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 |
| Robert Carson | Lincoln Avenue UMC | South Forest | |
| Michael Farmer | Family of Faith & South Arlington UMCs | Northern Waters | |
| Alexandra Parisher | North Canton Faith UMC – Associate Pastor | Central Valley | |
| Kristen Patt | Perry Heights Trinity UMC | Central Valley | |
| Jennifer Whitmore | Crestline First UMC | West Plains | |
#BeUMC
“One reason I am United Methodist is because The United Methodist Church believes in camp and retreat ministry as a powerful force, a powerful transforming tool,” said Julie Lautt, director of Camp Wanake in Beach City. “It is through camps and retreat ministries that we are able to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in powerful ways.”
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 28 is titled “Experience of God Through The UMC: Mission Journeys Transform for a Lifetime”. The episode features a roundtable conversation with young adults both before and after participating in an UMVIM mission journey to Puerto Rico. Hear about their life-changing experiences and learn the difference between mission journeys and mission trips.
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 Tracy S. Malone Invites Us On A Journey Through Lent to Easter
I invite us on a journey of deepening our faith in Jesus Christ and reaffirming our commitment to practice the spiritual disciplines that lead to greater discipleship.
I invite us to focus on each week’s provided theme and scriptures, and to take time to listen to how the Holy Spirit is speaking into our lives and calling us to respond.
During Holy Week and on Easter Sunday, I invite us to read the daily devotions that I wrote for publication in The Upper Room Disciplines: A Book of Daily Devotions 2024. You can order the book online through the Cokesbury website, www.cokesbury.com.
Every day we choose to say yes!
View the Saying Yes to Christ Lenten resource.
Teach • Reach • Bless
Residence Hall Dedication – February 26
Laity and clergy supported the Teach • Reach • Bless campaign by raising and collecting $1.5 million in two years to build and furnish a new residence hall for female students on the campus of Africa University.
The residence hall is built, students moved in last month, and on February 26 at 8:00 a.m. on the East Ohio Conference website you can watch the livestream feed of the building being dedicated.
General Conference
On Tuesday, March 19 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the East Ohio Conference General Conference delegation will host a Zoom webinar to provide information about the postponed 2020 General Conference to be held April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clergy and laity are invited to participate in the General Conference webinar to learn and ask questions about the upcoming conference so that we are all more informed as we live into our shared vision for how we can fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Jurisdictional Conference
Bishops Who Served in East Ohio to Retire in 2024
Two bishops who served in ministry in the East Ohio Conference will retire at the end of August.
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer served East Glenville UMC, Werner UMC, James S. Thomas UMC, and Berea UMC, and was superintendent of the former Youngstown District. He was elected to the episcopacy in 2000 and is currently resident bishop of the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Julius C. Trimble served Mt. Pleasant UMC, and Aldersgate UMC, and was superintendent of the former Cleveland District. He was elected to the episcopacy in 2008 and is currently resident bishop of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.
“We are grateful for the leadership of these faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Their ministries have positively impacted many peoples’ lives here in the East Ohio Conference, across the country, and around the world,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone.
The ministries and retirements of Bishop Palmer and Bishop Trimble will be celebrated during the North Central Jurisdiction Conference July 10-13 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. You can learn more about what each conference will do to recognize its retiring bishop by visiting the Indiana Conference website at www.inumc.org and the West Ohio Conference website at www.westohioumc.org.
Financial & Administrative Services
HealthFlex Care Coordinators Here to Assist You
Wespath is partnering with Quantum Health to simplify your healthcare experience. Your Wespath care coordinators are the experts who know all about your HealthFlex plan and well-being benefits. Care coordinators can provide personalized support and are available to you at no additional cost. For medical claims, benefits, prescriptions and so much more, you can expect expert guidance from your Wespath care coordinators. They are here to help you:
- get answers to claims, billing, and benefits questions.
- contact providers to coordinate your treatment.
- review your care options and verify coverage.
- find in-network providers.
- save on out-of-pocket costs.
- replace ID cards.
Visit the new care coordinators page 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.
Royal Family KIDS Camp
Ministering to Children in the Foster System
East Ohio Conference is getting better organized to care for and positively help to shape the lives of children who have been abused and or neglected in northeast Ohio. The promise of making moments matter at summer camp with children ages 6-12 in our foster system in three different weeks this summer is real. As God’s people we believe we are called through a ministry called Royal Family KIDS Camp to help love some of our over 20,000 children in Ohio foster care.
There are three United Methodist churches in East Ohio Conference alongside of many others who are reaching to these remarkable children who are survivors of abuse and neglect. Our hope is to see, one day, many more of these children who matter to God, experience a life-changing camp with God’s people. We hope to help strengthen these existing camps and potentially begin new work as we witness God changing the lives and futures of real children as well as maybe our own.
Visit the new Royal Family KIDS Camp page on the EOC website.
Missions & Community Engagement
All In Community Ministry Monday – February 26
Ministry Mondays are opportunities for learning about specific All In Community ministry pathways both connectionally and within local congregations that radiate out into the community at-large. You are invited to be part of the next Ministry Monday on February 26 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom when we will learn how HOPE letters can have a profound impact on a person in prison who feels forgotten by the world, and perhaps, by God. This session will provide information on how to send hope through our mentorship through correspondence ministry. HOPE Letters are touching many lives by offering encouragement, non-judgmental companionship, and a listening ear. The event is free, but you must register in advance to get the link to join. If you have questions about All In Community, please e-mail Jami Nathan.
Bridges Out of Poverty Training – March 9
Clergy and laity are invited to a Bridges Out of Poverty training workshop offering a comprehensive approach to understanding poverty. Participants will review poverty research, examine a theory of change, and analyze poverty through the prism of the hidden rules of class, resources, family structure, and language. The next Bridges Out of Poverty training is Saturday March 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Westlake UMC (27650 Center Ridge Road). The cost to register is $15 and includes the required book and lunch. The last day to register is March 3.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
2024 Mustard Seed Migration Grant
The General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Committee on Relief invites local churches to apply for a grant of up to $2,000 to engage in new, one-time community-based ministries focused on migrants and refugees.
Learn more and apply for the Mustard Seed Migration Grant.
View the Scholarships, Grants, & Financial Aid page of the EOC website.
Partner with Missionaries Around the World
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. You, your small group, or your congregation can be a partner in the ministry of one of our missionaries. If you have questions about becoming a ministry partner, e-mail Kate Colbow, EOC secretary of Global Ministries.
Learn about mission covenant relationships.
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
Take advantage of Early Bird Savings
Campers who are registered by March 15 will receive $25 off their registration fee and will be entered into a drawing to receive free registration! Encourage kids from your congregation to register now and make Camp part of their summer in 2024. 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.
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
Toward Healing the Harm Registration Deadline is March 1
Join your clergy colleagues on Monday, March 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at North Canton Faith UMC for an empowering day of Toward Healing the Harm 2: How to Lead with Courage Even When Your Voice Shakes. This healing event is for all clergy – women and men, introverts and extroverts – because courageous leadership still needs to happen in our ministries, even when hurtful and harmful situations arise and challenge our hearts.
Come and let the Lord bless us through His Word and gain strength, support, and encouragement from Jesus as well as those in attendance and other resources. We are not alone. This season of Lent is a great time to reflect and deal with some of the trauma that we may have experienced in our leadership roles. As we journey to the Cross and prepare to celebrate Easter, let Jesus, through trauma informed teaching, help us to be free to continue to minister with boldness and grace even if our voice shakes. The deadline to register is Friday, March 1.
Register on the Events Registration page of the East Ohio Conference website.
Laity
Lay Servant Ministries Trainings Offered in April
Lay Servant Ministries of The United Methodist Church 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 today’s lay servants. Today, those involved in lay ministry are charged to witness, lead, and have their service inspire others to a deeper commitment to Christ and more effective discipleship.
Lay Servant Ministry training courses are open to all, and you are not required to become a Certified Lay Servant or Speaker after taking a course. A Basic training course is planned for Saturday, April 27 at Mayfield UMC. A three-day Advanced training course is planned for Friday night and Saturday, April 12-13 and Saturday, April 27 at Lockwood UMC. An Advanced training course is planned for Saturday, April 27 at Mayfield UMC.
Learn more about, and register, for these and other Lay Servant Trainings.
For questions about Lay Servant Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, executive director of Connectional Ministries, or visit the Lay Servant Ministries pages on the Conference website.
Message in the Movies
That’s a Wrap for Message in the Movies
After nearly 30 years the curtain is coming down on Message in the Movies as Rev. Bruce Batchelor-Glader brings his 29 and ½ years of film review for the East Ohio Conference to a close.
Batchelor-Glader’s interest in movies started in junior high when he worked as an usher in the local single-screen theater. He got into the habit of watching movies more than once and paying attention to what he liked and didn’t like about them. He went on to Ohio State for journalism and served as the film critic of the Ohio State Lantern, a free newspaper that was read all over town.
This love of thinking critically about film and the messages that are to be found within followed him into his pastoral ministry in East Ohio as his reviews were printed in the district newsletter which morphed into the East Ohio Today conference newspaper. The reviews continued into the current E-News format until recently.
As the familiar halo and pitchforks ratings fade away, the legacy Batchelor-Glader wishes to leave is one of mindfulness; that Christians would engage with the world of film rather than hide from it.
“My theory has always been you take your faith to the movies. I was getting fed up by Christian reviews that were basically trying to decide whether a film would pass ‘the God test’, whether or not it was ‘appropriate’ Christian fare or not. I felt that was a form of censorship. I felt that our role as film critics should be arbiters of what people should and shouldn’t see. I thought if you bring your faith to the movies and write an honest movie people can decide for themselves,” he shared.
The Message in the Movies archive remains available as a resource for all.
Events: February 19 – March 3
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- February 23-25
Conference Wide Confirmation Retreat at Camp Wanake - Saturday, February 24
Free Community Meal in Lakewood - March 1-3
Clergy Spouse Retreat - Sunday, March 3
11th Annual Mary Anne & Richard Cavicchi Christian Education Seminar – Power, Purpose, and Love: Becoming Change-Makers in Our Communities
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:
- Miriam Moore, surviving spouse of the Rev. Homer H. Moore, died January 30.
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 Coordinator – Faith UMC in North Canton
- Donations and Sorting Coordinator – Rocky River UMC
- Chief Financial Officer/Controller (CFO) – Minnesota Annual 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 29, 2024. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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