#GivingTuesday is a great opportunity to share with others what we have been blessed to receive from God.
Again, this year, the East Ohio Conference Board of Missions will match donations made online on #GivingTuesday, December 2 to EOC Advance Specials – with a $500 maximum match per Advance. Donors can schedule in advance for a financial donation to be transacted on December 2.
In 2024, 19 Advances received $6,487 in matching donations. Let’s make a goal of supporting even more Advance Specials ministries this year. If you have questions about the #GivingTuesday donation match, please e-mail Melanie Thomas.
Support EOC Advance Specials Ministries.
The Ohio Episcopal Area has a discernment process to help individuals explore their call to ministry through preparation, participation, and prayer. The goal is faithfulness to discerning God’s call one step at a time, whether that be in set-apart licensed or ordained ministry or in lay ministry.
To attend the Candidacy Summit retreat, candidates must be recommended by their district superintendent and must complete the necessary paperwork. If you have questions about the Candidacy Summit and/or exploring a call to ministry, please e-mail Rev. Karen Wolcott, EOC Candidacy Summit coordinator.
Learn about the clergy candidacy process.
Register for the January 9-10 Candidacy Summit.
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation is a podcast highlighting ministries across the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church that are transforming lives locally, nationally, and globally. Produced twice-a-month by EOC Communications, each podcast episode focuses on one of the core values of the #BeUMC campaign: Disciple Making; Belonging & Inclusion; Influence, Connection & Impact; and Experience of God through The United Methodist Church.
In Episode 72 "Disciple Making: Cooperative Parishes" Cabinet members Rev. Laura White, Rev. Kelly Brown, and Rev. Beth Ortiz share how cooperative parishes – churches grouped together as a missional unit – model the connectional DNA of The United Methodist Church.
White said, “You can still be you while being in ministry with other churches – and we were never meant to do ministry alone. Scripture is very clear on that. We are meant to be relational. We are meant to be supporting each other.”
Cooperative parishes have a history of impacting communities across the East Ohio Conference.
“I see it as our future. I see that it’s always been a part of who we are, we just got away from it and now its reemerging as a powerful way to do ministry,” Brown shared.
Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
View clergy and laity sharing their #BeUMC stories.
February 7 (9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.) – You are invited to Camp Asbury to explore your faith and teachings of The United Methodist Church, such as “What United Methodists Believe”, “The Sacraments”, “Spiritual Disciplines”, and more. The cost to attend is $70/youth and $60/adult. Registration deadline is January 16.
Register on the Events Registration page.
February 20-22 (Weekend Retreat) – You are invited to Camp Wanake to explore United Methodists’ understanding of the sacraments and the ways Church members talk about and experience God, and more. The cost to attend is $169/youth and $159/adult. Save $20/person if you register by February 3.
Register on the Events Registration page.
For more information about Confirmation Retreats, please call the East Ohio Conference Camps office at (330) 499-3972 ext. 139, or call Camp Asbury (330) 569-3171 or Camp Wanake (330) 756-2333.
Adults leading ministries with children, youth, and young adults are invited to the Reset Leaders Retreat at Embassy Suites Akron-Canton Airport January 23-24. The retreat theme is “Spiritual Renewal” and the time of reflection, encouragement, and practical connection will be guided by Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
The cost is $40 (commuters), $80 (double-occupancy) or $160 (single occupancy) and registration deadline is January 5.
MESSAGES FROM OUR EPISCOPAL LEADER: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is resident bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area consisting of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church. View Bishop Jung’s Soul Food messages to Ohio laity and clergy.
OHIO EPISCOPAL AREA TASK TEAM:
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung formed the task team of East and West Ohio clergy and laity to actively listen, discuss, and discern about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. Learn more about the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team.
UMC STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN: GCFA, Discipleship Ministries and UM Communications have collaborated to educate and resource churches about the positive impact apportionments make on how we minister to those in need. Learn about apportionments and the United In Impact campaign.
EOC STANDS AGAINST RACISM: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, the Cabinet, Executive staff, and East Ohio laity and clergy are committed to stand against racism. Visit the Stand Against Racism resource page for small group studies, videos, podcasts, books, and more to learn how you can stand against racism.
Search www.eocumc.com:
