As a reminder, the district office will be closed on Fridays through Labor Day.
The office will be closed June 30 - July 4.
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My God
Mark 8:29 “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”
I remember a number of conversations I had with my sister, Patricia, a few years before she died. She used to say, let me tell you about MY GOD. At first, I took offense, because in my mind, we served; we worshiped the same God. She went on to say. My God is filled with love. He is just and a healer. He died for me and took away all my sins. These are just a few examples. She said, this is my God. Do you know who yo God is. I distinctly remember her saying “yo” God versus “your.” I said yeah. The same God you just mentioned. She pushed back with something like, “are you sure that's yo God?” By now, I am truly agitated. I said yes, we serve the same God. She then began to say, ok, but you have to truly know God for yourself. You need to have your own testimony about who God is in your life, so when you talk about Him, people will know He is “yo” God. As you can see, I am still thinking about this.
Canal, I push you as my sister pushed me. Who is “yo” God? Who is God to you? What is your testimony? You will have to have your own testimony and declare who He is in your life. At some point, you have to know that He will fight battles for you. You have to know that He is your Healer. You have to know that He loves you and sent Jesus. You have to be able to proclaim and live for Him. You will need to be assured that He died and took away all your sins.
Who do you say Jesus is? Who do you say God is? Do you say that He sent His only begotten Son? Do you say, God is your Restorer? Do you say He is your Protector? As Jesus asked His disciples who do you say that I am, I pray that we will say and live as Peter, You are Jesus the Son of God. This is my God!
DS Angela Lewis
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Disaffiliation - Transfer of Membership
If your church is one of the 237 churches that had their vote to disaffiliate ratified at Annual Conference last week & you wish to remain United Methodist, please email the district office (canaltuscdistoffice@eocumc.com) with the below information.
- Legal Name
- Address
- Body of email "I wish to transfer my membership to the Canal District Office from *CHURCH*
Once the office receives your request, you will get a mailed copy of the request certificate in the mail.
Please contact Megan if you have any questions!
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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
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Christmas in July Craft Fair
July 22, 2023
9:00 to 3:00
Akron: First UMC (263 E. Mill Street Akron, OH 44308)
Join us for our Christmas in July craft fair that will showcase a variety of vendors. We will also have a snack bar with an array of goodies for purchase.
Please call Terri Emmendorfer in the church office at 330-376-8143 for more information. We are still looking for vendors too!
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Seville Community Food Pantry
Date: Third Saturday of each month
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
74 West Main Street, Seville, OH 44273
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Wedgewood Community Food Pantry
Date: 2nd Monday of the month
Times: 11 am - 3:30 pm
2350 Wedgewood Dr., Akron
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Feed My Sheep - Redeemer
North Hill UMC
The "Feed My Sheep" program at Redeemer North Hill UMC is still going strong every Friday after 25+ years. We have a FREE LUNCH, FREE Clothing Room, as well as household items, such as dishes and comforters. The Free Clothing Room is open every Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. and the Free Lunch is served every Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m.
We work hard as a congregation to allow our faith, hope, and love to spread to our local community and beyond.
If you are interested in experiencing worship from other cultures, please join us at 1:00 p.m. every Sunday for our Burmese worship service in our Sanctuary, and our Congolese "The Way Gospel Church" in the Educational building.
If you are interested or know someone who would benefit from more information on a 12-step program, we have a different group meeting every weeknight at the Church. Please call the church at 330-923-1191 & leave a message or call Pastor Fast at
330-414-5519. Donations are always welcome and accepted!
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As leaders in our local congregations I know we are always looking for ways to lead our faith communities into connectional missions both locally and globally. We may also be discouraged because lack of resources (money, people, or time) can make us feel like we can’t make the impact we would like to for the kingdom of God. Friends this simply is not true, we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 12:12 that we are one body in many parts. Leaning into our connectional heritage we can do great things when we come together under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
We have several great local ministry opportunities right here in the Canal district, one specific one that the Holy Spirit has been putting on the hearts of those here in the Canal District is the work that is being done at South Street Ministries and their reentry ministry. They focus on reentry, redirection and restoration with those coming out of incarceration. Every Tuesday they host support meetings where the goal is to, “provide a community where short-term needs can be addressed quickly, while long-term aspirations are developed.” One of the biggest needs is for the dinner that is provided at these meetings. This is a great way to have a big impact on this
ministry and those they serve. If your church or community group would like to help meet this need by providing for or sponsoring a Tuesday night meal, please contact Rose Nall from South Street Ministries by email and she will coordinate with your group.
To learn more about South Street Ministries and how your church can partner with them please visit their website at https://southstreetministries.org/.
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Trinity Action Project (TAP) Grants
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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.
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East Ohio Conference News & Happenings | |
Every Summer Has a Story
Make Camp a part of your story in 2023!
Don't Miss the Opportunity for a child to have a Life-changing Experience this Summer
Summer Camp in East Ohio means fun for children, youth, and adults of all ages with memories to last a lifetime. And there is still time to register and attend this summer! There is an event for everyone at East Ohio Camps. From swimming to canoeing to stargazing, sports to praise…we have plenty of outdoor fun for everyone. Let our Camps be your church’s partner in faith. For information on summer camps, contact your local church, call the East Ohio Conference Camping Office at 1-330-499-3972 extension 108, or visit us on the web at www.EOCSummercamps.org.
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East Ohio Conference E-News
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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.
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Global Ministries
How does your congregation care for God’s creation? Do you regularly conduct an energy audit to minimize wasted electricity and water in your church building, reuse resources that would otherwise be tossed in a landfill, encourage biking to church by installing a bike rack in the parking lot or teach sustainable gardening practices through community gardening? Have you found a creative new way to be good stewards of our natural resources? We want to hear your story and celebrate the impact your ministry has on God’s world. Contact Kate Colbow, Conference Secretary to Global Ministries via email to share how your congregation cares for creation.
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Safe Sanctuaries
Join in on this online course that covers the basics of Safe Sanctuaries. Rev Gary Jones walks participants through the what is it, the why we do it, and common elements. This is a great course for churches reviewing or creating their policies, for ministry team leads, and for anyone working with vulnerable persons in your faith community.
Enroll anytime at https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/#/online-courses/409157e8-86de-49c2-b36a-306010758353
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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.
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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. | |
Children’s Place Learning Center, located in The United Methodist Church in Stow, is a small nonprofit, mission program of the church. CPLC is hiring a classroom staff person and a cook. The applicants must be 18 years old and a High School Graduate or GED equivalent. Applicants please email childrensplace1@yahoo.com or call the Center 330.673.9433 for more information. | |
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. First come first serve. If interested, please contact Gary by email. | |
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. | |
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.
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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
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