Keeping You Connected
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...there was a study done!
A Pew Research Center study found that these are the top 10 reasons people go to church at least once a month: 1) to become closer to God, 2) so their children will have a moral foundation, 3) to become a better person, 4) for comfort in times of trouble or sorrow, 5) they find the sermons valuable, 6) to be part of a faith community, 7) to continue their family's religious traditions, 8) they feel obligated to go, 9) to meet new people or socialize, 10) to please their family, spouse or partner.
HEALTHY PRACTICES FOR MINISTRY: CULTURAL COMPETENCE
All authorized ministers are invited to attend Healthy Practices for Ministry: Cultural Competence on Wednesday, October 17, 9AM, at Zion UCC (415 S Main St, North Canton). In our increasingly diverse and pluralistic world developing cultural competence, being aware of another's cultural norms, helps us connect and relate to another with respect and humanity. The event is only $35 (free for pastors who retired from ministry) with an optional lunch for $10. Every person engaged in active authorized ministry is required to complete a Healthy Practices for Ministry every two years.

GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Community Engagement Prophetic Witness Team announces the availability of grants to local congregations who are involved in their communities through mission work as they embody Christ to the larger community around them.

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GARAGE & BAKE SALE
Strongsville UCC (13740 Pearl Rd, Strongsville) will hold its annual Garage Sale & Bake Sale, 9AM-2PM, on Saturday, September 8. Lots of great stuff priced to sell--and the Thrift Shop will also be open! Proceeds to benefit church programs and ministries. For more information, visit the church website or call 440-238-6697.
RUMMAGE SALE
Community Congregational UCC (379 S Main St, Amherst) will host their annual Rummage Sale on Friday, September 14 from 9AM-3PM and Saturday, September 15 from 9AM-1PM. In addition to a collection of unique items, baked goods and homemade soups will be available for sale. Come rain or shine! Plenty of free parking.
FEATURE HEADING
In September, Rev. Daniel Doty and Rev. Joyce Schroer will lead a group of folks, mostly from EOA/WRA, to Schwerte, Germany. This year the UCC-EkvW Forum will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During their time together they will focus on racism and poverty. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Doyle Luckenbaugh who was one of the original Freedom Riders.

MUSIC DIRECTOR RETIRES
After a 60 year musical ministry career, Music Director and Organist Barb Perine will retire from Community Congregational UCC on September 9. Barb started her career playing piano for worship services at just eight years old. Over her career, Barb played at a Billy Graham crusade and for various worship services. Barb is wished much happiness in her retirement.
OPEN POSITION
First Church in Oberlin UCC is seeking a full time Office Manager to join the staff of this historic, dynamic, exciting church as they launch significant new initiatives. First Church is an Open and Affirming, Just Peace, Global Mission and Green Justice Church. For more information and to apply, please see the job posting.
COMING ASSOCIATION ENRICHMENT EVENTS FOR ALL!
Annual Gathering, Ohio Conference UCC
Friday, September 28-Saturday, September 29
Westerville Community UCC
770 County Line Rd, Westerville

Abundant Table: Unexpected Gifts
Monday, October 1, 11AM-6PM
Speaker: Jehu Hanciles, author Beyond Christendom
Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church
35100 Solon Rd, Solon
Celebrating Abundance, Sowing Generosity
Saturday, October 13, 9AM-2:30PM
First Congregational Church of Akron
292 E Market St, Akron
Registration Coming Soon

Reconciling Faith and Politics
Saturday, October 6, 9AM-12PM
Bethany UCC
1235 Broad Blvd, Cuyahoga Falls

Opiates - What is a Church to Do?
Saturday, October 20, 10AM-3PM
The Church in Silver Lake
2951 Kent Rd, Silver Lake
Registration Coming Soon

Annual Meeting, EOA/WRA Associations
Saturday, November 3, 8:30AM-2PM
First Congregational
47 Aurora St, Hudson
Registration Coming Soon
CHECKING UP ON CLERGY HEALTH
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 to use the material per copyright restrictions. Please distribute only in its unaltered entirety.

ORDINATIONS & INSTALLATIONS
Installation of Joanna D'Agostino
Saturday, September 8 ♦ 11AM
1375 W Clifton Blvd ♦ Lakewood

Installation of Amy Gopp
Sunday, September 9 ♦ 3PM
1400 E Main St ♦ Kent
Associations Ministers' Schedules
Here's where your Associations Ministers will be the next few Sundays.
September 9
10AM
11984 Caves Rd ♦ Chesterland

3PM
11400 E Main St ♦ Kent

September 16
11AM
10723 Magnolia Dr ♦ Cleveland

September 23
10AM
3980 W Bath Rd ♦ Akron

September 30
10:30AM
2870 SR 307 ♦ Austinburg
September 9
10AM
First Congregational UCC
140 S Main St ♦ Wellington
Your Associations' Staff
Nayiri Karjian
Associations General Minister

Gary Halstead
Interim Associations Associate Minister

Machelle Miller
Office Manager & Bookkeeper

Cheryl McGraw
Communications & Administration
Don Hill
Financial Development Consultant

Gene McAfee
Dean of Northeast Ohio School of Ministry

Bob Richardson
Coach Coordinator

Committee on Ministry Registrar
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
If you'd like to share information about an upcoming or past event sponsored or co-sponsored by a church in our Associations, please send your article of 100 words or less in a paragraph by Tuesday noon to support.center@eoawraucc.org. Be extravagantly welcoming by including 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 to the flier in the article or the flier can be used as the article. 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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