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Thursday, October 15, 2026

On October 4, Rev. Dr. Larssen visited Mount Olivet UCC in North Lima to celebrate serving 50,000 meals since beginning their meal ministry just 3 years ago! Pictured with Dr. Larssen are Tina Davis and Rev. Tim Paroz

Sunday, October 25 - Music at Bath FREE Concert Series

Kristine Jackson: Blues & Roots

3:00pm in the Sanctuary

An award-winning musician and songwriter, Kristine delivers roots-based music; reimagining classics and writing original material for guitar, ukulele, voice and other instruments. As a survivor of childhood trauma, Kristine advocates for the restorative power of music with a theme of hope and healing running through her work. Don’t miss this warm, soulful performance on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00pm in the Sanctuary of The Bath Church (3980 West Bath Road, Akron; 330-666-3520). Physically accessible. Ample parking. www.musicatbath.org

Saturday, October 24^th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Poverty simulation at Federated Church FAMILY LIFE CENTER

16349 Chillicothe Rd, Bainbridge Township, OH 44023

Free Event – includes lunch. Hear from community Leaders:

Chris Knestrick, from NEOCH

Debra Kazar, St. Paul’s Community Church

Noel Rivera from Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Lunch with a presentation from Rev. Michael Howard

Then hour Interactive Experience – Step into real-life scenarios and navigate challenges of poverty. Also, we will be collecting food donations for Food Bank and coat for NEOCH

Register by October 19^th so we can plan food for lunch.

https://communitylifecollaborative.org/event/poverty-simulation/

Questions: email sjamfedchurch@gmail.com

'Hell Bent' Author to Visit Medina

Brian Recker, the author of "Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love," will preach Sunday, October 25 in the morning (8:15, 9 and 10:30 AM) and then return for an in-depth talk at 3 p.m. at Medina UCC, Congregational, 217 E. Liberty St., Medina, OH. All events are free and open to the public.

A former evangelical pastor, Recker takes an honest look at scripture in his book and removes punishment from Christianity’s center. He reimagines the core questions of faith, such as why Jesus lived and died, and what it means to be "saved." "Hell Bent" helps readers replace fear and church hurt with healing and peace.

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK MAKING CHOICES ACTIVITY

Monday, October 19 | 6:30 - 8 PM | Middleburg Heights Community UCC

Do you know what it feels like to stretch a very limited budget through an entire month? The Social Justice Team of MHCUCC (7165 Big Creek Parkway, Middleburg Heights) invites you to join them as the Greater Cleveland Food Bank leads us through the The Making Choices Activity. We will step into the role of a lower-income family and experience the difficult choices that come with inadequate resources. Discussion will follow after the 60-minute activity. Please RSVP via online registration, or by email to Deb Thompson (dktaacslp@gmail.com) or Phyllis Wargo-Kelly (pawargo@sbcglobal.net).

Need someone to fill in on a Sunday? Check out the pulpit supply list! Recommended compensation: $200 for one service (minimum $175); $275 for two services (minimum $250); mileage at 76¢ or current IRS rate.

Do you have the money you need to start your next community project? Whether you would like to partner with a local health services agency to confront the opioid crisis, start a racial justice initiative with the churches in your community, or something else entirely, the Make a Difference Grant could help your church serve the community. 

The Make a Difference Grant is an endowment created in 1998 that holds earnings designated for support of leadership development, congregational ministries, and community outreach at both the local and regional levels.

Your proposal for funding form needs to be submitted by November 14, 2026. Grantawards are made up to $1,000.

Questions: Contact Becca in the Conference office at becca@heartlanducc.org or 800-282-0740, ext. 2. The Make A Difference (MAD) committee looks forward to helping you to get your special ministries underway!

The Executive Director will be responsible for the functioning and mission of the Ohio Council of Churches – a non-profit organization made up of (currently) 23 partner judicatories of Christian denominations around Ohio that are a Christ-Centered movement for peace, justice, and unity. The Council accomplishes its work by:

• Fostering relationships through study, worship, dialogue, and prayer. 
• Connecting Judicatory leaders working on common missions. 
• Proclaiming God’s justice in a broken world. 



This is a salaried position averaging 30 hours a week - based in Columbus.

Click the banner below and scroll down to view the current

Heartland Conference Networks!

Open Enrollment for 2027 benefits begins on October 15 and closes on November 15. This is your opportunity to review your current benefits, compare available options, and make any eligible changes for the upcoming plan year.

This year, enrollment changes for most active employees will be completed online through the Member Portal. Additional resources and instructions will be released over the coming weeks to help you prepare.

You can begin by visiting the Employee Open Enrollment Resource Center, where you'll find:

• Key dates and deadlines
• 2027 rates
• Employee webinar registration
• Enrollment information
• Benefit resources and FAQs
• Healthcare affordability information

Visit the Employee Open Enrollment Resource Center CLICK HERE

Dear Clergy Leaders,

We are four weeks away from Election Day, and we are organizing ourselves across states to protect our rights to elect the leaders we choose. This isn't a normal election season, and we can't be leading like it is.

There are key actions we will be taking on Election Day and the day after. The following national calls will prepare us for those actions: 

Faith in Us National Calls Thursday October 8th 9am PT/12pm ET, and Wednesday October 14th 12pm PT/3pm ET. 

• The same content will be covered in both calls. These calls will begin to prepare you to form a team to host Narrative Shifting Press Actions the day after Election Day. Here are the registration links:
• October 8th Faith in Us National Call
• October 14th Faith in Us National Call 10/14/2026

Faith in Us Election Day Poll Chaplaincy and Ballot Blessing Trainings Tuesday October 20th, 12pm PT/3pm ET, Wednesday October 21 12pm PT/3pm ET, Thursday October 22, 10am PT/1pm ET.

• The same content will be covered in all three calls. These calls will train you for poll chaplaincy efforts in strategic locations and ballot blessing actions in your area on election day. 
• October 20th Faith in Us Poll Chaplaincy and Ballot Blessing Training
• October 21st Faith in Us Poll Chaplaincy and Ballot Blessing Training
• October 22nd Faith in Us Poll Chaplaincy and Ballot Blessing Training

We think these are the most strategic interventions we can make as clergy through the election and the day after the election. Register for these calls and join us, and invite your colleagues to do the same. 

This is a time for all of us to step in and act together. Our democracy depends on it.

Faith in Us Organizing Team

Click on the logos below for information and registration details for upcoming continuing education and lifelong learning opportunities provided by our partner schools and centers of learning!

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