“Live in harmony with one another; do not be
haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim
to be wiser than you are. Do not be overcome by
evil, but overcome evil with good.”
– Romans 12:16, 21 (NRSV)
Jesus, we look to you for strength and hope as we walk into the unknown of a new day.
We’ve been disappointed and hurt by what we have seen and heard in the leadup to this year’s national election.
You taught us to love each other as siblings but we struggle to embrace people who look, think, and act differently than us.
Please heal the wounds we have inflicted on each other and help us to be more like you, treating others as we wish to be treated.
Fill our hearts with compassion for one another, and guide us in setting good examples that future generations will want to follow.
Help us unite communities by living love and modeling encouragement, and by putting an end to finger-pointing, hatred and violence.
May we have the strength to be agents of peace, healing, and hope, in a country where many are choosing division instead of diversity.
Allow your Church and its people to be the center of justice, love, and mercy – embracing, uniting, and transforming all through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
“God is so filled with grace and love for me, and for every single person on the planet, that it compels me to be part of a Church that says that grace is one of the most important things that we’re about,” said Rev. Seth Filburn, pastor of Bell Chapel United Methodist Church in Steubenville.
He is one of many people in the East Ohio Conference who have shared how The United Methodist Church has transformed their lives.
To schedule a time to record a one- to two-minute video telling your #BeUMC story, e-mail Brett Hetherington in the Communications office.
View #BeUMC stories & the EOC #BeUMC website.
Our EOC podcast, Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation, explores what it means to #BeUMC.
Episode 47 is titled “Influence, Connection & Impact: The OPEN M Ministry of Faith, Health & Hope”. It features a conversation with staff members and a volunteer physician of OPEN M, an EOC Advance Special that annually serves more than 65,000 residents in South Akron. The ministry partners with churches, businesses, and thousands of volunteers to provide pathways out of poverty by feeding the hungry and offering health and employment services.
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung invites laity and clergy from across the Ohio Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church to a Day of Thanksgiving and Unity on Saturday, November 23 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Worthington UMC. The keynote speaker for the day is Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, a renowned scholar in Wesleyan theology and Christian discipleship.
“This day of thanksgiving and unity will be filled with moments of worship, reflection, and celebration of our unity in The United Methodist Church. Together we will focus on hope, endurance, and the transformative power of God’s love guided by Romans 5:1-5 and our theme “Hearts Strangely Warmed,” Bishop Jung says in the above video.
The East Ohio Conference has arranged for buses to transport laity and clergy to/from Worthington UMC. There is no cost to ride the bus, but you are asked to indicate during online registration that you plan to ride the bus. A bus will leave from:
The day will include opportunities for worship and celebrating our unity in The UMC. The registration fee is $10 and includes lunch. The deadline to register is Monday, November 11.
Join Bishop Jung and fellow United Methodists from across Ohio for this transformative day of prayer and learning, as we seek to grow together in grace and reaffirm our commitment to #BeUMC.
Learn more and register.ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024: The theme for the 55th session of East Ohio Annual Conference was “Faith Hope Love”. The services and sessions of the three days of Holy Conferencing were grounded in the prophetic promise recorded in Isaiah 40:31 (NIV). Read the AC 2024 recap.
GENERAL CONFERENCE: The top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church met April 23-May 3, 2024, for the postponed 2020 General Conference. Read about approved legislation and view videos from the worldwide gathering. View and download the GC summary resource.
WORLDWIDE REGIONALIZATION LEGISLATION: Will create relevance and equity across The UMC by enabling all regions of the Church to implement mission and ministry in the most effective ways for their context and culture. Must be approved by two-thirds aggregate votes of AC 2025. Learn more.
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.