Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, resident bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area consisting of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church is proud to be a product of Ohio-Korea Methodist missions. After converting to Christianity, an early ministry appointment was to East Gate Church in Seoul.
That church was started from the ministry of Mary Scranton, who along with her son William, arrived in Korea from Cleveland, Ohio in 1885 as the country’s first missionaries. They were sent with the support of their church, First Methodist Episcopal Church. Through the dedication of the Scranton’s, East Gate and other churches were started, hospitals were built to care for all, and schools were established – including Ewha University, the largest women’s school in Asia.
In this 140th anniversary year of the Scranton’s mission, Bishop Jung is hosting two events to celebrate the Methodist missions partnership of Ohio and Korea:
Thursday, June 12 @ 5:00 p.m.
Bishop’s Annual Conference Missions Dinner
The keynote speaker will be Bishop Sung-Bok Kim, resident bishop of the Seoul Annual Conference. Purchase tickets beginning April 1 during online registration for Annual Conference.
Monday, August 4 – Wednesday, August 6
“Celebrating Methodist Missions in Ohio, Korea, and Beyond”
Speakers for the event at Church of the Saviour UMC in Cleveland Heights will be Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Bishop Kim Jung-seok, Korean Methodist Church presiding bishop, and Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops of The UMC. More details to come.
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation is a podcast highlighting ministries across the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church that are transforming lives locally, nationally, and globally. Produced twice-a-month by EOC Communications, each podcast episode focuses on one of the core values of the #BeUMC campaign: Disciple Making; Belonging & Inclusion; Influence, Connection & Impact; and Experience of God through The United Methodist Church.
In Episode 55 “My Call Story” Mayfield United Methodist Church Children’s Ministry Director Jess Martz shares from the heart about the process she went through answering Gods’ call into ministry.
She and her volunteers spend their days working to bring the message of the Kingdom of God to the ears and hearts of young children and their families.
“I wish I would have prayed for discernment the first time Rev. Carrie Antczak approached me because I just kind of dismissed her comment the first time, assuming that was not the right position for me or that that was just not a calling from the Lord,” Martz shared. “Don’t let any preconceived notions deter you from your calling.”
She added, “If you don’t feel a specific call to ministry, you can still minister to others in whatever job you have, sharing your faith story and letting people know that Jesus loves them."
Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
The theme for Annual Conference 2025 is “Rise Up, Beloved: Trust in God’s Promises”. The services and sessions will be grounded in the words of Mark 5:35-43 (NIV). The College of Wooster campus will host Annual Conference June 12-14 and Clergy Executive Session on June 11.
Registration Opens April 1, Closes May 16
Registration is online only and will be accessed from the EOC website. Each registrant will need their own e-mail address – one that isn’t shared by anyone else who needs to register for this year’s conference.
New for AC 2025: Meal Plan & Stay on Campus
Being on the College of Wooster campus provides opportunities to purchase a meal plan and to stay in a residence hall on campus. The meal plan comes with staying on campus and you can choose the meal plan if you commute. You must decide and pay for these options during online registration. You will not be able to sign up for a room or the meal plan onsite.
Annual Conference Offering
The collected AC 2025 offering will support these ministries, with each receiving one-third:
Volunteers Needed for Annual Conference 2025
The Annual Conference Program/Hospitality Committee is looking for individuals who would like to volunteer during this year’s conference on the College of Wooster campus. There are many positions to fill, and opportunities for all.
MESSAGES FROM OUR EPISCOPAL LEADER: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is resident bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area consisting of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church. View Bishop Jung’s Soul Food messages to Ohio laity and clergy.
GET INVOLVED IN MISSIONS: You, your youth group, a small-group ministry, and your church can enhance the lives of your neighbors by reaching into the community, learning about needs, and helping to solve them. Summer is a great time to learn more about EOC missions opportunities.
CLERGY APPOINTMENTS: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and his Cabinet make clergy appointments with a commitment to open itineracy, consideration of the gifts and God’s grace of those appointed, and the needs and opportunities of congregations. View the clergy appointments/changes of status list.
EOC STANDS AGAINST RACISM: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, the Cabinet, Executive staff, and East Ohio laity and clergy are committed to stand against racism. Visit the Stand Against Racism resource page for small group studies, videos, podcasts, books, and more to learn how you can stand against racism.
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