September 3, 2024

EOC News

Bishop’s Office

A Message from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Greetings to you in the name of the Lord. We are grateful to be assigned to serve the Ohio Episcopal Area as your new bishop. We are thankful for the grace of God who has accomplished great mission work through the faithful annual conferences of East Ohio and West Ohio. It is with great joy that we have been called at a time when the two annual conferences are now united and working together in solidarity. It is God who opened the way for us to achieve divine kingdom anew at this point of change, so we can learn God’s dream and directions together and build a faithful United Methodist Church.

We look forward to the work of the Holy Spirit as we pray with all of you who have worked hard. Since the last General Conference, we have been opening the door to great missions through the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit. We are at a point where everyone can become beloved children without discrimination and continue to achieve salvation and transformation. We resolve to overcome difficulties, restore the impactful role of the church in hope, heal the wounds we have received, and live as one big family in Christ.

We are humbled and thrilled to serve amongst you. May we ask for your prayers in this transition time.

We are grateful to the sacrificial and vital leadership of Bishop Tracy S. Malone and Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, who are passing the mantle to us.

We will listen to your stories! We will learn about Ohio, a great state! My wife, Rev. Im Jung. and I will join you with simple obedient hearts to this great task. We believe God’s bountiful blessings! Thank you for your love to The UMC.

A Note of Thanks

A Message from Bishop Tracy S. Malone
“Thank you, East Ohio Conference, for your love and blessings beautifully expressed through your cards, emails and gifts, and your presence at my celebration and farewell service. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have partnered in ministry with you over these past eight years. God bless you!”

– Bishop Malone

#BeUMC

Our EOC podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.

Episode 42 is titled “Belonging & Inclusion: Sharing the Love of God with Gamers”. This episode features a conversation with UMC Rev. Derek White, known as “The Geek Preacher”, a long-time pastor to table-top gamers who recently partnered with clergy in the East Ohio Conference to serve as chaplains at the Origins Games Fair in Columbus.

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.

Financial & Administrative Services

Dependent Care FSA Reimbursement Update from Wespath
Wespath recently sent a letter to individuals with a dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) clarifying the timeline for reimbursement. The letter states that the IRS defines the FSA as a reimbursement account and, as such, dependent care expenses will be reimbursed after the care is complete – and not after payment is made. For monthly services that must be paid in full at the beginning of the month, this may mean reimbursement is processed at the end of the month, depending on the information available on the receipt. For example:

  • Your child attends a summer day camp session from August 1-15. You prepay to register your child and submit your reimbursement. HealthEquity reimburses your claim on August 15.
  • Your child attends daycare and you prepay for the month of August. The receipt shows payment for the month of August. You submit your claim to HealthEquity, and payment is made at the end of August.

Participants do not need to make any changes in how they enter reimbursement requests in HealthEquity. The letter is intended to clarify the timing of the reimbursement.

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.

Strategic Ministries

Leadership Retreat for Simplified Structure Churches – December 7
Whether you call your simplified governance board SAS, Leadership Board, One Board, or anything else, it is crucial to start 2025 strong and focused on ministry. Your church leadership board is strongly encouraged to attend a one-day retreat at Camp Wanake on Dec 7 to help prepare you and propel you towards that healthy new year start. Together, we’ll review best practices, explore values and vision, and hone your SMART goals. The cost for this day of planning is just $10 per person (lunch is included) but you must register by Nov 20.

Register on the Events Registration page of the East Ohio Conference website.

For questions about Strategic Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director, or visit the Strategic Ministries pages on the Conference website.

Missions & Community Engagement

Bridges Out Of Poverty Cohort Begins September 11
Bridges Out of Poverty offers a new way to view the issue of poverty through the Triple Lens approach of individual, community, and structural/policy. 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. This online cohort is for community leaders to learn to empower, lead, and facilitate the Bridges movement in their community. The cohort will meet online on the first and third Wednesdays of the month starting on September 11 and concluding March 26, 2025. The deadline to register is September 10.

Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

Community Engagement Cohort Begins September 11
This cohort is designed to understand the scriptural foundation for community partnerships, discover the framework for community partnerships to create systemic change, and be accountable to develop a unique plan of action for community partnership and ministry in their local context. The cohort will meet online via Zoom from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. on September 11 & 25, October 9 & 23, and November 6 & 20. The cohort will be led by Rev. Kathy Dickriede and Rev. David Hull-Frye and ideally each participating faith community would be represented by its pastor and a lay member of the church. There is no cost for participating but the deadline to register is September 10.

Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

UMVIM Team Leader Training – September 22
Enjoy a day of fellowship and conversation to learn best practices for leading a mission team locally, nationally, or internationally. Led by Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Missions & Community Engagement director. This 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. training at Macedonia UMC is free, but you do need to register by September 18.

View the UMVIM team leader training flyer.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

Poverty Simulation – November 12
Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. The Community Action Poverty Simulation is an interactive, immersive experience that helps participants better understand poverty. You must register online in advance for this free simulation at Thrive 10:10 in Girard from 9:00 a.m. to noon on November 12. The deadline to register is November 10.

Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

Global Ministries and UMCOR Giving in 2023
In 2023, churches in East Ohio reached out in love through generous giving to the General Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), providing $540,613 in total support. This represents one of the highest giving totals in recent years. God is certainly working in us and through us to answer the call to love one another! Churches in East Ohio gave $382,462 to UMCOR to support disaster response both internationally and in the United States. Together we helped alleviate suffering and brought hope and healing to places in crisis. We also provided salary support for 18 missionaries and supported 51 General Advance projects that provided clean water, health care, and education to people all over the world.

As your church makes plans for mission giving in the final months of 2024, consider connecting with a project through Global Ministries and UMCOR. If you have questions about how to support a missionary, please To learn more, please e-mail Kate Colbow, East Ohio Conference secretary for Global Ministries.

Learn more about Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
Learn more about Global Ministries in the East Ohio Conference.

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

Retreat Time is Upon Us
There is a misconception that when summer camp is over, we lock-up the campsites and plan for next summer. But that is not the reality for East Ohio Camps. Our partnership with local churches, organizations and other ministries continues. As summer staff and campers head back home, year-round camp directors and staff switch gears to retreat ministry mode and are just as busy as during the summer camp season. Retreat guests can rest, relax and reconnect with each other and God.

Retreats offer encounters that can change the lives of individuals and the group in amazing ways. They are:

  • encounters with God – stepping away from the fast-paced lives we live can allow for periods of rest, renewal and reconnection with God.
  • encounters with others in community – folks long for connection but lack time and practice at forming new relationships. Retreats can offer a safe place to connect with others.
  • encounters with creation – there is great spiritual benefit to being outdoors. The creation opens people to God in special ways.

Every year, we host youth groups, Bible study groups, United Women in Faith circles, and many others who take time to connect with God, with nature and with each other. We provide accommodations year-round for small intimate settings or large group gatherings.

Learn more about EOC retreats.

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.

Laity

Lay Servant Ministries Training Courses
Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) of The UMC has its origins in early Methodism. John Wesley used lay persons to preach, conduct worship, lead studies, and visit the sick and imprisoned. These 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.

Current certified lay servants, lay speakers, and lay ministers must file an annual report with their district charge conference and take an advanced course every three years to maintain their certification. Several training opportunities are already scheduled, and others will added soon.

See the list of offered Lay Servant Ministries training courses.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries.

Events: September 3 – September 15

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

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:

  • Phyllis Jean Bell, clergy spouse, died August 8.

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

  • Director of Children and Family Ministries – Bay UMC in Bay Village
  • Treasurer – Perry UMC
  • Organist/Pianist – Gay Street UMC in Mt. Vernon
  • Sports Ministry Coordinator – Rocky River UMC
  • Director of Children and Family Ministries – Fields UMC in North Ridgeville
  • Organist or Pianist – Lisbon First UMC

To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.

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Deadline for submission is Thursday, September 12, 2024. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.