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This newsletter is brought to you by your OCWM contributions.
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Have you checked out the
Resources page on our website lately? We've added the Mosaic USA E-Handbook and an updated sample call agreement. Always available are church directories, pulpit supply list, remittance form, clergy compensation guidelines and even maps to show the locations of all the churches in our associations. A true treasure trove!
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Responding to Charlottesville
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As a response to the violent clashes between white supremacists and counter demonstrators in Charlottesville, VA the national leadership of the United Church of Christ issued a Pastoral Letter.
There are also resources you can use in your church and community.
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Interim Associations Associate
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The Rev. Gary Halstead has been called to the position of Interim Associations Associate beginning September 1, 2017. His primary area of ministry will be assisting congregations in the search process and working with our church vitality programs.
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Thank You from Bonnie Bates
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I want to tell you how thankful I am that so many of my friends and colleagues sent farewell notes or shared in my open house! I have appreciated my work here in the Eastern Ohio and Western Reserve Associations and the cooperation and support of the staff, congregations, teams, boards and individual members. As I prepare to leave my position here, I take with me your good wishes and the strength of my relationships and learning from my work among you. Thank you again for a wonderful 3-1/2 years serving among you. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
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You are invited to
Native Perspectives: The Church's Role in Racial Reconciliation
on August 18, 7-9PM, at
First Congregational Church
(292 E Market St, Akron). Jeffery Daniel Mercado (Piipaash) will speak on the history of indigenous people in the United States of America and will share an indigenous perspective on Scripture. He also will cast a vision for the Kingdom-living described in the book of Revelation and will give an invitation to seek its flourishing on Earth today. This collaborative keynote event is free and open to the public.
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Non-Combative Communication
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The
Culture of Peace Prophetic Witness Team
encourages you to attend
The Art of Non-Combative Communication
on August 30-31 at Westerville Community UCC (770 County Line Rd, Westerville). In this age of division, you may be struggling to find the right words...or even the right approach...to the anger, hurt and discord you encounter every day. Learn the skills necessary for the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
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The current opiate crisis is growing exponentially. On August 31, 2016,
First Congregational UCC
(41 Jefferson St, Jefferson) held a candlelight vigil remembering the 12 of Ashtabula County who perished due to an opiate overdose. This year, 27 people have died in Ashtabula County. Sadly, the numbers continue to grow throughout the state. The
Opiate Crisis Prophetic Witness Team
asks congregations to take a moment on Sunday, August 27 to remember the people who have died due to an overdose or hold a candlelight vigil on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day.
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Chapel Hill UCC Clergy Lunch
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Please join the new Chaplain, Rev. Erin McCreight, on Thursday, September 7, 12PM-1:30PM, at Chapel Hill Community's Activity Room (12200 Strausser St NW, Canal Fulton) for lunch and learning about CHHSM's newest resource being launched this month: "Age Friendly Congregations". Share your ideas about the needs of the older members of your congregations. Enjoy food and conversation while working together to transform aging by building cultures of community, wholeness and peace.
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Financial Vitality Initiative
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After many months of planning, the Pension Boards' Lilly grant program-the Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative (MFVI)-has launched. Online applications are now available and may be submitted through September 15. The first cohort of 30 ministers selected to participate in the program will begin their work on October 15.
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All authorized ministers and lay church leaders are invited to attend the fall retreat
Opening the Eye of the Heart: The Gospel of Thomas and Christian Wisdom
on October 1-3 at Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center (2067 Evergreen Rd, Villa Maria, PA 16155). Explore the teachings of Jesus as a path of transformative wisdom, giving special attention to the "unitive" or "nondual" dimensions of the Christian path. Rev. Matthew Wright, facilitator of this retreat, is an Episcopal priest, writer, and retreat leader working to renew the Christian Wisdom tradition within a wider interspiritual framework. Cost is $140 per person.
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In need of refreshment, revival, rest? Reconnect with colleagues at GLAUCE 2017 (Great Lakes Association of United Church Educators)--More than Enough--A Workshop Extravaganza! There will be 16 workshops including Personal Growth and Development, Faith Formation, Missions, Stewardship, Worship, Messy Church, Sabbath, Creativity and Fun. October 17-19 at Pokagon State Park, Indiana. Email your GLAUCE Ohio Representative
Margaret Borrelli with any questions.
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Roots of Reformed Christianity
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Ever wonder where the UCC came from? What makes the UCC part of the Reformed tradition? Gene McAfee, pastor of
Faith UCC in Richmond Heights and Dean of the
Northeast Ohio School of Ministry, will lead a 15-day tour of Germany, Switzerland, France, and Holland from June 24th to July 9th, 2018. Cost, with airfare, is approximately $5,700 per person double occupancy. Space is limited to 20. Deadline to reserve a place is September 8, 2017.
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Recently
St Paul UCC (7507 York Rd, Parma) and
Ridge Road UCC (6050 Ridge Rd, Parma) held a joint worship service at St Paul UCC exploring the possibilities of yoking in the near future. Yoking is the sharing of one pastor between two churches. The service was led by Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, Pastor Judith Campbell and Rev. Carl Pelzer. In this day and age, new and challenging ideas are being explored to continue the work of Christian ministry.
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Parma Area Mutual Ministry
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The Parma Area Mutual Ministry Group (
St Paul UCC,
Ridge Road UCC, and
St Peter UCC) donated to the "Christmas in July" campaign at the Malachi House. Malachi House, created out of a Christian sense of ministry, serves persons who are terminally ill, without regard to gender, race, religion or national origin and without cost to the resident or family. This home ministers to individuals who need an availabile caregiver, who have limited or no financial resources and are in need of special home care in the final stages of life.
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The 3 Great Loves initiative was launched at General Synod this summer and lifts up the UCC's love of neighbor, love of creation and love of children. Two people from each Conference are sought to inspire collaboration and transformation through this initiative. The Conference Coordinators will have flexibility in how they shape their role, but the goal is to gather and share stories about the collective impact of the UCC's justice work. If you have a passion for spreading the word about our local churches' justice work, email
Conference Minister John Gantt to volunteer or call 800-282-0740 x203.
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Trinity UCC in Akron is seeking a part-time Office Manager. Looking for a positive, well-organized, flexible self-starter who is a quick learner. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to switch from task to task amid interruptions are required. Duties include managing the church office, producing weekly worship bulletins and an email newsletter, bookkeeping, maintaining the church database, and assisting with keeping the church web page and Facebook page up to date. Works closely with pastor, church staff and treasurer. Twenty-five hours per week. Email resume to
Judy Waple.
St John UCC in Bolivar is seeking an Organist or Pianist. The position consists of playing for Sunday services at 10:30AM (summer hours may differ). Other responsibilities include accompanying the choir, with practice held one evening a week for one hour, weddings and funerals. Interested candidates please send resumes to St John UCC, c/o Personnel Committee, PO Box 156, Bolivar, OH 44612. Please call Arline Mase at 330-874-2249 with any questions.
St John UCC in Bolivar is seeking a Choir Director from September to June each year. The position consists of directing the choir for Sunday services at 10:30AM and once a week practices for one hour. Interested candidates please send resumes to St John UCC, c/o Personnel Committee, PO Box 156, Bolivar, OH 44612. Please call Arline Mase at 330-874-2249 with any questions.
St John UCC in Bolivar is seeking a part-time Secretary to work nine hours a week. Some responsibilities are computer knowledge, typing newsletter, typing weekly bulletins, keeping church records updated, general office work, and assisting the Pastor. Interested candidates please send resumes to St John UCC, c/o Personnel Committee, PO Box 156, Bolivar, OH 44612. Please call Arline Mase at 330-874-2249 with any questions.
St John UCC in Bolivar is seeking a part-time Custodian for 10-12 hours a week. For further information, call Arline Mase at 330-874-2249.
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Ordinations & Installations
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Installation of Luke Lindon
September 10 ♦ 10AM
Installation of Rachel McDonald
October 1 ♦ 4PM
Installation of Jason Thompson
October 8 ♦ 3PM
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Association Ministers' Schedules
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Here's where your Association Ministers will be the next few Sundays.
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August 20
9:30AM
St Peter's UCC
10639 Oak Valley Rd SW ♦ Baltic
September 3
Vacation
September 10
10AM
Installation of Luke Lindon
217 E Liberty ♦ Medina
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Rita Root
Associations General Minister
Bonnie Bates
Associations Associate for Congregational Vitality & Development
Machelle Miller
Office Manager & Bookkeeper
Cheryl McGraw
Communications & Administration
Committee on Ministry Registrar
Margaret Borrelli
Faith Formation Coordinator
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Mark Frey
Pastoral Excellence/Communities of Practice
Don Hill
Financial Development Consultant
Gene McAfee
Dean of Northeast Ohio School of Ministry
Bob Richardson
Coach Coordinator
Maureen Webber
Spiritual Formation Coordinator
Lori Wick
Youth Ministries Coordinator
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If you'd like to share information about an upcoming event or past event sponsored or co-sponsored by a church in our Associations, please send your article of 100 words or less in paragraph format to
support.center@eoawraucc.org by Tuesday noon of each week. Be extravagantly welcoming by including in the article the name, location, address, date, time and contact information of the event. Items will run for two consecutive weeks. Fliers may be sent in addition to the 100 word article and a link will be provided in the article to the flier. Fliers should be less than 5MB and in Word or PDF format. Photos (which display next to your article) may be sent in addition to the article. Photos should be less than 5MB and in JPG or PNG format.
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This newsletter is brought to you by your OCWM contributions.
Copyright ©2017. All Rights Reserved.
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