East Ohio Conference Staff Announcement                                             

November 15, 2014

Steven Court, Director of Connectional Ministries, has announced staff changes in two administrative assistant positions of the conference council on ministries (CCOM) office. These changes will focus on increasing resources for programmatic ministry while maintaining the current budget.

Lorena Martin, administrative assistant to the director, is transferring from CCOM to the treasurer’s area. Deborah Jamerson is transferring from the treasurer’s area to CCOM. This exchange will allow cross training and extended expertise in both areas.

Lorena will assume responsibility in the treasurer’s office for processing receipts and for providing additional payroll accounting support as time permits. Deborah will assume responsibility for supporting the director of connectional ministries as an administrative coordinator. This will include coordination for the ministries & missions benevolence budget, CCOM budget, the board of missions (including VIM, disaster response, and 3Cs), and the board of laity. Deborah will also be working to improve the CCOM process for reporting to donors how funds are used for ministries supported by designated giving.

Sadly, this realignment also includes the elimination of an administrative assistant position. Jennifer Dodge, administrative assistant for congregational vitality, has been released from employment. Budget funds from this position will be used to increase program support for leadership development, discipleship formation, compass coordination, and other congregational networks. Jennifer leaves with our gratitude, blessings, encouragement and prayers.

These changes are also mindful of the transitions created by, but not related to, the retirement of Dr. Gloria Brown, director of racial-ethnic ministries. We are in the process of discerning the focus, characteristics and qualifications needed to strengthen the racial-ethnic ministries of East Ohio. Once the requirements of racial-ethnic ministries have been reviewed and adjusted, we will advertise then fill that position. I will serve as interim director of racial-ethnic ministries until then.

Please hold all of our staff in prayer as we work through these adjustments.

Steven Court