September 22, 2022

Steven Scheid, Dir.

Center for Scouting Ministries

The United Methodist Church

[email protected]

Dear Church and Scouting Leaders,

The congregations of The United Methodist Church have sought to work within communities as the body of Christ for generations. This work has opened doors to partnerships with food banks, homeless shelters, local schools, and to youth serving organizations. Our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America is one of these ongoing missions to support youth growth in character and faith. Since 1920, the Methodist Church has held a formal relationship with the BSA.

As we are entering into a new relationship, the need for communication is critical. The challenge is the overlapping of both United Methodist Conference boundaries and the BSA Local Council boundaries.

The East Ohio Conference values the ministry of Scouting. Bishop Tracy S. Malone has been engaged in helping find a positive way forward as a part of the broader UMC Leadership Team. There is a clear direction from the episcopal leadership of the East Ohio Conference. These two paths are also the ones that the Center for Scouting Ministries at the GCUMM supports.

Over the last two plus years, a set of options for the local church to serve have been established. Please use them as they were negotiated in good faith with the BSA to best protect the churches, support the units, and stay faithful to ministry.

The Updated Affiliation Agreement is an opportunity for the Scouting units to stay at the local church. It transfers the ownership to the local council. The Council shares the EIN and approves adults. It offers the church the full protection and full investment opportunity with the youth and leaders of the Scouting unit.

The Facilities Use Agreement is another opportunity for the Scouting units to stay within the United Methodist Church. This agreement does not specifically point to who the charter owner for the unit is. It may be a local group who just does not have the space to share or as much resource support as the local church. This flexible path does also allow for the local council to own the unit as well. It also offers the church protection and the full investment of ministry opportunity.

The two options above are the Conference and GCUMM recommended paths for the East Ohio Conference of The UMC.

Thank you for being a witness of Christ in community as we serve youth.

Regards,

Steven Scheid

Dir., Center for Scouting Ministries

General Commission on United Methodist Men

Phone: 615.340.7145 | Toll Free: 866.297.4312

Fax: 615.340.1770 | E-mail: [email protected]

For more information on the UMC & BSA please visit https://www.gcumm.org/scouting

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:

• Oct 14-15 at Union Ave UMC (Alliance, OH)  
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/395921079607

• Nov 11-12 at Church Hill UMC (Youngstown, OH) 
• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/church-and-community-transformation-tickets-395926275147

Seville Community Food Pantry

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

74 West Main Street

Seville, OH 44273

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!