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
2025-2026 Appointments & Changes of Status
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announces the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status which, unless otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2026.
| 2025-2026 Appointments | |||
| Pastor | Appointment | District | Effective |
| Karen Elliott | Morristown UMC | South Forest | |
| Cindy Figley | Negley UMC | Central Valley | |
| Hae Seon Lee (Western PA) | Greensburg UMC | Northern Waters | |
| Jacob McKenzie | Willard First UMC | West Plains | |
| Kimberly Pope-Seiberling (West Ohio) | Montrose Zion UMC | Northern Waters | |
| Ivy Smith | Florida Annual Conference | ||
View the complete list of 2025-2026 Appointments and Changes of Status, including retirements.
#BeUMC
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 78 The Humble Co Op
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 78 “Belonging & Inclusion: The Humble Co Op” features a conversation with Pastor Jeff and Michelle Chapin, who founded and lead the arts- and connections-based EOC Advance Special outreach ministry based in Dresden (South Forest District).
“Since we began in 2019, we’ve organically grown into community gardens, a bi-weekly community potluck, and we do outreach, host homeschool co-ops, art classes, and we have a 40-foot school bus we converted into a classroom and we take that to farmer’s markets and festivals teaching free art classes and hosting free book drives,” said Michelle.
“We’ve been put in touch with the recovery community as well through the churches and that’s been an area that we didn’t realize was a big need in this community. And it’s really been amazing to see how that’s flourished over the last year and a half,” Pastor Jeff 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
The War That Never Ended: A Confession and Prayer for Peace
I was raised among the shadows of war. In my childhood village, many of the older boys grew up without fathers. Some had gone to war and never returned. Others simply disappeared into history’s silence. Their absence shaped our lives. It was not just loss – it was a quiet, enduring grief that never found closure.
The Korean War, often described as ending in 1953, never truly ended. It paused. The armistice stopped the fighting, but it did not bring peace. Even today, millions of families remain separated, not knowing whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
War leaves behind more than ruins. It leaves unanswered questions that echo across generations.
I carry deep gratitude for the young Americans who sacrificed their lives during that Korean war. Their courage forged a bond between Korea and the United States that remains strong. But gratitude does not erase the moral weight of what war does to humanity.
Because I have seen its consequences, I cannot accept violence as a solution to human conflict.
Read Bishop Jung’s Soul Food article in its entirety.
Five Pillars: Ohio Episcopal Area Missional Direction
2026 Ohio Vision Statement
In 2026, the Ohio Episcopal Area moves forward in collaboration, discipleship, multiplication, leadership development, and global mission – building a unified Spirit-led movement rooted in abundance, trust, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We commit ourselves to prayer, partnership, and courageous action as we form “One Ohio” for the sake of God’s mission in the world.
Five Strategic Pillars
The Five Pillars listed below emerged from conversations Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has had during his visits to more than 250 congregations across the Ohio Episcopal Area. In those conversations clergy and laity shared deep and faithful longings to grow in discipleship, to reach new people for Christ, to pass on the faith to the next generation, and to live in meaningful relationship and mission with their communities and the wider world.
The Five Pillars are not a program or a set of guarantees. Rather, they offer a shared vision and spiritual framework to guide our life together as “One Ohio” – rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shaped by trust, and attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Pillar 1: Building Relationships
Pillar 2: Shared Mission
Pillar 3: Discipleship
Pillar 4: Multiplication
Pillar 5: Emerging Leaders
Download the Five Pillars document.
Download the Five Pillars guiding questions and shared discernment document.
Miracle Sunday
Miracle Sunday is May 17
In the United States, approximately 71% of clergy have earned a Master of Theology. Outside the U.S., fewer than 5% of clergy possess this degree. This disparity is not about calling or competence. It is about access.
The Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously Miracle Sunday initiative is a denomination-wide focus on strengthening theological education for clergy in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. The special offering received on Sunday May 17 will support a permanent endowment for 500 theological scholarships annually – in perpetuity.
Learn about the theological education endowment.
Sharing About Miracle Sunday in Your Church
In support of the Council of Bishops’ Miracle Sunday endowment initiative, Conference leadership has prepared downloadable resources to inform your church about Miracle Sunday.
Sunday, April 26 – Love Boldly
Sunday, May 3 – Serve Joyfully
Sunday, May 10 – Lead Courageously
Sunday, May 17 – Miracle Sunday
The resources will be posted on the Conference website and e-mailed to clergy and laity later this week.
Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team
Please Take a Moment to Share Your Thoughts
The role of the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team created by Bishop Jung in early 2025 is to “listen, discuss, and discern about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.” Last summer 19 work groups were formed, each resourced by Conference leadership and comprised of up to 10 clergy/laity members from across both Ohio Conferences.
The members of one of the work groups invite you to anonymously complete an online survey so that your thoughts can be heard and considered. No personal identifying data will be collected. Your feedback will help inform future Conference staffing, structure, and culture so that the new unified Conference can best support local churches in the years ahead.
Complete the work group survey.
Visit the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team page of the EOC website.
Annual Conference
Clergy Executive Session – May 7
This year, East and West Ohio Boards of Ministry will hold a coordinated clergy executive session from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at Lakeside Chautauqua. The clergy from both conferences will be together for worship and training and will meet separately by Conference for business sessions.
Register for the Coordinated Clergy Session.
Annual Conference 2026 – June 11-13
East Ohio Annual Conference will begin on the morning of Thursday, June 11 and will conclude the afternoon of Saturday, June 13. We will again meet on The College of Wooster campus. The Annual Conference theme is “Celebrating Abundant Grace” and the words of Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSVA) will ground the services, sessions, and celebrations of our time together. Registration for AC 2026 will open on Wednesday, April 1.
Discipleship Ministries
Get to know the Office of Discipleship Ministries.
We’re building stronger connections with leaders across the Ohio Episcopal Area, offering practical encouragement for everyday discipleship. At our core is relational ministry; we want to know you, and we want you to know us.
We’re exploring fun and creative ways to engage with you. One way we’re doing that is through our new video series, Between Sundays: Practical Discipleship for Everyday Life. In it, we share who we are, what we care about, and how we hope to walk alongside local church leaders. In the first episode we explore how to shape a culture of discipleship.
New episodes of Between Sundays drop every other Tuesday on YouTube. You can subscribe to the channel to receive each episode. You can also receive weekly resources, ideas, and field notes from the Between Sundays newsletter on Substack, designed to support everyday discipleship in your personal life, church and ministry.
View Episode 1 of Between Sundays.
Visit the Discipleship Ministries Substack.
Harmony in Transition: A Training for UM Clergy in Transition
Change is an inevitable part of ministry, and navigating transitions with grace and confidence is essential. Harmony in Transition training will be offered four times in the next two months to equip United Methodist clergy with the tools and insights needed for a smooth and faithful transition. The information provided in the training session will benefit those moving to a new appointment, welcoming a new pastor, or supporting a congregation through change.
Each SPRC/Leadership team needs to only attend one, ideally the same as their incoming pastor. If the whole SPRC is unable to attend, sending at least three members will still help impact this transition. We will explore best practices for leadership transitions, address common challenges, and provide practical guidance for maintaining spiritual and congregational well-being during times of change. Registration is free, but you must register at least one week prior to the session you will attend.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
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
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Scholarships
The Board of Missions offers scholarships year-round for people going on a mission journey. If your church is planning a summer trip, now is the time to apply! One of the requirements to apply for a scholarship is that the trip must be led by someone who has completed UMVIM Team Leader training, which will be held on April 18 in Ashland. If you have questions about the scholarships or offered trainings, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Mission Engagement director.
Apply for a UMVIM Scholarship.
Register for the April 18 UMVIM training on the EOC website.
Let Us Know About Your Planned Mission Trips
If you are planning a mission journey that is open to anyone, let us know the details so we can share on our Mission Opportunities webpage. If you have questions about planning a trip, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Mission Engagement director.
Visit the Mission Opportunities 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
Early Response Team Leader Training – April 25
The Ohio Episcopal Area is offering United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) Early Response Team (ERT) team leader training on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the East Ohio Conference office (8800 Cleveland Ave. NW, North Canton). Learn best practices for responding as a volunteer in disaster situations. Training includes how to interact with survivors, and help survivors recover belongings, tarp roofs, and safely remove debris. Successful completion of the training and a background check is required to receive your credentials as a certified United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) ERT volunteer for three years. If your UMCOR ERT certification is due to expire in 2026, you are eligible to recertify and you will not need to stay for the entire class. The cost for the class is $25 and includes the training manual, an ERT t-shirt, and lunch. If you have questions about the training, please e-mail Tom King, chairperson of the Disaster Response Committee.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
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.
Multicultural Ministries
Carry the Hope: A Day for Justice-Minded Folks – April 11
Carry the Hope is a one-day gathering that invites participants to step away from urgency for a moment, reconnect with hope, and begin building a relational network of people committed to justice, care, and community in the days ahead. Luke Wallace will facilitate the day, leading laity and clergy in communal singing, table conversations, and regional connection designed to strengthen relationships and remind us that we are not alone in this work.
Make plans to join us Saturday, April 11 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the West Ohio Conference office (32 Wesley Boulevard in Worthington) for Carry the Hope: A Day for Justice-Minded Folks. Cost for the day is $10/person and includes lunch. If you have questions about the day, please e-mail Will Fenton-Jones, director of Multicultural Ministries.
Register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Download the flyer.
For questions about Multicultural Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Will Fenton-Jones, Connectional Ministries office Multicultural Ministries director, or visit the Multicultural Ministries pages of the Conference website.
Camps & Retreat Ministries
Save $25 – Register for Summer Camp by April 15
Summer Camp offers a week of spiritual formation to children and youth in grades 1 through 12. If you register for Summer Camp before April 15, you can save $50/camper. If you have questions about Summer Camp, please e-mail the Camps & Retreat Ministries office.
Learn more and register for Summer Camp 2026.
Download the color Summer Camp bulletin insert.
Download the black & white Summer Camp 2026 bulletin insert.
East Ohio Conference Camps are Hiring Summer Staff
Aldersgate, Asbury and Wanake are seeking people 18 years old through retirement who love God, people, and the outdoors to serve in mission this summer with the camp program. Residential and commuter positions are available, including camp counselor, lifeguard, program staff, food service, maintenance, and healthcare.
Learn more and apply to be Summer Camp 2026 staff.
EOC Camps Are Excellent Sites for Retreats
At our East Ohio retreat facilities – Aldersgate, Asbury, and Wanake – our goal is to provide comfortable settings and quality programs through which people can experience Christ’s love in God’s Creation and share that love with others. The sites provide year-round accommodation for both small intimate and large group gatherings.
Learn about Camp Aldersgate retreat facilities in Carrollton.
Learn about Camp Asbury retreat facilities in Hiram.
Learn about Camp Wanake retreat facilities in Beach City.
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.
Faith Formation & Lay Ministries
The Expanding Connection Book Club – April 21
You are invited to join friends from around the Ohio Episcopal Area at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21 for a conversation on the book Trash: A Poor White Journey by Cedar Monroe. An activist and chaplain, Monroe introduces us to people who are poor and unhoused in a small town in Washington, who eke out a living on land that once provided timber for the nation. On the banks of the Chehalis River, we meet residents of the largest homeless encampment in the country, who face sweeps and evictions and are targeted by vigilantes before bringing their case to a federal court. We watch a community grapple with desperation, government neglect, and its own racism. From visits to jails, flophouses, tent cities, and on trips to hospitals and funeral homes, we see leaders forging connections between their people and the global movement to end poverty.
If you have questions about the book club, please e-mail Julie Carter, director of Faith Formation & Lay Ministries.
Learn more and register for the book club.
For questions about Faith Formation and Lay Ministries opportunities, please e-mail Julie Carter, Connectional Ministries office Faith Formation & Lay Ministries director, or visit the Faith Formation pages of the Conference website.
Celebrations of Life
Please pray for the families of:
- Norman James Greenawalt, retired Elder, died March 4.
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
- Congregational Care Coordinator – Blessed Trinity United Methodist Cooperative Parish
- Children and Youth Director – Blessed Trinity United Methodist Cooperative Parish
- Office Administrator – Rocky River UMC
- Nursery School Director – Hudson UMC Nursery School
To submit a classified ad please e-mail swilliams@eocumc.com.
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