A Message from Bishop Tracy S. Malone: New District Names & Superintendent Teams

A Message from Bishop Tracy S. Malone: New District Names & Superintendent Teams

“So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, everything old has passed away; see everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” - II Corinthians 5:17-18

Hear the good news! God is always making all things new! All of this … new life, new perspectives, new opportunities, new direction, and a new future with hope … is from God!

The restructuring from 10 to four districts effective January 1 will re-direct more attention to the local church, provide greater stewardship, alignment, and flexibility of resources, generate more opportunity for creative ministries, strengthen the possibility for the revitalization of churches, and increase the efforts of starting fresh expressions and new faith communities.

Districts are an integral part of the East Ohio Conference structure and are made up of communities of people, laity and clergy, who work together regionally to share the Good News of the Gospel, to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, and to fulfill our shared mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”.

Information about district structure, leadership, office locations, staffing, and more will be announced shortly.

Read Bishop Malone's message in its entirety.
Download and share the re-districting pdf.


Come Transform Lives with Us through
The United Methodist Church. #Be UMC.

“There’s so many people in our world who need community, need belonging, need love, need hope and The United Methodist Church has that for them. So that is why I am United Methodist and I will remain United Methodist,” said Rev. Allison LeBrun. “Because of the people of The United Methodist Church, because of the women in my family, and because of the many people who call themselves United Methodist I know that I am a beloved child of God.”

To arrange a time to share your #BeUMC story of transformation, e-mail Brett Hetherington, EOC Communications specialist.

View #BeUMC stories & the EOC #BeUMC website.

Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation

Each episode of our East Ohio Conference podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.

Episode 24 is titled “Experience of God Through The United Methodist Church: The Power of Relationship”. The episode features conversation with East Ohio Conference clergy who share personal stories of experiencing God through the people of United Methodist congregations, the impact of relationships in those experiences, and the importance of local churches committing to being spaces where people can meet God in unique ways.


Make Note of These Important Dates
in the EOC and Across The UMC in 2024

Mark Your Calendar for These Important Dates in the EOC and Across The UMC in 2024

January 1, 2024
Central Valley, Northern Waters, South Forest, and West Plains districts become effective in the East Ohio Conference.

January 8, 2024
The first E-News of the new year will be published on the East Ohio Conference website.

January 23, 2024
In accordance with ¶521.1 and ¶521.3 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016, the North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops will convene a special session of the North Central Jurisdictional Conference at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. The online special session is for the sole purpose of approving new episcopal areas for episcopal assignments to be effective September 1, 2024.

January 27-28, 2024
First gathering in each new district; a time of worshipping, connecting, and celebrating together.

April 23 – May 3, 2024
The next General Conference of The United Methodist Church will convene at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina with delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States participating. The theme of the conference is … And Know That I Am God.

June 13-15, 2024
Annual Conference 2024 will convene at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. The conference will again use the quadrennial theme Faith Hope Love.

July 10-13, 2024
Lay and clergy delegates from the conferences of the North Central Jurisdiction will convene in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the next Jurisdictional Conference.

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


Re-Districting the EOC

RE-DISTRICTING THE EOC: Effective January 1, 2024, the East Ohio Conference will have four districts, the boundaries of which were created with a focus on mission. Bishop Tracy S. Malone is appointing teams of superintendents to serve the districts. Learn more about the new districts.


Ba A YES! Church

BE A YES! CHURCH: Every time we accept the invitation to come to the Lord’s Table, we are saying YES to being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Learn about being a YES! Church committed to worshipping, praying, loving, growing, serving, listening, and connecting!


Lighthouse Churches

LIGHTHOUSE CHURCHES: Are you on a pilgrimage searching for a new church to call home? We invite you to visit a Lighthouse church near you. These are congregations dedicated to The United Methodist Church that welcome those seeking a new church home. Find a Lighthouse church in your area.


Conference Stands Against Racism

EOC STANDS AGAINST RACISM: Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the Extended Cabinet, and East Ohio Conference laity and clergy are committed to stand against racism. Visit the Stand Against Racism resource page for small group studies, videos, podcasts, books, and more to learn how you can stand against racism.

Search www.eocumc.com: