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A Necessary New Declaration for the World
Rev. Dave Long-Higgins
Conference Minister
Dear Friends in Christ,

           The Fourth of July recently past has again prompted me again to consider the declarations of our lives.  Certainly, we know of the Declaration of Independence with its promises and problems - simultaneously declaring freedom while not including everyone in the very freedom it espoused.  I have wondered in our own day and time if we might need something more than just a Declaration of Independence for the world in which we live.  Like the word freedom, independence is a word that can carry presumptions that may or may not have anything to do with the way of Jesus.  In fact, the word “independence” does not appear in scripture at all, so far as I have been able to ascertain.
A Word from our
Conference Moderator
As mentioned in last month’s Moderator’s Message, the Heartland Conference Board of Directors is reading and discussing Gil Rendle’s book, Quietly Courageous, which assesses church leadership in our contemporary setting.

Quietly courageous is an appropriate description of the type of leader—both clergy and lay—needed in our churches and in our associations and conferences.  The decentralization of our culture has rendered authoritarianism ineffective and obsolete.  
Tom Hathaway
Conference Moderator
Jill Frey
Executive Director of Outdoor Ministries
Summer Camp Early Review
298 campers have registered for camp so far this summer! …….

Here is a preview of what some of our campers are saying about camp this summer…..

"I’ve always been scared in church to talk aloud, but two times of worship really helped me and I’m excited to share with my family"

"I can trust my counselors here to keep me safe"

"I’ve been going through a really hard time and being at camp really helped me remember my Faith"
SR. High Work Camp July 12-13, 2022
REGISTRATION DUE TODAY

Join us in this two-day camp to help improve Templed Hills. This will not be a typical camp, we will focus our efforts on camp service projects. There will be some downtime and perhaps some pool time each day, but plan on spending most of the days working on projects. Bring your work gloves, closed-toed shoes, and long pants - just in case.
COVID – because you attended camp already this summer, you may have been exposed to Covid. Please make sure that you watch for symptoms, test 5 days after being at camp, and wear a mask for 10 days. If you test positive or have symptoms, isolate and don’t come back to camp during your isolation or additional days of masking. If you have symptoms and test negative with an antigen test, please get a PCR test saying that you are negative if you want to come back to camp. Here is the link to the CDC isolation and quarantine calculator. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Bring a friend! 
Registration for Annual Gathering will open August 1, 2022!
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY AT EMANUEL UCC
aka “The Mud Church!”
Emanuel UCC in rural Upper Sandusky (also known as “The Mud Church!”) celebrated New Member Sunday on Pentecost, June 5. Because of the pandemic, new member celebrations in 2020 were not feasible, so the congregation went all the way back through two years to present a membership blessing on 40 people who have joined the church during that time span.

Pastor Jay Scott says The Mud Church has worked hard to brand itself as a
neighborhood church that is making a difference in the community.
As part of the New Member Sunday celebration, everyone was asked to bring in bags of groceries for local food banks, with a goal of collecting 75 bags. The final total was 106. The church received help with its project from 1st National Bank of Sycamore, which donated $500 to help buy groceries to be distributed to local food banks.

To learn more about the growth at The Mud Church, contact Pastor Jay Scott at jayscott1981@yahoo.com.
New Labyrinth and Contemplative Garden at Vermilion UCC!
Vermillion UCC has built a labyrinth and contemplative garden as a resource for the community! They would like to share this space with everyone in their local community, the association and the conference.
Disaster Network Truck Purchase!
We were able to purchase a 2014 Ford F-150 for the Disaster Relief Network thanks to a $16,000.00 grant received from Global Hope with funds from Great Hour of Sharing and the generous donations from Jim Eicher, Moser Motors owner, Bob Gehres, BG Auto Sales, Randy Myers, Leland Smith Ins. and Randy & Grace Gehres! We are now able to move our tool trailer to where it is need most, currently in Dayton. We also would like to thank Rev. Ken Weidinger for designing and building the interior of the tool trailer!

Below you can see photos from the purchase, delivery of the truck and trailer to Lesli Ramaly, Global Hope UCC Disaster Coordinator, Jaye Herrick, Construction Site Supervisor, Rev. Ken Weidinger, HC Disaster Network Member, Kevin Gehres, HC Disaster Network Leader and the interior of the tool trailer!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
It's not too late to volunteer!
Celebrating the hard work
and willing spirits in Western Kentucky!
This group participated in disaster relief efforts
for those impacted by tornados in the Western Kentucky area.
2 weeks ago this team logged 361 volunteer hours at a work site. Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs, has established a volunteer’s hourly value at $29.92 for 2002. Using that value, our team’s labor contribution last week was $10,812. That is but one measure of the contribution of time, talent, and spirit that this team made to the Western Kentucky restoration and recovery efforts.

The next trip to Western Kentucky is scheduled for October 23-29, 2022, and will be following the pattern of this past trip. Please let Ken know if you would like to join in October: kenweidinger@gmail.com.
Global Ministries Mission Dash 5K: Climate Justice
Join Global Ministries for a 5K for climate justice! 
The theme for the Mission Dash 5K is climate justice. Creation care efforts by international partners evolve with each natural disaster and shift in weather patterns. Partners cope with the negative impacts of climate change by protecting and nurturing the natural world, preserving resources, and seeking to ensure food security.

You are encouraged to walk, roll, run, jog, or spiritually sprint wherever you are! You may choose to do the 5K with neighbors, friends, family, church, or on your own. The cost is $25 per person, and each registrant will receive a collapsible water bottle and magnet.

Throughout the 5K month of August, there will be opportunities to participate in advocacy actions in solidarity with international partners. Part of the registration fee will also support the work of international partners in their climate justice efforts and additional fundraising opportunities are available. 
STEWARDSHIP THEME MATERIALS 2022
FROM UCC RESOURCES
“From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context and size.
Many have asked if there is a way in addition to our prayers that we may be of aid to those who are suffering in Ukraine. The answer to that question is “yes”! The Heartland Conference S.A.R.A. partnership will serve as a conduit for aid to partners in Ukraine who are suffering as a result of the war. Daily, our partners are bringing food and water relief to displaced Ukrainians in Transcarpathia. Those wishing to make a donation via this channel may do so by clicking below. Please know that your gifts of any size make a difference in this critical time.
The work continues! We deeply appreciate your generous donations and will continue to accept funds to help support the folks in Ukraine.

To date we have received $91,622.68!

Your generous donations have helped us provide the following:

  • Food for refugees, poor families, soup kitchens, overwhelmed hospitals, and orphanages.
  • Medications and medical supplies, ie glasses, walkers
  • Medical treatment 
  • Housing
  • Bedding
  • Gas for heating and for transportation