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THE CURRENT
March 11, 2022
Three Rivers District
United Methodist Church
A Message from Rev. Ed Fashbaugh,
Director of Connectional Ministries
East Ohio Conference it is with a JOYFUL heart that I announce I am back serving fully as the East Ohio Director of Connectional Ministry. My wife, Amy, and I are so very thankful for your many prayers, cards, emails, texts, good thoughts, and visits! It lifted our spirits to know of how often you asked about us during this time, and we are deeply grateful. 

I am still healing so please keep the prayers coming as I continue to work through residual issues related to my illness, but everything is going in the right direction! There is no doubt this been a long journey, it’s been a hard journey, and through it all God has been with us every step of the way teaching us many critical lessons about life, love, and the importance of community. I give God all the glory, but I know this healing comes with responsibility to be a witness for what God has taught us and we will share with anyone, everyone, to the best of our ability. Praise be to God! 
Current Conversations

Tuesday, March 22
on FaceBook Live from 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

On Tuesday, March 22, Rev. Kelly Brown will have a conversation with
Rachel Gilmore, Church Planter, Coach, and Author. They will discuss what it means for everyone to be an evangelist. 

Current Conversations are being offered as an alternative to the Three Rivers traditional one-day leadership training events. Visit the Three Rivers Facebook page HERE.

Be sure to FOLLOW the Three Rivers Facebook page for upcoming notifications.

Previous recorded Current Covernsations are archived on the Three Rivers District UMC YouTube Channel. View then on our Three Rivers District UMC YouTube
United Methodists Stand with Ukraine
Visit UM Communications resource page to read how United Methodist leaders, organizations and individuals are responding to the invasion of Ukraine through their prayer, aid and witness at this resource page featuring social images and other content: www.resourceumc.org/ukraine

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Individuals and churches wishing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian may contribute to Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund will provide direct assistance to those remaining in Ukraine as well as the Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries. 100% of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause.

Gifts to support the people of Ukraine can be made in the following ways:
  • Online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450
  • By phone: 888-252-6174
  • By check with “Advance #982450-Ukraine” written on the memo line, either mailed and addressed to Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY, 10087-9068 or given at or through any United Methodist church.

Visit the UMCOR Global Ministries webpage for updates.
Missions & Community Engagement
UMCOR Sunday – March 27
On UMCOR Sunday we partner with other United Methodist congregations in a special offering to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), an organization that acts on our behalf when there is a crisis. When we give to specific Advance projects, 100% of our gifts are directed to the designated response. UMCOR can do this because the funds they receive today join with those of millions of other United Methodists to help cover the costs of doing business. From training volunteers to keeping the office lights on, the UMCOR Sunday special offering equips the organization to respond quickly when disaster strikes. UMCOR doesn’t just respond to emergencies for the short term. Working with local organizations, churches in the communities, and United Methodist Volunteers, UMCOR cultivates relationships and helps communities rebuild, often for years after a disaster.
Watch the UMCOR Sunday Overview video. You can also show it in our church for UMCOR Sunday.


Click on the video link to the left to hear a special message of appreciation from Bishop Malone.




A Conference Budget Message from
Council on Finance & Administration
Faithfulness Amidst the Changing Season: God’s love remains steadfast!

To: East Ohio Pastors, Congregations, and Faith Communities,

Someone once said, “change is inevitable, but transformation is optional!” Change is everywhere around us and, as a church, we understand that challenges are opportunities for renewal, rebirth and even transformation. Given the pandemic challenges, we continue to be awakened to God’s steadfast love. Being United Methodist offers an opportunity to touch lives both within our local communities and across the world. Friends, we are not alone in the struggle and looking back at 2021, we see so much for which to be thankful.
God’s love remains steadfast!

We give thanks for the gift of 679 churches serving the mission field in East Ohio in 2021. We celebrate the faithful commitment of our local churches that paid 100% of their apportionments. We saw a 6% increase in local churches paying full apportionments. The changing seasons present many challenges for us as a Conference and, as many local churches step up in their giving, we acknowledge the reality that nearly 50 churches did not pay any apportionments – an amount equaling 5% of our budget. In 2021, 300 of our churches contributed toward the shared ministry challenge (Fund 7) which represented slightly more than 10% from the previous year. Many of our churches are bearing fruit even amid the changing landscape of hybrid worship and the continued challenge of reaching newer and younger people with the transforming message of God’s love. 
God’s love remains steadfast!

The pay-in rate from local churches to our East Ohio Conference budget was 79% in 2021 compared to 77% in 2020. Over $8.6 million was contributed to the mission and ministry of East Ohio. The increase in pay-in rate stops the decline we have seen over the past seven years. Every dollar contributed is a gift enabling the good news of Jesus Christ to be shared. God’s love remains steadfast!

The 2021 Conference budget was reduced by 5% so that local churches would have more available funds for their respective mission fields. CCF&A continues to monitor trends and examine budgetary needs as we head into this quadrennium. The postponement of General Conference until 2024 continues the challenges of navigating the financial implications of denominational changes that may come our way. We realize the coming years will bring both challenges and opportunities for the Conference to maintain the mission of making disciples amidst uncertainties of what the future holds. Yes, change is inevitable, but transformation is optional. We will continue to strive for transformation as we review financial trends, monitor our giving patterns, and adjust our Conference budget as necessary in the coming years. Rest assured that God’s love remains steadfast!

The faithfulness of our local churches continues to be the focal point of transformative ministry and as we journey together in 2022, we pray that you will be encouraged by the continued movement of God’s Spirit guiding us in the uncertainties, decisions, and mission opportunities enabling all of us to share God’s love and witness to a world hungering for justice, peace, and compassion. God’s love remains steadfast!

Be encouraged always,
Rev. Dan Bryant                                     Vera Rebrovich, CPA
Chairperson, CCF&A                                Director, Financial & Administrative Services
A LENTEN RESOURCE
In January, Bishop Tracy S. Malone traveled across the East Ohio Conference to engage in meaningful Conversations of the Heart with laity and clergy about mission, vision, ministry, and discipleship in the Conference and about the future of The United Methodist Church. These conversations laid the ground work for a an opportunity of prayer and reflection. As you view the video, listen for the three practices that the Bishop is encouraging of all clergy and laity. Then reflect on the eleven questions provided as you journey through Lenten season. You can download the video to share with others.
DON'T FORGET to RSVP by March 18.
Day of Renewal for Active Clergy
Saturday, April 2
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)

Bishop Tracy S. Malone invites all East Ohio Conference clergy actively serving in ministry to come together for a day of rest and renewal from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at Faith UMC (300 9th St. NW, North Canton, 44720).

Clergy are serving and leading in stressful, exhausting, and difficult times. This Clergy Day Apart is an opportunity to feed your soul through reinvigorating worship, fellowship, self-care, and conversation. Clergy will hear an empowering message from the Rev. Twanda Prioleau ( Christ UMC in East Baltimore, MD) and participate in breakout sessions designed to help you reflect, reconnect, re-center, and revel in your ministry. Rev. Prioleau is author of the book Breathe: A Pastor’s Journey to Wholeness. Learn more and register.

Three Rivers District
Knowing God and Loving Others: so that God's love is made complete in us.

  • Called and equipped to serve others in love
  • Committed to extend the love of Jesus
  • Connected by God's love

As Christ is alive in us, Three Rivers District is bearing fruit that last. We are called, committed and connected to living out God's love in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

We have a presence on social media and invite you to participate with us.
Three Rivers District

415 Walnut St, Coshocton, OH 43812
740-622-8880

District Superintendent: Rev. Kelly Brown

Administrative Assistant: Joy Snyder