East Ohio Conference E-News

Tuesday, September 1, 2010

● News

Russia -
Bishop’s 3Cs Mission Initiative Update
As the East Ohio Conference Bishop’s 3Cs Russia UMVIM team arrived in Moscow June 25 they had no Idea they were entering the beginning of Russia's massive summer long heat wave!(96 to 106 degrees F). Read story ►

Give a Bible to Someone Who’s Searching
For less than the cost of a matinee movie ticket or a couple of gallons of gas, you can place the New Testament in the hands of a spiritual seeker who has responded to The United Methodist Church’s advertisements. This is United Methodist Communications’ message to the church, as the agency begins offering the Rethink Church Edition Common English Bible (New Testament) at no cost to seekers who request it when they visit the Rethink Church campaign website, beginning in October.
More information ►

Older Adult Ministry Grants Received
38 projects from across the worldwide United Methodist Church received a total of $75,000 in grant funds for older adult ministries. The grants were provided in partial fulfillment of the Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries approved by the 2008 General Conference. Berea UMC and Wesleyan Senior Living from East Ohio Conference, were both chosen as two of the 38 programs to receive grants. Berea UMC will receive $1,000 for their Of Yeast and Mustard Seeds program and Wesleyan Senior Living will receive $2,000 for their CrossRoads program.

September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month
This is the 21st year celebrating this special observance. The 2010 theme is: “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!” Your local church can be a part of this special observance. Find out how ►

10-Fold: 10 projects - 10 days - 10,000 advocates
Imagine a movement that mobilizes tens of thousands of people in 10 days. It’s called 10-Fold. 10-Fold is about multiplying ministry and mobilizing passionate people to stand up and be counted for the causes they believe in. The event will launch on October 10, 2010 and last for 10 days. Every day will focus on a different project supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church. The goal is to gain the support of 10,000 people for each of the 10 projects. From October 10-19 you will be able to learn about mission projects around the world supported through The Advance, the designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church, during an online event unlike anything you have experienced before. It’s called 10-Fold. Through live webcasts, streaming video, online chats and other media, you will see and hear about amazing projects that are changing people’s lives.
More details ►

NCJ Missionary Interpreter in Residence to Speak
Karen Ujereh, the Missionary Interpreter in Residence for the North Central Jurisdiction, will be speaking at the following locations: Orrville Trinity UMC at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 3, contact sueh@ orrvilleytrinity.com; Willoughby Hills UMC (Breckenridge Village) at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 4, contact (440) 943-4123; Wooster Church of the Cross UM at 5:30 p.m. dinner and/or 6:30 p.m. program on Wednesday, October 6, contact (330) 345-6472; Wadsworth UMC at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, contact (330) 336-3749; and Faith UMC in North Canton at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 7, contact (330) 494-3337. Each of these events is open to the public, but it would be appreciated if you would call the contact person and let them know you are attending. Ujereh served in Senegal.

Missionary Available for Speaking:
The General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church supports over 300 missionaries throughout the world. Mariellyn Dunlap is a new missionary and will be officially commissioned on October 12. She is from Carrollton, Ohio (within our own conference) and is assigned as a Church and Community Worker to serve as patient-services coordinator of the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio. She has also served as a US-2 missionary at Martin Methodist College, in Pulaski, Tennessee and earlier served as a journalist with TransWorld Radio Europe in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to get to know more about her work as a missionary and how you can become more active in mission work through covenant relationships and the Advance. Ed and Linda Clark, East Ohio Conference Mission secretaries, will help you with arrangements. Contact the Clarks at 330-297-4238 or EPC378@aol.com.

Kent State University Seeking Persons for Research
The Center for the Study of Information and Religion (CSIR), Kent State University, is conducting research regarding how clergy members around the country addressed the Deepwater Horizon oil spill incident in the Gulf of Mexico in their sermons. CSIR invites and encourages clergy members who mentioned the Gulf oil spill in one or more sermons to take an online and anonymous survey. Find out how to participate ►

Planning Your Stewardship Campaign
As you start to plan your stewardship campaign for the fall, the East Ohio United Methodist Foundation's blog offers pointers to help get the planning started. You can read it at eoumfblog.wordpress.com

Global AIDS Fund Provides Grants
In rural Zimbabwe, there is not much relief, physically or emotionally, for those dying from the complications of HIV/AIDS. But, by training nurses at United Methodist-related Mutambara Hospital and other hospitals, as well as educating volunteer community caregivers in hospice skills, the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa is making a difference. That project is among the 155 projects in 33 countries receiving $527,165 in grants from the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund last year. Read more and find our how you can help. ►

● Treasurer/Benefits News

Calling All Active Clergy
Are you interested in estimating your retirement expenses and probable retirement income or developing and refining your investment strategies? If so – we’ve got the seminar for you! The East Ohio Conference Board of Pensions is sponsoring a one-day seminar to help you plan for your retirement. There is no cost to the participant! The seminar will be held on November 30, 2010 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the East Ohio Conference Area Center. Please note: SEATING IS LIMITED! Reservations are a must!! No walk-ins will be allowed. If you would like to make a reservation, please contact Betsy Stewart at betsy@eocumc.com (800) 831-3972, Ext. 103.

Get Ready to Show Your Stuff – VHM Participants!!!!
Conference to Conference 4 week challenge beginning 9/23 and running through 10/21. All enrolled participants will be receiving a series of three (3) challenge invites starting Thursday (9/2). Challenge registration is Tuesday 9/12. For those not enrolled in VHM, enrollment must be made by Monday 9/13 to have time to receive your pedometer and engage in the challenge. Visit HealthMiles brog blog for details and participant level and mileage updates ►

● Youth News

Youth Leaders Network
“Fall Connection” will be an opportunity for youth workers (volunteers and paid staff) to gather in their Districts to connect with one another. This will be an opportunity to share the joys of serving in Youth Ministry as well as where support is needed. No matter if you have been in Youth Ministry 2 months, or 20 years, you have a story to tell and a new idea to share and learn! Conducted by Kaye Wolfinger, East Ohio Conference Director of Youth Ministries. Find the dates and locations nearest you.

CCYM Announces a Change in YAC
At their August meeting the Conference Council on Youth Ministries evaluated the present Youth Annual Conference format and is announcing a change for YAC 2011. The CCYM voted to extend YAC to include more spiritual development and will begin programming on Friday evening at Lakeside and not hold the United Methodist Day at Cedar Point as has been done in the past.

To learn more about this change please read the memo that is a part of the September/October Window.

Save the Dates
The Conference Council on Youth Ministries met the first weekend of August to begin plans for the conference youth program for 2010-2011. The Confirmation Retreats, under the theme of “Catch the FIRE!” will be held:

December 3-5, 2010 at Camp Asbury
February 11-13 at Camp Wanake (note that the February date given in the previous E-News was incorrect)
March 4-6 at Camp Aldersgate.

Collide 2011 will be held March 26, 2011. Please mark these dates on your youth calendar and watch for details to follow.

● Mission Opportunities

Volunteers needed for new mission opportunies
A full listing of mission opportunities has been posted to the missions web page. Listed below you will find the latest opportunities that have been posted recently:

Ohio - Flood cleanup, Lawrence County
View details of this and all mission opportunies. ►

● Resources

September/October Edition of “The Window” Posted:
The September/October edition of “The Window” with information and registration details about various conference activities has been posted. The deadline for the November/December edition of “The Window” is October 9. Materials are to be submitted to Paul White at paulw@eocumc.com.

Disabilities Awareness Sunday
September 12 is the Sunday designated in East Ohio Conference as Disabilities Awareness Sunday. A motion was approved by the 2010 Annual Conference encouraging every church in East Ohio to observe this special Sunday. Free resources to assist in celebrating this special Sunday are available. Churches are encouraged to collect a special offering to help provide grants and financial support to local churches for ministry for and with persons with disabilities. Funds should be remitted to East Ohio Conference, PO Box 76019, Cleveland, OH 44101-4755 and clearly marked with Fund #9212 in the memo line of the check.

GBHEM Announces Online Consortium with 13 UM Theological Schools
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church is pleased to introduce an Online Continuing Education Consortium in collaboration with the 13 United Methodist Theological Schools. The vision of the consortium is to provide theologically sound, financially affordable, and easily accessible continuing education programs to clergy and lay Christians around the world so they may grow in their theological understanding and leadership skills. More information ►

World Communion Sunday is October 3
Bishop Joel N. Martinez experienced the call to ministry as a teenager. With the help of the Crusade Scholars program, he followed that call at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. “The Crusade Scholars program made possible my seminary education,” Martinez said. “This program is vital to our church’s future.” The World Communion Scholarship, formerly known as the Crusade Scholarship is funded through the special offering on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October. For more information and to order offering materials visit www.umcgiving.org/wcs.

Worship Resources for Children's Sabbath:
This year, the United Methodist Church will observe Children’s Sabbath October 8-10. Children's Sabbath is an ecumenically celebrated weekend committed to educating the congregation about the state of today’s children and families in America. Children provide leadership through music, sharing of gifts, and reading of scripture. Downloadable resources for this event are available through the Children’s Defense Fund An interactive map to find ideas that worked in congregations and communities in 2009 can be also be found.

Rethink Church Resource, Seeker Website Addresses Change
Congregational resources for the Rethink Church advertising and welcoming campaign have moved to a new website address: umcom.org/rethinkchurch, though the site content remains the same. Details ►

Yale Institute of Sacred Music Congregations Project
The Yale Institute of Sacred Music Congregations Project is an ecumenical initiative for vital Christian congregations that seek to strengthen their ministries of worship, music, and the arts for the sake of mission in the world. Each year, the ISM will invite applications from congregations to encourage them to construct a project or to enhance work they already do, based on a given theme. Successful congregations will send a team of three people (pastor, musician and one lay person) to Yale for a weeklong seminar that will make space for learning and dialog with each other and a faculty of nationally recognized teachers and practitioners.
More information ►

Certificate in Spiritual Formation
Drew Theological School will launch the new Certification in Spiritual Formation with the first intensive class to be held October 18-21. Five courses are required to receive the certification and all will be offered during a two-year cycle. This non-degree program is open to lay members, clergy and deacon candidates and students may enroll during any semester. More information and a full list of courses are available at - look for the tab under “United Methodist Certification and Courses.” Questions may be addressed to Rebecca Laird, Director of the program, at 973-408-3763.

Media Center
The Media Center recently acquired these resources:

When Christians Get It Wrong – More and more young adults have opted out of Christianity and the church. The reason? Christians. When young adults talk about the problems they have with Christianity and the church, they often name certain attitudes and behaviors they believe are practiced too often by Christians: judging others, condemning people of other faiths, rejecting science, injecting politics into faith, and being anti-homosexual. With his familiar style, Adam Hamilton tackles these issues and addresses the how's and why's of Christians getting it right when it comes to being Christ in the world.
How God Takes Our Little & Makes It Much – Here is Jim Moore at his best, telling the heart-warming stories as he teaches us about the Bible. Dr. Moore uses key Scriptures that distinctively shape us as United Methodists. There are two sessions from the Old Testament and four sessions from the New Testament. Each session also lifts up and uses core terms and life application topics taken from the Wesley Study Bible to help you grow as a faithful follower of Jesus as you practice your faith in everyday life.
The Miracle of Life Change – Prepare to experience transformation! Just as a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, Chip Ingram helps you break free of destructive patterns to become the person you long to be! Unpacking Ephesians 4, his 10-session study will show you how to overcome barriers to change, deal with sin, rely on God to bring out your best, and more.

To reserve these or other resources, call the Media Center at 800-831-3972, ext. 139 or send an e-mail to sarnold@eocumc.com or browse the resource catalog.

● Grants

Older Adult Ministry Grants:
The United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries will be providing grants related to older adult ministry in the area of Caregiving Ministry in 2011. The grants, part of the Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries, will be available to local United Methodist congregations, districts, and UM related institutions. Applications are available now at www.aging-umc.org. January 15, 2011 is the submission deadline and grant funds will be awarded in the fall of 2011.

● Message in the Movies

East, Pray, Love Eat, Pray, Love Rated PG-13 ►
Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor-Glader

"What I like best about this film is its casting, which is just about perfect. There is a generosity of spirit to this film, which celebrates the simple joy of living."

● Positions Available

Adult choir director
Wedgewood UMC
Organist/keyboardist
Wedgewood UMC
Youth Educational Services
Church of the Cross, Lexington

View full details regarding job openings.

● New Events Listings

September 11
Pedaling Parsons
The Pedaling Parsons ride is the Cuyahoga Valley Trail from Peninsula to Rockside Road – a round trip of 45 miles. Registration is $10. Eeach rider must get pledges to help fund the construction of a dormitory at the UM Camphor Mission Station in Liberia. The group hopes to take a UMVIM and Pedaling Parson team to the Camphor Mission Station in 2012. To register (330) 499-2330 or dtailwind@aol.com

September 19
Mayfield UMC 175th Birthday Celebration
One service at 10 AM, led by District Superintendent, Dave Scavuzzo. The service will feature the Praise Band, Chancel Choir and present and former pastors of Mayfield and Trinity Churches. This will be followed by a community picnic from noon to 3:00 PM. Free food and fun for all ages! We will have live music, bounce houses, dunk tank, basketball “pop-a-shot” and many other games. There will also be free rides on the Euclid Beach Rocket Car. Win something cool; we have door prizes!

September 23-25
2010 Summit on the Black Church
The 2010 Summit on the Black Church is a gathering to celebrate the ministry of African American congregations. The summit will be held in Columbia, South Carolina. Brochures with the registration, schedule, speakers and workshops are available at www.umcsc.org .

September 25
Ecumenical Servant Day
The East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church is joining with the Roman Catholic Church Diocese of Cleveland and Youngstown, The Episcopal Church Diocese of Cleveland, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Northeastern Ohio Synod for a day of service on September 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This is a day for persons from the various denominations to come together in mission work throughout the northeast Ohio area. There will be multiple mission work sites in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Lorain, and Youngstown. For more information and to register your participation in this Ecumenical Servant Day go to http://ecumenical092510.eventbrite.com .

September 25
Fried Potatoes, Bacon and Eggs, Oh My!
Mogadore United Methodist Church announces the first of their fall/winter breakfast to be held on Saturday mornings from September to February. Many breakfast combos and ala carte items are available. Serving from 7am to 11am. Questions - please call the church office at (330) 628-1232. Church is located at 3828 Mogadore Road, Mogadore, OH 44260.

September 27-October 1
Time Away For Leaders
Do you need time away for study? If so you might want to look at a new program of the General Board of Discipleship and the Turner Center for Church Leadership at Vanderbilt Divinity School called “Leave for Leaders.” You are invited to focus on your own topic and ideas: plan a sermon series, study the Journal of John Wesley, design a discipleship system for your congregation, reflect on a letter in the New Testament, read books on ministry, etc.. For more information or to register go to http://tinyurl.com/32rtgpe .

September 27
The Henri J. M. Nouwen Lecture
“The Road to Peace: The Wisdom of Gospel Nonviolence from Jesus to Henri Nouwen” will be given at 7:30 p.m. at Drew. Books will be available for purchase. There is no charge for the lecture but donations are welcomed. For more information, contact nvanderveen@drew.edu or (973) 408-3084.

September 29- October 1
The Downtown Church Network 2010
Leaders of UM churches located in downtown metropolitan areas, who face unique challenges as they typically serve aging congregations and diverse communities, find needed support each year by gathering to learn from one another. The Downtown Church Network 2010, a peer-learning event sponsored by The General Board of Discipleship for pastors and staff of downtown churches in cities of at least 100,000 people, is scheduled for September 29 – October 1 at First UMC in Wichita, Kansas. Information is available at www.gbod.org/dcn10 .

October 1-2
Ohio PAUMCS Conference
The 20th Annual Fall Conference of the Ohio Chapter of PAUMCS (Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries) will be held October 1-2 at Greentown UMC in Greentown, Ohio. Lodging will be at the Best Western Hotel in North Canton. Persons must make hotel reservations by September 8. Registration for the conference must be made by September 24. “Love in Action” is the theme of the conference with featured speakers to include Bishop John L. Hopkins, Mrs. Elaine Hopkins, and Rev. Vernagaye Sullivan. A brochure of the event with registration information can be found at http://www.eocumc.com/event_09pdf/paumcs2010fallevent.pdf. For more information contact jperry@wocumc.org.

October 2
2010 Evangelism Academy “GOT FISH?”
The third session of the Evangelism Academy under the theme of “Got Fish?” will be led by Bishop Robert Schnase, author of “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations,” at North Canton Grace UMC. Information and registration . Deadline is September 24.

October 14-15
2010 North Central Jurisdictional Religion and Race Learning Event
The 2010 North Central Jurisdictional Commission on Religion and Race Learning Event under the theme of “Challenging Business as Usual: Visions of Racial Justice” will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Information and registration.

October 14-16
International AIDS Conference
“Lighten the Burden III,” a United Methodist international conference on AIDS, will be in Dallas, Texas. Flyer with more information and registration details can be found at http://www.eocumc.com/church_society/events.html .

October 14-16
Wesleyan Leadership Conference
The General Board of Discipleship is sponsoring a “Wesleyan Leadership Conference: Mainline or Methodist? – Recovering our Evangelistic Mission”. The UMC in North America needs a Wesleyan Methodist revival. The Holy Spirit wants to move in the hearts, minds, and hands of people today to “reform the nation, particularly the church; and to spread Scriptural holiness across the land. The Wesleyan Leadership Conference will equip you with ideas and methods that make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Speakers for this event will include Scott Kishker, Vance P. Ross, Steve Manskar, Sandy Jackson, and Taylor Burton-Edwards. Registration is $125. For details and registration go to www.gbod.org/wesleyanleadership

October 15
Annual Thank-A-Friend Luncheon
Want to thank your neighbor for their random act of kindness? What about saying “thank you” to a close friend or family member? How about treating employees or co-workers to lunch in appreciation of their hard work? The Berea Children’s Home & Family Services’ 18th Annual Thank-A-Friend Luncheon will be held at 12:00 noon. Luncheon tickets must be purchased by October 6. For more information and registration.

October 22-24
Choir Music Weekend
Choir Music Weekend brings together choral training, hand bells, workshops on various subjects in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Find out more.

October 23
Self-Care Covenant Workshop
The East Ohio Conference Health and Welfare Task Group on Clergy and Congregational Wellness is having a Self-Care Covenant Workshop at the East Ohio Area Center in North Canton. Cost is $30 for the workshop. Seating is limited and registration is on a first-come first-serve basis with a registration deadline of October 8. For more information.

October 29-30
Lay Speakers 2010 Training Academy
The 2010 Lay Speaking Training Academy will be held at Camp Wanake under the theme of “Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline.” Cost is $100 ($75 for commuters) and persons must register by October 8. For a registration and information brochure visit http://www.eocumc.com/window/sept_oct_ 10/Lay%20 Speaking%20Training%20Brochure.pd f.

November 8-10
Fall-for-All Clergy Retreat
The “All Clergy Retreat” sponsored by the Order of Elders to be held at The Carlisle Inn in Sugar Creek. Michael R. Follin, storyteller, teacher, musician, and communicator, will be the featured speaker. Retreat brochure. Further information can be obtained by contacting jan@eastshorechurch.com or (216) 261-1688.

November 30
All Active Clergy
Are you interested in estimating your retirement expenses and probable retirement income or developing and refining your investment strategies? If so – we’ve got the seminar for you! The East Ohio Conference Board of Pensions is sponsoring a one-day seminar to help you plan for your retirement. There is no cost to the participant! The seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the East Ohio Conference Area Center. Please note: Seating is limited! Reservations are a must!! No walk-ins will be allowed. If you would like to make a reservation, please contact betsy@eocumc.com (800) 831-3972, Ext. 103.

January 4-7
2011 Congress on Evangelism
The 2011 Congress on Evangelism will be held at Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, S.C. The theme for the event is "Lift High the Cross" and will feature speakers from across the United Methodist Connection. More information can be found at http://congressonevangelism.org/.