 General Synod 28 Contest for Congregations Has your congregation imagined something significant - and then worked to make it possible? Yours could be one of 6 congregations honored at General Synod, July 1-5, in Tampa, Florida. Plus, the pastor and one lay leader will win an expenses-paid trip to Synod. Apply by March 11. Find out more Workers for Justice to be Honored Do you know a prophetic justice worker, a local church, or grass roots organization that you think deserves to be honored at General Synod 28 for effective justice work? If so, please fill out the form below. Please duplicate the form for more than one nominee. Honorees will be recognized during the Justice and Witness Ministries dinner on Friday, July 1. Application form Information about General Synod 28 |
 Outdoor Ministries News
SUMMER CAMP 2011
It's time to register for camp!
Our schedule for the 2011 Summer Camping Season is set, and you are invited to come to The Hills this summer and Experience God in the Everyday. Register before March 31 for the lowest fee.
Sign up for camp!
Quick registration facts
NEWS FROM THE HILLS - February 2011
Camp shirt design contest - deadline February 28
Is church camp relevant in today's world?
Joyce Oyler joins Outdoor Ministries staff
What's going on in The Hills? Outdoor Ministries calendar
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Ohio Conference Partners in Education and Educators/Youth Ministers Gathering
March 18-19, 2011
Templed Hills Camp
The gathering will begin after supper at 7 p.m. (although if you want to come and just relax before supper, we can order pizza or go into Bellville for supper) with some relaxation, worship, and a time to get to know each other.
On Saturday morning we will gather to share thoughts with folks on the emerging church and the traditional church and how we fit as educators and youth ministers. We will also continue learning about Faith Practices resources.
After lunch will be a time to hike, chat, visit, rest, nap, read.... you get the idea. We'll conclude around 3:00 p.m.
This will be a very informal gathering for support, learning, and relaxation. The cost is $60. Plan to join us.
For more information, contact Margaret Mills at mmills@wraucc.org or 440-487-2549.
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2011 Annual Gathering
Tentative Schedule
Hotel information
New in 2011
Friday afternoon events for laypersons:
· Personal spiritual growth
· Mission: Your Church in the World
Morning Watch on 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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Day with God and Self 2011
Saturday, March 19 Tuesday May 3 Saturday, September 10 Tuesday, November 1 10 am - 4:30 pm Prettyman Center, Pilgrim Hills Camp
Brinkhaven, Ohio map/directions Cost: $30 If you wish to come the night before, add $40. These are day-long opportunities for spiritual nourishment and renewal - with time for silence in nature - with minimal teaching or guidance. Spiritual direction and Reiki also available. More about Day with God and Self For reservations, call the Ohio Conference office at 800-282-0740, Ext. 200 or print a registration form.
For more information call Janet Burkhart, 330-682-3791. |
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Service Opportunities for Young Adults
UCC Young Adult Service Communities
One-year experience. Ages 21-30.
- Intentional Community
- Hands-On Direct Service/Justice Advocacy Opportunities
- Faith Conversations
- Leadership Development with Host Congregation
Online application
Application Part 1 due March 1
Application Part 2 due March 15
Questions? Contact . . .
Mary Schaller Blaufuss, 216-736-3214 or by email OR Tonya Adams, 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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What will make your heart sing?
Lilly Endowment Announces 2011 National Clergy Renewal Program
Most pastors who participate in the program spend 3 - 4 months away from their churches. They travel the world, study subjects they care about, and reconnect with family and friends from years past.
Learn more/apply
Call 317/916-7350, send e-mail, or write Lilly Endowment, 2801 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.
Proposal deadline: May 12, 2011
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Camp Washington, Cincinnati looking for staff members
SUMMER PROGRAM STAFF - (2) College or seminary students to work in Summer Program - Sunday evening through Thursday evening with one Sunday morning a month on rotating schedule. Most meals supplied. Must drive 14 passenger bus. Must live in Church housing. Internships and/or college/seminary credit possible. Stipend: $2,500 for 9 weeks. June 8 - August 10.
COOK: Work with three kitchen support staff to prepare daily breakfast and lunch for 50-70 persons Monday through Thursday. Be responsible for all range and oven prepared food, (for example, pancakes, spaghetti, mac/cheese, etc.). Work in a non-air-conditioned kitchen from 7 am until 1 pm, 4 days a week for 8 weeks. June13 - August 4. Stipend: $2,000
PROJECT COORDINATOR: 8:30-4:00 daily Monday through Thursday - plan work projects within the Cincinnati area forwork campers, (help is available to determine work possibilities), gather supplies needed to complete projects, oversee work campers to project site; provide support as needed; supervise project, additional hours available; stipend to be determined.
Please contact Pastor Pam @ 513/541-7757 x 6 or 859/630-7789 or revpamdefusco@aol.com
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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
Our Whole Lives Teacher Training. March 18-19, 2011. Dayton, Ohio. For more information, contact Natalie Spriggs-Trobridge, (937)436-3628 or email. Register by March 4.
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. March and April 2011 issues are now available. March - Does a Congregation's Location Influence Its Effectiveness? April - Incoming Pastors: Building Smoother Transistion Bridges 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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Conference Minister's Corner
 Rev. Bob Molsberry What's the Point? A headline in the June 29, 2010 issue of The Christian Century sends shockwaves through mainline Protestantism in America. It should also challenge and even inspire us! "Cash-poor Cathedral mulls selling treasures: Facing a reduced budget and a third round of layoffs, officials at Washington National Cathedral are considering disposing of priceless treasures - including a trove of rare books - that are no longer considered part of its central mission." The rare book collection is valued in the millions of dollars, but in these tough economic times and rounds of budget-cutting, maintenance of the library is no longer considered a "core function" of the Cathedral. Its business is worship, not warehousing books. Why is this interesting to the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ? Because, although this seems like yet another sign of decline in the Church, it is actually a hopeful sign of courageous prioritizing. More |
Lenten Carbon Fast Please join the 2011 Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. It is a fast...from Carbon.
Ash Wednesday (March 9) invites us into Lent - a time to acknowledge that we are mortal, limited.
Participants will receive a daily email with the day's suggested carbon-reducing activity. When possible, this will include a quantitative measure of the carbon reduction resulting from the activity.
Each daily email will also have a section suggesting a weekly focus for the congregation. Pastors are encouraged to extend this invitation to their churches.
Sponsored by the New England Regional Environmental Ministries group and supported by the six UCC Conference Ministers in New England.
Their hope is that Christians the world over from every denomination might participate in this carbon fast.
Sign up to participate |
Disabilities, Theology and the Church, speaker series, Feb. 23, Methodist Theological School, Columbus
Day with God and Self, March 19, Pilgrim Hills Camp
Spring Interim Ministry Workshop, March 28, Camp Christian, Columbus
Workshop for Ministers Supervising Staff, April 7, Bath UCC, Akron
Spring Lantern Women's Retreat, April 8 - 10, Pilgrim Hills
UCC Office Support Staff Network Meeting, April 28- May 1, New Hampshire
General Synod, July 1-5, 2011, Tampa, Florida
Imagine What's Possible... for Youth @ General Synod!
Ohio Office Support Staff Network Professional Day, October 10, Columbus
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