#BeUMC
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 63 “Understanding TAP Grants”
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 63 “Understanding TAP Grants” we explore ways Trinity Action Projects (TAP) grants provide seed money for new and existing ministries and foster bold initiatives that engage and serve East Ohio communities.
Rev. Beth Ortiz, executive director of Discipleship Ministries for both East and West Ohio said, “sometimes when we think need, we think first of physical need which is certainly very important. Social needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs are also so important.”
“I love to see the broad and the creative and the insightful needs that the churches have of people who are coming to the church or are outside the church, and people who are being ministered to just because we are able to help,” said Rev. Angela Lewis, superintendent of the Northern Waters District.
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 & Beyond – August 4-6
Supported by their Methodist Episcopal Church congregation in Cleveland, Ohio, William Scranton and his mother Mary Scranton arrived in Korea 140 years ago. They were lay people who answered God’s call to serve people they had never met in a country they had never visited.
The Scrantons championed the people of Korea. Their lives modeled the Wesleyan tradition of the Methodist movement that had been introduced in the peninsula country the year before their arrival. William and Mary worked tirelessly in helping establish churches, schools and clinics in Korea, laying groundwork that continues to impact lives today more than a century later.
On August 4-6, clergy and laity from Ohio and Korea – and from across The United Methodist Church – will gather at Church of the Saviour UMC in Cleveland Heights to celebrate the 140-year legacy of Mary & Wiliams Scranton. While we will celebrate the past, this event is an opportunity to acknowledge and empower in the present opportunities for lay people to answer the call to share God’s message of salvation with those who have not yet heard it.
Registration for the event is closed, but you will be able to view the services and sessions via livestream on the EOC website.
Learn about the celebration and view the livestream.
A Call for Churches to Pray for the August 4-6 Celebration
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and the event design team ask congregations to take a moment during worship services the first weekend in August to offer a community prayer that God will use the celebration and the celebrants in a mighty way for the continued transformation of the world. Congregations have permission to use the following Call to Worship:
Leader: Come, children of God, as we gather to celebrate faith filled lives that were poured out in mission. We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, following God’s call to cross boundaries of oceans and cultures to serve.
People: We stand with each other, grateful for the courage of our predecessors, for their faith, and for the seeds of hope they planted around the world.
Leader: Faithful, we come today to remember their faith and their service and to proclaim our faith in the God who still sends people into mission today.
People: We rejoice in the witness of the world-wide church; those who partner in prayer, in mission and ministry, in covenantal promises shared and in the Spirit who connects us across time and place.
All: Let us worship the God of mission and mercy, whose love knows no borders, and whose call still sends us into the world! Amen.
Source: Pastor Charlene Thomas. Used with permission.
Annual Conference
Journal Reports Were Due July 15
Reports submitted for the Pre-Conference Workbook by the March print deadline are not automatically included in The Journal. Reports to be included in The Journal needed to be e-mailed to Brenda Vaccaro in their entirety.
Annual Conference 2026
The 57th session of Annual Conference is scheduled for June 11-13, 2026, at the College of Wooster.
Missions & Community Engagement
New Conference Missions Partners
In June, Annual Conference approved these three new Advance mission partners:
- Immigration Ministries of Ohio, Fund 9997
- The Humble Co-Op, Fund 9998
- Unlikely Partners, Fund 9999
Members of AC also renewed Wesleyan Senior Living Foundation, Fund 9171, as a Health & Well-Being partner. The Board of Missions encourages churches and individuals to support the work of our Advances by volunteering or giving a financial gift, 100% of which will be given to that mission or ministry.
Learn about each of our Advance Special ministry partners.
All In Community
All In Community (AIC) is a joint ministry of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church, and a conference Advance mission partner (EOC Fund 9984). Its purpose is to engage individuals, churches, criminal justice professionals, and community leaders at the local level to restore hope and to support healing in the lives of those involved in the criminal justice system. If you would like to receive email updates on the ministry’s work, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, administrative assistant in the Connectional Ministries office, and she will add you to the mailing list.
Learn about and support All In Community ministry.
AIC: Building Freedom Ohio Count Time Community Panels – July 26/August 5
If the criminal justice system has impacted you, whether directly, as a family, as a friend, as a businessperson, or as a person of faith, Building Freedom Ohio and the Felony Impacted Liberation Movement (FILM) invite you to their upcoming “Count Time!” community panels. Connect with others who are on the same journey as you. Share your experiences in an environment that supports you, learn about resources in your community, and join a movement to shape solutions that create real change!
Make plans to attend Count Time community panels at Crossroads UMC in Canton from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 and/or at South Arlington UMC in Akron from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5. If you want to find out more, engage with this work, or host a panel discussion, please e-mail Shauntae Metcalf, e-mail Donovan Harris, or e-mail Rev. Kathy Dickriede.
Learn about Building Freedom Ohio.
Register for the July 26 Count Time Panel.
Register for the August 5 Count Time Panel.
AIC: Vicarious Trauma Self-Care Online Workshop – July 31
This free online workshop Thursday, July 31 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. will prepare ministry servants, family members, pastors, service providers, and justice professionals to recognize the mental and emotional signs of vicarious trauma. It will help get you back on track using self-care practices as you face exposure to life’s traumatic stressors.
Join the July 31 online workshop.
AIC: Restored Citizen Summit – August 14
The Restored Citizens Summit brings together all sectors of the community for ongoing collaboration to continue elevating awareness concerning matters of homelessness, poverty, and the needs of families of people with conviction histories. The Summits are also where formerly incarcerated persons can meet community members committed to supporting them, so they can move from reentry to reintegration to restoration. There is no cost to participate in the 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Summit, but you must register by Friday, August 1.
Register for the Restored Citizens Summit.
Download the Restored Citizens Summit flyer.
Green Church Training – July 27/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 on July 27 will take place at noon at Crosspoint UMC. Alex Arbelaez will give a presentation on etiquette at state and national parks. Arbelaez is an ecological monitoring crew lead for the Bureau of Land Management.
Download the Crosspoint UMC Green Team flyer.
The training on August 20 will take place from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Ashland First UMC. 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 on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Trials For Hope 10th Anniversary
Trials for Hope (Fund 9982) in Cleveland is in ministry with people who live unsheltered or live in poverty and are not able to leave their homes because of the lack of handicapped accessibility in their low-income apartments. Trials For Hope is proud to provide wholesome food, personal care items, and warmth to those in Greater Cleveland.
Learn about and support Trials for Hope (Fund 9982).
For questions about Missions & Community Engagement ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Connectional Ministries office Mission Engagement director, or visit the Missions & Community Engagement pages of the Conference website.
Engagement with Children, Youth and Young Adults
This Saturday Spend a Day at the Camp Aldersgate Lake
All youth groups are invited to Camp Aldersgate in Carrollton on Saturday, July 26 to enjoy a day of swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing, food, and fun! The cost is $10 per person and includes lunch. If you have questions, please e-mail Deena Wolfe coordinator of Emerging Leaders, which was formerly called CCYM.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Engagement with Children, Youth and Young Adults opportunities, please e-mail Ann Marie Carley, director of Engagement with Children, Youth, and Young Adults in the Connectional Ministries office. You may also e-mail Tim Beck, associate director of Engagement with Youth, or visit the Engagement with Children, Youth, and Young Adults pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Time Is Running Out to Experience Summer Camp 2025
Don’t wait. Register today for Summer Camp at one of our three East Ohio Conference camps, where children, youth, and adults of all ages create memories that last a lifetime.
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 director, or visit the Camps & Retreat Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Clergy
Generosity Summit
The United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio (UMFWO) Generosity Summit September 15-16 in Toledo features two full days of teaching on stewardship, clergy financial education, church finance, and investment best practices provided by speakers from across the connection of The United Methodist Church. The event will be held at the beautiful Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center on Lake Erie. The cost is $350 for a single-occupancy room, with lower prices for those who will share a room.
Scholarships for the Generosity Summit are available to cover the cost of the registration, which includes meals. Please e-mail Susan Black for an application from UMFWO. Please e-mail Rev. Brian Sheetz for an application from the Methodist Foundation of Ohio.
Register for the Generosity Summit on the EOC Events Registration page.
All-Ohio School of Ministry
The Office of Ministry is hosting the All-Ohio School of Ministry Sept. 18-20 at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Sandusky. East Ohio and West Ohio Conference clergy are strongly encouraged to attend this inaugural collaboration for a time of bold imagination, meaningful dialogue, and renewed connection featuring keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera, president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Highlights of the event include a three-part presentation from Rev. Dr. Viera, fun, fellowship, and gatherings of Orders for specific information sharing and panel discussions. East Ohio Conference clergy can click here and complete the Ministerial Education Fund application to cover the cost of the event.
Register for the All-Ohio School of Ministry on the EOC Events Registration page.
Laity
Laity Convocation – August 15-16
Join with lay people from across the State of Ohio at Worthington UMC for a celebration of our faith and community. This event is designed for all members of the church who are not ordained clergy to connect with fellow lay church members, participate in workshops, and grow in your faith. There is no cost, but you need to register online in advance, and don’t forget to book a hotel room.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Certified Lay Ministry Academy Retreat – September 5-6
East and West Ohio Conference laity are invited to the Certified Lay Ministry (CLM) Academy Retreat September 5-6 at the West Ohio Area Center (32 Wesley Boulevard) in Worthington. Certified Lay Ministers are trained and equipped to fulfill their distinct God-given calling. They are specifically intended for missional leadership in churches and to enhance team ministry within congregations under the supervision of a clergyperson.
Information for making discounted hotel reservations ($99) at the Sheraton Suites one mile from the Area Center will be provided to those who register online to participate in the Academy. If you have questions about the Certified Lay Ministry Academy, please e-mail Kathy Moore.
Register for the Certified Lay Ministry Academy.
For questions about Lay Ministry opportunities, please e-mail Julie Carter, director of Faith Formation & Lay Ministries in the Connectional Ministries office. You can also select from ministries linked under the dropdown menu of the Laity tab on the Conference website, www.eocumc.com.
Celebrations of Life
Please pray for the families of:
- Chester C. Rupert, retired Associate Member, died July 13.
- Violet Wetzel, surviving spouse of the Rev. Fred Gaston, died June 26.
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
- Head Custodian/Facilities Manager – Faith UMC in North Canton
- Weekday Evenings Custodian – Faith UMC in North Canton
- Sunday Custodian – Faith UMC in North Canton
- Director of Music – Ontario UMC
- Bookkeeper – The Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland
- Contemporary Worship Leader – Crosspoint UMC
- Childcare Providers – Elevate Life Network, a mission of Westbrook Park UMC
- Custodian – Willoughby UMC
- Preschool Teacher – Willoughby United Methodist Preschool
- Pianist – St. Paul UMC in Galion
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
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Thursday, July 31, 2025 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.
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