#BeUMC

“The United Methodist Church has a wide and gracious span of love and grace and mercy,” said Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh. “The United Methodist Church allows space for everyone, no matter who you are, where you come from, what your background may be, to be loved by God and to share the love of God with others. In a world that is broken, love is needed now more than ever and should overshadow all other things and The United Methodist Church stands firm on the love of Christ.”

To arrange a time to share your #BeUMC story of transformation, e-mail Brett Hetherington, EOC Communications specialist.

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 24 is titled “Experience of God Through the United Methodist Church: The Power of Relationship”. The episode features conversation with East Ohio Conference clergy who share personal stories of experiencing God through the people of United Methodist congregations, the impact of relationships in those experiences, and the importance of local churches committing to being spaces where people can meet God in unique ways.

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.

Re-Districting for 2024

EOC Transitions from 10 Districts to Four
Effective January 1 the East Ohio Conference will consist of these four districts, listed alphabetically. Each district will be led by a superintendent team.

Financial & Administrative Services

The East Ohio Conference Teach • Reach • Bless campaign raised more than $1.5 million to build and furnish a residence hall for female students on the campus of Africa University in Zimbabwe. The new dormitory is one way clergy and laity in the East Ohio Conference is improving the education and wellness of women today for a better Africa tomorrow.

Another way to empower female students at Africa University is by supporting the Lift Her Up ministry which raises money for scholarships so that female students in a refugee camp who have been accepted at AU will have the funds to enroll at the Pan-African United Methodist institution of higher learning.

Support the Lift Her Up ministry (EOC Fund 9168).
Support other missions and ministries of the EOC and The UMC.

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

Global Migration Sunday – January 6
East Ohio Conference Multicultural Ministries and Missions & Community Engagement teams in the Connectional Ministries office encourage pastors, congregations, and faith communities to participate in Global Migration Sunday on January 6, or on a future Sunday of your choosing during the year.

The United Methodist Church advocates for the rights of immigrants as part of The Social Principles of our denomination: “We recognize, embrace, and affirm all persons, regardless of country of origin, as members of the family of God. We affirm the right of all persons to equal opportunities for employment, access to housing, health care, education, and freedom from social discrimination. We urge the Church and society to recognize the gifts, contributions, and struggles of those who are immigrants and to advocate for justice for all. We oppose immigration policies that separate family members from each other or that include detention of families with children, and we call on local churches to be in ministry with immigrant families.”

The Board of Ministries Order of Deacons has developed a worship resource for your church to use, either in its entirety or as elements of your worship service. This resource meets the shared vision of Conference clergy and laity to reach new and diverse people in bold and courageous ways so that we together can be God’s agents of transformation in our communities and throughout the world.

View and use the Global Migration Sunday worship resource.

Royal Family Kids Camp Training – January 28
The Strongsville Royal Family Kids Camp is offering staff training about gang behavior on Sunday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Strongsville UMC. All are invited to participate and learn information that will help us serve well in our communities as we engage with our schools and young people. Presenters will be Tiffany Winters, LISW-S and Jane Petty, LISW, therapists in the Juvenile Justice programs of Applewood Centers, Inc. who provide mental health services to the youth in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. Both are graduates of Case Western Reserve School of Social Work, and Petty is also a foster mom.

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

Clergy Spouse Retreat – March 1-3
The retreat for clergy spouses will be hosted at Wanake Camp and Retreat Center beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1 and concluding on Sunday, March 3 at noon. Clergy spouses are invited for a time of relaxation, refreshment, and fellowship. Cost of the retreat is $100/clergy spouse, which includes two nights in a heated retreat center, five meals, and plenty of snacks. If you have questions about the clergy spouse retreat, please e-mail Jeanette Burkhardt or e-mail Chuck Farone.

Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Learn more about the Retreat for Clergy Spouses.

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

Christmas Giving Opportunities for East Ohio Churches
Christmas is two weeks from today. As you prepare to celebrate with family and friends, remember and support our mission partners by purchasing items on their Christmas wish lists. If you have questions about Christmas giving opportunities, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, administrative assistant in the Connectional Ministries office.

View the Christmas wish lists of our Advance mission partners.

All In Community Listening Circle – December 18
The compassion of The United Methodist Church for persons who are incarcerated dates to John Wesley’s deep involvement in prison reform in the late 18^th century when he advocated for a humane prison system. All In Community (AIC) is a modern-day, Biblical response to the impact and aftermath of mass incarceration across our mission field that was started by the West Ohio Conference and is open to all in the East Ohio Conference.

All In Community listening circles meet via Zoom the third Monday of every month. The next session is 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Monday, December 18 during which the topic is navigating the holiday season and the re-entry experience.

Learn more about All In Community and register for the December 18 session.

UMVIM Team Leader Training – January 13
If you’re interested in mission work, or if you’re already involved but want to improve your leadership skills, sign-up for the free 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. January 13 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team leader training. Enjoy a day of fellowship and conversation to learn best practices for leading a mission team locally, nationally, or internationally. The January 13 training will be held at Mentor UMC.

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

#GivingTuesday Wrap Up
Thank you to everyone who donated to one of our Advance mission partners on Giving Tuesday! The Board of Mission will match $4,545.00 in donations to 16 different Advances. Congratulations to these missions and ministries, each of which earned the maximum match of $500: Gifted Gaits, Nehemiah Mission, North Coast of Haiti, Thrive 10:10, UMCOR International Disaster Response, and Urban Mission of Steubenville.

Apply by January 15, 2024 to be a Conference Advance.
Learn about Conference Advances.

Unnatural Disasters: Creation Care in the Age of Climate Change – January 21
Floods. Hurricanes. Wildfires. Droughts. As the planet warms around us, causing disasters such as these to become more extreme and more common, how can people of faith take better care of God’s creation? This series of three documentaries will take you to places around the country experiencing unnatural disasters in the age of climate change, followed by discussions on how the Church can help. The group will meet online using Zoom from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on January 21, February 18, and March 17. The meetings are free, but you do need to register in advance to get the link to join.

Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Learn more about the unnatural disasters documentaries.

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.

Young People’s Ministries

Project Feed – January 14
East Ohio Conference United Methodist youth are invited to a meal-packing event at The UMC of Berea from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 14. Together, we can make a difference in our world, while having the chance to come and serve with your friends. Space is limited, so register early. A limited number of T-shirts will be available for purchase the day of the event. The $10 cost of each shirt will help offset the cost of materials from Midwest Mission. The UMC of Berea is also hosting a lock-in that evening! See registration link for details. Come and be the hands and feet of Christ!

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

“ABIDE” Youth Leaders Retreat – January 19-20
Youth workers, pastors, volunteers, and teams who work with youth and young adults in The United Methodist Church are invited to the Youth Leaders Network 24-hour retreat beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19 and concluding at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20. We will explore practical ways to grow in discipleship, using simple tools to help both students and leaders mature in faith. This will be a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who have a passion for student ministry where you can build relationships, share ideas, and grow together.

Our theme this year is “ABIDE” (John 15:5). Come and enjoy fellowship and support with intentional time set aside to be renewed and refreshed. The retreat will be held at the Embassy Suites Akron Canton Airport (7883 Freedom Ave. NW, North Canton) and the cost per person to attend is $85 for a double-occupancy room, $165 for a single-occupancy room, or $35 for commuters.

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.

Events: December 11, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

• Sunday, December 17
  Christmas Carol Sing and Social
• Saturday, December 23
  Free Community Meal in Lakewood

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:

• Evelyn Ferrell, clergy spouse, died December 5.
• Thomas McFarren, retired Elder, died December 1.
• Sturman Moore, retired Local Pastor, died December 3.
• Kathryn Buchanan, clergy spouse, died November 21.
• James Edward Cake, retired Elder, died November 24.

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

• Modern Worship Leader – Church of the Saviour UMC in Cleveland Heights
• Office Administrator – Christ UMC located on the Westside of Cleveland
• Youth Coordinator – Greensburg UMC in North Canton

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, January 8, 2024.

Deadline for submission is Thursday, January 4, 2024. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.