September 14, 2005
In the midst of a busy September and October, Char Burch and Barry Bordenkircher will also focus on bringing closure to our roles as part of your Association staff. Our plans are to be present at clergy gatherings and other team meetings to recognize this transition. Although Barry will still be active in the Association, he will change roles. Meanwhile, we have received the news that new Association Minister, Dan Busch, has found a house in Tiffin! Things are moving along!
Celebration of Ministry will take place on October 8th at Heidelberg College, Great Hall for The Rev. Char Burch and Rev. Barry Bordenkircher. The gathering will begin at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6:00 pm and a program at 7:00 pm. A buffet including salad, vegetable lasagna and chicken breast will begin at 6:00 pm. The cost of the meal is $12 and will need to be sent to the Northwest Ohio Association, 416 Wentz St., Tiffin, OH 44883. Register by form in the September monthly mailing, contact the office at 419-447-8323 or email joan@nwoa.org. Deadline Oct. 3
Katrina Relief Update
Questions have been asked about UCC churches in New Orleans. There are 9 churches. The pastors and families are okay, but their parishioners are in various states of trauma. Some churches have damage, but things are still being assessed. It will be a long recovery. Money from the UCC Christmas Fund is being used to pay for the clergy family health premiums for the next 6 months (without jobs, contributions to support their local churches will drop). Make A Difference Grants are being used to help with salaries. Slumber Falls, the South Central Conference Campsite, has housed up to 80 folks recently. The Rev. Rebecca Erb Strange (UCC minister from David’s UCC, Kettering, OH) had a few weeks of sabbatical left and is in South Central Conference providing pastoral care to pastors and assisting with some coordination.
How can you help? 1) Pray for those who are survivors and those seeking to provide aid. 2) Support the $3 million “Hope Shall Bloom” Appeal with finances. (NWOA Donations to Katrina Hurricane Relief at the present time is $5,984.) Send checks to the Association Office marked for Katrina Hurricane relief or donate on-line at www.ucc.org. If you prefer to designate your contributions even more – to Back Bay Mission or to South Central Conference, that can be noted on the check. 3) Those seeking to provide possible on-site assistance or supplies, contact Mary Schaller-Blaufuss at the UCC volunteer office at blaufusm@ucc.org. 4) Some churches would like to work more directly with a congregation that needs assistance. If you would like to “adopt a UCC congregation in New Orleans,” contact the South Central Conference (512-459-7607) and they will help make that connection. There is also a bulletin insert on the UCC website promoting a “Covenant of Compassion.”
Check www.ucc.org for regular articles and updates.
Notes about Peni Gray working for the Red Cross in the Hurricane Katrina projects
After arriving in Montgomery, AL. she was taken to Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she was at first staying in the shelter there working with the Psychiatric desk. She is still working the Psychiatric desk, but they have moved the Red Cross People to a hotel (where there is very, very little hot water). She and her colleagues work about 12 hour days from 8am - 8pm. There are some restaurants open in the area so it is nice that they are able to go out and unwind a little. She sounds wonderful and is in very good spirits! I will let you know if she relocates or anything major occurs. From JoElle (Peni’s daughter)
What: A service of Unity, Praise and Prayer
When: Friday September 16th @ 6:00pm
Where: Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship
Who: Members of the Nu-Vizion Family, Community Members, Concerned Brothers and Sisters in Christ
An opportunity to prayer for victims of Hurricane Katrina and the ongoing divisions and injustices of our society and culture. A chance to praise God for His presence during difficulty times. A time to demonstrate our unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sandusky Valley Work Day at Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship, Toledo. This Saturday, September 17. Gather at Nu-Vizion at 10 am. Lunch provided. All kinds of skill levels are welcome! Register with the Association Office.
First UCC, Fremont has some people interested in liturgical dance and is seeking to know if any of our churches have such groups. Please respond to Elaine Bast at [ebast51@hotmail.com].
Church Professional Retreat. September 25-26 at Templed Hills. Theme “Unity in the Midst of Diversity in Light of General Synod.” Mr. Lorin Cope will provide resource leadership. Deadline for registration is September 16. Registration material in August Monthly Mailing or on website at www.nwoa.org.
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RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS
If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!
Prayer Requests
Deadlines and Meeting Dates
Upcoming
September
15 Personnel 9:30 – 1:30 pm
15 Church Development Team 10–2pm
17 Sandusky Valley Mission Trip to
Nu-Vizion Community, Toledo
20 CUE 9- noon
20 Lakeshore RCT Castalia 5:00 pm
20 Lay School (Cancelled this week)
21 Miami Erie Women’s Program
Lima 9:30 – 2:30
21 Executive Committee 4:00 pm
25-26 Fall Professional Retreat
Templed Hills
28 Firelands Clergy at Marblehead
9:30 am
29 Faith Formation 10 – 2 pm
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