Congregation Vacancies

Listed here are congregations in various stages of the transition process. Any questions about this list can be directed to Pastor Mitch Phillips, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership: [email protected]

Updated July 7, 2025 - These congregations are in the transition process for the call of a rostered leader:

Special Situations:

St. John, Petersburg – voted in June to move toward Holy Closure - final worship will be December 28, 2025

Phase 1: Saying Farewell

Faith, Fairlawn – Pastor Jean Hansen has announced her retirement for the end of January, 2026.
Prince of Peace, Westlake - Pastor Charlie Woodward has announced his retirement for the end of February, 2026.

Phase 2: Exploring God's Call

Bethany, Ashtabula
Christ, Willoughby – Pastor of Record Marilyn Matevia
Faith, Massillon – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
Grace, Dover – Interim Pastor Phil Shuart
Holy Trinity, Massillon – Pastor of Record Tina Crog
Living Word, Medina
Martin Luther, Youngstown – Interim Pastor Barbara Holzhauser
Rejoice!, Hudson
St. John, Warren
St. Stephen Martyr, Canton – will call new Senior Pastor; Associate Pastor is Andrew Potsko
Trinity, Clinton

Phase 3a: Entering the Call Process

Augsburg, Orrville – Interim Pastor Sue Rodgers
Bethesda on the Bay, Bay Village & Good Soil, Rocky River - seeking a shared staff person focused on faith formation (pastor or deacon)
Canaan, Creston – Interim Pastor Dan Cammarn
Christ the King, Twinsburg – Pastor of Record Pam Kelly
Holy Trinity, Akron – Interim Pastor Becki Verbridge
Holy Trinity, Salem – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
St. Mark, Tallmadge – Pastor of Record Jim Steingass
Trinity, Vermilion

phase 3b: Ready to interview

Advent, Uniontown
Bethany English, Cleveland
Christ, Lorain
First, Strasburg & St. James, Tuscarawas
Good Shepherd, Canton [seeking part-time]
Grace, Austintown – Interim Pastor Dawn Richie
Hope, Mansfield
Peace, Ashland
Peace, Canton – Interim Pastor Phil Kunder
Prince of Peace, Cortland [seeking part-time]
St. John, Lakeville (McZena) – Interim Pastor Debbie Pinnegar
St. Paul, Sharon Center
St. Paul, Warren – Interim Pastor Michael Meranda
Zion, Loudonville – Interim Pastor Debbie Pinnegar
Zion, North Canton – Pastor of Record Tina Crog

Phase 4: Primary Candidate

Due to the confidential nature of call processes for both pastor and congregation, we will not publicize congregations who are in this phase.

Phase 5: Welcoming & Celebrating

The following congregations are not actively in the call process and are being served by long-term supply or contract pastors:

Christ, Struthers
Emmanuel, North Georgetown
First, Beach City
Grace, Steubenville
Jerusalem, Columbiana
Lordstown, Warren
Messiah, Newton Falls
Mt Moriah, Berlin Center
New Horizons, Homerville
Pleasant Valley, Ashland
Salem, Wooster
St James, Jewett
St John, Perrysville
St John's, Minerva
St Mark, Mansfield
St Mark, Warren
St Paul, Minerva
Trinity, Niles
Trinity, Norton
Trinity, Sebring
Triune, Broadview Heights
Zion, Waterford