Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
Northwest Ohio Association,
United Church of Christ
February 16, 2005
Last weekend included two Installation Celebrations. The Rev. William R. Nirote was installed at St. John UCC, Defiance, with Rev. Thomas Dipko preaching. The Rev. Donald Corbin was installed at Memorial UCC, Toledo in the midst of a celebration for his 35th anniversary of ordination. The Rev. Gene Hegemier preached the sermon.
Have you (and/or your congregation) made a contribution to support the God is Still Speaking TV commercials? The amount of money raised (or pledged) by Feb. 21 will indicate the air time that will be purchased. Remember, no OCWM money is supporting the air time – it is only by donation. If you value the United Church of Christ, I urge you to contribute. Some churches in NWOA were blessed with visitors after the TV campaign during Advent. Some churches experienced their own increased energy when challenged to be more hospitable. Even if your local church did not receive visitors, the United Church of Christ has gained name recognition and churches have been blessed. 150,000 visits to the website listing UCC churches indicate that there is interest! Although the request for financial support has been broken down into $500 shares (which can be pledged over time), amounts less than that are definitely welcome. Go to www.ucc.org to make your donation or pledge.
Reminder that February 27, is Church Vocations Sunday. A bulletin insert has previously been sent to churches to be used, encouraging support for the Richard and Rachael Wolff Fund.
Youth interested in a trip to the Ukraine. Sycamore UCC will be sponsoring a trip to the Ukraine August 1 through Aug. 16 and will be working with children and adults teaching English. For more information call the Rev. Diane Thomas at 419-927-9707 or email Diane at sycamorediane@hotmail.com
NU-VIZION NEEDS SOME HELP
Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship, our new church plant in Toledo, began public worship on Christmas Eve. As the fellowship grows and ministries begin to expand, HELP is needed in several areas...but the most PRESSING need right now is for a volunteer financial secretary (to keep track of offerings and send out statements). Is there someone in your church who might be interested? NVCF is looking for someone with experience doing this electronically (with computer software). This would be a great way to serve right here in our Association as a volunteer "missionary"! Conact Nu-Vizion at nuvizioncf@sbcglobal.net
Attention Sandusky Valley Region Churches! MARCHFEST is coming – Sunday, March 6th from 2:30-6 p.m. It will be held at St. John’s –Baseline UCC in Bloomville. This event is meant to CONNECT congregations in our region with one another. Topics will include: sharing music, exploring the possibility of a regional hands-on mission experience, reaching folks under 40, and creating youth ventures (for a few churches or the entire region). A flyer will be is in the Monthly Mailing and a bulletin insert is being sent to congregations this week. An electronic copy will be available on the association’s website or you may contact Joel Fetter (dce@peacecommunityucc.org).
PROJECT: HELPING THEM TO SHINE IN NICARAGUA
Nicaragua is the country in Central America that has the
highest percentage of unemployment in the Americas--68%. Most families have
more then 5 children and because of the economic situation these parents
have to send out their children as vendors, often selling newspapers or
water, shine shoes. Others who live in rural areas are likely to work with
their parents in the fields to help with the expenses of the family.
One of the problems in Nicaragua is that there is not public school to send
children to have a free education. Though it is not a high tuition payment
it is still expensive for those parents whom are not working or if they have
a very low salary. Many families often are unable to send all their children
to school.
These people keep a very strong faith that helps them to see a light of
hope.
Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Sandusky, OH is sponsoring a project
called ‘HELPING THEM TO SHINE IN NICARAGUA with our Wider Church partner
in Nicaragua (Mision Cristiana). The objective of this project is to help
poor Children from Nicaragua, to make real their hopes of finishing their
education by sponsors giving economic support each month of
$
20.00.
WHAT THIS CHILD CAN DO WITH $ 20.00
In Nicaragua $ 20.00 = 300 Nicaragua Cordoba. A gift of$20.00 or 300 Cordoba
each month will allow these children to pay for school, and buy school
materials, food, clothing, and even medicine.
You can send a check to Emmanuel United Church of Christ c/o“Helping them to
Shine in Nicaragua”, Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 334Columbus Ave.
Sandusky, OH 44870. If you have any questions call to Ana Lane at
419-624-0543 or e-mail at Davidanaizzy@aol.com
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 have been 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 on Feb. 27th to the Leadership Empowerment Day or contact Mary Johnson
at 419-645-4145.
RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS
If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!
Prayer Requests
Sue Quellhorst (wife of retired Conference Minister, Ralph Quellhorst) is recuperating from appendix surgery. She is currently in Riverside Hospital (Room 9019). Prayers and cards are welcome!
Deadlines and Meeting Dates
Auglaize Valley Leadership Empowerment Day (Feb. 27). Deadline for registration is February 22
Sandusky Valley Marchfest (March 6). Deadline for registration is March 1.
Mission Questionnaires due March 1. Only those returned will be included in the Association Annual Report.
Upcoming
Timely Topics next Wednesday (February 23) will focus on accessibility. Handicapped accessibility is not just having an elevator. Our conversation will focus on various ways in which we can welcome and be more hospitable. The Rev. Kim Bayless will lead the discussion.
Fish Fry The Trinity UCC in McCutchenville will host the 24th Annual Lake Erie Perch Fish Fry with dessert and salad smorgasbord, bazaar and bake sale on March 5, 2005. Serving will begin at 4:30 until 7:00 pm Adults- $7 Children under 12 - $5
February
17 Defiance Clergy 11:30 Defiance College
18 Spring Meeting Planning Committee 10:30 am St. John’s, Kenton
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
COOL WEB SITES
Have you ever wanted to use a contemporary Christian song in worship, or a Christain rock song? Even a "secular" song with a good message...only to find the album notes don't HAVE any lyrics? Never fear....check out these websites to find Christian song lyrics...just be ready for a few annoying pop-ups now and then on the last two sites.
http://www.christianrocklyrics.com/
http://www.sing365.com/
http://www.ilyric.net/
http://www.lyrics4all.net/
NWOA WEBSITE
A reminder that if your Ministry Team or Regional Coordinating Team has minutes, news, or updates...PLEASE email them to bb@nwoa.org, so they can be posted on our website. Links have just been added for AVR's "Leadership Empowerment Day", and SVR's "MarchFest."