Newsletter

August 14, 2025

issue # 33

"Blessing Always"

Association Minister Message

Rev. Daniel L. Busch

      BLESSINGS ALWAYS

 August 13, 2025

Association Minister Message

Rev. Daniel L. Busch

     CONTRADICTION. As people of faith, we are challenged, as former Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby Spong expressed, to “experience God as the power of love.” Conflict seems to be the order of the day as we are bombarded by news of crimes, hatreds, and despair happening in our neighborhoods and nations of the world, even in sacred places of our homes, schools, and religious institutions. It seems like a CONTRADICTION reading Sunday’s gospel from Luke 12 with Jesus’ words “I came to cast fire upon the earth…I have come to bring division.” (vss. 49, 51). Jesus’ words are in response to the actions of hatred and violence perpetrated upon God’s beloved who are in the way of those seeking power, prestige, and possessions. As the United Church of Christ “Statement of Faith” declares, we need “courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing...”

    Jesus uses imagery of “fire and division” against those who do not live ways of love, justice, and peace. Jesus experienced arrest for challenging authorities, and was tortured and mocked for presenting a message of servanthood and accountability to the Creator God. His life, death, and resurrection offer compassion and reconciliation. There is a tension, mystery, and a sense of CONTRADICTION with Jesus’ other words, “Peace be with you.” The Gospel writer Luke was well aware that “fire and division” was splitting his society and Jesus offers His peace as a way of healing and conversion. The gospel calls those who live by the “sword” to seek ways of unity, justice, and reconciliation.

    We all experience “fire and division” in our lives daily. Dong Hyeon Jeong in Sojourners magazine writes, “Luke could be expressing his dismay, a sigh of exhaustion, on how our world is already burning and yet we fight each other as if there were no tomorrow.” Sunday’s lectionary includes Hebrews 11, the chapter on faith, that lists “clouds of witnesses” who have faced “fire and division” and have become faith witnesses of amazing grace and strength to overcome adversity. In all the CONTRADICTIONS we face, “God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.” There is redemption and transformation. BLESSINGS ALWAYS.

Travel with Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister

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 20, 2025-Zion Fireside, Bellevue at 4:30 pm

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 calling 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 the calling. 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.

Farewell

Farewell to Doug Williamson was held on Sunday, August 10, 2025

at First UCC, Marblehead.

MONTHLY ARTICLES

NEIGHBORS IN NEED 2024

"BECAUSE OF YOU OUR CHURCH CHANGES LIVES"

"WHAT IS OCWM AND WHY DOES IT MATTER"

The Stewardship and Generosity Team continues to work hard at finding ways to give you and your church resourcess for enhancing the giving of your congregations. We encourage you to explore the following links:

To donate to Ukraine:

Global Partners - Heartland Conference UCC (heartlanducc.org)

Resources from the Heartland Conference

Generosity & Stewardship - Heartland Conference UCC (heartlanducc.org)

Time, Talent and Treasures

TimeTalentandTreasures.docx

Stay informed through Facebook

www.facebook.com/groups/593773784349506

TEAM ARTICLES

Solar Powered Lantern by Alice Chun

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

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!!

It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of Pastor David O. Justis.

In 2000 he accepted the congregation’s call at the Lewisburg First United Church of Christ. Serving at the Lewisburg UCC church, he had made history as the longest-serving pastor in the church’s history. This year would have been his 25th year serving the congregation. During his ministry at the church, Pastor Justis has conducted hundreds of funerals, many weddings, baptisms, and was faithful to the Lewisburg community serving many community events and activities. 

Family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, August 15, 2025, at First United Church of Christ 400 North Main Street Lewisburg, Ohio. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Trinity Church 511 North Commerce Street Lewisburg, Ohio with Eric Loy and Pastor Roger Stine officiating with Inurnment in Roselawn Cemetery in Lewisburg, OH.

The obituary for Pastor David O. Justis may be found here: https://www.barnesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/pastor-david-justis

15 And let the peace of Christ[b] rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.                               -Colossians 3:15-16

Grounded in a Song of Gratitude

Rev. Dr. Dave Long-Higgins

Conference Minister

Dear Beloved in Christ, 

                  One of my earliest memories and experiences of the largeness of God happened one Sunday morning when I was 3 or 4 years old during worship.  The congregation my father was serving as pastor had only recently completed the construction of the new church building.  When I say, constructed the building, I mean that the members literally sawed the wood, laid the brick and finished the pews themselves.  

In the sanctuary that carried all the smells of newness, we engaged the elements one might think of when it comes to worship: praying, hearing scripture read, and interpretation of the word through the sermon.  But it was the singing that I most powerfully remember.  

Templed Hills Update

Siblings in Christ, we are continuing to work through the process of selling Templed Hills. While we have had many inquiries, we have yet to have a solid offer. We are now engaging in an auction process and want to pass on some details to you. 

An auctioneer has been engaged, and the auction of the property is set for Saturday, October 11th, starting at 10 am. There will be an open house for potential bidders on Saturday, September 20th from 1-4 pm. There will be other showing times available as needed.

Rev. Dan Doty

Conference Moderator

What did you do this summer???

Jill Frey

Executive Director of Outdoor Ministries

I spent this summer at three amazing host camp sites with all our amazing campers and volunteers. 

At Camp Christian, we had our First Grands and Family, Music Mindfulness Arts Dance Drama Camp Out, Sportscamp, and Seek and Sip (Adult-only camp). We held Grands and Family 2 at Camp Glen in Tiffin and Grands and Family 3 at Camp Wanake near Beach City. 

We had a total of 266 campers - 155 resident campers and 111 family and adult campers.



We hope you will join us next year. Keep your eyes open next month for the 2026 schedule.

Bob & Linda Read, members of Bethany UCC, Cuyahoga Falls, are shown delivering 120 hygiene kits and 2 cleanup buckets to our CWS Depot at Camp Christian. Our Disaster Response Team would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Bethany UCC, for their passion and love for others! 

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). 

Disaster Response Mission groups/Work groups needed!

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. 

All Churches are in transition of some kind! New members can cause stress to the

dynamics. Adding new music can upset the traditionalists. People wonder how active they should be involved in Social Justice.

Shrinking membership? Building woes? Fewer children and youth? Old governance

structures? Maybe you need a new vision and mission?

All these and many more topics challenge churches today. How can you lead in these times?

We will be offering both new topics and some that we just need to brush up on!

·    Church Dynamics

·    Reorganizing Church Governance

·    Leading a Visioning Retreat

·    When is it time to call your Judicatory for help?

·    Financial ethics

·    Developing new lay leadership

·    As well as some traditional skills for Interim Ministers.

We will have many speakers and leaders for this event, plus you get to enjoy the

outdoors!

This training will satisfy the requirements to be an Interim Minister in the Heartland

Conference and the Christian Church in Ohio, Disciples of Christ.

If you have questions or suggestions, please email Rev. Karen Bruno at

networks@heartlanducc.org.

Watch for registration information coming soon!

Save the Date for a retreat for authorized ministers in the Heartland Conference (UCC) and the Ohio Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), to be held at Camp Christian, January 13-15, 2026. 

The retreat will feature a variety of workshop options along with plenty of time for rest, renewal, worship, and conversation with colleagues. Registration information available soon.

Lantern Fellowship retreats are for all women of the Heartland Conference! Whether you've been to a retreat or not, we welcome you to this sacred space! Join us on September 19-21 for our Fall Retreat focusing on embracing the journey of aging.

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!

Applications For Part-Time Disciples of Christ Regional

Church Bookkeeper Now Being Received

The Christian Church in Ohio is seeking a Part-Time Bookkeeper to help with Regional Church finances, as well as assist with the If Not Now, When? If Not You, Who? financial campaign. The Part-Time Bookkeeper serves a vital role in supporting the financial health and accountability of the Christian Church in Ohio, a Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This position works closely with the Regional Administrator, Regional Church Treasurer, the Major Fundraising Campaign Coordinator, and Treasury Services of the Office of General Minister and President (OGMP) to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, proper account reconciliation, and alignment with denominational financial protocols. This role does not involve payroll processing or check issuance responsibilities.

The part-time bookkeeper can work remotely but must be present on site (of the Regional Church Offices in Marysville, Ohio) at least weekly and more frequently during peak seasons and financial campaigns.

Hours: Part-time (up to 15 hours/week, flexible schedule). More time may be required during peak seasons. Compensation: $20-$23 p/hour depending upon experience. No additional benefits are offered.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for at least three references to: Rev. Erica Brown, Chair, Personnel Committee, Christian Church in Ohio at elbrown348@gmail.com.  Applications are being received until the position is filled.  

Click HERE for the complete Job Description

CHHSM is actively searching to fill the role of Vice President

 and Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Vice President and COO is vital helping to guide and support CHHSM's mission and ministry in meaningful ways.

CHHSM invites and encourages applications for this position. They will begin reviewing applications August 11, 2025. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Click HERE for the job description for this important leadership role in CHHSM.

AGM Search Reopens

After not identifying a candidate last spring, the search for the next Associate General Minister has reopened.

Apply Now for the 2026 UCC Church Grants

Applications are now open for grants to support

the work and mission of local churches.

Prayers and a Look Back – Katrina 20 Years Later

The UCC reflects on Hurricane Katrina 20 years later...

Your generous gift makes our ministry possible.