Annual Conference

June 11-14 The Annual Conference 2018 website is now live. Visit www.eocumc.com/eoac18/index.html for information, schedules, and registration. The 49th session of Annual Conference will be the second year of our quadrennial theme Bearing Fruit that Lasts: Called, Committed, Connected. When we gather at Lakeside Chautauqua June 11-14, we will explore what it means to be called and equipped as followers of Jesus Christ. The words of John 15:13-17 (CEB), the concluding verses of our quadrennial Scripture passage, John 15:1-17, will guide our worship services. Rev. Kimberly Arbaugh (Ohio Valley District), the Rev. Chip Freed (North Coast District), and the Rev. Becky Weamer (Mid-Ohio District) are the morning preachers. NOTE THE NEW TIMES this year for both the Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion (Mon., June 11 @ 10:00 a.m.) and the Service of Commissioning and Ordination (Wed., June 13 @ 4:30 p.m.). Bishop Malone is the preacher for each service. She will also offer reflections at the Celebration of Retirement (Mon., June 11 @ 7:30 pm). Annual Conference business sessions will reinforce our East Ohio Conference ministry vision, shared by Bishop Tracy S. Malone in a downloadable video http://www.eocumc.com/about_us/welcome.html. Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels, Jr. of the Baltimore-Washington Conference is the keynote speaker for our Shared Learning Session on Thursday, June 14. REMINDER THAT THE CLERGY EXECUTIVE SESSION IS MAY 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Hoover-Price Campus Center, The University of Mount Union in Alliance. All clergy are expected to participate in the day of strengthening our covenant together. Dr. Alan Kolp is the keynote speaker. You must register online in advance. Registration information may be found on the Annual Conference website.

Firelands Flame Firelands District Office • United Methodist Church • East Ohio Conference

Rev. Doug Lewis, District Superintendent March 2018

Early Response Team Are you interested in helping people in need within your community? The Firelands District is in need of people willing to volunteer to help out with an Early Response Team (ERT). The purpose of the ERT teams of The United Methodist Church is not to lead Disaster Response efforts, but to assist as we are able, depending on the gifts and skills of the persons on our teams, and to provide emotional and spiritual support as an outgrowth of our discipleship. Members of these teams are trained to assist survivors, remove debris, clean out flood-damaged homes, place tarps on homes, and prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence. Early Response Teams are a collaborative effort of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM). ERT volunteers must go through ERT training with UMCOR. This ensures that they will operate under specific guidelines that allow them to be productive and caring while causing no further harm or being a burden to the affected community. Topics covered in the class include the who, what, when, where, and how of doing ministry, as well as hands-on experience in the specific tasks that early responders are expected to accomplish. I have recently been asked to be the ERT Coordinator for the East Ohio Conference Firelands District and am working on putting a team together. If you feel a calling to help others in their time of need, or to get more information please contact me. Dennis Dendinger 419-357-5898 or email at dc3boys@hotmail.com and put ERT in the subject line.

Young Adult & Clergy Round Table Discussion Kaye Wolfinger, Conference Director of Young People’s Ministries and Higher Education, is offering a round-table discussion with pastors to help them better understand how to reach those under 30. She will be presenting information and then allowing for questions and discussions. Join Kaye in the Firelands District Tuesday, March 13 from 11:00am-12:30pm at Sheri’s Coffee House, 27 Whittlesey Ave, Norwalk, OH.

United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio The United Methodist Historical Society of Ohio (UMHSO) will meet at the Canal Lewisville UMC (198 E. Church St., Coshocton 43812) on Saturday, April 21, 2018, with the theme, “Crossroads of Ohio Methodism.” The Annual Meeting and Convocation, usually alternating between East and West Ohio Conference sites, brings together UMHSO members (local church historians, pastors, and others) to share historical preservation and exhibition resources, ministry ideas for local church anniversary celebrations, and good Christian fellowship. This year’s event, in the Three Rivers District, also includes optional Friday PM visits to local historical sites, with a block of rooms available for those staying in Coshocton Friday night. Further information and a full schedule for the Convocation will be out in March in the official UMHSO semi-annual newsletter. Historians and others who are interested in membership may contact Ed Duling as listed below or visit www.umhso.org. Dr. Ed Duling, UMHSO President 8 Mackenzie Ct., Bowling Green, OH 43402-4543 (419) 353-9273 ebd2140@aol.com

2018 Camperships This program is designed to give financial aid to our district youth so they may attend a United Methodist Summer Camp. Our goal is to provide assistance to as many youth as possible. This confidential application is to be completed by the parent/guardian who is an active member of a Firelands District Church and submitted by the pastor. You will be notified as to the amount awarded. Amount of financial aid is based on the number of applicants, available funds, and family needs. A check will be sent to the East Ohio Camps office to apply towards the child’s registration.

Name: __________________________________________ Age: ______ Grade (Fall of 2018): ______ Address: ___________________________________ City: _____________________ Zip: __________ Parent/Guardian: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email: ______________________________________________ Camp Attending: _________________________________ Event #: ___________________________ Name of Event: ___________________________________ Dates: ____________________________ Pastor’s Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: _______________ To be completed by the Pastor...

Amount provided by local church: ___________ Additional hardship assistance requested: Yes No

Due: April 25, 2018 Return Completed Form To:

Firelands District UMC

3 Stower Lane, Unit 5 • Norwalk, OH 44857

419-668-6115 • firelandsdistrict@gmail.com

During the most recent Conference Council on Youth Ministries meeting, they spent a good amount of time discussing the current issues in our communities and country around suicide and school shootings. They came to the conclusion through a unanimous vote to support the March for Our Lives on March 24th. This is a march in Cleveland and in Columbus. These are to be peaceful marches to empower our teens to take a stand on safety in their schools. On behalf of CCYM, I am inviting you to support this movement by praying, being present, encouraging others, and organizing teens to join one of these marches. Taking action for injustice is at the core of who we are as United Methodist, so this opportunity is a wonderful way for teens to learn first hand. For more information on the movement check out the main website where you can read about what these teens are recommending. You can also buy tshirts: www.marchforourlives.com/ For information on the UMC’s stance on gun control or mental health issues go to www.umcjustice.org/. Thank you for supporting and loving our teens,

Birthdays and Anniversaries Lori Douglas Weaver March 13 Josh Arrington March 17 John Grimm March 28 Roger & Joan Skelley-Watts March 22

Is your church “Making A Difference”? Email us your story and it could show up in our next issue!

Obituaries James H. Scott, retired elder, died January 27. Memorial contributions may be made to either the MTSO Scholarship Fund, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, OH 43015, or First United Methodist Church, 101 Second Ave., Williamson, WV 25661. Condolences may be made to Mrs. Nancy Scott, 3614 Blackburn Road NW, Canton, OH 44718. Latosha L. Campbell, spouse of Pastor Oliver J. Campbell, died February 8. Condolences may be sent to Pastor Oliver Campbell, 446 Hamilton Avenue, NE, Canton, OH 44704-2336 or online at www.rhodenmemorial.com. Lyle Hinkle, retired elder, died February 16. Memorial Contributions may be made to Lexington Church of the Cross. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com. Laura R. Huffman, surviving spouse of Rev. Aubrey Huffman, died February 17. Memorial contributions may be made to the Copeland Oaks Life Fund, 715 S. Johnson Rd., Sebring, OH 44672, Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 408 9th St., Canton, OH 44707. Condolences may be made online at www.ctcfuneralandcremation.com. David J. West, associate member, died February 23. Memorial contributions may be made to Fohl Memori-al UMC. Condolences may be sent to TaJuana West, 160 Oakbrook St. NE, Navarre, OH 44662. Lois Irene Ulmer, surviving spouse of Rev. Charles Ulmer, died February 24. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, Voices of Canton, or Westbrook Park United Methodist Church’s music department. Condolences may be sent to Marcia Ulmer, 1324 24th Street NW, Canton, OH 44709. Otis Dean Essex, J r ., retired elder, died February 25. To share online condolences, please visit www.reedfuneralhome.com. Howard E. Fox, retired elder, died February 27. Memorial contributions may be made to Strasburg U.M.C., 206 Second St. N.W., Strasburg, Ohio 44680, or to the Tuscarawas Co. Senior Center, 425 Prospect St., Dover, Ohio 44622. To sign an online guestbook visit www.tolandherzig.com.

Dates & Deadlines

March 23—April Newsletter Deadline

Mar 30-Apr 6—District Office closed

March 31—Audits Due

April 10—Retired Clergy Brunch

April 28—Lay Servant Training

May 1—Pastor Assessment Due

May 15—Clergy Retreat

DISTRICT YOUTH COUNCIL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

March 11 2-4pm Business Meeting Norwalk First 60 W Main St, Norwalk May 4-5 8pm Race at the Rock Flat Rock Care Center

Tiffin Faith United Methodist Church is seeking an Administrative Assistant/Secretary. This is a part-time position, (minimum 20 hrs/wk). 2 years office experience; excellent organizational skills. Applicant should be proficient in power point presentation, MS Office and/or Office 365. Please submit cover letter and resume to: office@tiffinfaith.org

Firelands District Office UMC East Ohio Conference 3 Stower Lane, Unit 5 Norwalk, Ohio 44857

419.668.6115 firelandsdistrict@gmail.com www.eocumc.org/firelands