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 |
| Kelly Collins | Celebration UMC – Associate Pastor | Northern Waters | |
| Sandra Dennis-Greenberg | Windham, Nelson & Garrettsville UMCs | Northern Waters | |
| David Haydu | Mogadore & Akron Park UMCs | Northern Waters | |
| Jan Walsh | Willowick Shoregate UMC | Northern Waters | |
| Peter Wolfgang | Concord Hope Ridge UMC | Northern Waters | |
#BeUMC
“I am United Methodist. It’s where I found my home, my peace, my purpose,” said Rev. Megan Buehler, pastor of Leroy & Chippewa Church at the Lake UMCs. “I found where I am supposed to be. I found my call (in The UMC). God talked to me while I was in church to let me know this is where I was supposed to be.”
E-mail Brett Hetherington to schedule a time to record your 1- to 2-minute video sharing your story of how your life has been transformed through the ministries of 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 34 is titled “Experience of God Through the UMC: Building a Stronger Connection”. The episode features a discussion with clergy from churches in Medina County who are living into the connection of The UMC through partnering to frame a home for Habitat for Humanity and working together to connect with and support families in their local school districts.
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.
Annual Conference 2024
Annual Conference Registration Deadline is May 17
Friday, May 17 – this Friday – is the last day to register for Annual Conference 2024 and for Clergy Executive Session. The 55th session of Annual Conference will meet Thursday, June 13 through Saturday, June 15 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. Clergy Executive Session is the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12. To register for either or both you need to use an email address that is not shared by anyone who also needs to register for either or both sessions.
Register for Annual Conference 2024.
Visit the Annual Conference 2024 website.
Book a hotel room at a specially discounted AC 2024 price.
Pre-Conference Workbook Available Online
Members registering for Annual Conference 2024 can opt in to receive a printed copy of the Pre-Conference Workbook. The digital copy of this Workbook is already posted under the Resources tab on the Annual Conference website, www.eocumc.com/eoac24.
The online issue can be printed by clicking on the print icon in the upper right corner. The issue is also bookmarked to make it easy to navigate. Access the bookmarks by clicking on the three-line menu icon in the upper left of the page and then clicking on the document outline icon.
The Pre-Conference Workbook will not be mailed. Those opting in for a printed copy will receive it upon check-in. Printed copies will be personalized with the name of the person who opted in to receive it. There will be no extra copies available at the John S. Knight Center.
Childcare Scholarship Available for Annual Conference Members
There will be no onsite childcare during Annual Conference however a $100-per-child scholarship is available to assist with the cost of childcare during this year’s session. The deadline to apply is June 1. E-mail Melanie Thomas, Connectional Ministries office administrative assistant, if you have any questions about the childcare scholarship.
Learn more and apply for the AC childcare scholarship.
AC Blanket Collection for Refugees
The East Ohio Conference Order of Deacons invites you to bring a blanket to donate during Annual Conference. Collected blankets will be given to the International Institute of Akron, which is assisting refugees who are resettling in Akron, Ohio. Last year the Institute provided resettlement services to 523 immigrants and refugees and in March of this year welcomed 48 refugees from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burma, and Honduras.
“Each bed we set up for refugee families requires a blanket or comforter,” said Jerry Harris, who is coordinating the International Institute of Akron donations for new refugees. “We greatly appreciate the assistance of The United Methodist Church.”
The Deacons will have a pick-up truck in the John S. Knight Center parking lot near the Midwest Mission collection truck during Annual Conference where you can donate your blanket.
Midwest Mission Collection Truck – June 13-14
The Midwest Mission collection truck will be outside the John S. Knight Center in Akron for you to donate life-changing United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) relief items to assist people in need both locally and globally. The truck will be in the South Broadway parking lot at the northeast corner of the Center on Thursday, June 13 from 8:00 – 5:00 p.m. and Friday, June 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. before heading to its next destination.
Have Breakfast with the Missionaries at Annual Conference
All are invited to attend a Breakfast with the Missionaries at 7:45 a.m. on June 14 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. Attendees will learn about covenanting with Mission Advocates for the North Central Jurisdiction, Rev. Katie Meek and Willie Berman.
This is one of several special event meal opportunities during this year’s Annual Conference. You do not have to be registered for Annual Conference to purchase a ticket to any of the meals – but you must register by Sunday, June 2.
Learn more, view the meals, and register for one or more.
Special Laity Session – June 13
There will be a special Laity Session at Annual Conference on Thursday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. to elect lay persons to fill vacancies in the East Ohio Jurisdictional Delegation. The North Central Jurisdictional Conference will be held July 10-13, 2024, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We anticipate electing three lay delegates and two additional lay reserve delegates to this conference. We do not need to elect any additional clergy delegates. If you are interested in being elected a Jurisdictional delegate you can self-nominate using the fillable pdf found at https://www.eocumc.com/eoac24/_pdf/JC24LayNominationForm.pdf. The deadline to submit your form is May 17.
General Conference
East Ohio General Conference Informational Session – May 18
Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the East Ohio Conference General Conference delegation invite you to participate in the East Ohio General Conference Informational Session to be held on Saturday, May 18 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Wooster UMC in the Central Valley District.
Bishop Tracy S. Malone Shares Information about Legislation Approved at General Conference
View and download the above video message from Bishop Tracy S. Malone in which she shares with laity and clergy how some of the legislation approved at General Conference will impact mission and ministry in the East Ohio Conference.
Nearly 800 delegates from the worldwide United Methodist Church met in Charlotte, North Carolina April 23 through May 3 for the postponed 2020 General Conference, which couldn’t be held as scheduled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delegates who gathered in the Charlotte Convention Center worshipped, prayed, debated and engaged together in holy conferencing as they made decisions for how United Methodists will reach out in their respective mission fields making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Read the General Conference recap article.
Download and share the GC recap video.
View videos & articles of this year’s Conference.
Missions & Community Engagement
Northeast Reintegration Center Visit Day – May 16
All East Ohio laity and clergy are invited to visit the Northeast Reintegration Center (2675 E. 30th St., Cleveland) from 5:30-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. This is a ministry opportunity in partnership of the Connectional Ministries office Missions & Community Engagement team, All in Community, and The Fredrick Douglass Project for Justice. Registration is required – and space is limited. On the registration link please indicate “UMC” in the group/institutional affiliation box and select “NE Reintegration Center” as the location. Other visit days are scheduled for June 20 and July 25.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Nehemiah Mission Lunch – May 29
You are invited to have lunch with the people who partner with and are clients of the Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland, a Health & Well-Being agency of the East Ohio Conference (Fund 9136). The Mission ministers to those in need by housing refugees, by providing meals, food, and toiletry supplies, by providing use of washers, dryers, and showers, and offering friendship, discipleship, a worshipping community, and more. Nehemiah Mission is located at 6515 Bridge Avenue in Cleveland. There is no cost for the lunch – served from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29 – but you do need to register by noon on Friday, May 24.
Register for the Nehemiah Mission lunch by May 24.
May is Foster Awareness Month
Submitted by Rev. Dave Scavuzzo of Royal Family KIDS Camp (Fund 9965)
As a foster parent and one involved in foster ministry and mentoring, I am haunted by the call on Christ’s followers to at least question if we are called to adopt God’s kids, knowing that no child was ever called to be an orphan. In the USA, we have almost a half million foster children at a given moment (over 20,000 now in Ohio) taken away from biological families because of abuse and neglect. You already know the many social and personal effects on a child caused by family-induced trauma. The stories are in the news and on our hearts every day.
You might already know that the church has been called to the truest of religion that “God our Father accepts as pure and faultless this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). The early church was known for its love of children who were abandoned to the systems of the street, and it grew because of that generosity and compassion. Maybe this hope is a part of the answer to our empty pews?
Please make a moment in worship to lift in prayer our children who suffer from the loss of moms and dads and natural family as you raise awareness in May for the voice of these vulnerable kids who matter to God. Check out the new Royal Family KIDS Camp page of the EOC website to learn how you can invest your resources of time, love, community, and money to help heal God’s children in foster care.
Royal Family KIDS Camp is a movement in East Ohio and around the world which offers moments of hope and new beginnings. E-mail Rev. Dave Scavuzzo or e-mail Rev. Cindy Patterson about arranging a speaker to offer a 3:00 mission moment of hope in your gathered church setting.
Learn more about Royal Family KIDS Camps in East Ohio.
All In Community Leadership Lab – June 8
All in Community (Fund 9984) is offering a lab for you and your team to hone your leadership skills to effectively build and grow interpersonal and group trust, ownership, and innovation. The lab will be at the West Ohio Conference Area Center in Worthington from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
Imagine your team experiencing higher morale, more impactful progress, and being more effective in achieving your goals. What leader doesn’t want that? The All In Community leadership lab provides opportunities to experiment, test, and discover sustainable leadership practices and replenish your leadership tank, so you can lead from the best version of yourself. There is no cost to attend but you do need to register in advance. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Learn more and register for the collaborative leadership lab.
Visit the EOC All In Community ministry webpage.
UMVIM Journey to Farmer to Farmer in Liberia – June 25-July 9
You are invited to join the Farmer to Farmer team in Liberia June 25 to July 9 for planned projects including: building relationships with the community and Farmer to Farmer Liberia Board members, helping with crops and piggery, working at the school buildings, purchasing and setting up computers, providing basic understanding of computers for the teachers, providing basic first-aid training, and more. E-mail Sally Ruth, trip team leader, for more information.
Learn about other mission opportunities beyond East Ohio.
Volunteer Opportunities at South Street Ministries
South Street Ministries in Akron (Fund 9195) is looking for volunteers to play a personal role in providing life-changing moments in the lives of people through these ministry opportunities:
- The RICH Kids EnRICHment Program provides academic support in literacy and math skills for grades K-5. RICH Kids runs Monday through Thursday from June 17 through August 15. Consider serving once a week or working with our team to organize a week of onsite support. E-mail Kenzie Wash to learn more.
- Bike Shop works with youth to repair and earn bicycles. The ministry operates Monday and Wednesday evenings from May to August. E-mail Chris Usner to learn more.
- South Street Cycles takes the Bike Shop bicycles on the road to community rides, events, and partnerships. This is a great opportunity for one-time service or full-family engagement. E-mail Chris Usner to learn more.
- Reentry offers many opportunities to serve and minister with and to the community. and partner with the Reentry community. E-mail Riley Alchier to schedule a visit and learn more.
Learn more about South Street Ministries.
Healthcare Volunteers Needed at OPEN-M
OPEN M in Akron (Fund 9102) is looking for healthcare professional volunteers to staff its clinic and pharmacy. The medical clinic serves the working poor who cannot afford health insurance. All volunteers would be covered under the medical director’s license and have flexible hours. Non-medical volunteers are welcome too.
Learn more about OPEN M and sign-up to volunteer.
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
Last Day to Register for YAC is May 24
Join the fun June 7-8 as the youth of East Ohio gather for Youth Annual Conference (YAC) 2024 at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky. Friday, June 7 will be a day of waterpark fun and connecting with fellow youth from all around our East Ohio Conference. On Saturday, June 8 we will participate in hands-on missions, worship together, and experience learning sessions centered around spiritual growth and leadership development. Lunch is included with the Saturday registration. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have questions about YAC 2024, please e-mail Pastor Christy Suffecool, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries co-director.
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.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Check on Available Camperships
Is the cost of camp stretching the budgets of those in your congregation? Camperships are available to ensure that all people have an opportunity to attend camp.
If you have questions or would like to receive a Summer Camp 2024 brochure, call the EOC 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.
Archives & History
The Archives of the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church will move to the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) campus this summer.
For more than 50 years, the archives were housed at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU). Last year, OWU notified the conferences that the Beeghly Library was closing for renovations and that relocation of the archives would be necessary. It is anticipated that the materials will be moved to MTSO in June. Once the archives are relocated to MTSO, attention will turn to accessibility and use of the archives. Watch for more details later this summer.
Events: May 13 – May 27
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Saturday, May 18
Race at the Rock - Saturday, May 25
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:
- Aletta R. Burkholder, retired Local Pastor, died April 20.
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
- Choir Director – Strongsville UMC
- Donations and Sorting Coordinator – Rocky River UMC
- Director of Christian Education – Chagrin Falls UMC
- Director of Youth Ministry – Mayfield 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 Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Deadline for submission is Thursday, May 23, 2024. Send articles to swilliams@eocumc.com.
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