A Budget Message from Conference Council on Finance & Administration:

Hope in the Seasons of Change: God’s Grace and Steadfast Love Abound!

To: East Ohio Pastors, Congregations, and Faith Communities,

Seasons of change are all around us as we journey in 2023. Change is happening and we find ourselves both excited and apprehensive about what tomorrow holds. And yet, in the seasons of change are moments of transformation, rebirth and renewal. We marvel at the faithfulness of a loving God who guides us always, amidst both prosperity and challenges.

Changing seasons bring both excitement and apprehension. Being United Methodist allows our local churches to touch lives both within our local communities and across the world. Friends, though the journey may seem difficult and uncertain, we see so much for which to be thankful. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!

We give thanks for the gift of 665 local churches serving the mission fields across the East Ohio Conference in 2022. A total of 436 local churches paid 100% apportionments which included 11 churches that disaffiliated in June 2022. Of our current United Methodist Churches in East Ohio, 425 paid 100% of apportionments in 2022. The percentage of churches that paid 100% or more was 64%. We also give thanks for the 140 local church congregations that increased their giving to apportionment in 2022.

The seasons of change continue to challenge us as we assess the reality of some churches having not made any apportionment payments in 2022 and others that paid a smaller percentage of their apportionment payments than they did in 2021. As the seasons of change cause local churches and pastors to ask the hard questions, we give thanks that the desire to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world continues to echo forth from our East Ohio Conference. We know with absolute certainty that God’s grace and steadfast love abound!

The pay-in rate from local churches to our East Ohio Conference budget was 78.4% in 2022 compared to 79% in 2021. The $8 million contributed towards the mission and ministry of East Ohio in 2022 was 6.5% less than in 2021. Every dollar contributed is a gift enabling the good news of Jesus Christ to be shared. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!

The 2022 Conference budget was reduced by 5.3% so that local churches would have more available funds for their respective mission fields. Our Conference Council on Finance & Administration (CCF&A) continues to monitor trends and examine budgetary needs as we begin this quadrennium. The postponement of General Conference until 2024 continues the challenges of navigating the financial implications of denominational changes that may come our way. We realize the coming years will bring both challenges and opportunities for the Conference to maintain the mission of making disciples amidst uncertainties of what the future holds.

Yes, change is inevitable, but in the seasons of change we find opportunity for transformation. We will continue to strive for transformation as we review financial trends, monitor our giving patterns, and adjust our Conference budget as necessary in the coming years. But we rest assured that God’s grace and steadfast love abound!

For the 18^th year, our East Ohio Conference paid 100% of our General Church apportionments. The General Church funds support global efforts of the Church through seven general funds: World Service, Ministerial Education, Episcopal, Black College, Interdenominational Cooperation, Africa University, and the General Administration Fund. As United Methodists we believe and support the saying, “the world is our parish”. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!



The faithfulness of our local churches continues to be the focal point of transformative ministry. As we journey together in 2023, we pray that you will be encouraged by the continued movement of God’s Spirit guiding us in the uncertainties, decisions, and mission opportunities enabling all of us to share God’s love and witness to a world hungering for justice, peace, and compassion. God’s grace and steadfast love abound!

Be encouraged always,

Rev. Dan Bryant, Chairperson, CCF&A

Vera Rebrovich, CPA, Executive Director, Financial & Administrative Services

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

March 18 - March 25: VACATION

Lay Servant Ministry

Lay Servant Ministry is a leadership development program in the United Methodist Church focused on equipping and empowering lay persons who have responded to the call of God to serve in mission and ministry.

These lay persons are called to live out their own discipleship as servants in leadership through the ministries of leading, caring and communication.



The UMC has established three categories for laypersons in the area of lay servant ministries to develop, prepare and engage principled Christian leaders for the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world.

• Certified Lay Servant
• Certified Lay Speaker
• Certified Lay Minister

Certified Lay Servants who wish to develop their skills further may chose a track to become Certified as Lay Speakers (those who are called specifically to pulpit supply) or as Certified Lay Ministers (those who are called to long-term, intentional ministry as part of a ministry team.

A Certified Lay Servant serves the local congregation or charge and:

1. Provides program leadership, assistance, and support to the pastor.
2. Leads meetings for prayer, training, study, and discussion.
3. Plans, conducts or assists in leading services of worship, preaches the Word, or gives addresses.
4. Provides congregational and community leadership and fosters caring ministries.
5. Assists in the distribution of the elements of Holy Communion
6. Teaches the Scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the United Methodist Church.

A Certified Lay Speaker serves by preaching the Word when requested by the pastor, district superintendent or committee on Lay Servant Ministries in accordance and compliance with Para 341.1 of the Book of Discipline. The role of a Certified Lay Speaker is a specific calling for the ministry of pulpit supply in congregations other than their own.

Being called to ministry is a serious endeavor. It takes a disciple to make a disciple. Thus, we must do all we can to prepare ourselves and others to serve. For additional information on the Lay Servant Ministry program in our District please email the District’s Lay Servant Director, Eddie Courtney at [email protected]. Please include the words Lay Servant Ministries in your subject line. 

Basic and Advanced Classes for this Spring (late April, early May) will be announced soon

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

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

East Ohio Ministry Micro Grants Application

East Ohio Ministry Micro Grants are sponsored by the Board of Congregational Development and Connectional Ministries Office: Strategic Ministries. The grants are for Fresh Expressions, small groups, and/or new ministry that seek to reach those not within the current church community. The deadline to apply is April 3^rd by the end of the day and awardees will be announced by April 21. These micro grants, which may be awarded to $2000 as determined by Board of Congregational Development, must be spent in totality by Dec 31^st, 2023.  

Contact Rev Beth Ortiz, Connectional Ministries Office Director of Strategic Ministries, at [email protected], to submit your application or with questions. 

Requirements: Must be a ministry of a local United Methodist Church in East Ohio.

Must be a new ministry (either under 2 months old or not yet begun) that seeks to reach those not yet in the church. Church/charge cannot be currently receiving any other conference level grant funding (this does not refer to coaching, trainings or other such support). Church/charge cannot receive more than one microgrant per 12 months and cannot receive a microgrant for the same ministry more than once.

Must have at least one lay involved in the planning/implementation. Funds must be spent for this ministry within 6 months or returned. A report must be submitted within 6 months (details about reporting will be supplied to awardees with the payment dispersal in early Dec 2022). 

Please note: Application for funds does not guarantee funds.  

The Seran Foundation is part of the Stark Community Foundation. Students can apply through the foundation’s General Scholarship Application. This can be done by going to the Stark Community Foundation’s website (https://www.starkcf.org/for-grantees/for-students/scholarship-opportunities) and clicking on the Menu tab at the top right. Scroll down to Grants and under For Students click on Scholarship Opportunities. Finally click on Begin Your Application. Your application allows you to apply for the Seran Foundation grant as well as others for which you may be eligible. 

The deadline for applications is April 1.  

The Chester A. and Ethel J. Seran Scholarship Foundation was established many years ago to help college students toward their bachelor or associate degrees. The assistance is in the form of grants and not loans. The grants are renewable each year as long as students are in good academic standing with their college or university. The Scholarship Selection Committee restricts the grants to no more than 4 years.  



If you have any questions or need additional assistance, you can call the Stark Community Foundation at 234-458-2905. You can also contact Steve Moore, Chairperson of the Seran Foundation with any specific questions about this particular foundation.  

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.