East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church

A Call to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

As we witness the widening conflict across the Middle East, our hearts are heavy. In times such as these, we turn first to prayer. Scripture reminds us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

We are not powerless in moments of turmoil. We are called to pray – for peace, for protection, and for the preservation of every life precious to God. I invite you to join in prayer:

for peace to prevail across the Middle East.
for every life to be protected.
for families living in fear to be sheltered in God’s mercy.
for leaders to be guided toward wisdom and restraint.

Beloved, let us remain awake in prayer – in our congregations, in our homes, and in the quiet of our hearts. May Christ, our Peace, guard the nations and steady our spirits.

A Prayer for Peace

God of mercy and compassion, you are the source of life and the guardian of every soul. We grieve the violence unfolding in our world. We tremble for families living under the threat of war.

Protect every life, O God. Shield the innocent.
Restrain the powerful. Transform the policies of nations, so that they reflect your justice, mercy, and peace. Grant wisdom to leaders. Turn them toward diplomacy instead of destruction, toward courage in reconciliation instead of pride in power.

Make us instruments of your peace. Keep our hearts free from hatred. Teach us to love beyond borders and beyond fear. Through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

Read Bishop Jung's message in its entirety.

Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation
Episode 77 Medical Missionaries to Nepal

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.

Episode 77 "Disciple Making: Medical Missionaries to Nepal" features Les and Debbie Dornon, retiring after 20+ years of medical mission work in that country.

“We had missionaries in our community from all around the world. Not just Methodists from the U.S. but from many countries come together to work. And so, it’s a fun and challenging time to create that community of the Christians who are serving there,” Debbie shared.

“The thing at the end of our career that we remember most is the relationships that we have and that’s not something that happens in a week or a month. It’s walking through life experiences with these people and their joys and their griefs and being there for them and sharing the hope that there is in Jesus in all these circumstances. So, we would like to encourage people to think about going for career missions or at least long-term, rather than just doing short-term trips,” Les said.

Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
View clergy and laity sharing their #BeUMC stories.

Bishop Jung Invites Laity and Clergy to Join Him for Days in the Districts Across Ohio

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will host days in the districts in February and March. Participants at each gathering will connect around the Five Strategic Pillars of the Ohio Episcopal Area 2026 Missional Direction.

Make plans to attend whichever of these five days fits best with your schedule, even if it is not the day that will be in your district:

Western Lakes & Maumee River Districts
Saturday, February 21 @ Lima Shawnee UMC

South Forest & Hocking River Districts
Thursday, February 26 @ Zanesville Grace UMC

West Plains & Olentangy River Districts
Wednesday, March 4 @ Lexington Church of the Cross

Scioto River & Great Miami River Districts
Saturday, March 7 @ Resurrection Mason UMC

Northern Waters & Central Valley Districts
Saturday, March 14 @ North Canton Faith UMC

Clergy will gather at 9:00 a.m. for 9:30 a.m. worship followed by a Bible study led by Bishop Jung.

Laity should arrive at 11:00 a.m. for a training session on laity leadership skills led by Julie Carter, director of Faith Formation & Lay Ministries. Laity who will travel with their pastor are invited to the 9:30 a.m. worship service.

Clergy and laity will eat lunch together at noon followed at 1:00 p.m. by a discussion with Bishop Jung and Conference leadership around the Five Strategic Pillars of the Ohio Episcopal Area 2026 Missional Direction.

Learn about Bishop Jung’s Days in the Districts.
Register for each of the Days in the Districts.

Equipping local churches to be, make, and mature disciples of Jesus Christ

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.