The United Methodist Church
Our mission is: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Our vision for how we live into our mission is: to form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.
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 |
| Dan Bryant | Interim: Howland, Braceville, Brookfield, Hubbard, McDonald UMCs | Central Valley | 1/1/2026 |
| Joan Purnell | Interim: Howland, Braceville, Brookfield, Hubbard, McDonald UMCs | Central Valley | 1/1/2026 |
| Matthew Whisenhunt | Extension Ministry: Harbor and Bridge | Northern Waters | 1/1/2026 |
| Lisa Zambarano | Pearl Road UMC | Northern Waters | 10/1/2026 |
#BeUMC
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 73 Welcoming Newcomers
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 73 “Influence, Connection & Impact: Welcoming Newcomers to Cleveland” highlights how The Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland is reaching new people for Christ.
“In Cleveland there doesn’t really exist dedicated newcomer housing spaces for refugees and asylum seekers and so Nehemiah is unique in occupying this space,” said Graham Ball, the new executive director of the Mission, an EOC Advance Special ministry partner.
Board Member the Rev. Kathy Dickriede said the Mission’s ministries would not be possible without the support of churches and individuals across the Church.
“It’s not just about us, what we have to offer, but what do we have to gain as members of suburban United Methodist churches to come and build some community and to welcome international newcomers into our spaces and to northeast Ohio,” she said.
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
An Advent Prayer from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
God of gentleness and truth,
as we prepare for the coming of Christ,
let His peace take root in our world.
Where violence destroys, let compassion rise.
Where children cry, bring protection.
Where refugees seek safety, grant welcome.
Where nations fracture, sow reconciliation.
Where hatred divides, plant mercy.
Make us instruments of Your peace,
humble in spirit, courageous in love,
faithful in seeking justice for all Your children.
May the Prince of Peace rule in every land,
every home,
and every heart.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come with Your tender light.
Teach us to live Your peace.
Amen.
Read Bishop Jung’s Advent message.
Bishop Jung to Lead Holy Land Pilgrimages – April 2026
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites you to The Holy Land, the Holy People Trip to Israel scheduled for April 6 – 15, 2026. The tour will be led by The Society for Biblical Studies (SBC), an ecumenical, interfaith and inclusive organization. SBC seeks to renew the mission of the Church by making this experience contextual and grounding it in biblical faith. You are invited to participate in a ministry of reconciliation, to reach out across geographic, religious, ethnic and cultural boundaries to new horizons of mission.
There will be two tracks to choose from on this visit to The Holy Land:
- 10-Day Survey of the Bible with Contemporary Studies track will provide an overview of the geographic, social, historical, archaeological, and cultural settings to the Bible. It will also help participants become familiar with the nature of Christianity in The Holy Land and gain a deeper understanding of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Cost per person is $3,745 per person, which includes airfare from New York City.
- 10-Day Fact-Finding, Advocacy, Peacemaking in the Holy Lands track is for those whose interests and passions center on peace with justice. Participants will learn the history and current state of the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the role of the Church in it through in-depth meetings and conversations with Israelis and Palestinians. Cost per person is $3,514, which includes airfare from New York City.
Learn more and register by January 20.
MLK Day 2026
Celebrating the Life of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a vision of building a Beloved Community rooted in justice, reconciliation, compassion, and courage. On January 18, 2026, you are invited to participate in a worship service and/or community projects in your neighborhood to honor the life, ministry, and legacy of Rev. Dr. King. A list of service opportunities will be published on the Conference website in January.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Bending the Arc: Building the Beloved Community in Our Neighborhoods”.
At 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18 Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will be part of a special service honoring Rev. Dr. King at Clair UMC in Columbus. You are invited to attend in-person or via livestream.
Financial & Administrative Services
AC Stats System is Open for Year-End Reports
The 2025 year-end reporting system AC Stats is now open. To begin the process for submitting your church year-end report, print a blank copy of the report and distribute it to those people who have the necessary data. Year-end reports must be submitted by January 19. 2026.
2025 Apportionments Must Be Received by January 6, 2026
If you plan to send your church apportionment payment through the U.S. Postal Service, you will want to get it in the mail ASAP. It always takes longer for mail to arrive during the Christmas season and that delay in delivery could impact your apportionment payment counting for 2025.
For shared ministry apportionment payments to be applied for 2025, they must be received at the CONFERENCE OFFICE (8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, North Canton, 44720) on or before Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Please note and be aware of these distinctions:
- the postmark on a mailed payment IS NOT a factor in determining timeliness; only whether it arrived at the Conference office on or before January 6.
- if you use a credit card in the VANCO system – or if you use the Ministry Financials system – for a year-end shared ministry payment before the last business day of 2025, the transaction will be counted as a 2025 receipt. Likewise, if you make a payment in one of those ways in 2026 it will be counted as a 2026 item.
Local Churches Receive a Compass Holiday for 2026
Conference Council on Finance & Administration has approved local churches not being billed in 2026 for the flat rate, the 3% pensionable pay, and the 4% church match for the new Compass Clergy Retirement plan that begins January 1. The decision was made to give churches the opportunity to use some of the funds budgeted for Compass payments in 2026 on other ministry projects.
Churches will be billed in 2026 for CPP, if applicable, as well as clergy personal contributions, medical premium, and clergy HealthFlex elections.
For questions about Financial & Administrative Services ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Vera Milanovic, executive director of Financial & Administrative Services, or visit the Financial & Administrative Services pages of the Conference website.
Discipleship Ministries
Simplified Church Structure Training – January 31/February 3
You are invited to an online training session to gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of Simplified Church Structure, which emphasizes mission-driven leadership. There are two opportunities to participate in a training session: Saturday, January 31 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. or Tuesday, February 3 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. This workshop is ideal for churches exploring Simplified Structure for the first time, congregations already using the model and reviewing best practices, and new members joining existing single-board structures.
The online training session is designed to strengthen governance and enhance ministry effectiveness across our East Ohio Conference and within your local church. The training will provide a strong foundation for discerning whether this structure can support your church in becoming the community God is calling you to be. This opportunity is especially valuable for pastors, church leaders, and lay members who want to deepen their understanding of effective governance and expand their church’s community impact. Attending as a team from the same location sharing one online connection will maximize learning and application.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website by January 26.
Apply for East Ohio Ministry Microgrants by February 3
Applications are now being accepted for East Ohio ministry microgrants, sponsored by the Board of Congregational Development and the Discipleship Ministries office. The grants, of up to $5,000, are designed to help congregations dream boldly and step into new forms of ministry that build genuine relationships with people not currently connected to the church. These grants are intended for ministries: that are new or significantly re-envisioned; rooted in The United Methodist Church mission of making disciples; and, shaped by the participation of both laity and clergy. Funded projects must focus on relationship-building rather than transactional service or promotional efforts and require a clear plan for connecting with the community they hope to reach.
In recent years, churches have used these grants to launch dinner church gatherings, playground ministries, creative arts outreaches, worship in public spaces, and relational ministries in nursing homes. Each of these efforts started with a simple question: With who is God calling us to build relationships, and how can we meet them where they are?
For questions about microgrants and to explore if your ministry idea might be a good fit for a grant, please e-mail Rev. Beth Ortiz, executive director of Discipleship Ministries.
Apply for a microgrant by February 3, 2026.
Learn about available grants, scholarships, and financial aid.
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
Apply to be an Advance Special Ministry by January 15, 2026
East Ohio Conference Advance Specials are missions and ministries with ties to the East Ohio Conference of The UMC that are reviewed and approved by the Board of Missions or by district mission and strategy teams. The goal of the Conference Advance is to encourage and attract wider recognition and support, both financially and in recruitment of volunteers. Applications for ministries seeking to become a new Advance Special are due by January 15, 2026. Please review the guidelines below for more details before applying. If you have questions about being an Advance Special, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, Connectional Ministries administrative assistant.
View the Advance Special Guidelines.
Complete the Advance Special Application.
Learn about and support EOC Advance Specials Ministries.
Apply for a Green Church Mini Grant by December 15
East Ohio Green Church mini grants provide limited funding for environmentally friendly projects in our churches, such as recycling or composting programs native plants for a pollinator garden, installing energy efficient light bulbs, hosting an Earth Day event, or more. Each awarded grant will provide recipients with $100 – $750 for a green project in 2026. Recipients will then submit a grant report. If you have questions about Green Church mini grants, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Mission Engagement director.
Apply for a Green Church Mini Grant by December 15.
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
Early Response Team Training – January 17, 2026
Learn best practices for responding as a volunteer in disaster situations. Training includes how to interact with survivors, how to assist survivors recover belongings, how to tarp roofs, and how to safely remove debris. Successful completion of the training and a background check by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is required to receive your credentials as a certified UMCOR Early Response Team (ERT) volunteer for three years. Cost of the training is $25/person, which includes training materials, a t-shirt, lunch, and the required UMCOR background check. If you have questions about the training, please e-mail Tom King, Disaster Response chairperson.
NOTE: those needing to recertify UMCOR ERT certification that expires in 2026 can attend the training at LaPorte UMC in Elyria on Saturday, January 17 without having to stay for the entire 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. session.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website by January 12.
For questions about Disaster Response ministries and opportunities, please e-mail Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, executive director of Connectional Ministries, or visit the Disaster Response pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Summer Camp 2025 Welcomed 673 Youth
East Ohio Camps & Retreat Ministries thanks the families and local churches who encouraged and supported 673 youth to attend Summer Camp 2025.
- This year staff welcomed 353 campers to Camp Wanake in Beach City during six weeks of Summer Camp. It was the second consecutive year the Summer Camp season at Camp Wanake was six weeks in duration after previously having been seven weeks.
- Camp Asbury welcomed 152 campers over five weeks of programming in 2025. The camp site in Hiram also offered five weeks of programming in 2024 after offering six weeks each year from 2021-2023.
- Staff at Camp Aldersgate welcomed 168 Summer Campers during five weeks of programming in 2025. The site in Carrollton has offered five weeks of Summer Camp since 2021.
- The 673 Summer Campers in 2025 were 5% fewer than the 709 campers of 2024 and a 20% decrease from the 843 Summer Camp participants in 2023.
Program options for next summer are being finalized, and the link to register for Summer Camp 2026 will be published in the next issue of E-News.
Give a Camps Gift Card for Christmas
This Christmas give a gift that lasts a lifetime and doesn’t need batteries – Camps experience. Camp Aldersgate, Camp Asbury, and Camp Wanake all now offer gift cards. Each card is perfect for any age and can be applied to June and July Summer Camp registration.
Purchase a Camps gift card.
Download bulletin inserts to share about the power of Camp in Color or Black and White.
Confirmation Day at Camp Asbury – February 7, 2026
You are invited to Camp Asbury on Saturday, February 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. to dive deep into United Methodist teachings and explore your faith. For more information, please call Camp Asbury at (330) 569-3171 or the East Ohio Conference Camps office at (330) 499-3972 extension 139. The cost to attend is $70/youth and $60/adult. The last day to register is January 16, 2016.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Confirmation Weekend at Camp Wanake – February 20-22, 2026
Bring your confirmation class to Camp Wanake for a hands-on, engaging weekend to remember, February 20-22, 2026. For every six youth of the same gender and adult chaperone of that gender must be present for the weekend. For more information, please call Camp Wanake at (330) 756-2333, or the East Ohio Conference Camps office at (330) 499-3972 extension 139. The cost to attend is $169/youth and $159/adult. Save $20/person if you register by February 3.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Women’s Winter Bible Study at Camp Wanake – February 13-15, 2026
Join us for a time of reflection, connection, and spiritual growth as we delve into the depths of God’s Word. This winter, let your heart be warmed by the fellowship of like-minded women and the embrace of a community rooted in faith.
Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
For questions about Camps & Retreat Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, Connectional Ministries executive director, or visit the Camps & Retreat Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Events: December 8 – December 31
Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.
- December 12, 13, and 24
Life-Size Candyland Game - Tuesday, December 16
Free Community Meal - Saturday, December 20
The Spoken Word Workshops - Sunday, December 21
The Light Within Us – Holiday Hymn Sing
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:
- Sam L. Slack, retired Elder, died November 24.
- Patricia Pfander, clergy spouse, died November 21.
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
- Minister of Music – Aldersgate UMC in Warrensville Heights
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. Thursday, January 8 is the submission deadline for the first E-News of 2026. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.
East Ohio News 