#BeUMC
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 66 Partners in Missions
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 66 “Partners in Missions” features a conversation with members of a United Methodist Church and a Baptist Church who for more than a decade have worked together, acknowledging and celebrating their differences to jointly assist those in need on mission trips.
In the episode we hear from Paul Pendleton of The UMC of Macedonia and Catherine Tarver of Providence Baptist Church in Cleveland both before and after this summer’s mission journey building wheelchair ramps in Jackson, Ohio.
“This has been a fantastic relationship. Not only getting to know each other but understanding cultures a little bit differently than we normally do,” Pendleton said.
“It’s really been a very good experience because we got to know each other,” shared Tarver.
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.
Discipleship Ministries
Apply for a Ministry TAP Grant by October 1
If God is stirring a vision for ministry in your church or community, you are encouraged to apply for a Trinity Action Project (TAP) grant to move that vision to reality. TAP grants to empower ministries that share both faith and life together offer up to $5,000 inseed money to help launch ministries that embody our Conference mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
The grant team is looking for ministries that nurture relationships instead of transactional ministries. These community-building ministries bring people together, foster belonging, and deepen discipleship. Your ministry may look different depending on who God is calling your church to reach. For some, it might be children and youth; for others, older adults, neighbors in need, or people not yet connected to a church. TAP is here to help you respond faithfully and creatively in your own context.
Applications are due October 1, and priority will be given to new and innovative ministries with a clear plan for sustainability. Funds are designed to spark fresh expressions of God’s love in your community and may not be used for capital expenses or clergy salaries. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.”
Review the TAP Grant application process and apply for the Grant.
For questions about Discipleship Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, Discipleship Ministries executive director, or visit the Discipleship Ministries pages on the Conference website.
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 Jami Nathan, AIC Ministries Coordinator, and she will add you to the mailing list.
Learn about and support All In Community ministry.
Green Church Training Online – September 28
The Ohio Episcopal Area is excited to present its first local church virtual Green Church training from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28. The training will provide biblical, Wesleyan, and United Methodist Church resources for creation care, tips for forming a Green Team at your church, and time to plan and dream with your church team. The online training costs $40 for each participating church – and two or more members are encouraged to attend. One person should register all members of their church team. Scholarships are available. If you have questions about the training, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Mission Engagement director.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Mission Engagement ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Connectional Ministries office Mission Engagement director, or visit the Mission Engagement pages of the Conference website.
Disaster Response
Advanced ERT Classes Offered – September 13
Early Response Teams (ERT) are a collaborative effort of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM). ERTs are trained to provide emotional and spiritual support to those impacted by disasters as an outgrowth of our discipleship.
UMCOR recommends that trained ERTs complete Advanced 200-level courses after completing the Basic Course. Two such classes for current trained ERTs in East Ohio and West Ohio will be taught Saturday, September 13 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Sulphur Grove UMC in Dayton:
- Team Leader/Assistant Team Leader (2 hrs.)
- Cleaning Out a Flooded Home (2.5 hrs.)
West Ohio Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Tom Clinch will lead the classes. The cost to participate is $10/person. East Ohio Conference participants when completing online registration are asked to leave “church name” blank and to select “not in conference” instead of naming your district.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Learn more about EOC Disaster Response.
Laity
Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course
Leading, caring, and communicating are the three tenets of Lay Servant Ministries, whose participants inspire others to more effective discipleship and a deeper commitment to Christ. If you are interested in learning more about Lay Servant Ministries, you are encouraged to complete the Basic Training Course.
You can take the Basic Course either September 13 in Willoughby, October 4 in New Concord, October 25 in Canton, or November 8 in Boardman.
Register for one of these four Basic Courses.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries.
Lay Servant Ministries Advance Courses
Consider participating in one of these Advance Courses to deepen your Spiritual growth. The courses are open to anyone, even if you do not intend to become a certified lay servant.
- “Living Our Beliefs the United Methodist Way” – September 13 in Willoughby
- “Teaching Biblical Faith” – September 13 in Willoughby or November 8 in Boardman
- “Ministry with the Forgotten: Dementia Through a Spiritual Lens” – September 27 in Bucyrus, October 4 in New Concord, or October 18 in Canton
- “Worshipping with United Methodists – November 8 in Boardman
If you have questions about Lay Servant Ministries, please e-mail your district director.
Register for one of these four Advanced Courses.
Learn more about Lay Servant Ministries.
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.
Events: September 2 – September 14
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:
- James G. Verbridge, clergy spouse, died August 28.
- Dolores Gerycz, surviving spouse of the Rev. Paul Gerycz, died August 25.
- Carl G. Beighley, retired Elder, died August 25.
- Robert Edgar Sherman, retired Elder, died August 18.
- Edna Juanita Gardner, surviving spouse of the Rev. James C. Gardner, 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
- Child Care Coordinator – Gay Street UMC in Mount Vernon
- Livestream Technician – Gay Street UMC in Mount Vernon
- Weekend Custodian – Strongville UMC
- Custodian – Cuyahoga Falls First UMC
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
To Subscribe
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Thursday, September 11, 2025 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.
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