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Friday, January 2, 2026



On the importance of The Flop...



Sometimes I flop on the little human’s bed and go to sleep. Everyone has to go to sleep at times (even the fastest dog in the world, me!) so remember to be careful about your energy and sometimes you might have to take a little flop.

Winter 2026 SPIRE Center

Learning Opportunities

... in our CONGREGATIONS

Local Church Jobs & Announcements

Looking for a job? Here are the opportunities and other announcements in our churches!


Jobs

Director of Music (PT), West Park UCC, Cleveland

Organist (PT), Dover Congregational UCC, Westlake

Children's Church Leader & Nursery Attendant (PT), First Church, Painesville

Youth Director (PT), Trinity UCC, Canton

Ordination


Alisha Young

Sunday, January 25, 4pm

South Euclid UCC

4217 Bluestone Road

South Euclid, OH 44121

At Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights

On Sunday, January 18, 2026, during the 10:30 am service, Plymouth Church's Anti-Racism for Equity (ARE) committee will present a live reading of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Members of Plymouth's congregation will serve as the readers for this classic oration from August 1963. ARE will also display visual media from the 1960s civil right movement in the Sanctuary and in Fellowship Hall, where coffee hour will be held. The reading will take place one day before the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Please join us at 2860 Coventry Rd, Shaker Heights!

Living Water Association Pulpit Supply List

Need someone to fill in on a Sunday? Check out the pulpit supply list! Recommended compensation: $200 for one service (minimum $175); $275 for two services (minimum $250); mileage at $0.70 or current IRS rate.

Streaming/Online Worship

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... in our HEARTLAND CONFERENCE

What is NEXT Steps?

This is non-financial “retirement” planning for anyone who is contemplating this life transition. We explore what this time of life means through the integrated lenses of spirituality, gerontology, theology, and psychology to engage a deeply personal process of reflection and discernment.


Developed and led in partnership by Eden Theological Seminary and The Center for Abundant Aging with United Church Homes, this program is more than a course—it’s a community, a movement, and a call to live fully into the next chapter of your life.

Join Us! Thursday, January 15th @ Noon (Online)


Start the new year with inspiration and connection! The Abundant Aging Ministry Network (AAMN) invites you to our very first online gathering—a space for clergy and older adults to learn, share, and grow together.


Our conversation will focus on Ministry with Individuals and Families Living with

Dementia, featuring two incredible leaders:

• Bonnie Burman, President of the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health, dedicated to transforming care and life for those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

• Salli Bollin, Executive Director of MemoryLane Care Services, supporting adults with memory loss and their caregivers in northwest Ohio.


Together, we’ll explore practical ways congregations can offer meaningful support,

including:

✔ How to communicate with those living with dementia

✔ Resources for families and faith communities

✔ Preventing escalation and fostering calm

✔ Understanding non-verbal communication


Bring your questions and ideas—your voice will help shape this important conversation! Register online today to reserve your spot. A Zoom link will be sent with your confirmation.


Let’s begin this journey together— because ministry matters at every age and stage of life.

Conference Networks

Click the banner below and scroll down to view the current

Heartland Conference Networks!

... in the WIDER CHURCH

Pray with Egypt

January 4, 2026

Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection: John 1: (1-9), 10-18 Prayers for Egypt In the Name of the Holy Trinity Our Lord, our God, and our Savior Jesus Christ, we lift our hearts to You with overflowing gratitude for all Your countless blessings and for Your ...

Continuing Education Opportunities

Click on the logos below for information and registration details for upcoming continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities provided by our partner schools and centers of learning!

UCC Webinars

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Association Staff

Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen

Transitional Association General Minister

agm@livingwaterone.org


Machelle Miller

Office Manager & Bookkeeper

machelle@livingwaterone.org


Rev. Michael Howard

Minister of Faith in Action

michael.mfia@livingwaterone.org

Kellie Ramirez

Information Management and Media:


Search and Call Coordinator

searchandcall@livingwaterone.org



Committee on Ministry Registrar

registrar@livingwaterone.org


Newsletter Editor

office@livingwaterone.org

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If you'd like to share information about an upcoming or past event sponsored or co-sponsored by a church in our Association, please send your article of 100 words or less in a paragraph by Tuesday noon to office@livingwaterone.org.


Be extravagantly welcoming by including the name, location, address, date, time and contact information of the event. Items will run for two consecutive weeks.



Flyers may also be provided in addition to your article. If you include a flyer, please provide it in PDF format that is less than 5MB. Photos also may be sent in addition to your article in PNG or JPG format and should be less than 5MB.

Thank you for subscribing and welcome to the Streams of Connection newsletter from the Living Water Association, Ohio Northeast, Heartland Conference, United Church of Christ

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