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 |
| Jesse Chapman-Secrest | Niles New Hope & Howland UMCs | Central Valley | |
| Walt Jones | Macksburg & Mary Reed UMCs | South Forest | |
| Larry Marshall | Avon Lakeshore UMC | Northern Waters | |
| Craig Moock | Galena & Rural Chapel UMCs | West Plains | |
| Devani Roe | Antrim, Salesville, Lore City, Chalfant’s Chapel, Quaker City, Winterset, Old Washington, Fairview, Ninth Street & Senecaville UMCs | South Forest | |
| Richard Smith | Southington UMC | Central Valley | |
| Jennifer Wellington | Girard & Niles First UMCs | Central Valley | |
#BeUMC
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 61 “Discipleship in Ohio”
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.
Episode 61 “Disciple Making: Discipleship in Ohio” highlights new and renewed initiatives in our Ohio Episcopal Area of The UMC to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ.
“I am such a big believer of discipleship, particularly through small groups and that building of relationships and connection with each other and with God,” said Rev. Beth Ortiz, executive director of Discipleship in Ohio. “I am such a believer in what our small churches can do and what our long-term churches can do if they are willing and able to go where God leads.”
“What excites me is creating some new diverse faith communities across the whole state for unchurched people to maybe change their perception of Jesus by changing their perception of the church,” said Brad Aycock, executive director of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings in Ohio.
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
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, South Korea 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.
Register for Celebrating Methodist Missions in Ohio, Korea and Beyond.
View the agenda for this event.
View the list of hotels near the church.
Annual Conference
AC 2025: Rise Up, Beloved
The 56th session of East Ohio Annual Conference was held June 12-14 on the College of Wooster campus.
View and download the AC 2025 recap video.
Read and download the AC 2025 recap article.
View the AC 2025 videos showcase.
View and download photos from AC 2025.
AC 2025 Evaluation for Participants
If you attended Annual Conference but have not yet completed the online evaluation of the sessions, services, and amenities of this year’s conference, please take 10 minutes to share your thoughts. The AC 2025 evaluations will be referenced by the design and planning teams as they begin laying the foundation for Annual Conference 2026.
Complete the AC 2025 evaluation.
Annual Conference 2026
The 57th session of Annual Conference is scheduled for June 11-13, 2026 at the College of Wooster.
Missions & Community Engagement
Midwest Mission Collection Truck Filled at AC 2025
Thank you to all who donated items to the Midwest Mission during Annual Conference. The collection truck left Wooster with 4,412 lbs. of donated cleaning kits, hygiene kits, and other items. In addition, the College of Wooster pledged to donate 150 beds and arrangements are being made to get those beds to the Midwest Mission. If you were unable to take items to Annual Conference, please reach out to the Midwest Mission collection site at Gay Street UMC in Mount Vernon.
Learn about the Gay Street UMC Midwest Mission collection site.
Donate to the Midwest Mission (EOC Fund 9944).
Learn about all EOC Advance Special ministry partners.
Mental Health First-Aid Training – August 6
During the EOC Storyboard podcast “Mental Health and the Church” Thrive 10:10 Director Meghan DeGregory stated, “mental health is you attending to whatever you’re dealing with, both on your own with your internal coping skills but also with a professional, if necessary. But we also need to talk about mental health in the church and sometimes I don’t think we talk about it enough in the church.”
You are invited to help change that by participating in Mental Health First-Aid training on Wednesday, August 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the East Ohio Conference Area Center in North Canton. The evidence-based course will teach ways to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in real, actionable ways. This training is free and open to all. Lunch will be provided. If you have questions about the course, please e-mail Meghan DeGregory.
Register by July 28 on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Download the Mental Health First-Aid flyer.
Green Church Training – August 20
Green Church Training provides a solid foundation for moving your church toward green solutions. The training includes Biblical, Wesleyan, and United Methodist teachings on creation care, tips for forming a Green Team at your church, and plenty of ideas and suggestions for creative ways to make your church more environmentally friendly.
The training at Ashland First UMC will take place from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20. The cost of the training is $50 for a team of two people from your church. Additional church members may attend at a cost of $10 per person. Dinner will be provided. If you have questions about the training and/or wish to apply for one of the limited scholarships to attend, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, Connectional Ministries office administrative assistant.
Register by August 17 on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
All In Community: HOPE Letters – July 14
At least 95% of incarcerated individuals in our state prison system will return home one day. Through HOPE Letters, we strive to do good for those who are incarcerated so that they will know they are loved and that second chances are real. HOPE Letters is a signature initiative of All In Community ministry that is endorsed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to provide a mentorship through correspondence opportunity for its residents as they prepare to return home. Make plans to join our next HOPE Letters online information session at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14.
Register to attend the July 14 HOPE Letters information session.
View the All In Community pages on the EOC website.
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
Youth Leader Training Day – August 23
If you work or volunteer with youth ministry in your local church, you are invited to our next Youth Leader Training Day. We will gather at Montrose Zion UMC (565 N. Cleveland Massillon Road) in Akron from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. Our theme is “Practical Discipleship: Helping Over-Scheduled Youth Develop a Faith that Sticks.”
Cost for the training day is $10/person, which includes lunch.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Young People’s Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Tim Beck, Connectional Ministries office Young People’s Ministries associate directors, or visit the Young People’s Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
There is Still Room at Summer Camp 2025
If you know a child who could benefit from a life-changing experience this summer, tell them about Summer Camp 2025. They’ll spend time in nature, meeting new friends and learning about God.
If you have questions about Summer Camp, please e-mail the Camps office or call us at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139.
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.
Spiritual Formation & Christian Education
Spiritual Formation Network Gatherings – July 1
If you are involved in spiritual formation and Christian education, you are invited to join your friends and colleagues online for devotions, support, question-asking and -answering, and sharing ideas. Our next online gathering is Tuesday, July 1 at whichever time (9:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.) is convenient for you. Invite your friends involved in spiritual formation and Christian education ministries to join you and us for this time together.
To receive the online link, please e-mail Rev. Gary Jones, Camps & Retreat Ministries / Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director in the Connectional Ministries office.
For questions about Spiritual Formation & Christian Education ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Gary Jones, Connectional Ministries office Camps & Retreat Ministries / Spiritual Formation & Christian Education director, or visit the Spiritual Formation & Christian Education pages of the Conference website.
Clergy
All-Ohio School of Ministry – September 18-20
Clergy leaders from East and West Ohio Conferences are encouraged to attend the All-Ohio School of Ministry, scheduled for September 18–20, 2025, at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky, Ohio.
Centered on the theme “Reimagining Connection: All-Ohio School of Ministry on Beloved Community,” this gathering offers a unique opportunity for leaders to boldly imagine the next chapter of United Methodism in Ohio. Through meaningful dialogue, renewed connection, and shared vision, we will explore what it means to be a church for the future. Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera, president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, is the featured speaker. A highly respected voice in theological education, justice-centered ministry, and inclusive leadership, Dr. Viera will guide us in rethinking the Church’s role in building a more just and compassionate world.
The School of Ministry will also include:
- inspiring sessions focused on the future of the Church in Ohio.
- interactive networking and fellowship opportunities.
- dedicated time for members of the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members, as well as the Orders of Deacons and Elders, to learn from one another and deepen understanding of ministry needs across the state.
- together, we will envision the future of United Methodist witness in Ohio – rooted in beloved community, shared purpose, and profound spiritual formation.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Laity
Laity Convocation – August 15-16
Get ready for a gathering of laypeople from all over Ohio. The Laity Convocation August 15-16 at Worthington UMC will be a celebration of our faith and community.
This event is designed for all members of the church who are not ordained clergy. Connect with fellow lay church members, participate in workshops, and grow in your faith. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your spiritual journey and strengthen your role within the church community.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Events: June 23 – July 6
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- Monday, June 30
The Humble Co-Op Open House
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.)
Classifieds
Details of listings may be found here.
Positions Available
- Secretary – North Industry UMC in Canton
- Pianist/Vocalist – Middlefield UMC
- Parish Bookkeeper – Cooperative Parish
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Thursday, July 3, 2025 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.
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