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 Seong-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 56 “Weaving Love for the Unhoused” Rev. Amy Vittorio and Terri Everhart from the 5 Points Parish in the West Plains District share about a loom ministry that creates sleeping mats out of plastic bags to be used by those who are unhoused – a project anyone can do.
“It’s brought people together and given us a renewed sense of mission,” Vittorio shared.
“It has built an energy with us and with others because they see the positivity of here is something we can do and we’re making an impact,” Everhart said.
“Looms become a way for relationships in your church and relationships out in your community,” offered Rev. Kathy Dickriede, Missions & Community Engagement director in the EOC Connectional Ministries office.
The 5 Point Parish is Tiffin Faith, Tiffin St. Paul’s, Sycamore, Republic Trinity, and Melmore UMCs.
Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
Clergy Executive Session on June 11 and AC 2025 will be hosted on the College of Wooster campus. 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). Worship will be in McGaw Chapel and business on the Gault Recreation Center courts of the Scot Center.
Registration Opened April 1, Closes May 16
Registration is online only. There will be no onsite registration again, this year.
New for AC 2025: Meal Plan & Stay on Campus
Annual Conference attendees will have the option of staying in a residence hall on campus during conference, and purchasing a meal plan. Those who choose the meal plan, and those who elect to stay in a residence hall during AC 2025, must make those decisions and prepay for those options during online registration.
Annual Conference Offering
Each of these ministries will receive 1/3 of the offering:
Volunteers Needed for Annual Conference 2025
The Annual Conference Program/Hospitality Committee is looking for volunteers to assist on campus during AC 2025. There are opportunities for all.
Complete the AC 2025 volunteer interest survey.
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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