This newsletter is made possible by your OCWM contributions. Thank you!

Please note: 

Sometimes, depending on the email server used, this e-newsletter is clipped.

Please look for "[Message clipped]  View entire message" to view

the Streams of Connection in its entirety or click here to view in your browser

Thursday, October 22, 2026

First United Church of Christ is excited to announce the first annual Tuscarawas County Reformation Celebration to take place on October 25, 2026 at 7 P.M. You and your congregation are cordially invited to participate and everyone is welcome in worship. This is an opportunity to worship together and celebrate our common heritage in Christ.

Pastors are invited to vest and join in the procession. Red is the liturgical color of the day. The procession will line up 20 minutes before the service and a place will be provided to vest starting the hour before the liturgy.

Choirs (or individual singers) are invited to sing in a mass choir that will rehearse before the service at 5:30 P.M. The two pieces that the choir will sing are: Christ is made the sure Foundation by Dale Wood, and Lord Keep us Steadfast in your Word (Chorale in the Lutheran Book of Worship). If you do not have copies of these pieces, we will provide them to you.

Meet the Author Night - Nov. 11 @ 7-8 PM

Join us for an inspiring Evening with the Author - featuring Deb L. Brown, Christian fiction author and inspirational speaker (and former FCC member). This night will feature her book, From This Day Forward. Books will be available for purchase that evening; they will be available online Nov. 2

Sunday, October 25 - Music at Bath FREE Concert Series

Kristine Jackson: Blues & Roots

3:00pm in the Sanctuary

An award-winning musician and songwriter, Kristine delivers roots-based music; reimagining classics and writing original material for guitar, ukulele, voice and other instruments. As a survivor of childhood trauma, Kristine advocates for the restorative power of music with a theme of hope and healing running through her work. Don’t miss this warm, soulful performance on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00pm in the Sanctuary of The Bath Church (3980 West Bath Road, Akron; 330-666-3520). Physically accessible. Ample parking. www.musicatbath.org

Saturday, October 24^th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Poverty simulation at Federated Church FAMILY LIFE CENTER

16349 Chillicothe Rd, Bainbridge Township, OH 44023

Free Event – includes lunch. Hear from community Leaders:

Chris Knestrick, from NEOCH

Debra Kazar, St. Paul’s Community Church

Noel Rivera from Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Lunch with a presentation from Rev. Michael Howard

Then hour Interactive Experience – Step into real-life scenarios and navigate challenges of poverty. Also, we will be collecting food donations for Food Bank and coat for NEOCH

Register by October 19^th so we can plan food for lunch.

https://communitylifecollaborative.org/event/poverty-simulation/

Questions: email sjamfedchurch@gmail.com

'Hell Bent' Author to Visit Medina

Brian Recker, the author of "Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love," will preach Sunday, October 25 in the morning (8:15, 9 and 10:30 AM) and then return for an in-depth talk at 3 p.m. at Medina UCC, Congregational, 217 E. Liberty St., Medina, OH. All events are free and open to the public.

A former evangelical pastor, Recker takes an honest look at scripture in his book and removes punishment from Christianity’s center. He reimagines the core questions of faith, such as why Jesus lived and died, and what it means to be "saved." "Hell Bent" helps readers replace fear and church hurt with healing and peace.

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 76¢ or current IRS rate.

Do you have the money you need to start your next community project? Whether you would like to partner with a local health services agency to confront the opioid crisis, start a racial justice initiative with the churches in your community, or something else entirely, the Make a Difference Grant could help your church serve the community. 

The Make a Difference Grant is an endowment created in 1998 that holds earnings designated for support of leadership development, congregational ministries, and community outreach at both the local and regional levels.

Your proposal for funding form needs to be submitted by November 14, 2026. Grantawards are made up to $1,000.

Questions: Contact Becca in the Conference office at becca@heartlanducc.org or 800-282-0740, ext. 2. The Make A Difference (MAD) committee looks forward to helping you to get your special ministries underway!

The Executive Director will be responsible for the functioning and mission of the Ohio Council of Churches – a non-profit organization made up of (currently) 23 partner judicatories of Christian denominations around Ohio that are a Christ-Centered movement for peace, justice, and unity. The Council accomplishes its work by:

• Fostering relationships through study, worship, dialogue, and prayer. 
• Connecting Judicatory leaders working on common missions. 
• Proclaiming God’s justice in a broken world. 



This is a salaried position averaging 30 hours a week - based in Columbus.

Click the banner below and scroll down to view the current

Heartland Conference Networks!

Open Enrollment for 2027 benefits begins on October 15 and closes on November 15. This is your opportunity to review your current benefits, compare available options, and make any eligible changes for the upcoming plan year.

This year, enrollment changes for most active employees will be completed online through the Member Portal. Additional resources and instructions will be released over the coming weeks to help you prepare.

You can begin by visiting the Employee Open Enrollment Resource Center, where you'll find:

• Key dates and deadlines
• 2027 rates
• Employee webinar registration
• Enrollment information
• Benefit resources and FAQs
• Healthcare affordability information

Visit the Employee Open Enrollment Resource Center CLICK HERE

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!

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

This newsletter is brought to you by your OCWM contributions.

Copyright ©2026. All rights reserved.