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October 2020
1: Cabinet Meeting
2: Phone call w/ Paul Nickerson; District
Strategizing
3: SPR Consultations: Mt. Tabor, Epworth
(Waco), North Industry, Mt. Zion, Asbury,
East Sparta, Sandyville, Magnolia, Mineral
City, New Cumberland
4: Celebrate World Communion Sunday @
Crystal Park with Amy Shaw, SPR
Consultations: Dundee, Wilmot, Justus,
Fohl, Otterbein (Navarre), New Way
5: Sabbath
6: Clergy Consultation with Kelly Brown,
Coaching with DS Group, SPR
Consultations: Minerva, Malvern,
Centenary
7: Clergy Consultation—Annual Confer-
ence Follow-up, Tech rehearsal for
Charge Conference, “One Board Model”
exploration with Rick Oaks, Clergy Con-
sultation with Jerralyn Myers, SPR Consul-
tations: Pleasant Valley, First
(Uhrichsville), Grace (Uhrichsville), New-
port, Gnadenhutten
VOL. 18 NO. 8 October 2020
~A MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
REV. CARA STULTZ COSTELLO ~
Dear Beloved—
Our Bishop has identified some of the overarching
challenges of our time:
Pandemic,
Polarization,
Protests and
Postponement of General Conference.
As anxieties rise we grasp for certainties. As
uncertainties go unanswered we grab for safety. As safety
is illusive we narrow the circle of trust. As the circle of
trust shrinks we turn inward. John Wesley knew all about
these social and interpersonal
dynamics and spoke to them when he encouraged the
members of the Methodist Societies to “watch over one
another in love,” to support and encourage one another in
their lives with God.
“Watching over one another in love” is a phrase that not
only is deeply rooted in the Wesleyan tradition but also
reminds us that Methodist spirituality is deeply biblical
...speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into
him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is
equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love… Ephesians 4:15 and 16
Watching over one another in love signifies that we see
one another. Really seeing one another means that we
have paused to look upon one another, to be in one an-
other’s presence, to lean in, ask, “How is it with your
soul?” and then really listen. As we enter into this Pastor
Appreciation Month I wonder how you might feel giving
the gift of your listening ears, your genuine inquiry, your
caring posture, your seeing gaze to another. I wonder how
you might respond when someone gives you such a gift?
Beloved, watch over one another in love.
Cara
Tuscarawas Connexions
N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E T U S C A R A W A S 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
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT’S
TENTATIVE CALENDAR
Rev. Cara’s Calendar continued on page 2...
Page 2
8: Clergy consultation with Steve Court, Compass
planning with Thom Kalb, DCoM planning with
Coralee Cox & Joel Adkins
9 and 10: District Strategizing
11: Preaching at First (New Philadelphia), SPR
Consultations: Church of the Lakes, Westbrook
Park; General/Jurisdictional Conference
Meeting; District Youth Group Meeting
12: Sabbath
13: Mtg with Bryan George & Jared Priset
13—16: District Strategizing
17: Rule of Christ Training
18: Preaching @ Aldersgate
19: Sabbath, Racial Justice Training
20: Vitality Mtg @ Faith (North Canton)
21—23: Preparation for Charge Conference
24: Charge Conference #1 & Charge
Conference #2
25: Worship on the District
26: Sabbath
27—29: Cabinet
30: District Strategizing
2021 Apportionments
Apportionments, or shared giving, are deeply rooted in the scriptures. J esus asked Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” Three times he asked the same question, and Peter answered, “You know I love you.” Then “feed my lambs,” J esus admonished Peter. “If you
love me,” he meant, “take care of the people I love.” Additionally, aportionments are a foundational princi-ple of our connexional ministry. All United Methodist leaders and congregations are connected by certain loves and commitments that call us to live in cove-
nantal accountability and empower us to be in minis-try around the world. Apportionments enable us to combine our resources so that we can accomplish more than we as individuals or particular local con-
gregations are able. ( CONTINUED on Page 5)
Let your voice be heard! Share your congregations best practices in response to the Covid-19 virus. Respond to the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CQ9ZR7N
...an
d ch
urch
es!
“Critical Conversations: A Step Towards Standing Against Racism”
Presented by Rev. Dr. Michelle Ledder
from the General Commission on Religion and Race of the UMC
All clergy may choose to elect
one of three dates for the training:
October 19, October 24 or November 6.
The training will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude by 4:30 p.m.
Please refer to the letter of invitation from the
Bishop which was emailed on September 15, 2020.
Page 3
Rule of Christ Training—Fall 2020
Watch for more information:
All churches receiving a new appointment are required to
complete Rule of Christ Training. This training is also available upon request. The ‘Rule of Christ’
equips congregations with valuable skills for making healthy transitions.
Consultations and Charge Conferences
Consultation and charge conference forms are now on the district website. If you did not receive
your consultation date (Clergy &/or SPRC) please let Megan know ASAP!
Pastors are NOT expected to attend the S/PPRC Consultation.
SPR/PPR Committee Consultation:
NEW 2020 Clergy Ministry Assessment Form (formerly due in May) is to be completed by S/PPRC
and Pastor together. Multi-point charges should work together in completing this form.
2020 LCPA - Local Church Profile: Annual – with updated instructions for Average Worship
Attendance.
LCPL- Local Church Profile: Long Term Information
Church Info Record
To better acquaint us with the district, your consultation will take place at each church. During your
scheduled consultation you will spend the first 30 minutes with Megan, the District Administrator,
reviewing the 2021 Clergy Compensation form. The figures do not have to be definite, but you
should have close estimates available. Please use this time to ask questions, if you have any,
regarding the compensation form, housing exclusion form, or the Omnibus. The LCPL & Church
Info Record forms are required this year due to help Rev. Cara Stultz Costello learn more about our
district churches.
Church Conference:
Omnibus/Leadership Directory
2021 Clergy Compensation Form
2021 Pension/Disability Calculations (if applicable)
2021 Housing Exclusion Form (if applicable)
Lay Servant Annual Report (if applicable)
Parsonage Inspection Form (if applicable)
**Charge Conferences will be held via Zoom. This will require internet capabilities. If your church
does not have internet capability Megan will be sending out a list of churches that are open to
hosting other churches. That list will be sent out the week of October 5th.**
**Reminder: Each church will be responsible for inputting their Leadership Directory into
EZRA. If you need help, please let Megan know before December 1st.**
All forms are due to the District Office on the due date sent to you via email.
If you have any questions, please contact Megan.
Page 4
Annual Conference 2020—Pictures
East Ohio Conference News Links (click on image)
Page 5
TUSCARAWAS TIES
Official Publication of the Tuscarawas District
East Ohio Conference — The United Methodist Church
Tuscarawas District Office
8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 499-3972
Email: tuscdistoffice@eocumc.com
Website: www.eocumc.com/tuscarawas
Facebook: Tuscarawas District UMC
Send articles to Megan Myers, Editor
tuscdistoffice@eocumc.com
The Tuscarawas Ties is published monthly.
Newsletter deadline is the 20th of the month.
District Youth
We have a new District Youth Coordinator
Team. Please welcome Pastor Ryan Cockrill,
Terri St. Aubin, & Deena Wolfe! They have been
working hard & have scheduled the first
gathering via Zoom!
Tuscarawas District Youth Facebook Page
2021 Shared Ministry
Apportionment Figures
In a typical year, preliminary apportionment
figures for the next year are sent out in July.
The preliminary apportionment figure for next
year (2021) is calculated using data in the Local
Church Report from the year just ended (2019).
Final apportionments are typically mailed to
treasurers and pastors by mid-October. This
year has been anything but typical.
Please make a note of the following changes to
the apportionment timeline:
• Because the vote approving the 2021 East
Ohio Conference budget will not take place
until Sat., Sept. 26, when Annual Conference
meets virtually, preliminary apportionment
figures will not be processed and mailed
until mid-October, at the earliest. Church
pastors and treasurers will have a much
shorter time frame than they have had in
prior years to review preliminary
apportionments and, if needed, to request
corrections.
• The final 2021 apportionments will be
mailed at the end of October or early in
November.
• Pastors, treasurers and others with finance
responsibility are encouraged to review their
2019 Local Church Reports now to ensure
that no changes to them are needed. This
will help to ensure that 2021
apportionments can be processed and
mailed out in as orderly a fashion as
possible.
Page 6
News from our District Lay Servant Committee
2020 Pastor of the Year: Rev. Mick Foster
Our Tuscarawas District Pastor-of-the-Year has a shepherd’s heart who provides spiritual care and
guidance for his congregation. It’s been his mark at all 5 churches where he’s pastored.
Specifically, his heart is to teach God’s Word so God can change lives. He very much encourages his
congregation to read Scripture daily––in a systematic way, so it is a routine daily feeding. He also
promotes that everyone should be regular attenders of Sunday School AND small-group Bible
studies. He currently teaches 3 adult Bible studies, including a weekly morning men’s group.
Because faith without works is dead, and Scripture teaches personal witnessing, our pastor-of-the-
year preaches and teaches that all Christians should share their personal testimonies, and witness
for Jesus Christ as the Lord gives opportunities––and to regularly pray for those opportunities.
Through his leadership, people are constantly taught to trust God in all circumstances and to lean
on Christ Jesus. Probably everyone ever under his pastoral leadership would say their pastor had a
great desire for them to grow in Christ.
Revivals are common at his churches. Why? Because he knows God calls all believers to be revived
in His Word––and because God calls non-believers to Christ. So reaching beyond his church and
sanctuary is not unusual for our pastor-of-the-year. In previous churches, tent meeting revivals
were part of the outreach. Under his leadership, his current church plans their own worship
services a few times yearly at a local shopping mall and even at the city park, with public
promotion. These worship services attract passers-by to hear the church praise team, choir, even a
brief play where children become play characters, and of course, the pastor’s sermon or a lay
servant’s message. Through these outreach efforts, our pastor’s churches reach others for Jesus
and teach his own congregation about the need for all to hear the Gospel.
This year’s Tuscarawas District Pastor-of-the-year is best known simply as Pastor Mick. Pastor Mick
Foster has been in ministry THIRTY-FIVE YEARS, and is completing his full-time church ministry at
Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia, where he’s pastored the last five years.
Past churches are Mesopotamia, a 2-point charge at West Bellaire and Nefts, Cambridge First, and
Damascus before Broadway in New Phila. With a combination of thirty-one new members and 24
members through transfers, reinstatements, and reaffirmations; God added fifty-five members at
Broadway under Pastor Mick’s pastoral ministry.
Additional outreach ministries include being a member of the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital’s
pastoral care program in Dover; and leading a pastors’ Compass group. And God ministers to him
through his love of God’s great outdoors as a golfer, a fisherman, and a bicyclist.
Pastor Mick and his wife Becky have four adult children and ten grand-children. Following his dad’s
calling, son Bracken pastors the Christ United Methodist in Newcomerstown.
Finally, a worthy point of interest. God first called Pastor Mick through the Lay Servant ministry.
Then he became a pastor. Since then, he’s constantly maintained a heart for lay servant training
and lay involvement in local churches. He’s served on a pastors’ supervisory committee and has
taught the basic lay servant course for years, including next month’s basic lay servant course at
Bolivar UMC on April 24-25.
Let’s recognize Pastor Mick Foster from Broadway United Methodist Church as this year’s
Tuscarawas District Pastor-of-the-Year. And may we all remember to pray God’s retirement
blessings to both he and Becky, as he retires in June 2020.
Page 7
News from our District Lay Servant Committee
2020 Lay Servant of the Year: Nancymae Scheurer
Nancymae Mason Scheurer became a Lay Servant back in the 1980’s in Cambridge District. Soon
she became secretary of the Cambridge District Lay Servants and then secretary of the Conference
Lay Servants and now Secretary of Tuscarawas District Lay Servants. She has done children’s ser-
mons, planned Christmas Eve programs, assigned Advent readings for services, provided sermons
at various churches and taught Adult Sunday School along the way. Years ago she supported her
late husband, Rev. Tom Mason, as he ministered to several small churches.
She has been an organist/pianist at Uhrichsville Grace, Carrollton First Presbyterian, New Harris-
burg Presbyterian and for the past 25 years at Magnolia UMC. Nancymae provided music at UMW’s
Mission U at Mount Union in 2019.
She is one of the teachers for the Magnolia United Methodist Church’s Women’s Bible Study, is the
leader of the Eve/Mary Circle at Crossroads UMC in Canton, and is a member of their UMW unit.
From Dec. 2016 until Feb. 2018, Nancymae visited her husband, John, at Rose Lane Nursing Home
daily where she played dinner music for him and other residents in the dining hall. Nancymae was a
caregiver to John from the time he got Parkinson’s Disease until he was released to cross over the
Jordan River to meet his Lord.
2020 Pastor of the Year:
Rev. Mick Foster
2020 Lay Servant of the Year:
Nancymae Scheurer
Page 8
Page 9
2021 Overnight Mission Opportunity
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