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New Items
- You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Rev.
Sharon G. Jacobsen and Rev. Dr. Donald N. Nichols on Friday,
December 23 at 11AM at Grace United Church of Christ, 13275 Cleveland Ave. NW,
Uniontown, OH
44685.
Refreshments will follow the ceremony. RSVP to Don Nichols at
330-499-5707 or DrDonSally44@copper.net.
- The Support Center is looking for people interested
in writing articles for Synergy,
the monthly newsletter for the Eastern Ohio
and Western Reserve Associations. The articles will be about
association churches, people and events. If you're interested,
know a budding journalist who might be or have questions, contact
Cheryl McGraw at cherylm@eoaucc.org or
330-453-8178 x100.
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Around EOA
- Conversation on Church
and the Justice System. A member of your congregation serves as a
police officer. Last year your brother's co-worker was the victim
of a crime. Your daughter's best friend at school lives with her
grandmother because her mother is incarcerated. At some point, in
some way, we all encounter the U.S. criminal justice
system. Churches, in small towns and big cities alike, are sensing
the nudging of the Spirit and discovering the need to share
ministry with those whose lives are most affected by our troubled
system of criminal justice. In response, the Department of Church
and the World will hold an open conversation on the Church and the
Justice System to bring together our experiences, questions,
creativity, and sense of the Spirit's call. Please join us in this
conversation on Tuesday November 29th at 7PM at the EOA offices at
2560 Clearview Ave. NW
in Canton.
Questions? Contact Mariah Marlin-Warfield at youthpastor@uccmedina.org or (330) 725-4559
ex.33. If this is of interest to you, but you cannot be present on
the 29th, please let Mariah know.
- Free webinar: Social
Media-Plan, Prepare, Protect. Social media is "child's
play" for children, but not for churches. A review of the
many considerations around church use of social media, including
management controls and oversight, copyright, libel, privacy and
security. November 30 at 11AM and again at 3PM. Register for the
webinar at https://insuranceboard.ilinc.com/perl/ilinc/lms/event.pl.
- Area E
Clergy Gatherings:
- Dec.
2, 2011, 7:30PM, at the home of Welton
and Cathleen Stein, 1018
McDonald Drive NE, Sugarcreek
- Jan.
6, 2012, 7:30PM, at the home of Arnie
and Anna Belle Klaiber, 630 Hickory Drive SW,
Sugarcreek
- Jan. 17, 2012, 10:30AM, at St. John UCC, 516 Wooster Ave.,
Strasburg
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Youth & Education
- It's Your Turn: EOA/WRA Youth Leaders Lock-In. "YOUth" on January 27-28. Taking the
emphasis off youth and putting it on YOU. A time for Taize, journaling, massage, quiet reflection,
learning ways to take care of ourselves in the midst of busy youth
group schedules. We'll be back at the Radission
and Church House in Cleveland.
Watch for details.
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Local Church
- Everyone's preparing for
Advent!
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In This Issue
New Items
- Wedding Invitation
- Journalists Wanted
Around EOA
- Church
and the Justice System
- Free
Webinar
- Area E
Clergy
Youth & Education
Local Church
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Food for Thought
An Offering You Can't Refuse
"What
shall I return to the Lord for all God's bounty to me?"
Psalm 116:27
Reflection by Martin B. Copenhaver
(Stillspeaking Devotional)
This time of year I have a recurring fantasy. A member of my
church calls me on the phone and invites me to lunch. Over lunch
he says, "You know, Martin, I am aware that the church is pressed
for funds, particularly in this financial climate, and it takes a lot
of energy to raise those funds. Well, I came into some money this
year, so I want to cover this year's budget with my own
gift."
First I try to catch my breath.
Then I offer to pay for lunch.
But he goes on: "I ask only one thing."
I say, "Sure. Whatever. Would you like some
champagne?"
"No, thank you," he says. "All I ask is that you
not accept any other contributions or offerings for the rest of the
year. I want to do it all. My gift to the
congregation."
I take another deep breath. Then I say, "I'm sorry, but I
cannot accept your gift. I can't do that to the people.
It's not just a matter of being able to pay the bills. We need to
be able to respond to all that God is doing in our midst and to share
in that work. We can't be deprived of the opportunity to give of
ourselves. To hear the promises of God and to receive the gifts
of God, and to be unable to respond? Why, that's a burden.
We just can't do that to the people."
Prayer
God, thank you for inviting us to share in your work through the gifts
and offerings we bring.
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