your story of transformation in The United Methodist Church. E-mail Brett Hetherington, EOC Communications specialist, and schedule a time to record your one- to two-minute #BeUMC story. Doing so, you’ll join other clergy and laity from across East Ohio in being a powerful witness to the many ways The United Methodist Church continues to change lives and transform our communities and the world.
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 17 is titled “Belonging and Inclusion: Lighthouse Churches Offer Hope in East Ohio”. The episode features conversation among clergy and laity of Lighthouse churches – which are congregations dedicated to The United Methodist Church that are welcoming people who are on a pilgrimage seeking a new church home – about the importance of authentic hospitality in creating a place where people feel they belong and are included.
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.
Bishop’s Office
Bishop and Cabinet Meeting to Determine New District Boundaries
Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the Cabinet are meeting today through Thursday for their annual Fall Retreat. They ask for and covet your prayers as they undertake the critical work of determining the new district boundaries that will be effective January 1.
During Annual Conference in June, members approved a proposal to move from our current 10 districts to four. Per The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016, the bishop and Cabinet have the responsibility of determining district boundaries. The new district configurations will be shared with clergy and laity at the end of this month, along with an invitation to suggest names for the new districts.
Flexibility, creativity, and courage guided last year’s work of the Re-Districting Task Group as well as the proposal to move from 10 to four districts. In the East Ohio Conference, the more space we create at all levels of the church for flexibility with our resources, structure, relationships, and policies, the more effective we can be in living into our mission of making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Having four districts will create flexibility in our system so that we can increase our effectiveness and work toward 100% fruitfulness to the mission and 100% connection with each other. We are committed to living into a future of creative ministry with courage, vision, and hopeful expectation.
As the apostle Paul writes in Philippians Chapter 3, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Let us strain toward what is ahead and press on toward the goal, together.
Financial & Administrative Services
Retirement Savings Plan Webinar – September 19
The Wespath Benefits Education team invites you to participate in the third session of its quarterly webinar series “Personalizing UMPIP 2023” at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19. The 45-minute educational session will provide details about the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP), a 403(b)-retirement savings plan that you can personalize to align with your retirement income goals. The team will outline your investment options and provide details about LifeStage Investment Management. Impact Investments Manager Trent Sparrow will then explain Wespath’s sustainable investment approach, and the team will answer as many questions as time allows.
Please e-mail Robin Whitacre, Benefits manager, with any questions about this opportunity or call her at (800) 831-3972 ext. 151.
Learn more and register today.
For questions about Financial & Administrative Services ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Vera Rebrovich, executive director of Financial & Administrative Services, or visit the Financial & Administrative Services pages of the Conference website.
Connectional Ministries
UM Community Development Collaborative Launch – September 21-23
The United Methodist Community Development Collaborative (UMCDC) is an initiative for East Ohio Conference and West Ohio Conference churches and leaders to empower us to engage and transform our communities with the gospel of Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the command to love our neighbor. East Ohio churches and mission partners are invited to begin the collective work of resourcing, ideating, learning, and partnering with others who are beginning this work or are already along the road.
The UMCDC launch gathering September 21-23 at Church for All People in Columbus September 21-23 is an opportunity to explore the intersection of community and congregational development while connecting with others engaged in this work. You don’t have to do this alone, join the collaborative and join the movement!
For questions about ministries of the Connectional Ministries office, please e-mail the Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, executive director of Connectional Ministries, or visit the Connectional Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Missions & Community Engagement
South Street Ministries Restoration House Celebration – September 26
All are invited to South Street Ministries (EOC Advance 9195) on September 26 for joyful celebration at the Restoration House ribbon-cutting, where we will embrace those returning home. The free event is on September 26 from 10:00 a.m – 6:30 p.m. at 801 Grant St, Akron OH, 44311.
View the Restoration House Celebration postcard.
Learn more about South Street Ministries.
UMVIM Team Leader Training – October 1
A United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team leader training will be held on October 1 from at 1:00 – 7:00 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.
Building Bridges of Opportunity – October 4-5
Building Bridges of Opportunity serves to intentionally foster connection and collaboration between individuals and organizations from public, plural, and private sectors for the purposes of building healthier, more equitable and just communities with our justice-involved neighbors. Throughout the year, Building Bridges planning partners offer Ohio-wide events that offer tools and resources for going back into local communities with new connections and potential collaborations. The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church is one of the planning partners for virtual and in-person Community Experience opportunities on Oct. 4-5.
Learn more about Building Bridges of Opportunity.
Poverty Simulation – November 9
Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. To aid in understanding, make plans now to participate in the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) at the United Methodist Church of Macedonia from 9:00 a.m. – noon on Thursday, November 9. CAPS is an interactive, immersion experience that sensitizes participants to the realities of poverty and bridges the gap from misconception to understanding that is based on real Community Action clients and their lives. CAPS is not a game. It exists to promote poverty awareness, increase understanding, inspire local change, and transform perspectives.
There is no cost to participate in the poverty simulation, which will be hosted by the Nordonia Hills Community Connection and facilitated by Connectional Ministries office team members Will Fenton-Jones and Rev. Kathy Dickriede.
Register for the Poverty Simulation on the Event Registration page of the EOC website.
Retire with a Purpose: Become a NOMAD
NOMADS (Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service) are retirees who travel in their recreational vehicles to mission sites all around the U.S. to volunteer their time doing new construction, remodeling, and repairs at United Methodist-related agencies like local churches, camps, shelters, children’s homes, and more. Some NOMADS serve full-time while others serve only a few weeks each year.
Learn more about becoming a NOMAD.
Global Ministries Covenant Partner Relationships
Did you know that Global Ministries has more than 300 missionaries serving God’s mission in more than 60 countries around the world? Local churches are needed to be part of the work of these missionaries through prayer and salary support. E-mail Kate Colbow, Conference secretary of Global Ministries, with questions about supporting our missionaries.
Learn more about Global Ministries in East Ohio.
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.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Retreat Time is Upon Us
East Ohio Camps sites do not close after summer camp season ends. As summer staff and campers head home, year-round camp directors and staff switch to retreat ministry mode and are just as busy as during the summer camp season. Retreat guests using the camps sites can rest, relax and reconnect with each other and God as experience these amazing life-changing encounters:
- Encounters with God when retreaters step away from their fast-paced lives for periods of rest, renewal, and reconnection with God.
- Encounters with others in community as retreaters find a safe place to connect with others and form new relationships.
- Encounters with creation offer retreaters opportunities to experience spiritual benefits of being outdoors in God’s creation.
Camps & Retreat Ministries provide year-round accommodations for small intimate settings or a large group gatherings such as youth groups, Bible study groups, United Women in Faith, and many others who take time to connect with God, with nature, and with each other.
Learn more about Retreat ministry opportunities.
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.
Spiritual Formation & Christian Education
Re:New – Imagining New Ministries in New Ways with New People
Beginning Thursday, September 14 the Connectional Ministries office of Spiritual Formation & Christian Education will post a 15-minute presentation to the Connectional Ministries Facebook page highlighting creative ways your ministries can reach new people in your community. The single-topic episodes will include instructions on where to find additional information and where to connect for further conversation.
Re:New topics will include “Messy Church”, “Dinner Church”, “Children’s Faith Formation”, “Theater & Ministry”, “Online Discipline”, “Portico Online Learning”, All in God’s Image curriculum resources, and more. After posting on Facebook, previous presentations will be available on the Spiritual Formation page of the East Ohio Conference website.
Learn more about Spiritual Formation and access the Facebook page.
For questions about Spiritual Formation & Christian Education ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Camps & Retreat Ministries / Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director, or visit the Spiritual Formation & Christian Education pages of the Conference website.
Laity
Registration Open for Lay Servant Ministries Trainings
Throughout the months of September and October you can participate in Lay Servant Ministries training courses. Lay Servant Ministries of The UMC has its origins in early Methodism. John Wesley used lay persons to preach, conduct worship, lead studies, and visit the sick and imprisoned. Those early leaders were called exhorters, forerunners of current day lay servants. Today, there are three categories of Lay Servant Ministries: Certified Lay Servant, Certified Lay Speaker, and Certified Lay Minister. Lay Servant Ministries members are charged to witness, lead, and have their service inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries.
Register for Lay Servant Ministries trainings.
For questions about Lay Servant Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Amanda Armstrong, director of Lay Servant Ministries, or visit the Lay Servant Ministries pages on the Conference website.
Message in the Movies
The Hill
The Hill works best as a parody of inspirational sports films. I started laughing early on when young Rickey (Jesse Berry) is so poor he has to practice batting hitting a rock with a big stick. Their family is so destitute that their supper is a piece of cornbread. Arriving at a new church, Pastor Hill decides to speak out against the use of tobacco during a worship service, which angers the congregation enough to get the family packing and on the road. The family car leaves with possessions on its rooftop with Gram – played by Bonnie Bedelia – along for the ride. Just when I started getting vibes from television’s The Beverly Hillbillies, the movie swerved and stuck in a joke that could have been part of 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation.
It’s all here. Bible quotes galore. An inept preacher who doesn’t really know how to parent. A feisty grandmother who speaks her mind. A faithful childhood sweetheart who keeps showing up to cheer Rickey on. Crucial sports tryouts that somehow manage to give Rickey extra opportunities. Cheap leg braces that will just have to be shaken off one of these days.
Events: September 5 – September 17
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Wednesday, September 6
Bridges Out of Poverty Cohort - Thursday, September 14
Ohio Valley District Charge Conference - Friday, September 15
Lay Servant Advanced Class – Leading Prayer
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:
- William Maynard French, retired Elder, died August 31.
- Calvin R. Myers, Sr., retired Elder, died August 29.
- Rosa Clements-Milliner, retired Elder, died August 18.
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 Music – Green Valley UMC
- Sports Ministry Coordinator – Rocky River UMC
- Director of Youth Ministry – Mayfield UMC
- Children and Youth Coordinator – Galena UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
To subscribe to E-News and all East Ohio Conference news updates, enter your email address in the “Follow News via Email” widget on the right sidebar. Information from this E-News may be copied and used in your local church. The next scheduled edition of the E-News is Monday, September 18, 2023.
Deadline for submission is Thursday, September 14, 2023. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
East Ohio News 