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2012 Annual Gathering
2 days, 2 months, 2 locations
Online registration is open
Costs
Saturday, June 16
Paid by May 15: $45 After May 15: $50
Saturday, September 15
Paid by September 1: $25 After September 1: $30
Both Days
Paid by May 15: $65 After May 15: $70
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Day 1 * Saturday, June 16
First Community Church - North Campus, Columbus
Day 1 Schedule
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Rev. Dr. Susan K. Smith
Keynote Speaker
Senior Pastor, Advent UCC, Columbus
Learn more about Rev. Smith
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Day 2 * Saturday, September 15
Templed Hills Camp, Bellville, Ohio
Day 2 Schedule
All about fellowship, fun, family and friends
- Hog roast
- Hay rides
- Organized hikes
- Bible study
- Campfire (optional Friday overnight)
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Mark your calendar for one day or both!
Learn more or register
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 Joyce Decker retires
Joyce Decker, receptionist for the Ohio Conference UCC office, retired on Easter, 2012. Her "temporary" part-time position with the Conference lasted nearly 11 years.
Joyce grew up on her family's farm twenty miles south of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A UCC member all her life (well, E & R until 1957), she took classes at Heidelberg College and Ohio State University, at times supporting herself by working three jobs at a time.
She had many job opportunities in Columbus, which seemed like another world to her after her rural upbringing, but finally settled on working as a secretary for the Ohio State psychology department. Following eight years there, she spent the rest of her career in the Ohio legislature, as Engrossing Clerk and as Assistant to Vern Riffe, the Speaker of the House, for 22 years. More
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Travel to Germany in September
Ohio Conference German Partnership Trip
September 3 - 13/14 We are invited to what our partners call the "UCC Forum," a 2-day retreat along with German pastors and lay leaders, on September 7-8. But why go all that way for just 2 days? |
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 Outdoor Ministries Updates
Spring Workday at Templed Hills * April 28
Do you want to spend a beautiful Spring day outside helping to get ready for camp? The Spring Workdays at Camp are a great time to be at camp, spend some time outdoors, and help get the sites ready for our summer season.
There are plenty of projects that need hands of all skill levels. If you or your group have specific skills you'd like to put to use, let us know as far in advance as possible so we can plan accordingly. Please RSVP to Lesley Jones at lesleyj@ocucc.org or at 1.800.282.0740 ext 209 so we know how many to expect. Click here to download a Workcamp Release form. Workday flyer
54 Days until Summer Camp starts!
I'm going! Are you?
Register for camp
Check out our new camp site maps
Click here to see our beautiful new maps of Templed Hills and Pilgrim Hills. You can choose the entire camp or a close-up of the main camp area.
www.Facebook.com/OutdoorMinistriesOCUCC
Visit Outdoor Ministries online
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Sharing America's Resources Abroad SARA
Rotary Grant for Ukranian Children's Home Van
Rotary International recently gave its approval for a $10,250 humanitarian grant to St. Michael's Children's Home in Ratavici, Ukraine to help the home purchase a passenger van.
The project was initiated by SARA representative, Lana Sakash, who has been closely involved with the home since its inception in 2006. More
 Follow SARA on Facebook
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Disaster Response Ministry
Your hands can be the hands of Christ for someone recovering from a disaster.
UCC Disaster Recovery Ministry has gathered information, photos and videos on the U.S. disaster sites needing volunteer workers to repair homes. Check it out. Volunteer.
Clean-up kits are always needed 
Visit our website |
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Target 2030 Leadership Initiative
Target 2030 is an initiative focusing on energizing and sustaining younger UCC local church pastors sponsored by the Pension Boards.
Each year for the next decade, Target 2030 will identify a small, select group of young clergy to form the nucleus of leadership transforming local churches of the United Church of Christ into vibrant Christian communities providing ministry that is relevant in the 21st Century.
Target 2030 basic information
Target 2030 application form
Target 2030 FAQ
Follow Target 2030 on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Target2030
View a brief video and read details: http://bit.ly/PBUCCTarget2030.
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Short Subjects
You don't have to go far to do good. WASHINGTON UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, CINCINNATI, OHIO still has two weeks open for work camps next summer: July 8 - 13 and July 15 - 20. Work with children 1:1 in their Summer Program through the day. Educational opportunities on poverty, hunger and Biblical directives in evenings. Prepare and serve a meal to homeless and community members on Tuesday evening. Time for worship and other activities in the area. More information: Email Rev. Pam DeFusco or call Jean Siddall, 513/850-1248, or Pastor Pam, 859/630-7789. www.washingtonucc.org
Get help to evaluate your congregation's abuse prevention policies. The Insurance Board has launched a free, online, interactive abuse prevention policy self-assessment tool. The user-friendly, confidential tool is intended to help churches to develop and maintain an abuse prevention policy. Learn more about it and get started here.
THE PARISH PAPER. May and June issues are now available. Learn more about how you can use The Parish Paper.
May - How to Turn Bystanders into Active Disciples
June - Mission Possible: More Men in the Pews
2012 UCC Medical and Dental Insurance Rates HAVE SERMON, WILL TRAVEL. As you set your congregation's schedule for 2012, consider inviting the Conference Minister to preach and meet with church leadership. Contact Bob Molsberry by email or phone (800-282-0740, Ext. 203) to schedule a date. This message has been brought to you by your OCWM contributions. |
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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.
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This Mother's Day give more than a card
Your compassion in action. That's the definition of the Church World Service Blankets+ Program.
This Mother's Day take action - give help, give hope! Learn more
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Upcoming Events
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Money is not a four-letter word. Learn the best faith-based fundraising practices available in seminar series, Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity, April 27, June 6, Sept. 19, at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Details
United Church of Christ Musicians National Network (UCCMNN) 2012 CONFERENCE,
Renew, Refresh, Re-imagine, Kansas City MO, June 22 - 25. Complete information/registration: www.UCCMNN.com. Membership in the Network is free and open to anyone interested in the music, worship, and arts life of the local church.
National Workshop on Christian Unity, April 8-11, 2013, Columbus. Sponsored in part by Ohio Council of Churches. Questions? Contact Rebecca Tollefson, rtollefson@ohcouncilchs.org
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National Youth Event
July 10 - 13, 2012
Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana
NYE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
- Medical first responders
- Teachers of tai chi, Zumba, line dance, or aerobics
- Providers of theraputic massage
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