#BeUMC
“Without The United Methodist Church I would not have had the support I needed to go to college and then onto seminary. They have supported me throughout my ministry and the Church has always been there for me,” said Rev. Deb Quillen, pastor of Coshocton Grace UMC.
She is one of many lay and clergy persons in the East Ohio Conference who have shared how their lives have been transformed through The United Methodist Church. E-mail Brett Hetherington to schedule a time to record your one- to two-minute story.
View #BeUMC stories & the EOC #BeUMC website.
Our EOC podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.
Episode 39 is titled “Disciple Making: The Role of a Jurisdictional Conference Delegate”. During a break at NCJ 2024 three EOC delegates – Dr. Liz Piatt, Rev. Jon Priebe and his son Nehemiah Priebe – offer their insight about the conference, their role as delegates, and what experiences they are bringing home to share with laity and clergy in the East Ohio Conference.
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
Farewell Service for Bishop Tracy S. Malone – August 3
Laity and clergy of the East Ohio Conference are invited and encouraged to attend The Celebration of Ministry and Farewell Service for Bishop Tracy S. Malone Saturday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m. at North Canton Faith UMC, 300 9th St. NW, North Canton, OH 44720.
The service will be followed by a reception at the church. This is your opportunity to offer Bishop Malone blessings and words of appreciation for her eight years of ministry among us.
The North Central Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy assigned Bishop Tracy S. Malone to serve the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church beginning September 1.
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung Assigned to the New Ohio Episcopal Area as of September 1
The North Central Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy has assigned Bishop Hee-Soo Jung to be resident bishop of the new Ohio Episcopal Area effective September 1. He will be bishop of both the East Ohio Conference and the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Jung has served as resident bishop of the Wisconsin Conference for the past 12 years after previously serving eight years as bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference. Under his commitment to increase racial justice and radical inclusion, the Wisconsin Conference has reached 49% of its appointments being served by cross-racial leadership. He has served as president of the General Board of Global Ministries since 2016 and chair of the United Methodist Korean National Plan since 2012.
Jung earned a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds an M.A. from the Institute of Buddhist Studies, affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA; an M.A. from the Dongguk University Graduate School in Seoul, South Korea; and a B.Th. from the Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea.
He and his wife Im-Hyon, an Elder in the Wisconsin Conference, are the parents of two adult children and the grandparents of one.
Annual Conference
Annual Conference Offering
The Program Committee would like to thank the churches and individuals who generously donated to the 2024 Annual Conference offering. The $15,044 received in-person at the conference and online will be evenly distributed between All In Community (EOC Fund 9984), Royal Family KIDS Camp (EOC Fund 9965), and the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund.
All In Community and Royal Family KIDS Camps are two of the new Missions Advances approved at this year’s Annual Conference. Learn about them and all Advances on the East Ohio Conference website.
View the EOC Advance Specials.
Connectional Ministries
Conference Simplified Accountable Structure (SAS) Update
The Simplified Accountable Structure discussion at last month’s Annual Conference session was fruitful and inspiring as members worked together to shape this new governance structure. The proposal to switch EOC leadership to the Simplified Accountable Structure model was overwhelmingly approved. Right now, the Connectional Ministries team is developing the process for how clergy and lay members will create and fill out the roster of the Conference Leadership Board, which is the first phase of moving to the EOC SAS plan.
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.
Young People’s Ministries
Future of Youth Ministry Training Day – August 24
Youth Ministry is changing. This training day on Saturday, August 24 will be a great opportunity for youth leaders, pastors, and volunteers to reconnect, share ideas, and grow as leaders. Where exactly are we going and how exactly will we get there? Despite the chasm of uncertainty, we’re on our way, but it may feel like we’re building the bridge as we cross it. A holistic approach to youth ministry can give us the confidence we need along with foundational building blocks for our future.
The training day will feature breakouts, small and large group discussions, planning sessions, and tools to equip leaders. Join us from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 24 at Montrose Zion UMC (565 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Akron, OH) for the Future of Youth Ministry Training Day. The cost to participate is $10 and includes lunch. If you have any questions about the training day, please e-mail Tim Beck, Young People’s Ministries co-director, or call him at (330) 499-3972 ext. 103. The deadline to register is August 20.
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.
Clergy
Clergy Days Apart – September 4 & 23
All East Ohio Conference clergy are invited to attend one – or both – of this fall’s Clergy Days Apart. This is not just a day off, it will be a day of “work-ship” to help you thrive, renew, and enjoy sabbath. The September 4 Clergy Day Apart will take place at Wanake Camp & Retreat Center in Beach City. The September 23 Clergy Day Apart will be at University Circle UMC in Cleveland. The cost is only $15, and participants are asked to register online in advance.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Health Benefits
Deadline to Complete Health Check & Blueprint for Wellness – August 31
Don’t forget to complete the Health Check online assessment and the Blueprint for Wellness health screening by August 31!! When you complete the Health Check you avoid a higher HealthFlex deductible in 2025, and when you complete the Blueprint for Wellness you earn $100. You must be registered with Virgin Pulse to take the Health Check, and registration is also required at the time of your Blueprint for Wellness screening to receive the $100.
- To take the Health Check, log into your Virgin Pulse account through the website or app, select the “Health” tab and then choose “Health Check.” If you have a spouse who also is covered by HealthFlex, you both must take the Health Check to avoid a higher deductible. The higher deductible will be $250 for individual coverage and $500 extra for family coverage in 2025.
- Schedule the Blueprint for Wellness by logging in to your Virgin Pulse account online or via the app, selecting the “Benefits” tab and searching for Quest Blueprint for Wellness Screening, or call 1-855-623-9355 to register.
Register for Virgin Pulse.
Log in to Virgin Pulse.
For questions about Financial & Administrative Services ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Vera Milanovic, executive director of Financial & Administrative Services, or visit the Financial & Administrative Services pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Don’t Miss the Opportunity for a Child to Have a Life-Changing Experience This Summer!
Summer Camp in East Ohio means fun for children, youth, and adults of all ages with memories to last a lifetime. And there is still time to register and attend this summer! There is an event for everyone at East Ohio Camps, we have plenty of outdoor fun for everyone. Let our Camps be your partner in faith. For information on summer camps, contact your local church, 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.
Events: July 22 – August 4
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Saturday, July 27
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:
- Dorothy Walther, surviving spouse of the Rev. Roy A. Walther, died July 1.
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
- Office Manager – North Canton Faith UMC
- Director of Children and Family Ministries – Bay UMC in Bay Village
- Organist/Pianist – Gay Street UMC in Mount Vernon
- Youth Director – Northampton UMC and St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Custodian – Aldersgate UMC in Warrensville Heights
- Director of Music – Rocky River UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
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Deadline for submission is Thursday, August 1, 2024. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.
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