 Outdoor Ministries News
Have you registered yet 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.
Quick registration facts
Sign up for camp!
Campership Assistance Available
We want everyone to have the opportunity to go to camp. Many congregations provide assistance to their campers. The Outdoor Ministries Campership Fund is available if you need additional help. Details
NEWS FROM THE HILLS - March 2011
Outdoor Ministries Staff in Transition After being introduced as our new Ohio Conference Executive Director for Outdoor Ministries just 90 days ago, Tom Robertson has resigned from the position, citing personal reasons. More Introducing Joyce Oyler, Executive Director, Outdoor Ministries  Joyce brings us many years of business and product development experience, with strong organizational skills, and a track record of achieving goals with significant service improvements. As she renewed her volunteer efforts with Outdoor Ministries over the last several years, she sensed a stronger calling. More
The Future is Calling Us By Joyce Oyler  Do you remember your first experience at camp? The fun, the friends, the songs, the hikes. Do you remember that breathtaking moment when you realized you were in the presence of God?
Maybe it was during a special vespers service. Maybe it was when you were overwhelmed by the love for the friends you made. Or maybe it was simply looking up into the trees, feeling the sun on your face, or hearing someone's laughter. So many lives have been touched by the wonders of camp. But in today's tough economic times, many are questioning: How we can continue to maintain our facilities and offer our programs? I would question: How can we not? More
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What's going on in The Hills?
Outdoor Ministries calendar
Planning Workshops for Camp Directors 
Got Spirit? Finding God in the Everyday. This is the theme for our 2011 Summer Camp Season. The curriculum is packed with lots of useful information, bible study guides, activity suggestions, songs, and craft ideas.
But it's still easy to feel a bit overwhelmed - whether you are a first time Director or a seasoned veteran! Attend a workshop to learn and share with other directors. Choose from several dates and locations. Details
Summer Camp Volunteer Preparation Goes Online
Our 2011 Summer Camp Season is almost here, and the plans for Volunteer Preparation are finalized. Based on your suggestions, Outdoor Ministries is updating our approach to Volunteer Preparation this year to ensure consistency and provide a more convenient process. Our goal continues to be planning for the safest environment for both our campers and summer volunteers. More
Spring Open House at both camps
Saturday, April 9 at Templed Hills, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 30 at Pilgrim Hills, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
You're invited to come to camp! We are excited to host an Open House at each of our camp facilities. Please come and visit so we can get to know you and understand your needs. Tour the site, get to know us, and understand what the camp experience is all about! More
Spring & Fall Camp Work Days Scheduled
Pilgrim Hills - March 26 and September 24
Templed Hills - April 30 and October 1
Everyone is invited to participate in caring for our camps. We'll work with your group to make the best possible match of workers' skills and tasks to be done.
Work days start at 9 a.m. and end between 3 and 4 p.m. Lunch is provided by Outdoor Ministries to all volunteers and guardians. Want to stay overnight the night before? Let us know. It's only $28, including breakfast.
Amish breakfast buffet option at Pilgrim Hills, March 26
Learn about work projects, tools, how to register
Camp Wish Lists - Another great way to support our camps! Many thanks for your faithful support of the Outdoor Ministries program at Pilgrim Hills and Templed Hills. Your church, youth group or adult group can purchase any of the items on our wish lists to allow us to update facilities and expand programs at our camps. Templed Hills Wish List Pilgrim Hills Wish List |
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Spring 2011 Church Vitality/
Church Development Events
How to Develop Tippers into Tithers
April 16, 9 a.m. to Noon
Leader: Paul Nickerson
Ohio Conference Office, 6161 Busch Blvd., Columbus
New Church Start Boot Camp
May 18-20
Leader: Jim Griffith
MACUCC Conference Center, Framingham, Massachusetts
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Conference Flyer
New Church Planter Discernment Workshop
May 23 (9 am to 5 pm) and May 24 (9 am to Noon)
Leader: Paul Nickerson
Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster PA
Sponsored by the Penn Central Conference. Flyer
Questions?
Contact Ohio Conference Church Vitality Coach, Jim Oates, by email or phone: 800-282-0740, Ext. 205
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2011 Annual Gathering
Take time away from the everyday to worship, learn, laugh, connect & recharge  Learn with Rev. Anthony Robinson
Church Professional Day on Friday
"Leading Change and Living to Tell the Story"
Keynote Address on Saturday
"God at the Center. What's Church About?"
Workshop on Friday Evening
"Church Vitality Basics for Lay Leaders"
Enjoy drumming with Wahru Cleveland
Listen! Watch! Play! Bring your drum!
Take home practical ideas from workshops like these:
Faith formation for vital churches
Talking about money in church
Mission - where in the world have you been?
Using electronic communications to enhance your ministry
What's happening at General Synod?
Difficult conversations
And many more . . .
Connect and relax with friends at Friday night's "Wine & Music" event.
Recharge physically and spiritually with Chi Gong meditative exercises during Saturday's Morning Watch.
Participate in worship that will connect you with other countries and cultures.
Learn more about Anthony Robinson
Online registration begins April 15. We will be happy to receive your mailed registration form, too. Print a form from our website, or call us at 800-282-0740. We'll be glad to send you one.
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Pre-Annual Gathering Event
Training for Clergy and Lay Leaders on Justice LED
June 8 - 10 at Heidelberg University, Tiffin
Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing (Justice LED) is a curriculum and program offered by UCC Justice and Witness Ministries. It includes:
- interactive scripture study
- engaging video resources
- guided reflection and dialogue for groups
With Justice LED, congregations can engage in theological reflection on the justice dimensions of Christian faith and discipleship. Members can discern and act on justice issues that they have passion for, in ways that make sense for them.
Schedule: 1 pm, June 8 through 11:30 am, June 10
Who should attend? Groups of 2-8 members from UCC churches who, with the endorsement and support of their pastor, wish to experience the curriculum firsthand and become facilitators of the Justice LED program in their congregation.
Learn more & register
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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
CHURCH FINANCIAL MANAGER: East side Cleveland Congregational church (UCC) seeks an experienced manager to handle record-keeping, receipts, and payments, payroll and other administrative functions. Thorough knowledge of QuickBooks and willingness to learn Church Windows required. Baccalaureate or 2-year Associate Degree preferred. Mail resumes to EACC, 9411 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, attention John Baker or by email to Secretary@eacc-ucc.org.
BAPTISMAL FONT. New oak Amish handmade ~ 22" square baptismal font is looking for a home. Free. Call Nancy @ 330-673-8324 if interested.
Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries (CYYAM) is accepting nominations for youth to share in its work of advocacy, leadership, spiritual formation, programming and being a resource for UCC peers. 2-year term beginning Summer 2011. Seeking high school youth up to age 18and young adults age 19-30 who are active in local church, association, and/or conference activities. CYYAM elections will take place during General Synod. Nomination forms due May 6. Submit forms to cyyam@ucc.org. More information: email cyyam@ucc.org or call Minister for Youth at (216) 736-3871. Or visit www.ucc.org/cyyam. Nomination form
Global Ministries now has a Vehicle Donation Program. Car, truck, RV, boat, trailer, golf cart, snow mobile, airplane, and more! In conjunction with CARS (Charitable Auto ResourceS, Inc.). Receive a tax receipt for the sale price for your charitable contribution. Running or not; they're equipped for towing. Details
OHIO CONFERENCE DISASTER RESPONSE CLEANUP KITS NEEDED. Our inventory of cleanup kits is low. Recent flooding in Ohio has increased demand. 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
Focus on Outdoor Ministries
Our crack Outdoor Ministries team has requested that this March issue of Connections be devoted to promotion of our camping ministries. While I can't give them every single square column inch of this edition (after all, there are other things going on around the Conference), I honor their request. Outdoor Ministries is not only one of the most sentimental, inspirational ministries of the conference. It is also a most critical ministry, with potential to have the widest impact on our congregations. No one will argue that Outdoor Ministries is not an easy sell. Have you seen the photos featured on our web site, posters, and video presentations? Who can resist the image of kids picking up crawdads, running wildly in the woods, and holding hands cross-culturally and interracially? Ask any ordained minister. Chances are he or she felt that first nudge of a call from God at church camp. More |
God is Still Speaking: Growing Safe and Healthy Congregations and Families in the Church. Free webinar series sponsored by UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and the FaithTrust Institute. Sessions scheduled through June. Details
IB Webinar Series. The Insurance Board is hosting several webinars in the next few months to help you keep your church safe. You do not want to miss these! Abuse Prevention Policy, March 23. What Is Your Church Worth? April 13. Social Media-Plan, Prepare, Protect, May 18. Register by clicking here. Learn more.
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Spring Interim Ministry Workshop, March 28, Camp Christian, Columbus
Workshop for Ministers Supervising Staff, April 7, Bath UCC, Akron
Legislative Advocacy Day, April 13, sponsored by Ohio Council of Churches, Columbus
UCC Office Support Staff Network Meeting, April 28- May 1, New Hampshire
Justice LED Training, June 8-10, Heidelberg Univ., Tiffin
General Synod, July 1-5, 2011, Tampa, Florida
Imagine What's Possible... for Youth @ General Synod!
Widening the Welcome, 2011 national gathering, September 29 - October 1, Columbus
Ohio Office Support Staff Network Professional Day, October 10, Columbus
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Day with God
and Self 2011
Day-long opportunities for spiritual nourishment and renewal 10 am - 4:30 pm Tuesday, May 3 Sat., September 10 Tuesday, November 1 Cost: $30 Prettyman Center Pilgrim Hills Camp Map/directions More about Day with God and Self For reservations, call 800-282-0740, Ext. 200 or print a registration form.
For more information call Janet Burkhart, 330-682-3791. |
What will make your heart sing?
Lilly Endowment
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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