As we reflect on the Passion of Christ this week, may we be ever mindful of the reality of our own mortality. Every day, every moment, and every minute is a gift from God. Christ suffered and died for the sins of the world so that WHOSOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life!

May our everyday living, thinking, serving, giving, and receiving reflect the all-encompassing and unconditional love of God! Let us LIVE as a Forgiven and Easter People in this Good Friday world.

Love wins! Life matters! Faith overcomes! To God be all glory, honor, and praise.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

- John 3:16-17 (NIV)

#BeUMC

Spring District Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at 11:00 a.m., hosted by Mt. Tabor UMC in East Canton.

Cara's Weekly Calendar

April 10: Sabbath

April 11: District Strategizing

April 12: District Strategizing

April 13: District Strategizing

April 14: District Strategizing

April 16: Worship on the District

Lay Servant Ministry

John Wesley valued the role of laity in the early days of his ministry. He describes what he considered to be essential qualities of a Lay Person. While it is God that calls us into ministry, both clergy and laity, it is the responsibility of the church to equip those called and provide them with opportunities for Spiritual Formation. Through time, the UMC has created a program of training to help individuals answer God’s call.



The Tuscarawas District Board of the Lay Servant Ministries program is pleased to announce our schedule of upcoming classes and opportunities for Spiritual Enrichment. Classes are open to anyone, whether or not you are considering a call to participate further in the Lay Servant Ministry Program.

All classes will be at Bolivar United Methodist Church, 248 Poplar St, Bolivar 44612.

Friday, May 12^th 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm & Saturday May 13^th, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Basic Lay Servant Training Course – Part 1 & 2

Course cost - $15.00. Snacks and beverages will be provided Friday evening, lunch is available for $10 on Saturday.

The participant’s book for this Course “Lay Servant Ministry – Basic Course” must be purchased in advance. It is available from The Upper Room web site: (upperroom.com/store&resources), for $12.00 plus shipping. The book can sometimes be found on the Cokesbury web site and Amazon for slightly less.

Registration Form / Eventbrite Registration

Saturday, May 13^th 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Advance Lay Servant Class – Opening Ourselves to Grace.

Course Cost $15.00. Lunch is available on this day for both classes for $10.00.

The participant’s book for this class “Opening Ourselves to Grace” is free as a PDF download from UMCDiscipleship.org/resources/lay-servant-ministries-advanced-courses. If you are unable to download PDF’s please email Eddie Courtney at [email protected] and he will mail a copy to you.

Registration Form / Eventbrite Registration

Saturday, Jun 24^th, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Lay Servant Advanced Class – Embracing Personal Prayer. 

Course cost is $15.00. Lunch is available on this day for $10.00.

The participant’s book for this class, “Lord, Teach us to Pray” is available from the UpperRoom.org/store for $10.00 and must be purchased and read in advance.

Registration Form

Saturday, Oct 14, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Lay Servant Advanced Class – Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution. 

Course cost is $15.00. Lunch is available on this day for $10.00.

The participant’s book for this class “The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation” is available from the UpperRoom.org/store for $25.00 and must be purchased and read in advance.

Registration Form

Please check with your pastor to see if your church has tuition assistance money available for continuing education or spiritual enrichment opportunities.



If you would like more information on the Lay Servant Ministry Program for our district, please email any of the following:

• Eddie Courtney (District Lay Servant Ministry Director) [email protected]
• Nancymae Scheurer: [email protected]
• Laurie Peach: [email protected]

Tuscarawas District United Women in Faith

Spring Meeting & Event

Life of Fanny Crosby & Her Music - presented by Erin Byrne

April 29, 2023 - 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Program Only: $2
• Program & Lunch: $12

Otterbein UMC

156 Beaver Ave NE

New Philadelphia OH 44663

Call Patti Deems for more information & reservations: 330-494-7168

Registration is Now Open for Annual Conference 2023

The 54th session of Annual Conference is June 8-10 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron and registration for this year’s conference is now open. Registration closes end of day Friday, May 12.

New this year:

• AC 2023 t-shirt for purchase with proceeds benefitting Youth Service Fund (YSF).
• Purchase the t-shirt and register for all EOC special event luncheons on the same link at which you register for Annual Conference and Clergy Session.
• A Modify Registration button to purchase a shirt and/or meals at a later time after you’ve registered for Annual Conference and Clergy Session.
• A courtesy shuttle to and from the John S. Knight Center and Akron First UMC.
• Childcare provided at Kozmic Korner Pre-School and Child Care Center.
• Housing and day camp opportunities during AC at Camp Wanake.

Learn more and register on the Annual Conference 2023 website.

Creation Care Event

The East Ohio Conference and Multicultural Ministries invites you to join us on Earth Day April 22, 2023 for a day of learning about how we can care for God’s Creation.

Register at: https://caring_for_gods_creation.eventbrite.com

Dover First United Methodist Church is seeking qualified applicants for the part-time position of church financial secretary. Click here for the job description. Resumes or questions can be sent to Pastor Wesley George via email.

Otterbein (Navarre) UMC is seeking applicants for Youth Director Position (grades 9 - 12) and Assistant Youth Leader Position (grades 6 – 8). If you are interested in either of these or have questions, please contact the church at 330-484-2776.

Otterbein (Navarre) UMC has a variety of Sunday School & Bible Study books available. Click here to access the entire list. If interested, please contact Doris Brown by email.