February 9, 2007
Email Address for Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister dlbusch@nwoa.org
Rev. Daniel Busch will be preaching this Sunday, February 11th at Congregational UCC of Castalia at 10:30 am.
Prayer Requests
Rev. Don Corbin at Memorial UCC in Toledo is having health issues and going through test. Please remember him in your prayers.
Rev. David Williams at First UCC in New Knoxville is in need of prayers while he undergoes testing.
Please pray for continued strength for Rev. Terry Kohanski, Toledo.
Cynthia, Rev. Ed Heilman's wife, St. John’s UCC- Elmore had surgery
on Jan. 31st. Please pray for a speedy recovery.
IF The Yearbook Forms are still on your desk, please complete them and send to NWOA! We are getting ready to send them to the National office on Monday.
Rev. David Borden from Minnesota has accepted a call to St. John’s –Baseline UCC and College Hill UCC – Bloomville beginning April 9, 2007. Welcome David!
Rev. Catherine Costello will be installed on March 11th as Pastor at St. Paul’s UCC in Rockford beginning at 3:00 pm. All are welcome!
Rev. Sue Keller will be installed as Pastor at Buckland UCC on April 22nd beginning at 3:00 pm. All are welcome!
FROZE OUT - The first class of Spring 2007 Lay School of Religion was set back to Feb. 13th due to the freezing temperatures last week. Still time to register! Course offering New Testament – Instructor Gale Green. See attachment for registration.
A Challenge to “Change Our Camps” open the flyer attached
Heartland Stewardship Event March 23-25, 2007
Heartland Team Meeting “The Gifting God”
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
A training event for stewardship leaders focused on increasing generosity in our congregations.
Shelly Stackhouse is our keynote speaker and David Powers is our bible study leader.
REGISTER NOW by click on the web sit below DEADLINE 2/25/07 Event cost: $130.00
http://www.conference.com/eventmanager/ProfileLogin_Direct_UCC.asp?customercode=ucc
Go to Session and choose from the drop down menu: Session: Stewardship Development (Heartland)
Need more information contact: Tracy Carnes, Associate Minister for Stewardship Resources
700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115 (216) 736-3858 (216) 736-2229 FAX carnest@ucc.org
TIMELY TOPICS
Wed., Feb. 14, 2007 Our Whole Lives- Human Sexuality Rev. Wendy Schindler-Chasney, St. John’s UCC-Milan
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)
FOR CHURCH SECRETARIES AND BOOKKEEPERS UCCOSSN 20th Anniversary Meeting
UCC Office Support Staff Network (UCCOSSN)
Would you like to meet many others which work for the church? This is a great event to attend. If you have questions call Joan or Carolyn at the NWOA office. We will be attending!
Attached are the following regarding the event:
Ø Letter of Invitation Ø Agenda Ø Registration Form
Please do the following:
1. Complete your Registration Form
2. Fax it to either of the following numbers (212) 729-2713 or (212)729-2759
3. Mail your Registration Form & Registration Fee to the address noted on the Form
4. Forward this information to others
Upon receipt of your Registration Fee, a confirmation will be sent to you, along with ground transportation options and other area attractions and recreational options.
We look forward to welcoming you to New York!! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. See you in NEW YORK!!
Sharon Thomas
Executive Assistant to President/CEO & Member Education Services Coordinator
Pension Boards - United Church of Christ
475 Riverside Drive - Room 1020
New York, NY 10115
p. 800.642.6543 Ext. 2712
f. 212.729.2713
Workshop at the NWOA Lakeshore Region Luncheon—Feb. 28, 2007 11 am
Holiday Inn Restaurant, Fremont, OH (This is right off Ohio Turnpike exit 6.)
Speaker: Ken Brown, Min. for Youth & Young Adult Empowerment, Justice & Witness Ministries, UCC
Justice, Witness and You!
What
is Justice & Witness Ministries? How can JWM and local congregations
partner together in doing justice? What resources are there for
transforming society? What role can young people play in justice
leadership? Please join Ken Brown, JWM’s Minister for Youth and Young Adult
Empowerment, for an opportunity to share and discuss ways in which Justice &
Witness Ministries and the Lakeshore Region can strive together to make this
“on earth as it is in heaven!”
Kenneth R. Brown,
II is the Minister for Youth and Young Adult Empowerment, Justice and
Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ. In this capacity he
encourages young people to understand their faith journeys as ones that call
them to work for justice–to transform society to be “on earth as it is in
heaven.” Additionally, he works with adults in the development of our young
leaders. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Ken studied Public Communication
at the American University (Washington, DC), and is a graduate with honors
of Howard University School of Divinity (Washington, DC). He has
represented the United Church of Christ while serving in Lesotho, Southern
Africa, working on anti-apartheid, labor and development issues. He has
also been a high school educator, both in the classroom setting and as a
nonprofit advisor on college preparation. An avid soccer fan, Ken enjoys
various sports as a player, coach and spectator, as well as music,
social-cultural studies, and photography.
MISSION QUESTIONNAIRE 2007 What mission projects does your church support?
See the Mission Questionnaire attachment.
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. Look for registration and workshops attached to this email.
Inspiring Generosity & Planned Giving Event
On March 31 at First UCC in Findlay the Stewardship & Caring Team will sponsor Inspiring Generosity & Planned Giving. Key note speakers will be Margaret Mills – Minister for Stewardship, Education & Youth with the Western Reserve & Eastern Ohio Association and Nancy Ackley – Minister for Capital Campaigns & Financial Development with the Western Reserve & Eastern Ohio Association. Registration will begin at 9:00 am. See the attachment to register.
Effective Teaching Workshop
On March 24 at Trinity UCC in Tiffin a workshop will be offered “Effective Teaching”. Keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Marian Plant, Coordinator for the Defiance College Design for Leadership. See attachment for more information.
Nu-Vizion UCC, Toledo
Dear Friends,
Nu-Vizion has reached the landmark of being three years old! We are aware that our very existence is a result of the hard work and sacrifice of many individuals, churches and organizations. While we cannot possibly recognize all these individuals we remain deeply moved by the sacrifice of the 1st Church members who after 150 years of worship made the decision to die as a congregation in order to give birth to the church plant that became Nu-Vizion UCC. It is our desire to recognize this sacrifice at a special worship service to be held on Sunday February 18th at 4:00pm followed by a simple dinner. Please reserve this date and time and watch your email for a more formal invitation to follow in the near future. Kathryn Hellemen
First Church Recognition - Service and Dinner
Beginning with a communion service at 4:00pm Followed by dinner at 6:00pm
All past members of 1st UCC, Toledo are welcome as are all members of sister churches and friends
and supporters of the ministry. Please RSVP by February 11th,2007
To nuvizionoffice@sbcglobal.net or by phone to Nu-Vizion UCC (419)241-9358
Nu-Vizion attachments!
Needs list, Work Day, Volunteers Celebration
Needed item in New Orleans
Donations of new or gently used books, pre-K through high school, of teachers' resources, gift cards from Home Depot or monetary gifts would be greatly appreciated by those of us going as a work team to New Orleans March 16. The books and teacher resources (remember, they have lost almost everything) are disbursed by the Book Ministry of Good Shepherd UCC where we stay. We handle the gift cards and monetary donations. No administrative costs are ever involved. All donations go directly to the people. Please contact Rev. Jeanette Tangeman, tangeman@ohiolink.net, 419-657-2196, for further information. Thank you so much.
“We Lift Our Eyes to the Hills” See attachment for more information
4th Annual Trinity UCC Benefit Concert
What: Fourth annual concert featuring choirs and musical groups of Trinity UCC, Tiffin
When: Sunday, February 18 at 3:00 PM
Where: Trinity UCC, 131 E. Perry St., Tiffin
Why: Proceeds (free-will offering) to benefit UCC Ohio Conference camps and camping ministry
Finding support for interim ministry
On Monday, March 19, the Interim Ministry Working Group of the Ohio Conference and the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) are offering a workshop for interim ministers and those who are inquiring about the possibility of interim ministry. The Rev. Char Burch will be the keynote presenter on the theme “Where Do We Find Emotional, Financial and Personal Support for Interim Ministry?” Char is an intentional interim minister with over 20 years of experience in local churches and judicatory settings. She is known to many in Ohio because of her long-term interim as the Association Minister in Northwest Ohio. Char presently is serving as the Interim Conference Minister in the Missouri-Mid South Conference.
In the morning, there will be a separate workshop led by the Rev. Dr. Anthony Carpenter for those who are new to interim ministry or who are just considering the possibility of interim ministry. The workshop will be offered at East Columbus Christian Church just east of Interstate 270 and north of Main Street. The workshop is from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The cost is $20.00 which includes the noon meal. You may register for the workshop by calling Joyce Decker at the Ohio Conference (800-282-0740 or 614-885-0722) or emailing her at joyced@ocucc.org. see brochure attached
2007 Local Church Accessibility Audit this form will be included in the February monthly mailing.
Great News! The Ohio Conference Church Development Flight School program will not end this May.
Rev. David Plant, our Flight School instructor, has graciously offered to continue the program and do one school a year over the next five years around the various associations if we can gather at least five churches together. The 2007-2008 training will be in the Eastern Ohio Association. The success of the Flight School program has been very gratifying and if your church would like to participate, or if you would like to send a second team for training, watch for information about future dates and locations.
PERCEPT
Dear Pastor:
The Ohio Conference contract with Percept to provide demographic information to all churches in the Conference will expire February 28, 2007. This information (on a zip code basis) may be accessed by logging on to Percept’s www.Link2Lead.com website.
You may obtain several free reports by doing the following:
Click on -- Getting Started -- Register -- Our account number is 20165
Click on -- My Community
There are 4 reports in the 10 Facts Series that are free.
- Basic - Race & Ethnicity –Faith -Generational
You may also obtain a First View Report by zip code. The normal cost for this report is $85, but while the Conference contract is in effect, it’s free.
A detailed report (over 20 pages) called a Ministry Area Profile may be downloaded for specific zip codes or a circumference area around your church. The cost for this is normally $315, but the cost to you will be $150 until February 28. To obtain the MAP report, please contact your Association office for a password. You will also need to provide a credit card number.
After the Percept contract with the Ohio Conference expires, the above information will be available at full cost to your church. Church Development will reimburse ½ the cost of the downloaded Ministry Area Profile ($157.50), based on a paid receipt.
So – go on line now and take advantage of the subsidy afforded you by the Ohio Conference Church Development Fund. Find out what the demographics are in your area, what concerns residents, what they believe, what programs they need from your church and what types of worship they desire, just to name some of the information available.
If your church is interested in transformation and revitalization, this information is invaluable. Check it out NOW! Blessings, Nancy Cope Minister for Church Development
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.
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.
The next Day With God and Self is Tuesday March 13. You are invited to join us for a day-long retreat that offers a variety of ways to connect with God. Offerings include corporate worship, teachings on spiritual disciplines; time for personal reflection, silence, and encountering nature. This year we are using Praying With Thomas Merton, by Wayne Simsic as our resource for the retreats.
Registration is 9:30 AM, departure by 5 PM. Cost is $25. If you would like to arrive the night before, add $34.00 for lodging. Registration is made through the Ohio Conference Office, phone 800-282-0740. For more information call Janet Burkhart, 330-682-37
Ministerial Partner Standing Retreat
Wednesday March 21 and Thursday March 22 there will be a Ministerial Partner Standing Retreat. It will be held at the Christian Church in Ohio offices in Columbus. The Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) requires participation in this event if a UCC authorized minister seeks Ordained Ministerial Partner Standing with the Disciples. The Disciples Regional office will be handling the registration this year. The cost of the two day event is $25.00 which includes the two lunches and materials. Attached is the registration information. People can now register for this event at http://www.ccinoh.org/events_details.aspx?id=73 .
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
February
9 Monthly Mailing Deadline
10 Cabinet Mtg Tiffin 9:30 – 2:00
12 Lakeshore RCT Castalia 5 pm
14 Timely Topics 10:30 a.m. Tiffin “Our Whole Lives” Speaker Rev. Wendy Schindler-Chasney
19 Office Closed/President’s Day
20 Personnel Committee 1:00 p.m.
20 Lay School 7:15 pm
24 Re-Up Your License Event 9:30 registration
25 Leadership Empowerment Day The Oasis at West Elm, Lima
26 Deans Mtg 10:00 a.m.
28 Lakeshore Clergy 11:00 am Holiday Inn
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