East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church

MISSIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Mission News

More news about missions can be found by joining the East Ohio United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Facebook group.

Midwest Mission Collection | November 28-December 2
We know that around Christmas, many charities ask for your support. The Board is encouraging all churches and congregations to support groups within the UMC connection. Here’s what Midwest Mission has requested:

UMCOR Cleaning Kits
UMCOR Hygiene Kits
Baby Diapers
• New or gently used musical instruments like recorders, harmonicas, or percussion; no damaged instruments please!
• All types of new sports balls (soccer, basketball, softball, baseball), inflated or deflated

Full details and drop-off sites are on the Missions Training & Events page.

The drop-off sites will not be taking monetary donations. If you wish to make a financial donation to MMDC, please use Fund 9944 and follow the directions for donating on the How to Give webpage.

Board of Missions Grants Are Making a Difference
Over the past year, the Board of Missions has awarded several grants to missions and ministries in East Ohio utilizing undesignated missions giving to the Conference by churches and individuals. The Board is following up with grant recipients to see how the funding has made a difference in their respective mission or ministry. Meghan DeGregory, Operations Director of Thrive 10:10 (Fund 9979), shared the following report on how they have used their grant. Reach out to Meghan by e-mail to see how you can support their ministry.

Thrive 10:10 uses conference grants to ensure women can get to school and work when they lack hygiene products. Ruth’s Boutique, the flagship program of Thrive 10:10, began in 2019 as a way for women to access personal care items. Studies show that women and girls who cannot afford hygiene products miss work and school, further stressing already strained budgets and affecting their confidence and grades. In order to promote Beauty, Dignity, and Strength, clients shop, at no cost, in a Boutique atmosphere. Lunch is served to allow participants to connect with volunteers and one another. A time to learn from local professionals has been added to increase the value of their experience.

Beginning 2023, Thrive 10:10 will begin a program called ‘Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World’ that will provide an impactful service to the Mahoning Valley. The 16-week program is designed to reduce the barriers for rising from poverty. During the program, clients investigate their lives and determine what changes will impact their families economically, socially, and relationally. As a group, they support each other in making the changes that will help stabilize their families and put them on the path to greater wholeness.

The East Ohio Conference has provided a grant to cover all of the expenses of training for our volunteers in Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World. The grant provided covers all training and costs for 6 students.

Donate to Thrive 10:10 EOC Fund 9979.
Donate to EOC Fund 9001 to make these grants possible.

UMVIM Long-Term Recovery Sites
UMVIM Teams are recruiting people to journey into the mission field to Cambodia, Liberia, Guatemala Mexico, and many Long-term Recovery sites. We maintain a list of upcoming trips online and they can be viewed on the Mission Journeys webpage. How can you and your faith community partner? Where are folks in your congregation partnering in the mission field? How can we help you connect with places in need of relationships and response? Team Leader training available upon request. Contact Rev. Kathy Dickriede by e-mail if interested in getting involved!

Applications Being Accepted for Global Missions Fellows
Become a Global Mission Fellow and join the legacy and movement of young adults in the United States who have crossed boundaries to better understand and respond to various forms of injustice since 1951. The Global Mission Fellows program of The United Methodist Church places young adults, ages 20–30, in social justice ministries for two years of service, either in the United States (US-2 track) or around the world (international track). Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-25 US-2 cohort.

Learn more and apply by the December 1 deadline.

Global Migration Sunday
Plan on promoting the plight of refuges and the many ways that United Methodist congregations can assist those who are displaced by participating in Global Migration Sunday in January. Pick whatever date works for your church! Discover how you, no matter where you live, can come alongside newcomers by offering radical hospitality and generosity.

View and download EOC Global Migration Sunday resources.

Three from East Ohio Conference Commissioned as EarthKeepers
Congratulations to Claire Jencson, Barbara Dawson, and Kevin Schaner, who were recently commissioned as EarthKeepers, a grassroots, U.S.-based group of United Methodists that equip people to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing, and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Training dates for 2023 will be announced later this year.