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 April 2, 2024 - These congregations are in the transition process for the call of a rostered leader:

Special Situations:

Faith, Ashtabula - preparing for Holy Closure
Shepherd of the Valley, Sandyville - preparing for Holy Closure on Sep 15

Phase 1: Saying Farewell

Bethany English, Cleveland - Pastor Robert Ferro has accepted a call in Green Bay, WI
Holy Trinity, Salem - Pastor Aimee Raymond is retiring on September 1
Zion, North Canton - Pastor William Weidenbach, Jr. has accepted the call as Senior Pastor at Messiah, Fairview Park

Phase 2: Exploring God's Call

Bethany, Ashtabula
Canaan, Creston – Interim Pastor Dan Cammarn
Christ the King, Twinsburg
Faith, Massillon – Interim Pastor Jeff Goggins
Holy Trinity, Massillon
Hope, Mansfield
Living Word, Medina
St. John, Warren
St. Paul, Bellville – Interim Pastor Mark Sherwindt
St. Paul, Warren – Interim Pastor Michael Meranda
Trinity, Clinton
Trinity, Vermilion

Phase 3a: Entering the Call Process

Abiding Savior, Alliance
Advent, Uniontown
Augsburg, Orrville – Interim Pastor Sue Rodgers
Christ, Lorain
Emmanuel, Salem - Interim Pastor Dawn Richie
Holy Trinity, Akron – Interim Pastor Becki Verbridge
Holy Trinity, Canton – Interim Pastor Barb Bartholomew
Israel’s, Paris
Peace, Canton – Interim Pastor Phil Kunder
St. John, Lakeville (McZena) – Interim Pastor Debbie Pinnegar
St. Mark, Tallmadge

phase 3b: Ready to interview

First, Strasburg & St. James, Tuscarawas
Good Shepherd, Canton [seeking part-time]
Grace, Austintown
Jerusalem, Seville
Prince of Peace, Cortland [seeking part-time]
Prince of Peace, Poland – detached internship site
Zion, Loudonville – Interim Pastor Debbie Pinnegar

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

Christ, Massillon - have entered into a part-time contract for pastoral services with Pastor Ashwin (Ash) Welch (retired UMC)
First, Lorain - Pastor Shari Ayers (currently on staff at Trinity Lutheran Seminary) has accepted the call as pastor
Messiah, Fairview Park - Pastor William Weidenbach, Jr. (Zion, North Canton) has accepted the call as Senior Pastor

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
Faith, Ashtabula
First, Beach City
Grace, Steubenville
Jerusalem, Columbiana
Lordstown, Warren
Luth Ch of the Good Shepherd, Cleveland
Messiah, Newton Falls
Mt Moriah, Berlin Center
Pleasant Valley, Ashland
Salem, Wooster
St James, Jewett
St John's, Minerva
St John, Perrysville
St. John, Petersburg
St Mark, Mansfield
St Mark, Warren
St Paul, Minerva
Trinity, Niles
Trinity, Norton
Trinity, Sebring
Triune, Broadview Heights
Zion, Waterford