By Rick Wolcott*

Bishop Tracy S. Malone called to order the 55^th session of the East Ohio Annual Conference with 316 clergy and 320 laity gathered in the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio June 13-15, 2024.

Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion

The service of Commemoration and Holy Communion recognized 36 clergy, clergy spouses, and laity who entered the Church Triumphant since last year’s Annual Conference. In her sermon message, Bishop Tracy S. Malone said, “Beloved of God, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and we are the sojourners of this rich legacy of faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence and the conviction of things not seen. Faith is the solid foundation under everything that holds life together, that which makes life worth living.”  

View & download the Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion.

Episcopal Address

“The United Methodist Church no longer has any statements, policies or othering practices within its polity that discriminates, regulates, or excludes any person or people groups. Praise be to God,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone in her Episcopal Address to the laity and clergy of the East Ohio Conference. “The United Methodist Church has gone back to her Wesleyan roots, to her history, to retrieve what was at risk of being left behind, her ability to proclaim and live love.”

The bishop then encouraged all clergy and laity to read ¶105 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist, which is the paragraph that articulates the Theological Task of the Church.

“We endeavor through the power of the Holy Spirit to understand the love of God given in Jesus Christ. We seek to spread this love abroad. As we see more clearly who we have been, as we understand more fully the needs of the world, as we draw more effectively upon our theological heritage, we will become better equipped to fulfill our calling as the people of God,” Malone said. “Brothers and sisters, siblings in Christ, the renewal and the unity of the Church is all of our work to do.”

View & download the Episcopal Address.

Minimum Salaries for Clergy

In her report as chairperson of the Commission on Equitable Compensation, Dr. Gloria Brown made a motion that minimum salary for clergy across all categories be increased 5% in 2025. The recommendation was made “in an effort to move the minimum salaries toward a more sustainable wage, to address the current inflation rate to an extent, and to keep churches viable and vital,” Brown shared.

After debate the motion was approved. The minimum salaries in 2025 will be: $49,033 for full members, associate members, and ordained clergy; $44,065 for full-time local pastors who have completed the Course of Study; and $41,584 for full-time pastors who have not completed the Course of Study.

Simplified Accountable Structure

Many churches in the East Ohio Conference and each of the four districts use the Simplified Accountable Structure model of governance, which reduces the number of people serving on committees so that more individuals are available for ministry in the local church. Executive Director of Connectional Ministries Rev. Ed Fashbaugh introduced the motion to begin Phase 1 of transitioning the East Ohio Conference to the Simplified Accountable Structure model of church governance. Phase 1 entails creating the Conference Leadership Board that will begin its service on January 1, 2025. The Conference Leadership Board will be the primary stewardship and governance body of the EOC, developing yearly goals for the East Ohio Conference, and meeting quarterly to evaluate the implementation of goals and strategies for how the Conference is living into its vision.

“Transitioning to this model in both local churches and districts is one response to the adaptive challenges the Church is facing today,” Fashbaugh said. “Local churches and districts are growing in the familiarity and use of this model, and by making this transition for our East Ohio Conference structure we will seek to align local church, district and Conference.”

The structure of the Conference Leadership Board was amended after debate by the members of Annual Conference. It will be co-chaired by the bishop and the Conference lay leader and will include eight laity and four clergy, one laity and one clergy from the delegates to General Conference, and two people named by the bishop. None of the members of the Conference Leadership Board may be people who serve on the Cabinet or Extended Cabinet. Every effort shall be made to achieve diversity of the Conference Leadership Board membership in accordance with The Book of Discipline ¶610 and 610.5 as well as sexual orientation and gender identity. In fulfilling its mission, the Conference Leadership Board may call on Conference staff and others to serve in advisory roles, having voice but no vote. The motion was approved as amended.

Foundation

Brian Sheetz, executive director of the Methodist Foundation of Ohio, suggested that clergy and laity spend time dreaming and imagining what could be with some planning instead of living with an attitude of scarcity.

“So many of our churches have lost the ability to dream. Money is tight, attendance is tighter, “ he said before offering helpful tips for how to change our mindsets. “Spend some time dreaming, it might be the best thing to happen to your church.”

Friday Morning Worship

In her sermon during the Friday morning worship service, pastor the Rev. Allison LeBrun of Boardman First UMC (Central Valley District) encouraged clergy and laity to think differently about what they prioritize.

“The main thing isn’t our job titles or how many hours we serve the church or even the work we do. The main thing is our identities as beloved children of God,” she said.

View & download the Friday morning worship service.

Wellness and Wholeness Teaching Session

Rev. Dr. Ronald Bell, the director of Healing and Resilience for Discipleship Ministries and the Upper Room, led the Annual Conference in two times of learning and reflection on the themes of wholeness, well-being, and resilience.

“God will keep you even when the waves feel like they are bashing up against you. God will keep you even when you feel like you are overwhelmed. God will keep you even when you find the flood is coming against you. God will keep you in the midst of your storm. God will keep you in the midst of your trials,” Bell declared.

Closed Churches

As part of the Board of Trustees Report and the East Ohio Conference Corporate Meeting, Cabinet member Rev. Cara Stultz Costello recognized four local churches that closed in the past year.

“We know that it can be very painful for congregations to let go of places that have been meaningful to them and that have represented their faith journeys. We acknowledge that grief,” she said. “Today we give thanks for the legacy of the following congregations: The Marshallville Trinity UMC (Central Valley District), Ebenezer UMC (South Forest District), Good Shepherd UMC (Central Valley District), Burton City UMC (Central Valley District).”

Anti-Racism Task Group

In 2020 the East Ohio Conference Extended Cabinet and hundreds of clergy and laity signed a statement committing to the work of Anti-Racism, which said in part: “We recognize that racism and injustice are deeply embedded and vexing issues within our Church and our communities. We will take action, we will learn together, and we will continue to press forward in transforming our Church, our communities, and our world into the ‘beloved community.’” At Annual Conference this year the Anti-Racism Task Group shared about the work it has done and offered an invitation for others to join in the work.

“This team came together for conversation, listening, and deep discernment that we share with you today. There are three pillars that will guide our work: Re-Telling, Relationships, and Repair and Reinvestment. We invite you, members of the Annual Conference and your churches, to this work,” said Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Jessica Love, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Journalism & Media Studies at Jackson State University thanked the East Ohio Conference for its generous support of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and challenged the Conference to continue doing its good work.

“When you look back 50 years in the future when you look at what they write in the history book, East Ohio, you must ask yourselves, ‘what will your actions today demonstrate about your faith tomorrow?’ What will become of our legacy 50 years in the future? Today that task is yours,” she said.

Church Apologizes to Victims and Survivors of Sexual Misconduct in The UMC

On behalf of The United Methodist Church, the General Conference in May apologized to the victims and the survivors of sexual misconduct for the hurt and harm done to them by the Church. The United Methodist Church pledged to share the apology in every annual conference across the connection, educate church leaders, and provide healing resources. At Annual Conference 2024, Bishop Tracy S. Malone read the apology, which you can read and download here.

Board of Laity

Conference Lay Leader Kimberly Green shared about the work of the Board of Laity and invited pastors, congregations, and faith communities to step out in faith to reach new people, young people, and more diverse people.

“I invite you to walk with me in this new season and be led by the Holy Spirit. Embrace this fully inclusive Church where the center and the focus is Jesus Christ, she said. “Use the resources God has given you. Say ‘yes’ to God. Receive the peace of God and rejoice in the Lord. Embrace new beginnings. Make a plan not a promise. Let God know what you want, then be grateful for whatever occurs, knowing that He will do what is best. In these days ahead, may we serve as a witness to all the world that differences can be expressed while maintaining unity and upholding our Christ-centered mission.”

Saturday Morning Worship

Rev. Philip Wilden, pastor of New Concord UMC (South Forest) offered a word of encouragement to churches currently working through transition and changing realities.

“This is not to suggest that the steps we need to take will always be easy. Often it won’t be easy. Sometimes it will be very, very difficult. But it is necessary. It is what needs to be done. And as we in faith and love do what faith and love require, we experience grace and strength for the tasks,” he said.

View & download the Saturday morning worship service.

2025 East Ohio Conference Budget

On behalf of the Conference Council on Finance & Administration, chairperson Rev. Dan Bryant introduced a 2025 Conference budget of $8,237,340. The proposed budget is a 20% reduction from the budget approved for last year for 2024.

“The goal of reducing our apportioned budget to local churches is to make funds more readily available at the local church so that you can have resources available for innovation and immediate needs.  We all know the challenges we face as we navigate the days ahead, and our hope is that local churches, by seeing a decrease in the Conference apportioned budget, are encouraged to continue fully supporting our connectional system and to trying new approaches to their local mission fields,” Bryant said. The motion was approved.

Cabinet Report

Rev. Bruce Hitchcock, dean of the East Ohio Conference Cabinet shared that Cabinet is a covenant community, a worshipping community, and a learning community.

“Each year we begin our work with a review of the Cabinet Covenant. Each year we adapt the covenant in order to remain faithful to our God and to our calling. This covenant guides our spiritual lives, our relationships with one another, and our shared work,” Hitchcock shared.

“We begin every Cabinet meeting with the foundational means of grace. We worship through prayer, singing, holy communion, scripture, and preaching. This intimacy with God begins all our work, shapes all our work, and keeps us open to the presence of the Holy Spirit and keeps us open to the movement of God in this Conference,” he continued.

“We read a significant number of books each year,” he said. “We are a curious group eager to understand ministry, our context in East Ohio, and the culture around us so that we might be faithful, productive, and healthy in our work.”

Service of Commissioning, Ordination, and Retirement

Annual Conference concluded with the Service of Commissioning, Ordination, and Retirement. During the service the ministries of 18 retiring clergy were celebrated, one clergy person was commissioned as a provisional Elder, one provisional Deacon was ordained a Deacon in full connection, and one provisional Elder was ordained an Elder in full connection.

In her sermon, resident bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church Bishop Lanette Plambeck encouraged all in attendance that they can make a difference in the lives of people in their communities by listening and offering hope.

“In our world there are people incredibly lonely, who are longing for relationship, who do not know why they exist and they’re longing for a fulfilling life. There are people that are seeking a kind of community that not only makes a difference for individuals but is making a difference in the world,” Plambeck said. “And, friends, I want to say to you that we are the answer. We are the answer. The United Methodist Church is the answer.”

Clergy Executive Session

East Ohio Conference clergy met in executive session on Wednesday, June 12. In her message to clergy Bishop Tracy S. Malone said, “The Lord needs you and we need you. You are strong. You are brave. You are resilient. You are called. You are equipped. You are qualified because God is the qualifier, because God is the equipper, and because God is our keeper.”

View & download Bishop Malone’s Clergy Executive Session message.

Laity Session

On the first night of Annual Conference lay members in a special Laity Session elected four delegates and two alternate delegates to the 2024 North Central Jurisdiction Conference. Elected members to the July 10-13 conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota were Liz Piatt, Gloria Brown, Nehemiah Priebe, Judy Sees, Virginia Faeth, and Stefanie Wiliams.

Annual Conference Offering

The Annual Conference 2024 offering (Fund 9214) supports:

• All In Community which restores hope and provides healing in lives affected by the criminal justice system. The ministry is a partnership of the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.
• Royal Family KIDS Camp creates life-changing moments for children six- to 12-years of age in the foster care system by taking them to church-led summer camp for five days.
• The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund which is used by Bishop Tracy S. Malone to support ministry needs that impact countless lives each year.

Your generous donation to the 2024 Annual Conference offering can make a difference for others in the coming year and beyond. Donate to the Annual Conference offering.

Missions and Ministry Opportunities

Three dozen local church, district, East Ohio Conference, and United Methodist Church ministries were on hand in the John S. Knight Center during Annual Conference 2024 fostering relationships with clergy, laity, and one another to reach new people, young people, and more diverse people. The Midwest Mission truck collected needed items on the first two days of Annual Conference. The Order of Deacons also had a truck at the John S. Knight Center and collected 55 donated blankets to be given to the International Institute of Akron to assist refugees and immigrants who are starting new lives in Akron.

One Matters: Discipleship Ministries Award

Rev. Claudine Leary, director of fund development with Discipleship Ministries, presented the One Matters Award to Pastor Devani Roe to share with one of her congregations, Salesville UMC in the South Forest District. In the past year Salesville UMC nearly tripled its membership from 12 to 34 people.

Resolutions

The Annual Conference approved these resolutions:

Resolution 2024-01: “Becoming PEACE MAKERS”
Therefore: we resolve to renew our commitment, our mission, as Christians further informed by United Methodist principles and inspired by John Wesley and his vision, to sustain the Message of Jesus the Christ to be peace makers in the ways, the places, by the means we have, to promote peace in our time.

Resolution 2024-02: “Because We Care”
Be it resolved that each church in the East Ohio Conference is strongly encouraged to: engage in study and discussion of “Cry for Hope” and learn more about the Palestinian people and their struggle with UMKR educational materials at www.kairosresponse.org; oppose the equating of criticism of the Israeli government’s unjust actions with antisemitism; answer Palestinian Christians’ call to “come and see” the reality of their lives today in the Holy Land; and locate a knowledgeable and available speaker, in consultation with UMKR justice advocates, and arrange for that person to speak to the congregation on this subject.

Resolution 2024-06: Supporting “Yes in God’s Backyard”
Be it resolved that the East Ohio Conference encourages congregations to consider innovative and creative ways to use their buildings to provide safe, healthy, and affordable housing. Be it further resolved that congregations and members of the East Ohio Conference commit to learn about affordable housing, learn the history of policies like redlining and how they impacted the communities our churches are in, and commit to resisting the practice of Not In My Backyard. Be it further resolved that the East Ohio Conference encourages and supports the “Yes In God’s Backyard” Act, introduced by Senator Brown, that equips and resources churches for ministry that will benefit our neighborhoods and communities.

Be it further resolved that we, too, say, “Yes, in God’s Backyard.”

Resolution 2024-07: “Resolution of Confession and Welcome”
Therefore, be it resolved that we repent of our collective sins of the times by action or omission, we caused harm to those simply trying to live out their Christian faith and calling. Be it further resolved that we welcome and rejoice that following the 2024 General Conference, no lay nor clergy person in The United Methodist Church are categorically denied to follow their conscience and God-given calling. Be it further resolved that we welcome with grace and enthusiasm all those called into ministry and celebrate their gifts in whatever setting God and this church should call them. May we further resolve to continue to work on all ways in which we discriminate in word or in deed until every child of God is welcome in the fullness of who God created them to be.

The Annual Conference did not approve these resolutions:

• Resolution 2024-03: “Clear and Open Appointments”
• Resolution 2024-04: “Identifying and Opposing Apartheid in the Holy Land”
• Resolution 2024-05: “Opposition to Unjust Theology Regarding the Holy Land”

The 56^th session of the East Ohio Annual Conference is June 12-14, 2025.

View and download images from the 55^th session of the East Ohio Annual Conference.

View and download videos from the 55^th session of the East Ohio Annual Conference.

*Rick Wolcott is executive director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist