#BeUMC

Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 65 Campus Ministry

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 65 “Campus Ministry: Reaching the Seeking Generation” features a roundtable discussion with Rev. Dr. Tim Morrison, University of Mount Union chaplain, and UMC Berea Pastor Dr. Stephen Knisely and Campus Minister Judy Hammer to discuss how churches and universities are connecting students to Jesus.

Morrison offered, “On a weekly basis we have somewhere between 350 and 400 individual students that are interacting with spiritual life in some way or another. It’s almost a quarter of the student body.”

Hammer shared that “college students are waiting and wanting authentic conversation with their peers around faith. They want to have engaged conversations, and hopefully along that journey there’s the right moment of invitation to come to the church. But a lot of it’s happening outside the church walls.”

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

Learn About the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team
In early 2025 Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announced the creation of the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team which has eight members and two ex-officio staff members from each of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences. The role of the Task Team is to listen, discuss, and discern about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

The Task Team pages on the EOC website can be accessed from a link on the homepage. On the task team pages you will find:

• a flip book introducing you to Task Team members,
• a video of Bishop Jung’s message to the Task Team,
• a video of Rev. Doug Anderson’s Task Team update to AC 2025,
• a summary of the 17 listening sessions Task Team members had with staff and leaders in Spring 2025,
• a list of work groups, conveners, and resources for meetings that will be held in Fall 2025, and
• the three-year timeline outlining the Task Team’s work.

Visit the Ohio Episcopal Task Team pages on the EOC website.

Districts

Charge Conference Schedules
A charge conference is an annual meeting of the leadership of a pastoral charge presided over by the district superintendent. The work of the charge conference includes reviewing the mission and ministries of the charge, adopting a budget for all congregations within the charge, recommending candidates for ordained, lay or other forms of ministry, setting salaries and compensation for pastors and staff appointed by the bishop, and more.

South Forest
7:00 p.m. August 18 @ Lowell UMC
7:00 p.m. August 26 @ Thoburn UMC
7:00 p.m. September 9 @ Roscoe UMC
7:00 p.m. September 16 @ Christ UMC
7:00 p.m. September 23 @ Dover First UMC
7:00 p.m. October 9 @ Cambridge Faith UMC

Northern Waters
11:00 a.m. September 27 @ Painesville UMC
2:00 p.m. October 19 @ Strongsville UMC
11:00 a.m. November 8 @ Green Valley UMC

Central Valley
10:00 a.m. November 1 @ Boardman First UMC
1:00 p.m. November 1 @ Simpson UMC
4:00 p.m. November 1 @ Fusion CC

West Plains
10:00 a.m. November 1 @ Sunbury
10:00 a.m. November 8 @ Norwalk UMC
3:00 p.m. November 9 @ Bucyrus UMC
3:00 p.m. November 16 @ Medina

Contact your district office to learn more.

Mission Engagement

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 Bridges of Opportunity Community Experience Sneak Peek – August 25
At 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, join members of the Building Bridges of Opportunity planning team for an online sneak peek of the September 24-25 Community Experience: H.O.M.E. for the Future. There is no cost to attend but you do need to register online in advance to receive the link to the online gathering.

Register for the Building Bridges of Opportunity Sneak Peek.

AIC: Building Bridges of Opportunity Community Experience – September 24-25
The theme of this year’s community experience is “H.O.M.E. for the Future”. Join us in creating a community response that will offer Hope, Opportunities, Mentoring, and Encouragement (H.O.M.E.) with our justice-impacted neighbors. September 24 will be online from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. September 25 will be in-person from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at seven different locations around Ohio, including Cleveland, Portage County, and Youngstown. The cost to participate is $10 and includes lunch on the in-person day. If you have questions about the community experience day, please e-mail Reba Collins, All In Community coordinator.

The annual Community Experience is where Ohioans find their passion, purpose, place, and people with whom to co-labor in building bridges of opportunity for our family, friends and neighbors returning home after being incarcerated. Each year, over 400 participants leave the Community Experience prepared and properly positioned to effectively strengthen Ohio’s reentry continuum of care with local coalitions, community members, agency partners, and organizations.

Register for Building Bridges of Opportunity Community Experience.

First-Time UMVIM Team Leader Training Cohort – September 17
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission is hosting a recurring online cohort for first-time team leaders of local church short term missions. The cohort will meet online from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays (September 17, September 24, October 1 & October 8). Participants must attend all cohort training sessions, and any schedule changes will need to be approved by the whole group.

The training will focus on the theology of mission, The UMC connectional structure, practical advice for leading a team, and mission travel planning. There is an optional suggested donation of $50 for the cohort. If you have questions about the cohort, please e-mail Ray Yarnall, UMVIM coordinator.

Register for the UMVIM team leader cohort.

For questions about Mission Engagement ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Connectional Ministries office Mission Engagement director, or visit the Missions Engagement pages of the Conference website.

Camps & Retreat Ministries

Summer Camp 2025: Thank you, East Ohio
The Camps & Retreat Ministries team is appreciative of East Ohio Conference churches offering summer camp to children in your congregations and communities. Thank you for partnering with us in the spiritual formation of young people in our Conference.

Retreat Season Begins
Summer Camp has concluded but our partnership with local churches, organizations, and ministries continues throughout the year. Our year-round directors and staff are now focused on retreat ministry, providing guests the chance to rest, recharge, and reconnect with God and each other.

Retreats offer transformative encounters in powerful ways:

• Encounters with God by stepping away from life’s fast pace to rest, renew, and reconnect.
• Encounters with community to connect in meaningful ways to form new relationships.
• Encounters with Creation to open hearts to God in profound new ways in the great outdoors.

Camp Aldersgate sits on the shore of Leesville Lake near Carrollton. Camp Asbury is near Hiram in Portage County. Camp Wanake is in Amish Country near Beach City. Each year these sites host small and large group gatherings. If you have questions about scheduling a retreat at one of our sites, please e-mail the Camps office or call us at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139.

Learn more about hosting a retreat at one of our camps.

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.

In The News

Flat Rock Homes Dedicates Historic Bell
From a press release from Flat Rocks Home (EOC Fund 9174):  On July 30, 2025, Flat Rock Homes held a special dedication ceremony at its TRL Outdoor Therapeutic Center to celebrate the restoration of the historic bell from the original Ebenezer Orphan Institute of the Evangelical Association Administration building, dating back to circa 1888.

The event brought together residents, staff, several current and former Board members, and honored guests — including Bishop John and Elaine Hopkins, whose generous gift made the bell’s restoration possible. Also in attendance was Nancy Hull, former CEO of Flat Rock Homes. The ceremony began with a welcome from Karen Kilgo, president and CEO of Flat Rock Homes, followed by a reflection on the bell’s historical significance. Bishop John and Elaine Hopkins offered meaningful words of dedication, and the event closed with prayer and fellowship.

“This bell is dedicated to the Glory of God,” shared Bishop Hopkins. “May its presence honor those who cast the vision, serve the residents, and shape the future of Christ’s work here.”

The restored bell is now an integral feature of the TRL Path — a newly completed outdoor therapeutic space dedicated in 2024 — offering reflection, healing, and serenity for residents, families, and staff alike. The day was a beautiful reminder of Flat Rock Homes’ enduring mission and the legacy of care that spans more than a century.

Learn about and support Flat Rock Homes (EOC Fund 9174).
Learn about and support all EOC Advance Special ministry partners.

Garfield Memorial Worship Pastors Share Their Story

From The Musician Hub music blog: For independent Christian music duo Dre & Leah, music is more than just a creative outlet – it’s a calling. Hailing from Cleveland, OH, this husband-and-wife team crafts heartfelt songs grounded in faith, love, and the beauty of shared purpose. Rooted in Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), with a vibrant infusion of pop and R&B, Dre & Leah’s uplifting sound connects listeners to something greater.

What sets Christian music duo Dre & Leah apart is their authenticity. Their journey began long before they stepped into high-end studios or headlined productions. It was built on late-night road trips, balancing family life with studio sessions, and staying rooted in prayer and purpose. A pivotal moment came when they recorded vocals for their track “HEART” at Superior Sound Studio in Cleveland. It was their first time in a major studio, and it felt like the beginning of something sacred. Another defining chapter took place in Louisville, KY, where they worked on their EP With You, I’m Alright. The experience brought them closer together – not just as musical collaborators, but as life partners and parents shaping a vision grounded in faith.

The message behind Christian music duo Dre & Leah is one of resilience, light, and possibility. They use their platform to uplift others, reminding listeners that love, family, and faith are powerful tools for overcoming life’s hardships. “In the Light” embodies this – just like a glow-in-the-dark toy needs light to shine, we too must stay close to the source in order to radiate hope.

Read the article in its entirety on The Musician Hub.

Classifieds

Details of listings may be found here.

Positions Available

• Weekend Custodian – Strongville UMC
• Custodian – Cuyahoga Falls First UMC
• Administrative Assistant – Geneva UMC

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

To Subscribe

To subscribe to E-News and all East Ohio Conference news updates, enter your email address in the “Follow News via Email” widget on the right sidebar. Information from this E-News may be copied and used in your local church. The next scheduled edition of the E-News is Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Thursday, August 28, 2025 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.