The Vine

                                                     "A weekly Email Update ...

                                                Keeping Us Connected in Christ"

                                                    Northwest Ohio Association, 

                                                United Church of Christ

                                                        November 3, 2004

 

A thought for the day after the elections: since the elections this year seemed to be very divisive, particularly with differing groups proclaiming “the Christian perspective and accusing other perspectives of being evil,” how do we as church leaders call our congregations to unity in Christ?

 

Congratulations to the Rev. John Miller who was the recipient of a surprise celebration on the occasion of his retirement.  Hosted by St. John’s UCC, Bucyrus, there were representatives present from all of the churches that John has served.  Congratulations John and Marcy, as you move into new opportunities for ministry!

 

RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS

If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!

Prayer Requests

Rev. Don Corbin’s sister was killed in an automobile accident on October 28 in Arkansas.  Don is the Chaplain at St. Charles Hospital and Interim Pastor at Memorial UCC in Toledo.  In addition, the father of Jan Corbin (Don’s wife) passed away last Sunday in Florida.  Please keep them in your prayers.

 

Please keep Rev. Wayne Chasney and the Congregational Community Church of Monroeville in prayer as they respond to the suicide of one of their youth.  A few weeks ago, they had to cope with the death of a young adult who was in the military serving in Iraq.

 

 

 

Deadlines and Meeting Dates

 

Upcoming

We are exploring the possibility of sponsoring one additional God Is Still Speaking Training in the coming weeks.  If your church is interested in participating in such an event, please contact the Association office.

 

November 6 (Saturday) will be the “All Team Event.”  The new Association structure calls for an annual gathering for everyone involved in the various aspects of the Teams for planning and evaluating together. The event will take place at Trinity UCC, Tiffin; 9:30 am – 3: 30 pm (lunch provided).

 

November 7 – All Saints Day Celebrations.  In connection to the God Is Still Speaking Initiative, churches throughout the denomination are choosing to lift up their connections to other churches in the United Church of Christ.  Liturgical resources and hymns have been created.  There is a section of resources in the God Is Still Speaking training binders.  There are additional resources on the website: www.stillspeaking.com.

 

November 8 – Deadline for registration for the Fall Youth Event being held Nov. 19-21 at Round Lake Christian Assembly, Lakeville, OH.  “Moving with the Song of Life” is the theme.  Registrations are to be sent to St. John’s UCC, 700 South Defiance St., Archbold, OH 43502.  Lost the registration information?  Contact the Association Office.

 

November 10 –Timely Topics at the Association Office, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm.  This month’s focus is on “Here I Stand: Remaining focused and effective in the midst of anxiety in the congregation.”   Char Burch will present perspectives based on Family Systems theory and Peter Steinke.  Bring your lunch!

 

November 11 Auglaize South Clergy will meet in Lima

November 11 Auglaize Valley Regional Coordinating Team, Spencerville, 3 pm

November 9   Maumee Bay Program Cluster Clergy will meet at Park Congregational                                       Church in Toledo, 9 am – 11 am.

November 13 Flight School at Shiloh UCC in Dayton

November 14 Small Church Cluster Choir Fest will take place at Sycamore UCC at 3:00 pm

November 16 Personnel Committee, 9:30 am – noon

November 16 Sandusky Valley Regional Coordinating Team, College Hill UCC,

                   Bloomville, 5 pm.

November 17 Firelands Program Cluster Clergy will meet at First Congl., Sandusky 9 am

November 18 Defiance Program Cluster Clergy

 

 

 

Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship Work Day

(Miracle on Cherry Street) 

November 20th, 2004  -- 9am to 4pm

 

We are moving towards an exciting time in our ministry as we plan our preview worship series in Advent and kick off regular Worship times.  While this is an exciting time it also means that there is much work to do.  Can you help??