UMC SEEKS RESOURCES FOR MALARIA CAMPAIGN:
The United Methodist Church has been invited to apply for up to $5 million in support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations Foundation to underwrite a fund-raising, education and outreach campaign to strengthen its global health ministries, especially work related to malaria and other diseases of poverty in Africa.  The United Methodist Church has long been a key player in the fight against malaria and other diseases of poverty, having operated hospitals, clinics, schools and mission centers across Africa for more than 160 years.  In 2006, the people of The United Methodist Church joined with the United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, and NBA Cares to become one of the founding partners of Nothing But Nets, a global grassroots effort to prevent malaria through the purchase and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to children in Africa, more than a million of whom die from malaria every year. The campaign has raised more than $18 million to date.

2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE WORSHIP SPEAKERS NAMED:
East Ohio 2008 Annual Conference will begin on Monday, June 16, at 9:30 a.m. with the Service of Holy Communion and Remembrance.  Bishop John Hopkins will be the preacher.  Tuesday morning devotions will have Rev. Ashley Barker, pastor of Real Life UMC on the Ohio Valley District, as speaker.  The Tuesday evening ordination speaker will be Bishop Bruce Ough of the West Ohio Conference.  Bishop Ough will also be the Wednesday morning devotional speaker.  Rev. Gary Henderson, executive director for Global Health of the UMC, will be the Thursday morning devotion speaker.  The theme for  2008 Annual Conference is “Lord, We Come to the Lakeshore.”

Humphrey appointed to Three Rivers as new District Superintendent

Bishop John Hopkins intends to appoint Reverends , James Humphrey, Valerie Stultz and Steven Court to the East Ohio Conference Cabinet effective July 1.  They will serve the Three Rivers, Canal Districts and Southern Hills, respectively. District superintendents are appointed by the bishop and provide spiritual and administrative leadership to the entire annual conference and serve on the bishop’s cabinet, which works as a unit on developing the ministerial appointments to local churches and extension ministries. (Pictured on right: (L-R) Bishop John Hopkins, Reverends James Humprey, Valerie Stultz and Steven Court)

Humphrey to lead Three Rivers District

Humphrey was raised on a Columbiana county farm with three older brothers.  A magna cum laude graduate of Mount Union College , Humphrey received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Religion and Sociology. He received a Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.   He also attended the Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leadership.

Humphrey, who is currently serving the Doylestown United Methodist Church , has more than 25 years of pastoral experience.  His previous appointments include the following churches:  Shelby Trinity, Toronto First, Canfield, and Coalburg.

He has been active on numerous conference and district boards and committees including the Conference Personnel Committee, Conference Council on Youth Ministries, District Youth Coordinator, Conference Board of Global Ministries, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Conference Pastoral Advisory Committee.

“I am very thankful for all the experiences I have had in my five local church appointments. They have all been wonderful experiences and as each one was different, I learned and grew in many ways that I think will help me as a DS,” Humphrey said. “I look forward to working with and sharing in the ministry of the wonderful and talented pastors and people in Three Rivers District.”

An avid traveler, Humphrey also enjoys music, both singing and playing the keyboard.