Tuscarawas Connexions
Reminder, the district office has a new email, CanalTuscDistOffice@eocumc.com and went into effect on January 1. The old Tuscarawas District email will be monitored for 30 days. Please make sure that you update your address books within your email system.
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. Mail is checked on a regular basis.
Cara's Weekly Calendar

January 10: Sabbath

January 11: Teaching COS - MTSO, Special Charge Conference at Grace (North Canton)

January 12: Monthly Mtg w/District Admin, Meet with East Sparta & Sandyville at Sandyville

January 13: District Strategizing

January 14: District Strategizing

January 16: Worship around the District
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January 10: Brandon Keck
January 23: Don Ackerman
Words of Guidance & Encouragement from Bishop Tracy S. Malone to Clergy & Laity
Happy New Year! I rejoice in this New Year and celebrate that we worship a God who has plans for our good and not for our harm, to give us a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I rejoice that God has carried us through another difficult year.

I know that navigating life and ministry during this time of pandemic has not been easy for any of us. I understand the frustration, anxiety, and exhaustion you’re experiencing and know that all of us are ready for this pandemic to end. Thank you for all the efforts you have made and continue to make in caring for the safety and well-being of yourself, your family, and your neighbor. I thank you for the attention and care you have given as you adhere to the East Ohio Conference COVID guidelines and the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and your local health department.

I remind us that we are still in a pandemic. The pandemic is not over! I encourage you to not relax the health and safety precautions in your church and in your personal life, instead I encourage you to double down on your efforts to preserve your health and the health of others. Everyone’s health matters.

I encourage everyone to get vaccinated. If you have not been fully vaccinated and are eligible to receive the vaccine, do it. And if you are eligible for a booster, get it. It is the single most important thing you can do to care for yourself and others.

Bishop Tracy S. Malone Holds Conversations of the Heart with Laity & Clergy of the EOC
Bishop Tracy S. Malone invites you to join her for A Time of Conversations of the Heart with the Laity & Clergy of the East Ohio Conference.

The Bishop is traveling the Conference to engage in meaningful conversation about the mission and vision of ministry in the East Ohio Conference and the future of The United Methodist Church.

You are invited to attend one of the following A Time of Conversations of the Heart with the Laity & Clergy of the East Ohio Conference:
  • Monday, January 10 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. New Concord UMC (20 E High St., New Concord)
  • Monday, January 10 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. New Concord UMC (20 E High St., New Concord)
  • Tuesday, January 18 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. Faith UMC (300 9th St. NW, North Canton)
  • Tuesday, January 18 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. Faith UMC (300 9th St. NW, North Canton)
  • Thursday, January 27 | 2:00-4:00 p.m. Aldersgate UMC (4069 Eastwood Ln., Warrensville Hts.)
  • Thursday, January 27 | 6:00-8:00 p.m. Aldersgate UMC (4069 Eastwood Ln., Warrensville Hts.)

We will adhere to the health and safety guidelines established by the leadership of each host church.
EOC Office of Finance and Administration
2022 Mileage Rates
Beginning on January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
  • 58.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from the rate for 2021
  • 18 cents per mile driven for medical, or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, up 2 cents from the rate for 2021
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2021
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.
UMVIM
Please click on the below picture to access the registration link.
Around East Ohio
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
Christ (Louisville) UMC is actively seeking two positions:
Director of Music Ministry. Responsibilities include leading two vocal choirs, and three hand bell choirs both for weekly rehearsals and one Sunday morning Worship Service. 

Organist. Responsibilities would be to provide worshipful music for Sunday morning services and as requested play for special services. The organist may be asked to play for weddings, funerals, or other occasions.

Please send resume and references to: Christ United Methodist Church, Attn: Nancy Miller, 600 East Gorgas Street, Louisville, Ohio 44641
Dueber UMC in Canton is seeking a Pianist to assist in leading Sunday morning worship. This position would involve playing for Sunday morning and other special worship services with an Organist. Duties also include playing for choir rehearsals on Wednesday evening and playing with the choir on Sunday mornings. It is not necessary, but would be preferred, if this position could also fill in on keyboard with the contemporary worship team when needed. Interested candidates may contact the church via e-mail or by calling (330) 456-8357.
First (Dover) UMC is accepting resumes for our Church Pianist/Organist position. Responsibilities include (not limited to): accompanying and leading the congregation in the ministry of music and singing of hymns; accompanying the choir; working with the choir director on special music pieces; and choosing and playing appropriate and varied styles of organ/piano selections for Sunday Worship and special services. If you are interested, please e-mail your resume to the church Pastor. If you have questions, please contact the church office at (330) 343-1322.
First (Massillon) UMC has openings for three part-time positions:
The Treasurer must be computer literate. Handles all financial duties, including yearly budget. Provides financial reports to Pastor and Finance Chairperson. Attends quarterly meetings. Works 3-4 hours per week.

The Financial Secretary records all contributions made by church members. Maintains yearly Pledge cards. Sends out year-end giving statements to church members. Works 2-3 hours per week.

The Pianist 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 in any of these job openings, please send your resume to: 301 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646 or send via e-mail.
Mt. Zion Community Church (a UMC Fellowship) in Canton is seeking a part-time Secretary/Treasurer. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Publisher and have bookkeeping skills. Please contact the church at (330) 484-1156, or via e-mail. Resumes can be mailed to Mt. Zion Community Church, 2637 Baum St. SE, Canton, OH 44707.
North Industry UMC in Canton is seeking an part-time Administrative Assistant/Secretary. Must be proficient in Word and Publisher. Please contact the church via e-mail or by calling
330-484-3283.
Simpson UMC in Canton is actively seeking an Organist. Please contact Simpson via email.
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.
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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
Tuscarawas Connexions. 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.
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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