The Connector

District Office Updates


  • DS Angela Lewis will have an office in the East Ohio Area Center beginning July 1. 
  • She will be on vacation or out of the office the following dates:
  • June 27-July 3
  • July 10-18
  • Training in NC July 24-29
  • Aug 19-29



  • Reminder - The District Office is now closed on Fridays through Labor Day.
District News
The District Office is working primarily remotely. If you have something to drop off, there is a mailbox outside of Megan's door in the Conference Office and is checked on a regular basis.

Consultation & Charge Conference Season


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


DS Angela Lewis will begin consultations in July, if you would like a July date - please reach out to Megan to schedule. They are on a first come, first serve basis and will be scheduled as Clergy during the day & S/PPR in the evening.

2022 General Charge Conference Instructions.png
District Appointments effective July 1, 2022

Wendy Brown (FL) - Granger UMC

Rev. Pamela Buzalka (FE) - Mogadore UMC

Zachariah Camp (Lay) - East Greenville UMC

Rebecca Evanoff (PE) - Northampton UMC

Aimee Hare (PL) & Rev. Amy E. Shaw (RE) - Clearview, Greentown, & Uniontown UMCs

Rev. Bruce Hartley (FE) - Hudson UMC

Rev. David Haydu (OE) - Park & Lake Brady UMCs

Rev. Neal Keller (OR) & Michael Swab (RL) - Stow UMC

James Lance (FL) - Smithville & Wooster Church of the Cross UMCs

Donna Mills (FL) - Rootstown UMC

Rev. J. Harlen Rife (FE) - Greensburg UMC

Rev. David Whitt (FE) - Lakemore UMC

Frank Woodrum (PL) - Burton City and Manchester UMCs

Frank Zugaro (RL) - Charlestown


To view the entire list of 2022 Appointments please visit the EOC website here

Seville Community Food Pantry


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

74 West Main Street

Seville, OH 44273


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

Mission U is in July

Who Can We Be Together? Building Communities of Hope and Joy. Our newly designed Mission u 2022 is more flexible and intergenerational than ever— with curricula for youth, children, and adults, all focused on the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. This structure is different than in the past. Only one adult study is offered, but it will encompass familiar components of Spiritual Growth, Geographic, and Social Issues.

Adult Study will be virtual, followed by an in-person retreat featuring some outside events such as worship around a bonfire.


Adult curriculum is an 8-hour study. So, we will meet two weekends for study and the following weekend for an in-person retreat.

           Saturday July 9/Sunday July 10 AND

Saturday July 16/Sunday July 17

           10am-Noon on Saturdays and 7-9pm on Sundays.

Children and Youth programs will take place in-person at Mt Union during our retreat.

 

In-Person Retreat – Friday July 22 – Saturday July 23 (Our typical Mission u weekend)

           Place: Mt. Union University

           Arrive for supper on Friday

           Have worship outside around bonfire

           Sleep over in Bica Ross as we have in the past.

      Saturday – breakfast, a community project, lunch and closing.


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

Resources for Healthy Pastor/Church Transitions
All clergy undergoing a transition (to a new church or retirement) are encouraged to watch the Changeover Zone workshop for Clergy offered by Jim Ozier. Click here to download the workbook.

All churches receiving a new clergy this year are encouraged to have their leadership (such as SPRC members and the incoming and outgoing clergy) watch the Changeover Zone for Churches workshop offered by Jim Ozier. Click here to download the workbook.

This workshop will help the transition to be a time of energy and health rather than feeling like momentum for ministry has been lost. Topics covered will include:
  • Understanding the "Changeover Zone" and how to manage it
  • The role of the church in a great "Passing of the baton"
  • Why a pastoral transition done well can lead to new enthusiasm, energy, and growth
  • How to say "Goodbye" to the current pastor and "Hello" to a new pastor in ways that lead to growth
  • How to "inboard" the incoming pastor before she/he arrives

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
The story of summer 2021 did indeed include some challenges and changes, but it was also a summer of great fun, faith formation, and renewal! Thank you for participating in and supporting Summer Camp 2021! At East Ohio Camps, we want every kid to have summer story full of fun, faith formation, adventure, and growth! Our hope is when your child tells the story of what they did this past summer they include a week of camp where, “I connected with great friends and great counselors, had fun adventures, learned new things, experienced God in nature, and now my faith is soaring!” And that is what we are planning for summer 2022! My hope is that you and your family will include East Ohio Camps as a chapter of the story of Summer 2022.

Blessings!
Rev. Gary W. Jones
Director of Spiritual Formation/Camps & Retreat Ministries
East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church

Registration is now open and camperships are being accepted! Please follow the links below to register for camp and download a Tuscarawas District Campership application.
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.
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.

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Please submit your request for publication of an event, job ad, or announcement to Megan at canaltuscdistoffice@eocumc.com 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