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North Coast District News
MARCH 8, 2019
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“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
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Begins this
Sunday, March 10th. Remember to
spring
ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night! (And check the batteries in those smoke detectors, too!)
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A MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP
A Continued Call to Prayer
Post General Conference Message
Please click
HERE
or on the image above to see a video message from Bishop Tracy Malone regarding General Conference.
The transcript is available below for those who cannot view the video. Please share with all of UM members you know!
Dearly beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The General Conference has completed its work and by a majority vote, passed the traditional plan with some parts that were ruled unconstitutional. The delegates voted to refer it to the Judicial Council for review at their next meeting but as of now our existing Discipline language is maintained.
Now, some are pleased with the outcome of the special session and some are deeply hurt and disappointed. My heart weeps for the brokenness experienced within the body of Christ. We could not find a way forward of being church that would allow for the contextual differentiation that we were all hoping for and a way to keep as much unity as possible. Now, we need to take the time to process what has happened and the implications of the decisions that are critical for how we move forward.
Friends, please know, that any procedural changes that will have some effect will not take place until January 1, 2020. So, we have time. So, let us breathe.
What I love about our beloved United Methodist Church is our beautiful diversity and our global connection and witness. And as a global church, what is challenging is that we have differing views of human sexuality and understandings of our LGBTQi brothers and sisters.
But despite our differences, as a United Methodist Church we do believe that all persons are of sacred worth. Our doors are open to persons of all ages, races, nations, ethnicities, gender and sexual orientation. We are one church, one family, one in the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world
So, here’s what I am hopeful for, what I am asking of all clergy and lay:
- As we prepare to begin this season of Lent, let us fast and pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us unite and heal our beloved United Methodist Church. Friends, this is all of our work to do.
- I’m asking that we be calm, stay the course, do not yield to fear, doubt, despair. God is our refuge, a very present help in a time of trouble
- Stay focused on the mission, because the mission is still yet alive. Let us keep the main thing the main thing, sharing the extravagant love, grace, hope and peace of Jesus Christ with all of God’s beloved children.
- I am asking that you stay connected with your brothers and sisters in Christ; love one another, care for one another, support one another.
- I am also asking that you plan to attend one of the post General Conference gatherings that will take place across the annual conference on the weekend of March 9 and 10.
- I am convinced that the God who has begun a good work in us will bring it to completion, because our God is faithful, and God’s love, yes, it endures forever. And I know that there is a balm in Gilead that will heal, restore, and give us hope.
- And I am convinced that by God’s grace we will someday find a way to fully embrace the wideness of our beautiful diversity.
As your Bishop, by the grace of God, I will lead, shepherd and guide us through these challenging times and I humbly ask that you commit with me to trust where the Spirit of God will take us. Yes, us. Progressive, centrist, traditionalist, gay, straight, all of God’s beloved. And as we go, together, to do Kingdom work, to do kindom work, the making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, God will be with us.
So, here is my prayer, and I invite you to pray with me. Lord, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we are all seated in the heavenly kingdom! So be it.
Amen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You are invited...
Post-General Conference informational gatherings led by Bishop Malone and members of our East Ohio delegation:
- Saturday, March 9, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Newcomerstown Christ UMC
- Saturday, March 9, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at North Canton Faith UMC
- Sunday, March 10, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Strongsville UMC*
*
The 4:00-5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10 session at Strongsville UMC will be
live streamed
on the Conference website.The session will also be recorded and posted to the Conference YouTube page.
You can watch the live stream of the post General Conference informational meeting on the same page of the EOC website as you watched live streaming of the Special Session of General Conference,
http://www.eocumc.com/eogc19/livestream.html
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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
:
3/10: Post General Conference Session at Strongsville UMC at 4:00 p.m.
3/12:
District Office Closed (EOC Day of Visioning)
3/30:
Spring District Conference at Berea UMC
3/31:
Audits due for 2018
4/21:
Easter
4:22:
District Office Closed
5/1:
Annual Clergy Assessment & Action Plans due
5/8:
RSVP for District Luncheon at Annual Conference due
(details coming soon!)
5/27:
District Office Closed (Memorial Day)
6/10:
Annual Conference begins
6/11:
District Luncheon at Annual Conference
(details coming soon!)
6/24:
Clergy move-out day
7/7:
First Sunday for new clergy in the pulpit!
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DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSED
Tuesday, March 12th
Stephanie will be attending the EOC Day of Visioning session at the Conference Center all day. She will be back in the office on Wednesday (3/13) at 8:30 a.m.
SPRING DISTRICT CONFERENCE & LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Saturday, March 30 -- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
@ United Methodist Church of Berea
170 Seminary St., Berea 44017
On Saturday, March 30, you are invited to an exciting 2-for-1 morning. In just 3 short hours, we will combine the necessary business of the district with an opportunity to be stretched in our understanding of ministry with the poor. After the requisite coffee and morning snacks, we will quickly and efficiently complete our Spring District Meeting, enabling us to devote the remainder of our time together to an introductory presentation on Bridges Out of Poverty by Jennifer Hedinger and her team from OhioGuidestone. The morning will include helpful research and information, personal stories, and testimonials by those whose lives have been changed through the work of Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead.
This event is for clergy, lay leadership, mission/outreach committee chairs and members, and thoughtful, interested folks who want to begin to understand how we move our congregations beyond canned food (diaper, mitten) drives and all of the other wonderful, generous things we do in churches to relational and transformational work within our communities. Best of all, attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for their choice of follow up events
at no charge before leaving on March 30th. Opportunities will include Bridges Out of Poverty training/certification (market value $99) and participation in a district-wide poverty simulation (market value: priceless). Those in attendance on March 30 will have first choice at signing up with all fees waived.
* * * * * * * * * *
REGISTRATION
: To get a headcount for planning and materials, we are requesting all who plan to attend to RSVP
HERE
by March 25th
. Pastors, if you are RSVP'ing for your leadership team and/or members attending, there is a spot for that on the registration form. Also a reminder to all pastors -- you are required to attend Spring District Conference, so if you cannot be there, you need to send a note with an explanation to the District Office (also space for that on the RSVP form!).
2018 AUDITS
Due March 31
Please send audits to the District office (via email preferably, or you can mail them in), and we will pass them on to the Conference office. This year there is a new PDF fill-in that does (most of) the math for you! You can download a copy
HERE
, or find it on the EOC website
HERE
.
*Please remember that the District Office is
always
closed on Fridays*
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YOU ARE NEEDED!!!!
The Nehemiah Mission launched a new initiative in October of 2018 called: #Corner65
#Corner65 is a drop in program for African refugee children who live in the area surrounding the mission. This ministry grew out of a home based Bible study that started with six children who were asking for Bible study.
From those original six, there are now between 40 and 60 children coming to the mission every Thursday evening for Bible study, tutoring, life skills learning, basketball, soccer, and relationship. They come because they are hungry for a safe environment where they may find hospitality, Bible teaching and real concern for their welfare.
There are currently about 12 regular volunteers that are helping with the program. As it is growing rapidly, we
really
need more help.
If you have been feeling a call to serve, perhaps this is the place. Contact the program director; Becky Trout to learn more and get plugged in! 216.9061.6968 ext. 16.
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FACING RACISM at University Circle UMC
March 3 - April 14
or March 9 - April 20
Join Church In The Circle for our Lenten Book Study entitled "Facing Racism." We will define the sin of racism and its accountability partners, current issues of racism, and what we can do about it today. The book is entitled RACE in a Post-Obama America: The Church Responds. The cost of the class and book is $25 (pay at the door), includes a light meal, and is open to the public. An intercultural competency assessment will be provided for participants by Will Jones, the Director of Multicultural Vitality for the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The study is open to all who have a desire to learn more about racism and how to address this social sin in the church and the community context. The Sunday study will run for seven weeks from March 3 - April 14, 2019 beginning at 9:30 am. The Saturday study will run for seven weeks from March 9 - April 20, 2019 beginning at noon. You can register by:
- Going to our website, www.churchinthecircle.com
- Scrolling over "Get Connected" on the top menu;
- Selecting "Registrations and Forms";
- and, Clicking on the <Facing Racism Lenten Book Study> of your choice (Saturdays or Sundays).
- Enter and submit your registration and pay $25 at the door.
- You can also register in the office by completing a form with a check for $25 made out to UCUMC. You must write "Facing Racism" in the memo line.
University Circle UMC
1919 E. 107th St.
Cleveland 44106
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Cory United Methodist Church and Park Synagogue invite you to a 3-part series:
COMMON ROOTS:
Facing Our Past, Building Our Future
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” This quote from James Baldwin, prominent African-American author, is the inspiration for a new series of programs planned by the Cory United Methodist Church and Park Synagogue.
We invite everyone in the Cleveland community to come learn about their histories and to discuss what all of us can do to make changes in our society and build a better future for all people.
Part II: “Fighting Oppression & Discrimination--- Past & Present”
Sunday, March 31 •
12:30 pm Doors Open •
1:00 pm Program Begins
at Cory United Methodist Church, 1117 E. 105th St.
Featuring Marsha Mockabee, Urban League of Greater Cleveland President/CEO, and Rabbi Jeremy Pappas, Anti-Defamation League Regional Director. Join us as we hear from community experts about racism, anti-Semitism, and discrimination in the African-American and Jewish communities—past and, unfortunately, present in our world today---and what we as individuals and as a united community can do to fight these problems that confront us.
All three programs are free and open to the community*. To see the complete flyer and details of each program, click
HERE
.
*RSVPs are requested --please see flyer for details.
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GriefShare: Loss Of Spouse Seminar
at Fields UMC
Sunday, March 10, 2 p.m.
Widowed? Help is here and hope is possible. Do you dread the lonely days and nights? Wonder what to do with your spouse’s belongings? Feel like your brain is in a fog? Unsure of how you’ll go on? The Stephen Ministers are here to help.
At a Loss of a Spouse seminar you’ll discover:
- Other people understand and have found ways to make it through
- Why it won’t always hurt so much
- Reasons for hope
- Practical tips for coping with the death of a spouse
You can expect:
- Video seminar: You’ll view a 35-minute video with encouraging, practical advice from counselors, pastors, and widowed men and women.
- Sharing time: Then you’ll get to talk with other widowed people about what you learned from the video. (There’s no pressure to share!)
- A guide to bring home: Everyone receives a booklet with more than 30 short readings on how to live with grief and eventually rebuild your life ($5 donation requested).
Please contact the church office to reserve a seat.
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Royal Family Kids Camp
Fundraiser
Saturday, March 30
On March 30, 2019 a live and silent auction with dinner will be held at the Walter Ehrnfelt Recreation Center in Strongsville.
Tickets to the Royal Family Kids Camp auction and party are available at $50 each.
Royal Family Kids Camp is partnered with Strongsville United Methodist Church to provide overnight camping experiences to children of Cuyahoga County who live in the foster care system. More than 1,700 children are in foster care, many have suffered from abuse and/or neglect. Royal Family Kids Camps provide an opportunity for some of those boys and girls to enjoy fun activities in a safe, nurturing environment in the care of more than 50 trained volunteers. We are currently seeking contributions to support the 2019 Royal Family Kids Camps scheduled for this summer.
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On Saturday, June 29th
, at least 3,000 members of the Greater Cleveland faith community will join together at Public Square to symbolically
Stand In
for the nearly 3,000 homeless children in our city. The evening will be hosted by The City Mission, but city leaders, officials, and other crisis agencies will participate by offering practical ways to get involved in the solution.
A significant portion of the night will be devoted to corporate worship and prayer, lifting up these children and their families, seeking the Lord’s guidance. This event will boldly demonstrate to Cleveland the church’s unified commitment to stand in the gap and meet our city’s needs.
Please consider inviting your congregations to participate!
More details coming soon.
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WANTED:
Glass Communion Cups
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Does your church have any glass communion cups collecting dust in a closet somewhere? Brecksville United Methodist Church would love to take them off your hands. Rather than purchasing them from a catalog, we would love to buy them from you! Call Melanie Smith in the church office: 440-526-8938 or e-mail
[email protected]
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WANTED:
Baptismal Font for
Annual Conference
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The Annual Conference Worship Committee is looking for a baptismal font to use during the week. If any church has a particularly special/ornate font they would be willing to lend, they should contact Rev. Nathan Howe at [email protected]. The church is responsible for transporting the font to/from Lakeside.
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FOR SALE:
1928 Steinway Piano
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For Sale: 1928 Steinway Piano in GOOD playing condition for $11,000.
Please call Jenny Dieringer at Lakewood UMC for details. (216) 226-8644
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Contemporary Worship Leader
at Avon UMC
Avon United Methodist Church is looking for a Contemporary Worship Leader to lead our new Contemporary Worship Service. This part-time position will help grow and lead our new service which started last year. If you are interested in this position, please see our website for a full job description
HERE
.
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Youth Engagement Intern
at Pleasant Hills UMC
Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church is looking for a passionate, creative and self-driven individual to work with our youth and lead engagement initiatives through fellowship and outreach. The Youth Engagement Intern will serve as an example of good Christian disciple to our youth and community and to encourage spiritual growth through the study of scripture, prayer, service and fellowship. We are looking for someone to join our Education team immediately with availability through June 30, 2019.
For more details, see
THIS
link
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Custodian
at Elyria Community
Community United Methodist Church, located at 680 N,. Abbe Rd. in Elyria, Ohio is seeking a custodian.
Resume is appreciated.
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Full-Time Organist
at Elyria Community
Community United Methodist Church, located at 680 N,. Abbe Rd. in Elyria, Ohio is seeking a full time organist.
Duties include preparing and
playing for worship, accompanying the choir, and being available for funerals, weddings,
and special services.
Resume is appreciated.
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Director of Music Ministries at East Shore United Methodist Church
Responsibilities.
1. The Director of Music shall support the pastor, who has the primary responsibility for worship planning, in developing an inspiring worship experience.
2. The position of Director of Music will include, help, and support the musical aspect of the Contemporary Worship as Keyboardist and will coordinate the selection of music with the sermon text. Prepare the PowerPoint presentation for the worship service.
3. The Director of Music will invite, recruit and encourage more participants to join the Praise Team. Instrumentalists will also be encouraged to participate in the services.
4. The Director of Music will be responsible for selecting, reviewing, preparing and coordinating all the musical aspects for the weekly services to ensure the quality of the worship experience. The Director of Music is responsible for rehearsing and accompanying soloist when needed and finding someone to do so.
If interested submit your resume to:
Attention: SPRC Chairperson
East Shore United Methodist Church
or by email to
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Gospel Music
Musician/Director
at Celebration UMC
Celebration United Methodist Church located at 771 East 260
th
Street in Euclid, Ohio is looking for a dynamic Gospel Music Director.
Are you willing to help grow a church spiritually through music?
Are you willing to work with children and youth?
Are you willing to bring your expertise to enrich an adult gospel choir?
Are you able to accompany a choir to enhance their singing?
Pay is commensurate with experience.
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Interested in what is going on throughout the East Ohio Conference? Check out all the news, events, and more at:
eocumcnews.com
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Submit your request for publication of an event, job ad, or need to Stephanie at
[email protected]
by Wednesday at 12 noon to run in the Friday NCD News. Please be aware that the less words the better! Grab attention with basic W facts (who, what, when, where, why), and if possible, provide a link to more information online. Flyers are not always easily readable in this format.
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North Coast District of The United Methodist Church
4700 Rockside Rd., Suite 300
Independence OH 44131
http://www.eocumc.com/northcoast/
NCD Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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