Joining Hands Magazine

East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church SUMMER 2012 | Volume 12 | Issue 4

joining hands east ohio

- informed, inspired and in touch.

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

“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”

– Benjamin Franklin

“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”

– Jim Rohn

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time.

You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein.”

Photo: © gprentice/ iStockPhoto.com

East Ohio Joining Hands Summer 2012

Vol. 12 No. 4

East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church Office of Communications

– Life’s Little Instruction Book

Editor/Director of Communications Rick Wolcott wolcott@eocumc.com

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Graphic Designer Sue Zakovec sue@eocumc.com

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something.

But I can’t accept not trying.”

Subscriptions/Administrative Lois Speelman lois@eocumc.com

– Michael Jordan

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 Submission of articles is encouraged.

The deadline is August 20 for the Fall 2012 issue. Our theme is “Biblical Foundations”

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Photo: © Michael King/ iStockPhoto.com

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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

Adapting to Change Photo: © David Lee/ iStockPhoto.com

From Construction to Communion

By Peter Chakerian*

The theme of this edition of Joining Hands is Adapting to Change. And if there’s anyone in the Conference who exemplifies this, it would be T. Christopher Liberati, the new associate pastor at Strongsville United Methodist Church (North Coast District).

Why is Liberati an example of adapting to change?

Before he decided to go into seminary, Liberati ran his own construction company in Sunbury. It sounds like a bit of a leap, but to hear Liberati tell it, he simply moved from building things to building relationships with God one parishioner at a time.

The change from the business world to the secular world brought with it joys and challenges. After all, Liberati ran his company successfully for 18 years before having an epiphany on a spiritual retreat.

“I was at a Friday morning communion service sitting in the front row anticipating what was going to happen,” Liberati said, recalling the moment when construction faded into the background.

“Communion started from the back and moved to the front, which I was watching in the reflections of the glass at the church. Watching the expressions, watching to see if people were being moved spiritually, I saw the springtime morning sun as I watched the bread and wine being distributed.

“I remember seeing the stray ruby drops of juice fall to the ground, as the drops were falling to the ground, the rays of sunlight were coming through the glass and illuminating the drops of juice — for the first time I saw bright crimson and could feel myself moved seeing that as the blood of Jesus.”

It was all a bit of a revelation for Liberati, who said that a “kind of like a strangely warm feeling came over” him and he immediately got

to thinking about how he could help others on a larger scale have that same experience — a sort of evangelic ministry, but on a much larger scale.

Shortly thereafter, Liberati went to speak with Pastor Brian Smith at Sunbury United Methodist Church (Mid-Ohio District).

After discussing his communion experience, Smith said, “’Well you could go through lay speaker training. But how often do they get a chance to speak, honestly? Not too often. I told him that ‘God is calling me for something larger.’ At the time I had no idea what that calling was, but I knew it was calling me to a higher purpose,” Liberati said.

After some soul searching through a conversation with Smith, Liberati said he was convinced that God wanted him to focus on getting his education completed.

Having abandoned his studies at Ohio State University during his senior year to start his construction business, he decided to return to study — this time in the cohort program at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Christian liberal arts college — to finish his undergraduate studies.

Liberati is “looking forward to all of the excitement and challenges ahead” as he transitions from Adario United Methodist Church (Mid-Ohio District) in Shiloh to Strongsville UMC.

“I am truly blessed,” said Liberati. “Humbled and obedient, I feel that God has provided the right people at the right time to help me with the calling in my life. God has opened doors, taken care of finances, channeled me in the right direction. …It’s been an amazing journey so far.”

T. Christopher Liberati, then and now.

*Peter Chakerian is a free-lance writer who has focused on arts, entertainment, business, features and religion during his 20-year career as a journalist.

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Serving Those Who Have Served

By Deanna Bottar*

W Photo: © Steve Jacobs/ iStockPhoto.com

United Methodist Community Center The center’s mission is to teach, develop and empower individuals and families. Under that umbrella, the center operates: • Family Readiness Centers in public schools to provide intervention for students and families during times of academic or behavior issues • Programming at Youngstown State University including tutoring • Gender-specific after-school programming for children in third through 12th grades in Mahoning and Trumbull counties • A truancy intervention program in Warren • Book clubs for children • Health, wellness and safety programming for senior citizens including free deliveries of fruits and vegetables • Transportation counseling to help senior citizens navigate the public transportation system.

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hen the call came, the United Methodist Community Center (Mahoning Valley District) in Youngstown answered it.

On the other end of the line were organizations that serve veterans – the Veterans Commission and the VA Medical Center – and they needed assistance.

At first, it was getting food to a couple of veterans in need. But the trust that developed led to what is now a comprehensive courtreferred program that meets veterans where they are and works to deliver them to selfsufficiency.

“Veterans weren’t feeling real comfortable with being serviced by another institution,” said Juanita Pasley, executive director of the United Methodist Community Center.

“But, they came back and told the veterans hospital and the Veterans Commission, so now we’re up to probably 125 veterans in Youngstown that we work with and probably 25 in Warren.”

Just like the song says, it only takes a spark to get a fire going.

Pasley utilized her connections and reached out to other social service institutions in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, so now these veterans in need receive aid with mental health issues via counseling, with spiritual needs through a retired United Methodist pastor, and their employment needs with job counselors.

The Municipal Court in Youngstown operates a special court session twice a month specifically for veterans. Staff members from the United Methodist Community Center are right there in the courtroom. Many veterans enter the court system because of issues with anger management, domestic violence, and alcohol and substance abuse.

“Once they go through the court, the judge sentences them to be serviced by us as a condition of their treatment, and we

do the intake right there in the courtroom,” Pasley said. “For us to be called in by the judge … that says a lot about the trust there is in us.”

And, with the support and donations from members of local churches, the community center also provides veterans re-entering the work force or heading to job interviews with dress shirts and ties.

“This is one of their biggest needs,” Pasley said. “Many of them don’t have anything but a T-shirt and a jacket because many are homeless.”

Seeing and meeting the needs of these veterans has led toward a desire to also offer similar services in Columbiana County, Pasley said. But, a tight budget has hamstrung that push. So an application for grant money to help finance the service is in the works.

“I’m doing this project on God’s will and a shoestring,” Pasley said. “I usually have funds before we start up programs, but how can you turn a veteran away? We’re going to find a way to service these people. I’m stretching my staff as tight as I can right now.

With more funds, I will be able to have more people, to have staff there in Columbiana.

We’ve been offered space in the churches, which will be ideal.”

What amazes Pasley is that this program developed organically – a need was identified and the staff came together to meet it. And now, the trust built among the veterans and the staff serving them is inspiring, she said.

“They feel like they can come down here and it’s warm, and we take care of them on an individual basis,” she said. “You have to work to get to that comfort level. And we’re doing the work.” *Deanna Bottar is a free-lance writer who grew up in Simpson United Methodist Church in Canton.

Super Spectacular or Fine?

Adapting to Change

By Greg Rentsch*

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greet you with great joy as I begin my journey as East Ohio Conference Lay Leader. I have already received many words of encouragement and prayers for which I am extremely grateful. I pray that our work together will honor God while we stay true to His word and grow in our faith while we nurture others in their faith development.

About a year ago, I started praying for clarity on what I should be doing for Christ beyond the doors of the United Methodist Church of Berea (North Coast District) and for my family. I read books about understanding God’s will and hearing His call. I increased my service time in our community by taking on roles as a scout leader and a coach. This enabled me to spend more time with my children and to be a positive influence on others.

When I was offered the Lay Leader position, I prayed and talked with my family. The role would enable me to use my spiritual gifts on a wider scale for the glory of God. I nevertheless was scared.

Can I take on this critical role in the church and still have time for my family?

Is this what God had planned for me?

Am I hearing his call correctly? Fear and insecurity were starting to take their hold on me and my family. Is this the change of ministry for which I was praying?

Change is hard even when it means serving God in new and exciting ways.

Change from the known to the unknown is scary and can be viewed as inappropriate or unneeded. Why change? Everything is

sc ib

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

fine. I recently heard that “fine” is a four-letter word in the church. “How are you?” “Fine, and you?” “I’m fine.” “How was worship this morning?” “Fine.”

Do we want to be fine? Are we fine with our service and worship to God? Are we fine with our approach to outreach and nurturing the faith of others? Or do we want something more?

When I ask people how they are doing and they respond “good,” I sometimes reply with “just good, not super spectacular?” A little over the top, but it gets the point across. Fine or good is not something that we should be content with especially when it has to do with our relationship and commitment to Christ.

What if someone asked you, “How is your relationship with God, right now?”

Would you respond “super spectacular” or would you say “fine?” What if you were asked, “How would you describe your church’s efforts to reach outside its walls and into the community?” Would the response be “super-spectacular” or would it be “fine?” If the answers would be “fine,” then embrace change.

Where do we go for help through this change? We go to the unchangeable, unshakable, unstoppable God of the universe and creator of all. God’s message of love, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace is eternal and unchanging. He can break down the fears and insecurities that come with taking on new roles or with changing the worship schedule or even with serving our enemies.

After receiving encouragement from others and through prayer and reflection, I decided to let go of my fear and follow God’s calling. I am excited to have my life changed as I meet with you and learn all that you are each doing for the glory of our risen Lord.

Blessings to each of you as you serve as a change agent for your family, your church and your community.

Pray for each other as we do super spectacular work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

©

*Greg Rentsch became the East Ohio Conference Lay Leader on July 1.

Greg is co-lay leader of the United Methodist Church of Berea.

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Growth Can Be Challenging

By Rev. David J. Tennant*

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fter many decades and generations no greater tangible change will a church navigate than relocation and construction of a new building.

The Medina United Methodist Church (Canal District) had been a landmark located just off the historic downtown square - where the city makes great effort to promote and maintain a vital, attractive atmosphere. A brief walk brought you to offices, a library, an elementary school, banks, government buildings, shops and restaurants.

The church calendar was filled with special events and activities that crowded the sidewalks. In many ways the location was comfortable and presented a downtown presence for ministry.

When I arrived in July 2001, Medina UMC long had been struggling over what to do with the existing structure. An architect had been engaged and designs had been presented but nothing had fit the needs and the resources of the church. Even though the ministry audit conducted in 1998 suggested relocation, it had not been explored. Now the realities of an aging, inaccessible building with deteriorating systems and precious little land were becoming more obvious.

In November 2001 the unexpected prospect of purchasing an existing church facility entered the picture. This stirred the emotions and discussions of the congregation but it also tipped the scales in favor of relocation. Tough decisions were made that set us on a course towards what

appeared to be the solution.

Many months passed. We had done everything including a capital funds drive and development of a master plan. But with no prospects on the sale of our building and no word from the sellers, we stalled.

Reluctantly we faced the obvious - that the transaction was dead. Disappointment and frustration filled the air, but there was also the distinct feeling that there would be no turning back. We began the search for property.

Finding suitable land in the growing Medina area proved to be a challenge. At one point prospects appeared to have dried up and we were staring at another dead end. But then we received an unexpected call, and six weeks later, in April of 2005, we purchased land. This was a major high point that strengthened our faith and our resolve.

Never did we dream though that it would be another seven years before we would see opening day for our new facility!

During the intervening years, the journey proved to have more twists and turns: the economic meltdown of 2008; two more capital fund drives with no building; an unsold, deteriorating building and a project that seemed out of reach. Then two strategic decisions, however imprecisely made, fell into place.

The first was to remove the sale of the downtown property as part of the relocation project. Previously, any proposal was contingent upon the sale of the existing structure. That plan had presented added questions of timing and temporary quarters.

So the sale, while important, slipped down the priority list releasing us to move forward.

That, of course, led to a related decision ― set a budget and stick to it. In other words, the question was not “How much will this cost?” but rather, “What can you do for this amount of money?” Through careful design and a rebound in the construction and financial climates that worked to our benefit, it was possible to break ground.

On April 29, 2012, we moved into a new 40,000-square-foot facility on 24 acres in quite a different setting but only about two miles from downtown.

While relocation is a huge change, the people are adapting and are positioning the church in a more favorable place to make a significant difference in the world for Jesus Christ. The journey has been humbling but it has taught us the value of trust, prayer, perseverance and time. Our church has experienced first-hand how God ultimately reigns over all. * Rev. David J. Tennant is senior pastor at Medina United Methodist Church.

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Stewardship Then & Now

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hroughout this issue of Joining Hands, you have been reading about the ways churches and individuals have been adapting to change. But where does change factor into church stewardship?

For most churches the rate of change in stewardship is significantly lagging behind most of the other areas of congregational life.

If you went back in time to your church in the 1950s, you would not recognize most of it. Men would almost certainly be in suits and ties and women would be wearing dresses. The music would be what we today consider traditional. The pews and parking lots would be more full. Missing from the sanctuary would be video screens, audio cables and coffee cups.

During the offering you would see ushers passing plates or baskets through the pews. Into these baskets people would place an offering envelope containing their checks to support the pledges they had made the previous fall. Hmm, suddenly something is very familiar.

In spite of all that is different in your church, and just as importantly, all that is different in business, banking and the way thousands of other nonprofits receive donations most churches are still in an era that Ward and June Cleaver would find very comfortable. This stewardship system relies on the following assumptions:

The people sitting in your pews have a long-term membership commitment to your church. *Brian Sheetz is Executive Director of the East Ohio United Methodist Foundation.

Adapting to Change

By Brian Sheetz*

They prefer Photo : © Elz to handle their finances bieta Sekow ska/ through checks and cash. iStock Photo .com

Their attendance is regular enough that you are fairly sure they were in church during the stewardship campaign nine months ago.

They have a strong enough church background that they understand the concepts of tithing and sacrificial giving.

If these things are true about your congregation, it is the exception.

If your church has not yet moved away from the Leave it to Beaver-era it is time to do so. I suggest these relatively simple steps to get you started: • Stop apologizing for taking stewardship seriously.

• Talk stewardship at least quarterly. This does not mean you need to ask for commitments four times a year, but you need to reinforce the Biblical teachings of generosity and sacrifice.

• Be open to allowing your members to give electronically ― including using credit cards. General Church Finance & Administration endorses Vanco, which both the Conference and the Foundation use, but many other vendors are available. They are not free, but I believe this is part of the cost of doing business.

• Remind the congregation that the offering not only pays the light bill and the pastor’s salary, but also supports missions across the conference and around the world.

The money in the plate changes lives.

• Balance challenging your members to grow in their giving with not hitting them over the head with tithing.

The East Ohio United Methodist Foundation can offer additional tips and strategies to enhance the stewardship techniques of your church. For more information call 800-8313972 ext152, or e-mail Brian Sheetz (Brian@eoumf.org).

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Adapting to Change On June 29,

just as the finishing touches were being applied to this issue of Joining Hands, a cell of volatile weather moved through the southern portion of the East Ohio Conference. The severe storm forever changed the buildings and lives of several church congregations. Thankfully there were no injuries.

What follows are photos and updates on some of those hit hardest by the high winds and heavy rains. The stories that were originally going to appear on these two pages can now be found in the online edition of Joining Hands, www.eocumc.com/joininghands.

Cambridge First United Methodist Church (Southern Hills District) The church sustained heavy exterior and interior damage. The church has set up temporary administrative space in the Southern Hills District office. Portions of the church have been sealed off and blowers/dehumidifiers are assisting in drying out those sections. The damaged flat roof is being repaired but decisions remain to be made about how to proceed with the most extensive structural damage. The congregation meets Sundays at the reception hall of Francis Family Restaurant until it can return to the church sanctuary.

Koinonia Team Ministry – Cambridge Ninth (Southern Hills District) The church lost large sections of its slate roof to the high winds. The slate shingles were less than 10 years old. While some water leaked through the openings in the roof there does not appear to be much interior damage.

Somerton United Methodist Church (Southern Hills District) The church, built in 1873, lost its roof. Fortunately, the woman who was supposed to be inside preparing the following day’s funeral luncheon at the time the storm struck was delayed caring for sick rabbits she raises. The congregation is worshipping with its sister church, Jerusalem United Methodist, until the roof can be replaced. Three years ago Somerton UMC welcomed the Jerusalem UMC congregation when its church burned to the ground.

Bethel United Methodist Church (Three Rivers District) The high winds lifted the roof off this church. The congregation was able to remove bibles, hymnals, the pews, the piano and the organ before they were damaged by water. The items are being stored in a semi trailer that was donated by a neighbor. The congregation is worshipping with its sister church, Otsego United Methodist Church, until the church can be repaired.

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Agents for Change

VIMs Respond East Ohio

congregations have responded to the devastation in the Southern Hills and Three Rivers districts. Donations in the amount of $1,825 were sent to the Conference office to assist with cleanup and repairs. Meanwhile, local Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams continue to show area residents what it means to be a faith community.

Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church (Southern Hills District) gathered its resources to assist families whose homes were damaged by the storms in that district.

Rev. Ray Ake of Coalburg United Methodist Church (Mahoning Valley District) used Facebook to collect volunteers from his church and four other United Methodist churches in the area to assist with the cleanup at Bethel United Methodist Church (Three Rivers District). The storm blew off the church’s roof, leaving only three giant “king rafters” open to the sky. The rain then caused extensive damage, soaking several layers (lath and plaster, acoustic and suspended) of ceiling. The carpeting, its oak subfloor and the 1856 tongue and groove flooring beneath it also needed to be addressed.

Coalburg UMC was the beneficiary of assistance when a tornado struck its parsonage – and a large section of town – in the mid 1980s. The pastor at that time was the Rev. Jim Humphrey, who is now superintendent of the Three Rivers District. Longtime members of Coalburg UMC have never forgotten the generosity afforded them by the East Ohio Conference and were anxious to respond in kind when the opportunity presented itself.

The group was housed and fed by Adamsville United Methodist Church (Three Rivers District) and was assisted by each of the 20-30 members of Bethel UMC as well as the members of its sister church, Otsego United Methodist Church (Three Rivers District).

“We were so blessed ‘to be a blessing’ that words cannot express,” Ake said. “We received more than we gave by far.

I don’t know when, but I know this: WE will be there on the Sunday that Bethel UMC consecrates and dedicates its new sanctuary to God. We will cry the brightest tears of joy of all.

How can we ever say thank you for the honor of serving the Lord with you?”

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Photo: © Lowell Gordon/ iStockPhoto.com

Working Together to Grow the Kingdom

By Rev. Kelly Brown*

T

here is a game that is occasionally played in business management seminars that emphasizes what changes in thought might serve us well. In the game, participants are divided into teams consisting of at least three people each. The teams are then given some type of building materials.

Each of the teams is then told to use the materials to construct the largest building possible in a given amount of time.

What happens next is interesting.

Some teams just go to work. Others appoint a leader to give orders in the construction process.

Sometimes an individual will appoint him/herself as team leader. Some teams spend most of the construction time planning and may not even have enough time left to actually build anything. All the teams stay busy. There is always a comparative winner among the teams, but no one team succeeds.

Congregational Vitality Mission: To creatively increase congregational vitality in East Ohio in order to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Vision: Our vision is to inspire, equip, and empower local church leadership to risk bold and innovative ministry.

Core Values: Leadership training, financial resourcing, congregational networking and promoting new works.

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No team has ever built the largest building possible. The rules of the game don’t tell the teams they cannot work together to make one building but they never come together to work as one team.

The teams just never think to cooperate.

So it is with the church. Christ gave us a commission – a construction process. All we have to do is do it.

Currently, we go about our task in various ways. Sometimes we spend too much time organizing or playing follow the leader. We occasionally waste time and energy arguing amongst ourselves.

Once in a while we lose our focus trying to compete with other churches. Then of course there are plenty of times when we actually get the work done.

There are other models in which we should invest, like cooperation, teamwork, unity and networking. I believe we can work together in East Ohio with a unified purpose. We can work more effectively by using our shared resources to establish networks that will support and encourage our ministry together. The goal is not to build the largest buildings but to grow the Kingdom.

As we live out the purpose of the congregational vitality team we know it cannot be limited to the work of 16 people at the conference level. Starting new churches and faith communities, evangelism, redevelopment and ministry in both rural and urban areas need to be the

work of every person and pastor in every congregation in East Ohio.

By establishing networks we are joining together in the movement toward vitality.

Networks will help us respond to new ministries that are bubbling up from the local church level. They will provide ways for us to encourage and support each other as we seek to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Jesus teaches in the Parable of the Mustard Seed, that the smallest seed of faith can grow into the most amazing of things. Vitality begins with sowing those seeds of faith in authentic ways, knowing that with proper care those seeds can grow into amazing things, which become a place for others to be nurtured and grow.

Sowing the seeds of faith is work we are all commissioned to do. So as we move forward together with this shared vision of congregational vitality in East Ohio let us walk forward with confidence knowing that as we join together in faith amazing things will happen through God’s grace. *Rev. Kelly Brown is Director of Congregational Vitality for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Adapting to Change

Building Up the Body of Christ Photo: © Jill Fromer/ iStockPhoto.com

By Rev. Cara & Rev. Steve Stultz Costello*

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season of great change was upon us, and much depended on how we chose to respond.

It began at North Canton Faith United Methodist Church (Tuscarawas District) in August of last year. Patti Deems, the 23-year veteran church administrator, informed us of her plan to retire in February of 2012. For Patti, administration was a calling not merely a job. How would the church ever fill her shoes?

Then in October, the youth director announced his resignation effective two weeks later. He had served for two years following his predecessor who had served for three years. How would our youth endure another change?

In the same month Trudy Jones, the director of Christian education, announced her plans to retire in April. Having served for 12 years, Trudy had touched the lives of each person in the church. How would the congregation find its way through faith formation without “Miss Trudy?”

How would the church endure these major changes? How would we approach these significant challenges? As co-pastors, we began to pray fervently for direction.

As a clergy couple, our prayers often took the form of late-night conversations and mullings.

All of the questions tempted us to lean into the urgency of the moment. In moments of weakness we thought the quick fix would be good enough. However, deeper than the desire for “quick” or “fix” was the desire for “healthy,” “lasting,” and “God-honoring.” These deeper desires led us to consider a process.

Patti, Trudy and the youth ministry team encouraged the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) to take this opportunity to review the positions and consider making changes that would better serve the vision of the church today. Lay persons stepped up, to not only fill but passionately serve, in the interim. God was blessing the church with leaders who saw these changes as an opportunity for God to do a new thing.

Working with SPRC, a plan began to emerge. Ephesians 4:12 became our guiding text: “… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

What if we approached the process of hiring new staff with the same kind of focused attention and commitment of time and resources that is seen in a building expansion project? Prayer, study, dialog, visioning, consultation, design, congregational involvement, intentional communications, advertising, nationwide searches and an extensive interview process would become our building process.

In November, the SPRC presented a plan that was adopted by the Church Board.

We would hire a leadership strategist to

work with us for one year for visioning, goalsetting, staff-hiring and new staff team building.

In December, the church engaged in a day of visioning. The vision included plans to increase and facilitate a culture of lay empowerment. Faith has “lay empowerment” in its DNA. We reclaimed that call in the hiring process by creating search teams to complement the work of SPRC for each of the three new positions and for the reconfiguration of the office ministries.

Regular communication with the congregation via mailings and weekly bulletin updates helped the congregation know about and pray for the process as it unfolded.

All together, we received more than 90 resumes for the three positions advertised: Director of Christian Education/Spiritual Formation, Director of Youth Ministries and a full-time Communications Coordinator.

On June 8, we welcomed three new staff members and redefined two other office positions. By the grace of God and the faithful commitment of the body of Christ at Faith UMC this season of change has been fruitful. New seasons of growth are before us and we give thanks to God for the call to “build up the body of Christ.”

*Rev. Cara & Rev. Steve Stultz Costello are copastors at North Canton Faith United Methodist Church.

“… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:12

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Web design

made easy!

By Rev. Nancy Conley & Dave Bateman*

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ew technologies allow us to do things better, easier, faster, more conveniently and more accurately. Society is constantly adapting to the newest way of doing things. Churches are no different.

According to Wikipedia, an estimated 35% of the world population used the Internet in 2011.

However, a whopping 79% of people living in the United States were “on the web” last year!

It was this kind of statistic that moved Peace United Methodist Church (Tuscarawas District) in Louisville to explore the need to have a working web site. We wanted to develop something that would tell people “This is who we are. This is what we’re doing. This is what we are about as we serve God.”

When we first talked about creating a site we figured that we needed to find and hire a web design consultant to help us put it together. That led to discussions of what type of content should be included and how would we keep the website current. The website was ultimately tabled when we realized we weren’t sure what type of budget would be necessary to undertake such a task.

That changed in February of this year. Peace Church received an e-mail from the East Ohio Conference office about the availability of a web design workshop. We each attended the workshop that was created and conducted by EOC webmaster Sue Zakovec.

We signed up for the class because we were both interested in getting a website going, the workshop was free, and the advertised maintenance cost was minimal. Zakovec presented the material in such a way that it was really easy to get the site up and going.

During the class we learned that websites often times fall into neglect with pastoral changes. So it’s important to have laity who are trained and involved with keeping the website current. Because two of us have had the training, we support each other and offer suggestions as to how we can continue to grow the site. We have each enjoyed the process of seeing the site come to life.

Say hello to www.peace5520.com. The website is hosted ― at no cost ― through a WordPress.com address. A WordPress URL has no cost involved, but we chose to get our own .com. Incorporating the number of our street address helps people find us physically as well as on the web. Purchasing our URL name, peace5520.com,

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cost just $20. We paid an additional $20 for the ability to put audio files on the site.

Just six weeks after attending the workshop Peace Church revealed our web site to the public. People have responded favorably to the site’s content and feel. Our hope is that those looking for a church in the area will search the web and find a friendly faith community where they can grow in Christ.

While everyone does not have home access to the Internet it is important to cater to those who do. Now that anyone with a computer can find Peace Church online it is imperative that we keep information on the site current. This provides another opportunity for each committee in the church to work together for a common purpose.

In the end, the church now has an attractive, informative web site at a fraction of the cost of having a web design consultant come in and do it for us. A big high-five goes out to Sue Zakovec and the Communications Department at the East Ohio Conference for making it possible. *Rev. Nancy Conley is the pastor and Dave Bateman is the newsletter/bulletin editor at Peace United Methodist Church.

Adapting to Change

T A Pulpit of Her Own

By Paige Boyer*

Photo: Hannah Tucker celebrates her graduation from Wesley Theological Seminary with her parents and sister, who are members at New Concord UMC.

*Paige Boyer is a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church. The former public relations professional is adapting to her own change as she prepares to enroll at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.

east ohio joining hands

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Photo: © Patricia Nelson/ iStockPhoto.com

hroughout their journeys, many leaders of our faith weathered great changes that eventually shaped their views and values. From Paul’s unplanned visit with the Macedonians to John Wesley’s trip “across the pond,” the ability to change course has shaped Christian history and the Methodist Tradition.

United Methodist pastors need to be able to face change ― the itinerant system requires it. For many pastors, one of the greatest changes they’ll face is in the acceptance of their first appointment. For newly minted Local Pastor Hannah Tucker, her arrival at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (Firelands District) in Tiffin marked more than her first congregation – it culminated a time of vast change in her life.

A May 2012 graduate from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C., Tucker is beginning her first “real” job. For the 25 yearold, the past 20 years have revolved around school schedules, exams and summer camp. “I think it will really hit me in September,” Tucker said.

“I’m used to not having school in June, but I think it will be strange in the fall.”

Summers have previously been spent working at Camp Wanake, part of East Ohio Camps, as a counselor, supervisor and operational manager. As excited as Tucker is about the next phase in her life, she admits that she’s still attached to her role at the camp. “I’ve been in and out of Wanake since I graduated,” according to Tucker. “They just can’t get rid of me.”

A small town girl from New Concord, Tucker is excited to have a house to call her own in Tiffin. “I’ve lived in a dorm for the past seven years,” she shared.

Tucker was one of just a handful of East Ohio students at Wesley.

While there she interned at Calvary United Methodist Church in Waldorf, Md, where she was part of a team helping the church adjust to its changing community, teaching them to reach out and serve those around them, even if they looked, acted or seemed different. Now that she is back in the conference she is looking forward to being more connected and meeting other young clergy.

Change has been a constant theme in recent years in The United Methodist Church ― at both the general and local church levels. “It’s a little scary because we don’t really have a clear cut future or plan,” Tucker explained. “But our desire to change is really God working in our church so our church can continue doing God’s work in the world.”

Facing all this change can be taxing on most, but Tucker is doing her best to focus on one thing at a time, living each moment thankfully and asking a lot of questions. “This might be the cop-out pastor answer, but I’m praying a lot,” she said.

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It’s All about Inviting the Holy Spirit In ast summer I left an Administrative Council meeting at Randolph United Methodist Church (Canal District) with the strangest feeling, one that as a pastor I had never had leaving any administrative meeting. It took a while to name. It was … joy!

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, wondering how it happened, and I’ve realized that it is because we have seriously, boldly and with expectation invited the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our ministry and our relationships.

A few years ago our congregation was discouraged and struggling to survive. Membership and attendance had decreased, finances were critically low and our shared giving of apportionments had not been paid in years.

Knowing that God has a plan and discerning that plan takes prayer, conversation and openness. We began last July with a multi-generational group of parishioners meeting for a prayer service. It is no easy thing for a church to make itself vulnerable to the moving of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer began with the desire to set ourselves aside and open ourselves to God’s direction.

In late summer we brought our prayers and conversations to Administrative Council to make plans for our direction. We chose two goals on which to focus: 1) participating in mission projects beyond our local area and 2) starting a weekly contemporary worship service.

The energy that came from that discernment was palpable. It not only focused us on our goals but it spread throughout the congregation in our relationships, stewardship, worship, witness, and fellowship.

Once unleashed it is impossible to squelch the movement of the Holy Spirit! Worship attendance and week-

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Photo: © Steve Debenport/ iStockPhoto.com

Adapting to Change

By Rev. Dr. Karen S. Drotar*

ly offerings have increased. We paid 102% of our 2011 apportionments. We have welcomed 11 new members. This year we had a confirmation class of five youth, an adult new member class and a Disciple I study with 15 participants.

Plans are being made for district and conference mission trips.

Our Tuesday evening contemporary service - Free Spirit began in January. We adapted our sanctuary overflow room into an intimate coffeehouse setting with a stage and lighting. We begin with a light meal followed by a wonderful hour of worship led by our music director.

We enjoy new songs, new takes on favorite hymns, inspiring video messages, witnesses and table discussions.

The format is open and relaxed. The service attracts a diverse crowd of all ages: some from our church, some who have no church, some who are seeking. We have had new

people at every service since we began.

Free Spirit has become the heart and the impetus of the revitalization of our congregation. It is our living example of what can be accomplished when we step aside and let God be God among us. Congregational revitalization is not just about quantitative changes in attendance, offering or new memberships. While important, those numbers are merely signs of a qualitative change in a congregation, which begins with active, bold and outrageous faith.

As I consider the growth of the congregation I am privileged to pastor, I have recognized several things.

First, congregational revitalization must be spiritual in nature. It is certainly nurtured by pastoral leadership but pastors must get out of the way and trust the laity to be and do the ministry. Second, it needs to stretch the congregation with goals that are realistic, organized and measured. Finally, congregational revitalization has challenges that must be addressed by finding common ground and an attitude for what is the best we can offer God.

Finances at Randolph UMC are still limited. We have outgrown our space for Free Spirit and other ministries. Parking needs to be increased.

Equipment needs to be purchased.

Crumbling walls need to be fixed.

Once again we are approaching these issues with prayer and confidence in God’s direction. I have learned with this congregation that I never have to be discouraged by worldly challenges as we follow God’s direction and continue to align ourselves in the desire of the Holy Spirit. *Rev. Dr. Karen S. Drotar is pastor of Randolph United Methodist Church.

Full-time Church, Part-time Pastor T

By Loretta Harland & Barb Solis*

he decision for Peninsula United Methodist Church (Canal District) to transition to a part-time minister was more a matter of need than want. As our membership dwindled due to age or relocations with no new members to replace those we had lost, it became apparent that we could no longer support a full-time minister. Every penny we received barely covered expenses to keep the building operating.

It was definitely a foreign idea to our congregation to not have a minister available to us every week, dedicated solely to our needs. The appointment of Derek Kubilus to our church has been a bit of an adjustment in terms of scheduling meetings that will work around his responsibilities at Cuyahoga Falls United Methodist Church (Canal District). But, really, when we think about how he has impacted our church, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Derek is well-liked by all members and has made a strong connection to us. This is evidenced in the funeral services he has performed for community members he never had the opportunity to know well, if at all. He painted beautiful pictures of their lives, so precise and loving, one would have difficulty believing Derek hadn’t lived in Peninsula his entire life.

There is no question that having a part-time pastor at Peninsula UMC has had a positive impact on our financial reports but, even more than that, one of the biggest joys of receiving Derek as our pastor is his ability to draw the congregation in with his messages. He is a wonderful speaker, making concrete points while using imagery, humor and real life examples that make it easy to relate the Bible’s words to our own lives.

Peninsula UMC has also benefitted from our new relationship with a larger church. For example, our very small Outreach Committee had been interested in taking an international trip to Haiti, but needed to become acquainted with and join an established organization that was experienced with working in Haiti. We weren’t sure where to turn.

Derek put us in touch with a contact person at Cuyahoga Falls First UMC. Right away our Haiti trip became a reality. We were able to raise significant interest within our small congregation. In the end, we sent two people to work in Haiti for a week and we donated more than $2,000 which was used for food for an orphanage, water filters, school supplies, musical instruments, art supplies and more. That was quite an accomplishment for our small church!

We have potential plans in the works for a similar trip to the Dominican Republic next year, again leveraging our relationship with Cuyahoga Falls First UMC. All in all, after our first year with Derek, the benefits we are receiving far outweigh the drawbacks of not having a full-time minister. *Loretta Harland & Barb Solis are members of Peninsula United Methodist Church.

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Adapting to Change

The North Central Jurisdiction

Bishop John L. Hopkins will continue as resident bishop of the Ohio East Area for another four years. That decision was made by the North Central Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy and announced during the recent North Central Jurisdictional Conference held at the John S. Knight Center in Akron.

“I am fortunate to be able to remain in East Ohio working with outstanding pastoral and lay leadership to increase the vitality of each of our congregations,” Hopkins said.

There will be significant change across the North Central Jurisdiction come September: • Bishop Linda Lee of the Wisconsin Annual Conference will retire • One bishop will serve the newly created Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area. The area comprises the Dakotas Annual Conference and the Minnesota Annual Conference, which previously each had its own bishop.

North Central Jurisdiction Episcopacy Assignments 2012-2016 Annual Conference Dakotas Detroit East Ohio Illinois-Great Rivers Indiana Iowa Minnesota Northern Illinois West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin

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2008-2012 Bishop Deborah Kiesey Bishop Jonathan Keaton Bishop John Hopkins Bishop Gregory Palmer Bishop Michael Coyner Bishop Julius Trimble Bishop Sally Dyck Bishop Hee-Soo Jung Bishop Jonathan Keaton Bishop Bruce Ough Bishop Linda Lee

2012-2016 Bishop Bruce Ough Bishop Deborah Kiesey Bishop John Hopkins Bishop Jonathan Keaton Bishop Michael Coyner Bishop Julius Trimble Bishop Bruce Ough Bishop Sally Dyck Bishop Deborah Kiesey Bishop Gregory Palmer Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

A Community of Faith

By Kenn Curren*

W

hen I was appointed to Mt. Hope Memorial Chapel (Three Rivers District) in July of

2008, the church had ten faithful members. The only concern the congregation expressed when I arrived was how the Amish would accept me into the community because of my long hair and nine earrings.

Through the years prior to my arrival, the congregation had developed a wonderful working relationship with the Amish community in Mount Hope. The church had a long history of a community Christmas celebration on the Monday before Christmas. Several of the local Amish families would join our members that evening for singing and to watch the congregation perform

skits. Music and laughter would fill the room as we became a community together.

Three years ago, we began providing a free soup and sandwich meal to all who come before the program. We have also had local singing groups from the Amish and Mennonite community come in and perform during the evening. This past Christmas we had the largest attendance ever as we celebrated with 125 people.

In the same way, we celebrate Easter with a community Easter egg hunt. This year 80 children and 30 parents joined us for the afternoon. The children were treated to stories, learned about Easter through the Resurrection Eggs and colored eggs to take home. While the children searched for their hidden, candy-filled eggs, the adults were treated to gift baskets.

Until two years ago, Mt. Hope had as its annual fund raiser an all-you-could-eat Pancake Day. Many of the Amish would volunteer to help cook, serve and clean. In return, the congregation would provide a volunteer appreciation dinner to show our

Amish neighbors that Pancake Day would have been impossible without their help.

When the economy took a turn for the worse, it affected many families in the area.

The Amish churches provide assistance to their members in times of need, but sometimes it is not enough. We wanted to help our friends and neighbors so we collected food and other necessities to be distributed to the families that needed them.

We collect monetary donations at our Christmas service each year and divide the money between several local families to assist with medical expenses. When someone in the community needs help, we provide what we can to assist them.

In the end it doesn’t matter how long I grow my hair or how many earrings I wear.

The congregation and the community accept each other for who we are and not how we look. *Kenn Curren is a licensed local pastor serving Mt. Hope Memorial Chapel.

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General Conference 2012: Unexpected Results

By Rev. Dr. Gary George*

P

rior to the 2012 General Conference, the thirty-eight member East Ohio delegation clearly expressed its desire for significant change that would “propel the Church into a vital, hopefilled future.” We understood deep change was needed at the local church, annual conference and general church levels of our United Methodist denomination.

Our vision for change included: • an intense focus on our common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world • effective alignment of our resources to help produce an increase in the number of vital congregations • mutual accountability for the outcomes of our mission Although we were aware legislation by itself could not bring about the deep, positive changes we believed to be needed, we had reasonable expectations the 2012 General Conference would approve legislation to help produce and facilitate the process.

In large measure, the legislation approved

by General Conference did little to address the critical, urgent need for change at the general church level. While I could cite some examples of legislation which should produce some modest degrees of positive change to help produce an increase in the number of vital congregations, the engine for real change does not reside in the General Conference.

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Now that I have had the benefit and perspective which comes with the passage of time and distance, I have come to better appreciate these realities: The United Methodist Church is rapidly becoming a global denomination. To a significant degree, General Conference is feeling, and some would say reacting to, the impact of a church that is being shaped more and more by United Methodists who reside outside the borders of the United States. Specifically, the growth of the United Methodist Church in western, central, and eastern Africa is reshaping the perception, practice, and admittedly the politics of General Conference and the church.

General Conference, as it is currently configured, is not designed to be adaptive or to be a particularly effective vehicle for needed change. It is expensive and labor intensive for the results it produces.

I continue to be humbled by the amazing array of gifted, passionate, and committed people who serve as General Conference delegates. I am likewise bewildered by a system which appears to collectively minimize the impact of gifted, vital leaders.

There appears to be a growing recognition that General Conference itself needs to adapt to become a better servant to the church’s mission and to the church itself.

As one of the two permanent, constitutive bodies of The United Methodist Church, it will take considerable consensus, commitment, and courage to change what

may be the most resistant to change entity in the denomination.

Significant, needed change is and will continue to occur in us and in our church simply because God loves us, calls us, equips us, sends us, and empowers us.

The power of the Holy Spirit is infinitely greater than any system’s resistance to growth and change.

After returning from General Conference, I heard the remarkable testimony of a single mom whose life had been transformed, in large part, due to dedicated Habitat for Humanity volunteers from one of our East Ohio congregations. Her moving testimony of how the witness of love, compassion, and friendship of these United Methodists helped her draw closer to Jesus Christ was a poignant reminder that God calls and uses us as agents of God’s transforming grace and love.

Although I would have been happy to see General Conference produce more results than it did, I believe God is already at work in us and through us to produce vital, fruitful disciples and congregations which are transforming lives and communities. *Rev. Dr. Gary George is Administrative Assistant to Bishop John L. Hopkins and the chairperson of the East Ohio delegation to General Conference 2012.