January 3, 2007
Email Address for Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister dlbusch@nwoa.org
Rev. Daniel Busch will preach this Sunday at Union UCC in Bascom beginning at 9:00 am and at St. John’s UCC –Fostoria at 10:30 am.
Prayer Requests
The father of Rev. John Miller, Mr. Chalmer Miller, 94 of Bucyrus passed away on Dec. 29, 2006 at his home. Chalmer was a 63 year member of St. John’s UCC in Bucyrus where a celebration of Chalmer’s life was held on Tuesday, Jan. 2nd with Rev. Patricia Minnick officiating. Chalmer is survived by his wife, Jane Miller, one daughter; Jo Ann Greiner of Mentor, one son; Rev. John (Marcy) Miller of Marion, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial Contributions are asked to be made to St. John’s UCC in care of Wise Funeral Service, 129 West Warren St., Bucyrus, OH 44820. Please remember the Miller family during this time of loss.
The Rev. Bruce Farmer, 55 of Tiffin (Rev. Dr. Clifford and Wilma Farmer’s son) passed away at St. Francis Home, Tuesday, January 2, 2007. Surviving are this parents; a sister, Shannon (Randall) Wallick; brother, Chris Farmer; and six nieces and nephews. Bruce graduated from Heidelberg College in 1973 and worked in management with the Toledo Automobile Club for four years. He studied a St. Meinrad School of Theology, ordained for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo, receiving his Deaconate in 1980 and ordained in 1981, in Rosary Cathedral, Toledo. The body will be received at Rosary Cathedral, Toledo at 4 pm Friday, with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 11 am. Saturday, January 6. Interment will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Tiffin. Memorials may be made to the Toledo Priests’ Retirement Fund, Covenant House or the Catholic Extension Society. Arrangements by Coyle Funeral Home of Toledo. Please remember the Farmers in your prayers during this time of loss.
The Association’s financial books for 2006 will be closed Monday, January 8, 2007. Please see that money to be recorded for 2006 is received by this date. It is helpful if checks sent are dated December 31, 2006 so that there is no confusion of intent.
The Yearbook Forms are on your desk! The National yearbook forms were mailed to each church on Dec. 22. Please return the completed forms to the Northwest Ohio Association office by Feb.3, 2007.
Church Development SUMMIT!
The Church Development Team of the Northwest Ohio Association is sponsoring an Association wide:
Church Development Summit Tuesday, January 16, 2007 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. NWOA Office see attachment for more information
TIMELY TOPICS
The Church’s response to the crisis in the Middle East
Peter Makari, Ph.D., Executive, Middle East and Europe, Global Ministries.
Wed., Jan. 31, 2007
Location: Northwest Ohio Association, 416 Wentz St., Tiffin, OH 44883
Time: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. No Cost!
Bring a brown bag lunch (beverages are available)
News from Tracy Hughes
Hello Everyone,
This is a little update. I have a new phone number. It is 330-465-6853. My current address is 116 Sapring Street, Wooster, OH 44691. I will be here until late February-after this I will most likely be off to Colombia, South America however I would go to Uganda in a heart beat. My mailing address is 2221 Equestrian Drive Apt 2D Miamisburg, OH 45342. Peace and Happy New Year, Tracy Hughes
Basic Parish Nurse Education Course – see attachment for more information
REQUEST FROM SARA (Sharing America’s Resources Abroad) - Mr. Katko, the administrator of the Good Samaritan Children's Home in Nagy Dobrony, Ukraine, has let us know that vitamins are needed throughout the area. Many children in government orphanages and villages do not have fruits or vegetables in the winter. Donations of vitamins will be accumulated at the Conference office and sent to the Ukraine by SARA volunteers. Bottles of vitamins can be sent to: Ohio Conference UCC, 6161 Busch Blvd., Ste. 95, Columbus OH 43229. Thank you for helping the children in the Ukraine this winter.
Ohio Ministries Convocation
The 2007 Ohio Ministries Convocation is January 22 and 23 at the University Plaza Hotel in Columbus. The theme this year is Religion and Science and the keynoter is John Haught, of the Department of Theology at Georgetown University. His two keynotes are “Evolution and Faith: What is at Stake?” and “Science, Theology and the Search for cosmic Purpose”. Some very interesting workshops are also scheduled for the event. United Church of Christ participants are invited to a Monday noon luncheon hosted by the Ohio Conference. A separate registration is required for the noon meal. To register for the luncheon please contact Pam Brown in our Conference office. PamelaB@OCUCC.ORG
Auglaize Valley Winter Break All-Niter regional youth event will be Sunday, January 14, 2007 from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. at the Celina YMCA. Rev. Darryl Kistler, Heidelberg College Campus Minister will be the keynote speaker during late night worship. Registration materials will be mailed out soon.
Auglaize Valley Leadership Empowerment Day will be held on Sunday, February 25, 3007 at Oasis on West Elm UCC, Lima, and will include helpful workshops, worship, a resource store, networking and fellowship.
Help us meet our OCWM Goal for 2006
Goal for 2006 - $ 495,000 (as of Nov. 06) $ 360,957
Outdoor Ministries—Ohio Conference UCC
Spring work days at the camps will be held as follows:
March 3—Pilgrim Hills
March 24—Templed Hills
Each work day will begin at 9 a.m.
More information to come.
Speakers Available
Outdoor Ministries’ Speakers Bureau has people in each association ready to come to share their excitement about this ministry. Each person will also be prepared to share information regarding the Board of Directors’ Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations for Outdoor Ministries return to financial balance. Call Outdoor Ministries at 800-282-0740 or email cynthias@ocucc.org to schedule a visitor.
Minister for Outdoor Ministries Available
Rev. Cynthia Speller is available to visit your congregation on a Sunday morning (and many other times, as well.). She is available to preach and share in worship, chat with youth and adults during the Sunday School time or spend time with a mission committee. To schedule Cynthia’s visit with your congregation call Outdoor Ministries 800-282-0740 or email cynthias@ocucc.org.
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.
Deadlines and Meeting Dates
Upcoming
January – 2007
4 Small Church Cluster Mtg 7:30 pm St. John’s (Baseline),Bloomville
5 Firelands Epiphany Dinner, Rockwell Springs Trout Club Appetizer 6:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm
7 Auglaize Region Clergy North Epiphany Dinner 5:00 pm Rev. Jane Hillman’s home
8 NWOA BOOKS CLOSING
8 Sandusky Valley Clergy – Fairhaven Community, Upper Sandusky 11:30 am
8 Monthly Mailing Deadline
9 Church & Ministry Team Meeting
10 Stewardship & Caring 1-3 p.m.
11 Auglaize Valley Clergy 11:30 am Wapkoneta
11 Auglaize Valley RCT – Wapkoneta 1:30 pm
13 General Synod Delegates Meeting - Westerville
15 Office Closed/Martin Luther King
16 Nominating Committee 9:30 am
16 Church Development Summit 10 - 2 pm
18 Faith Formation 10-2 p.m
25 Witness & Proclamation 10-1 p.m.
28 Rev. Cathy Wirth Installation at Bloomville UCC 3:00 pm
31 Timely Topics 10:30 a.m. Tiffin
Crisis in the Middle East
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