December 21, 2005

 

 

 

Season’s Greetings

                                                               Dan, Carolyn,

                                                                  Dick & Joan

 

 

The office will be closed, Dec. 26 – Dec. 30,  so you will not receive The Vine on December 28th.  Please have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

The Association’s financial books for 2005 will close Friday, January 6, 2006.  Please see that money to be recorded for 2005 is received by this date. It is helpful if checks sent are dated Dec. 31, 2005 so that there is no confusion of intent.

 

Jr. High Youth Association Event!   February 19-20 @ Pilgrim Hills
Attention Pastors, Christian Educators, and Youth Leaders!! Some of you may have wondered what happened to the Fall Jr. High Youth Event like we have had the last several years. The answer...the Faith Formation team decided to do something different. We are going to offer a weekend at camp in February.  The theme will be "Body Building". Among the experiences, youth will have the chance to participate in an action challenge course, community building activities and a night hike. The cost will be $55 for each person (both youth and adults). A flyer is included with the December monthly mailing!  Watch for more details. Contact Joel Fetter at Peace Community, Waldo (740-726-2808) or by e-mail (dce@peacecommunityucc.org)

 

NWOA Churches Insured with the UCC Insurance Board (UCCIB) will have continued liability coverage after the New Year and there should be no interruption in coverage to local churches. However, if your church is currently with the UCCIB and would like more information or see other quotes; please contact Ben Rupp of the Rupp Insurance Agency at 1-800-282-9258 ext 35.

 

The local church year end reports will be mailed the first week of January. Please fill out all forms completely and return to the association office by the deadline indicated on the cover letter. Please remember the timely return of these forms assists us in keeping the most updated information about your local church.

 

UCC History and Polity Course Offered Methodist Theological Seminary (METHESCO) in Delaware, OH is offering a UCC History and Polity Course # DS390.  The class instructor will be Rev. Paul Baumer. Weekend Classes  - Friday 7-9 pm and Saturdays 9 – 4 pm  Feb. 10-11,

March 3-4, March 31-April 1, April 21-22, May 12-13. Contact admissions office at 1-800-333 6876 or admit@mtso.edu  Register on-line mtso.edu    

occasional student  3 credit hours - $1320    Audit $160

 

“Sexual Minorities in the Church”

Dr. Greg Carey, Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary, guest of Gettysburg Association Meeting, Penn Central Conference, addresses Marriage Equality Resolution from the Biblical and Historical Perspectives. The disk “Sexual Minorities in the Church” is available to view at the Association office or you may call the Penn Central Conference at 717-652-1560 to purchase.  Disk $12  Video $10  .

 

IRS Mileage rate figure for 2006 is 44.5 cents per mile.

 

Help us meet our

OCWM Goal 2005                (as of Nov. 05)     $ 406,026                  Goal $ 545,000

_____________________________________________________________________________

0              100,000                   200,000                   300,000                   400,000                   500,000                   555,000  

 

 

Ordained Clergy Periodic Support Consultation  Feb. 16, 2006 at St. John’s UCC, Bluffton 10-1 pm.  Register with form in the monthly mailing or call the office at 419-447-8323.

 

Lay School of Religion Classes begin Feb. 7 at 7:15 pm. Spring Class 2006

“So-What do you think? (About God)  Theology  Instructor: Rev. Diane Thomas

See form in the monthly mailing.

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. ROY HOWELL (Trinity UCC, McCutchenville) underwent open heart surgery a couple weeks ago and also a combination defibrillator-pacemaker at St. Vincent in Toledo. Roy is getting stronger every day.  He has been moved to Ruffing Family Care Center, 2320 W. Co.Rd. 6, Tiffin, OH to continue 24 hour care. Please remember Roy during this holiday season.

 

Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Leadership Opportunity Available for Northwest Ohio Association Teams and Committees

See pink form in monthly mailing. Forms due to Northwest Ohio Association by Jan. 6, 2006.

 

Upcoming

December

26- 30  Office Closed – Christmas

 

 

January – 2006

3          Church and Ministry

5          Auglaize Valley Clergy  11:30 am St. John’s UCC, Bluffton

5          Auglaize Valley RCT 1:30 pm

5          Small Church Cluster 7:30 pm St. John’s UCC, Tiffin

6          Monthly Mailing Deadline

6          NWOA BOOKS CLOSING

8          Defiance Clergy Epiphany Party Jane Hillman eating at 5:30 pm, come anytime after 5.

9          Sandusky Valley Clergy Gathering 11:30 am Pour House, Upper Sandusky

10        Deans Meeting NWOA 10:00 am

11        Timely Topics 10:30 – 1:30 pm

11        Maumee Bay Clergy 9:30 am St. John’s UCC, Genoa

12        Faith Formation 10 -2 pm

13        Epiphany Party Firelands Clergy Sandusky Yacht Club

15-16   Auglaize Valley Winterfest

16        Office Closed Martin Luther King Day

19        Church Development Team 10-2pm

19        Witness and Proclamation Team10-1pm

21        NWOA Cabinet 9:30 – 2 pm

23-24   Ohio Ministries Convocation

25        Lakeshore Regional Clergy 11-1 pm Holiday Inn - Fremont

26        Sandusky Valley RCT  5 pm St. John’s UCC, Bucyrus

 

 

 

 

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