Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
Northwest Ohio Association,
United Church of Christ
February 9, 2005
Your Annual Reports Forms are due. Please return your forms this week. We are getting ready to forward the forms to the Conference office, tomorrow.
The Association profile and Application Form for applying for the position of Association Minister can be downloaded from the Association Website (nwoa.org). It requires Acrobat Reader.
The weather prevented several folks from attending the Periodic Support Consultation in January. Therefore, the Church and Ministry Team has added an event for June 14; 10 am – 3 pm at the Association Office. The focus for conversation will be “Ethics for Ministers” using some video tapes from the Faith Trust Institute. All clergy are welcome!
Biblical Storyteller, Valerie Tutson will be at the following (everyone is welcome):
Wednesday, Feb 16: 7:00 Lenten service at St. John’s UCC, Genoa
Saturday, February 19: Biblical Storytelling
workshop for teachers, pastors, etc.
at
St. John’s UCC, Genoa
Sunday, February 20: 8:15 am worship service at
St. John’s UCC, Genoa and
10:30 am worship service at Memorial UCC, Toledo
For more information contact Jan Corbin at 419-862-2807 and for information about Valerie, check her website at www.valerietutson.com.
Mission Questionnaires. The Questionnaires were in the last monthly mailing (and will be in the February Mailing) with a deadline to return them by March 1, 2005. Only those returned will be collated and printed in the Association Annual Report.
OCWM Challenge Goal Sheets. Now that many Local Church Annual Meetings are over, please be sure to send your OCWM Challenge Goal sheet to the Association Office. Don’t forget the question about how the OCWM amount is determined. Thank you!
NWOA Interim Ministers will meet on Thursday, February 24, noon, in Elmore. Contact John Bock for details (419-898-0852). All interim ministers welcome!
Reminder. You and your church and make a difference. The UCC is seeking to continue the God is Still Speaking campaign by airing the TV commercial on network and cable TV beginning the last week of February and in March. The air time is not being paid for by OCWM contributions. In order to air the commercial, there is the need to raise $1.5 million by Feb. 21. Churches, youth groups, individuals have been urged to contribute $500 “shares” for this exciting venture. 3000 shares will be needed to reach the goal. However, contributions of all amounts are welcome! To date, $196,500 has been received. Contributions can be made directly on-line; pledges can be made to be paid over a chosen amount of time. For more details, go to www.ucc.org.
GREAT NEED for CLEANUP KITS to replenish the Cleanup Kit inventory. Last August about 2000 kits were shipped to Florida which was most of the stored stock. Now, with the major flooding in southwest, central, and southeast OHIO, we are not ready to respond with needed supplies.
Each Clean- up Kit includes:
A large container of Clorox Cleanup, (no other cleaners)
a scrub brush
a wire brush
a pair of rubber gloves
a large heavy duty sponge
some plastic trash bags
a common household bucket
a personal note
All ingredients should be placed in the bucket which then fits into a 12”x12”x12” box .
Drop off points are being established to collect Cleanup kits close to your area.
- Sandusky Valley Region- College Hill UCC, 7632 St. Rt. 4, Bloomville
contact Rev. Randy Ross at 419-284-3744
- Lakeshore Region – Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship, 2014 Cherry St., Toledo
contact Pastor Will Stuart at 419-241-9358
- Auglaize Valley Region – The Oasis at West Elm, 1606 West Elm St., Lima, OH
bring Feb. 27th Leadership Empowerment Day.
Ohio Conference Camp
“Called! “ It’s a word that’s been bandied about in our Conference a great deal lately, a word that could well be illuminated with another “C” word, “Camp!” Are you called to be at camp this summer? Templed Hills and Pilgrim Hills both are in need of volunteer directors and counselors (one must be 17 years or older). Grandparents/Grandchildren Camp, Outpost Camp, Love the Pool Camp, Bikin’ It Camp and Co-directors for Critter Camps are needed.
Paid Site Staff positions are available, as well. One must have graduated from High School to apply (one may be younger for the lifeguard positions).
· Program Coordinators are keys to the summer program, supervising some staff and coordinating the different directors’ needs.
· Lifeguards maintain a safe environment in the pool area.
· Health Caregivers administer medications (brought by campers) and apply first aid.
· Assistants to the Program Coordinators manage the camp store, take care of rosters, and host the dining hall.
· Arts and Crafts Leaders guide the campers in looking at the daily curriculum through a “hand’s on,” creative lens.
· Staff counselors guide, live with and care for campers.
· Maintenance Staff care for the facilities and keep the site safe and well cared for. Assistants to the Program Coordinator host the dining rooms and manage the camp store.
Share your love of God with others and enjoy a week or a summer at camp.
Rev. Cynthia M. Speller, Minister for Outdoor Ministries
Ohio Conference, United Church of Christ
6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 95
Columbus, Ohio 43229-2547 phone--1-614-885-0722
fax--1-614-885-8824 (in Ohio) 1-800-282-0740
cynthias@ocucc.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. Tom Orth (recently ordained at Wauseon and now pastor in Michigan) is recovering well following surgery.
Deadlines and Meeting Dates
Upcoming
Two Installations on Sunday, February 13th: The Rev. William Nirote will be installed at St. John UCC, Defiance, 3 pm. Clergy are invited to robe (red stoles) and process. The Rev. Don Corbin will be installed at Memorial UCC, Toledo, 3 pm.
Next Timely Topics will be Wednesday, February 23 – “What does being Handicapped Accessible really mean? Discussion led by Rev. Kim Bayless.
February
10 Auglaize Valley South Church Professionals, Lima Memorial Hospital, 11:30 am
10 Sandusky Valley RCT, College Hill, Bloomville; 5 pm.
13 Installation of Rev. William R. Nirote at St. John UCC, Defiance, 3 pm
13 Installation of Rev. Don Corbin at Memorial UCC, Toledo, 3 pm
15 Personnel Committee 9:30 – Noon
15 Lay School 7:15 pm
16 Lakeshore Clergy, Holiday Inn, Fremont 11:00
17 Defiance Clergy 11:30 Defiance College
19 Finance and Budget Committee 9am
19 Flight School St. John’s Mansfield
19 Flight School Trinity Methodist, Defiance
21 Office Closed - Holiday
22 Association Search Committee 9:30 am
23 Timely Topics 10:30 – 1:30
“What does being Handicapped Accessible really mean?”
23 Stewardship & Caring Team 2-4pm
24 NWOA Interim Ministers, Elmore, noon
24-26 Heartland Steward Event, Cleveland
27 Auglaize Valley Leadership
Empowerment Day
February 25-26, 2005 – Living Waters-Great Source of Life, A National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Training in the Great Lakes. Sylvania UCC, Sylvania. Join us for this interfaith training on water issues as well as workshops focusing on the Great Lakes region. The training day held at Sylvania UCC on Sat. from 8:30 – 3:30 pm includes lunch, theological underpinnings, and workshops. An evening kick- off interactive event of faith and water mixers will be held on Friday, starting at 6:30 pm. More details at www.nccecojustice.org