Tuscarawas Connexions
Annual Conference Registration is Open
This was not an April Fool’s Day joke! Friday, April 1 was the first day to:
  • Register for Annual Conference,
  • Register for Clergy Executive Session, AND
  • Book an Annual Conference hotel room at a discounted EOC rate.
 
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.
Bishop Tracy S. Malone Outlines the Pathway for Disaffiliation and Separation
In this video Bishop Tracy S. Malone celebrates the movement of the Holy Spirit in East Ohio Conference churches that are sharing the love, grace, and hospitality of Jesus Christ with those who are hurting and those looking for hope and a place to belong.

Amidst anxiety caused by the postponement of the 2020 General Conference until 2024, and the uncertainty being experienced because of plans of disaffiliation and separation, the Bishop reminds us that the mission of Jesus Christ is alive in the East Ohio Conference. Together we are on a journey to live into our mission and live into our shared vision of discipleship, evangelism, and transformation.

“I want us to stay focused on our mission and on our vision because let us remember that what is not postponed and what we never disaffiliate ourselves from is our calling to share the love and the good news of Jesus Christ. We never disaffiliate and separate from our compassion for those who are hurting and grieving. We never separate ourselves from the listening and the responding to the needs of the poor and the marginalized, and our work for peace, hope, and reconciliation,” Malone shares in the video. “It is my earnest hope and my earnest prayer that none of you will choose to separate or disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church. There is a place for you.”

Though that is her hope, Bishop Malone acknowledges that some individuals and churches do not feel at home in The United Methodist Church for reasons of conscience and convictions related to differences on matters regarding human sexuality.

In this video Bishop Malone outlines the disaffiliation and separation pathway the Conference will use, and churches will follow. This pathway was determined after consultation between the Bishop, the chancellor, the Board of Trustees president, the CCF&A chair, the executive director of Financial & Administrative Services, the executive director of Connectional Ministries, and the executive assistant to the bishop.
District News
Spring District Conference & Leadership Training
Saturday, April 23 10:00 a.m.
Crossroads UMC (120 Cleveland Ave SW, Canton 44702)
Registration for the Tuscarawas Spring District Conference and Leadership Training is now open. Click here to register. Registration will close THIS SATURDAY, April 16.

This year, your ticket includes District Conference, Leadership Training, & Lunch provided by Geriatric Smokers.
  • When you purchase your ticket you will choose your lunch selection. Lunch will be 2 soft tacos topped with cheese, lettuce, and fresh Pico de Gallo. Each person will also receive coleslaw, chips, & water. You can choose from the following meat options:
  • Pulled Pork
  • Beef Brisket
  • Grilled Chicken
*Gluten Free Options are available*

When arriving, you can use the limited on-street parking spots or the parking deck across from Crossroads UMC and enter the building on Cleveland Ave, the doors under the blue awning.

Tentative Schedule:
9:30 a.m. - Check In Begins
10:00 a.m. - Worship & Business Session
11:30 a.m. - Catered Lunch & Leadership Training
1:00 p.m. - Closing Words
District Appointments effective July 1, 2022
P. Wes George (FL) - First (Dover) UMC
Linda Slutz (PL) - Epworth (Massillon) UMC

To view the entire list of 2022 Appointments please visit the EOC website here
Heart 2 Heart Conversations with DS Cara Stultz Costello
Thank you to everyone that participated in the weekly Heart 2 Heart Conversations with Rev. Cara Stultz Costello. There will not be a conversation this Friday.
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. Mail is checked on a regular basis.
Cara's Weekly Calendar

**Cara will be on spiritual renewal leave beginning April 9 through April 14.**

The District Office is closed on Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18th.
Lay Servant News
Hello Lay Servants and future Lay Servants!

The Spring course are posted in Eventbrite. Don Gibson has agreed to instruct the Advanced course entitled:  Teaching Biblical Faith: Leading Small Group Bible Studies. It just became available a few weeks ago. Since the District has scheduled Spring Conference on April 23, the new date for training is May 21, 2022, at Bolivar UMC. We have 21 Certified Lay Servants who need to renew in 2022, (that’s this year). To register, please click here.

We will also be offering Basic, April 29 & 30, at Bolivar UMC. Basic is offered on Friday evening and all-day Saturday. Gary and Ann Kreider will teach that unless someone else would like the opportunity to be the instructor. Instructions on registration will be sent very soon. It will be posted on our Tusc. District site and the eocumc.com site. We will again use Eventbrite for our registration. More information is below...

Our Tuscarawas District Lay Servant Ministries Committee has dwindled in number so if you know of someone who would be interested in serving on the team please forward their name to us and we will notify the District Nominating Committee.
Gary and I will be meeting with our District Superintendent, Rev. Cara Stultz Costello, on February 22, so if you have any concerns or good ideas for our Lay Servant Ministries, we will pass them on at our meeting.

Because there is such a large number of Certified Lay Servants who need to renew this year it is our thought that Tusc. District LSM should offer many courses this year.
Tusc. District has four Certified Lay Speakers; and two Certified Lay Servants who need two more required Advanced courses to qualify to be Certified Lay Speakers.
Melanie Thomas, at the Conference Office, will post the courses being offered in all the EOUMC Districts. Courses can be taken in any district or online. She has posted the new 2022 catalog for Lay Servant Ministries which shows all the approved courses that can be offered and also those courses that are on the way.

Hopefully the Nominating Committee for Tusc. District will find our replacement since we are interim at this time.

Stay safely under His Wings,
Gary & Ann Kreider, Interim Directors for Tuscarawas District Lay Servant Ministries
Cell – Gary – 330-806-4648   Ann – 330-806-5247
Basic Course Offering April 29-30, 2022 - Bolivar UMC
This course is foundational for all courses in lay servant ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship. The Basic course is the first step required for becoming a certified lay servant. Step 2 requires taking an advanced course.

The Basic course is:
Friday evening, April 29th, 6pm-9pm, AND Saturday April 30th 8am-4:30pm
  • Required book: "Lay Servant Ministries - Basic Course Participant's Book" by Sandy Jackson with Brian Jackson. 

The course is available to anyone who would like to be a Lay Servant, or to be renewed as a Lay Servant if they haven’t taken a course for three years or anyone just interested on learning about The UMC, not necessarily wanting to be a Lay Servant.

To register please click here.
Annual Conference 2022 ~ June 9-11 ~ Akron OH
Annual Conference 2022 is June 9-11 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. This year’s theme is Let Us Live Love and the theme scripture is 1 John 4:7-13 (NIV). In preparing for this year’s sessions and services, the Annual Conference Program Committee is planning ways it will serve attendees in love while also creating opportunities for East Ohio clergy and laity to serve others in love.
EOC Office of Finance and Administration
Local Church Audits were due March 31
All local church audits were due to the District Office no later than March 31. We will be reaching out to all churches that have not yet submitted.

Lay Servant Ministries
Each January, new lay servants enter into ministry with the church through our committees and teams. Providing training for persons who generously serve in this way honors their gift of time, energy and resources.

In this link you will find some helpful guides for training.
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.
Spiritual Formation Trainings
Trainings Available for Your Local Congregation
The purpose of the East Ohio Conference Spiritual Formation and Christian Education Committee is to support the discipleship ministries of East Ohio congregations in the areas of Christian Education and Spiritual formation for all age groups. We currently have the following topics available for training in your local congregation:
1. Safe Sanctuaries for the Local Church
2. Getting Messy Church Started in Your Setting
3. Offering Worship Engagement Manipulatives in Your Congregation
4. How Can Your Congregation Offer Sensory Sensitive Inclusiveness?
5. Creating a Race and Religion Forum in Your Congregation
6. Offering Outdoor Discipleship as a Way to Reach More People in Your Community
7. Hitting the Milestones with Children and Youth in Your Congregation
8. What Every Child and What Every Youth Should Experience
9. Training Effective Teachers
10. Developing a Discipleship Pathway for Your Congregation
A few other topics are in the works and will be available in the future:
1. Spiritual Formation and Christian Education in the Small Membership Church
2. Digital Discipleship
If you are interested in any of the above topics/training opportunities, please reach out to Rev. Gary Jones, Director of Spiritual Formation in the Connectional Ministries Office - gary@eocumc.com or 330-499-3972 ext. 120.
Around East Ohio & the Tuscarawas District
Lenten Season Services around the Tuscarawas District
if your congregation is holding special services, please let the district office know.
Faith (North Canton) - Holy Week & Easter Services
‘Twas the Morning of Easter Outdoor Story Walk April 10 – 17
Walk through the story of Easter. Exercise body, mind, and spirit as you explore the meaning of Easter. Perfect for kids and kids at heart!
 
Holy Week Prayer Stations in Faith United’s Chapel April 10 - 17
Experience Jesus’ journey to the cross through scripture, prayer, reflection Stations of the Cross is a prayer experience for all ages.
 
The Easter Story, an interactive sensory worship experience for all ages.
Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Take Off Your Shoes Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 pm.

Two Faces: A Dramatic Dialogue (Good Friday)
Friday, April 15 at 7:00 pm.

For more information contact kschmucker@faithumchurch.org
Otterbein (New Philadelphia)
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.
Wanake Camp & Retreat Center (in Beach City, Ohio) is seeking positive, flexible staff who love God, love people and love the out-of-doors to help share the Good News of Jesus in maintenance, housekeeping, lawn care, and food service (kitchen assistants and dish washers). These are year-round, part-time (20 hours or less/week) positions with flexible hours. Wages are based on skills and experience. Wanake serves retreat guests year-round and runs an overnight summer camp program.

To Apply/For more information visit www.campwanake.org. Have questions? Contact Wanake at info@campwanake.org or call 330-756-2333.
Now Hiring for Summer Positions at Wanake – Full-Time – Must be 18 years old or older – May through Early-August – applicants must be positive, flexible people who love God, love children/teens, and love the out-of-doors to help share the Good News of Jesus as counselors, lifeguards, support staff, and food service workers.

To Apply/For more information visit www.campwanake.org. Have questions? Contact Wanake at info@campwanake.org or call 330-756-2333.
Positions Available
Crosspoint UMC seeks a part-time Director of Youth Ministries who will develop and lead our Youth Program. A qualified applicant will be a spiritually mature person who has a solid understanding of the foundations of the Christian faith. Strong communication, organizational, leadership skills and a desire to directly work with, relate to and nurture youth in Christian faith is essential. A college degree in education or background in Christian education is preferred. Please send a cover letter and resume via email or 9687 Portage St. NW Massillon, OH 44646. A job description may be found on our website.
First (Dover) UMC is now accepting resumes and applications for a Custodian. This is a full-time hourly position (40 hours per week) with wages established by the Dover First UMC Leadership Board. Please submit a resume or questions via email.
First (Massillon) UMC is seeking a Pianist that accompanies and rehearses with the Sanctuary Choir at weekly Thursday evening rehearsals. Accompanies the Sanctuary Choir at the 2nd service, three times each month. Does not play in June, July, or August (29 week schedule). If interested, please send your resume to: 301 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646 or send via e-mail.
Simpson UMC in Canton is actively seeking an Organist. Please contact Simpson via email.
University of Mount Union is seeking a University Chaplain. The position would begin in May 2022. The Chaplain serves as campus and community Pastor for the University and provides structure and guidance for spiritual growth and development for students, faculty, and staff. The Office of the Chaplain embraces the tenets of the University mission and is dedicated to helping students attain their goals related to fulfilling lives, meaningful work, and responsible citizenship. This position reports directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. For more information and to apply visit their website.
Items Available
Fairhope UMC has a free Black Toner Print Cartridge MP6054, for a Ricoh MP 4054 Copy Machine. Please email Fairhope for more information.
Gnadenhutten UMC has Group VBS Curriculum "Treasured" that could go to a church looking for a VBS program (or other Christian ministry programming) We have CD's, Elementary workbooks, craft supplies and large Bible buddy character decorations that could be used. (Extras from last summer. Supplies could cover about 10-15 children - so even a Sunday School or after school program could benefit.) Please contact Melanie Glazer by email if interested.
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
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Tuscarawas Connexions
Official Publication of the Tuscarawas District East Ohio Conference —
The United Methodist Church

Tuscarawas District Office
8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 499-3972 ext. 106
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