"The Vine"
An email update.... Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
This newsletter is brought to you by your OCWM Contributions
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"Blessings Always"
Rev. Daniel Busch
Association Minister
ROOM AT THE TABLE. There were just 3 persons in my immediate family—mother, father, and myself. My mother’s family included 3 sisters and 2 brothers. As the oldest, my mother became the mother to the others when their mother died when she was 15, the youngest was not quite two. She WAS the matriarch from that point on and when Lydia announced a family gathering all were present (except one brother’s family because he was a Navy career person stationed in California). The family grew with the addition of 5 in-laws (10 parents) and soon there were 10 cousins. There was always ROOM AT THE TABLE to expand the family. When we got together, babies were next to their parents and the other cousins were at a separate table. Even though at separate tables, there are fond memories of the talk, chatter, “gossip,” remembrances AND scrumptious food. Minus the Navy family, finally there were 17 of us who joined the family gatherings. Eventually as the cousins got older we were all at one table.
On October 4, 2020, many Christian Churches around the world will be celebrating World Communion Sunday. The Rev. Dr. Hugh Thomson Kerr, as Moderator of the General Assembly of the US Presbyterian Church, proposed World Communion Sunday as a celebration on the first Sunday of every October to promote Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. In 1940, the predecessor of the now National Council of Churches began promoting it to Christian churches worldwide. The intent of this celebration was to bring together the Church of Jesus Christ and to be interconnected as the Body of Christ, for there was ROOM AT THE TABLE for all.
World Communion Sunday is like my family gathering with people at tables next to each other sharing a common meal. Adults and children had separate agendas but we were family, aware of the differences of age and expanding families within the family for there was ROOM AT THE TABLE. The church throughout the world is very diverse yet we gather as invited family/families together sharing a holy and earthly meal, sitting together at Christ’s Table. Christ as host willingly gives Himself totally to us, for us and in us. It is a sacred meal and also a meal of fellowship that has been done and shared before, and becomes ever so new whenever we gather or will gather together in the breaking of the bread and drinking of the cup. The meal nourishes us physically as well as spiritually. There is ROOM AT THE TABLE for all God’s children. “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1). BLESSINGS ALWAYS.
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Islam within the Abrahamic Tradition |
For Lay Persons and
Church Professionals
Monday, October 19, 2020
Zoom Meeting
9:30 to 12:00 pm
Online Registration by October 15
Cost - Free
Sponsored by Northwest Ohio Association &
the NWOA Lay School Board
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The First Congregational UCC in Berlin Heights hosted a retirement celebration on Sunday September 27th for Rev. Casey Cain as she moves forward to retirement. Pictured with Rev. Cain is Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister. |
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Rev. Katherine Beckett is serving as Interim Pastor at St. John's UCC, Bluffton.
Rev. Paul Stark began as Interim Pastor at St. John's UCC, Tiffin on September 1st.
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Prayer Concerns/Request
Continuing prayer for : Keith Huizenga, Rev. Joy Skeel, Rev. Steve Voelker, John Cox (husband of Rev. Kay Mooney Cox), Rev. Diane Christopherson, Rev. Don Corbin,
Rev. John Miller, Pastor Dee Schroer
Mr. John Green (husband of Cathy (Mauer) Green) passed away on September 22, 2020.
Cathy grew up in the St. Marys area of Northwest. You may remember or know Cathy as she is very active in the Heartland Conference. Love, sympathy and prayers to Cathy and her family. John's Obituary
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Food Pantry Grant - To assist those Northwest Ohio Association (NWOA) churches who support Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM), a $200 grant is available by request, to those who host a food pantry or are affiliated with a community food pantry. Complete this form to apply.
Funding for this grant will come from the NWOA Disaster Gifts Fund given by many Northwest Ohio Association Churches during any given time.
*Please provide a written letter from the Local Church Leaders stating information you think is relevant to your request and will make your application stronger.
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Local Church News
Pork Tenderloin Dinner
Trinity UCC, McCutchenville
Saturday, October 10 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Drive - Thru or Carry Out $9.00 each
Pork Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Roll
Reserve your ticket by calling the church office by October 7 - 419-981-5808
Bulletins available at no charge
Sycamore UCC has a box of bulletins which are no longer being used for worship. The bulletins are 8 1/2 x 11 size with print on the front cover. If you are interested please contact the church at 419-927-9707 or email sycamoreucc@bright.net.
250 - Hearts Wide Open
200 - Wedding - Our Love
37 - Easter - Rejoice
60 - Ash Wednesday
500 or so - I am the Resurrection and the Life
150 - UCC
75 - Christmas Joy
45 - Remember Me
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Feeling bruised, battered, or fatigued by this election season? Looking for a source of uplift down the home stretch to November 3rd? Then, this digital event is for you. This will be a time to renew our energies and our focus as we approach an election day with so many profound implications for those who care about the climate crisis and the many interconnected issues of justice that we face today. Our three featured speakers will include: Karenna Gore of Union Theological Seminary, the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus, and the Rev. Gerald Durley of Interfaith, Power & Light. The webinar will be co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt of the UCC’s Environmental Justice Ministry and the Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power & Light. Even if you can't make its scheduled time on October 14th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording of it.
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Symposium of the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging
The theme, Power in Community: Overcoming Loneliness and Isolation, chosen over a year ago, is even more relevant and poignant than ever. We will have limited seating at the event center in Columbus, Ohio, but as a live webinar, the reach of our community will extend even farther.
The flier and full information about the event can be found at the link below. Registration is required to ensure we have the tech support available for everyone joining online.
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Proclaim God's Word in Worship and Worshipful Ways
Strength our Witness to the Gospel in the World
Discern God's Will for Faithful and Effective Ministry
Manifest Faithful, Wise and Responsible Stewardship of all God's Gifts
Demonstrate Care, Compassion, Forgiveness and Accountability to and for One Another
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Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister
cell: 419-934-5386 email: dlbusch@nwoa.org
Joan Davidson, Office Manager/Search Coordinator email: joan@nwoa.org
Deb Long, Bookkeeper
email deb@nwoa.org
OFFICE PHONE 419-447-8323
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