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Making it Easy for Everyone to Give to Your Church
We recently received a report that a van with United Church of Christ on the side and full of children was on Route 8...and the driver was texting. While we can't verify the accuracy of the report, it does serve as a reminder of the responsibility we have for the lives in our care. Please make sure those driving on behalf of your church know what is required of them to ensure the safety of their passengers.
Grand River Celebration
On Sunday, July 16 from 7-9PM at Central Congregational UCC (71 Park St, Madison), the churches of the Grand River Program District will gather to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the United Church of Christ. The Christian band, Firmly Grounded, will provide music followed by a time of gathering to eat and celebrate and share being together as one family of faith. All members of the church are welcome. For more information, email Pastor Rick Hughes.
Youth Fellowship Fundraiser
A Youth Fellowship Bingo Party Fundraiser is Friday, July 21 from 6-8:30PM at First Congregational UCC (4022 SR 44, Rootstown). Play several games of Bingo for only $10 with prizes consisting of gift cards from area merchants and restaurants, theme baskets and various donated prizes. Food will also be available for purchase: walking tacos, sloppy joes, hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, chips, desserts and beverages. All ages are welcome! For more info, call 330-325-7429.
The Great Summer Serve
Join senior high youth from all across our associations for a day of serving the people of Avon and Avon Lake, an epic worship service, crazy games, lunch, and a dinner cookout. This will be a day of making our communities better places little by little. The event is Sunday, August 13, 9:30AM to 6:30PM, at Avon Lake UCC (32801 Electric Blvd, Avon Lake). Rev. John Dorhauer, UCC General Minister and President, will be with us during worship.

Learn More & Register by August 2
Theological Forum
The Second Annual Westside UCC Theological Forum welcomes Shane Claiborne to Cleveland for a presentation and conversation on faith and overcoming division. Registration has opened for this event which will be held Saturday, October 14. This event is co-sponsored by Avon Lake UCC (Avon Lake), Dover Congregational UCC (Westlake), First Church UCC (Oberlin), and Pilgrim Congregational (Cleveland).

Learn More & Register
We're Glad You're Our Neighbor
Twenty American teenagers and adults of Muslim and Christian faith and seven Syrian refugee families spent June 25-28 together in Toledo sharing cultures and creating friendships. First Federated Church (10786 Mahoning Ave, North Jackson) organized the trip to coincide with World Refugee Day by assisting the resettlement organization US Together with gifts of household and school supplies. "For these families, it is reassurance that love still exists in humanity," says Pastor Jack Acri. The Church World Service banner reads "No matter where you are from, we're glad you are our neighbor" in Spanish, English and Arabic.

Read the News Coverage
Open Positions
Trinity UCC in Wadsworth is seeking a part-time custodian needed for 25 hours per week, Monday through Thursday 9AM until 2PM and Sundays 8AM until 1PM. Some electrical skills and minor plumbing skills plus facility cleaning required. Cleaning equipment provided. Full job description available on request. Qualified applicants please email the church a resume with three references or send by USPS to Trinity UCC, Attn: Trustees, 215 High St, Wadsworth, OH 44281.

Paradise UCC in Louisville is seeking a full-time Director of Student and Family Ministries. A mature and emotionally healthy Christ-follower who can serve as a positive role model for parents and children. This person is responsible for enriching and nourishing the faith of children, youth and their families by providing the youth of Paradise UCC innovative and meaningful opportunities to learn about God. Download the complete job description and application instructions.

Richville UCC in Navarre is seeking Director of Music, Organist, Choir and Handbells. Presently have one Sunday ("traditional") service at 10:30AM. Available: 80 stop Allen organ, Kimball Grand Piano, 5 octaves handbells, 3 octaves choir-chimes. Special arrangements may be made for weddings/funerals. Work on growth for all choirs. Must be able to work in cooperation with the Pastor/Spiritual Life committee. June-August off. Competitive salary. Independent hire. Position available September 1. Send resume and references to Richville UCC, Attn: Karen Gerber, 6125 Richville Dr SW, Navarre, OH 44662. Email the church for questions or copy of job description or call 330-465-7912.
How Can We Help Immigrants?
The Parish Paper is a wonderful resource to which the Ohio Conference has subscribed on behalf of all Ohio UCC churches. Each issue stands alone as a topic of interest and importance to being a living and growing congregation. With the Conference subscription, we in local churches and the associations have permission from the copyright holder to use the material per copyright restrictions. Please distribute only in its unaltered entirety.

Download This Month's Issue
In Our Prayers
Please keep the following people in your prayers.

The family of Carol Brown, former national President of Black United Christians, on her death July 6. The funeral service will be Friday, July 14, 11AM, at Mt Zion UCC (10723 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland).
Ordinations & Installations
Installation of Susan Parker Lehosky
July 16 ♦ 9:30AM
Trinity UCC ♦ 47345 Lewisville Northern Rd ♦ Lewisville

Ordination of Vance Awa
July 30 ♦ 2PM
Lakewood Congregational UCC ♦ 1375 W Clifton Blvd ♦ Lakewood

Installation of Luke Lindon
September 10 ♦ 10AM
UCC Congregational ♦ 217 E Liberty ♦ Medina
Association Ministers' Schedules
Here's where your Association Ministers will be the next few Sundays.
July 16
10AM
Kent UCC ♦ 1400 E Main St ♦ Kent

July 23
10AM
Kent UCC ♦ 1400 E Main St ♦ Kent

July 30
2PM
Vance Awa Ordination
1375 W Clifton Blvd ♦ Lakewood

August 6
2PM
Bonnie Bates' Farewell Open House
The Church in Silver Lake
2951 Kent Rd ♦ Silver Lake
July 16
9:30AM
Susan Parker Lehosky Installation
Trinity UCC
47345 Lewisville Northern Rd ♦ Lewisville

July 30
2:30PM
Pioneer Larger Parish
St John UCC
51705 German Ridge Rd ♦ Powhatan Point

August 6
2PM
Bonnie Bates' Farewell Open House
2951 Kent Rd ♦ Silver Lake
Your Associations' Staff
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
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
Submission Guidelines
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.