The theme for Annual Conference 2026 is “Celebrating Abundant Grace”, and the services and sessions will be grounded in the words of Matthew 14:13-21 that tell of Jesus feeding 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
Worship Services
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung will preach the sermon during the opening Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11. Bishop John L. Hopkins will be the guest preacher for the Service of Licensing, Commissioning, Ordination, and Retirement at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12. Both services will be in McGaw Chapel.
Rev. Kil-Sang Yoon will be the guest preacher for the 9:00 a.m. service on Friday, June 12. Bishop Ruby-Nell Estrella of the Philippines Episcopal Area will be the guest preacher for the 9:00 a.m. service on Saturday, June 13 celebrating 70 years of ordaining women. Both services will be in the Gault Recreation Center.
Celebrating Mission & Ministries – June 10
You are invited to the Missions & Ministries Celebration Service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10 to praise God for the ministries birthed through local EOC churches and supported by Conference grants.
Ministry Fair & Midwest Mission Collection Truck
The ministry fair is Thursday, June 11 from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. in large tents along the main sidewalk between the Lowry Student Center and the Gault Recreation Center. The Midwest Mission collection truck will receive donations in Parking Lot #29 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11 and from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12.
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 82 "Influence, Connection & Impact: Unlikely Partners" features a conversation with East Ohio Advance Special Unlikely Partners (EOC 9999) founder Donovan Harris and board member Duane Crabbs as they share how they partner with community members to make a better future for youth exposed to violence.
“We thought that if we focused on the youth that were most likely to encounter violence, then we could start to change some of those things that we thought needed to be addressed in our community,” Harris shared.
“We’re really a ministry because ministries prioritize relationships. And at the end of the day we’re not an addiction recovery service, we’re not a child welfare agency, We’re not just a housing development organization. We’re people who seek to love those who we’re in relationship with,” said Crabbs. Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
View clergy and laity sharing their #BeUMC stories.
Through your generosity, United Methodist congregations are making a difference in the lives of laity and clergy in the U.S. and around the world.
In supporting the Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously Miracle Sunday initiative you’ve helped endow scholarships to strengthen theological education for clergy in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
Churches and individuals have opportunities to support two additional Special Sunday offerings in May.
United Methodist Student Day – Any Sunday in May
United Methodist Student Day (UMC Fund 9211) emphasizes the value of education. Contributions received through this special Sunday support scholarships for United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Action of General Conference 2024 moved United Methodist Student Day from the last Sunday of November to any Sunday in May.
Support United Methodist Student Day.
Peace with Justice Sunday – May 31
Peace with Justice Sunday (UMC Fund 9209) has traditionally been celebrated with an offering on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Half of the offering is disbursed through the General Board of Church and Society and half through the Conference Church and Society Committee. The offering supports programs that advocate for peace and justice at home and around the world.
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.
FIVE STRATEGIC PILLARS: emerged from conversations Bishop Jung has had with local churches across the Ohio Episcopal Area. They offer a shared vision and spiritual framework to guide our life together as “One Ohio” – rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit. Learn about the Five Pillars.
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.
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