Keeping Us Connected in Christ"

Northwest Ohio Association,

United Church of Christ

December 15, 2004

This past weekend, the church celebrated the lives of two leaders who had served the Association well and have now have moved on to life eternal. Mr. Clyde Barnes, one of the first to graduate from the Association Lay School, had served as a lay pastor for Emanuel UCC, Upper Sandusky; the former Hope UCC, Sulphur Springs; and Windfall Emanuel UCC, Galion. Mrs. Margaret Phillips was a member of First Congregational UCC, Berlin Heights and had been active in the Association and Conference, including serving on the Association Council, the Finance and Budget Committee, the Women’s Board and the Department for Church in the World. The impact of these servants of God has been great and far reaching. We praise God for the ways in which they have blessed our life together.

SARA (Sharing America’s Resources Abroad) is planning a fact finding mission trip to El Salvador, March 2 to March 10. The trip will cost no more than $1400 per person. We will be the guest of the CRD (Committee for Reconstruction and Development), a non-profit ecumenical grass-roots organization. Places of interest will be visits to small villages, clinics, and “The Children of the Mangroves”. It is hoped to have one and a half days for sight seeing and shopping. If interested, please contact John Gilberg at 419-629-2947 or E-mail to johgilberg@nktelco.net. Commitments are needed by January 15, 2005.

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.

Undergraduate scholarships for UCC Members - scholarships available for 2005-2006 Academic Year Enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States – Under the age of 25 years – Entering sophomore, junior or senior year of study – maintaining at least a C average or equivalent

For applications and information please contact: Minister for Grants, Scholarships and Resources, Parish Life and Leadership Ministry Team 216-736-3839 or scholars@ucc.org

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. Walter Clausing (retired clergy and member of St. Paul’s UCC, St. Marys) has been hospitalized in ICU at Joint Township Hospital in St. Marys. He is making small improvements each day and is finally able to sit up and eat some solid foods. He requests our daily prayers (recently he celebrated his 98th birthday!)

Congratulations to the Rev. Ron and Mary Pat Kline (Calvary UCC, Crestline) on the birth of a new granddaughter, Emily Grace Kline, born on December 13.

Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Upcoming

December 18 Flight School at St. John’s Mansfield

December 18 Flight School at Trinity Methodist, Defiance

December 20 Church Development 9:30 am

December 21 Lay School 7:15 pm

December 23-24 Office Closed – Holiday

December 27-30 Minimal coverage in Office

December 31 Office Closed – Holiday

January 2005

3 Sandusky Valley Clergy 9:30 am

Fairhaven, Upper Sandusky

4 Church and Ministry Team

6 Misconduct Response Team

2:30 – 4:30 pm

6 Small Church Cluster, Republic UCC

7 NWOA Books Closing