An email update.... Keeping Us Connected in Christ"
This newsletter is brought to you by your OCWM Contributions
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Fax machine & number eliminated at the NWOA Office. Please scan documents
and send to the office email. office@nwoa.org.
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"Blessings Always"
Rev. Daniel L. Busch
Association Minister Message
August 31, 2022
REWORKED. “The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he REWORKED it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.” (Jeremiah 18:4.) It is fascinating to watch a potter handle clay. Clay is “thrown” on the center of a pottery wheel that spins. Then the potter will use either hands or tools on the clay as the wheel spins the clay, so that the clay becomes pieces of art, bowls, plates, cups, vases, and various cylindrical items for the potter to design in various ways. Sometimes, though, the potter finds flaws or wants to change what is being made and pushes the clay together to REWORK the clay again. Miraculously a new creation is formed. After this the potter paints it and puts it in a kiln to bake it to become an art piece, container for nourishment, or other items.
When Jeremiah was called by God to be God’s spokesperson, Jeremiah’s first response was “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” (Jeremiah 1:6). God responds with assurance that God would be with him and make Jeremiah a prophet to the nations. God REWORKED Jeremiah and he was a courageous and persistent prophet, and was described as the weeping prophet because his heart was so tender. God called him to bring words of hope and warning in the midst of uncertainty. God REWORKED the established covenant so that God’s law “would be upon their hearts, and not on tablets of stone.” (Jeremiah 31:33). Like clay, the people would be REWORKED and become new creations of God with sincere changes of hearts and re-dedication to God in their community, worship, and acts of social justice.
God calls us to be voices of hope in these times of contentiousness and fractured relationships with one another. We are clay in God’s hands and we call
upon God to REWORK us time again and again to bring new life into this time of uncertainty and despair. Like Jeremiah we may make excuses and have fear not to bring words of faith for our time. However, God promises to be with us into a future filled with unlimited possibilities of life with abundance of love and generosity of spirit. REWORKED and loved unconditionally by God can change us and others to become vessels who proclaim the Good News to share God’s creation in all its splendor and goodness. Thanks be to God. BLESSINGS ALWAYS.
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Lay School of Religion - "Caring Ministry"
for lay members of the church interested in caring ministry
First Class - September 13th - Via Zoom beginning at 6:30 pm
Instructor - Dr. Traci Sittason Stark, Heidelberg University
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Class is virtual
using Zoom
6:30 pm - 9:00pm
Upcoming
Fall 2022 - Caring Ministries
Spring 2023 - Faith Formation
Fall 2023 - Liturgy & Worship
Spring 2024 - Preaching
Fall 2024 - Theology, Ethics & Morals
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Find offered classes by visiting the NWOA
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"Join in"
2022 Bucket Challenge
delivered to the
Northwest Ohio Association Office
as of July 28, 2022
Hygiene Kits -209
Buckets - 164
(delivered to Templed Hills Camp
by NWOA churches)
Hygiene Kits - 25
Buckets - 48
If you have a delivery, please call ahead to schedule a date & time.
419-447-8323
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Present count at the Templed Hills Depot
approx. 600 buckets, hygiene kits & school kits
Around 900 total between NWOA & the Depot
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Travel with Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister |
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Sept 11 - Preaching at St. John's UCC, Genoa 10:00 worship - (9:00 Sunday School)
Sept 18 - Preaching at First UCC, Galion Church Anniv. Celebration 10:00 am
Sept 25 - Preaching at Licensed Anniv. Celebration at Zion UCC, Bettsville 9:30 am
Oct 2 - Preaching at Sycamore UCC, Sycamore Church Anniv. Celebration 10:30 am
Oct 9 - Preaching at St. Stephen UCC, Sandusky Church Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 23 - Preaching at St. John's UCC, Fostoria 10:00 am License Anniv. Celebration
Oct 23 - Installation at Trinity UCC, Tiffin 3:00 pm
Oct 30 - Preaching at St. John's UCC, Elmore Commission Anniv. Celebration
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Ordination Anniversary Celebrations
Sunday, November 6 - Park Congregational UCC-Toledo honoring Rev. Ed Heilman (35th Anniversary)
Sunday, November 13 - Sylvania UCC-Sylvania honoring Rev. Joycelyn Degener (25th Anniversary)
License Anniversary Celebrations
Sunday September 11 - Memorial UCC-Toledo honoring Pastor Dave Ferguson (10th Anniversary)
Sunday, September 25 - Zion UCC-Bettsville honoring Pastor Pat Danner (25th Anniversary)
Sunday, October 23 - St. John's UCC-Fostoria honoring Pastor Amy Kinney (5th Anniversary)
Commission Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, October 30 - St. John's UCC-Elmore honoring Pastor Margaret Mills (43rd Anniversary)
Installation Celebrations
Rev. Karsten Snitker will be installed as Pastor at Trinity UCC, Tiffin on Sunday October 23rd at 3:00 pm.
Farewell
Pastor Dave Ferguson, Licensed Pastor at Memorial UCC, Toledo will retire from ministry celebrating his ministry with the congregation on Sunday September 11th.
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Prayer Concerns/Request
Continuing prayer for: Dee Schroer, Pastor Bill Kerr, Pastor Tom Kagy, Rev. Marty Stiffler, Rev. Daniel Johnson, Rev. Bob Jencks, Rev. Jim Garner, Pastor Pat Danner, Nelda Madama (Shelly), Barb Osborn, Rev. John Bock, Rev. Candy Thomas, Rev. Becky Erb Strang, Rev. Don Giesmann, Rev. Steve Voelker
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Fall Festival
St. Paul UCC
101 S. Perry Street, Wapakoneta
Saturday, September 17 2-5 pm
Food, Games, Blowups, Snow Cones, Music, Prizes, Escape Room, Bingo & more....
Free Activities!!
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Millennials and the Church - Video Available
This event was hosted by the Walker Leadership Institute (Eden Seminary) & the Northwest Ohio Association Lay School Board on May 16, 2022.
Presenter: Rev. Steve Lawler, Director of the Walker Leadership Institute
with a panel discussion which included millennial clergy.
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Boundary Training Opportunity for Authorized Ministers - Active, Retired or Retiring & MiD
Offered by the Living Water Association. Attendance every two years for NWOA Authorized Ministers is required for good standing.
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NWOA Periodic Support Consultation
Saturday, October 15
9:00 am to noon
Zoom Event
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THANK YOU
FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
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2022 OCWM Giving Goal - $280,000
(Goal approved at the 59th Annual Meeting)
2022 Giving through the month of July - $134,580
CHURCH TREASURER
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***From the NWOA Stewardship and Generosity
Ministry Team
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Your Stewardship and Generosity Team is gathering stories of the many ways that churches make real their practices of Stewardship and Generosity. Today's new article is the "Laundromat Mission" from St. John's UCC, Fostoria.
Send your story to
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If you want to jump start your thinking about Stewardship and Generosity, our 5 videos collection of topics covered with noted consultant Don Hill is available. As you click on the resource page, a short synopsis of each video is available. Can be used effectively in small group settings or you can take a segment for use in worship.
Permission is granted for the churches of Northwest Ohio Association to use the series as they wish with proper credit given."
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The Stewardship and Generosity Team continues to work hard at finding ways to give you and your church resources for enhancing the giving of your congregations. We encourage you to explore the following links:
To donate to Ukraine:
Resources from the Heartland Conference
Conference Stewardship Newsletter
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***From the NWOA Witness and Proclamation Ministry Team
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One of the stories from the gospel of Matthew of the early childhood of Jesus is the flight from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape the violent murder of young children at Herod’s order.
We, today, have families fleeing with their children to escape violence in their home countries. Many are seeking asylum as refugees in the United States. One faith community that helps thousands of legal refugees every year is the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas. It is run by our brothers and sisters in Catholic Charities. To support the families who go through the center they have an Amazon wish list where you may make purchases that are delivered directly to the Center. (a very efficient way of giving). Here is the link to Catholic Charities and the Amazon Link: https://www.catholiccharitiesrgv.org/Donations.aspx
The Witness and Proclamation Team of Northwest Ohio invites all congregations to share this information through their newsletter. Let’s make a difference. And, in this season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, let’s welcome some holy families who are seeking safety!
Stay informed through Facebook page
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***From the Pastoral Relations Working Group
of the NWOA Church and Ministry Team
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Covid Resources
The coronavirus pandemic has revealed and exacerbated places of pain and injustice throughout our institutions and communities, and clergy have borne the weight of this. The Pastoral Relations working group has listened to the pain that exists in our local clergy and have been trying to pay close attention to mental health and family concerns. Included here are links to resources for clergy and churches to be aware of. Read more
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Anti-Racism & White Privilege
Attached to the end of the newsletter is an additional list of available resources.
We hope that these resources meet the needs of pastors looking for resources to begin conversations regarding anti-racism within their congregations. If you have other ideas for how we may assist in bringing resources / training to you regarding this topic, please contact Nanette Warnecke-Flood at Nanettef@syctelco.com
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Chaplain Opportunities at United Church Homes
Chapel Hill Community in Canal Fulton, Ohio is seeking a full-time chaplain.
This United Church Homes Life Plan Community provides a spectrum of services for older adults. The chaplain provides the spiritual care programs to meet the needs of the residents, staff and their families. Leadership of the weekly worship service in the lovely chapel, additional worship experiences for those living with dementia, along with pastoral care, programming and small groups, spiritual assessments and participation on the leadership team are all a part of this ministry.
Uplands Community in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, a community managed by United Church Homes, is seeking a ¾ time chaplain position. This beautiful, historic community in central Tennessee provides the full spectrum of services for older adults. Pleasant Hill United Church of Christ which is adjacent to the Uplands campus serves members of the Upland Community and members from the wider community. They are also concurrently searching for a pastor. These two positions would provide a unique opportunity for a clergy couple.
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2022 Abundant Aging Symposium
Hosted by United Church Homes' Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging
September 30th in Columbus
In person or online option
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(Pro) Longevity: The Convergence of Ethics, Technology, and Spirituality
- What are your assumptions about aging, expected longevity, and appropriate medical care?
- How do you expect technology to contribute to your longevity?
- Can we go too far when it comes to longevity?
- How might technology affect spirituality?
- How might the valuing of spirituality affect technology?
Hear speakers consider these and other questions. Sept. 30, in Columbus, Ohio at the 2022 Abundant Aging Symposium hosted by United Church Homes’ Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging. Get a discount when you register before 9/2 for in person or online attendance at https://www.UnitedChurchHomes.org/2022-annual-symposium/
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Planned in the spring and fall each year by women of the
Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ,
Lantern Fellowship is a time when women of all generations
come together at Templed Hills to enjoy faith, fun, and friends.
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Click on the video above for a message from Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr., who will be preaching at the Installation Service of our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins! |
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Save the Date!
2022 Interim Ministry Training
Sunday, October 9, 6pm – Thursday, October 13, 12pm
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SPIRIT Family Weekend
Spiritual Pride Weekend
October 22 (October 21-23)
Sacred Pride Inclusitivity Reflecting Inspired Together: This weekend everyone who identifies with the LGBTQIA+ community and allies and families across the Heartland Conference are invited to a weekend of fellowship, connection, reflection, worship, and fun at Templed Hills.
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In addition to our prayers, there are more ways to aid the people of Ukraine. Gifts made to UCC Ukraine Relief Fund will provide shelter, food, and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people. Donate online with the link below or designate a check for Ukraine Relief and mail to United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Gifts made to Sharing America's Resources Abroad (S.A.R.A) provide food, clothing and sanitary items for refugees fleeing to Hungary. Donate online with the link below or designate a check for Ukraine Emergency Fund and mail to SARA, c/o Heartland Conference UCC, P.O. Box 1230
Worthington, OH 43085.
Please know that your gifts of any size make a difference in this critical time.
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Mission Moments
Use Mission Moments every week to tell a story about your congregation’s connection with the wider church. Each issue – which is designed to be inserted with your newsletter or Sunday worship bulletin – is an effective way to inform your members about what they make possible through their gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission.
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Your generous gift makes our ministry possible |
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Stay Connected
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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