Keeping Us Connected in Christ"

Northwest Ohio Association,

United Church of Christ

December 22, 2004

In the days ahead, may you be touched by the holiness of the incarnation, the joy of God’s love, the hope that all people will learn to care for the delicate world that God created, and the conviction that with God all things are possible. Have a blessed and joyous Christmas.

Because of the holidays, the next issue of The Vine will be sent January 5!

The UCC “God is Still Speaking” TV commercial changes tomorrow to the second (less controversial) commercial. From Dec. 22 to 25, the second commercial will appear during some of NBC's most highly-touted series - such as "ER" and "Law & Order" - and during such holiday classics as "A Christmas Carol" and "It's a Wonderful Life." It also is scheduled to appear on CBS and NBC daytime schedule on Dec. 22 to 24. The spot will run during Fox primetime, including the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" special, as well as on numerous other cable networks, including ABC Family, AMC, BET, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery, Hallmark, History, Nick@Nite, TBS, TNT, Travel and TV Land. The new ad may be viewed at www.stillspeaking.com. Please note – the cost of the TV broadcasts is not being paid for by giving to Our Church’s Wider Mission. It is funded by contributions from individuals, churches, conferences, etc.

We received good news. The Rev. Dr. Jack Seville has accepted the position of Interim Conference Minister for the Ohio Conference. Jack brings many years of service in Conference work as Associate Conference Minister in South Dakota and 10 years as Conference Minister in Northern Plains. Following his retirement he served as the Interim Conference Minister in the Wisconsin Conference and recently completed the interim as the Penn Central Conference Minister. Jack will begin his interim on March 15, 2005. The Rev. Bill Hulteen will continue to serve as the Acting Ohio Conference Minister until Jack begins in March.

SARA is sponsoring a fact finding mission trip is being planned to El Salvador beginning on 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.

Auglaize Valley Region's Winter Break All-Niter youth event will be Sunday, January 16, 2005 from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. at Breakaway Rec Center in Celina, Ohio. The event will feature basketball, swimming, racquetball, late night worship, tons of pizza and more!! Cost is $10.00 person. T-shirts will also be available for the event. T-shirts cost $5.50 each and can be ordered in sizes M-L-XL-XXL. Please R.S.V.P number of t-shirts and sizes with your registration of teens by January 5, 2005. To register your church's youth group call Ron Shifley at 419-647-6156 or send an email to spenucc@bright.net

The Rev. Tracy Hughes, member of Trinity UCC/Tiffin and an ordained UCC minister, will be leaving in January to serve three years with the Christian Peacemaker Team Corps in Barrancabermeja, Columbia, South America. Christian Peacemaker Teams(CPT) offer an organized, nonviolent alternative to war and other forms of lethal inter-group conflict. CPT provides organizational support to persons committed to faith-based nonviolent alternatives in situations where lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy. Tracy's experiences in Palestine/Israel, Chiapas, Mexico and local church ministry have prepared her to engage in justice and peacemaking ministry as her Christian vocation. Tracy has served as the associate pastor of Trinity UCC in Wooster, Ohio. Most recently she has served as interim Associate Pastor of St. Stephen's UCC in Sandusky. Tracy's commitment to peace and justice ministry in the name of Christ makes her a true hero! We ask that you support her through your prayers and contributions. If you would like to contribute Tracy's ministry, you may do so by writing a check to Christian Peacemaker Teams, PO.Box 6508, Chicago, Il. 60680.

Ohio Conference Youth Ministry E-Group and Upcoming Youth Advisors Retreat
A Yahoo E-Group has been formed to lend support and networking opportunities for those involved in Youth Ministry in the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ. There is also a calendar to post youth opportunities open to other churches. To join please email UCCOCYM@yahoogroups.com or bublikk@earthlink.net.
The Second Annual Youth Advisors Retreat will be held at the UCC offices in
Cleveland on January 28-29, 2005. For details, please contact Kimberlee Bublik at bublikk@earthlink.net or at 330/273-0883.

Yearbook reports will be in the mail Dec. 27. Please watch your mail for the white envelope – Marked Annual Reports

2004 Association Financial Books close January 7^th. Please date 2004 checks December 31, 2004 to insure that they are recorded properly. Contributions received after that will be posted for 2005.

RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS

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

Prayer Requests

Congratulations to the Rev. Randy and Debbie Ross (St. John’s UCC, Baseline and College Hill UCC, Bloomville) on the birth of a new Grandson, Aiden Ross, born on Dec. 9th in Illinois to son Rob and his wife Kristin. That makes 12 grandchildren for Randy and Debbie!

Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Upcoming

December 23-24 Office Closed – Holiday

December 27-30 Minimal coverage in office, phones monitored

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

9 Defiance Clergy – Jane Hillman’s, Holgate 5:00 pm

10 Monthly Mailing Deadline

10 Firelands Clergy luncheon, Sandusky 11:30 am

11 Maumee Bay Clergy - Point Place, Toledo

11 Sandusky Valley RCT College Hill

12 Timely Topics 10:30 – 1:30

“Open and Affirming” Conversation led by Rev. Tim Ahrens