Newsletter

January 16, 2025

issue # 3

"Blessing Always"

Association Minister Message

Rev. Daniel L. Busch

   RESOLUTION. Needs. Problems. Fixing. Helping. There is so much to do today in facilitating and RESOLVING to do simple things like sharing meals with someone in need to complexity of solving peace between nations. Children come to us crying because of lost friendships or hurt because someone is not treating them with kindness. People experience betrayal when friends do not offer support during controversies. Lack of respect causes deterioration of relationships in families and the world communities.

The Gospel writer John writes in chapter 2 about Mary asking Jesus to do something because the wedding reception ran out of wine. Wine was a central component of wedding celebrations and the practice of hospitality. It is an interesting conversation between Jesus and His mother Mary. Mary says, “They have no wine.” Jesus responds, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus had just experienced being in the wilderness to meditate seeking guidance for the ministry that He was about to begin. Jesus’ hometown people knew Him as the carpenter’s son, not as a spiritual or societal leader, and they questioned His authority. Mary got involved because without wine the wedding party would be a disaster.

Mary is a witness to encountering needs and wanting to RESOLVE even what seems trivial. Even though Jesus at first is reluctant to get involved, He did a miracle of something that seems so mundane and insignificant, yet it became significant because the bridal party would have a celebration of great joy. In our time, justice delayed is justice denied. Our nation has the resources and can RESOLVE to do away with poverty, provide healthcare services for everyone, and welcome everyone around the table of community love. Mary acted, Jesus eventually responded, and a celebration happened. It does not have to be a major catastrophe that needs action. Even a smile, a hello, or a nod can also RESOLVE to make a difference in relationships. We are all called to share our gifts and graces to make this world as God intends it to be. Let us RESOLVE to be persons who love, heal, and share our resources to be “fixers” and “lovers” of God’s family and creation. BLESSINGS ALWAYS.

Travel with Rev. Daniel Busch, Association Minister

Jan. 26-First Congregational UCC, Sandusky at 10 a.m.

Feb. 9-Zion UCC, Fireside, Bellevue at 10 a.m.

Feb. 16-Emanuel UCC, Upper Sandusky at 10 a.m.

Topic: Preaching Basics for Lay People

Feeling God might be asking you to step up to the plate? Wondering how you could share with the church what’s been burning inside you, even though you’re “just” a lay person. Come check out this excellent presentation on how you, too, can proclaim good news about the Beloved Community. Your congregation needs you, the Church needs you, to speak truth to power and to speak that truth in love. Maybe it’s time for you to step up. Sign up today.

Facilitator: The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay

Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay serves as Minister for Worship and Theology, Faith Education, Innovation, and Formation, Justice and Local Church Ministries; and pastor at First Congregational Wellington.



When: Thursdays, January 23 & 30, 2025, 6:30-8pm

Register Here

Celebrations / Changes

Farewell To:

Rev. Lenore Kure, pastor of First Congregational Church of Sandusky begins her retirement from active ministry on January 19, 2025. Rev. Kure has served the congregation for over 29 years.

A reception in her honor will be held at the church, 1158 Cleveland Road, on Sunday, January 19 from 2:00-4:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. All are invited to attend.

Announcement:



Word has been received from El Salvador that they have elected a new bishop,

Rev. Guadalupe Cortez de Huezo on Thursday, December 5th, 2025. Installation will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Our prayers & blessings to her.

Prayer Concerns / Request

Continuing prayer for: Dee Schroer, Rev. Daniel Johnson, Rev. Jim Garner,

Rev. Hafidha Saadiqah, Rev. Randall Forester, Rev. Gale Gebhart, Rev. Don Giesmann, Rev. David Culp, Rev. Jeff King, Peggy George, Rev. Martin Stiffler and family, Rev. Diane Christopherson, Rev. David Voll, Pastor Amy Kinney, Rev. Adrian Sunday, Rev. Jeanette Tangeman, Rev. Patrick McKinney, Regena Mummert, Pastor Amy Kinney, Rev. Marge Mair-Hansen

Please keep in your prayers:

Rev. Adrian Sunday, retired living in Westerville is hospitalized with health concerns. Please keep him in your prayers.

Rev. Jeff King is at Autumnwood Care Center for rehabilitation. Please keep him in your prayers.

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)

Stewardship Ideas

Epiphany Greetings to you from your NWOA Stewardship & Generosity Team! At our last meeting we were sharing stories of ways our current or previous churches engaged our congregations in activities that promoted Stewardship. While we could fill numerous pages with stories, I have been asked to choose a sampling to include in a brief article for this month’s Vine.

           Mission Moments are used at a number of our churches including Sylvania UCC. These are given in worship. Whenever there is an opportunity to talk about an experience that has made a positive difference in some way, it is shared with the congregation. Examples might be people sharing after a Habitat for Humanity workday, or helping out at Grace Community Center in Toledo.

           While Mission Moments are scheduled in advance, Concerns and Celebrations are shared spontaneously by people in worship. These would involve recent experiences that the church was involved in that were especially meaningful to someone. They allow others to see the church at work and to see firsthand the impact those activities have on their members and friends.

           St. John’s UCC Tiffin engage their children in a stewardship exercise that teaches both the children and the adults the importance of sharing their God given gifts with others. They have a monthly Noisy Offering collected by the kids whereby coins are tossed into cute pails held by smiling children who say thank you to everyone.

           During Vacation Bible School, Buckland UCC receives a coin offering from the children each day that is donated to various charities.

           These are but a few of the many stewardship stories we shared. We pray these may assist you in the ministry you provide in your local church setting. Blessings as you journey into this new year and explore ways in which to continue the ministry that is vital to your congregation and beyond!



In Christ’s Service,

Stewardship & Generosity Ministry Team

2025 STEWARDSHIP THEME MATERIALS

Congregations in the Heartland Conference are eligible

 for 50% off the cost of stewardship theme materials!

Please use the coupon code HTLC2025 at checkout! 

Stay informed through Facebook

www.facebook.com/groups/593773784349506

MONTHLY ARTICLES

As Christians, let us love those who have recently immigrated from Haiti.

Jesus expects no less of us.

Thanks for the Hills

Make Someone's Day

Praying With Our Feet

How to Know a Person: the Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

Defiance Equality Foundation for Inclusion's (DEFI)

Back Bay Mission Long-Term Volunteer

Solar Powered Lantern by Alice Chun

Do This: Communion for Just and Courageous Living

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

Ministry Within Wildfires

As California wildfires continue, so does the call to care for one another.

One can’t help but see the current “climate” of hurricane disasters, and wonder what the Heartland Conference is doing? Thus, I wanted to share several things related to this.

First, on Sept. 28, the CWS semi was filled during the Heartland Conference Annual Gathering. For our part, our 2024 goal was 2,024 buckets & kits. As that semi rolled out of the parking lot, it left with 2,334 buckets and kits that came from our Depot, our churches, and our partners! There were lots of other buckets and kits, besides ours…at the same time, CWS was filling trucks at its New Windsor, Maryland warehouse, in anticipation of hurricane Helene. 

Secondly, CWS did respond by sending 3,296 cleanup buckets and 4,360 hygiene kits to Florida and North Carolina. However, this has resulted in their reserve stock being very low. If your church feels God’s nudge to continue to assist with buckets and kits, please do so…and then let our Heartland Conference Disaster Response Team know! If you haven’t had the chance to assist with the creation of buckets and kits, now is a perfect time to respond! Our Templed Hills Depot continues to be open to receive these until the end of November. At that time, we will transition to Camp Christian, having established our Depot site there, as well as housing our pickup and 2 trailers. 

So…”how can I help?” Prayer. Monetary Donations (sent through the UCC Global HOPE website, or sent to the Heartland Conference with a Helene/Milton notation), CWS cleanup buckets & personal hygiene kits. 

Currently, many of the affected areas are still in the initial phase of Search & Rescue. Others are in the Immediate Needs phase, with organizations such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, Samaritans Purse, Team Rubicon, etc. providing basic needs. Eventually, it will transition into the Recovery Phase, which is where faith-based organizations typically plug themselves in. Stay tuned for more information to come, when we have it.

Thank you. 

Heartland Conference Disaster Team

Kevin Gehres, Disaster Response Coordinator

Attention Members in Discernment!

Brown Scholarship Application Available

The Richard and Helen Brown Endowment for Church Leadership provides funding for students seeking a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree or equivalent. Potential Brown Scholars must demonstrate at least a year of active membership in a United Church of Christ (UCC) church and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.

For those interested in becoming a Brown Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year, eligible candidates may submit an online application beginning December 1 each year. The deadline to submit applications is March 1, 2025. Click here to apply for the scholarship.

To learn more about Brown Endowment Continuing Education Grant, please contact us at brown@ucfunds.org.

Mission Moments

Use Mission Moments every week to tell a story about your congregation’s connection with the wider church. Each issue – which is designed to be inserted with your newsletter or Sunday worship bulletin – is an effective way to inform your members about what they make possible through their gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission.

Your generous gift makes our ministry possible.