Clergy Appreciation Month |
|
Dear Beloved Clergy,
You have heard me say to you before, and I want to remind you again today, that I think of you often and remember each of you and your families in my prayers. You are always on my heart! Every day I ask God to pour out a double portion of God’s spirit upon you ... to surround you with his steadfast love, grace and mercy … to sustain you with his power and presence … to strengthen you in times of exhaustion, tiredness and weakness ... to comfort you in times of anxiety, despair and weariness … and to grant you courage, wisdom and peace.
Words cannot fully convey my deepest gratitude for your resilient faith, unwavering commitment to the Church’s mission and your resolute leadership as you serve in these difficult times, especially in this protracted season fraught with the perils of the global pandemic, the racial tension and unrest, the social and political turmoil, and the coping with, and pastoring those experiencing and coping with, isolation, grief, loneliness and fear, the extended period of waiting for what is next for The UMC … and all the residual effects that impact your personal life, your leadership and your ministry.
I know this moment in time is very demanding on your leadership, time and energy, requiring you to give more of yourself in ways you have not had to give in the past and to give more of yourself than what some of you have had the capacity to give. The additional and sometimes unrealistic expectations some of your churches are placing on you have caused undue stress. Some of you are having days when you feel overwhelmed and are experiencing burnout. And some of you are having moments when you feel like throwing in the towel. I know the struggle has been and continues to be real!
There is Good News! God’s providential care is real! God’s grace is sufficient! And God’s strength and power are palpable! Hear these words from the Prophet Isaiah:
“Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He doesn’t grow tired or weary. His understanding is beyond human reach, giving power to the tired and reviving the exhausted. Youths will become tired and weary, young men will certainly stumble; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.” - Isaiah 40:28-31 (CEB)
Friends, wait on the Lord and be of good courage! And be well on the journey!
I encourage you to make your self-care a priority ... your mental, emotional, spiritual and physical well-being are essential to your life and ministry. Take time to discern what you need to care for yourself … sabbath time, professional counseling, diet and exercise, vacation, a day off or help/support. Choose to be well and choose to be good to yourself!
I also encourage you to reach out to your colleagues to say hello, to offer a word of encouragement, to lend a listening ear, or maybe send a text or card or email or make a phone call to let each other know you’re thinking about each other and praying for each other. Create intentional space to build community with each other.
Remember that the race is not given to the swift, nor to the strong, nor to those who may get everything right nor to those who may have stood the test of time, but to the one who endures to the end and does not run alone. Stay encouraged and lead with relentless hope! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” and keep preaching and teaching the greatest commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul and all your mind … and love your neighbor as yourself.”
From My Heart to Yours,
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
__________________________________________________________________
**Churches & Church Leadership: If you are looking for suggestions to say "I appreciate you" please visit ResourceUMC via this link.**
|
|
|
Charge Conference Season 2021 |
|
2021 Charge Conference General Instructions |
|
The purpose of the Church Conference is for each local church to annually assess its health and effectiveness in making and maturing disciples, and to chart the intended course for the coming year.
We hope that you look at these forms as opportunities to tell your church’s story of ministry and mission. In order for all covenant partners at district and conference levels to systematically the health of our corporate mission and ministry, the forms are standardized among the districts.
The date for Charge Conference is Saturday, October 30. The locations are Minerva UMC at 10:00 a.m. and First (Dover) at 2:30 p.m. If you do not remember or have not signed up for a location, please email the district office.
All forms are to be completed in PDF, as there are dropdown boxes for different areas. All forms are ready & accessible here. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat you can download it for free here.
All Charge Conference paperwork is due no later than October 16.
|
|
Clergy & SPR Consultations This Week |
|
Cara's Weekly Calendar
October 4: BSA Meeting via Zoom with Cabinet and Conference Committee
October 5: Clergy Consultations & SPR Consultations (see schedule above)
October 6: Canton for All People Board Meeting - 12:00 p.m. and Clergy Consultations & SPR Consultations (see schedule above)
October 7: Clergy Consultations & SPR Consultations (see schedule above)
October 8: Premarital Counseling Session - AM and District Strategizing - PM
October 9: SPR Consultations (see schedule above)
October 10: Guest Preaching at Wilmot, Newport, & Midvale and SPR Consultations (see schedule above)
|
|
Megan's Weekly Calendar
**Megan will continue working remotely this week, Luke was readmitted to the hospital on Sunday evening and will remain in the hospital over the next few days.**
Note from Megan - My family & I appreciate and thank you all for the prayers and well wishes over this past week. Luke is experiencing some post-op complications and is receiving some of the best care at Akron Children's Hospital.
|
|
Tuscarawas District Churches in the News
(click on the image to open the article)
**Clergy & Churches - please share news articles from your local churches to be publicized in the newsletter**
|
|
|
|
Rev. Les Peine - Soul Talk |
|
Operation Christmas Child |
|
If your church is participating in Operation Christmas Shoeboxes please send in your name to the District Office |
|
District Events, Trainings, & Seminars |
|
Harvest for Hope Luncheon to Benefit RAHAB |
A fundraiser luncheon entitled "Harvest for Hope" will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 11:30 AM to 2 PM at Church of the Lakes in Jackson Township, Canton, Ohio. All proceeds from this event will benefit RAHAB Ministries, a non-profit organization that helps the victims of human trafficking.
The "Harvest for Hope" luncheon will feature a full-course catered hot lunch, silent auction, live music, used book sale, RAHAB speaker and program by Greg Colbeck, door prizes and more. Greg Colbeck is the Chief Operating Officer and Interim CEO of RAHAB Ministries and leads the day-to-day operations with the goal of moving the world closer to freedom from human trafficking and
all types of slavery. A seven-year veteran of RAHAB, Greg stewards RAHAB's legacy, ensuring no matter how much the ministry grows, RAHAB never strays from it roots of intervention.
Founded in 2002 by Becky Moreland, RAHAB has provided safe houses, counseling, education, employment and helped victims learn life skills. Other services include everything from cooking classes to dance therapy, always provided in a trauma-informed manner. RAHAB also works with the court systems to identify and help high-risk juveniles and adults. It works to prevent as well as assist those affected by human trafficking.--in Ohio and beyond. In 2020 RAHAB reached almost 1000 women in Stark County through its Outreach and Drop-in Centers.
The event's luncheon menu includes: swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean medley, garden salad, rolls and butter, pumpkin pie, coffee and tea. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available if requested in advance.
The silent auction will include donations of themed gift baskets such as "Chocolate Decadence" and "Gourmet Coffee Break" plus original handcrafted pottery, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates and more. The live music will be provided by the popular Men's Quartet of Church of the Lakes best known for their amazing harmonies.
The event cost is $20 per person and pre-paid reservations are required by November 1st.
Mail your checks to Church of the Lakes/Harvest Luncheon, 5944 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, Ohio 44718, payable to Church of the Lakes/Harvest Luncheon.
Join us for a fun lunch for a great cause--helping the women and children who are vulnerable, hopeless and broken regain their lives. For more information, contact Susan Bennett via email, or Church of the Lakes, 330-499-8972.
|
|
|
|
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 - [email protected] or 330-499-3972 ext. 120. |
|
Clergy Mission Day | Saturday, October 16 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Open to all clergy, laity serving as a pastor, and retirees. Join your fellow clergy at one of the following UMVIM sites for a day of learning, service, and fellowship! See firsthand what the mission does and learn ways local churches can partner with them. We will be doing hands on mission during this day too! Come ready to learn and work and build relationships with your colleagues with fun and meaningful time together.
- Blue Rose, Mansfield (Mid-Ohio)
- Covered Bridge Mission, Jefferson (Western Reserve)
- Epworth Center, Bethesda (Southern Hills)
- Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland (North Coast)
- Urban Mission, Steubenville (Ohio Valley)
The sites will have the freedom to structure the day, but everyone will do hands on work at the site or in the community, worship, and have lunch. Skilled and unskilled UMVIMers needed.
The event is free, but you do need to register in advance since group size is limited. Contact the district office for the registration link.
|
|
Young People's Ministries |
|
Help Us Connect with Your Youth Leaders
|
|
Sign-up for a Youth Leader Coaching Call
Attention youth leaders: As you start to plan for fall and into 2022, we are all struggling to understand ministry throughout the pandemic. If you need someone to coach you through these uncertain times, be sure to sign up for a coaching call with Kaye Wolfinger, director of Young People’s Ministries. She can talk you through what is best for your context, listen to your ideas, and share trends that we are seeing in young people’s ministries. She has availability during business hours as well as evenings and Saturdays.
|
|
|
Boy Scouts of America Update |
Please click the image below to read the Updated Boy Scouts of America Information from Bishop Tracy S. Malone
|
|
United Methodist leaders decry church sponsorship of U.S. abusive “Indian boarding schools” and call for remembrance of victims and survivors. |
September 28, 2021 | ATLANTA
Recent media reports, a public education campaign, and the announcement of an investigation by the U.S. Department of the Interior have cast renewed light on one of the most shameful practices in the deplorable treatment of the Indigenous people of North America by European colonists across 500 years. This was the forcing of thousands of Native American boys and girls into “Indian boarding schools” in a deliberate attempt to separate them from their families and cultures...
Read the whole article here. |
|
|
EOC UMW Fall 2021 Newsletter |
|
|
TEACH • REACH • BLESS:
The $1.5 million campaign to build a new dorm for female students at Africa University reinforces our East Ohio Conference commitment to the education and wellness of women today for a better Africa tomorrow.
If your church is raising a special offering for Teach Reach Bless please let us know at the District Office so that you may recognized.
**If your church has mailed a check to the district office - please know that your contribution will be noted on the conference website list soon. We are working with the conference office to make sure that each church that contributes to our district challenge is recognized.**
|
|
Wanake Camp and Retreat Center – your United Methodist camp in Beach City, Ohio - is seeking dependable, flexible, positive workers for part-time positions in food service (mostly weekends/some week days), housekeeping (mostly week days), lifeguarding (weekend and week day), and camp counseling (week day). To Apply/For more information visit www.campwanake.org. Have questions? Contact Wanake at [email protected] or call 330-756-2333. |
|
|
DisAbility Ministries Newsletter - Autumn 2021 |
|
Broadway UMC in New Philadelphia is seeking a Youth Director. Person with validated training and experience in Youth Ministry to coordinate middle school and high school youth ministry.
Broadway seeks an individual who is spiritually mature, has a solid understanding of the foundations of the Christian faith, and who has a strong desire to nurture youth in the Christian faith. Submit resumes to [email protected] or Pastor Harley Wheeler 120 Church Avenue SE New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.
|
|
Christ UMC in Louisville, Ohio is actively seeking a new 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. Any questions, call Bruce Lautzenheiser 330.309.1756. Please send resume and references to: Christ United Methodist Church, Attn: Bruce Lautzenheiser, 600 East Gorgas Street, Louisville, Ohio 44641.
|
|
The East Ohio Conference Office of Financial & Administrative Services is seeking an Administrative Assistant. The administrative assistant will work as a team member to provide office administrative and project support for the director of Financial & Administrative Services and/or designees. Essential job functions include: answering phones and greeting visitors; preparing communications such as memos, e-mails, invoices, reports, and other correspondence; processing daily deposits; and updating annually the Business of Annual Conference data. Click here for a full job description. Qualified candidates, please e-mail a brief resume and letter of interest to Michelle Anderson by Wednesday, October 6.
|
|
Fairhope UMC has a free Black Toner Print Cartridge MP6054, for a Ricoh MP 4054 Copy Machine. Please email Fairhope for more information.
|
|
Fairhope UMC is seeking extra round tables, about 5 ft. round, the size for a fellowship hall/banquet size, that no longer need, and in good condition. Contact Fairhope United Methodist Church at (330) 875-2028 or email us at [email protected]. |
|
Newcomers Chapel of Pigeon Run UMC is seeking hand bells for their newly formed Hand Bell Choir. Please contact Pastor Kim Vanoster (email) if your church has some available for purchase.
|
|
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
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, Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 499-3972 ext. 106
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
