The Vine "A weekly Email Update ... Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
Northwest Ohio Association
United Church of ChristDecember 1, 2004
Welcome Advent: A time for preparation and reflection! In the midst of the busy season, may you find that quiet time for inner peace.
The Christmas Fund Offering (formerly known as Veterans of the Cross) is one of our four annual special Mission Offerings. This offering is administered by the Pension Board. Gifts made to the Christmas Fund help to provide pension and health premium supplements to those with small pensions, assistance in emergency situations, and a Christmas check to those in need of a little joy. The Rev. Elmer and Ruth Novak are the Annuitant Visitors for the Pension Board covering Northwest Ohio. They seek to make contact with 57 households, made up of 5 retired pastors; 4 church workers; 36 spouses; 8 widows; and 9 widowers.
Elmer writes “Several have been retired over thirty years. Many have faced medical emergencies. Some have had to divide their resources with spouses permanently residing in nursing homes. Many are so frugal that their budget no longer includes a package of cookies. Others check the cost of one dinner out to see if they can order a cup of coffee. The break down of an appliance becomes a major financial challenge. Some just feel forgotten.”
Obviously there remains a need for this Christmas Fund to care for those who have cared for us. Last year the fund provided the following resources.
* $225,000 in Christmas Grants
* $145,256 in Emergency and Disability Grants
* $450,730 in Pension Supplementation
* $450,530 in Health Plan Supplementation
Thank You for your continued care of our retirees.Yearbook reports are being prepared to send out as we speak. Each Church will receive a white envelope, marked yearbook reports, to complete and return to the Association Office. The information you provide us will be sent on to the Conference and National offices and will be printed in the 2005 Yearbook.
Along with the yearbook information, we received an informational report on each ordained clergy holding standing in our Association. All information is checked for errors. Your home address and telephone number are included on this form. “I authorize this phone number to be published in the Yearbook” is one line that needs to be answered Yes or No. If you do not want your home phone number to be published in the yearbook, please contact the Association office at office@nwoa.org.
The Association Transition Team met last week for their final meeting. Does that mean that the Association has completed its transition into a new vision, mission, and structure? No. In fact, it will take a few years to be settled into thinking and doing things in different ways. However, the group responsible for seeing that the transition is continuing smoothly is now the Association Cabinet. Our many thanks to the members of the Transition Team for their commitment to the process and methodical work to keep the Association on track. The Transition Team included: Sam Buehrer (chairperson), David Culp, Jim Henry, Donna Overholt, Jeanette Tangeman, and was augmented by some of the Regional Conveners, Vice Conveners and Association Executive Committee.
Next Wednesday is “Timely Topics” a discussion group for church leaders. It is held at the Association office, 10: 30 am– 1: 30 pm. Bring your lunch. This month’s topic is “Discerning a Biblical Mission and Vision of the Church.” Barry Bordenkircher will be leading the discussion.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS
If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!
Rev. Mark and Margaret Houshower
700 Maple Crest Ct., #105
Bluffton, OH 45817
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer Requests
Conrad Al Kohanski, father-in-law of Pastor Terry Kohanski, First UCC in Findlay, passed away Tuesday, November 23. Please remember Terry and her family in your prayers.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deadlines and Meeting DatesUpcoming:
December 6 Sandusky Valley Clergy 9:30 am Fairhaven, Upper Sandusky
December 7 Church and Ministry Team, Parkvue in Sandusky
December 7 Retired Clergy Holiday Luncheon Parkvue, Sandusky
December 7 Lay School 7:15 pm
December 8 Timely Topics 10:30 – 1:30 pm
“Discerning a Biblical Mission and Vision of the Church” NWOA Office
December 9 Auglaize Valley Clergy 6:00 pm St. Peter’s UCC, New Bremen
December10 Monthly Mailing Deadline
December 11 Flight School at Shiloh UCC in Dayton
December 14 Maumee Bay clergy gather at Sylvania UCC, 9 am – 11 am. Mr. David Yonke, religion editor for the Toledo Blade will be present.
December 18 Flight School at St. John’s Mansfield
December 18 Flight School at Trinity Methodist, Defiance
January 7 Association Financial Books close.