As a reminder, the district office will be closed on Fridays through Labor Day.

Churches/Clergy - please ensure that your worship times are updated on your website &/or social media accounts.

Prayer Ministry

Hour of Prayer

I have spoken to liberal/progressive churches, middle of the road churches, and conservative churches. I have spoken to big churches, med-size, and small churches. I have spoken to churches that have an uptick in growth and those who have not. Interestingly, none of the churches have share with me that they have a prayer ministry. Thus, I am hoping and praying that some if not all of you in some way, will develop a prayer ministry. Pastors you can see if there is one or two people from the church who would be willing to organize and lead the prayer ministry. I hope and pray this ministry will be added. Please know, it may not be a large number of people. It may only be 2 to 5 people from each church. Everyone however, can pray throughout their neighborhoods and as they come to church. If this ministry is added, I hope and pray that you will attend as much as you can.

You can have a prayer box for people to put in their request. The group takes the requests and lifts them before God during that hour of prayer. I just want to encourage you and your ministries to pray, pray, pray.

Prayer format example:

• Welcome everyone
• Scripture for session
• Hymn or praise/worship song
• Prayers (not in any particular order)
• Families
• Leaders
• Church
• Community
• Request
• Thanksgiving/Praise to God
• State/Nation/World
• etc.

Lighthouse Churches

A pilgrimage is a holy journey that leads one to a deeper understanding of self and a closer relationship with God. The concept of pilgrimage deeply aligns with us as United Methodists as we move towards God in our process of transformation. 

We know that some local church members here in the East Ohio Conference are on a pilgrimage searching for new church homes, a place to heal and reconnect with God, or both. In this time of pilgrimage, we do not want any member to feel abandoned, lost, or disconnected. For those on a pilgrimage, the Lighthouse church and Oasis group resources found here are designed to help you connect to a United Methodist church in or around your area and across our Conference. Lighthouse churches are dedicated to The United Methodist Church and are welcoming for those seeking a new church home. Oasis groups are intentional spaces for connecting, healing, and growing spiritually. 

Bookmark this page because you will want to visit it often to receive the latest information about district gatherings, events, connecting points, and other ministries in your area.

https://www.eocumc.com/lighthousechurches/index.html

Two Bridges Out of Poverty Learning Opportunities

The Board of Missions is sponsoring another Bridges Out Of Poverty cohort that begins on Sept. 6. Participants will meet online twice a month over lunch until March 2024. This cohort is free but there are books you will need to purchase. Full details can be found online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bridges-out-of-poverty-cohort-tickets-624714336397

Contact Rev. Dickriede if you have any questions kdickriede@eocumc.com

OR

Choose a 1 day workshop at the Summit United Way Office from 9:00-3:00 

Through this workshop, learn how economic realities of poverty, middle class, and wealth impact individuals, communities, systems, and structures. In order to positively impact the education and lives of individuals in poverty, we must explore the way we think and behave. Bridges Summit County Workshops offers a structure to help us assess the mindsets and world views we hold as individuals, institutions, and communities. It helps us define and visualize the experiences in economic class environments in order to increase our understanding.

EVENT DATES

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Thursday, November 16, 2023

More details Bridges Summit County | United Way of Summit & Medina (uwsummitmedina.org)

Johnson UMC in Norton is looking for a Part-Time Youth Leader. The position would be 15 hours per week, $17.00/hr. They are looking for a savvy and energetic person to lead our youth in the ministry and belief of the Christian faith with a Wesleyan emphasis. If you are looking for a great part time job and enjoy working with youth, please send your resume to Sandy Guy via email.

KENT UMC is looking for a Worship Leader to provide spiritual and musical leadership for the 9:30 a.m. Sunday contemporary worship service.  There are weekly rehearsals with the Worship Band.  The church is also seeking an Assistant Custodian, which is a Sunday morning position.  Full job descriptions and application information can be found at this link: https://www.kentmethodist.org/links/job-opportunities/   

Lockwood UMC is seeking a musician to lead singing on Sunday mornings beginning July 2. We worship at 9:00 and, generally, we sing hymns from the hymnal. We are glad to pay $400/month but the amount is negotiable. Our address is 3680 Manchester Rd. in Coventry Twp. If interested, please call 330-591-7627 or email at PastorJames512@gmail.com.

Macedonia UMC is looking for a Maintenance Manager. Click this link to access the job description. If interested, please email the church.

Medina UMC is looking for a part-time Nursery Coordinator. Click this link to access the job description. If interested, please email the church.

Medina UMC is looking for a Full-Time or Part-Time Youth Ministry Coordinator.   Compensation & possible housing in Medina City are negotiable. An application and Ministry Description are available by emailing Pastor Tal Lewis at pastortal.umc@gmail.com  

Northampton UMC, St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Akron Bhutanese Assembly are seeking a Youth Director to oversee our ecumenical middle and high school program this fall. Together with the youth, they will create a safe space to discover and explore their identity in Christ, their faith, their acceptance within their respective church, and their sense of belonging within our wider community of Cuyahoga Falls. This is a 20 hour per week position with flexible hours. For questions or inquiries, please email SPRC@numchurch.org

OPEN M is in need of Volunteers the third Friday of the month. Mountain of Food is a Direct Distribution program of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank hosted by OPEN M on the third Friday of each month. It is a one-day, drive-thru bulk distribution of foods such as produce, meat, breads, and more. Residents of all counties who meet income guidelines are welcome.

• August 18
• September 15
• October 20
• November 17
• November 21, 2-4 p.m.
• December 15

OPEN M also needs a Volunteer dentist, dental hygienist, medical specialists, and mental health volunteers. The need is for a few hours of volunteering a month. Contact Beth B. Boggins Development & Community Engagement Director b.boggins@openm.org

OPEN M is a Christian non-profit organization that serves more than 50,000 individuals annually with food, health and employment services – all intended to create pathways out of poverty. Located in the Summit Lake neighborhood of Akron, OPEN M leverages a community alliance of churches, businesses and more than 2,000 volunteers to offer programs to those in need residing in the Greater Akron Area and Summit County.



Our Health Services mission is to provide compassionate, quality medical care, dental care, health education and prescription medications free of charge to adults who are uninsured.  Our services are made possible through grants and community donations though we rely on a team of healthcare providers who volunteer their time and expertise to serve our clients. 

With the complexity of healthcare and the need for good quality care for our patients we continuously need to expand our reach, increase our services, and lengthen our hours of operation.  As we continue to serve our community, we desire to incorporate all aspects of health and human services from modern western medicine to holistic arts of healing.  

If you or someone you know wish to join us in our mission to serve, we are currently seeking volunteers in the following specialties: Acupuncture, Social Services, Chiropractor, Dental, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Psychiatry, Pulmonology, Urology, Women’s Health, Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist, Dentist, Dental Hygienist, and General / Family Medicine. 

Please contact our Health Services Director, Shannon Barney, at 330-434-0110 ext. 406, or s.barney@openm.org for further information.  

Smithville UMC is looking for a Custodian. Please visit their website for a full job description and contact information.

South Street Ministries is looking for a Volunteer with some administrative skills to help move the re-entry movement forward in Summit, Medina and Portage County. Contact Kathy Dickriede kdickriede@eocumc.com or Joe Tucker joe@southstreetministries.org

Lockwood UMC is glad to donate a Baldwin Pipe Organ to a church or other organization who can put it to good use - no charge, just come and pick it up. Please call or email: 330-591-7627 or PastorJames512@gmail.com.

Cheryl Taylor from Macedonia UMC has an upright Hampton piano available to a church or individual. It must be picked up from her home. If interested, please email her.

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

Twin Falls UMC is looking for a donation or long-term loan for hand bell and/or chimes sets, so they may to continue making a joyful noise to the Lord as is the intent of such bells. If you or your church has some, please contact Jim Lewis via email.