Outdoor Ministries News
2012 Summer Camp Rally
Join us for the 2012 Summer Camp Rally at Pilgrim Hills on January 20 - 21, 2012. There is no charge for this event! Details
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Campers enjoying 2011 Rally
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Registration information will be available on our website soon.
Lectionary Series at Camp
Several clergy from across the Conference enjoyed a bit of time away, resting, connecting with other clergy, and preparing for Advent at the Advent Lectionary Workshop held recently at Pilgrim Hills. Rev. Bob Molsberry, Conference Minister, led the group in engaging activities and conversation. Read participant comments
Mark your calendar:
Lenten Lectionary Workshop * February 5 - 7, 2012
Pilgrim Hills Camp
Start with an optional dinner on Sunday evening.
Program begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday
and concludes on Tuesday morning.
Summer's Coming!
Winter's barely started and we're already talking about summer! That's right - the summer schedule for camp is almost finalized. Lots of your "old favorites" are on the list, along with a few new options.
Keep watching - we'll be sending notices in the mail, as well as letting you know in newsletters and on Facebook when the catalogue is available and when online registration is launched.
If you're not our Facebook "friend" yet, you can click here:
WANTED: A volunteer with Alumni Relations experience
Outdoor Ministries is looking for a volunteer to help us launch a Camp Alumni Association, and we'd like to have assistance from someone with some professional experience. If this is an area of expertise for you, and you'd like to donate some time and talent, please contact Joyce Oyler at joyceo@ocucc.org. Thank you.
Visit Outdoor Ministries online
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2012 Annual Gathering
It will be new and different,
and it will offer the best of past Gatherings!
Day 1: Saturday, June 16
Quest Conference Center, Columbus
Emphasis on learning, inspiration and conducting business
Adam Kukuk - Four Doorways Workshop
In a Four Doorways workshop you will explore all-age worship resources. Inclusive, participatory, and ecumenical music from all over the planet.
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Kyrie IV - Adam Kukuk - Four Doorways
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· Rev. Susan K. Smith, Pastor, Advent UCC - Keynote
· Business meeting
· Worship service
Day 2: Saturday, September 15
Templed Hills Camp
All about fellowship, fun and friends
· Hog roast for lunch
· Campfire (optional Friday overnight)
· Enjoy the camp with outdoor and indoor activities
Mark your calendar for one day or both!
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Coming next Summer . . .
National Youth Event
July 10 - 13, 2012
Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana
For youth groups, age 13-18, and their advisors
FAQ * Cost * Plenary Speakers * NYE Video
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Ohio Conference Disaster Response Ministry
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Cross made of construction materials in sanctuary of Beecher Memorial UCC
in New Orleans.
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New Orleans - An Ending and a New Beginning
The UCC Disaster Response Ministry office in New Orleans will close at the end of 2011. The last group of volunteers has come and gone. The Hope Shall Bloom fund has been exhausted, so it is time to move on to other places and things. More
Video of closing celebration (from WDSU, New Orleans)
But a new partnership has been formed between the UCC and Phoenix of New Orleans (PNOLA) which will allow volunteer work groups, beginning January 1, 2012, to continue to travel to New Orleans to repair homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
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Clean-Up Kits Needed Our stock of clean-up kits is low! Your church or group can help. Learn how here. Visit our website |
Travel to Germany Next Fall
Ohio Conference German Partnership Trip
Save the dates for an Ohio Conference German Partnership trip in September 2012. We have been invited to come to what our partners call the "UCC Forum," a 2-day retreat along with other German pastors and lay leaders, which will take place on September 7-8, 2012. But, why go all that way for just 2 days? More
Interested? Want more information? Contact:
Bob Molsberry by email or at 800-282-0740
Beth Long-Higgins by email or at 614-837-7734
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Sharing America's Resources Abroad (SARA)
SARA is a Christian ministry offering medical assistance
to improve lives around the world.
Crisis Flooding in El Salvador
Recent floods have hit Central America and some of SARA's key mission areas in El Salvador. Read an on-the-scene update from the director of a SARA partner organization providing reconstruction and development assistance in the area. SARA is helping with funds to support the salaries of two doctors. SARA also gives medical supplies and medicines for two clinics.
Visit the SARA website to learn more.
Remember SARA at Christmas
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UCC House of Studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton
December - January Events
Advent Chapel Service, December 7, 2011, 11:15 am-12:30 pm Guest Preacher, Rev. Michael Piazza, Co-Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal The Secrets to Birthing and Renewing Progressive Churches Lunch following, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Piazza and UCC House of Studies students $8.50, payable at the door. RSVP by December 2 to Rev. Brice Thomas, bthomas@united.edu or 937-529-2256. Becoming the Pastor You Hope to Be: Four Practices for Improving Ministry January 13, 2012, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Presenter: Rev. Dr. Barbara Blodgett, Minister for Vocation and Formation of the UCC Cost: $85.00 Register at www.united.edu or contact Rev. Brice Thomas, 937-529-2256 or bthomas@united.edu. Print House of Studies event information
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Chautauqua UCC Society Seeking
Chaplains for Summer 2012
The Chautauqua United Church of Christ Society is seeking nine UCC clergy to serve as Chaplain of the Week during the summer of 2012. Each chaplain serves during one week, Saturday through Saturday, during the regular Chautauqua summer season.
As Chaplain of the Week, you will be expected to preach in the Society's Sunday morning (8:45) worship service, lead an afternoon vespers service, and participate in the community life of the Society. You will receive housing, two gate passes and free parking.
For information on how to apply, please visit the Chautauqua UCC Society website at www.cuccs.org. The application deadline is November 25, 2011.
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Short Subjects
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.
YOUTH - Calendar of repeating wider church events for youth and young adults. Include these events in your annual youth program planning. 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
Email Bob
Mission: 1
A Success by Any Measure
UCC congregations were challenged by Mission:1 to engage in a common mission project during the first eleven days in November (11/1/11 to 11/11/11).
Mission:1's goal was four-pronged: to collect more than 1 million food and household items for local food banks; to raise $111,111 for hunger-related ministries and $111,111 in online donations for East Africa famine relief; and to advocate for hunger-related causes worldwide by sending more than 11,111 letters to Congress.
The project was a success! By campaign's end, the letters goal had been tripled, and the food goal had reached 1.25 million items.
On Sunday evening, November 13, monetary donations received for hunger-related ministries had topped $91,000, and monies for East Africa relief stood at more than $94,000. However, pledges to the two causes added up to more than $130,000. An updated total will be announced in a few weeks.
"It is very clear that we are going to exceed all our goals," said the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, Executive Minister of the UCC's Local Church Ministries. "Perhaps in the end, we will collect more than $300,000, $400,000 - even half a million dollars."
The denomination-wide totals, however, don't tell the full story. More
Email Bob
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Anonymous Letter Received by Churches
A number of our local congregations have received an anonymous letter critical of United Church of Christ policies, particularly related to ministries funded by the Neighbors in Need offering. The letter is addressed to church moderators or presidents, it is postmarked "Cleveland," giving the (mistaken) impression that it is from our national offices. And it is signed only "concerned UCC members." As with all anonymous correspondence, the best thing to do with it is throw it away. If it raises questions, please know that the charges contained in the letter have long since been answered. More Bob Molsberry |
| Upcoming Events |
Ohio Ministries Convocation, The American Dream or God's Dream?, January 23-24, 2012, Crowne Plaza Columbus North.
Leaders:
Dr. Ronald Sider, Director, Sider Center on Ministry and Public Policy, Palmer Theological Seminary
Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, Bishop, Northeastern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches
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Annual Myrtle Beach Clergy Seminar by the Sea, March 12- 17, 2012. Ecumenical event for clergy renewal and continuing education. More ********** Social Media WebinarUCC Insurance Board offering free webinar, "Social Media-Plan, Prepare, Protect," on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. and again at 3 p.m.
A review of the many considerations having to do with church use of social media, including management controls and oversight, privacy, security and copyright. Register Ohio Conference Online Calendar
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Transform Your Life
Transform the World
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2012 UCC Medical and Dental Insurance Rates Announced
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 Day with God and Self 2012
Saturday, March 10
Tuesday, May 1
Saturday, September 8
Tuesday, November 13
At Pilgrim Hills Camp
Cost: $30
Learn more here or call Janet Burkhart 330-682-3791.
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