East Ohio Joining Hands Magazine

East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church SPRING 2013 | Volume 13 | Issue 3

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- informed, inspired and in touch.

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The Vision of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church is to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Calling …

By Rick Wolcott*

We live in a world of instant accessibility. I don’t go anywhere without my iPhone. I know I am not alone. Like the sprinter in the starting blocks, we live in a constant state of heightened awareness, awaiting the next sound.

Call us and we answer. Text us and we reply. Send us an e-mail and we respond. No longer do we need to sit at home or in the office waiting for that important phone call. We are free to roam, to experience and to live.

Truth be told, though, not all calls are completed using a phone. The most important ones can only be answered in our heart.

Jesus is calling …

This is the theme for Annual Conference 2013 – four days in June when we gather together as clergy and laity to worship, to fellowship and to conduct business. It’s a time to share in the joy of new ministries, to remember those who carried the torch before passing it to us, and a time to celebrate those who have recently answered God’s call to the ministry.

In Matthew 4: 18-22 we read for the first time about Jesus selecting his disciples. Peter, Andrew, James and John were doing what they had probably done every day for years with no idea that their lives soon would be changed forever. When called by Jesus to do something different, they answered His call and followed.

Likewise, the bright spots highlighted on the following pages have answered the call.

As you read their stories, you will follow the path traveled by Bishop John Hopkins last fall during his district-by-district tour of the conference. The 10-day journey began in the Southern Hills District and concluded in the Tuscarawas District.

These are just samplings of the hundreds of congregations across East Ohio that are answering Jesus’ call, stepping out in faith into the mission field – and in so doing, transforming the world.

East Ohio Joining Hands SPRING 2013

Vol. 13 No. 3

East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church Office of Communications Editor/Director of Communications Rick Wolcott wolcott@eocumc.com Graphic Designer Sue Zakovec sue@eocumc.com Subscriptions/Administrative Lois Speelman lois@eocumc.com Under the direction of: The Conference Board of Communications Mail: Editor East Ohio Joining Hands 8800 Cleveland Ave. N.W. North Canton, Ohio 44720 Phone: ext. ext. ext.

800.831.3972 118 Editor 105 Graphic Designer 119 Subscriptions

Web site: www.eocumc.com *Rick Wolcott is the Director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Submission of articles is encouraged. The deadline is May 20 for the Summer 2013 issue. Our theme is “Jesus is Calling ...”

East Ohio Joining Hands USPS (005-882) is published quarterly by the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church, Office of Communications, 8800 Cleveland Ave. N.W., North Canton, Ohio 44720. Periodical Postage paid at Canton, Ohio.

Postmaster: Send address corrections to: East Ohio Joining Hands 8800 Cleveland Ave. N.W. North Canton, Ohio 44720

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Paying Attention to What is Working

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By Bishop John L. Hopkins*

y father was an auto mechanic. He fixed things that were broken. The first question he asked customers was, “What’s not working?” After trouble-shooting the problem he would then proceed to repair or replace the part that was broken.

This approach works well with mechanical things but not so well with relational things.

For too long after Elaine and I were married, I tried to “fix” things in our relationship until she told me one day, “I don’t need you to fix it, I just need you to listen.” It was a hard lesson for me to learn, but it changed my perspective entirely. If you want to change a relationship, you don’t start with, “What’s not working?” You begin by paying attention to what is working.

It is easy to fixate on the problems at hand and miss the abundance that is around us. In Mark, Chapter 8, the disciples were focused on not having enough bread, forgetting that Jesus fed the multitudes and had leftovers!

Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember?

When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they answered him.

Jesus continued, “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?”

“Seven,” they replied.

He asked them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Jesus wants our trust and gives us signs of God’s abundance.

This past fall, I decided to open my eyes and ears to God’s abundance by visiting church leaders across East Ohio.

Each district hosted me in a variety of settings to meet people face-to-face, and to hear the stories of how lives are being changed by the work of our churches in their communities.

The focus was on what is working by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. I wanted to see the bright spots.

In this issue of Joining Hands, you will read about some amazing signs of renewal across East Ohio. These ministries would not be possible without people trusting in God and venturing out in faith. I believe these are a few of many signs that we are shifting our focus in the church.

Following a period during which congregations focused on fixing what was not working, we are now starting to focus on what God is doing in the lives of people beyond our buildings. When we pay attention to the abundance of God, our trust grows and our faith becomes contagious.

I believe we are on the verge of a new spiritual awakening in North America. I see Ohio as a place where that awakening once again will take hold. Why? There are abundant signs of renewal everywhere. Coming out of a period of economic decline, we are ripe for investment. We have thousands of congregations with untapped spiritual resources. And we have some of the best college students. That’s important because social renewal usually begins on college campuses.

Yes, my father was a “fix it” guy, but I learned he also had vision. Occasionally, I would see him with a vehicle that had been wrecked. Not only was the body smashed, scraped and dented, but the engine and frame were damaged too. I was sure that it could not be repaired. But after walking around the car several times, I could see my father visualize what it would look like totally restored.

His smile was evidence that he could see something that none of the rest of us could. Perhaps, I had him wrong.

Maybe his vision of what could be motivated him day after day to take on that which seemed impossible.

That’s the kind of vision and faith Jesus offers us.

Doesn’t it make you smile just thinking about it? *Bishop John L. Hopkins is the Resident Bishop of the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

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The Tour Begins

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By Rev. Steve Court*

he bishop’s East Ohio Conference tour kicked off in the Southern Hills district. Woodsfield United Methodist Church, Beverly United Methodist Church, and Cambridge Christ United Methodist Church each hosted a session with Bishop Hopkins. Many remarked how meaningful it was for clergy and laity to talk with the bishop on such a personal level.

We recognized our common bond of faith as we shared our faith stories and celebrated the ways in which prayer and Christian witness transform lives in the name of Jesus. It’s impossible to list them all but here are some of the Southern Hills bright spots that were lifted up during our time together:

Beverly United Methodist Church recently launched Friday Night Lights, a meal and fellowship, for community youth in grades seven through 12. The youth come to the church from school prior to home football games and

then go to the game. This is a significant ministry to primarily under-churched youth.

Also, in an effort to better communicate with a new generation, the church has added flat panel TVs in the classrooms.

The televisions are connected to a new projection system in the sanctuary.

Christ United Methodist Church in Cambridge added a visitation staff position to its already active intercessory prayer team. As part of its community outreach the church began a Celebrate Recovery ministry, as well as a new teen girls group.

Christ UMC is grounded in and supportive of an active Emmaus community. It continues to serve as a beacon of faith as the largest United Methodist church in the region.

Duncan Falls United Methodist Church has a youth outreach and witness that is amazing. This congregation that worships 70 people on Sundays provided 1,098 free lunches last summer. Church members are realizing their gifts, stepping into teaching and leadership positions, and launching new ministries. Two members are entering the candidacy program.

Dungannon United Methodist Church has transformed its stewardship by focusing

on community mission rather than church survival. Fund raising once needed to keep the church open is now totally missionsdriven and the budget is healthier than it has ever been.

Faith United Methodist Church in Cambridge has a long tradition of hands-on mission and dynamic prayer ministry. Its Bridges out of Poverty, jail ministry, Celebrate Recovery, and strong connections to the local school reading program have introduced Christ to people in need.

Hannibal United Methodist Church is networking with churches in Kentucky and West Virginia to realign a focus on lay leadership through ABIDE team coaching.

Koinonia team ministry has created an innovative coaching process to lead a cluster of churches with a team of pastors and lay speakers.

One of the most exciting signs of God’s work is in Lay Servant Ministries. The district has aligned lay servant training around the goals and the needs expressed by our local churches. We also created a pilot class for Go Preach that utilizes a mixture of face-toface and online sessions.

Bishop Hopkins said during his visit in the district, “We want each local church to thrive and grow.” Clearly the Spirit of the living God is moving in Southern Hills.

*Rev. Steve Court is in his 5th year as Superintendent of the Southern Hills District.

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REAL TRAINING FOR REAL LEADERSHIP IN REAL LIFE

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

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By Rick Oaks*

t takes a growing pastor to lead a growing church.

Knowing this, pastors in the district who have a deep desire to lead healthy churches and growing congregations created the Mahoning Valley Leadership Academy. The idea was – and remains – to attract and train clergy who want to grow in their ministry.

More than two dozen pastors have participated in the six sessions that have been held over the past two years. Each three-day session focuses on a specific topic, during which time nationally recognized presenters explain the principles that have enabled them to lead effective ministries.

Academy participants then are able to incorporate some of the best practices that will enhance the reallife, everyday environment of the local church they are serving.

The vision of the leadership academy is to equip pastors to lead today’s church into tomorrow.

As part of the process, each session also includes meaningful worship, covenant group time, and additional resources for learning beyond the academy.

The academy is held at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek, providing an environment that is comfortable and conducive to learning. The topics of past sessions have included: Small Groups and Developing Discipleship Pathways in the local church, Managing Change, Vision Casting, Transforming Prayer, Self-care, and Team Building.

“The academy has allowed us to come together as clergy in a positive, new way,” said one participant.

“We have developed deep, long-lasting friendships and a camaraderie that helps us each know that we are not alone on our journey of this path called ministry. We have learned, laughed, and cried together in an amazing atmosphere of trust and support.”

God at Work

By Rev. Matt Darrin*

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owland United Methodist Church is living proof that it is possible to reverse a downward spiral.

During the 1990s, the church grew as the community around it boomed. The church reached a high of 311 in worship attendance in 1995. But then the job market changed. Many church members worked at the nearby Packard Electric plant, which at one point had a workforce of 14,600 people. Today it employs only 600. Others worked at the Lordstown auto plant, which downsized to 5,000 workers from 14,000.

As jobs left the area, people left the church. Internal conflict further hastened the exodus and by 2010, average church attendance had declined to 147, and worse yet – only about seven of them were children.

An interim minister came in to help heal the conflict, and then a new pastor was appointed to give the church vision and direction. The congregation needed to become outwardly focused if it was to reach the people in the community.

Revitalizing children’s ministries, and outreach to young families became the focus of the church. In the past 18 months a new staff person was hired for children’s ministries, a clear vision for the ministry was adopted, and 50 volunteers were recruited to run this dynamic ministry. The church now averages between 50-60 children each Sunday!

Nearly everything has been re-imagined. A new praise band is helping lead worship. New small groups and new outreach ministries have begun.

The church is once again trending upward. In 2012, the church averaged 232 in worship attendance – a 58% increase in just 18 months!

Clearly, God is at work at Howland UMC – a “bright spot” we can all celebrate. *Rev. Matt Darrin is in his 2nd full year serving Howland United Methodist Church.

*Rick Oaks is a full-time Local Pastor in his 10th year serving Warren First United Methodist Church.

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The Tree of Life Community Bears Fruit

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By Rev. Allan Bevere*

n his book, Renovate or Die, author Bob Farr is clear that change is the only option to the reversal of a declining church.

Methodism started as a movement, but over time it has become an institution. Institutions focus on self-preservation; movements are centered on mission.

When institutions act to preserve the status quo, they in actuality continue to sow the seeds of their demise; for selfpreservation is inwardly focused. Missional movements are focused outwardly on those who are not part of the mission, thereby ensuring growth and vitality. The church needs to recover its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

In July of 2011, four congregations in the Canal District strategically were connected in a regional ministry model that is increasing in popularity across the United States. Akron First United Methodist Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Copley United Methodist Church, and Montrose Zion United Methodist Church were joined together in an attempt to do ministry in a new way.

In the discussions leading up to the formation of this new ministry, it was unofficially referred to as the West Akron Regional Ministry (W.A.R.M.), which reflected the roughly 10-mile line that the four churches inhabit from Akron First UMC to Montrose Zion UMC. After a few months, members of the regional ministry’s Council on Ministries began thinking of a name that did not delineate geography but rather characterized mission.

The Tree of Life Community was born based on Revelation 22:2b, “On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears fruit twelve times a year … and its leaves are for the healing of the nations.”

“We wanted the name of the regional ministry to express what we are about,” said the Rev. Becki Bowan Verbridge of Copley UMC. “We must bear the fruit of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

This new model of ministry is Wesleyan in character. It is an attempt to recover Methodism’s connectional identity.

“Unfortunately, our connection as United Methodists is in name only,” continued Verbridge.

I think if John Wesley were here today and could take a look at the people called Methodists in America, he might tell us that our

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local congregations operate more like Presbyterians than Methodists. Although each of the pastors is responsible for one particular congregation, the four of them function together as a team to better lead the congregations in the regional ministry.

“It is important to remember,” says the Rev. Elizabeth Hadler of Montrose Zion UMC, “that a regional ministry will only be as strong as the individual congregations that compose it.”

This new way of being in ministry has provided many joys and challenges. New ministries have been started by all four congregations. Some of them are the work of the region, others are specific to each congregation, and others were started as a regional effort, but are now maintained solely by one church.

Akron First UMC began a sewing ministry for a women’s shelter. Christ UMC is home to a worship service designed for families with special needs children. On Fridays Copley UMC hosts an after-school youth ministry. Montrose Zion UMC is strategically reshaping its congregation.

“The one important thing that makes this work is that the four pastors get along well and support one another in ministry together,” said the Rev. Bill Wendell of Christ UMC.

“There are no egos,” says Verbridge. “The four pastors gather weekly for lunch. We meet to discuss the business of the regional ministry and to encourage and to hold one another accountable.”

While good things are happening, and more are to come, there have been plenty of challenges and bumps in the road. Ministry is not easy. Jesus told us it wouldn’t be easy. Change is difficult. My years in pastoral ministry have taught me that it is seldom a straight line from point A to point B, and usually point B moves several times in the attempt to get there. *Rev. Allan Bevere is in his 2nd year serving Akron First United Methodist Church.

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Sharing the Love of Christ

By Laurie Evinsky*

What do smoke alarms have in common with Jesus Christ? They both save lives!

The members of Colebrook United Methodist Church used the return to Daylight Standard Time last fall to make an impact on the community.

Parishioners went door to door and handed out gift bags to our un-churched neighbors. Each bag included 9-volt batteries, candy and an invitation to worship and pray at our church.

Prior to venturing out, the gift bags were lined up on the communion rail during morning worship.

The congregation was reminded of God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Following worship we had a light lunch and prayer as excited, but nervous, participants were sent out in teams of three; one would be the greeter, one would lead prayer, and the third would write down each prayer request. Each team visited four or five homes and then returned to the sanctuary to pray a second time for those they had visited.

Prayer requests were left on the communion rail and members were encouraged to return to the church to pray for our neighbors.

The reluctant warriors were transformed into Christians on fire as they shared stories of how nervous they were at the first stop and how anxiety was soon replaced with excitement as neighbors responded positively to their heartfelt outreach.

One woman we visited began by telling us that she attends a church and that she did not have any prayer requests. A member of our team asked if she needed a hug. She then broke into tears and shared stories of how life was overwhelming her. The following week that same woman brought clothes to our church for a family we were helping whose house had burned down.

The door-to-door campaign had an unexpected benefit – it recharged our own batteries to be the church in the community.

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Extravagant GENEROSITY

By Rev. Ed Peterson*

uring Advent, First United Methodist Church of Middlefield adopted the Rev. Mike Slaughter’s book, A Different Kind of Christmas, as our theme.

We reminded ourselves of the irony, that although Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, none of the gifts we buy are for him. So we challenged ourselves, that as we purchased gifts for each other we would also spend an equal amount giving a gift in Jesus’ name. People were invited to purchase animals through Heifer International. As animals were purchased, we filled a stall at the front of the sanctuary with life-sized, cardboard cutouts representing each animal purchased.

As the Advent season progressed, we began to develop a problem; we were running out of room for all of the animals!

Cardboard cutouts spilled out of the stall and filled the sanctuary.

When Advent ended, the people of the church had given 109 animals – everything from chickens to camels – totaling almost $12,000.

Middlefield is at the center of the lowest income level in Geauga County. The community was hit hard in the recession of 2008, and has not yet recovered. Despite that, the people of the church have given extravagantly, enabling the mission and ministry of the church to thrive.

In 2012, the congregation gave an additional $100,000 – equal to one-third of the church’s operating budget – toward purchase of new land for the church. And then, at Advent, worshippers gave another $12,000 to Heifer. It is amazing to witness the extravagant generosity of God’s people. *Rev. Ed Peterson is in his 8th year serving First United Methodist Church in Middlefield.

*Laurie Evinsky is a part-time Local Pastor in her 3rd year serving Colebrook United Methodist Church in East Orwell.

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Helping Hands

By Al Gore*

I have found it very hard to write about my experiences as an Early Response Team (ERT) member in New Jersey. Words cannot properly reflect what we saw, how we felt, and what we did for those three days in November while assisting victims of Hurricane Sandy. Even in my wildest imagination, I was not prepared for the devastation that I saw.

Our trip began in the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 26. Our team of four men from Mt. Vernon Gay Street United Methodist Church, loaded our truck, said a prayer and headed for Cambridge.

There we joined with 72 other men and women from the East Ohio Conference.

We traveled in a caravan to New Jersey, arriving in the city of Middletown later that evening.

I was in a group of 13 who were based at Middletown United Methodist Church.

We spent the evening getting acquainted during devotions and learned more about our days ahead.

Tuesday was a real shock. We were assigned to work at a house in Union Beach. All of the household belongings were out on the curb when we arrived. I could not imagine what the people who lived there had experienced. We met the homeowner, who only earlier that day had seen the damage for the first time. It was an unbelievable sight!

We got right to work, ripping out all of the drywall, removing the fixtures in the bathroom and in the kitchen and pulling up the floor tiles. The owner was so receptive of our help. He had already suffered numerous losses in his family; the sight of his home was devastating to him. All he had left were a few pictures and some clothes. Our hearts went out to him. It was a very emotional time for all of us.

In the evening a member of the church took us to her home for showers and a chance to clean up. After dinner the group shared experiences from earlier in the day and began growing closer as friends.

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On Wednesday we worked on a house that had previously been submerged under nine feet of water. We removed watersoaked insulation from a 4-foot tall crawl space. We wore hazmat equipment and limited each person’s time in the tight space to 15-20 minutes. It was a very fatiguing task.

We were tired and ready for the return to Middletown UMC, where we were again met by members waiting to take us to their homes for showers. After feasting on pizza, our devotions again focused on our day’s experiences and on God’s presence in our lives.

We spent Thursday, our last day, in a house in Leonardo that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The ground level of the two-story home had been destroyed in the storm. We removed sub-flooring; power washed walls and floors in the basement area, and tore out wooden wall studs.

The homeowner told us he had seen many storms during his 30 years in the house, but nothing like Hurricane Sandy.

The interior damage was bad but he also lost his front yard. The sea wall was gone!

He’s going to rebuild but questions whether he is going to stay. He was so grateful for us.

I am proud of our team. We worked together, prayed together, and laughed together. We were servants of God together for a week. The people of New Jersey will be with me – and in my prayers – always.

YES, I will be going back!

*Al Gore is a member of Mt. Vernon Gay Street United Methodist Church (Three Rivers District).

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Angels

By Rose Bauman*

The November mission to assist those on the New Jersey shores whose lives were turned upside down

by Hurricane Sandy marked my first trip as an Early Response Team (ERT) member. I was a little apprehensive at first, not knowing what to expect, but it didn’t take long to realize that God was right there taking care of things.

We were blessed on our first day in New Jersey to meet a wonderful Christian man whose home had been severely damaged in the storm. In spite of his circumstances, he showed more concern for others in the neighborhood than he did for himself. He had spent the few weeks between the time the storm hit and the time of our arrival coordinating relief work for others – despite the fact that his own home needed much attention.

The team decided it was time we took care of him, so that became our first project. The men began to remove the wet insulation from the house. Shortly after he had given us a tour of the damaged home, his wife stopped in. She was beside herself with frustration and grief.

She became emotional as she stepped inside and had to again face the devastation. I began to think that maybe our being there made things worse for her. We told her we just wanted to help in any way we could. She hardly knew where to begin because there were so many things that needed to be taken out before any other work could begin.

I asked her if we could at least help her box the remaining items to put in storage. She seemed relieved at the suggestion. As we were boxing up items and began making some headway, we could see her starting to become a little more relaxed.

She started to tell us a little about the home and some of the items we were boxing. We were fascinated by her stories. Slowly, we could see her starting to feel better. Finally she commented that we were her “angels.”

A little while later she came across three beautiful wire angels that she had made. She said, “Look, I made these, and I think they were meant for the three of you.

You are my angels!”

She insisted we each take one. As I looked closely I noticed that my angel had a rose in the center of it and I told her, ‘My name is Rose!’

I pray that those we helped realize that it was God using us and that He is the one who deserves all the credit, praise and glory. All of us are “His angels,” there to serve Him by fulfilling His work and plans. *Rose Bauman is a member of Smithville United Methodist Church (Canal District).

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A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

The Project

By Don Young*

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By Pamela J. Sayre*

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he mission of Chippewa Church at the Lake United Methodist Church is, “Building the Kingdom one person at a time.”

A little more than a year ago, three of us sat around a table discussing ways we could grow the church. We needed to find a way to make the church a destination rather than simply a place that folks drive by on their way to somewhere else.

It was important to create a safe place for the community; where people could come to serve and be served, where they could relax and play, all while experiencing and participating in God’s goodness. What came out of that discussion was a five-point plan dubbed The Project.

The idea was tied to the five promises we each made when we joined the church: we promised to give the church our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.

The Project includes: • a pavilion – where families and church groups can gather outside • a playground – where children can have fun and hang out • a community garden – where neighbors can grow food and flowers • an emergency food pantry – to fill the gaps between paychecks and hungry families • a kid’s club - to provide supervised homework, play, supper and Bible study once-a-week

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The congregation joyfully embraced the idea and quickly began praying, planning and fundraising. Rallying around The Project has given the congregation new opportunities to work and grow together as a church, and to share our mission and ministry with our community.

It has been amazing to watch God at work within and through the congregation!

The emergency food pantry has been a blessing to many families in its first year of operation. The community garden yielded its “first fruits” last summer. The playground was installed in June and has been well-used by children of all ages.

The pavilion will be built this spring – just in time for summer fun, outdoor worship and community use.

And … this is just the beginning! *Pamela J. Sayre is the part-time Local Pastor at Chippewa Church at the Lake United Methodist Church.

arrived at Tiffin Harmony United Methodist Church in 2003 to find a church focused on the future.

It already featured a strong Kidz Klub children’s ministry and the congregation had desires to also grow other ministries of the church.

The future-visioning had begun well before my arrival. Dana and Jean Riedel had resisted a desire to start an after-school program until their own children were nearing independence. Then the calling resurfaced: they were to reach un-churched children with the Gospel.

In the beginning Dana, a teacher by trade, had invited children to the developing Wednesday night Kidz Klub. The ministry had the support of the congregation and its pastor at the time, the Rev. David Powell. The Reidels bought a second van, and Jean scheduled picking up the children.

The ministry still meets on Wednesdays, roughly coinciding with the school year. Kidz Klub now regularly reaches 37 children and 22 youth. We utilize 27 teachers/helpers and routinely fill three, church-owned, 15-passenger vans. Most children and youth also attend our Vacation Bible School.

Plans for a modest “shed” were being discussed when I first came to Harmony UMC. The thought was that the church vans could be parked in it, and it might also be used for Kidz Klub activities and VBS. The idea of a shed soon morphed into a modest Fellowship Building, and then into a vision of growth both in membership and in opportunities to serve the community.

The chair of our building committee, Janice Burnside, and her husband, Willie, owned and operated a cider mill near the church. Our youth worked at the mill, and each year’s proceeds were given to the Youth Fund. The youth kicked off our capital fund drive with a $35,000 pledge. Seeing their commitment, giving by the rest of the congregation increased markedly.

We now occupy the building with no debt but that which we borrowed from another church fund. The building hosts two new services: a laity-led service on Saturday evenings and a contemporary service on Sunday mornings. *Don Young is a full-time Local Pastor in his 10th year serving Tiffin Harmony United Methodist Church.

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God’s Love in Action

can remember being on the strategy team for the former Mansfield District more than a decade ago. The team thought the denomination could offer a more dynamic ministry to the community if the four United Methodist churches that were inside the Bucyrus city limits would join forces. At the time, each church was self-sufficient so talks of a merger faded away.

Times have changed! On the heels of the financial market crisis, three of the churches began talking in 2009 about a possible merger. At the time, members of Grace United Methodist Church had been considering vacating their building because it was outdated and was not handicap accessible. First United Methodist Church was worshipping only about 30 people per week and was surviving off its endowment funds. Epworth United Methodist Church had fewer than 100 people in worship and was beginning to struggle financially.

In July of 2010, the conference placed the three churches into a cooperative parish style of ministry which shared two pastors. Near the end of that conference year the churches began meeting together as one congregation that rotated buildings on a weekly basis.

In May 2011 an overwhelming majority of voters at a special charge conference voted to merge and on July 1 of that year the three congregations became one –

By Mike Corwin*

Bucyrus United Methodist Church.

We decided it was important to the mission that we maintain a presence downtown and next to the elementary school instead of building a new facility on the outskirts of town. We use two buildings because a facilities study conducted by the McKnight Group prior to the merger found that none of the three church facilities were adequate to house a new congregation.

We updated the video and sound systems in the former First UMC building and use it as our worship center for all services, weddings and funerals. The former Epworth UMC building houses our administrative and outreach center.

The first thing we did as a new congregation was form a prayer group tasked with praying for the church, its ministries, and our vision. Our DNA was cast when we heard God telling us this new church would be known as the church of God’s Love in Action.

The people of the church quickly made the transition from focusing on ourselves to focusing outside the walls of the building.

Many great things have happened in this new ministry and the church is thriving! We now offer: • weekly food and clothing ministries • two monthly community meals • a “12-step with Jesus” recovery program to address the heroin problem in our community • an off-site worship service at a local nursing home • a back-to-school supply carnival • after-school Christian education

We are also working to develop programs to help end generational poverty, and have extended our vision globally by adopting St. John UMC in Liberia, Africa, to be our sister church.

There were growing pains as we transitioned from traditional worship services to a blended service. We also saw many people become angry and leave the three churches during the merger process but God has provided others to take their pew.

In our short time as Bucyrus United Methodist Church we have welcomed 53 new members, and have added a second Sunday service. We are also preparing for a building project because there are not enough bathrooms or classrooms in our worship center.

I am sure that more challenges lay ahead but am equally sure that with prayer, God-based worship and by continuing to live out God’s love, the church will continue to grow and prosper. *Mike Corwin is the full-time Local Pastor at Bucyrus United Methodist Church.

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Enhancement Ministries, Inc.

(EMI) is a faith-based, social impact organization that creates and supports learning opportunities for children and their families. EMI started as a nonprofit outreach ministry of the former Broadway United Methodist Church in Cleveland.

The Safe Haven of EMI is an alternative learning program that provides economically challenged, behaviorally atrisk students with a safe and supervised environment during out-of-school time.

Students come from K-8 schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, the Garfield Heights School District and from select private and charter schools.

All students from partnering schools are offered the opportunity to participate in after-school programming at sites such as Windermere-Living Hope United Methodist Church in East Cleveland.

In addition, students who have been suspended from participating schools can be sent to Safe Haven sites to work with staff during regular school hours.

Participation in the Safe Haven of EMI program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in rehabilitative, rather than punitive, action. Each student starts their Safe Haven session with a skill assessment. This information is vital to staff, allowing them to better understand the needs of each student.

The Safe Haven of EMI program curriculum aligns with Social Emotional Learning (SEL), a strategic platform that integrates self-awareness, selfmanagement, social awareness, relationship building and responsible decision-making into a core educational environment for students.

Homework support – most often in the areas of math, reading and spelling – is provided in small group settings designed to give students time to work through remedial examples before tackling their assigned school work. This process uncovers basic skill sets with which students might still need assistance.

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A Safe Haven for Students

By Rev. V. Yvonne Conner*

Students who spend less than three days at a Safe Haven site focus on homework during their days away from school. In addition to completing their assigned homework, students with a suspension lasting three to 10 days participate in remedial behavior work – using principles found in Sean Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.

Students at Safe Haven of EMI sites receive both attendance and academic credit for attending the program. They then return to school with improved skills based on needs identified through individual assessments.

More than 350 Cleveland Metropolitan School District students have been supported by this alternative learning program since its inception in 2009. Halfway through the 2012-2013 school year, we have noticed a decline from previous years in the number of students suspended from participating schools.

Next school year the Safe Haven of EMI

will focus our efforts on truancy, providing after-school programming, and on being a community convener of the Cleveland Plan – Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson’s plan to reinvent the public school system.

If you would like to learn more about the Safe Haven of EMI, please visit www. enhancementministries.org.

You are also invited to attend the EMI Annual Community Report and Partners Meeting, at 5:30 p.m. April 25. The event will be hosted at Westlake United Methodist Church. *Rev. V. Yvonne Conner is in her 3rd year serving as North Coast District Associate. She also is Executive Director of Enhancement Ministries, Inc.

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Feeding the Community

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irst United Methodist Church, as it has been for nearly 175 years, remains a pivotal congregation in the Bellaire community. Our community was shaken when many of the area’s major mines were closed in the 1970s. To this day we continue to deal with the fallout – abandoned homes, closed stores and a failing economy – that followed.

Twenty years ago a group of volunteers answered the call to feed the hungry. The Living Bread Kitchen was born from the desire to feed those who had fallen on hard times. During the last full week of each

By Sheryl Seitz*

month we serve a free, hot and nutritious lunch to all who come to our door. Last year we served 75-100 people at each meal.

Unfortunately, the number of people needing assistance continues to grow each month. We work closely with the Belmont County Hunger Movement to create more efficient ways to feed and care for those in need. The Living Bread Kitchen is just one ministry offered at First UMC. We also feed those in the community through a partnership with two local grocery stores, and as a distribution center for the MidOhio Food Bank.

The church does not work alone. We rely on community volunteers – United Methodist and non-United Methodist alike - to power the mission. One woman, who just celebrated her 94th birthday, said as long as God allows her to cook and serve, she will continue to volunteer. These volunteers are the beacons of hope in our community. *Sheryl Seitz is a full-time Local Pastor in her 1st year serving First United Methodist Church in Bellaire.

GO and DO

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n early 2011 the congregations of Harsh Memorial United Methodist Church and Kilgore United Methodist Church each began saying, ‘Let’s become a go and do church instead of a come and see one.’

Neither congregation has looked back since.

The idea was born from Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Together the churches support five mission organizations as well as field missionaries – some serving here in the U.S. and others serving internationally. In

By Kimberly Arbaugh*

addition, the churches have sponsored mission teams to Guatemala and to Senegal, Africa.

The congregations reach out beyond our walls into the local mission field. We partner with other local churches, fire departments and community centers to provide hot meals to shut-ins, to veterans and to workers in the local oil fields at Christmas.

We also participate in Operation Christmas Child, and in Community Christmas Tree, and we provide local residents with essentials such as heating assistance and with hot water tanks.

During Fall Fest our two churches treat the youth living in the city to a great day of fishing, hiking, outdoor games and a meal cooked over an open fire.

Plans are being made to continue these and other partnerships that extend our reach into the community; taking Jesus to the people instead of expecting the people to come to us. *Kimberly Arbaugh is a full-time Local Pastor in her 4th year serving at both Harsh Memorial and Kilgore United Methodist Churches.

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On Fire for Jesus M

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By Susan Link & Mary Elder*

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going.”

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hose words sung at churches and around campfires describe what takes place when God’s love ignites the hearts of people. Add some dry wood, in the form of ministry ideas, coupled with the lighter fluid of the Spirit, and that spark becomes a fire.

In the late 1990s, an intercessory prayer ministry was formed at Fredericktown United Methodist Church. The group’s prayers for the needs of the church and the Fredericktown community have had a profound impact. Now, with two intercessory prayer teams, and two ongoing inner healing prayer ministries, if it’s happening at FUMC, it is receiving prayer support!

The Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts and minds of members, leading many to step out and develop ministries that are impacting the church and the community.

Youth Ministry - Our youth leaders are intentional about helping our young people come to a personal relationship with Christ. Impact is a community meeting with quality speakers that draws more than 200 youth to the high school to hear God’s love story of amazing grace.

PeaceMeals - More than 30 leaders and volunteers prepare an after-school meal for our children and youth – and for their parents. The ministry has grown over the years and we now provide meals for up to 150 people every Wednesday night.

Divorce Care - We provide recovery groups for adults and for children.

Mission Initiatives - Leaders enthusiastically highlight mission opportunities during weekly Sunday services. This educates our members, and consequently, motivates them to be generous in their responses.

At Fredericktown United Methodist Church, ministry takes place seven days a week. What keeps the ministry fire going? It is people filled with the Spirit, covered in prayer, committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, and going forward to serve.

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*Susan Link and Mary Elder are lay leaders at Fredericktown United Methodist Church.

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Jesus Deserves Our Best

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By Lu Ann Youngman*

ne district superintendent called Winfield United Methodist Church the best kept secret in Tuscarawas

County.

We are doing our best to expose that secret through passion, love, intentionality, and teamwork.

The driving forces behind the growth and vitality of our church are a great triune God and devoted members.

Winfield UMC is a beautiful rural church that is continually expanding to meet the needs of our members and of the community at large. People who join us for worship tell us they feel the Spirit as soon as they enter the doors.

The people at Winfield UMC are real, love Jesus, and want to serve Him. We are intent on doing ministry with excellence in every area because we believe that Jesus deserves our best.

Our brainstorming meetings are where we connect to our Vine and seek for fruit to develop on our branches. We just fulfilled our latest vision, the First Annual Jerusalem Walk. The live drama of Jesus and his disciples as they journeyed to the cross was presented at the end of March.

We are intent on changing lives for Christ through global and local missions. We identify those called to ministry and we send them out to serve.

The people at Winfield UMC are gracious givers, and our members extend hospitality to all who come to worship. We are the body of Christ in action making disciples for the furthering of God’s Kingdom. *Lu Ann Youngman is a provisional elder in her 14th year serving Winfield United Methodist Church.

Strategic Faith Development

By Doris F. Brown*

The Tuscarawas District Strategy Committee exists, “ … to empower local congregations district-wide with initiatives and models for ministry in the 21st century.”

Four years ago the committee began a search to find and assist local churches that are seen as beacons of light in their respective communities. We developed a local church self-assessment tool and urged churches to use the online resource, MissionInsite. We then offered training on how local churches could interpret the resource’s data to identify their mission fields. Our goal was to provide ways that congregations could assess, plan, implement and participate in ministries that are vital to their communities.

Currently there are many exciting ministries taking place all across the Tuscarawas District.

Dueber United Methodist Church, by reaching out into the community and welcoming all, has seen an increase in the number of its worshippers who speak Spanish.

Uhrichsville United Methodist Church has a high percentage of youth in its congregation. The church has an active youth group of 16 adolescents in its congregation of 77 weekly worshippers.

New Way United Methodist Church recently moved its Sunday evening service to Perry Grange Hall in Richville because its 100 weekly worshippers outgrew T.C.

Knapp Elementary School. The congregation began in 2007 as O2 Ministries, an offsite worship service of Otterbein United Methodist Church of Navarre.

Gnadenhutten United Methodist Church goes into the community to assist residents with in-home repair projects.

Canton Church of the Savior United Methodist Church partners with Canton St. Paul United Methodist Church to worship, and for ministry to children.

This is just a small sample of congregations whose leaders are not tied to the pews of the church but are instead taking bold steps to go outside the walls of the church.

The strategy committee no longer requires churches to submit a formal application. Instead, our members are proactively seeking congregations that are vital in their communities. We continue to meet every three months to ensure we are assisting and empowering these and other congregations that are the living hands and feet of Jesus.

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*Doris F. Brown is Chair of the Tuscarawas District Strategy Committee.

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Monday Commemoration Service – Bishop John Hopkins Tuesday Worship – Rev. Gary Henderson Tuesday Commission & Ordination – Bishop Robert Fannin Wednesday Worship – Bishop Robert Fannin Thursday Worship – Rev. Judy Claycomb

SPEAKERS: THEME: Jesus Is Calling …

Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”

The 2013 Annual Conference will focus on the call of Jesus in each of our lives. Have we answered Christ’s call? Do we struggle with acknowledging/ answering it? Are we living out the call placed on our life, modeling it for others?

The theme is based on the mission of The United Methodist Church: to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Over the next four years Annual Conference will explore answering Christ’s call, identifying new disciples, motivating all disciples, and transforming the world.

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BISHOP JOHN L. HOPKINS was assigned to the East Ohio Conference in 2004, following eight years as bishop of the Minnesota Annual Conference.

He currently serves on the General Board of Church and Society. From 2004-2012 he served as chair of The Connectional Table that is responsible for the discernment and articulation of the vision for the church, and for the stewardship of the mission, ministries, and resources of The United Methodist Church.

Hopkins was instrumental in the creation and launch of Operation Classroom in 1985.

Earlier this year, he returned to many of those schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone while traveling with a team from East Ohio.

REV. GARY R. HENDERSON is executive director of the Global Health Initiative of The United Methodist Church. His primary responsibility is Imagine No Malaria, the denominational focus that targets the reduction of death and suffering from malaria in 16 African countries – including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.

Henderson answered his call to ministry after participating in the inaugural Ministerial Recruitment Institute while a member of Holy Trinity UMC in Akron. Over 21 years he served churches in Lorain, Cleveland Heights, and Euclid.

BISHOP ROBERT E. FANNIN was bishop of the Birmingham Area of the Southeastern Jurisdiction from the time of his election in 1992 until his retirement in 2004. He is currently vicechair of the Division of World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council, is the resident bishop at Florida Southern College, and is dean of the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies.

Fannin served the Florida Annual Conference as a pastor and as a district superintendent. He also served in a variety of roles, including chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, president of the Credit Union, and chair of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.

REV. JUDY WISMAR CLAYCOMB is superintendent of the Firelands District. Prior to being appointed to the cabinet in 2009, she served churches in Brunswick, Fairview Park, Cleveland, Oberlin, Medina and Westlake.

Claycomb has also been a field education instructor at Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and chaplain/ spiritual care coordinator at Hospice of Medina County. She was a US-2 campus minister, and previously participated in two archaeological expeditions to Israel.

Claycomb has been a member of many East Ohio Conference boards and associations.