Bishop Tracy S. Malone announces the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status which, unless otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2024.
| 2024 Appointments | |||
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Seth Filburn | Bell Chapel UMC | South Forest | |
| Shannon Pitorak | Ashtabula First & Madison Park UMCs | Northern Waters | |
| Tina Siroki | Cambridge Center, Cambridge Faith, & Cambridge First UMCs | South Forest | |
| Michael Swab | Stow UMC | Northern Waters | |
#BeUMC
“Even though I was raised in The United Methodist Church, I searched, and I sought out different churches and different ways of belief and ended up coming back because I understand grace best through the churches that I have been part of, the families that I have seen, and the journeys that they have taken with me. I have seen God’s grace in the people of The United Methodist Church,” said Rev. Rebecca Evanoff, pastor of Northampton UMC.
You are invited to tell your #BeUMC story of transformation in The United Methodist Church. To do so, please 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 27 is titled “Influence, Connection & Impact: How EOC Microgrants Can Aid in Starting New Ministries”. The episode features a conversation with Rev. Beth Ortiz, about microgrants offered through the Strategic Ministries office, and clergy and lay grant recipients who each share how the funds have enabled their congregations to launch unique new ministries that introduced Jesus and the Church to the communities they serve.
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
East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences to Share an Episcopal Leader
A special-called session of the North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church was held on Tuesday, January 23 “for the sole purpose of approving new episcopal areas for episcopal assignments to be effective September 1, 2024.” Delegates to this special-called NCJ Jurisdictional Conference voted to form two new episcopal areas, one to include the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference, and one to include the Northern Illinois and the Wisconsin Conferences. The two conferences in each new episcopal area will share one bishop.
By the action of the special session, the North Central Jurisdiction will transition from nine to seven episcopal areas. The North Central Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy assigns the bishops to the episcopal areas and all assignments will be announced at the NCJ Jurisdictional Conference July 10-13. The new episcopal areas and the bishop assignments to each of the seven episcopal areas will be effective September 1.
Executive staff leaders and members of the Committee on the Episcopacy in both the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference have been engaged in strategic conversations to explore the sharing of an episcopal leader since the NCJ Committee on the Episcopacy proposed the possibility during the 2022 Jurisdictional Conference.
“I and Bishop Palmer convened a leadership team that has been working to identify the key administrative matters that need to be addressed and to examine the best practices of other episcopal areas where shared episcopal leadership has worked well. This work will continue as we prepare the conferences for this transition,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference.
“I am confident the people of the East and West Ohio Conferences are well suited to be served by one bishop with a single eye to living the mission of ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,’” said Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, resident bishop of the West Ohio Conference.
Communications
Must-Haves for Your Church Website
The website for your church is the most important tool your congregation has for reaching people who have never visited the church. That’s because people will search for your church online before visiting it in person. The following should be displayed prominently at or near the top of the church homepage:
- the time(s) of the church worship service(s),
- current pictures of church members engaged in ministry in the community,
- information about ministry opportunities offered through the church, and
- the address and phone number of the church.
The church website should also be built using a responsive platform, meaning that content layout adapts when viewed on a smartphone screen, which is the device used by more than half of all internet users worldwide.
Must-Haves for Your Church Phone Message
The worship time(s) posted on the church website should also be included on the audio recording that callers to the church office hear. Listed below is an example of a recording that includes information callers want to know.
“Thank you for calling _____ UMC, located at _____. We look forward to worshipping with you at _____ on _____. Please leave a message and a member of our ministry team will return your call promptly.”
The message will need to be kept current, updating it for special Sundays or for the summer when worship might be at a different time or a different location.
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.
Missions & Community Engagement
Unnatural Disasters: Creation Care in the Age of Climate Change – February 18
The second in a series of three documentary viewings and online conversation, Unnatural Disasters: Creation Care in the Age of Climate Change takes you virtually to places around the country that are experiencing unnatural disasters in the age of climate change. The February 18 session features the work of The United Methodist Church in Puerto Rico, assisting in recovery after major hurricanes.
Make plans to participate on Zoom Sunday, February 18 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. to view and discuss the documentary that examines how we can better care for God’s creation which is warming around us causing disasters such as floods, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires to become more common and more extreme. This event is free, but you do need to register in advance to get the link to join.
Register on the Events Registration page of the East Ohio Conference website.
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.
Higher Education
College Scholarship Applications Due – March 31
The East Ohio Board of Higher Education & Campus Christian Ministry (BHECCM) has multiple scholarships available for students attending a United Methodist-related college or university. The deadline to apply for the scholarships is March 31.
Learn more and apply on the Scholarships, Grants & Aid page of the EOC website.
For questions about Higher Education ministry opportunities, please e-mail Pastor Christy Suffecool, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries co-director, or visit the Higher Education pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Camp is a Great Way to Spend Summer Vacation
Camping can satisfy what children need! They experience faith, responsibility, and cooperation as part of a caring community – and they experience self-esteem as children of God. In a world where it is hard to be a kid and it is hard to be a parent, let East Ohio Camps be your partner in faith and the development of the children of your congregation. Summer Camp offers great experiences at great places, all with caring and trained staff. If you would like a Summer Camps brochure, please call the Camps office at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139 or send us an e-mail.
Learn more about and register for Summer Camp 2024.
Drenched! Women’s Retreat – February 16-18
Women 18 years of age and older are invited to restore your Spirit as you connect with God and friends at the Drenched! Women’s Bible Study Retreat February 16-18 at Wanake Camp & Retreat Center. Retreat participants will spend time in nature, in fellowship, in worship, engaging in Bible study, making arts and crafts, playing games, praying, and focusing on their wellness. Cost of the retreat is $140/person, which includes lodging, meals, and activities.
Register on the Events Registration page of the East Ohio Conference website.
Confirmation Retreat Weekend – February 23-25
Spend the weekend of February 23-25 at Camp Wanake with your confirmation class exploring The United Methodist understanding of the sacraments, the ways we talk about and experience God, how we can connect with God in prayer, and United Methodist heritage and organization (aka history & polity). Our time for learning will be hands-on, engaging, and fun. One adult chaperone must be present for the weekend and is required for every six youth of the chaperone’s gender. Cost of the retreat is $145 per youth and $135 per adult. If you have question about the weekend retreat, please call the Camp Wanake office at (330) 756-2333 or e-mail the camp office.
Register on the Events Registration page of the East Ohio Conference website.
Apply for a Summer Staff Position
Camp Aldersgate, Camps Asbury, and Camp Wanake are seeking summer camp staff age 18+ who are positive, flexible people who love God, love kids, and love the outdoors. Internships are available. Camp is a great place to gain valuable experience and build a resume. Share this information with someone you believe would be a great summer staff member. If you have questions, please call or e-mail the camp sites: Camp Aldersgate at (330) 627-4369 or via e-mail; Camp Asbury at (330) 569-3171 or via e-mail; and Camp Wanake at (330) 756-2333 or via e-mail.
Apply to be a Summer Camp 2024 staff member.
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
Clergy, if you’ve ever had a leadership moment that required tremendous courage in the face of difficulty or one where your voice shook or tears threatened, then you should join us March 18 for Toward Healing the Harm 2: How to Lead with Courage Even When Your Voice Shakes.
Sponsored by Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW), the Board of Ministry, and Cabinet, Toward Healing the Harm 2 will provide a healing space for all with shared stories, trauma-informed teaching, and reflection as we support one another and learn together. We will meet on March 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at North Canton Faith UMC.
All who attend are encouraged to plan the support systems that are most needed for themselves. We invite you to plan to attend with a friend, make quiet space in your evening to process, cue up your best playlist for the drive home, and/or schedule a meeting with your therapist or spiritual director. In addition to the plans that you make, we will have spiritual directors available on the day of the event for prayer and listening, as well as space to engage in quiet reflection, journaling, and talking with other participants.
Register on the Events Registration page of the East Ohio Conference website.
Events: February 5 – February 18
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Friday, February 9
Night to Shine - Sunday, February 10
Free Community Meal in Lakewood - Sunday, February 18
Unnatural Disasters: Creation Care in the Age of Climate Change
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.)
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Chief Financial Officer/Controller (CFO) – Minnesota Annual Conference
- Camp Director at Camp Aldersgate – Camp & Retreat Ministries of East Ohio Conference
- Director of Children’s Ministry – Wadsworth UMC
- Office Administrator – Asbury UMC in Delaware, OH
Items Available/Wanted
- Four file cabinets of sheet music, choir books, and Christmas cantanas – Utica UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, February 15, 2024. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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