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This newsletter is brought to you by your OCWM contributions.

Photos from Bonnie Bates' Farewell Open House
Every church in our Associations is entitled to send voting delegates to the Annual Meeting. The number of delegates is based on membership. Don't know how many your church can send? Just click on EOA Church Delegates or WRA Church Delegates to find out. Let your voice be heard. Register online!
Standing on the Future's Threshold
You are invited to attend the Fall Gathering of the Eastern Ohio and Western Reserve Associations on Saturday, November 4, 8:30AM-2PM, at First UCC (201 Fair Ave NW, New Philadelphia). It has been a year of changes in our Ohio Conference and in our Associations and we look forward to the opportunity to meet and plan. New people will face new challenges and we will need to rally to face them together. Likewise, the Ohio Conference is not only experiencing staffing changes, but also looking at new ways of structuring our life together in the wider church.

Pray, Plan, Play
Christian Educators Retreat is happening September 28-30 at Pilgrim Hills. This is open to anyone-lay, volunteer, or paid professional staff-who leads in Faith Formation/Christian Education ministries in the local church. There will be time for prayer, reflection, quiet walks, campfire vespers, planning and networking with events happening around the EOA/WRA, and time to play! You are welcome to come Thursday through Saturday afternoon or any part of that time. There is no cost to you for this event. Watch for online registration soon!
Pollinate and Bee the Church
The next 30 days are a Season of Pollination in the UCC! Yes, that's right! This is your chance to bee the church! How might you do that? By encouraging your friends, colleagues, and church members to subscribe to a fabulous UCC e-newsletter called... The Pollinator. This newsletter has as its purpose the sharing of ideas and inspiration in caring for God's creation.

Basic Interim Training
The Christian Church in Ohio (DOC) and the Ohio Conference UCC invite you to Basic Interim Training, November 7-9, at Camp Christian in Marysville. This 3-day event is a basic level training that will qualify a pastor to work as an interim minister in Ohio. It is, however, only the first step for those truly interested in this specialized field of ministry. Interim ministry is important work, and pastors are encouraged to seriously explore developing their expertise in this important field.

Mission Opportunity
Trinity UCC of Wooster is proud to announce a new mission trip destination for youth and adults called North Street Mission (NSM). Trinity provides a learning experience about big city issues in a rural setting. Groups start their days working in the free community breakfast program then work in other community organizations in the Wooster area. Educational segments can be arranged on a variety of issues based upon the interest of the groups. Groups are housed on the recently renovated third floor of the church in four bunk rooms. For more information visit the website or call Melissa Blyth at 330-264-9250.

Free File Cabinets
The Associations office has two file cabinets available free to a good home (of course a donation to the Associations would also be appreciated). All you have to do is pick them up. Take just one or take both. Call Cheryl at 330-940-2220 x100 if you're interested.
Open Position
Bethel UCC in Beloit is looking for a pianist/organist for Sunday worship and choir practice. Sight reading is essential and there will be compensation according to ability and amount of time served. Please email resumes to the church office. For more information, please email Deb Cappa or call her at 330-525-7330.
Ordinations & Installations
Installation of Earl Rogers
September 24 ♦ 10AM
First UCC ♦ 526 W Main St ♦ Sugarcreek

Installation of Rachel McDonald
October 1 ♦ 4PM
South Haven UCC ♦ 415 Northfield Rd ♦ Bedford

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.
September 24
10AM
Earl Rogers Installation
526 W Main St ♦ Sugarcreek

October 1
10:30AM
990 State St ♦ Vermilion

4PM
Rachel McDonald Installation
415 Northfield Rd ♦ Bedford

October 8
3PM
Jason Thompson Installation
3909 Rocky River Dr ♦ Cleveland

October 15
Vacation
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Your Associations' Staff
Rita Root
Associations General Minister

Gary Halstead
Associations Associate Minister

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.