September 18, 2023

EOC News

#BeUMC

To download the video above, first click the share button in the upper right corner of the video window, then click the Vimeo link. Then, on the Vimeo page click the download link underneath the video window.

“I’ve experienced God’s grace in many different ways and some of those ways were through other people who were serving in The United Methodist Church pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, camp counselors and all of those people were different from different backgrounds, different ideas, different theological understandings but through all of them I experienced the grace of God,” said Rev. Kelly Brown, superintendent of the Three Rivers District and co-superintendent of the Ohio Valley District.

Make plans now to tell your story. E-mail Brett Hetherington and schedule a time to record your one- to two-minute #BeUMC story of transformation in 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 18 is titled “Disciple-Making: South Street Ministries Builds a Community of Reentry, Redirection and Restoration”. The episode features conversation with staff from South Street Ministries in Akron about its reentry ministry to and with individuals who have been released from prison, one of many ways this Advanced Special of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church serves its communities.

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

New District Boundaries Announcement – September 27
During the Cabinet Fall Retreat, Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the Cabinet spent time in prayerful conversation and discernment doing the critical work of determining the boundaries of the new four-district configuration of the East Ohio Conference that will be effective January 1.

The map of the new district boundaries will be e-mailed to EOC laity and clergy and posted on the Conference website and social media on Wednesday, September 27. Included with the map will be information about how, to whom, and by when you will be able to submit names to be considered for the four districts.

The number of districts will change in January but our mission remains the same: making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Financial & Administrative Services

ALEX Benefits Counselor is Live and Updated for 2024
HealthFlex participants can use the ALEX benefits counselor to estimate costs and receive a personalized recommendation for your 2024 HealthFlex elections. ALEX will remain available throughout the annual election period that begins November 1 and ends November 16.

It is very important that you visit ALEX as the HSA plans for 2024 are different than those in which you may be enrolled for 2023. If you have any questions about HealthFlex, please e- mail Robin Whitacre, Benefits manager, or call her at (330) 499-3972, Ext. 151.

Access ALEX and view the 2024 HealthFlex plans on the EOC website.

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.

Strategic Ministries

The Small Church Difference Workshop – October 26
Small congregations have powerful worship strengths that can’t be used in big settings. Explore lavish worship that fits you during the in-person The Small Church Difference: Difference, Strengths, Advantage workshop on Thursday, October 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Conference office in North Canton. The workshop is best attended as a team of a pastoral leader and a small team of Laity. Space is limited so register soon.

Teresa J. Stewart will lead the workshop. She is a writer, teacher, and creator in love with small congregations. For nearly 20 years she has written worship resources for them, studied their strengths, shared their successes, and offered workshops designed for their challenges and advantages. Her work starts with this simple truth: small churches are different from big ones. And small churches have superpowers and distinctive gifts unavailable in big settings.

Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

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

Earth Care: From Anxiety to Action – September 30
East Ohio is invited to the Sprague Forum on September 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at North Broadway UMC located at 48 E. North Broadway in Columbus. The event theme, “Earth Care: From Anxiety to Action,” focuses on practical steps towards a greener future. Keynote speaker Dr. Tim Van Meter of Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio will discuss “Uncomfortable Choices: Climate Justice for Generational Thriving.”

Participants can connect with environmental groups and learn ways to act to protect our planet’s future. The cost to attend is $20 and includes lunch from Freedom a la Carte. If you have questions about the event, please e-mail Cathryn Clark, director of Communications at Short North Church.

Learn more and register.

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
East Ohio Conference laity and clergy are invited to the annual gathering of the Ohio reentry community on October 4-5. The Building Bridges Community Experience is free to attend. The theme this year is “A Charge to Keep: Hope, Help, & Healing with Returning Neighbors”, with a focus on the role of volunteer partners and reentry allies.

The October 4 session is online and looks at statewide initiatives, foundational learning, and best practices. The October 5 session consists of regional gatherings in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Lima, Toledo, and Youngstown. The goal is for reentry allies, justice professionals, impacted persons, and service providers to become more deeply committed to creating positive reentry experiences by being more deeply connected to each other in community. There are topics, conversations, connections, and collaborative opportunities for everyone who is walking with or serving returning neighbors.

Learn more and register to attend Building Bridges of Opportunity.

Brookdale Orchard Apple Day Harvest Festival – October 21
All are invited to attend the Apple Day Harvest Festival at Brookdale Orchard in Cleveland on Saturday, October 21. Brookdale Orchard is a ministry of St. Matthew UMC in Cleveland and an EOC Advance Special (Fund 9983). It’s mission in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood is to improve the quality of life for people and the appearance of the neighborhood, and to preserve the integrity of the natural environment as a place for peaceful community growth and gathering. The vision for Brookdale Orchard is to establish a produce and by-product market brand of jams, jellies, juices, and pastries from the harvest of a community-controlled, income-earning fruit and vegetable orchard in the heart of the neighborhood. If you have any questions about the event or the orchard, please e-mail Mittie Imani Jordan.

Learn more about the Apple Day Harvest Festival.
Donate to Brookdale Orchard Fund 9983.

Canton For All People
Submitted by Canton For All People, an EOC Health & Well-Being Partner and Special Advance.

Downtown Canton, a vibrant community characterized by its rich diversity in age, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomics, is facing a pressing crisis. Many residents living within a mile of our church find themselves in substandard housing conditions. Recently, our attention was drawn to an emergency situation within an apartment building, where inhabitants endure numerous challenges, including the presence of black mold, cracked radon pipes, raw sewage, and broken plumbing. During our visit this week, we were deeply moved by the heart-wrenching stories shared by the residents. One poignant example was that of a young boy with Spina Bifida, a birth defect in which the spinal cord fails to develop properly, and whose family resides on the 3rd floor without elevator access. We witnessed him crawl up the stairs to reach their deplorable apartment. His mother, battling cancer and undergoing treatment, expressed her fears about their living situation.

While our resources are limited, we are determined to extend a helping hand to these residents in crisis and provide additional assistance. Currently, we have legal aid actively working on establishing a tenant union and escrowing rents. We have also reached out to media outlets to shed light on the dire circumstances faced by those living in this building. Simultaneously, we are in communication with the management and ownership of the property. In the interim, adults and families with children continue to endure these unacceptable living conditions. At Crossroads UMC and Canton for All People, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for Canton’s residents and envision a future where all people have access to healthy homes and hope-filled hearts.

With your generous support, together with the United Methodist connection, we can meet the immediate needs of our neighbors and rekindle hope. We have received commitments totaling $6,000, but our goal is to reach $15,000. You can donate to EOC Fund 9978 or send checks payable to Canton For All People to 120 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44702. Your contributions will be directed towards emergency funds to assist with housing and relocation expenses. Let’s unite to bring relief and restoration to those in desperate need within our community. If you have any questions and/or would like to engage and partner with Canton for All People, please e-mail Pastor Michael Farmer.

Learn more about Canton For All People.
Donate to Fund 9978 Canton For All People.

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

Fun Competition Raises Funds for Flat Rock Homes & Care Center
Pastor Pamela “Pastor P.” Sayre and members of the congregation from Huron United Methodist Church welcomed Pastor Robin Dillon and folks from Lakewood United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 13 for lunch and a celebration. Following the announcement for The Dick Parks Memorial Race at the Rock, Pastor P. and Pastor Robin challenged each other to a fundraising competition to see who would take home The Dick Parks Fundraising Award for 2023, the loser would be taking a pie to the face. Their congregations stepped up to the challenge and raised a combined total of over $15,000 for Flat Rock Homes. Huron United Methodist Church took home the trophy raising over $8,000 on its own, earning Pastor P. the joy of pieing Pastor Robin. They worked so hard that Flat Rock Homes President & CEO, Karen Kilgo, also stepped up to the challenge and took a pie for the team! They have already issued the challenge for the 2024 event and encourage others to follow their lead reports Meg Larkin-Downing, Marketing manager and executive assistant to the President/CEO of Flat Rock Homes. In the photo above Flat Rock President/CEO Karen Kilgo pies Pastor P. as Pastor Robin looks on, ensuring that everyone involved got in on the fun for a good cause.

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.

Multicultural Ministries

Anti-Racism Sunday – October 15
The East Ohio Conference and The United Methodist Church stand against racism. On Sunday, October 15, EOC churches, pastors, and faith communities are invited by the Ohio Council of Churches to join in solidarity with other congregations across the state to observe Anti-Racism Sunday. If you are unable to participate on October 15, the Council encourages choosing a different Sunday on which to observe Anti-Racism Sunday.

“We believe Jesus came to offer abundant life, a flourishing life to all of humanity,” said Ohio Council of Churches Executive Director Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr. “Racism is a public health threat that is in clear and active opposition to the values and vision of Jesus Christ. We Christians are compelled by the love of God to detect, disrupt, and dismantle racism in all of its forms.”

Learn more on the Ohio Council of Churches website.

For questions about Multicultural Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director, or visit the Multicultural Ministries pages of the Conference website.

Clergy

Bishops’ Retreat with Black Clergy – October 4-6
The last day to register to attend the Bishops’ Retreat with Black Clergy is Wednesday, September 27.

The Bishops’ Retreat with Black Clergy is a joint retreat for the Black clergy of the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church hosted by Bishop Tracy S. Malone and Bishop Gregory V. Palmer.

The theme of this year’s retreat is “Preach! Preacher, Preach!” The guest facilitator is the Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, Ph.D., who will appear with a team from WomanPreach! Inc. Rev. Dr. Bridgeman is the dean and vice president for Academic Affairs at Methodist Theological School in Ohio and the founder, president, and CEO of WomanPreach! Inc.

The retreat is October 4-6 at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, located between Delaware and Columbus. Cost is $200/person double occupancy. Single room and commuter rates are also available. Registration includes dinner on Wednesday, October 4, three meals on Thursday, October 5, and breakfast and lunch on Friday, October 6. Overnight accommodations for Wednesday and Thursday night are for rooms at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center. If you have any questions about the event, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, EOCUMC Connectional Ministries office administrative assistant, or call her at (330) 499-3972 ext. 102.

Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the Conference website.

Laity

Canal District United Women in Faith Fall Gathering – September 23
Canal District United Women in Faith invite you to its fall gathering at Hudson United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 23. The day will begin with a light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. followed at 9:30 a.m. by the presentation from guest speaker Belva Denmark Tibbs. Her presentation is titled “Being an Emotionally, Spiritually Healthy Woman”. 

The cost for the event is $5.00. You can register in advance or at the door. If you have any questions about the event, please e-mail Cheryl Gamble.

Download and print the registration form.

Events: September 18 – October 1

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

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:

  • Calvin R. Myers, Sr., retired Elder, died August 29. A service will be held in Ohio November 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Berea UMC (170 Seminary St., Berea, OH 44017). Clergy are invited to robe and process.

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 – The UMC of Macedonia
  • Audio/Visual Technician – Christ Woodland UMC
  • Director of Music – Green Valley UMC
  • Director of Youth Ministry – Mayfield UMC

To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.

To Subscribe

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Deadline for submission is Thursday, September 28, 2023. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.