The Vine - Communication from the Northwest Ohio Association UCC

Sept. 15, 2006

Office Hours at Northwest Association office 8 – 4 pm.

Email Address for Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister dlbusch@nwoa.org

Rev. Daniel Busch will preach at St. John’s UCC, Bluffton this Sunday, September 17th at 10:30 am and will be attending the Recognition Service for Jim Oates at The Oasis at West Elm UCC in Lima.

Prayer Requests

Terry Kohanski was hospitalized recently, but is resting at home now. Please remember Terry in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Reuben Bebler and his wife Joyce.

Pastor Jim Oates – The Oasis at West Elm UCC in Lima will celebrate with a Dinner and Recognition Service this Sunday, September 17. Dinner at 5 pm Service at 6 pm See attached invitation.

Pastor Adrian Sunday – In-Care Student will be ordained on October 22 beginning at 3:00 pm at Calvin UCC in Toledo. All are welcome!

Professional Event - Monday, October 16, 2006

(register to meet your Periodic Review commitment)

(for licensed, lay and ordained ministers)- Mark Your Calendars and plan to attend)

Leader: Dr. David Greenhaw, President, Eden Theological Seminary

Place: St. Francis Spirituality Center, Tiffin, Ohio

9:00 a.m. Registration 9:30 a.m. Opening Worship

10:00 am - Noon, 1:00. - 3:00 p.m. Affirmation of Ministry Issues lead by Dr. Greenhaw.

A time of spiritual refreshment and encouragement for ministry.

Lunch: Noon-1:00 p.m. Closing Worship (Holy Communion) 3:15-3:45 p.m.

Sponsored by Faith Formation Team Cost: $20.00. registration attached

Sandusky Valley Regional Youth The Youth of the Sandusky Valley Region are going to join together on Sunday, September 17th from 2:30-4 p.m. at Peace Community UCC, Waldo to assemble Personal Care Kits. These Personal Care Kits are distributed through the Ohio Disaster Response Team.

We need your help! Youth in 6th-12th grade are welcome to participate. We also need congregations to gather supplies for these kits. Even if you don't have youth or will be unable to participate, your help would be appreciated. You may contact Pastor Joel (740-726-2808)with questions or to make arrangements to pick up the items. EACH KIT NEEDS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: a bar of soap, a wash cloth and a hand towel, a disposable razor, a small container of shave cream, six band aids, a tooth brush, a small tube of tooth paste, a comb, a small container of deodorant, and a nail file. 1 Gallon Zip-Lock bags are needed. Donations will also be accepted by sending checks to Peace Community UCC, PO Box 176, Waldo, OH 43356 to purchase kit items.

Lakeshore Regional Gathering Fall 2006 “Seeking Healing” Sunday, Oct. 15^th, St. John’s UCC, Elmore 2-5 pm. Cost $5 Click here for registration.

Auglaize Valley Regional Gathering “Kinderfest 2006” November 4, St. Paul’s UCC-New Bremen

$2 per child with a $6 per family maximum cost 9:30 – 10:00 am registration Event 10 – 1 pm

Click here for registration

Jeff Patton Coming to Ft. Seneca

Nationally-known author, speaker, and teacher JEFF PATTON is coming to Ft. Seneca Community Church on Saturday, Oct. 21. Jeff is an expert on prayer, spiritual formation, small groups, and leadership development. A partner with Easum-Bandy & Associates, Jeff is in demand across the U.S. for his powerful teaching and coaching. This will be a GREAT event for church staff, prayer teams, or any church leaders and teachers. Click here for more information: flyer or contact Pastor Barry Bordenkircher

Winter Break All-Niter January 14, 2007 10 pm – 7:00 am Celina YMCA, Celina, OH

A Junior & Senior High Youth Event in the Auglaize Valley Region, UCC Keynote Speaker, Rev. Darryl Kistler, Heidelberg College Campus Minister

The Celebration begins for The United Church of Christ 50^thAnniversary

50^th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration – Auglaize Valley Region

On Sunday - November 5, 2006 from 5 – 7:30 pm at Spencerville UCC, 102 Wisher Drive, Spencerville, OH

Featuring: worship, nationwide web streaming event and refreshments

ATTENTION Church Quilters & Sewing Groups

MEET NEW ORLEANS TEXTILE ARTIST CELY PEDESCLEAUX

Learn how she and the quilters of Beecher Memorial UCC in the Katrina-devastated Ninth Ward have worked to bring hope to their neighborhood even as they face the challenge of rebuilding their own facility.

      After hearing their pastor’s stories about her work group experience in New Orleans, the Evangelism & Outreach Board at First Congregational UCC, Sandusky, decided to bring this locally well-known New Orleans artist to Northwest Ohio. Through her interaction with the quilters and sewers in our area, they hope to increase awareness of the post-Katrina situation as it really is, and to help raise funds to rebuild her church. Beecher Memorial UCC is one of two UCC churches that had to be closed after Katrina hit.
     The Beecher name is an important one in the history of First Congregational. Not only was Sandusky named in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, but a member of the Beecher family, Lucas Beecher, an abolitionist and attorney, belonged to the church. He was know for fiercely defending the runaway slaves in court.
      In addition to talking about her Katrina experiences, Cely looks forward to talking about Civil War quilts and the secret Underground Railroad codes sewn into some of them.   She will arrive Sunday, November 12th and leave the afternoon of Saturday, November 18th. If you would like her to come and talk to your group, or are willing to plan an event for the quilters in your community, please contact Rev. Lenore Kure at 419-625-8105.

Update your web page
Would you like to update your church webpage, ask webinfo@nwoa.org for help. Visit www.nwoa.org for more Association information.

Monthly Mailing

The monthly mailing will be sent over the email by request only. If you would like to receive the mailing by email please contact Joan Davidson at joan@nwoa.org.

Help us meet our OCWM Goal for 2006

Goal for 2006 - $ 495,000 (as of Aug 06) $ 245,093

Grace UCC – Fostoria is holding an information meeting for all of those who might be interested in attending a Sign Language Class for signing for the deaf and hearing impaired. The information meeting will be Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00 pm. If interested please reach the church office at 419-435-6733 or email gracechurchucc@yahoo.com.

The Annual Meeting of the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society

Saturday, October 7, 2006 Pre-Meeting Events Friday, October 6, 2006

Christ Reformed Church, United Church of Christ

304 East German Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443, 304-876-3569

Need more information contact office@nwoa.org

The SARA Annual Meeting Sunday, October 22, 2006 3:00 P.M.

St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, 59 East Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43215 Members of the Board are cordially invited to attend worship at St. John’s at 10:30 a.m. where Jean Szilagyi will give the Children’s Sermon. Stephen will follow-up with a SARA presentation to the church at their Annual Sauerkraut Luncheon in Fellowship Hall. St. John’s has many excellent cooks and the sauerkraut meal is a long–standing tradition. Ralph & Sue and Joyce Decker are members at St. John’s and hope that you will join them for this event. St. John’s is located in downtown Columbus just off Interstate I 70. Please contact Joyce Decker at 1-800-282-0740 or joyced@ocucc.org if you have any questions or need directions. Also please let her know how many people to expect for the luncheon.

Diversity Week programs at Heidelberg College
The slate of presentations for Diversity Week 2006, scheduled for Sept. 24-29, promises to be unique, engaging, timely – and of course, diverse. See Attachment

Defiance College Presents “The Annual Olds Lecture & Continuing Education Day” October 30, 2006

Roundtable on Katrina 7 pm, at Schomburg Auditorium, Defiance College Featuring Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian, close friend and former associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Founder of “Churches Supporting Churches” – Rev. Dwight Webster, Pastor, Christian Unity Baptist Church, New Orleans – Rev. Charles Duplessis, Pastor Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, from the lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans – Thom Butler, Mercury Media, Artist, Musician, Videographer This event will be followed at 9 pm by Free Pizza & drinks and Stuent Discussion on the Topic: “How Do We Build a “Student Katrina Movement” for Justice & Fairness in New Orleans?” this Event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Gary Percesepe, McMaster Scholl for Advancing Humanity 419-783-2553 or Dr. Marian R. Plant, Schauffler Chair of Christian Education 419-783-2338

Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Upcoming

September

17 Pastor Jim Oates Recognition 5:00 p.m. Dinner 6:00 pm Service

17 Sandusky Valley Youth Fest Peace Community, Waldo (Grades 6 – 12) 2:30 – 4:00 pm

20 Miami Erie Women Gathering Emmanuel, Bluffton 9:30 am

21 Faith Formation Team 10-1 p.m.

21 Church Development 1-4 pm

23 Finance & Budget 9-12 noon at the NWOA office

26 Defiance Women Gathering Lytton-Zion UCC-Delta 10:30 am

27 Firelands Clergy - Zion UCC (Fireside) 9:30 am

28 Support Committee 11:00 am (Tiffin)

30 Cabinet 9:30 – 2 pm

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