Appointments
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announces the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status which, unless otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2025.
| 2025 Appointments | |||
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Marcus Atha | Elyria First UMC | Northern Waters | |
| Kelly Collins | LeRoy & Chippewa Church at the Lake UMCs | West Plains | |
| Lori Douglas Weaver | New London, Savannah & Olivesburg UMCs | West Plains | |
| Andrew Scott | Bedford Hope & Solon UMCs | Northern Waters | |
#BeUMC
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 58 “My Call Story: Pastor Tennille Power”
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation is a podcast highlighting ministries across the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church that are transforming lives locally, nationally, and globally. Produced twice-a-month by EOC Communications, each podcast episode focuses on one of the core values of the #BeUMC campaign: Disciple Making; Belonging & Inclusion; Influence, Connection & Impact; and Experience of God through The United Methodist Church.
In Episode 58 “My Call Story: Pastor Tennille Power” ‘the pastor of Elyria First United Methodist Church shares from the heart about the process she went through answering Gods’ call into ministry.
“I consider myself an ecumenical ball. I have United Methodist roots, and I have roots in the United Church of Christ, and I have roots in Catholicism,” Power said.
She has answered calls from God throughout her life that have led to different occupations and experiences and eventually to seminary.
“I believe all of us have a call. We all have a calling to do something for the work for the Kingdom of God. I think sometimes the challenge with clergy and those discerning is that we believe our call is just set. No, your call is big and global, but your assignment is for a season,” Power stated.
Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
View clergy and laity sharing their #BeUMC stories.
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
A Pastoral Message on the Election of Pope Leo XIV
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 (NRSVA)
Pope Leo XIV is a leader who has devoted himself to helping the poor and the marginalized in Peru and other parts of the world. A descendant of immigrants, with Italian and Hispanic ancestry, raised by working-class parents in Chicago, he is the first American-born Pope.
As a first-generation immigrant who served as a bishop for eight years in downtown Chicago, I am delighted that a very close neighbor has become the Pope.
As I look to the demands and responsibilities of leadership that a brother in faith must exercise toward the global church, I find myself praying for his daily life and for the Catholic Church. We are all called to peace. We can never be lazy in building peace. Lord, give us peace as your gift. May it be so!
Read this and each of Bishop Jung’s Soul Food messages in their entirety.
Celebrating Methodist Missions in Ohio & Korea – August 4-6
“Celebrating Methodist Missions in Ohio, Korea, and Beyond: The 140-year Legacy of Mary & William Scranton” is a three-day event to be hosted at Church of the Saviour UMC in Cleveland Heights August 4-6. We will welcome a delegation of clergy and laity from Seoul and celebrate together our missions partnership. Scheduled speakers include Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Bishop Chungsuk Kim, Bishop Jeremiah Park, and Council of Bishops President Bishop Tracy S. Malone. As additional details are confirmed, they will be shared in E-News and on the East Ohio Conference website.
Annual Conference
Registration Closes Friday, May 16
This Friday is the last day to register for Annual Conference 2025, to be hosted June 12-14 on the College of Wooster campus. Again, this year, there will be no onsite registration.
May 16 is also the last day to:
- elect to stay in a residence hall during AC and to pay for the room, and
- opt-in to the meal plan and pay for the meals.
You will not be able to do either once AC registration closes, nor will you be able to choose either option once you arrive on campus.
NOTE: Clergy Executive Session is Wednesday, June 11 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in McGaw Chapel.
Learn about and register for AC 2025 & Clergy Executive Session.
Download the AC 2025 Pre-Conference Workbook
Download a digital copy of the Pre-Conference Workbook from the AC 2025 website. Found under the Resources tab, the workbook contains the agenda for this year’s conference, bios of the speakers, and written reports from East Ohio Conference ministries. The Pre-Conference Workbook has been bookmarked for your convenience. Those who requested a print copy of the workbook during online AC registration will receive their copy at check-in.
Download the Pre-Conference Workbook.
Volunteers Needed for Annual Conference 2025
The Annual Conference Program/Hospitality Committee is looking for individuals to be volunteers on the College of Wooster campus during AC 2025. There are many positions to fill, and opportunities for all.
Complete the AC 2025 volunteer interest survey.
Childcare Scholarship Application
Parents of children aged infant to 10-years old may apply for a childcare scholarship through the Connectional Ministries Office. Again, this year, there will be no onsite childcare during Annual Conference.
Apply for a childcare scholarship.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children aged Pre-K through 5th grade will be hosted at Westminster Presbyterian Church (353 E. Pine Street, Wooster) during business sessions on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, and during worship and business sessions on Saturday, June 14. VBS will use the new Cokesbury curriculum “Road Trip: On the Go with God”.
Learn about and register for VBS during AC 2025 registration.
5K Run/1-Mile Walk to Benefit East Ohio Camps
Join us on the College of Wooster campus at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13 (rain or shine) for a 5K Run/1-Mile Walk to benefit East Ohio Camps. Participants do not need to be members of Annual Conference.
Register for the Run/Walk on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Download the 5K Run/1-Mile Walk flyer.
Midwest Mission Collection Truck on Campus – June 12-13
The collection truck for Midwest Mission, an EOC Advance partner (Fund 9944), will be parked in lot #29 off University Street during Annual Conference. Staff will be present to receive donations on:
- Thursday, June 12 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 13 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Learn about needed items and assembling home care and personal dignity kits.
Download the AC 2025 Midwest Mission truck flyer.
Ministry Fair – June 12-13
This year’s ministry fair at Annual Conference will highlight 40 ministries and missions that relate to the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. The ministry fair tables will be located on the main floor entrance of the Scot Center, one floor above the indoor track and courts of the Gault Recreation Center where AC business sessions will be held. All are welcome to visit the tables and talk with the ministry representatives.
Learn more about the Ministry Fair and Missions opportunities of AC 2025.
Missions & Community Engagement
May is Foster Awareness Month
Royal Family KIDS Camp is a week-long camp for children in foster care who have suffered abuse and neglect through family-induced trauma. During Foster Awareness Month you are invited to:
- give a three-minute presentation in your church to encourage lay people to answer the call to love these special kids.
- invite two or three people from your church to attend a one-day Royal Family KIDS Camp training at Thoburn UMC (June 7 & 8), and Strongsville UMC (June 28 & July 12).
Every time one of these churches adds eight adult volunteers (16 and older) to a week of camp, the church can bring more children to camp this summer. If you have questions about Royal Family KIDS Camp, please e-mail Rev. Dave Scavuzzo, RFKC coordinator.
Learn about and support Royal Family KIDS Camp.
All In Community (AIC) Online Gathering – May 21
Family members touched by the justice system, ministry servants, laity, and pastors are invited to join an online gathering at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21 to learn how you can support people who are incarcerated and people returning from incarceration. No family member or congregation can do it alone. Learn about opportunities for speakers, hope letters, partnerships in the juvenile justice system and more. All In Community is off-stage ministry, out in the world, living our faith!
Participate in the 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 21 online gathering.
Learn about and support All In Community ministry.
AIC Leadership Lab: The Joy and Agony of Servant Leadership – June 7
Life feels heavy right now. As Christ followers serving others first, the heaviness can crush our spirits to the point where we collapse or relapse into a “me-first” leader. All In Community Leadership Labs are environments for Matthew 25 co-laborers who minister with justice-involved persons and/or who are transforming their own justice-involved journey. This Servant Leadership Lab offers you a place to rest, reset, and re-engage as a better version of your servant self.
Hosted at the West Ohio Conference office in Worthington from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on June 7 the lab will explore five basic principles of servant leadership, the suffering of servant leadership, and practices for becoming a more resilient servant leader.
Learn more and register to attend.
Download the leadership lab flyer.
AIC Dinner & Discussion – June 11
The dinner and discussion on Wednesday, June 11 from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at Mayfield UMC offers opportunities for individuals to better understand how to navigate Ohio’s criminal justice system with loved ones, congregants, and neighbors. Through the AIC ministry framework, participants will better understand both important direct tangible needs and spiritual, social, and emotional needs that restore hope and support healing during and following incarceration.
The guest speaker will be Dr. Mike Davis, the Religious Services administrator for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. The event is free, but you are asked to register by June 8, so organizers know how much food to prepare for dinner.
Learn more and register by June 8.
Download the dinner and discussion flyer.
Open House for New Advance Special (The Humble Co-Op) – June 30
The Humble Co-Op, a new mission partner of The East Ohio Conference of The UMC (Fund number TBD), is hosting an open house for clergy on June 30 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 1935 Tobacco Hill Rd., Dresden, OH 43821. There is no cost to attend, but you are asked to register in advance to assist organizers with planning.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Download the open house flyer.
Celebrating Mission Giving in 2024
Giving to the General Board of Global Ministries, including UMCOR, by members of the East Ohio Conference exceeded $550,000 in 2024, more than was given in 2023. Local churches in East Ohio provided salary support for 11 missionaries, funded health and hygiene projects, supported scholarships and church revitalization efforts, and answered the call when disasters struck in the U.S. and around the world. Together, we in East Ohio partnered with God’s people around the world to make disciples, alleviate human suffering and promote justice and peace.
As your church makes plans for mission giving in 2025, consider connecting with a project through Global Ministries and UMCOR. If you have questions about mission giving, please e-mail Kate Colbow, East Ohio Conference secretary for Global Ministries.
Learn more about Global Ministries.
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
Camperships Available for Summer Camp 2025
It is our desire that no child misses out on our camp events due to financial concerns. Every year we offer camperships to hundreds of families, and this is made possible through generous support of The East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, endowment funds available to us because of wise planners, and gifts from donors who know the value of an experience at camp.
If you have questions about camp or camperships, and/or if you would like to request a brochure, please e-mail the Camps office or call us at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139.
Learn about and register for Summer Camp.
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
Clergy School of Ministry – September 18-20
All clergy in the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church are expected to participate in the Clergy School of Ministry hosted by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung September 18-20 at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky. As additional details are confirmed, they will be shared in E-News and on the East Ohio Conference website.
Laity
Laity Convocation – August 15-16
All laity in the East and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church are invited to participate in a Laity Convocation hosted by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung August 15-16 at Worthington UMC. As additional details are confirmed, they will be shared in E-News and on the East Ohio Conference website.
United Women in Faith
Mission u 2025 – July 18-20
Mission u 2025, hosted on the University of Mount Union campus in Alliance, will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18 and conclude at noon on Sunday, July 20. This year’s theme is “Practicing Hope Together” and exciting curricula will be offered for women of all ages:
- Children – Hope as a Resurrection People: A Children’s Curriculum by Joni Cisowski
- Youth – Communities of the Spirit: Living into Hope as Resurrection People by Regina Heater
- Adult – Practicing Hope by Tabatha Holley
Each participant is encouraged to invite a friend to join them for Mission u.
Learn more and register. There will be no onsite registration.
Events: May 12 – May 26
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Monday, May 12
All In Community: HOPE Letters - Saturday, May 17
The Spoken Word Workshop - Tuesday, May 20
Free Community Meal - Wednesday, May 21
All In Community: Love Thy Self Workshop
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:
- Joel K. Greenberg, clergy spouse, died April 29.
View obituaries.
To submit the obituary of an EOC clergy, a clergy spouse, a child of a clergy person, or a 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
- Assistant Teacher – Play and Prep Preschool in Solon UMC
- Church Business Manager – Jefferson UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Thursday, May 22, 2025 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.
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