Rain-Swollen River Floods Homes, EOC Disaster Response Team Provides Assistance

By Rick Wolcott* The rain began Easter weekend and continued for many days. As water fell from the sky, river levels rose until their banks could no longer hold them, causing flooding in the Village of Rayland and other areas of the South Forest District along the Ohio River. “From the moment we started getting [...]

Gonder Place Grand Opening Brings Food, Healthcare and Hope to an Underserved Neighborhood

By Brett Hetherington* The sun was bright and the air brisk making the morning of April 6 a beautiful one to host the grand opening of Gonder Place in southeast Canton. A project that was years in the making, Gonder Place brings affordable food and healthcare to an area that has had neither readily available [...]

New Sensory Room and Resources Are Designed So That All People Feel Welcome in Church

By Rick Wolcott* The mission of Vermilion Grace UMC (West Plains District) is “to invite all into joyous and caring Christian community.” To welcome “all”, the church in March unveiled a new sensory room next to the sanctuary. Partially funded by a grant from the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, the room [...]