The United Methodist Church

Electing Delegates to General/Jurisdictional Conferences
General Conference will meet May 8-16, 2028, in Minneapolis, with 708 laity and clergy from around the world gathering to discern and make decisions on behalf of The United Methodist Church. In July 2028 the Ohio Episcopal Area will host the North Central Jurisdictional Conference.

As part of our business during the 2027 session of the East Ohio Annual Conference, we will elect lay and clergy delegates to the 2028 General and Jurisdictional Conferences (GC/JC). Our East Ohio Annual Conference will provide six delegates (three lay, three clergy) to the General Conference and an additional six delegates (three lay, three clergy) to the Jurisdictional Conference.

Prior to AC 2027 clergy will receive a book of bios of those clergy who have indicated interest in being elected a delegate and laity will receive bios of laity candidates. If you have questions about GC/JC delegates, please e-mail Conference Secretary Rev. Nathan Howe.

Learn about being a GC/JC delegate.

Information for EOC Clergy
All clergy members in full connection are eligible to be elected as delegates and may express their desire to do so by submitting biographical information to be shared with voting members.

Submit a clergy bio by January 31, 2027.

Information for EOC Laity
Lay delegates are elected from a pool of candidates nominated during charge conference meetings and then are invited to submit biographical information to be shared with voting members. Lay members may also be nominated from the floor of Annual Conference or may nominate themselves. To be eligible for nomination, laity must have been professing members of a United Methodist congregation for at least two years and active in the church for at least four years prior to nomination.

Bishop’s Office

Soul Food
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 through October 15, invites us to celebrate the faith, histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. For the churches of the Ohio Episcopal Area, it is also an invitation to embody more faithfully the beloved community envisioned in Scripture.

In Revelation, people from every nation, tribe, and language gather before God. Their unity does not erase their differences. They worship together while retaining the beauty of their identities, languages, memories, and traditions. This is God’s vision of diversity – not assimilation, but communion; not uniformity, but unity in Christ.

Hispanic and Latino communities enrich Ohio through vibrant faith, strong families, joyful worship, generous hospitality and courageous leadership. As we celebrate these gifts, we must also listen to their experiences and stand with families facing challenges involving immigration, education, employment, housing, health care, language access and racial justice.

Read Bishop’s Soul Food article in its entirety.

Bishop Jung to Lead Holy Land Pilgrimage – November 14-23
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites you to The Holy Land, the Holy People Trip to Israel scheduled for November 14 – 23, 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 through this contextual experience grounded 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.

Christians travel to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked. But Jesus also proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” On this journey walk in the places where Jesus lived and taught while walking alongside people pursuing peace in Israel and Palestine today.

Choose one of two tracks for The Holy Land, The Holy People tour: a 10-day survey of the Bible with contemporary studies track ($4,273/each leaving from NYC) or a 10-day fact finding, advocacy, peacemaking in the Holy Lands track ($3,514/each leaving from NYC).

Financial scholarships are available, with priority given to young clergy and seminary students. E-mail Multicultural Ministries Director Will Fenton-Jones for more information.

Learn more and register for the Holy Land trip.

Ohio Episcopal Area

Exploring Forming a New Ohio Conference
The Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team is exploring a potential new, unified Ohio Conference. For the past 18 months the 19 work groups of the Task Team have been gathering information from and having discussions with staff, laity and clergy from both the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences.

The reports of each of the work groups will be presented to the Task Team on Saturday, September 12. Throughout the rest of September and during October work group reports will be presented to Conference governing bodies. The Task Team will present its final report to Bishop Hee-Soo Jung in November, and it will then be shared with the laity and clergy of the Ohio Episcopal Area. West Ohio and East Ohio Annual Conferences will vote on becoming one Conference during their respective Annual Conference sessions in 2027.

“No final decision has been made; the Task Team prepares and recommends; the Church listens and discerns; and the 2027 Annual Conferences decide,” Bishop Jung said.

View the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team page to learn more.

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 hundreds of 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 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

Learn more about the Five Strategic Pillars.

Financial & Administrative Services

CCF&A Policy for Use of Proceeds from Sale of Closed Church Property
A new page has been added to the Conference website. The page includes 1) the language from ¶ 2549.8 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024: Distribution of Property of a Closed Local Church, and 2) the CCF&A policy for use of proceeds from the sale of closed EOC church property.

In conjunction with Paragraph 2549.8 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024, the remaining undesignated financial assets (bank accounts, investments, etc.) from a closed church will be placed in a EOC Board of Trustees closed church building reserve fund for the purpose of paying the cost of carrying church property until it is disposed of or sold.

There is a $100,000 limit per closed church added to the fund. If the church has more than $100,000 in financial resources, the remaining amount is to be divided appropriately and placed in one of these funds: Trustees Closed Church Reserve, EOC Fresh Starts & New Beginnings, EOC Discipleship, or Urban Setting Closed Church Reserve.

The Trustee Closed Church Reserve fund can have a maximum balance of $500,000. If there is a financial need for the carrying of church buildings beyond $500,000 the Trustees can request CCF&A and East Ohio Cabinet to release funds from the Sale of Closed Church Property fund to cover the need. This money does not need to be paid back to the Sale of Closed Church Property fund.

The policy then describes the different processes for the use of funds and proceeds from the sale of closed church properties depending on if the church was in an urban ministry setting or a non-urban ministry setting.

View the CCF&A policy for sale of closed church property.

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

Upcoming Training on Simplified Church Governance
An important training session on the Simplified Governance model will be offered from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19 and again from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 23. This online workshop is designed to strengthen governance and enhance ministry effectiveness across our conferences and within your local church. Training participants will gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of this model, which emphasizes mission-driven leadership to help your congregation faithfully live out its ministry in today’s world. 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 workshop is ideal for church leadership exploring Simplified Governance for the first time, congregations already using the model and reviewing best practices or new members joining existing single-board structures. This learning opportunity on either January 19 or January 23 is especially valuable for pastors, church leaders and lay members who want to deepen their understanding of effective governance and expand their church’s impact in the community. Attending as a team from the same location and sharing one Zoom/Teams connection will maximize learning and application.

Registration is open through Jan 12.

Register by January 12 on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

Between Sundays: Join the Conversation
We believe some of the best conversations about discipleship and faith start with curiosity. It’s not about having the right answer, but about paying attention and talking together about where we see God moving, what we are experiencing in our lives and communities and what we are learning from one another. Maybe most importantly, it is about learning to recognize where God’s grace is already showing up and considering how we might respond.

That’s really what Between Sundays is about. Through our articles and podcast, we want to make room for conversations about discipleship, life and ministry. We do not see ourselves as experts handing out answers, but as people learning alongside one another. We share what we see working, discuss questions and issues we struggle with, invite experimentation and trying something new, and sometimes simply notice something that deserves a little more attention.

And the conversation is growing! The Office of Discipleship Ministries is excited to welcome the Office of Leadership Wellness and Renewal into the Between Sundays conversation. This collaboration means more voices, more perspectives, and more opportunities to explore what we find ourselves curious about along the way. We hope you’ll join us, not because we have all the answers, but because we think these are conversations worth having.

Subscribe to Between Sundays and join the conversation.

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.

Leadership Wellness and Renewal

Wellness & Renewal Minute
One of the easiest traps in ministry is to confuse being able to keep going with being well. We can meet the deadline, lead the meeting, preach the sermon, answer the email, and show up for the next thing. From the outside, everything may look fine.

But sustainability asks a different question: can I keep living and leading this way over the long term?

Wellness is not about doing less simply for the sake of doing less. It is about stewarding the life God has given us so that we can faithfully sustain the call God has placed upon us. Sometimes that means adding something: sleep, movement, prayer, connection, margin. Sometimes it means letting something go. And sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is simply pay attention to what our body, spirit, and relationships have been trying to tell us.

Wellness is about sustaining the person. Renewal is about sustaining the call.

Try this today: take two minutes and ask yourself, “What am I doing right now that I know is not sustainable?” Then identify one small adjustment you can make this week.

View the Leadership Wellness and Renewal page of the EOC website.

For questions about Leadership Wellness and Renewal ministry opportunities, please e-mail Executive Director Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, or visit the Leadership Wellness and Renewal page of the Conference website.

Disaster Response

Early Response Team Training – October 10
The eight-hour basic UMCOR Early Response Team (ERT) training teaches how to assist survivors of natural disasters in their time of need is being offered Saturday, October 10 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at North Broadway UMC in Columbus.

At this training you will learn how to provide a Christian presence while taking steps to prevent further damage to the family’s personal property; this may include tarping, debris removal, cleaning out flooded homes and more. FEMA recognizes this training to enter a disaster scene.

Register by October 5 on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

Mission Engagement

Apply for a UM Appalachian Ministry Network Grant
The deadline has been extended to September 30 to apply for a United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network (UMAMN) Hunger & Poverty grant. This grant is for UM churches and church-related food or poverty ministries that serve Appalachian communities. The maximum grant award amount is $1,500. If you have questions about the grant or if your ministry qualifies, please e-mail Angela Kirtdoll Bates.

Apply for an Appalachian Ministry Network grant by September 30.
Learn about the UM Appalachian Ministry Network.

Heartland Conference Climate Summit – October 3
You are invited to hear keynote speakers Mariellyn Grace and Rev. Ryan Grace as part of the 4^th annual Heartland Conference Climate Action Summit. Mariellyn Grace is director of Mission Engagement for the Ohio Episcopal Area.

The ecumenical gathering of congregations passionate to protect all God’s Creation is Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Camp Christian in Marysville. The theme is “Inspiring Climate Action through Relationships”.

Learn more and register for the Climate Action Summit.

Global Ministries Bring-Your-Own-Book Study – October 13
The North Central Jurisdiction (NCJ) Conference secretaries of Global Ministries invite you to introduce something different to the conversation on October 13 by participating in the bring-your-own-book study. The online study is set for 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. Choose a book from the suggested list below or bring your own. Come ready to share, listen, and learn from one another. No time to read? Come and join them anyway! If you have any questions, please e-mail Rev. Jenn Huff, NCJ Mission Engagement liaison.

See the list of suggested books for the study.
Register for the book study.

Celebrating 136 years of the West Side Community House
West Side Community (EOC Fund 9933) is celebrating its 136^th year of ministry this year, and the 20^th year in its current location in Cleveland. The only United Women in Faith National Mission Institution in the East Ohio Conference remains remain committed to serving the people of Cleveland through programs that strengthen children, families and the community.

If you are interested in volunteering at West Side Community House or in serving its board of directors, please e-mail Linda Crowell, Board of Directors president.

Learn about the West Side Community House.
Support West Side Community House.

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.

Multicultural Ministries

“1946” Seminar and Movie Screening – September 26-27
To work towards healing the harm the Ohio Episcopal Area Board of Multicultural Ministries is co-sponsoring a seminar and movie screening at Asbury UMC in Delaware. Kathy Baldock will lead the seminar on Saturday, September 26. She is the lead researcher and editor of the movie “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture”. The feature documentary follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.

On Sunday, September 27 there will be a special worship service at Asbury UMC then a screening of the film in the afternoon at Ohio Wesleyan University ’s Hamilton-Williams Center Benes Room. The cost to participate is $30 and lunch is included both days. If you have questions about the event, please e-mail Rev. Katie Osier, pastor of Delaware Asbury UMC.

Register to attend on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.
Learn more about “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture”.

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.

Higher Education

Campus Ministry Matters
The college years are a deeply formative season when students ask big questions, make important decisions, build life-long habits, and discern who they are called to become. Through campus ministry, students find welcome, faith, community and purpose.

Across the Ohio Episcopal Area, campus ministries and congregations are creating spaces where students can be themselves, serve, worship and find encouragement. These ministries also help form leaders for the church and the world by inviting students to discover their gifts and discern how they will represent Christ now and, in the years, ahead. College ministry matters because students matter. Their questions, faith, leadership, and belonging matter to God and to the church.

You can assist this ministry by praying for students and campus ministers, encouraging college students you know to connect with a campus ministry and supporting United Methodist campus ministry efforts across the Ohio Episcopal Area.

For questions about Higher Education ministry opportunities, please e-mail Rev. Ann Marie Carley, Connectional Ministries Office Engagement with Children, Youth and Young Adults director, or visit the Higher Education pages of the Conference website.

Camps & Retreat Ministries

Summer Camp 2026 Campers & Staff Say, “Thank You”
Thank you for encouraging children and youth to experience camp.

Thank you for providing camperships so that all who wanted could attend summer camp.

Thank you for praying for Camps & Retreat Ministries.

It is because of the support that we receive from East Ohio Conference churches that we can offer hundreds of campers each summer to chance to experience of God’s love in Creation.

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 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. Hannah Weisbrod, director of Camp Administration, Development & Marketing or email Ben Wilde, director of Camps Operations & Programs or visit the Camps & Retreat Ministries pages of the Conference website.

United Women in Faith

Annual Celebration – October 24
The Annual United Women in Faith celebration is Saturday, October 24 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Otterbein UMC in New Philadelphia. The keynote speaker is deaconess and church and community worker Katie Peterson, director of the Mission Barn in New Castle, PA. The Mission Barn was established in 2008 as a ministry of Eastbrook UMC.

The cost to attend is $15/person and completed registration forms must be received by October 10.

Download the registration form.

Christian Family Credit Union

Looking to Hire
Christian Family Credit Union is hiring a part-time Member Services representative. Banking experience is not required, but cash-handling experience is preferred. The position is 18 hours per week. To submit your resume, please e-mail Cory Vogelgesang.

View the online job description.
Learn more about Christian Family Credit Union.

Events: September 21 – October 4

Click to view East Ohio Conference Calendar.

• Saturday, September 26
  Myers Forum: Faith in an Age of Artificial Intelligence

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 C. Jensen, Sr., retired Local Pastor, died September 7.

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

• Executive Director – The Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland
• Organist – North Industry UMC in Canton

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 Monday, October 5.

Thursday, October 1 is the submission deadline for the next E-News. Send articles to eoccommunications@eocumc.com.