Appointments

2026-2027 Appointments & Changes of Status
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announces the following clergy appointments and/or changes of status effective July 1, unless otherwise noted.

2025-2026 Appointments
Pastor	Appointment	District	Effective
Linda Bradley	Chippewa Church at the Lake, Lafayette, LeRoy & Spencer UMCs	West Plains
Beth Jensen	Clyde First & Green Springs UMCs	West Plains

View the complete list of 2026-2027 Appointments and Changes of Status, including retirements.

Loving Boldly, Serving Joyfully, Leading Courageously

Fourth Annual ChurchFest in Cuyahoga Falls
More than 250 people from five denominations gathered at the Cuyahoga Falls Riverfront on June 21 for the 4^th Annual ChurchFest, an ecumenical celebration of the Church Square partnership and community churches to worship and eat together. Members from five congregations in the city participated: First United Methodist Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Pilgrim United Church of Christ, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (ELCA).

ChurchFest is a visible sign of the growing partnership among the congregations, which are working together to strengthen Christian witness in downtown Cuyahoga Falls and are also pursuing a redevelopment of the square. The event reflected the spirit of the Lund Principle, a widely embraced ecumenical commitment that states, “Whatever we can do together, we must do together.” Church Square leaders gave thanks for the lay leadership, church staff, denominational grants, and support of the city that made the event possible.

“In a culture that often rewards division and suspicion, Christians worshipping together across denominational lines offer a different witness,” said the Rev. Jonathan Priebe of First United Methodist Church. “It’s a reminder that our unity in Christ is deeper than the differences that separate us.”

ChurchFest provides the opportunity for members of participating churches to build relationships while welcoming neighbors who may not regularly attend worship. Organizers said the event continues to grow each year and reflects a shared commitment to demonstrate the love of Christ through cooperation rather than competition.

Rev. John Partridge: “Why I Spend Two Weeks Outdoors”
In his July 2026 blog post Rev. John Partidge, pastor of Christ UMC in Alliance, shares about his experience as National Scout Jamboree chaplain. Excerpts of the blog are posted here, with a link to read the blog in its entirety.

Most of you know that I am involved in Scouting. I was a scout in my youth but did not pursue it the way that my two Eagle Scout brothers did but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it. I came back to scouting when our sons were old enough to join Cub Scouts, and I have remained active in scouting since then. And, once we came to Christ Church and the incredible leaders (and scouts) of Troop and Pack 50, I am once again, attending weekly and even joined them at scout camp last year.

Cold Showers and Tent Camping
It’s called scout “camp” and not scout “hotel” for a reason. But I camped with scouts in my youth, camped with my family on vacation both as a child and as a parent, camped in the military, camped at Annual Conference, and even camped on vacation. Camping doesn’t bother me. I like camping, even if the ice-cold showers are not my favorite thing. But what happened at the 2017 Jamboree, and every subsequent event of that kind, was so deeply worthwhile that I keep spending my own money to go back.

But What Do You Do?
Much like scout camp, the chaplains at the Jamboree fill several roles. Our primary responsibility, of course, is to being a spiritual leader. But at scout camp that doesn’t always look like what we do at church. We do, as a group, organize and officiate worship services for the staff as they arrive on Sunday evening, and then for the entire camp the following week, but with several dozen chaplains, many of them Protestant, I am unlikely to preach, although the bishop serving West Virginia might be asked to say a few words at the Methodist worship service. At these services I have passed out music, offered prayer, assisted with the serving of communion, or shared brief meditation.

Early in the week we will introduce ourselves to all the troop leadership in our subcamp (this year there will be 40 troops with approximately 2,000 scouts) so that they can call on us to talk with campers for everything from homesickness to a crisis at home such as divorce or the loss of a parent. We also have occasionally functioned as mediators between adults who can get a little frayed at the edges after a week or two of cold showers, lack of sleep, and herding cats. But when we’re not doing chaplain things, our second (third?) role is to do whatever needs doing for the regular subcamp staff.

Read Rev. Partridge’s blog about the jamboree.

Discipleship Ministries

Church Property: A Burden or a Blessing? – July 28
As congregations discern their future, many are asking a critical question: “How can our church property best serve God’s mission in the years ahead?” Whether considering redevelopment, partnerships, repurposing, or other long-term possibilities, navigating decisions about church buildings can feel overwhelming.

Join us on Tuesday, July 28, from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.  for a day of learning and conversation focused on church property redevelopment and reimagining. Through real-world case studies, you’ll hear how congregations have wrestled with complex questions about their buildings—not through large-scale, quick-fix projects, but through thoughtful discernment, creativity, and faithful planning. Together we’ll explore practical lessons, common challenges, and key considerations for churches discerning how their property can continue to support ministry for generations to come.

This workshop at the West Ohio Conference Area Center (32 Wesley Blvd., Worthington) is designed for both clergy and lay leaders, and church teams are encouraged to attend together.

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

EarthKeepers Training Applications Due August 1
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that guides U.S.-based United Methodists to develop and lead environmental sustainability projects in their communities. Training topics include eco-theology, antiracism, community organizing and project planning. Projects include community gardens, energy initiatives, food security projects, reforestation efforts, and more. Applications to attend the October 1-4 training in Decatur, GA are due by August 1. If you have questions about this training, or if cost is a barrier to attend, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Connectional Ministries office Mission Engagement director.

Learn about Global Ministries EarthKeepers and apply for the October training.

Apply for a Missions Microgrant Beginning August 1
The Board of Missions will award grants of up to $3,000 for mission projects related to East Ohio churches and Advances. Applications and supporting documents must be received by September 1. If you have questions about a microgrant, please e-mail Mariellyn Grace, Connectional Ministries office Mission Engagement director.

Apply for a microgrant beginning August 1.

Volunteers in Mission Online Team Leader Training
UMVIM Team Leader training is for first-time mission team leaders, those who may have led teams in the past, or who have taken the training previously and are seeking updated information. The training will take place online over four consecutive Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. on September 3, 10, 17, and 24. Participants must attend all sessions to complete the training. Each 1.5- to 2-hour session will focus on theology of mission, practical advice for leading a team, and tips for travelling with a team. The trainers will be various UMVIM jurisdictional coordinators. There is no cost to participate, but donations to UMVIM are appreciated. If you have questions about the training, please e-mail Rev. Matt Lacey.

UMVIM Team Leader Training Online

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

Support Victims of the Venezuela Earthquakes
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela back-to-back on June 24 killing thousands of people. Global Ministries and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) responded through our humanitarian and ecumenical partners in Venezuela and South America.

UMCOR made a $50,000 contribution on July 2 to the ACT Alliance appeal to support distribution of food, water, health supplies, and psychosocial care as well as shelter and family tracing and reunification efforts. UMCOR also awarded a $10,000 solidarity grant for the partner Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) that will cover rationing of food, clearing of debris for access, and intervening with mobile medical units.

You can support the UMCOR relief efforts in two ways:

Donate through the EOC to the UMCOR International Relief Fund. In the memo line, please write Venezuela Earthquake. 100% of the donation is sent to UMCOR.
Donate through UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery (IDR). Select Venezuela Earthquake in the preferred gift designation dropdown.

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

Task Force on UM Immigration Ministries of Ohio

Continuing to Support ICE Detainees
The Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio has supported nine people in ICE detention. One of those detainees is a husband and father from Peru. His wife, a native-born U.S. citizen, shared this message with us: “My husband is detained, and it has severely taken a toll on me, as well as my two children. We have lost our home, my job from depression, my husband’s new vehicle, and the security my children and I had. We miss him and pray every moment for him to be released. I have been praying about helping families going through the same thing. It’s unbearable, and the thought of having your family member – especially your husband – possibly deported is a constant feeling of grief I wish on nobody. My husband had his work permit and was working hard as a chef, and now he is detained and separated from our family.”

The Task Force added $300 to his commissary account so he could call his family, mailed him 11 letters of encouragement and 38 birthday cards, observed his Cleveland Immigration Court hearing, and offered pastoral care to his wife. He spent his birthday in the Butler County Jail last week.

ICE Detainee Sends Thank-you Note
The Peruvian husband and father sent Rev. Emily Kvalheim this thank-you message, asking that it be shared with The United Methodist Church in Ohio.

Dear friend, Emily,

Tears are welling up as I write you this letter, friend. You don’t know how grateful I am for your donation. You don’t know how special you have made me feel. My family and I are going through a difficult financial situation. Thank you for having a beautiful and kind heart. Thank you because now I will be able to call my family. Thank you because although you don’t know me, you help me. Thank you, thank you so much, you don’t know how lucky I feel to have people like you around me!!   I hope when I am free, I will be able to meet you and help you in your work of helping your neighbor; and please say thank you on my behalf to all the members of The United Methodist Church. You are all in my prayers and in my heart. God bless you and protect you always!!

God, you are good. You love your people with a love that I will never completely understand. You care for each child, man, woman in each nation and you know each heart. Give me the desire to proclaim Your Word. Too often I have stayed quiet. Allow this to burn in me in such a way that I cannot do another thing except talk to other people about Your love and Your glory.

Stay with my friends who are missionaries and work in other countries sharing the good news of the gospel. Allow them to feel brave and cheerful today.

Thank you for your love and for calling me to share it with the world.

In the name of God, Amen.

Learn more about the Peruvians story.
Donate to the Task Team Advance ministry (Fund 9997).
Write a letter of encouragement to an asylum seeker in detention.
E-mail the Task Force on UM Immigration Ministries of Ohio.

Faith Formation & Lay Ministries

New Resource: Local Church Ministries Assisting Families in Need
Named for Matthew 25:35, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat … I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” the 25:35 Crew is living out Christ’s compassion in real and practical ways across Ohio.

The new Family Assistance Ministries resource provides information, listed by district, about food, pantry, and assistance ministries offered through local East Ohio Conference congregations and faith communities. Please use and share this resource in your ministry setting. When a church office receives a call from a family in need, when a pastor meets someone seeking support, or when a congregation wants to partner with a pantry or meal site, easy access to reliable food resource information can make a real difference. A current resource page helps turn concern into connection and compassion into action.

If your church knows of a food pantry, meal ministry, community distribution, or other local resources that should be included, please help keep the information current by sharing updates with conference contacts. East Ohio churches and Advance mission partners can use the form below to update the list.

If your church or ministry information needs to be updated on this resource, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, Connectional Ministries office administrative assistant.

East Ohio Family Assistance Ministries resource.
Provide updated information for the resource.
West Ohio Family Assistance Ministries resource.

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.

Clergy

All-Ohio School of Ministry to Focus on Renewal, Connection
Clergy and ministry leaders from the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences will gather August 31 to September 2 at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky for the 2026 All-Ohio School of Ministry, a three-day event centered on worship, learning, reflection and renewal. The theme, “You Feed Them,” invites participants to consider how the Church is called to respond faithfully in a time of uncertainty.

Featured speaker Rev. Dr. Elaine Heath will lead three plenary sessions during the event. Heath is an ordained United Methodist elder, author and theologian who serves as abbess at Spring Forest in North Carolina and formerly served as dean of Duke Divinity School and professor at Perkins School of Theology. Her work focuses on spiritual formation, healing, and the renewal of the Church.

In addition to plenary teaching, the School of Ministry will include worship, contemplative practice, small-group conversation and connection across the Conferences, designed to renew both spirit and vocation.

“It will be a joy to be together once again, following our gathering last year,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. “Our speaker will help us see more clearly how the church in this time can live as a renewed, impactful, and Spirit-filled community with authentic authority. She brings together theology and practice, creativity and imagination, and she embodies these gifts through her work in new church movements. This is one of Dr. Elaine’s great gifts: helping the church imagine fresh possibilities and live faithfully into God’s future,” he said.

Registration is $50 per person, and participants handle their own hotel accommodation. Please use the dedicated room reservation link below to receive the group rate for this event.

Register for the All-Ohio School of Ministry.
Reserve a room at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.

MEF Grants Available
The East Ohio Board of Ministry has allocated $25,000 in MEF monies to be used as reimbursements of up to $400 a person for the School of Ministry. Grants will be awarded in the order they are received until the fund has been allocated. The deadline to apply is noted in the Google form. If you have questions about the grant, please e-mail Rev. Andrew Scott.  

Apply for the School of Ministry Grant.

Events: July 13 – July 26

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

• Sunday, July 26
  Celebration UMC 15-Year Anniversary

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:

• Shirley E. Sackett, surviving spouse of the Rev. Gene H. Sackett, died June 19.

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

• Director – Twice Blessed Free Store
• Organist and Choir Accompanist – Wooster UMC
• Director of Family Ministries – Asbury UMC in Delaware
• Facilities Manager/Head Custodian – Strongsville UMC
• Pianist – St. Paul UMC in Galion
• Regional Justice Coordinators – The Board of Multicultural Ministries

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

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Thursday, July 23 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.