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Welcome to EFC-ER's Weekly Encourager. We trust that this will become a bright spot each week in your emails. The purpose of the Weekly Encourager is to provide up-to-date information about region-wide events, prayer requests, and helpful resources from the local churches. We will close each email with a quick quote and/or survey to gather helpful resources from leaders to share with our wider Friends family. 
"Needs and Notes" for Yearly Meeting
will be coming in the next few weeks. Watch for highlights of our upcoming Yearly Meeting, which will be held in Canton, Ohio on July 18-21, and for needs that our churches can help with. 
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The Children's Program this year will include:
Saturday Evening: Michael P. Lair's Gospel Magic www.lairmagic.com
Sunday Evening: The Mustardville Puppet Group   http://mustardville.com
Monday Evening: A photo booth will be fun for everyone!
Tuesday Evening: Realm of the Reptile: http://realmofthereptile.com
"Ah, Camp Gideon. Some of my sweetest memories are from that beautiful place. I had the privilege of getting to go there for 5 winter retreats and 2 fall retreats with my youth group, and 3 summer camps! There is definitely something special about Camp Gideon. As soon as I would step out of the car/van, I would immediately sense the Holy Spirit working in my heart. Camp was the place I recommitted my life to Christ, and each subsequent trip I learned something new about myself, but more importantly, about Christ. I could always hear His voice so clearly, especially when I would go and have my quiet time up there by the three crosses, which is probably still my favorite place in the entire world. God still reminds me of the amazing times I had at camp, and I built friendships that I still keep up to this day! I can't imagine who I would be without Camp Gideon!" - Abby G. 

Send your own story about an experience you or a family member had at Camp Gideon to jmcdonald@efcer.org. We'd love to hear it! 

Continue to send registrations to the EFC-ER c/o Julie Martin. 


Keeping Prayer a High Priority
We trust that every church is sharing these prayer requests within their local prayer community. Here are this week's requests: 

1 - Please keep Pastor John and Heather Graham (Wadsworth Bethany Friends) as Heather's father recovers from brain surgery and a stroke. 
2 -  Our prayers and sympathy to the family of Pastor Ben Brantingham, former pastor of Salem Southeast and brother of Pastor Jim Brantingham, who passed away this past weekend. We will send details as we receive them. 
3 - Hannah Lowe, daughter of Pastor Steve and JoAnne Lowe (Damascus Friends) will have brain surgery on June 10. 
Upcoming Events to Keep in Your Prayers:
* May 29 - 25:7 Summit worship leadership seminar from 6-9pm at North Olmsted Friends Church. For information and registration, visit:  http://www.noefc.org/257summit. Registration is free. 
* July 14-17 - Aliquippa Missions Trip  in Aliquippa, PA. Join students in 6th-12th grade as we come together to share the love of Jesus with the community. The brochure is available here
* July 18-21 - Yearly Meeting at Malone University in Canton, Ohio. 
* September 25-27 - Focus on Discipleship Conference at East Richland Friends Church. Details to the right.

Planning for 2016:
* January 23-25, 2016 - Youth Awakening
* July 23-26, 2016  - Yearly Meeting
* October 9-11, 2016
 - Northern Women's Retreat
* October 16-18, 2016 - Southern Women's Retreat
* November 11-13, 201 6  - Youth Explosion
Men in Missions Retreat Update
78 men attended this year's Men in Missions retreat held on May 1-3 at Heartland Conference Retreat Center in Marengo, OH. The speaker was Dan Cammack, director of the Evangelical Friends Mission. His messages centered on the theme "In the Yoke with Jesus." Dan shared exegetically from God's word what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus, and illustrated that practically from ministry experiences in Nepal. 
 
The men had a great time of fellowship and bonding in God's Creation. 

Dr. Wayne Evans, General Superintendent, shared 2 Corinthians 5:17. He challenged the men to a greater commitment to their calling to continually grow in the Christian walk. He expressed that the old has gone and the new has come, but we need to be attentive to falling into old habits. 
Around the Cross - Around the World 
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Victor and Lori Tovar will be home June 1st to July 31st and would like to see as many friends as time allows. They are having two gatherings at the Belden Village Mall Food Court, in Canton, OH from 5-8pm on Thursday, June 4th and 5-8pm on Tuesday, July 14th. They are also open to going out for coffee or coming over for dinner. Email Victor and Lori at victico@fastmail.fm to let them know you are interested. 

Michael and Vivian Crigline have also returned to the U.S. for their son's graduation. Due to a recent (and exciting) decision by the Jian Hua Foundation (JHF) Board to name Michael as the next General Executive Director, they will be moving to Hong Kong. They are available to speak at churches as well. To schedule, contact Michael and Vivian directly at  (330) 617 - 6751 or  eflsuccess@outlook.com
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A special thank you to Britt Hornberger  (Camp Gideon Caretaker)  for his many years of service! Britt will be moving to Madison, Wisconsin on June 6th to work at Kid's Junction. He will be planning and running summer day camps for 5th-8th graders and working year-round with K-4th in after school programs. 


2015 Focus on Discipleship 
Conference
 
September 25-27, 2015
at East Richland Friends Church
Read more about the conference here

Prices for the conference: 
Early Bird Special 
(through June 10) = $85.00
Standard Pre-Registration 
(June 11 - Sept. 24) = $99.00
At the Door = $115.00 

Use the code EFCER50 to receive a $50 discount off the registration price. 

Visit: 
to download the flyers and brochure or to register online. 
Camp Gideon Summer Ministries Program
If you would like to help the summer ministry by donating supplies or funds to help purchase items, the camp needs the following: 
  • Ropes Course Helmets (to be used year-round)
  • Projector
  • Industrial vacuums
  • Assorted fabric for crafts (remnants and scraps welcome)
  • Old suitcases, maps, and globes for decorations
  • Mattress covers
Funds should be designated "Camp Gideon Equipment," payable to Camp Gideon, and sent to 5350 Broadmoor Circle NW, Canton, OH 44709.

Churches, consider publishing this list in your Sunday bulletin to help spread the word. 
Thank you! 

Register and pay online by Friday, May 29. 
Each camp is limited to 24 students, so sign up today! 

Malone University is launching a new academic summer camps initiative this June. The hope is to connect high school students with Malone faculty members in several areas including science careers, zoo/wildlife biology, nursing, young writers, computer science, and chamber music. 
The programs are designed for sophomores through seniors who are engaged in their high school communities. 

Download the brochure here or visit: 

Contact: Connie Brannon, (330) 471- 8526 or 
cbrannon@malone.edu with questions. 
CONTACT US
World Outreach Center
5350 Broadmoor Cir., NW
Canton, OH 44709
1-800-334-8863
Julia McDonald, Editor
jmcdonald@efcer.org
A Little Extra.... QUOTE  FOR THE WEEK:

"Direction, not intention determines your destination." - Andy Stanley

We hope you've enjoyed catching up with news from the EFC-ER office.

More information and news will be coming each week. 

Please send Julia ( jmcdonald@efcer.org ) any of your suggestions, quotes,  and/or ideas for weekly encouragement .