Join your colleagues at the. . .
Ohio Ministries Convocation
Register today for the Convocation and the UCC luncheon!
January 24-25, 2011
Crowne Plaza Columbus North
6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus OH 43229
Faith and Race: New Opportunities
Sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches in partnership with the Kirwan Institute, the Columbus Community Relations Commission, and Everyday Democracy.
Color brochure and registration formJanuary 24 - UCC LuncheonJoin your UCC colleagues for lunch, conversation and fellowship at the Crowne Plaza during the Convocation.
Register for the lunch by Thursday, January 20 by email or by calling 800-282-0740, Ext 202.
Lunch cost: $20.00, payable at the door. |
General Synod Contest for Churches
Imagine What's Possible!
Six congregations that have imagined something significant - and then worked to make it possible - will be honored at General Synod, July 1-5, in Tampa, Florida. The celebrated churches will help bring to life the Synod's theme, "Imagine What's Possible. God is Still Speaking,"
Find out more about it and how to submit your congregation's accomplishment
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Service Opportunities for Youth/Young Adults
YOU could become the next member of the Summer Communities of Service (ages 19-30) or the year-long UCC Young Adult Service Communities (YASC) (ages 21-30)
- Intentional Community
- Hands-On Direct Service/Justice Advocacy Opportunities
- Faith Conversations
- Leadership Development with Host Congregation
Apply by February 15 - Summer Communities of Service
Apply by March 15 - UCC Young Adult Service Communities (YASC) year-long
Questions? Contact Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Executive, UCC Volunteer Ministries at 216-736-3214 or by email OR Tonya Adams, Administrative Assistant for Program at 216-736-3216 or by email.
Gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission, UCC, One Great Hour of Sharing and the WCM Volunteer Ministries Fund make these opportunities possible.
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Focus on our ministry partners
Your congregation, through the Ohio Conference, has 13 ministry partners that provide vital health and human services or quality higher education to folks in Ohio and beyond. Each of these partners, also known as benevolent institutions, has stories and news to tell. We will share those stories with you each month in Connections for the next year or so.
We hope you'll enjoy these snapshots of United Church of Christ ministries. Our focus this month is on United Church Homes. Read on below.
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 United Church Homes announces resignation of President/CEO Brian Allen United Church Homes (UCH) of Marion, Ohio, announced that its President/CEO, Brian S. Allen, after more than twenty-three years of service, will be leaving the organization at the end of May 2011. Allen has held the president/CEO position since July 1987.
United Church Homes, affiliated with the United Church of Christ, operates Retirement and Health Care Communities, providing a variety of care levels to meet every lifestyle and health care need, and Housing Communities, providing apartment homes for persons 62 or older. More |
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Good News for El Salvador right before Christmas!
Photo: Andrew Tonn
SARA (Sharing America's Resources Abroad) is an ecumenical ministry affiliated with the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ. SARA distributes medical supplies, equipment and expertise throughout the world. SARA's mission is to offer medical assistance to improve the well-being of poor people around the world.
By John Gilberg, SARA Director for El Salvador
Over three years ago SARA began a campaign to send a 40-foot container to El Salvador. It finally arrived in that country, just in time for Christmas. The container was loaded with articles that we wished to give because of our love and concern for those who have so little.
One of the problems was raising the $7,000 needed to ship it. Then the recession hit, adding to the difficulty. Finally, donations to SARA, along with help from World Wide Humanitarian Aid in Columbus, made this effort possible.
More
Visit SARA's website
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 Outdoor Ministries News
SUMMER CAMP 2011
It's almost time to register for camp! Your colorful camp mailer (with lots of photos from 2010 summer camp) will be in your mailbox any day, if it hasn't already arrived!
Online registration will be open soon, or you can print a registration form from the Outdoor Ministries website and send it in now.
We look forward to seeing YOU at camp next summer!
NEWS FROM THE HILLS
Beginning in February News from the Hills will become a feature link on the Outdoor Ministries website. Stories and news articles about what is happening at Templed Hills and Pilgrim Hills will be featured, as well as ways in which Outdoor Ministries is partnering with congregations, Associations and others to provide facilities, services, programs and other resources that help all to grow to their full potential. Watch for it !! 2011 CAMP WORK DAYS
Pilgrim Hills - March 26 & September 24
Templed Hills - April 30 & October 1 Details
WISH LISTS
Want to give a gift to your favorite camp? Here are our wish lists! Templed Hills Pilgrim Hills
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 THOUGHTS FROM TOM Seeds of Human Kindness
By Tom Robertson Executive Director, Outdoor Ministries Did you know that young people crave boosts to their self-esteem more than sex, money, and even late-night pizza? True, according to Brad Bushman, an Ohio State psychologist, who reported findings of a study OSU did in partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory. See article from AolNews.com.
How does this relate to camping? Find out here.
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2011 Annual Gathering
Tentative Schedule
New in 2011
Friday afternoon event for laypersons
Morning Watch - 7 a.m. Saturday - informal outdoor worship
Book discussion group on Friday evening
Saturday morning Annual Gathering orientation
Many new workshop topics
Rev. Anthony Robinson
Keynote speaker & leader of Friday afternoon event for church leaders
Tony Robinson is an ordained UCC minister who has served four congregations. He is currently a speaker, teacher, preacher, consultant and coach. He is the author of nine books, the most recent of which is Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations
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What will make your heart sing?
Lilly Endowment Announces 2011 National Clergy Renewal Program
Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce that the National Clergy Renewal Program, which already has awarded more than 1,400 grants in its 11-year history, will continue for another year.
Most pastors who participate in the program spend three to four months away from their churches, and their experiences both open their minds to new possibilities and connect them more deeply with what truly matters in their lives. They travel throughout the world, study subjects they care about, and reconnect with family and friends from years past. Learn more/apply
Interested persons may call 317/916-7350, send e-mail, or write Lilly Endowment, 2801 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.
The deadline for proposals is May 12, 2011.
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Office Address Change
Please make sure you have made the office address change on all your mailings to us.
Our new address is:
6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43229
Our phone numbers and extensions remain the same.
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Short Subjects
OHIO CONFERENCE DISASTER RESPONSE CLEANUP KITS NEEDED. After recent deliveries to flooded areas in the Midwest, our inventory of cleanup kits is low. This is a great project for Sunday School classes, youth groups, annual meeting service project, men's & women's groups. Click here for complete instructions and ingredients for cleanup kits. NOTE: Personal care kits are not needed at this time.
YOUTH - Calendar of repeating wider church events for youth and young adults. Include these events in your annual youth program planning. PARISH PAPER - Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations. January and February 2011 issues are now available. January - What Is Your Unconscious Intent?
February - Accomplishing Worthy Goals - Being Smart Is Not Enough
Our Conference Minister welcomes invitations to preach or visit local church gatherings. Contact Bob Molsberry by email or phone (800-282-0740, Ext. 203) to schedule a date. |
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Disabilities, Theology and the Church, speaker series beginning February 9, Methodist Theological School, Columbus
Spring Interim Ministry Workshop, March 28, Camp Christian, Columbus
UCC Office Support Staff Network Meeting, April 28- May 1, New Hampshire
Ohio Office Support Staff Network Professional Day, October 10, Columbus
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Ohio Ministries Convocation,
January 24-25, 2011, Crowne Plaza Columbus North Hotel
It's Your Turn! Youth Leaders Lock-In, January 28-29, 2011, St. John's UCC, Dover
Day with God and Self, March 19, Pilgrim Hills Camp
Workshop for Ministers Supervising Staff, April 7, Bath UCC, Akron
Spring Lantern Women's Retreat, April 8 - 10, Pilgrim Hills
General Synod, July 1-5, 2011, Tampa, Florida
Imagine What's Possible... for Youth @ General Synod!
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Get Association news delivered to your inbox
Central Southeast Ohio Assoc. - CSEMail Newsletter
Eastern Ohio Association - EOA e-Pistle
Northwest Ohio Association - The Vine
SW Ohio Northern Kentucky Association - Snippets
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Our Whole Lives Teacher Training
March 18-19, 2011
Dayton, Ohio
Sponsors
Our partners, the Unitarian Universalist Association
Trainers
Jane Detwiler and Steve Caldwell
Teachers will be trained in the use of K-1 and 4-6 Our Whole Lives.
For more information, contact Natalie Spriggs-Trobridge @ (937)436-3628 or e-mail her @ dre@mvuuf.org.
Registration deadline: March 4
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