The Connector
Annual Conference Registration is Open
The Conference has worked with the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau to secure blocks of rooms at nine hotels for those in need of housing during Annual Conference. Guests will book their own rooms but can do so at discounted EOC rates. The reservation links for the participating hotels will be posted on the Annual Conference 2022 website, which went live on Friday, April 1.

The AC 2022 website will also have the link to register for this year’s conference.

Clergy will be able to register for both Annual Conference and Clergy Executive Session from the same link.
 
Registration closes on Friday, May 13.
 
Again, this year:
·   all registrations will be done online,
·   each person registering must have their own unique e-mail address, and
·   there will be no registrations after May 13, including no onsite registrations.
 
For more information, please see the Annual Conference Page of the EOC Website HERE.
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.
District Appointments effective July 1, 2022
Wendy Brown (FL) - Granger UMC
Rev. Pamela Buzalka (FE) - Mogadore UMC
Aimee Hare (PL) - Clearview, Greentown, & Uniontown UMC
Rev. Bruce Hartley (FE) - Hudson UMC
Rebecca Evanoff (PE) - Northampton UMC
Michael Law (FL) - North Lawrence Chapel of the Cross UMC
Donna Mills (FL) - Rootstown UMC
Rev. J. Harlen Rife (FE) - Greensburg UMC
Rev. David Whitt (FE) - Lakemore UMC

To view the entire list of 2022 Appointments please visit the EOC website here
Spring District Conference
Spring District Conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14 at Uniontown UMC.

More information will be available soon.
Lay Servant News
Lay Servant Classes will be in person at the Lockwood United Methodist Church:
 Advanced Course: Living our United Methodist Beliefs
Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please Contact Debbie Sloan for more information about the classes and to register—330-283-6893 or by email.
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
Great news— COMMUNITY is God’s desire for us! Please join us at Mission U 2022 as we reflect on the community that Jesus is calling us to be!
 
This year, as we study Luke 13, we find ourselves in a period of disruption and uncertainty. In the midst of a devastating pandemic, divisive political climate, unaddressed systemic racism, ecological crises and economic turmoil, we turn to the stories of Jesus that have anchored Christian communities for two millennia. 
 
Our hope is that we will leave Mission U with a bigger and broader vision of the community Christ is calling us to be in times of loss, grief and massive disruption. What would be possible if we tend to the needs of our communities in small yet radical ways, as Jesus did in Luke 13? 
 
Our newly designed Mission u 2022 is more flexible and intergenerational than ever— with curricula for youth, children and adults focused on the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
 
Here is the curricula we will be using that are available on our e-store:
  • Who Can We Be Together? (Adult)
  • Community in the Midst of Challenging Times (Youth)
  • Our Growing Tree
  • From Self-Love to the Beloved Community and All of God’s Creation (Children)
Looking Ahead - UMW Events
EOC Annual Conference is June 9-11 in Akron.

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.

An article with more details will appear in the Conference UMW Newsletter, hopefully out in February. But mark your calendars.

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.
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.
183rd United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) Convocation and Annual Meeting
SAVE THE DATE! The 183rd United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) Convocation and Annual Meeting is planned for October 14th and 15th at Powell United Methodist Church, 825 East Olentangy Street, in Powell, Ohio. All Local Church Historians and others interested in United Methodist History are invited to attend. Detailed meeting information and registration will be available in late summer. Check the website www.umhso.org for more details, including membership information as well as research resources and information about the Archives of Ohio United Methodism.
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.
Macedonia UMC is searching for a Choir and Music Director. The Director will lead musical selections that are performed during Sunday Worship, conduct weekly choir rehearsal, and prepare for Sunday’s performance. Musical and choral selections will align with the Senior Pastor’s sermon. Will also work collaboratively with the Organist, Handbell Director, and Director of Christian Education to provide an engaging worship experience for our congregation and youth. This position is part-time, about 15-20 hours per week. Click here for a full job description. To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and valid e-mail address to Carolyn Murrock via e-mail.
Seville UMC is searching for an Administrative Assistant. The position is 30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (hours can be flexible). For more information or if you are interested in this position, please call (330) 769-2836.
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.
Dear Friends of the Canal District,
For years our Lockwood UMC has had a sewing program where several of our members have made sleeping bags and many other items to benefit people in our community. Lately, however, a number of our volunteer seamstresses have passed on or otherwise been unable to continue the program. In dissolving the program we want to donate the remaining sewing machines, material, tables, and other equipment to another church that can put it to good use.

If interested, please call Jim Ellison at 330-591-7627 or email.
Items Missing
Items Needed
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