“Love is contagious! Joy is contagious,” declared Bishop Hee-Soo Jung as he presided over the 56th session of the West Ohio Annual Conference. And indeed, both love and joy deepened throughout the gathering.
Held May 28–31, 2025, on the campus of Capital University in Bexley, Ohio, this year’s conference centered on the theme “Rise Up, Beloved,” inspired by Mark 5:35–43.
WORSHIP
The Holy Spirit moved as 1,100 people stood side by side, forming a circle around the perimeter of the conference space, transforming the university fieldhouse into holy ground. The gathering featured powerful preaching, stirring music, and sacred moments of remembrance, confession, repentance, forgiveness, healing, hope, and a shared vision for the future.
Preachers for the event included Bishop Hee-Soo Jung; retired Bishops Linda Lee and Bruce Ough; the Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner, executive director of mission engagement with Global Ministries; and the Rev. Linda Middelberg, assistant to Bishop Jung — all of whom have direct ties to West Ohio.
Bishop Jung led a Litany of Confession, acknowledging harm the Church has caused to Indigenous peoples, women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and those on the margins.
“Today, let the West Ohio Annual Conference reclaim the way of Jesus – loving all, rejecting none,” he said.
“Let us claim the fresh spirit that moved Paul to declare that there are no divisions, that all are one in Christ Jesus. Today, let us see one another’s hearts, hear one another’s stories, embrace one another’s differences, and rise up together as beloved community. Today, let us resolve to make amends in our policies, our rules, our behaviors, and our lives that reflect this commitment.”
STATE OF THE CHURCH
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung gave his first State of the Church Address as leader of the newly formed Ohio Episcopal Area, which now includes both East and West Ohio conferences.
He emphasized unity in diversity and called for mutual support and Spirit-led collaboration.
“There is still great need in the world. The needs continue to call us to serve, to love, and to give,” he said.
Bishop Jung affirmed the innovative circuit model, in which regional churches partner to strengthen discipleship and expand mission impact.
He also introduced the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team, composed of clergy and laity from both conferences, to explore a vision for a shared future.
“This is not about efficiency,” he said. “It’s about discipleship. It’s about putting our energy into what matters most.”
The Task Team will continue listening, learning, and sharing updates. The decision to form a unified Ohio Conference would come through votes by both East and West Ohio Annual conferences, with a recommendation expected in 2027.
“We are stronger together,” Bishop Jung concluded. “Let us rise up, beloved, and trust in God’s promises.”
MOMENTS OF CELEBRATION
- Ordination of five Elders and four Deacons
- Commissioning of five provisional Elders and two provisional Deacons
- Honored 28 retiring clergy
- Recognized 19 Local Pastors
- Commissioned one deaconness
- Evangelism Laity Award: Sandy Ferrell, Kirkersville UMC
- Fresh Starts Multiplier Award: Clifton UMC, Gem City Collective, and North Broadway UMC
- One Matters Award (Discipleship Ministries): Gethsemane UMC and the Rev. Vaughn Cook
BIBLE STUDY
Dr. AHyun Lee, associate professor of pastoral theology, care and psychotherapy at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, led two Bible study sessions. She emphasized the value of courageous honesty when facing grief and challenges while also making space for healing — as individuals and as the Church.
LEGISLATION
Recommendation #1- Changes to structure, procedure, and rules – ADOPTED
Recommendation to amend the conference rules affecting our structure and procedures, and to be more concise.
Recommendation #2 – Budget – ADOPTED
The 2026 budget reflects a continued commitment not to increase total apportionments for continuing churches. Apportionments will decrease by 3% to $11.7 million, based on 600 churches.
Despite this reduction, objectives are being met. Since 2015, apportionment receipts have dropped by 50%, and the number of full-time conference and district staff supported by apportionments has declined by 48% (excluding seasonal camp staff). In 2026, 36% of conference and district expenses will be covered by non-apportionment sources, including reserves.
Recommendation #3 – Board of Pension and Health Benefits – ADOPTED
The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) will be frozen on January 1, 2026, and replaced by COMPASS, a defined contribution and 403(b) plan. Full- and three-quarter-time clergy will be automatically enrolled with a 4% personal contribution (up to 10% allowed).
The HealthFlex Well-Being Program, now called Personify, includes services like health coaching, chronic disease prevention, and behavioral health. Participants and spouses must complete the Health Check by August 31 to avoid higher deductibles in 2026.
Recommendation #4 – Commission on Equitable Compensation – ADOPTED
The Commission presented guidelines for minimum salaries for 2026. Minimum salaries reflect a 3% increase over 2025. The Commission on Equitable Compensation balanced the capacity of churches and the needs of clergy in arriving at this amount.
Recommendation #5 – Building a More Sustainable Future – ADOPTED
Effective January 1, 2026, any church building or new parsonage must submit to the District Board of Church Location and Building at least one strategy reflecting a plan of maximum energy efficiency. The district board must approve the plans before building begins.
The West Ohio Conference urges every church to take immediate action to make their existing buildings more energy efficient. Examples include installing LED light bulbs, smart thermostats, weatherization such as caulking and air sealing, and more energy-efficient HVAC systems.
Recommendation #6 – Task Force for LGBTQI+ Ministry – ADOPTED
Within three months of adjourning the 2025 Annual Conference, Bishop Hee Soo Jung and the West Ohio Cabinet shall create a LGBTQI+ ministries task force to: Support the LGBTQ+ laity, clergy, and candidates for licensed/ordained ministry; amplify their voices; monitor policy-making committees; and support ministries through educational support and collaboration.
Recommendation #7 – United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio: Forming an Ohio Site of the Immigration Law & Justice Network – ADOPTED AS AMENDED
West Ohio Conference will support the creation of an Immigration Law and Justice site in Ohio. Financial support with come from a Special Sunday and an Advance. Also, the conference shall support the efforts of clergy and congregations to provide tangible support to migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. A companion recommendation will be considered at the East Ohio Annual Conference.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
In collaboration with annual conferences worldwide, members voted on four constitutional amendments adopted at the 2024 General Conference. These amendments focus on:
- Regionalization: Approving legislation that grants equal decision-making authority to the church’s geographic regions.
- Inclusion: Adding “gender” and “ability” to the list of characteristics that cannot disqualify someone from membership in a United Methodist church.
- Racial Justice: Updating Paragraph 5, Article V, to strengthen the denomination’s commitment to racial justice.
- Clarification of clergy educational requirements: Specifies that local pastors must have completed Course of Study or have a Master of Divinity degree from a theological school approved by the University Senate, or an equivalent degree recognized by a central or regional conference, in order to vote for clergy delegates to General Conference.
For any constitutional amendment to take effect, it must receive a two-thirds majority of the combined votes of all members present and voting from all annual conferences. The Council of Bishops will announce results in November.
Worship leader Mark Miller and his band, Subject to Change, provided music throughout the conference. One original composition captured the theme and spirit of the gathering with these words:
“Rise up, Beloved, love grows strong when we all belong.
Rise up, Beloved, rise up.
Rise up, Beloved, God isn’t finished with us yet.
Rise up, Beloved, rise up.”
This refrain reinforced the conference’s message of belonging, renewal, and ongoing mission. It served as a clear reminder that the Church’s work continues, and we are called to rise and respond.