Bishop Tracy S. Malone Becomes the First Black Woman Elected President of the Council of Bishops

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. – Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the area bishop of East Ohio Conference, was elected president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church during the bishops’ meeting at Lake Junaluska Assembly. She becomes the first Black woman to be elected to lead the more than 110 bishops in the global denomination that includes Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas. You can view her acceptance here

Read the East Ohio E-News article.

District Office Administrators Announced

The district office administrators for the four new districts have been determined and they will transition to their new roles on January 1, 2024. The four new administrators were identified through a process in which all eight current administrative assistants were invited to apply for the four new positions. All those who applied were interviewed by members of the Cabinet and Executive Staff Team on Tuesday, November 14. 

The district office administrators for the new districts are: 

               Megan Myers – Central Valley        Lisa Huston – Northern Waters

               Joy Snyder – South Forest              Renee Davis – West Plains

While the exact locations of the new district offices have not been determined yet, the Cabinet has identified that: the office for the Central Valley District will be in the North Canton area; the office for the Northern Waters District will be in the Macedonia/Solon area; the office for the South Forest District will be in the Cambridge area; and the office for the West Plains District will be in the Mansfield area.

The administrative assistants who will not be continuing with the Conference will remain in their current roles until January 31, 2024, to help in the closure and transition of district offices and will be given severance packages as an expression of gratitude for their faithful work and dedication.

IMPORTANT UPDATES FOR THREE RIVERS

There will not be an district e-news next week. The next release date will be December 1 and the last edition of the Three Rivers Current will be December 15. It is recommended that clergy, churches and laity subscribe to the East Ohio E-news to receive the latest announcements and UMC news. [Scroll to the bottom right corner and find the FOLLOW NEWS VIA EMAIL box. Enter your email address to receive the EOC e-news twice a month.]

As has been announced by the EOC, the current districts are being reduced from 10 to 4 effective January 1, 2024. Consequently we are in the process of consolidating our offices and supplies. There is lots of duplication including office supplies, kitchen items and various equipment. These items are free to churches/clergy that want to come to the TR office on Wed and Thurs, November 29 and 30 or December 6 and 7 between hours of 10am - 3pm. (Also old technology, books, studies,and electronics.)

The Three Rivers Office will be closed next week November 20-24. Joy will be working remotely on Monday and Tuesday. She can be reached by phone or email.

2024 Local Church Budgets: Due to Three Rivers Office by Friday, December 1

UMVIM Team Leader Refresher

December 6, 2024

This training is hosted by East Ohio Conference via Zoom

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. OR 7:00 8:30 p.m.

Registration

This refresher is only for those who have already taken the full UMVIM Team Leader Training.

Leadership Interest Survey

The East Ohio Conference Leadership Committee is always seeking people interested in sharing their skills by serving on committees, commissions, and boards of the Conference. Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve. If you have questions about serving or the survey, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, Connectional Ministries office administrative assistant. View and complete the Leadership Interest survey.

Isleta UMC Christmas Treats Sale

Sat. Dec. 9 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Isleta's 15^th annual “Christmas Cookie & Candy Sale”will be held in the church basement on Sat. Dec. 9 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. With hundreds of delicious treats to choose from, you can make up your own assortment of favorites. Price is $8.00 per pound. Isleta UMC is located at 58608 CR 9, Newcomerstown.

SAVE THE DATE! More information will be coming

“ABIDE” Youth Leaders Retreat – January 19-20

Youth workers, pastors, volunteers, and teams who work with youth and young adults in The United Methodist Church are invited to the Youth Leaders Network 24-hour retreat beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19 and concluding at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 20. We will explore practical ways to grow in discipleship, using simple tools to help both students and leaders mature in faith. This will be a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who have a passion for student ministry where you can build relationships, share ideas, and grow together. Our theme this year is “ABIDE” (John 15:5). Come and enjoy fellowship and support with intentional time set aside to be renewed and refreshed. The retreat will be held at the Embassy Suites Akron Canton Airport (7883 Freedom Ave. NW, North Canton) and the cost per person to attend is $85 for a double-occupancy room, $165 for a single-occupancy room, or $35 for commuters.

Learn more and register on the Events Registration page of the EOC website.

2024 Apportionments

As the East Ohio Conference moves from 10 district to four and the district finances will be moved into the Conference budget. The amount of your church’s 2023 district and 2023 Conference shared ministry dollars will be combined to determine the amount of your church’s 2024 shared ministry apportionments.

2023 District Apportionment + 2023 Conference Apportionment = 2024 Apportionment

Your church’s faithful giving to shared ministry apportionments in 2024 will continue to fund programming to help ensure that lives will be impacted and communities transformed through the love of Jesus in the new year. Thank you for your continued support of our shared ministry giving!

Christmas Giving Opportunities for East Ohio Churches

There are many charitable organizations that vie for our attention this time of year. While their intentions may be good, East Ohio Missions seeks to develop relationships and partnerships that are healthy and seek justice for the recipients. The Board of Missions encourages all East Ohio Conference congregations to support our Advance mission partners!

We asked all our Advances to share their Christmas wish lists and their respective needs are posted on the sidebar of the Missions & Community Engagement pages of the Conference website. Financial gifts may be made online or sent directly to the mission through their designated conference Advance Fund. If you have questions about Christmas giving opportunities, please e-mail Melanie Thomas, administrative assistant in the Connectional Ministries office.

View the Christmas wish lists of our Advance mission partners.

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO GIVE AND EVERY ACT OF GENEROSITY COUNTS!

In the past, your Flat Rock GivingTuesday donations raised more than $100,000 toward projects such as new, durable furniture for the Care Center, upgrades to our vehicle fleet, and more. This year’s project benefits Flat Rock's Adult Day Support and Employment Services Programs! Follow this link to learn more about GivingTuesday at Flat Rock Homes or to view their latest newsletter. flatrockhomes.org/givingtuesday.

Learn more about this global giving initiative: givingtuesday.org.

#GivingTuesday is November 28

Again, this year, the Board of Missions will

match donations of up to $500 made to Advances online through the Conference on #GivingTuesday November 28. Last year, the East Ohio Conference matched over $5,000! Support East Ohio Conference Advances.

Giving Tuesday has become one of the largest fundraising efforts of the year. We encourage you to use Giving Tuesday to help provide hope and healing to the world. Learn more about Global Ministry and access resources to support transformational and impactful ministries.

Seeking partners in ministry!

Do you have a servant heart and considering working in part-time ministry? Camp Wanake is seeking positive, flexible people interested in either part-time year-round work or seasonal full-time opportunities. If you are someone who loves God and loves people, then Wanake may be the ministry connection for you. They are looking for individuals willing to to serve part-time in housekeeping, food service, or as maintenance staff. They also are accepting applications for summer camp ministry. For more information and to apply, visit www.campwanake.org or email [email protected] or call 330-756-2333.