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. . .The Canal District United Methodist Church Newsletter. . . R e v . E d P e t e r s o n , D i s t r i c t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , C a n a l D i s t r i c t

The miss ion of the Canal District UMC is to make and mature discip les o f Jesus Christ for the t ransformation of the world .

What Br ings You Joy?

Greetings Friends!

A few weeks ago, I met with Bishop Malone to talk about the

past year, to look ahead to the coming year, and to talk about life

and ministry. The first question she asked me was, “What brings

you joy in serving as a superintendent?” I should have expected

that question and should have had an answer ready. But I didn’t.

Instead, I said, “Let me tell you about what drains my joy in

serving as a superintendent.” I had spent that morning trying to

get legal matters resolved for the sale of two church buildings, and answering ques-

tions about church payroll and income tax. So, I told the Bishop about those things,

and then had to take a few moments and search for the things that bring me joy as a

superintendent. I suppose that’s a part of our human nature. The things that drain

our joy are at the forefront of our thoughts, but we have to search for the things that

bring us joy.

The Bishop’s question caused me to think about those things that bring me joy

and drain my joy as a superintendent. And, as is my nature…I made a list:

What drains my joy:

People (clergy & laity) behaving badly. I often see people at their worst,

when there is a conflict or crisis.

Attending meetings in which there is much conversation, but from which

there seems to be little action taken.

Feeling like a cog in a large machine in which I seem to have little ability

to affect change.

What brings me joy:

Hearing the stories of people who are sensing that God is calling them to

pastoral ministry and are taking the very first step in response.

Seeing how hard pastors work, how committed they are, and hearing great

sermons.

Getting to know lay people from the churches, and being in awe of how

much of their lives has been given to the life of the church. I try never to

forget to thank the lay folks for the time they have sacrificed when we

meet.

Watching strategic missional initiatives come to fruition.

Introducing pastors to churches in new appointments, and seeing the

excitement and anticipation of new opportunities.

Being able to attend worship and sit next to my wife, Cindy.

When I finished with my list, the list of things that bring me joy was twice as

long as the things that drain my joy. Yes, the things that drain my joy do exist and

are real. But the things that bring me joy far outweigh them.

What does your list look like? We are often quick to recall the things that drain

our joy. However, our good God brings us joy that overwhelms the things that drain

us. Look for joy in life, in ministry, and in people, so that when some-

one asks, “What brings you joy,” you aren’t caught off guard with

your mouth hanging open and a blank look on your face…like me.

As always, I continue to love ya’

Ed

Please life in prayer the following churches and clergy in the coming weeks:

August 6: Granger, Rev. Bruce Hartley

August 13: Green Valley, Rev. Jeff Croft

August 20: Greensburg , Rev. Katie Osier

August 27: Hope , Pastor David McGrath

August 2017

www.eocumc.com/canal - C a n a l D i s t r i c t - U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h - E a s t O h i o C o n f e r e n c e

Resident Bishop East Ohio Conference:

Tracy S. Malone Conference website:

www.eocumc.com

District Campership Financial Aid Applications

Financial aid is available to any camper

from a Canal District UM Church attend-

ing any East Ohio Conference coordinated

program camping event. Maximum district

financial aid per camper is $75. An appli-

cation can be found on our website:

www.eocumc.com/canal/ under ‘Grants

and Scholarships.’ Or call 330-252-0299.

Heart 4 The City Designated as a Mission Church

For the full article go to: https://eocumcnews.com/ 2017/07/20/ heart-4-the-city-designated-as-a- mission-church/

“Heart for The City has been designated as

a mission church,” said Bishop Tracy S.

Malone. “It is an intentionally diverse and

multi-

generational

faith community

that is reaching

a mission field

that is under-

served and has

limited resources. This community minis-

try is extending the love and invitation of

Christ through its worship and strategic

offering of programs and services that are

meeting tangible needs.”

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Saturday, August 12, 9:30 am - Rule of Christ Training, Conference Center

Wednesday, August 16, 10 am - noon, Canal and Tuscarawas District compass group leaders meeting, Uniontown UMC

Saturday, August 19, 9:30 am - Critical Response Team Training, Conference Center

► Sept. 23 - Fall Gathering at Kent UMC ► Oct. 27, 28 - Annual Celebration at Bucyrus UMC ► May 17-20, 2018 - National Assembly, Columbus Ohio ► Web Page: http://www.eocumc.com/canal/umw.html ► Elizabeth Feldman, President, Canal District UMW,

330-465-5782, email: umwcanal@gmail.com

Canal Dist r ic t and East Ohio Conference

August 20 - 23 - East Ohio Local Pastor Retreat, Lakeside, OH, Share time with pastors from West OH and Michigan.

August 23 - 9 am-5 pm - ERT Emotional and Spiritual Care Training - East Ohio Conference - questions contact Judy Milks at jjmilks@gmail.com. Register online at: http://tinyurl.com/ERTAug26

September 9 - 9:30 am - 4 pm - From Membership to Discipleship - at Hudson UMC - Led by Dr. Phil Maynard and hosted by Hudson UMC, Macedonia UMC and the Office of Congregational Vitality. To register for this event email Nicole Noland at vitality@eocumc.com. $10 per church. You can pay at the event. Topics: Foundations, Movements, Discipleship a Contact Sport, Equipping for Transformation and Building an Intentional Discipleship Process.

November 13-15, Fall for All Clergy Retreat - The Worship Architect, The Car lisle Inn at Sugarcreek, questions contact Brian Oglesbee at brianoglesbee55@gmail.com or 330-968-7360.

Upcoming Training Opportunities and Events -

check the Conference website for more info: www.eocumc.com or call Debbie at the Canal District Office. Most of these events etc. have been emailed to your churches

Lay Servant Minist r ies News

Basic - September 22, 6:30 - 9:30 pm and September 23, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at The UMC in Stow

Registration deadline: August 31.

Advanced - Accountable Discipleship - October 20, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm and

October 21, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm and November 4, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at Wadsworth UMC.

Registration deadline: September 28.

Registration forms for courses are available on the distr ict website: www.eocumc.com/canal, Distr ict

Ministries Tab - Lay Servant Tab or by contacting the registrar Debbie Sloan at dlsloan1@aol.com, or by phone 330-283-6893.

Lay Servants Facebook page: https//m.facebook.com/LayServantsEOCUMC/

Clergy, mark your calendar for Tuesday, October 3, from 9:30 -

11:00 am. Our Fall Clergy Gathering will be at Heart 4 The City,

which has just been designated as a Mission Church. A "Mission

Church" is a church that depends on resources from the outside, to be

in ministry. We're meeting at Heart 4 The City so that we can see what

they do, and learn how we can all be supportive of this newest mission

outpost in our district and conference.

Bishop Malone will be with us for an informal time of conversation.

Heart 4 The City - www.heart4thecity.org

Address: 954 Eastland Avenue, Akron, OH 44305

Elect ion Resul ts f rom Spr ing Conference 2017 for At -Large Delegates to Annual Conference for 2018 ( in a lphabet ical order)

Fal l C lergy Gather ing

Appleby, Paul, Cuyahoga Falls First UMC

Bond, Rickie, Firestone Park UMC

Campbell, Latosha, Centenary UMC

Delcamp, Jane, Christ Woodland UMC

Dyer, Jennifer, Montrose Zion

Evans, Jacqueline, Centenary UMC

Fisher, Anne, Clearview UMC

Frambaugh, Mildred, Sharon Center UMC

Fritz, Greg, Park UMC

Groh, Carol, Mogadore UMC

Hardman, Charlie, Apple Creek UMC

Hatfield, Kathy, Easton UMC

Hopton, Irene, Rittman UMC

Hume, Susan, Medina UMC

Jarvis, Kenton, Streetsboro UMC

Jermy, Charlotte, Atwater UMC

Kauffman, Janet, Oak Chapel UMC

Lane, La La, Grandview UMC

Laux, Don, Rootstown UMC

MacDonald, Karen, Firestone UMC

McClain, Karen, Akron First UMC

Milam, Amber, Atwater UMC

Milia, Mark, York UMC

Montemayor, Donna Kaye, Streetsboro UMC

Muster, Naomi, Ravenna: First UMC

Oakes, Sheila, Wadsworth UMC

Piatt, Liz, Dr., Family of Faith UMC

Rinehart, Ronald, Johnson UMC

Rittgers, Stan, Northampton UMC

Root, Laura, Stow UMC

Shankland, Joanna, Rittman UMC

Sloan, Debbie, Twin Falls UMC

Wagoner, Janet, Firestone Park

Watts, Joy, Uniontown UMC

Watts, Bill, Uniontown UMC

Alternates: Richard Glenn,

Roger Campbell

Extra alternates: Lisa Her r , Doug Her r

Page 3

Canal District Clergy & Families Birthdays

Clergy, If you would like your birthday (or birthday of your

spouse or children living at home)

listed in our district newsletter, or

your wedding anniversary please

let me know—Debbie Bryant - Canal District Office–

cdistumc@gmail.com

Save the date - Saturday, January 27 2018, 9 am - 2:45 pm Canal District Leadership Training - Details to come!!

Prayers for Rev. Van Fisher (Twin

Falls UMC) and family. His wife

Jacilyn, passed away on May 30.

Congratulations to Pastor Derek and Jenna

Hickman (First UMC of Ravenna) upon the birth

of their daughter, Hallie and Pastor Kyle and

Courtney Gould (Oak Chapel UMC) upon the birth

of their son, Callan Joshua.

1 Callie Hoverstock

8 Dale Gharky,

Daniel Rittgers

9 Jim Pfander,

Beth Rittgers

10 Aaron Croft

13 Pam Monteith

14 Colin Ward

16 Micah Burkhardt 4 Lisa & Tony Kropinak; Charlie & Diane Tobias

6 Dan & Debbie Bryant

10 Elizabeth & Gary Hadler

13 Frank & Peggy Woodrum

14 Jim & Cynthia Nolte

15 Joe & Jeanette Burkhardt, Diane & Wesley Johnson

19 Jack & Judye Yeager

25 Bill & Daryl Sowers

28 Ed and Cindy Peterson

Young People’s Ministries “Exploration” Called to Make a Difference

An exciting opportunity for young adult’s ages 18-26 who want to learn more about ordained ministry. Join other United Methodist

young people who are discerning a call to ministry in Portland Oregon Nov. 3-5, 2017 at the General Board of Higher Education and

Ministry’s event, “Exploration.” For more info., to register or details about those traveling from East Ohio, please contact Rev. Tim

Morrison: 440-823-3089 or pastor@gsumparma.com. (The cost of this event is covered by the Board of Ordained Ministry.)

21 Floredda Wagner

22 Kylie Ward,

Mike Ward

30 Joyce Williams

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Canal District of The United Methodist Church 800 E Market St Akron OH 44305

THE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS THE 20th OF THE MONTH.

There’s a combined newsletter March/April, June/July, Sept./Oct., and Dec./

Jan. (subject to change)

“The Connector” August 2017

Return Service Requested

CANAL DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF — District Superintendent: Rev. Ed Peterson Administrative Assistant: Debbie Bryant; Treasurer: Sheryl Reynolds If you would like to receive our newsletter by mail or email, please contact Debbie. Address: 800 East Market St., Akron 44305 - Phone: 330-252-0299 - Fax: 330-252-0297 E-mail: cdistumc@gmail.com - Web Site: www.eocumc.com/canal/

JOB OPENINGS in the CANAL DISTRICT and Conference

Youth Worker - To teach and mentor the youth of Lakemore UMC, Sunday morning worship service, Sunday school, Sunday evening

UMYF meetings and special weekend events. Contact the church at 330-733-6531 or email lakemoreumc@att.net.

Choir Director/Accompanist – Part time position. Responsibilities include piano (acoustic and electronic keyboard) accompaniment for Sunday

worship service, choral music selections and instruction. Work closely with pastor and congregation to provide seasonal music and special music

performances. Please contact Pastor Fred Higgins, Lakeview UMC, 211 Third St NW, Barberton, OH 44203, 330-753-6661.

Keyboard Player - Rootstown UMC, 4065 State Route 44, Rootstown, Ohio 44272. Applications are in the office, or call to have one sent at

330-325-1426.

Director of Christian Education and Program Coordinator - Brunswick UMC. For a job description and to apply go to website at

www.brunswickumc.net. You may also apply by sending resume to PO Box 85, Brunswick OH 44212 or email to

church@brunswickumc.org. Questions call 330-225-3179.

For more details on jobs listed above or other job openings in the conference, check the classified page on the conference website: http://www.eocumc.com/classified/index.html

Midwest Mission Distribution Center News We want to thank you for inviting us to participate in the Annual Conference. 16,720 pounds worth of donations were collected for the Mid-

west Mission Distribution Center. Many lives have been touched throughout the United States and in developing countries around the world

through shipments made from the Center. Thank you so much for your support. In Christ, Pat Wright, MMDC Executive Director