The Connector

District Office Updates


  • DS Angela Lewis has an office in the East Ohio Area Center:
  • Her new phone number: 330-266-1720
  • She will be on vacation or out of the office the following dates:
  • Aug 19-29



  • Reminder - The District Office is closed on Fridays through Labor Day.


Megan will only be available via email in the coming days. Her husband had a massive heart attack on August 11 and is currently hospitalized.


If you have an emergency - you can call the Three Rivers District at (740) 622-8880.


**Please let the district office know if you would be interested in helping DS Angela plan and organize a Christmas gathering for clergy & family.**

District News

2022-2023 District Directory Available


The 2022-2023 District Directory is available by clicking here. If you would like a copy mailed to you, please email the district office.

Church and Community Transformation

 

“Like all organizations, you have fallen into certain patterns of operation, some good and some not… you have two choices: to continue to do what you always have done or to reorganize…” Michael Gecan, Professional Community Organizer of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation

 

If Michael Gecan’s statement resonated with you then, you are invited to one of three basic trainings - Church and Community Transformation - offered by Dr. Angela Cowser, Associate Dean of Black Church Studies and DMin programs at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, and the “Thriving Congregations” Cohort members.


In this two day training, you will be introduced to some basics of church and community transformation, to begin to discern the role of the congregation or charge that you are part of in this work, and to learn how this is part of what God calls us to when we pray “Thy kingdom come.” 


It is highly recommended that participants come in teams that have both clergy and lay.   Lay members should be leaders within the church- not limited to ‘official’ leaders but those dedicated and faithful leaders who believe in the power of the church and who will be listened to in the broader congregation. Cost is just $15 at person!


Register you and your team for one of the following workshops. The workshops are hosted in three district but people from all districts are welcome and encouraged to attend:




Consultation & Charge Conference Season


Charge Conference season is quickly approaching! The 2022 Charge Conference and Consultation forms are now live on the Conference website.


Clergy - please be on the lookout for a booklet from the District Office titled "Effective Organizing for Congregational Renewal". Please read the booklet before your consultation with the DS.


For churches in a multi-church appointment - only 1 Clergy Assessment form needs to be submitted. The SPR committees of each church are encouraged to work together to complete the assessment.


For Charge Conference - held on Saturday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Wadsworth UMC: Please complete this form for EACH person in a leadership role.

2022 General Charge Conference Instructions.png

Canal District Community Organizing Training 


Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24 at Wedgewood UMC


All Canal District clergy and laity are invited to participate in a Community Organizing training being held at Wedgewood UMC. The training will be facilitated by Dr. Angela Cowser, more details will be shared soon!

Seville Community Food Pantry


Third Saturday of each month 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

74 West Main Street

Seville, OH 44273


Seville UMC Hosting Safe Sanctuary Training - August 28 at 5:00 p.m.


Seville UMC is hosting a Safe Sanctuary training on Sunday, August 28 at 5:00pm. This training will be led by Rev. Gary Jones, Conference Director of Spiritual Formation.


Please call Seville UMC at 330-769-2836 for registration.

Trinity Action Project (TAP) Grants
Application Process for TAP - Any program/project from a Canal District local church that very clearly relates to the mission and vision of the Conference may submit an application. Funds for mission purposes are intended as “Seed Money” to be used as start-up funds to help initiate ministry and mission outreach. Programs/projects will be funded for a maximum of 3 years. Applications will have a specific plan and/or strategy for a program/project, a clearly defined method(s) in which the funds will be used, and a method for decreasing the “seed money” funding over the 3 year period. TAP Grant funding may not be used for capital expenditures or clergy salaries. Churches applying for a multi-year grant will submit a new application each year.

For an application go to: www.eocumc.com/canal/grants-scholarships
United Methodist Women
Looking Ahead - UMW Events

Fall Gathering is September 24.


Annual Celebration is probably October 23. - The conference team mtg is later in January.

Wespath FAQ


Wespath, the benefits and pension partner of the UMC, continues to focus on continuity of benefits for those who serve and the impact of disaffiliations on pensions, benefits and liabilities funding. FAQs are updated periodically.


Link to Wespath FAQ

Early Response Training (ERT)


The Disaster Response Committee will host an UMCOR ERT training on Sept 17 at Epworth Center.


Register Here!

East Ohio Conference E-News
Find the information about what is happening throughout the East Ohio Conference through the biweekly newsletter. From appointments to mission opportunities to events....

See the latest E-News from HERE.
Around the Canal District & East Ohio

Trails & Rails

A great way for Canal churches to partner and learn more about South Street Ministries.




ABOUT THE EVENT

DATE:

Saturday, October 8, 2022

STARTING LOCATION:

Cascade Park

20 E North St

Akron, OH, 44304

Please park across the street at the Macomb Group


Website & Register Here

Strategic Ministries


New Online Learning Platform

We are excited to share with you about another tool that your Connectional Ministries Office now has to help resource you and your church as we invite all to join our online learning platform! Designed for both lay and clergy this is a way to have learning happen on your own schedule. There are already many courses available from other conferences that we are in partnership with and in coming months we will be adding more and more of our own content. 

Registration is at: https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/?KeyName=EO%20Sign%20UP


We just launched our Charge Conference course. This course would be particularly helpful to new clergy or lay who have not dealt with the paperwork before. The chapters can be done in any order so they can just engage with the parts that they want. https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/#/online-courses/62d66c8a-512d-4b47-8587-349480a00f86



Among the courses, make sure to check out Rule of Christ. This resource helps learners to explore how to manage conflict in their church. While churches with new pastoral appointments should make sure to review this class, it can bring value to every faith community. https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/#/online-courses/8ba13648-889e-411c-857d-099495709b69


Rule of Christ Trainer Training - If you are interested in becoming a trainer for Rule of Christ please register here.

EOC Young People's Ministries


There are two events coming up for Young People's Ministries:


  1. Young Adult Retreat: Friday October 14-16 @ Lakeside
  2. Project Feed Service Project: Sunday, November 13 2:00 p.m. @ Wadsworth Middle School 


Watch for more information soon!

Positions Available
Bennett’s Corners Community UMC in Hinckley is seeking a Director for a new Christian Preschool/Daycare. We are looking for a faithful follower of Jesus Christ who has experience as a Director and/or Preschool teacher. Please leave a message at  (330) 225-5623 or send an email to Amy.
Brunswick UMC is searching for a Christian Ministry Coordinator. The Coordinator oversees and directs all aspects of Christian Education for adults, youth ministries, and children’s ministries, and manages the development and growth of the Christian Education Program at BUMC. This position is part-time, 20-24 hours per week. Click here for a full job description. To apply, please send resume and cover letter via e-mail or by mail to Brunswick United Methodist Church, PO Box 85, Brunswick, Ohio 44212.
Grandview UMC in Cuyahoga Falls is looking for Volunteers (Missions Teams, Youth Groups, Sunday School Teachers, Confirmation Classes, etc.) to lead children's Sunday school in our Nepali language worship service Sunday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. This could include a Bible lesson, games, snacks, music, etc. and your lessons will be lead in English. Interested? Contact David Hull-Frye by email.

Lakemore UMC Preschool located at 1536 Flickinger Rd., Akron, OH 44312 is seeking a Preschool Administrator/Teacher. This is a part-time position with one class of three-five year olds. Candidate must have a degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. Must provide references and be willing to have a background check. Must complete training required by the state of Ohio to work in a preschool. We are looking for a person who loves children and values the chance to help them begin their educational journey. Class time hours are 8:30 to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Wednesday during the school year, September through May. You will be working in a Christian environment. Part-time: 12 hours per week, Pay: $450 per month. If interested, please send resumes via e-mail.

Stow UMC Preschool (4880 Fishcreek Rd, Stow) is HIRING for the 2022/2023 school year. Our calendar year begins after Labor Day and ends in mid-May.

 

We are seeking a qualified Lead Preschool Teacher to prepare children for kindergarten. Qualifications include knowledge of best practices and preschool educational methods, the ability to engage children and earn their trust.

 

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education/ early childhood education preferred or related field with preschool teaching experience. In classroom teaching experience is preferred. This position is part time, M-TH from 9am-12pm. A great opportunity for a teacher re-entering the work- field, a retired teacher, or a new teacher looking for time to learn and build their resume.

 

To apply, send your cover letter, resume, and 3 references to: [email protected]

Items Available
Hudson UMC has 18 Gojo soap dispensers that they can’t use. They are new and they would like to give them to any churches who might need them. Can you send an email out, or put something in the newsletter? First come first serve. If interested, please contact Gary by email.

Uniontown UMC has choir robes available to whomever needs some. If interested, please email the church.

Items Missing
Items Needed
Please submit your request for publication of an event, job ad, or announcement to Megan at [email protected] by Thursday at 12:00 noon to run in the following Monday's newsletter. Please be aware that the less words the better and please note that flyers are not always easily readable in this format.

Please share this newsletter widely and encourage those that would like to receive it directly to share their contact email with the District Office.
The Connector
Official Publication of the Canal District East Ohio Conference —
The United Methodist Church

Canal District Office
8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 499-3972 ext. 106