Photos by Don Hill

The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates has been called by the Penn NE Conference to be their Conference Minister. She will begin her new position on September 1, 2017. Bonnie has served our two associations as our Associate for Congregational Vitality and Development with joy, expertise and innovation. There will be a time of farewell for Bonnie in August to provide opportunity for you to personally thank her for her service and wish her well in the next chapter of her ministry in the United Church of Christ.

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St Peter United Church of Christ (125 E Ridgewood Dr, Seven Hills) will hold its Annual Rummage/Tent and Bake Sale. You are invited to stop by on Thursday and Friday, June 15 and 16, from 9AM-5PM and Saturday, June 17 from 9AM-noon. There will be clothing, household items, books, puzzles, toys, small appliances, jewelry and much, much more. Drop in and "rummage" through the treasures and buy some delicious baked goodies to take home. For more information, call 216-524-1709. Don't miss it!

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First Congregational UCC (4022 State Route 44, Rootstown) will have its annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 17 from 12-5 on the front lawn. In case of rain, it will be in the church hall. There will be sloppy joes, hot dogs, chili dogs, chips, beans, beverages and wonderful homemade strawberry desserts: strawberry pie, ice cream and strawberries, strawberry short cake. There will be many items in the Chinese Auction all for a dollar a ticket or six tickets for $5. There will also be games for the children to play. For more information, call the church office at 330-325-7429.

All are invited on Sunday, June 18 at 10AM to a special celebration of the 175th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of The Meeting House of The First Church in Oberlin UCC (106 N Main St, Oberlin). For many years, The Meeting House was the only place of worship in Oberlin. Many historic events have taken place since, including graduations, concerts, a celebration of those freed in the Wellington Rescue, and speeches by Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, and Mark Twain to name a few.

Queen Bees of The Church in Silver Lake is co-hosting a family friendly Women's Charity Drive for local charities that support women in need and raise awareness about vital women's issues. Come out and bring the kids to host venue MadCap Brewery (1422 Mogadore Rd, Kent) on Monday, June 19 at 6:30PM. Check out the raffle baskets/items generously donated by local artists and businesses. Food, drinks, games, face-painting, kid-friendly activities, and much more! Voter registration will also be available at this event.

Friday, June 23, award-winning Nashville recording artist Anne E. DeChant returns to her home town to play and sing, along with acclaimed southern author Frye Gaillard. They are teaming up for an evening of stories and songs entitled With Music and Justice for All. The concert will begin at 7:30PM at the   Avon Lake United Church of Christ (32801 Electric Blvd, Avon Lake). The concert is free. A freewill offering will be taken. Doors open at 6:30PM and refreshments will be served prior to the concert. For more information call 440-933-3241.

Over 322 years of ministry will join together when Congregational UCC of Amherst and First Congregational UCC of Lorain merge. Both congregations voted overwhelmingly on May 7 to become one. While the ministry will be centered in the Amherst building at 379 S Main, the merged congregation will continue the Lorain congregation's passion for ministering to people of need. The final worship service of the Lorain congregation in its sanctuary will be on Sunday, June 25, with the merged congregation holding its first official worship service on July 2, 178 years to the day that the Amherst congregation was founded.

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Our associations' Spiritual Development Team and Brothers and Sisters of the Way are co-sponsoring a retreat September 10 through September 14 at Pilgrim Hills (33833 Township Rd 20, Brinkhaven). Time is spent in gathered reading, silence, singing, worship, communion, and sharing of joys and concerns. There are also times set aside for free time, reading, working and play. Cost is $250; $50 for first time retreatants. The registration deadline is August 15. Checks should be made payable to B.S.O.W. and sent to Bro. Jerry Fritz, 225 W Main St, Andover, OH 44003. For more information call Jerry Fritz at 508-627-0970.

Trinity Community of Beavercreek will offer a Level I/Level II Clinical Pastoral Education Extended Unit from October 9, 2017 through March 19, 2018. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education applications are being accepted now for admission into this innovative program in the fully accredited ACPE Center. Mail your completed application and $25 deposit, remitted to Trinity Community, to Marie Atwood, CPE Support Staff, Trinity Community, 3218 Indian Ripple Rd, Beavercreek, OH 45440. For additional information, email Rev. Greta A. Wagner, ACPE Certified Educator, Trinity Community Director of Pastoral Care and CPE.

Recently the Mutual Ministry Group, with members from St Paul UCC in Parma, St Peter UCC in Seven Hills, and Ridge Road UCC in Parma, donated household and toiletry items to Maggie's Place, a nonprofit organization which provides help and support to homeless pregnant women. There are seven homes, six in Arizona and one in Cleveland. The Cleveland home is called the Zechariah House. Right now the Zechariah House is in the process of launching a capital campaign for remodeling, but during this period they are still providing counseling, social connections and a meal as well as some basic supplies to their clients on an outpatient basis.

In February 2017, the UCC Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD) collaborated with the University of Notre Dame's Wellbeing at Work research initiative for clergy called Flourishing in Ministry. Over a 10-day period, surveys were distributed to all UCC Authorized Ministers and Members in Discernment. 1,200 Authorized Ministers/MiDs completed the survey and now you can see the results. The full report can be found online within the Statistics and Reports menu section.

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St John UCC in Bolivar is seeking a full-time organist or pianist. The position consists of playing for Sunday service at 10:30AM (summer hours may differ). Other responsibilities include accompanying the choir with practice held one evening a week, weddings, and funerals. Qualified candidates please send resumes to St John UCC, c/o Personnel Committee, PO Box 156, Bolivar, OH 44612. Any questions, contact Arline Mase at 330-874-2249.

St John UCC in Bolivar is seeking a part-time secretary to work three half-days a week. Some responsibilities are computer knowledge, typing a newsletter, typing weekly bulletins, keeping church records updated, general office work, and assisting the pastor. If interested, please send your resume to St John UCC, c/o Personnel Committee, PO Box 156, Bolivar, OH 44612. Any questions, contact Arline Mase at 330-874-2249.

Federated Church in Chagrin Falls enthusiastically seeks a full time Director of Music Ministries. Federated has an historically strong music program and interest in diverse musical experiences. The Director is an integral part of worship planning and execution. The Director oversees the music of the church for all services and conducts two of the church choirs. The Director is also responsible for management of the music ministry budget, recruiting new members to the music ministry of the church, and regular attendance at staff meetings. Please email your resume to Amy Eugene. For more info call 440-247-6490 x145.

Please keep the following people in your prayers.

Rev. Carla Wobschall and family on the death of her father, Dale, May 23 in Minnesota.

General Synod