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Thursday, March 20, 2025

On Sunday, March 16, Rev. Michael Howard visited St. Paul's Community UCC in Cleveland to represent the Association at Rev. Katherine Chilcote's ordination!

Revs. Melody Ward and Ruth Garwood blessed the celebration with a liturgical dance, pictured below.

Interested in having one of our Association Ministers visit your congregation? Use the button below to extend an invitation!

UCC Yearbook Reporting - Deadline Extended

The UCC Center for Analytics, Research & Development, and Data (CARDD) is now collecting data for the 2025 UCC Yearbook! You can create an account to enter statistics in the new UCC Database and Directories through Friday, April 11. PLEASE NOTE: Since this is a brand new system, there have been unexpected issues - updates will be provided as they are received!

Your church can download the new instructions and visit the Yearbook reference page with the buttons below. An email with further details has been sent. If you have any questions, need a hard copy of instructions or data forms mailed to your church, or would like a PDF version of the data forms to complete on your computer and return to our office, please contact Kellie Ramirez, Association Information Management and Media personnel, at registrar@livingwaterone.org.

Tonight! March 20 - Harm Reduction Resources for Congregations with Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, Associate for Advocacy and Leadership Development, CHHSM

In the workshop Harm Reduction Resources for Congregations, we will explore different models of understanding substance use, what harm reduction is and how it relates to drug overdose prevention, how the values of harm reduction align with UCC values, and what individuals and congregations can do to respond to the overdose crisis. This webinar is for those who are curious and would like to understand this topic more, those ready to take action but unclear what their next steps are, those heavily involved in this work already, and everyone in between. The hope and intention is for folks to come away with a real tether to a community involved in this life-saving ministry as well as insights, perspective, and perhaps even more questions about what a harm reduction response means for them and their congregations.

April 1 - Stories from the Southern Border: Stories From God’s People About God’s People with Rev. R Brooke Baker, Senior Minister, Church of the Redeemer UCC

Join us for an evening of storytelling about what the delegation from the Living Water Association experienced on their recent trip to the Southern Border. Whether you have been to the border before, are curious about what is happening now, or would like to share your own experiences from the Southern Border, all are welcome. This will be a time of hearing how God’s people are learning about and caring for our siblings living on both sides of the Southern Border.

LENTEN TAIZE SERVICE

Friday, March 21, 2025

7:00 PM

Zion United Church of Christ

415 South Main Street

North Canton, OH 44720

TAIZE is a peaceful and reflective service of worship and meditation through music, scripture, readings and prayer.

Please join us.

At Bethany UCC in Cuyahoga Falls

Continuing Partnership with Pilgrim House in Stradch, Ukraine

 a master class in resilient ministry

Bethany UCC in Cuyahoga Falls became aware of Pilgrim House around Easter, 2022, by what can only be described as a series of “God-incidences.” This Ukrainian Catholic Church in Stradch (Western Ukraine) had build a retreat center, and with the 2022 full scale invasion and war, had turned it into housing for displaced Ukrainians who were fleeing the worst of the bombing. By July we assumed responsibility for feeding these war refugees – sending $ 1,275 each week in 2022 to cover the cost of food. By 2023 we increased it to $ 1,300 each week and have maintained that weekly commitment. How? By the Grace of God, and the generosity of our members, neighbors, siblings in Christ and strangers who have stepped up to support this ministry. Every time I send the funds I feel as though I am standing on Holy Ground. Every time a new family arrives at Pilgrim House and has a warm, home cooked meal to eat I am so thankful to be a part of this ministry. We cannot stop the war, but we can be a meaningful part of a healing ministry!

As time went on our relationship became more like a partnership. One aspect of the partnership that we are most grateful for is their example. The harder things get, the wider they make their welcome, and the more creative they become – they are a master class in resilient ministry! They were able to secure a grant to develop an unused part of their building to be used for trauma services, both medical and psychological. In addition to housing war refugees, they offer retreats for those who need a break from the front lines, and for families of service men and women who have been killed or are missing. They regularly provide programming for children and teens – not just those living at Pilgrim House but those in the community – fun activities that help to bring some normality to a horrible situation. And they now have a psychologist on site to better respond to issues of trauma and resiliency.

A charity gave them a water tower and generator so they always had light and water, and their first thought was “now we can be a place for the whole village to come when it is cold and dark and people need a cup of soup.” Their generosity inspires us!

In October of 2024 Fr. Ivan Koltun and Fr. Petro Protsiv, the directors of this ministry, were able to visit with us here in Ohio. When they arrived, it was like meeting old friends. We don’t know how long God will entrust this ministry to our stewarding, but we will continue to send funds each week for as long as they are available. 

If you would like to contribute to our weekly offering, your contribution would be most welcome! You can send your check to Bethany UCC (1235 Broad Blvd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223) or go to our website (bethanyucc.org) and make a contribution via PayPal. However you contribute, please indicate that this is for Ukraine. Thank you for considering making a contribution. Every contribution goes to buy food – there is no administrative overhead. Every dollar helps! If you have any questions, please reach out to Rev. Kim Mislin Cran (pastor@bethanyucc.org)

Fr. Petro Protsiv (L) and Fr. Ivan Koltun with Rev Kim Cran (C)

and the Bethany UCC Congregation

Craft project for families

at Pilgrim House 

Christmas Eve Dinner at Pilgrim House

At The Bath Church

Friday, March 28 – Music at Bath FREE Concert Series

Wit’s Folly Chamber Ensemble with historic instruments!

7:00 PM in the Historic Chapel

Come explore the wondrous musical world of Carl Maria von Weber, his clarinetist friend Heinrich Bärmann, and the young Felix Mendelssohn.  This program features music written by and for those musicians, plus a new arrangement of one of Weber’s best loved pieces written expressly for Wit’s Folly!  We will see you at The Bath Church UCC (3980 West Bath Road, Akron; 330-666-3520; physically accessible) at 7:00 PM on Friday, March 28.  Ample parking. Free-will Offering. www.musicatbath.org

At Middleburg Heights Community UCC

BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH CONVERSATIONS

While the four topics of our LivingRoom Conversations might sound divisive, the questions guiding our discussions on Refugee Families & Zero Tolerance, Climate Change, Faith & the LGBTQ+ Community, and Free Speech keep things open and focused on connection. Join the Social Justice Team of Middleburg Heights Community UCC (7165 Big Creek Pkwy, Middleburg Hts) for light refreshments and transformational discussions on Monday, March 24 at 7pm.  More details & sign up at this link.

The Medina United Church of Christ, Congregational youth group is collecting old, broken, and unused technology to recycle with drop-offs in Medina and Lodi, OH, this April. See Facebook event

Need someone to fill in on a Sunday? Check out the pulpit supply list! Recommended compensation: $200 for one service (minimum $150); $250 for two services; mileage at $0.70 or current IRS rate.

Click the banner below and scroll down to view the current

Heartland Conference Networks!

One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Love of Neighbor.

Mirroring the 2025 General Synod theme, "Into the Deep," our 2025 Lent Devotional invites reflection on God's mysterious depths.

Available in paperback and PDF download (bulk discount codes are available).

Order today from The Pilgrim Press

Registration Deadline - TOMORROW, March 21

Congregations in the Heartland Conference are eligible

for 50% off the cost of digital and print stewardship theme materials!

Please use the coupon code HTLC2025 at checkout!

“Dreaming God’s Dream” helps people understand the impact our congregations can make in our communities if we generously support them.



The materials include eight complete worship services, hymn suggestions, sermon starters from eight different authors; plus additional faith formation sessions for children, youth, and adults.



The materials also provide practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. Campaign guidance for every step of a year-round or seasonal effort helps leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context and size.

Click on the logos below for information and registration details for upcoming continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities provided by our partner schools and centers of learning!

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