Newsletter

September 4, 2025

issue # 36

     "Blessing Always"

Association Minister Message

Rev. Daniel L. Busch

  FORMED, RE-FORMED, FORMING. ALWAYS REFORMING . Knitting is a fascinating activity. There are many ways of creating objects with yarn, threads, strings, and even ropes. Creations can be very plain, and some are intricate that brings a variety of designs, colors, and textures together. Knitters will “unravel” their work to correct a missed stitch or error, yet many knitters (particularly Amish) will intentionally have “a mistake” because nothing can be perfect. Knitters can carry on a conversation with someone on the phone, watch TV, and nibble on snacks all at the same time. God has blessed us with knitters who share with us precious gifts of love.

     The writer of the 139^th Psalm affirms, “For it was you (God) who FORMED my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (vs. 13). We are all created in the image of God (Imago Dei) and God’s handiwork gives us unique identity yet family together. “God does not make mistakes.” Our greed, selfishness, and pomposity leads us to distort and abuse God’s creation. As people of faith, God opens unlimited possibilities of who we are as we become RE-FORMED again and again. As Jeremiah’s image of the potter reminds us, the flaws are reshaped, not mistakes but with visions of the holy and wholeness to live with abundance and not scarcity. In the words of Rev. William Sloane Coffin, “May God take your minds, and think through them. May God take your lips, and speak through them. May God take your hearts, and set them on fire.”

     When we allow God’s Holy Spirit to guide us, we can never go back to before. In Jeremiah 18:11, God speaks to the faithful, “Turn from your evil ways; REFORM (amend) your ways and your actions.” The faithful are reminded that God is the source of life and offers gifts and graces generously for us to share. We are ALWAYS REFORMING for something good, filled with God’s amazing grace of compassion, peace, and justice. As Dr. Dang Hyeon Jeong, New Testament scholar wrote, “Please join me as we seek God’s guidance in our collective journey of repentance, resistance, and reconciliation.” To God be honor and glory. BLESSINGS ALWAYS.

Travel with Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister

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

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, Rev. Adrian Sunday, Peggy George, & Rev. Frank Isaacs.

Please keep them in your prayers.

Northwest Ohio Association

Boundary Training Workshop – In Person Only

We invite you to participate in our upcoming Boundary Training, held in person on Wednesday, November 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Tiffin, Ohio. Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere with pastries, fresh fruit, and beverages provided. The registration fee is $20.00, payable online at the time of online registration or by check made out to the Northwest Ohio Association of the UCC. You will find the workshop description and registration link below. We look forward to seeing you there!

Workshop Description

This specialized training is designed to equip pastors and faith leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively support victims within our community. As spiritual leaders, pastors hold a unique and influential role in addressing domestic violence and human trafficking by educating, guiding, and engaging their congregations and communities. Because of your regular presence in houses of worship, at community events, and in other public spaces, you may be in a position to recognize the warning signs that someone is in danger. This training will provide practical tools and critical insights, including:

• Recognizing the signs of domestic violence and human trafficking
• Responding effectively to domestic violence situations
• Implementing trauma-responsive care practices
• Understanding myths vs. facts surrounding abuse
• Addressing and preventing spiritual abuse

As part of this training, participants will also have the opportunity to engage in an immersive 30-minute scenario designed to deepen their understanding of the challenges survivors face. This powerful experience will highlight the complexities of abuse and prepare you to respond with compassion, confidence, and effectiveness. 

Amy Kinney serves as the Executive Director of First Step Domestic Violence Center in Fostoria OH. She is also the Pastor at St. John's UCC Fostoria.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and a Master of Science in Leadership, both from South University, as well as a Master of Practical Theology from Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Amy has several years’ experience serving survivors of domestic violence along with a 25-year career in healthcare and 15 years in higher education.

Marrisa Orzechowski serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator at First Step and holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University, along with a master's degree in the same field, focusing on victims and offenders. She has extensive experience supporting survivors in various shelters throughout Northwest Ohio and has also worked within the mental health sector to assist these individuals. Additionally, Marrisa is the previous Executive Director of Hope’s Landing, a social enterprise dedicated to aiding survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence.

MONTHLY ARTICLES

NEIGHBORS IN NEED 2024

"BECAUSE OF YOU OUR CHURCH CHANGES LIVES"

"WHAT IS OCWM AND WHY DOES IT MATTER"

Send your story to Mike Fonner mfonner@bright.net

The Stewardship and Generosity Team share stories of the many ways that churches make real their practices of Stewardship and Generosity. Read below current mission happenings.

Laundromat Mission

New Members join Emanuel UCC, aka (the Mud Church), Upper Sandusky

5 for 5 Mission +

Shalom Food Pantry

"Mission to Go" Fund

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.

The Stewardship and Generosity Team continues to work hard at finding ways to give you and your church resources 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

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.

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