|
You are receiving Connections, the monthly e-newsletter of the Ohio Conference, because of your connection to a ministry of the Conference.
We encourage you to forward this resource liberally within your congregation, to leaders and committee members. Please help us expand our mailing list by providing email addresses.
|
Euclid Avenue Congregational Church building destroyed by fire.
Congregation discerns their future and makes arrangements to continue their ministry.
After a devastating fire, apparently caused by lightning, destroyed the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church building in Cleveland early on March 23, its members are discerning their future and making arrangements for worship and ministries to continue.
Western Reserve Association Minister, Curt Ackley, has suggested two ways other members of the Conference can provide immediate, tangible signs of support for the congregation:
1. Send notes or cards to the congregation as a sign that they are not alone as they come into Easter. Mail can be sent to: Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, PO Box 181430, Cleveland Heights OH 44118.
2. Send a delegation (one person or a dozen) to worship with the Euclid Avenue congregation at 10 a.m. on Easter morning. They are worshipping at First United Methodist Church at E. 30th and Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland.
Rev. Ackley has asked the congregation to include a time of "Offerings from the Wider Community" at this service when gifts, letters, banners and cash gifts can be offered by those in attendance.
For news about the congregation, check their website and blog. |
Consecration of new Conference/CSEOA office set for April 30, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
The Ohio Conference and the Central Southeast Ohio Association have moved into a new, combined space in Suite 100 at 6161 Busch Blvd., Columbus 43229.
You are invited to a brief consecration service and reception on Friday, April 30, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Come to see our new space and participate in consecrating it to God's service, followed by fellowship and refreshments.
A new, up-to-date phone system has been installed that allows the staff to be more responsive when you call. Our phone number is the same: 614-885-0722 or 800-282-0740. Click here for a list of our extension numbers. |
UCC's new Language of God video message will debut on April 16
Be ready to help it "spiral" across the Internet!
|
Register for summer camp by March 31 for lowest fees
New camper video
Camp schedule & camp descriptions
Fees & how to register
Find your camp here
|
 Introducing StillSpeaking Magazine
The United Church of Christ has launched a subscription campaign for its new high-end-design StillSpeaking Magazine, an oversized, full-color publication that will debut in late April.
The 88-page StillSpeaking Magazine will be published twice annually in Spring and Fall. An inaugural, three-year subscription is $29 if purchased before July 1. After that date, subscriptions will be $39 each. Order online at ucc.org/magazine. More |
 2010 Annual Gathering
June 11-12
Heidelberg University · Tiffin, Ohio
Connecting Vital Ministry Networks
Here are just some of the groups gathering for learning, planning and fellowship! Friday evening and Saturday afternoon sessions. Register for one or both.
Worship planners and musicians - Explore the new UCC worship resource, SING! Prayer and Praise.
Retirees - Enjoy a conversation with Ralph Quellhorst, retired Ohio Conference Minister, and Mike Downs, President of the Pension Boards.
Seminarians, people in care and people considering seminary - Gather for lunch on Friday for a conversation about support systems, fellowship and a good meal.
Pastors, trustees, stewardship committees - Do you want to help members shape daily practices that merge faith and finances? Help is available. Attend Jesus on Money: Financial Decisions as Faith Practice.
New church start leaders - Meet with Cameron Trimble, Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal, dedicated to supporting the birth of new liberal and progressive Christian congregations.
Rural church pastors - Join the conversation about the joys and concerns of rural ministry. Help start development of a resource for pastors new to rural ministry.
Pastors, Christian Educators, Deacons - Are you concerned about adult faith formation in your congregation? Join Marian Plant, author of Faith Formation in Vital Congregations, to explore strategies for preparing the way forward.
Clergy-lay leader stewardship or capital campaign teams - Learn to apply a few basic concepts about why people give, and your congregation will see concrete results. Try Practical Approaches to Church Giving.
Leadership teams from churches engaged in the Unbinding the Gospel process will meet and work with Gay Reese to move forward with Unbinding the Gospel.
|
 Need a service project?
Work for a day at camp
Templed Hills - May 1 & October 2
Pilgrim Hills - March 27 & Sept. 25
9 am to 4 pm - Lunch provided
A variety of projects
We do our best to match projects with your group's skills and ages.
Contact our Site Managers with questions.
Contact our registrar to reserve a spot for your group.
|
Spring Lantern
Women's Fellowship
April 16-18
Do You See What I See?
Image in the teachings of the church
Keynote speaker: Rev. Wendy Schindler-Chasney
Pastor, St. John's UCC, Milan, Ohio
What is Lantern Fellowship? Lantern Fellowship is an adult retreat for women of the Ohio Conference and their friends. More
Where is Lantern held? Lantern Fellowship is held at beautiful Pilgrim Hills Camp, Brinkhaven, Ohio.
|
| Short Subjects
 FAITH PRACTICES Resources - Worship, Learning and Serving for Vital Congregations. Faith Practices will provide resources for worship, learning, and serving, on 24 faith practices. Resources on four practices of faith will become available each year for six years. Practices are grouped in twelve circles. Will be available for churches to use in September 2010. More
ABROAD YouTube Videos filmed in Transcarpathia, Ukraine State Mental Hospital Roma Settlement
March and April 2010 issues available for your use.
Mar. - New Trends in Belonging
Apr. - What We Can Learn from the Emerging Church Movement
Our Conference Minister welcomes invitations to preach or visit local church gatherings. Contact Bob Molsberry at bobm@ocucc.org or 800-282-0740 to schedule a date. | |
|
|
Conference Minister's Corner 
Rev. Bob Molsberry
The Name of the Road is Loss
"Change" is the name of the game I find myself engaged in nearly all the time. "Loss" is what the experience of change feels like at first blush.
At a recent gathering of Conference Ministers, the topic of conversation was moving into a vital future - a future that clearly was not going to look anything like the past and present that we are all comfortable with.
The first question we wrestled with was, "What are you planning to say No to, in order to move into that future? What might God be bringing to an end in order to produce a New Thing?"
That's going to be a harsh reality for those whose pet projects get the axe.
|
UCC Insurance Board launches free online abuse training for churches and camps who are IB participants. More
Bryan Sirchio in Concert, May 1, 6:30 pm, Bethany UCC, Cuyahoga Falls, free will offering and donation of canned good for Akron Foodbank.
|
UCC Support Staff Network. Annual Meeting, April 8-11, Cleveland. More
Ecumenical Rebuild in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 12-May 21. More
New Orleans Mission Trip, sponsored by Disaster Response Team, May 1-9. More
Sweet Honey in the Rock at OSU Wexner Center, Columbus , May 6, hosted by New Song Community Church. Date change! Details
Great Lakes Regional Youth Event, June 17-20, Defiance College, Defiance OH More
Hope Floats II Alaskan CruiseTour, June 18-30. Depart from Vancouver. Seven-day cruise & 5-day motor coach/train exploration. Details
UCC 2030 Clergy Network hosting June event for young clergy.
| |
