The Vine "A weekly Email Update ... Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
Northwest Ohio Association
United Church of ChristApril 13, 2005
Flight School, Round 2!
Information about the next round of the Ohio Conference’s “FLIGHT SCHOOL” ministry for church transformation will be in the next couple of Monthly Mailings. Round 2 of Flight School will be offered at three sites, on one Saturday per month, for eight months beginning in September. Information and an application will also be posted as soon as it is available on www.nwoa.org.
UCC Mini-Conference on Economic Justice, April 25-26 (Monday 10:30 am – Tuesday, 2:30 pm) at the Church House in Cleveland. Topics will include: low-wage work and what to do about it, minimum wage legislation and Social Security, economic globalization, the "economic" state of the US and the world, and other topics. There will also be an update on the God Is Still Speaking Initiative and Rev. David Schoen, Leader of the Evangelism Team in Local Church Ministries will address the "State of the Local Churches in the UCC." Justice and Witness Ministries staff will share information about their work. For copy of the schedule and registration form, contact the Association Office or goodflet@ucc.org. Cost is for housing, about $75 at the Radisson Hotel.
Task Force for Ohio Clergy Compensation Guidelines. We are seeking a person to be part of this special Task Force that will assess the current guidelines, consider guidelines for part-time ministry, etc. The Task Force will include representatives from the 5 associations. The work will be done over the next year. Particularly helpful is someone who has experience in Human Resources. If interested or have someone to suggest, contact Char Burch at the Association Office. This is a wonderful way for a lay member of your congregation to share their gifts in this area with the wider church.
General Synod Resolutions will be available on-line April 21 at the UCC website (www.ucc.org). There are 17 resolutions coming from local churches, conferences, and national Covenanted Ministries. One resolution coming from the Southern California Nevada Conference is on Equal Rights in Marriage. Since this is a controversial topic, it may be picked up in the media. It is recommended that pastors/church leaders read the resolution so that if questions are raised, you will know what the resolution says. If you have questions or if you are contacted by the media and are not sure how to respond, contact Char Burch at the Association office.
OCWM Visitations. We are in the process of arranging for your church’s OCWM certificate to be presented to your congregation on a Sunday morning during worship. This is a 2-3 minute moment for mission as the congregation is thanked for their support. Church pastors will be contacted by a visitor to arrange the date (preferably sometime in May or June). We are seeking a few more OCWM visitors.
Association Annual Meeting Updates and Reminders:
Invitation for Musicians: We are looking for a drummer to assist with the Praise Team. The drums are at the church, just need the drummer! If interested, contact Scott Johnson at St. John’s UCC, Kenton at rscott@dbscorp.net or 419-673-7278.
God Is Still Speaking Digital pictures. We are seeking digital pictures of how congregations have included the God is Still Speaking theme in their local churches: outside banners; posters, particular literature for evangelism, billboards, etc. Pictures will be used during Annual Meeting. Send to office@nwoa.org. Deadline for receiving pictures is Monday, April 18th.Delegates and visitors are encouraged to wear red!
Remember to bring Ohio Conference Disaster Kits
Description of the Forums and the presenters will be provided in the April Monthly Mail and The Vine next week.
New item this year – “door prizes.” A few items will be given away in the afternoon. Plus, there will also be a drawing prior to the closing worship from the evaluation forms that are turned it! Come and see!!
Registration Deadline: April 22
RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS
If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!
Prayer RequestsPlease remember Rev. Steven Simpson (St. John’s UCC, Genoa) in your prayers. Steven’s maternal grandmother, Jeanette Matteson of Franklin, NY, passed away suddenly on April 8 at the age of 89. Steve was asked by her just the week before to do her funeral (which was scheduled for April 12).
Deadlines and Meeting DatesUpcoming
April
14 Auglaize Valley South Clergy, 11:30 am Lima
16 Flight School St. John’s, Mansfield
16 Flight School Trinity Methodist, Defiance
19 Miami Erie Women Spring Rally, St. John’s UCC, Bluffton
19 Lay School 7:15 pm
20 Lakeshore Church Professionals, Holiday Inn, Fremont, 11 am
21 Search Committee 9:30 am
21 Defiance Clergy11:30am Defiance College
24 Installation – Rev. Judy Huber
St. John’s UCC, Bluffton
24 Installation – Rev. Martin Stiffler
Emanuel UCC, Upper Sandusky
27 Finance & Budget Committee 7:00 pm30th NWOA Annual Meeting, St. John’s UCC, Kenton
May
2 Sandusky Valley Clergy 11:30 am
Mugsy’s Restaurant , Upper Sandusky
3 Church and Ministry Team
3 Lay School 7:15 pm
5 Executive Meeting 4-6 pm
10 Maumee Bay Clergy, 9 am
Channel WTOL, Toledo
11 Stewardship & Caring Team 2 pm
12 Auglaize Valley Regional Clergy
14 Flight School Shiloh UCC, Dayton
17 Personnel Committee 9:30 am
17 CUE Committee 9-12 pm
17 Lay School 7:15 pm
18 Women’s Board 10-Noon
18 NWOA Interim Ministers, noon
Calvin UCC, Toledo
19 Search Committee 9:30-1:30 pm
19 Witness & Procl. Team 10-1 pm
21 Finance & Budget Committee 9 am
21 Flight School St. John’s, Mansfield
21 Lay School Banquet –
St. John’s UCC, Bucyrus
25 Firelands Clergy 9:30-11:30 am
Zion-Fireside UCC, Bellevue
26 Sandusky Valley RCT 5 pm
College Hill UCC, Bloomville
26 Faith Formation Team 10 – 2 pm
30 Office Closed
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