The 42nd Session of The East Ohio Annual Conference Report

The United Methodist Church began as a movement and loose network of local societies with a mission. It has grown into one of the most carefully organized and largest denominations in the world. We are a "connectional" organization in which all our churches in America and worldwide are bound together by a common mission and governance. Local churches are part of an area group called a District; ours is the North Coast District. Districts are grouped by region and the North Coast District is part of the East Ohio Conference. This Conference meets annually to discuss general business matters and to take action on specific social and church-related issues. Clergypersons and an equal number of elected lay delegates attend the annual conference session.

The 42nd Session of The East Ohio Annual Conference met at Lakeside, OH, from June 13-16. The Session, with a theme of "If We Are the Body…," was called to order by Bishop John Hopkins at 9am on Monday morning, followed by a traditional Service of Commemoration and Holy Communion. For a full report, please go to the Conference web page at EOCUMC.com. There you will find summaries of all Worship and Business sessions and photo galleries to accompany them. There are also links for the 5 resolutions and their outcomes, results of the elections to General and Jurisdictional Conferences for 2012 and clergy appointments for 2011-2012. Dr. Kenneth W. Chalker was appointed to serve at University Circle UMC. Several members of UCUMC were in attendance during the week for various reasons and we were fortunate to see Laverne Jenkins receive Music Certification from the Board of Ordained Ministry. Record numbers, including many from UCUMC, attended the Methodist Federation for Social Action Luncheon and Reconciling Ministries Network Parade and Open Table worship service on Wednesday. Three important events sponsored by these two groups are "Sing a New Song" in August, an Open Table Service here at UCUMC on October 9 and "Because it Matters" at Uniontown UMC on October 22 with featured speakers Bishop Judith Craig and Rev. Dr. Kenneth Chalker. If you have questions about any of this report or the activities of the week, please see Amy Wheeler, Lay Delegate to Annual Conference.

Five resolutions were proposed and passed during the 2011 Annual Conference:

1. A Call to Advocate for the Enforcement of the Human Trafficking Laws in Ohio: The resolution asked that the conference contact Ohio governmental agencies encouraging new legislation and upholding legal action against human traffickers. It further asked that the Church and Society committee, in partnership with the East Ohio United Methodist Women and the Commission on the Status of Women of East Ohio Conference, advocate for this cause.
2. A Call to Support the Ohio Food Banks: The resolution asked the conference to commit to educate and encourage congregations to support local food banks with donations and volunteering. It further advocated for changes in public policy on state and local levels that will decrease hunger.
3. A Call to Honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: The resolution asked that each United Methodist Church suspend activities and meetings unless it is to commemorate its observance.
4. A Call to Advocate for Continued Participation in Political Process and Support of Collective Bargaining. The resolution asked the conference to educate themselves and affirm the historic support of education, rights of workers and right to collective bargaining and to vote their conscience regarding the referendum initiative Ohio Bill 5.
5. A Call to Ensure Youth a Place on Committees and Councils: The resolution asked that local churches make it a focus that youth be a part of leadership and mission.

Posted via email from OneCoolGod at University Circle UMC