The Vine "A weekly Email Update ... Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
Northwest Ohio Association
United Church of ChristMay 11, 2005
We are the Association. We are the Ohio Conference. Last Saturday I (Char) had the opportunity to take your greetings to the Annual Meeting of the Central Southeast Association. Because 3 Associations met that day, it was not possible for our Interim Conference Minister, Jack Seville, to be at all meetings. However, it is important that we within our Associations, see that we are part of the wider church called the Ohio Conference. So… I got to experience their meeting and engage in multiple conversations with folks from a different part of Ohio. As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, may we be reminded that we are all part of one church – the church of Jesus Christ. And although the Spirit has sent us out to witness and proclaim in difference places and in different ways, it is the same Lord that we proclaim.
Special Timely Topic: Dealing with General Synod Resolutions. Wednesday, May 18: 1 pm- 3 pm, at the Association office. Some General Synod resolutions will be controversial and may receive media attention. The focus of our conversation will be on how to respond to your own parishioners when they see items in the news media. General Synod resolutions and pronouncements can be downloaded through the UCC website: www.ucc.org. Click on General Synod, then on Resolutions and Pronouncements. Char Burch will be leading the conversation.
Attention Christian Educators, Youth Workers, and Pastors! At the Sandusky Valley Region’s MarchFest, a group of folks met concerning the issue of Youth Ministry and Sunday School. At that time, those in that small group decided that we would try to meet quarterly. Our first time together will be SUNDAY, MAY 22nd at 4 p.m. We will gather at St. John’s, Bucyrus located at 120 S. Lane St. This time our particular focus will be on Summer Youth Activities and Summer Sunday School Resources. Feel free to bring resources to share concerning these topics – or other issues related to Christian Education/Youth Ministry. Questions about the group? Contact Joel Fetter, Peace Community UCC, at 740-726-2808. Need directions? Don’t ask Joel (if you really want to find your way!) —call St. John’s at 419-562-8271.
On the morning of May 10th, a group of pastors attended a meeting at WTOL. The topic: “How to increase membership at each local United Church of Christ by building upon the established equity of “God is Still Speaking.” The simple overview: By combining our individual vision and financial resources into one comprehensive strategy, we will…–Spread the gospelWe are excited about moving this incredibly affordable project forward, and want you to join us in attending a follow-up presentation
–Increase individual congregational growth
–Build the local UCC (God is Still Speaking) brand.Where: WTOL-TV, 730 N. Summit, Toledo
When: Thursday June 2nd , 7 PM
RSVP: Rev. Jim Latimer, Point Place UCC 419 726 7390 -or-
Nancy Bright (WTOL-UCC member) 419 248 1141
Please RSVP no later than May 18th.
Ohio Conference Annual Gathering information should have been received in local churches (on the website at www.ocucc.org). The Professional Day is June 17, with the Gathering on the 18th at First Community Church (North Campus), Columbus. Register now!
The Rev. Ben Guess, News Director of the United Church of Christ in Cleveland is looking for pastors who have used the “Order for Recognition of the End of a Marriage” from the UCC Book of Worship or something similar. A journalist/rabbi is writing a piece for USA Today and is seeking to interview pastors who have performed such ceremonies. If you have, please be in touch with Ben directly at guessb@ucc.org.
ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES IN 2005Rev. Ron Kline (Calvary UCC, Crestline) 10th Anniversary May 20, 1995
RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS
If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!
PRAYER REQUESTSPlease continue renewed prayer efforts for Terry Kohanski (Pastor of First UCC, Findlay). Terry was admitted to MCO Hospital in Toledo on April 24 for complications of vascultis and bleeding in her lungs. She spent almost two weeks on a ventilator, but is now off of it and doing better. She reports that she will be hospitalized through the end of May at MCO, and will probably require physical therapy in an extended care facility after her release (to help with loss of limb function due to neuropathy). Terry was approved resoundingly for ordination in absentia at the NWOA Spring Meeting, and is scheduled for graduation from Winebrenner Seminary in August.
Susan Jones Thompson’s father, Paul Jones, passed away on Thursday, May 5th with the funeral being held Mon. May 9 in West Milton, OH. Susan is the Moderator of the Ohio Conference. Please remember Susan and her family in your prayers.
The Rev. John Mummert (Emmanuel UCC, Bluffton) is back to work following surgery.
NWOA.ORG SITE USE
Since a “hit meter” was added to our Association’s website in late February, here are a few basic stats about how the website has been used…-- Site Summary ---
Visits:Total ........................ 1,917
Average per Day ................. 18
Average Visit Length .......... 2:33
This Week (4/28—5/4).......... 128Total Page Views
Total ........................ 3,303
Average per Day ................. 41
Average per Visit .............. 2.2
This Week (4/28—5/4)............ 286
DEADLINES AND MEETING DATESUPCOMING
Lay School Graduation – May 21. Everyone is invited to recognize this year’s graduates (Gary Schiefer, Dianne Ahlefeld, Ted Hansen) who have completed the 4 year program. Reservation forms were in the April Monthly Mailing.May
12 Auglaize Valley South 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 12:00 noon Calvin UCC,Toledo
18 Timely Topic – General Synod Resolutions
1 – 3 pm. Association Office
19 Search Committee 8:30 – 3:00 pm
19 Witness & Procl. Team 10-1 pm
20 Ohio Conference Board of Directors
21 Finance & Budget Committee 9 am
21 Flight School St. John’s, Mansfield
21 Lay School Banquet –
St. John’s UCC, Bucyrus
24 Search Committee afternoon
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
If you wish to be deleted from this mailing list, please contact joan@nwoa.org
Don’t forget to visit our website at www.nwoa.org