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Youth @ Synod
A reason some people give for not donating to the church is “My role is not to keep you employed.” Operational giving is not as attractive as donating to a cause, and congregants need to feel that the church cares for them — not their wallet. When it’s necessary to discuss operational giving, be sure to explain the necessity and impact.
The Great Summer Serve
Did you miss the registration deadline? Well, you can still come and register the day of the event. Join youth from all across our associations for a day 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). The cost is only $10 per person and includes lunch and dinner.
AGM Search Update
This is the first monthly update of the AGM Search Committee to the associations. There are six members of the committee: David Brown, Laura Borell, Kelly Fuhrmann, Cheryl Lindsay, Jill Lovett, and Ian Lynch. The committee has been working with John Gantt, Interim Ohio Conference Minister, to complete the first step in the process - finalizing the profile in order to distribute it through the UCC search portal. If you have any questions, you may email the committee chair, Cheryl Lindsay.
Furnishings Sale
With the merger of the Lorain and Amherst congregations into Community Congregational UCC, excess church furnishings are available for sale at the Lorain building (423 Washington Ave) from 8AM-5PM on Saturday, August 5 and by appointment after that date. Reasonable donations accepted for most items. Some, such as baby grand pianos, will have a minimum donation established. All items as is, first come-first served. Payment at the time of sale is requested. Take items when purchased. Arrangements can be made for larger items. For more information, email Brian Burke or call 440-988-9148 or 440-225-4458.
Farewell Open House
You are invited to a Farewell Open House for Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates on Sunday, August 6 from 2-5PM at The Church in Silver Lake (2951 Kent Rd, Silver Lake). She has been called by the Penn NE Conference to be their Conference Minister. Bonnie has served our two associations as our Associate for Congregational Vitally and Development with joy, expertise and innovation. This time of farewell provides an 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.
Save the Date
A retreat just for Youth Leaders! September 8 & 9 at the Sunset Shores Retreat Center in Vermilion, OH. More info to come!

Download the Flier
New Church Name
Community Congregational UCC is the name chosen by members of the congregation merged from the former First Congregational Lorain and Amherst Congregational churches. All contact information remains the same as the former Amherst Congregational. New website domains and emails will come in the near future.
Hope Homes
Hope Homes was founded in 1966 by the United Church of Christ, Ohio Conference, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) when a widowed parent of an adult with developmental disabilities spoke with her pastor and asked "what will happen to my son when I am no longer around to take care of him?" At that point in time Hope Homes was born. This is a ministry which continues to be supported by many of our local churches. Some of you may have seen recent articles in the Akron Beacon Journal about some changes to their management and role in our communities.

Get Answers to Your Questions & Learn of Needed "In-Kind" Help
Is Interior Design Your Forte?
Use your talents to benefit the United Church of Christ National Setting headquartered in Cleveland, OH. The staff lounge is in need of a makeover. It's a real fixer upper! Use your interior design abilities to create a vibrant space for the hardworking, dedicated staff and help change the lounge from drab to fab! Your in-kind donation of time and talent is tax deductible, too. Please email UCC Human Resources or call 216-736-2136.
Open Positions
Middleburg Heights Community UCC is searching for a part-time Office Assistant for its busy office. Candidates should be organized, flexible, able to handle interruptions and keep confidentiality, proficient with MS Office and databases, quick to learn, capable of working independently and collaboratively, and customer-centric. HS diploma or GED required. Responsibilities will include bulletin production, greeting guests in person and on the phone, and other office duties. Flexible schedule of 15 hours/week average at $12.50/hour, varying by liturgical calendar, with light summer hours. Paid vacation. Resumes and cover letter should be sent to mcgaw@mhcucc.org by July 31.

Kent United Church of Christ in Kent is seeking a part-time Financial Administrator with payroll, purchasing, fund accounting and church specific software experience. Download the complete job description. Submit resume to Kent UCC, Attn: Nancy Bubenzer, 1400 East Main St, Kent, OH 44240.

The Sheffield Lake United Church of Christ (603 Sunset Ave, Sheffield Lake) is searching for a pianist or keyboardist for Sunday morning service from 11AM to 12PM. There is no choir so early arrival for rehearsal is not necessary. This is a small, old church, but they are growing. Those interested are invited to come and observe one of the services and then audition. For more information, please call Board Member, Linda, at 440-949-7436. Come and share God's gift of music with this congregation.

Archwood UCC on the near west side of Cleveland is seeking a Worship Leader to help the congregation explore and live into new forms of worship that embody a progressive theology and commitment to justice. The church is in the midst of major change as they seek to become the congregation God is calling them to be in this time and place. Download the job description.

Grace UCC in Uniontown seeks a part-time (15 hours/week) church secretary. Email resumes and inquiries to Jim Lynn.
What Promotes Hope?
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.

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In Our Prayers
Please keep the following people in your prayers.

Joyce Strommen and her family. Joyce, widow of former WRA Association Minister Bob Strommen, suffered a stroke on Wednesday, July 26.
Ordinations & Installations
Installation of Tracy Glaser-Bacon
August 6 ♦ 9:15AM
Grace UCC ♦ 2300 Cleveland Ave NW ♦ Canton

Installation of Luke Lindon
September 10 ♦ 10AM
UCC Congregational ♦ 217 E Liberty ♦ Medina

Installation of Jason Thompson
October 8 ♦ 3PM
West Park UCC ♦ 3909 Rocky River Dr ♦ Cleveland
Association Ministers' Schedules
Here's where your Association Ministers will be the next few Sundays.
August 6
9:15AM
Installation for Tracy Glaser Bacon
2300 Cleveland Ave NW ♦ Canton

2PM
Bonnie Bates' Farewell Open House
2951 Kent Rd ♦ Silver Lake

August 13
9:30AM
The Great Summer Serve
Avon Lake UCC
32801 Electric Blvd ♦ Avon Lake

August 20
9:30AM
St Peter's UCC
10639 Oak Valley Rd SW ♦ Baltic
August 6
10AM
St Paul UCC
7507 York Rd ♦ Parma

2PM
Bonnie Bates' Farewell Open House
2951 Kent Rd ♦ Silver Lake

August 13
9:30AM
The Great Summer Serve
Avon Lake UCC
32801 Electric Blvd ♦ Avon 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.