News Archives

East Ohio Annual Conference
June 19 - 22, 2006, Lakeside, Ohio

Bishop John Hopkins presided over the 37th East Ohio Annual Conference held at Lakeside, Ohio with the theme "Disciples on the Same Journey: worship, devotion, compassion and justice."

Hopkins challenged the delegates of the East Ohio Annual Conference during his annual Episcopal address.

"Can you imagine with me for a few moments?" Hopkins began. "Can you be humbled to see something new? If we can get a glimpse beyond the anxiety of what we want to accomplish - for ourselves, our local church, or even this conference - perhaps we can envision what God wants to accomplish with us," he said.

Bishop Hopkins reminded delegates that the church is called to be a movement more than an institution, a covenant community more than a voluntary association, generational more than geographical and a public witness as much as a private faith. The church is effective when people are invited into faithful Christian living expressed through the ongoing cycle of evangelism, mission and advocacy.

"On some days, all we can see are the problems to be solved and the messes to be cleaned up. We need to take another look and imagine what IS possible when we see the kingdom of God here-now," Hopkins said. "God is always ready to give us far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Imagine where God is leading us and how we can be the people God is calling us to be."

The conference warmly welcomed guest speakers Bishops Judith Craig (retired), Sally Dyck (Minnesota) and Gregory V. Palmer (Iowa), all of whom served in East Ohio prior to their episcopal election.

Bishop Hopkins ordained nine elders and three deacons.  He commissioned 10 probationary elders and two probationary deacons.

In other conference business, members approved:

• The "Let Justice Roll" Minimum Wage Campaign, co-sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches;
• Supporting the purchase of garments produced through a partnership with worker owned cooperatives';
• Renewing the conference's commitment to implement the denomination's outreach and media campaign  "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors";
• Urging appropriate legislative committees to provide childcare subsidies  and continued funding of the Headstart program;
• Supporting the availability of education opportunities as an allowable work activity for qualified parents receiving public assistance;
• Urging Governor Robert Taft to provide continued Welfare Reform implementation and insure jobs, education and training for the working poor;
• The Commission on Equitable Compensation's report which will freeze minimum salaries in 2007 at the 2006 level.

More than $37,000 was collected for the Bishops' Katrina Church Recovery Appeal. In addition, delegates contributed more than $8,300 which was divided equally among three projects:  new clinic projects at Open M and the Urban Mission in Ohio, one-third to the Russian Initiative and one-third to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund. 

Membership stands at 180,099, down 1,860 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 70,876, down 1,751.