September 22, 2022

Steven Scheid, Dir.

Center for Scouting Ministries

The United Methodist Church

[email protected]

Dear Church and Scouting Leaders,

The congregations of The United Methodist Church have sought to work within communities as the body of Christ for generations. This work has opened doors to partnerships with food banks, homeless shelters, local schools, and to youth serving organizations. Our partnership with the Boy Scouts of America is one of these ongoing missions to support youth growth in character and faith. Since 1920, the Methodist Church has held a formal relationship with the BSA.

As we are entering into a new relationship, the need for communication is critical. The challenge is the overlapping of both United Methodist Conference boundaries and the BSA Local Council boundaries.

The East Ohio Conference values the ministry of Scouting. Bishop Tracy S. Malone has been engaged in helping find a positive way forward as a part of the broader UMC Leadership Team. There is a clear direction from the episcopal leadership of the East Ohio Conference. These two paths are also the ones that the Center for Scouting Ministries at the GCUMM supports.

Over the last two plus years, a set of options for the local church to serve have been established. Please use them as they were negotiated in good faith with the BSA to best protect the churches, support the units, and stay faithful to ministry.

The Updated Affiliation Agreement is an opportunity for the Scouting units to stay at the local church. It transfers the ownership to the local council. The Council shares the EIN and approves adults. It offers the church the full protection and full investment opportunity with the youth and leaders of the Scouting unit.

The Facilities Use Agreement is another opportunity for the Scouting units to stay within the United Methodist Church. This agreement does not specifically point to who the charter owner for the unit is. It may be a local group who just does not have the space to share or as much resource support as the local church. This flexible path does also allow for the local council to own the unit as well. It also offers the church protection and the full investment of ministry opportunity.

The two options above are the Conference and GCUMM recommended paths for the East Ohio Conference of The UMC.

Thank you for being a witness of Christ in community as we serve youth.

Regards,

Steven Scheid

Dir., Center for Scouting Ministries

General Commission on United Methodist Men

Phone: 615.340.7145 | Toll Free: 866.297.4312

Fax: 615.340.1770 | E-mail: [email protected]

Consultation & Charge Conference Season

Charge Conference season is HERE! The 2022 Charge Conference and Consultation forms are now live on the Conference website.

For Charge Conference - held on Saturday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. at Union Ave UMC: Please complete this form for EACH person in a leadership role. All forms are due to the district office no later than THIS FRIDAY, September 30!

Please remember - Charge Conference forms are legal documents that are required to maintain incorporation. UMC Book of Discipline ¶ 247.3 The primary responsibilities of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church (¶¶ 120-124), receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council that are in keeping with the objectives of The United Methodist Church. 

Wespath FAQ

Wespath, the benefits and pension partner of the UMC, continues to focus on continuity of benefits for those who serve and the impact of disaffiliations on pensions, benefits and liabilities funding. FAQs are updated periodically.

Link to Wespath FAQ