Tuscarawas Connexions
Annual Conference Registration is Open
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.
District News
Questions about General Conference & the Future of the UMC
Do you have questions about General Conference and the future of the UMC? Rev. Cara had the privilege to answer some such questions with the people of The North Canton Faith UMC. You are welcome to listen in. Click on the video below.
District Appointments effective July 1, 2022
Linda Bradley (PL) - Bayard, East Rochester, Herrington Bethel, Mt. Zion (Carroll Co.), New Franklin, & Pleasant Grove

P. Wes George (FL) - First (Dover) UMC

Shannon Sampson (PL) - Bayard, East Rochester, Herrington Bethel, Mt. Zion (Carroll Co.), New Franklin, & Pleasant Grove

Linda Slutz (PL) - Epworth (Massillon) UMC

Chris Ulman (PL) - Bayard, East Rochester, Herrington Bethel, Mt. Zion (Carroll Co.), New Franklin, & Pleasant Grove

To view the entire list of 2022 Appointments please visit the EOC website here
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

May 2: Sabbath

May 3: District Strategizing

May 4: District Strategizing

May 5: Cabinet

May 6: Cabinet

May 7: District Strategizing

May 8: Guest Preach at New Franklin UMC
Comersación: Lunch & Learn Spanish
Ok... So "comersación" is a totally made up word! Check this out though:
  • comer means "to eat".
And you would probably guess conversación is the Spanish word for... Yup! "Conversation"
 
Bring a lunch and let's get together to eat and start having some conversation in Spanish. Join via Google Meet each Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
 
Several native Spanish speakers have expressed interest in helping us learn Spanish. (and you might help those who want to learn English too!)
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.
Resources for Healthy Pastor/Church Transitions
All clergy undergoing a transition (to a new church or retirement) are encouraged to watch the Changeover Zone workshop for Clergy offered by Jim Ozier. Click here to download the workbook.

All churches receiving a new clergy this year are encouraged to have their leadership (such as SPRC members and the incoming and outgoing clergy) watch the Changeover Zone for Churches workshop offered by Jim Ozier. Click here to download the workbook.

This workshop will help the transition to be a time of energy and health rather than feeling like momentum for ministry has been lost. Topics covered will include:
  • Understanding the "Changeover Zone" and how to manage it
  • The role of the church in a great "Passing of the baton"
  • Why a pastoral transition done well can lead to new enthusiasm, energy, and growth
  • How to say "Goodbye" to the current pastor and "Hello" to a new pastor in ways that lead to growth
  • How to "inboard" the incoming pastor before she/he arrives
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.
Around East Ohio & the Tuscarawas District
183rd United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) Convocation and Annual Meeting
SAVE THE DATE! The 183rd United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) Convocation and Annual Meeting is planned for October 14th and 15th at Powell United Methodist Church, 825 East Olentangy Street, in Powell, Ohio. All Local Church Historians and others interested in United Methodist History are invited to attend. Detailed meeting information and registration will be available in late summer. Check the website www.umhso.org for more details, including membership information as well as research resources and information about the Archives of Ohio United Methodism.
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or call 330-756-2333.
Positions Available
Canton For All People is excited to hire summer staff for their Canton Kids Camp. This year’s camp will be in 4 neighborhoods in Canton and will run M-F 10am-3pm June 6-Aug 12 with staff training to proceed. Staff is needed to help lead and facilitate fun summer programing including games,
arts and crafts, academics, and bible story. Background check required and previous experience appreciated.
  • Director: Supervises and Facilitates the implementation of the Summer Program. Provides direct supervision to the counselors ensuring that they are equipped to have fun and enriching activities for the children who show up to participate. The director will be responsible for staff supervision, approval of camp staff time sheets and for maintaining the budget. The director will also help to plan and schedule the special events and the field trips in cooperation with the counselors. 
  • Lead Counselors: Works as the leader of the group of counselors who implements quality programing at each park to consist of games, crafts, academics and bible story. The lead counselor will develop and submit the daily lesson plan to the director weekly. When the director is not present, the lead counselor will serve as the site supervisor. 
  • Counselor: Works with the lead counselor and director to implement fun and enriching activities at the park. The main focus will be to develop positive healthy relationships with the kids while leading the daily activities.  

If you are interested in any of these jobs, please send a resume and contact Pastor Mike Farmer via email. Interviews will be held the beginning of May.
Christ United Methodist Church in Louisville is now accepting resume’ from applicants for Director of Children’s Ministries. The Director of Children’s Ministries shall oversee and supervise the duties of Children’s Education Ministry of Christ United Methodist Church. Job Description is available by e-mail or can be picked up in the Church office. Please call or email the Church office at 330.875.1483 to receive job description. The position is 25 hours per week. Please mail your resume addressed to:
SPR Chair 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 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.
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Please submit your request for publication of an event, job ad, or announcement to Megan at [email protected] 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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