Tuscarawas Connexions
View the Lenten Resource Conversations of the Heart: The Journey Continues
Bishop Tracy S. Malone traveled across the East Ohio Conference in January 2022 to engage in meaningful Conversations of the Heart with laity and clergy about mission, vision, ministry, and discipleship in the Conference and about the future of The United Methodist Church.

The Bishop met with clergy and laity in churches across the southern, central, and northern regions of the East Ohio Conference to share a message from her heart and to listen to and answer questions that were on the hearts of those in attendance. The six conversations with Bishop Malone were in-person gatherings to provide a more intimate opportunity for dialogue among the participants.

In this new video, Bishop Malone invites us into a Lenten journey of prayer, reflection, and conversations as she shares her message that was given at each of the Conversations of the Heart gatherings.

View the video, listen for the three practices that the Bishop is encouraging of all clergy and laity, reflect on the 11 questions we are asked to consider during our journeys this Lent, and then download the video to share with others.
General Conference - Postponed to 2024
The Commission on the General Conference announced on March 3, 2022 that the 2020 General Conference cannot be held in 2022 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints. General Conference has thus been further postponed to 2024.

A significant advantage of further postponing the 2020 General Conference to 2024 is that the Commission has already secured a venue for what would have been the regularly scheduled quadrennial event. An announcement about the location will be forthcoming as soon as the required logistical planning is complete.

In response to the decision, Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey said, “I give thanks for the Commission on the General Conference, a committed and faithful group of laity and clergy. The Commission continues to serve tirelessly, and their work is deeply appreciated and valued."


The General Conference is the only body of The United Methodist Church that can set official policy and speak for the denomination.

The General Conference is an international body of nearly 1,000 delegates – half clergy and half lay – who are elected by the members of their respective Annual Conferences. The General Conference meets every four years and can also meet between those years if a special session is called.

During General Conference, delegates discuss and vote on petitions and resolutions proposed by individuals, agencies, annual conferences, and other groups within the denomination. These actions could result in a revision of: The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, the denomination's book of law; and The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, the denomination’s policies on current social issues.

Bishops attend the General Conference but cannot vote. Some bishops serve as presiding officers during the conference with the remaining bishops present but unable to speak on the proceedings unless granted permission to do so by the delegates.
District News
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
Receive the Bishop's invitation by clicking this link.

Join the Zoom meeting on Friday, March 11 by clicking this link.
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

March 7: Sabbath

March 8: District Strategizing

March 9: District Strategizing, District Meeting, and Nominating Leadership Meeting

March 10: dCOM, RMT Coordinator Luncheon, & District Strategizing

March 11: Heart 2 Heart Conversation & District Strategizing

March 13: Guest Preaching - Grace (North Canton) UMC
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March:
March 15: Dan Edwards (Epworth Waco)
March 17: Steve Stultz Costello (Faith North Canton)
March 22: Mike Grant (Christ Louisville)
Mayberry Man - First (New Philadelphia) UMC
A Family Movie for the Generations : Grandparents, Parents and Grandchildren 
MAYBERRY MAN will be showing at
First (New Philadelphia) UMC 
Sat. March 19, 4pm
*Free Will Donation
** A $500 matching donation will be made to local missions 
Refreshments will be served
Please RSVP by March 16th to: 
Pastor Jon Campbell 
Phone or text: 330-704-8198 or email
 
MAYBERRY MAN the movie is the brain child of 2 Brothers, Cort and Stark Howell, their father, Hoke Howell, played the part of Charlene Darlin's husband, "Dud" and wrote for some of the early episodes. These two men wanted to capture the spirit of Mayberry and did it in a way for the whole family to enjoy. The movie received a White Dove award which is a rating for all audiences. Approximately 1/2 of the movie was shot at Andy Griffiths hometown in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Pastor Jon Campbell and his wife Connie can also be seen as extras in the movie. Please RSVP and enjoy the movie. You can click on the flyer to open a larger flyer to print & post for your congregations.
Lay Servant News
Hello Lay Servants and future Lay Servants!

We are almost ready to post our Spring Training courses. 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.
Spring District Conference
Mark Your Calendars! The Tuscarawas District Spring Conference and Leadership Training will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Crossroads UMC.

More information will be announced soon.
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.
Clergy Day Apart 2022
Bishop Tracy S. Malone invites all East Ohio Conference clergy actively serving in ministry to come together for a day of rest and renewal on Saturday, April 2 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Faith UMC in North Canton.

Clergy are serving and leading in stressful, exhausting, and difficult times. This Clergy Day Apart, designed by a team of active clergy, is an opportunity to feed your soul through reinvigorating worship, fellowship, self-care, and conversation. Clergy will hear a validating and empowering message from featured speaker the Rev. Twanda Prioleau and will participate in engaging breakout sessions designed to help you reflect, reconnect, re-center, and revel in your ministry. Rev. Prioleau is pastor of Christ UMC in East Baltimore, MD and author of the book Breathe: A Pastor’s Journey to Wholeness.

For more information click here!
EOC Office of Finance and Administration
Local Church Audits due March 31
All local church audits are due to the District Office no later than March 31.

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.
Labyrinth & Prayer Stations - Faith (North Canton)
Faith United’s Labyrinth and Prayer Stations will be available to the community March 2 – March 9 in the chapel during church office and activity hours. Faith United is located at 300 9th ST NW, North Canton, Ohio 44720.





‘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 Conversation Book Study - Faith (North Canton)
The Conversation Book Study, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, March 9 – April 27, by Zoom and in person at North Canton Faith United Methodist Church.
Facilitators: Retired Judge Mike Howard and Krista L. Allison.

Loving your neighbor is action-oriented discipleship. Author Dr. Robert Livingston's approach to racial issues invites everyone to participate in a dialogue to bring about positive change for the entire community. 

North Canton Faith United's Love Your Neighbor team invites you to join us in our efforts to build deep understanding and design intentional actions. To learn more and to register visit https://www.myfaithunited.org/adult-programs-groups/ or email jheskett@faithumchurch.org or kschmucker@faithumchurch.org

  • Click here to view a video by Retired Judge Mike Howard to learn more about The Conversation Book Study.
  • Click here to learn more about the study and the facilitators.
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
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 Russell, 600 East Gorgas Street, Louisville, Ohio 44641
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 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 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.
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.
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
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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