I am in a quandary. While I sat down to write a message “in moderation,” I find that I am far from feeling moderate. I feel sad, confused and helpless. And motivated… but to do what?

Moderation: Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme. Not being violent; mild; calm. Of medium or average quantity, quality or extent; MEDIOCRE. American Heritage Dictionary, 1978.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Spoiler alert: Christians need to be BOLD TODAY. As I discern God’s uses for me, I have already learned that God does not want me to sit back. I felt the Divine One's calling to volunteer for the SONKA governance council during the summer of 2024, only to become its vice moderator, and one year later, our moderator. I know God is still speaking, but I am having trouble interpreting God's messages to me.

I know I need to travel among our churches and meet our UCC members. I’ve been fortunate to meet UCC pastors from many SONKA congregations, and I have met devoted UCC members at their home churches, SONKA gatherings, Heartland events, IKC/Heartland listening sessions and even the National Synod last summer.

I have been learning about discernment during my months since joining our Governance Council. I still don’t have a full grasp on its definition, but I understand that it includes working toward a decision, contemplating, praying, and reflecting on options.

I am still learning…I am a disciple who is open to a better understanding of Christianity and the role God and Jesus want me to play in it.

I also am itching to be an apostle, carrying messages by traveling to others to share and grow further.

A business leader visited a group of non-profit leaders earlier in my workdays to discuss his road to success. He summed it up, “Discomfort breeds change.” If you are in discomfort, or even if you are still sitting in the same comfortable pew, please listen: God is still speaking, and I believe God is speaking to each of us.

Thanks,

Steve Schnabl

P.S. for Pastors and Church Council Presidents/Moderators: Please forward Weekly Word to your entire church council or even to your church membership email distribution lists. We are the UNITED church together.

See the updated list of regional groupings and names here!

CLICK HERE FOR REGIONAL LISTINGS

Region 513: Former West Side church parsonage becomes housing for disabled residents – Read More Here

A former parsonage at a Delhi church has been transformed into affordable housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a ribbon-cutting held on Wednesday for the newly opened Hope Cottage.

THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SUBMITTED INFORMATION -

YOU CAN SEE YOUR CHURCH FEATURED HERE!

PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO SUBMIT YOUR INFO

CLICK HERE OR THE IMAGE ABOVE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER!

Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey celebrates the history, accomplishments, and legacies of the Fisk Jubilee Singers®. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey as they become familiar with the individuals and music of this world-renowned ensemble group who introduced African American spirituals to the world.

January 19 – June 21, 2026

Skirball gallery, third floor

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

50 East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Included with general admission - Free for Members

Click here or on photo for more details!

Our SONKA Lay School is an ongoing educational and professional development program for lay leaders, pastors, and those seeking ordination through multiple paths. The 2026 Spring Session classes offered will be:

UCC History and Polity – instructors Ruth Hopkins, Bob Sandman
Introduction to Preaching – instructors Katie Peterson-Madden, Todd Peterson

Classes will be held Mid-March- June, two classes each month.

The fee for each course is $175.00

New Lay School students (first time students only) must complete a Student Admission form here and be accepted into the program. There is a $25 fee.

Those already registered, can register for specific classes here.

Student Admission and Registration forms deadline is March 1, 2026.

If you have any questions about the SONKA Lay School, Check with SLS Chair Karen Griswold at kgriswold@woh.rr.com for more information.

(Lay School Board members: Mark Anthony, Scott Casebeer, Dean Griffith, Ruth Hopkins, Karen Griswold and Ed Pettit

In The Deep End- Wednesdays at 6:30 pm on Zoom - FREE!!!!!

March: Essential UCC with Bob Sandman

Interested in learning more about the UCC’s background and foundational values? Bob Sandman, a lay member of Lakeview UCC in Maineville, Ohio, will lead Zoom classes each Wednesday in March from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. exploring the denomination’s history, present-day organizational structure, and involvement in current events.The classes will cover the UCC’s essential themes of Autonomy, Tradition, Diversity, Covenant, and more. Bob has served the wider church in many settings, including teaching UCC History and Polity, serving as SONKA Moderator, and moderating the 2023 General Synod in Indianapolis. He is a retired professor of economics and business. This class is informational and will have room for questions and answers. It is not a substitute for the full class on History and Polity in the Lay School. You can register for the course by sending Bob an email at 2bob.sandman@gmail.com. You may direct any questions about the course to him via email as well.

UCC National Ministries Event: Faithful Response to Immigration Gathering (March 17–19, 2026):

Co-hosted by Megan Bergert, our UCC Minister for Refugee and Migration, UCC and DOC. Faith leaders and congregations are invited to deepen relationships, share practices, and strengthen a faithful, coordinated response to immigration challenges. This gathering, for which the Heartland Conference will be a partner, will be held at Camp Christian, Marysville, OH. It will include training, education, and collaboration around migration, ICE action, and church safety. This event is open to all interested clergy and UCC community members—those who are new to migrant justice engagement and those who have a history of past or current engagement. Register HERE.

Abundant Aging Ministries Network

March Gathering

Join Us! Thursday, March 19^th from Noon – 1:00 pm (EST) via Zoom.

The Abundant Aging Ministry Network (AAMN) invites you to our March gathering space for clergy and older adults to learn, share, and grow together.

Our conversation will focus on Unlocking Potential: Transforming Underutilized Church Spaces Through Creative Community Partnerships That Serve Older Adults

Many congregations are discovering that their building is more than a gathering space for worship—it’s a powerful tool for mission, community connection, and financial sustainability. Your congregation’s building is one of its greatest assets—yet many churches struggle with underused space or uncertainty about how to engage their local community.

Join us for a one‑hour conversation featuring Rev. Paul Bomeli and Anthony Spearhart of St. Paul UCC, Wapakoneta, who have transformed their church through creative partnerships with organizations in their communities that serve older adults. They’ll share their stories, lessons learned, and practical tools to help you imagine new possibilities for your own church building.

Bring your questions and ideas-your voice will help shape this important conversation! Let’s take this journey together because ministry matters at every age and stage of life.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE INFO AND DIRECTIONS!

PULPIT SUPPLY LIST is updated - Need someone to fill in on a Sunday? Check out the pulpit supply list!

Heartland Conference Pulpit Supply Compensation Recommendations:

$200 for one service (minimum $175), $275 for two services (minimum $250), Mileage at current IRS guidelines (currently .70/mile)

Looking for a job? Looking to hire someone? Please send employment opportunities to info@sonkaucc.org. Opportunities will be listed here for three weeks. Thank you!

Do you enjoy nurturing and loving children? Washington UCC in Cincinnati’s urban core provides a summer enrichment program for children 6-15. We are recruiting for summer staff to facilitate this program now. Find the job descriptions and application on our website: www.washingtonucc.org/immersion

Do you and your church have a copy of the Manual on Local Church? The United Church of Christ is rooted in covenantal relationships that shape who we are and how we live in community. The Manual on Local Church is a new resource (released at General Synod in 2025) developed by and for the United Church of Christ that helps Local Churches, Associations, and Conferences understand and fully embrace these covenants, providing clear guidance on governance, leadership, and ministry practices. With resources ranging from the Congregational Code and Marks for Faithful and Vital Local Churches to practical tools for accountability and support, this Manual equips every setting of the UCC to engage faithfully, grow in vitality, and live out our witness in the world.

Download the Manual on Local Church

Buy a physical Manual on Local Church at UCC Resources

The Manual on Local Church is a resource for Local Churches to embody faithful and vital witness and ministry.

Download the Manual on Local Church

Buy a physical Manual on Local Church at UCC Resources

All are encouraged to share information about an upcoming or past event sponsored or co-sponsored by a church in our Association. Please send your article of 100 words or less in a paragraph to mimic@sonkaucc.org. Please send stories no later than Wednesday by noon for editing purposes. Cassidy then puts our newsletter together, and sends it to you on Tuesdays! Stories submitted after Wednesday morning will have to wait until the following week’s newsletter for distribution. Be extravagantly welcoming by including the name, location, address, date, time and contact information of the event. Items will run for two consecutive weeks. Flyers and /or photos are also welcome. A picture is worth a 1000 words!