| | | |
August 7, 2025
issue # 32
| |
"Blessing Always"
Association Minister Message
Rev. Daniel L. Busch
| | |
TREASURE. Jesus said, “Where your TREASURE is, there your heart will be too.” (Luke 12:34 CEB). How much wealth one has often determines identity being rich or poor, a certain place in society, or acceptance or rejection to be part of various community groups. Employment opportunities are sometimes accepted because they pay well rather than doing what one wants to do. In our culture, TREASURE is often defined by having money, possessions, and worldly success. As Jesus points out, when we focus on TREASURE, our relationships are limited to monetary value, and we miss the spiritual understanding that they are gifts and graces given to us by a generous and loving God.
TREASURE is more than material wealth, for it is spiritual “riches” that enhance our lives and faith. It is receiving God’s gifts and graces with gratitude and thankfulness; it is receiving TREASURES of God’s grace, forgiveness, and hope. Jesus does not say that wealth is evil, but it becomes evil when it is the worship or focus of our intentions. When “TREASURE-hunting” is only for me/us, it becomes greed, selfishness, and self-interest. TREASURES of faith bring about inner-health, spiritual wholeness and holiness, forgiveness, and embracing one another and the creation to the honor and glorify God.
From an affirmation of faith, the opening words declare, “I believe in God, who places joy in our souls, dancing in our toes and songs in our hearts. I believe God wanted gladness to flow like a river and so created a bountiful earth with plenty for all to share.” TREASURE is that blessing from God in our lives that is considered so important that we would take time and energy to share, not selfishly, but with a vision to sell our possessions to become blessings to others. It is willingness to share our TREASURES with others with compassion, generosity, and love. “The one who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving is the one who honors me. And it is to the one who charts the correct path that I will show divine salvation.” (Psalm 50:23). “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34, NRSVue). BLESSINGS ALWAYS.
| | |
Travel with Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister
August 10, 2025-First UCC, Marblehead-Farewell to Doug Williamson at 10:30 am
August 17, 2025-First UCC, Marblehead at 10:30 am
August 24, 2025-St. John's UCC, Holgate at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall
August 31, 2025-Park Congregational, Toledo at 10:00 am
September 7, 2025-Baseline, Bloomville at 9:00 am
September 7, 2025-College Hill, Bloomville at 10:30 am
September 14, 2025-Sylvania UCC, Sylvania at 10:00 am
September 21, 2025-Salem UCC, Kenton at 10:30 am/165th Anniversary of Salem UCC, Kenton
September 28, 2025-St. Paul's UCC, Bellevue at 10:30 am
October 5, 2025-St. Stephen UCC, Sandusky at 8:00 am & 10:15 am
October 12, 2025-St.Peter's UCC, Millbury/150th Anniversary Special Worship at 10:15 am
October 19, 2025-St. Paul UCC, New Bremen at 10:15 am
October 26, 2025-Emanuel UCC, Upper Sandusky at 10:00 am
October 26, 2025-Trinity UCC, Tiffin-Release of Service Dan Busch at 3:00 pm
| | |
SEARCH COMMITTEE NEWS
Interim Association Minister Position to be Posted
The Search Committee working to fill the vacancy created by the pending retirement of Rev. Dan Busch is aiming toward the hiring of an Interim Association Minister. This will be a part time position at least to start, but that status can be reevaluated after the first of the year. The Search Committee will conduct candidate interviews, then recommend a candidate to the Cabinet for a vote on hiring. While it is preferable to have the Interim Minister start in late October, it will depend on the availability of the person selected. The position will be posted nationally via the national website, and this is where all candidates should apply. If it is not posted by the publishing of this issue of the Vine, keep checking as it will be posted soon. Here is the link: oppsearch.ucc.org/web/default.aspx
Questions and input about the search process are welcome and encouraged. The members of the Search Committee are: Vice-moderator and Committee Chairperson Jay Scott, Moderator Peggy George, Cabinet and Committee Secretary Darla Metz, Cabinet Treasurer Dian Ewald, Past Moderator Doug Ricci, Wendy Schindler-Chasney, and Jeremy Mann.
| | |
Prayer Concerns / Request
Continuing prayer for: Dee Schroer, Rev. Daniel Johnson, Rev. Jim Garner, Rev. Don Corbin, Rev. Randall Forester, Rev. Gale Gebhart, Rev. Don Giesmann, Rev. David Culp, Rev. Diane Christopherson, Rev. Patrick McKinney, Regena Mummert, Rev. Mike Ebersole, Susan Bishop, Rev. Diane Thomas, Rev. Jeanette Tangeman, & David Weininger, Adrian Sunday, Peggy George, & Frank Isaacs.
Please keep them in your prayers.
| | | | |
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
| | | |
IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2025
- 70 cents per mile for business use
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
| |  | VISIT THOSE CHURCHES OFFERING SUNDAY SERVICE ONLINE | | NWOA Stewardship and Generosity Ministry Team | | | | |
If you want to jump start your thinking about Stewardship and Generosity, our 5 videos collection of topics covered with noted consultant Don Hill is available. As you click on the resources page, a short synopsis of each video is available. Can be used effectively in small group settings or you can take a segment for use in worship.
Permission is granted for the churches of Northwest Ohio Association, UCC to use the series as they wish with proper credit given.
| | | |
From the Pastoral Relations Working Group
of the NWOA Church and Ministry Team
Spiritual Directors
Learn more
Anti-Racism and White Privilege
Learn more
We hope that these resources meet the needs of pastors looking for resources to begin conversations regarding anti-racism within their congregations. If you have other ideas for how we may assist in bringing resources/training to you regarding this topic, please contact Nanette Warnecke-Flood at nanettef@syctelco.com
READ ON FOR MORE RESOURCES
| | |
Want an easy way to connect with The Heartland Conference's resources and news?
Add this QR Code to your church's bulletin or print material. From here you can access our website, newsletter, email our staff, register for camp, and more!
This QR code will be regularly updates in time for things like Annual Gathering Registration and other primary conference events.
| | | | | |
Help us spread
the word about
Heartland Conference Networks!
Click on the image for a
printable flyer to share
with your congregation!
Find your people, find your passion!
Connect through the Networks!!
| | The Heartland Conference DR Team's rapid response has significantly depleted the stockpile of period packs and hygiene kits in our Depot at Camp Christian. Churches are encouraged to generate more kits, and coordinate delivery to our CWS Depot, through the Heartland Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Kevin Gehres (gehreskb@gmail.com). | | |
Many of our Heartland Conference churches have asked, “How can we help in North Carolina?” We are excited to share that High Country UCC, northeast of Asheville, North Carolina, has just launched their volunteer host site: Volunteer Housing | High Country United Church of Christ.
This is a part of the Long Term Recovery process from the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and the resulting flooding. They are accepting groups of up to 20 people, and volunteers will be staying at the church for $60/person/week, and the church is coordinating work in the area with a variety of different community organizations to do rebuilding and recovery work based on the skills/interest of the volunteers. They are 6 weeks that they are accepting volunteers from mid-September to early November this year and then will reopen in early spring 2026.
For more information, you can access a video & details at the above link, direct any requests/questions about ideas for volunteer work trips to High Country UCC, or contact Kevin Gehres, our Heartland Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, at gehreskb@gmail.com.
| | |
Both Amy and Terri are pastors of small churches. Making a Big Difference!
They will be sharing about their laundromat mission and peanut butter and jelly truck mission!
| |
Our Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Dave Long-Higgins will join us to inspire new ideas for Youth and Youth Leaders for your upcoming program year!
| | PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. offers a full range of theological courses which embrace your doubts and questions while giving you a firm foundation. For more information visit us at: www.PATHWAYSTheological.org | PATHWAYS Theological Education continues expanding its offerings. Look for information coming soon on the Environmental Justice Certificate, the Advanced Faith Formation Practitioner's Certificate, and new preaching and Bible courses in conjunction with the Southern New England UCC Conference Project Proclaim (funded by the Lilly Foundation). Go to the website to see a schedule of upcoming courses. | | | Your generous gift makes our ministry possible. | |
Stay Connected
Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister
cell: 419-934-5386 email: dlbusch@nwoa.org
Kim Nye, Office Administrator/Search Coordinator
email: kim@nwoa.org
Deb Long, Bookkeeper
email: deb@nwoa.org
OFFICE PHONE: 419-447-8323
OFFICE EMAIL: office@nwoa.org
| | | | | |
