Daylight Saving Time Begins this Sunday! It's that time of year again -- spring ahead one hour, lose an hour of sleep... Make sure to adjust your clocks so you don't wonder why you are sitting in an empty parking lot on Sunday morning because you missed the service!

Spring Micro Grant Applications Being Taken

The Board of Congregational Development and the Connectional Ministries office of Strategic Ministries invite churches and charges to apply for spring micro grants. These grants are for new ministries that seek to reach those not already in the church. Whether they’re called small groups, Fresh Expressions, or ministries, sometimes they just need the seed money these grants can provide. Maximum grant amount is $2,000 – and applications for the grants must be submitted by April 3. 



Learn more and apply by April 3 on the Scholarships/Grants/Aid page of the EOC website.

For questions about Strategic Ministries opportunities, please e-mail the Rev. Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries office Strategic Ministries director, or visit the Strategic Ministries pages on the Conference website.

Spiritual Formation/Camps & Retreat Ministries



Take advantage of the Early Bird Savings for Summer Camp 2023!

If you register by March 15, campers will receive a limited-edition 2023 Summer Camp t-shirt that is not available in the camp store (Aldersgate, Asbury or Wanake). Plus, a $20 discount will be taken off their summer camp fee. If you register by April 15, campers will receive a limited-edition 2023 Summer Camp t-shirt that is not available in the camp store (Aldersgate, Asbury or Wanake). Find all you need to register online at www.EOCSummercamps.org or contact us for a brochure or questions at [email protected] or (330) 499-3972 ext. 108. 

Cost of Camp Stretching Your Budget? Camperships are available to ensure that all people have an opportunity to attend camp. 



Want to Become Part of our Summer Camp Staff?

The staff is a cornerstone of the ministry of East Ohio Camps. Our summer program requires a great number of staff to be successful. We are looking for outstanding Christian women and men for summer staff positions. We offer great Christian Community, excellent training, free room and board, opportunity for ministry, and growth in leadership skills. We are looking for counselors, lifeguards, program staff, food service, administration and maintenance. Go to www.EOCSummercamps.org and click on the “Staff & Volunteer” tab.

East Ohio E-News

Looking for all the news that is happening around the Conference? Subscribe to their biweekly newsletter delivered to your inbox! The newest edition can be found by clicking this LINK for the MARCH 6 edition.

Read about Annual Conference, #BeUMC stories (and links to the videos), news from the Bishop's Office regarding appointments, Strategic Ministries, Missions, Higher Education, and More!

MISSION & MINISTRY CORNER

Farmer to Farmer

We invite you to become partners with an exciting outreach ministry of Celebration UMC and Henrietta UMC’s Farmer to Farmer International ministry, that is making a difference in rural Harrisburg, Liberia.

The Ministry has been blessed over the years with financial support from the East Ohio Conference, local congregations, and many individual partners in East Ohio. We have renovated churches, built an elementary and a high school in Harrisburg, the only one in the region, because students in Harrisburg had to walk two and a half hours daily one way to get a high school education. Also, we started an agriculture program with an experimental farm to train farmers in crop production to help alleviate food insecurity caused by the war. We are looking for individuals, churches or outreach committees to partner with Liberia Farmer to Farmer Inc, to help with resources to carry out the vision of God in this rural underserved community. As partners, you will receive regular updates on the progress of the ministry.

Contact Pryde Bass at (216) 401-4663, or [email protected] to discuss how the partnership works. Our ministry is changing lives, making disciples, and having an impact in this rural community. And the excitement is building in the community because the high school will be open in September 2023. But we still need a Library and a Science Laboratory as mandated by the Ministry of Education. The cost of equipping the Library with shelves, tables, books, computers, Science Laboratory equipment, and a water system are urgent needs before September. Please help with financial donations, you may send your tax-exempt gifts to Liberia Farmer to Farmer, 771 East 260th Street Euclid, Ohio 44132. You may also make a donation via PAYPAL. Thank you for your support!



And you may travel to Liberia with our work team led by Pryde Bass, the second week in November 2023, to help with the school, St. John Church, and the farm. The cost is $3,100 for two weeks, which covers roundtrip airfare, meals, ground transportation, and lodging (personal gifts are not included). Contact Pryde at 216-401-4663, or [email protected] to get travel information.

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE:

Stephanie is at the Rockside Road office every Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and works remotely Tuesday through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you need to stop by the office T-Th, please make an appointment. Emails are always welcome, and voicemails returned as quickly as possible.

March

3/3 - 3/4: Lay Servant Training Workshops

3/6: District Office Closed

3/14: District Office Closed

3/14 - 3/16: Rev. Hitchcock at Cabinet

3/23: District Office Closed

3/28 - 30: Rev. Hitchcock at Cabinet

3/31: Local Church Audits DUE

April

4/3: Registration for Annual Conference opens

4/9: Easter Sunday

4/10: District Office Closed

4/18 - 4/20: Rev. Hitchcock at Cabinet

4/29: Spring District Conference (10 a.m.) at Pleasant Hills UMC

May

5/9 - 11: Rev. Hitchcock at Cabinet

5/12: Annual Conference Registration CLOSES

5/23 - 5/25: Rev. Hitchcock at Cabinet

June

6/8-10: Annual Conference at the John S. Knight Center

6/19: District Office Closed in Observation of Juneteenth

6/21: Clergy Move-out Day

6/22: Clergy Move-in Day

2022 CHURCH AUDITS -- DUE MARCH 31

Church audits for the 2022 fiscal year are due to the District Office by March 31. Stephanie needs to retain a copy of your audit, and then she will send it on to the Conference office. Please email to [email protected]

LOCAL LAY MEMBERS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE

If any church has a change in local lay member to Annual Conference, the pastor must contact Stephanie via email to let her know who can no longer fill the role, and who is being named to represent the church in their place. If a local lay member alerts Stephanie to their inability to attend Annual Conference, they must also let their pastor know so that the pastor may appoint someone in their place.

Good Shepherd UMC

5930 State Rd., Parma OH 44134

(click on flyer for enlarged view) :

North Olmsted UMC: PT Administrative Assistant

North Olmsted UMC is seeking a part-time administrative assistant, 16-20 hours/week. Provide administrative support for pastor, support staff, church leaders, and congregation; manage office functions including church communications, record keeping, and annual reports; model friendly, welcoming, and attentive interpersonal skills; offer resources for committees and teams in the implementation of ministries; oversee building use scheduling and maintenance in work with the Trustees. Applicants may receive a job description through this LINK.

Submit a cover letter and resume by Thursday, March 16 to the attention of Staff Parish Relations Committee Chair, North Olmsted United Methodist Church, 4600 Dover Center Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070.

Avon UMC: PT Contemporary Worship Leader

Avon UMC is looking for a part-time person to guide our Contemporary service in worship. If you are interested in the position, please email [email protected] to receive a full job description. More information can also be found on the Avon UMC website HERE.

Cleveland Mount Pleasant UMC: Musician

A pianist is needed at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. They must be familiar with The United Methodist Hymnal and The Songs of Zion Songbook. The musician will direct and maintain the Adult and Children's Choirs. They should be prepared to play Sundays, special holidays, and funerals. If interested, send resume and request an application:

Mt. Pleasant UM Church, 3232 East 128th Street at Abell, Cleveland, Ohio 44120,

ATTN: Sandra Green.

Cleveland Mount Pleasant: PT Administrative Assistant/Secretary

We have an opening for a part-time Administrative Assistant/Secretary. They will be responsible for preparation and printing of the church bulletin, newsletter printout, and stuffing envelopes.They should have a knowledge of bulletin fonts and make social media posts. If interested, please send resume and request an application to:

Mt. Pleasant UM Church, 3232 East 128th Street at Abell Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44120

ATTN: Sandra Green

Rocky River UMC: Children's Choir Director

Rocky River United Methodist Church is seeking a highly qualified, energetic Children’s Choir Director. RRUMC has a long-standing tradition of high-quality music, with a chancel choir two handbell choirs, a praise team and a children’s choir. The position is part time, approximately 4-10 hours per month plus 20 hours for the week of Vacation Bible School (June 19-23, 2023).

For a full job description and how to apply, please see THIS document, or go to the RRUMC website.