SECTION A

AGENDA AND

MEETING INFORMATION

1 PROPOSED AGENDA 2 FORUMS 3 DIRECTORY OF OFFICERS, STAFF, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 A BRIEF HISTORY ST PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW BREMEN 6 MODERATORS OF THE NORTHWEST OHIO ASSOCIATION 7 RULES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES 8 HOW TO REPORT ON AN ANNUAL MEETING 9 WORSHIP BULLETINS (WHITE)

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54th Annual Meeting Proposed Agenda

Northwest Ohio Association, Ohio Conference, United Church of Christ St. Paul United Church of Christ, New Bremen, Ohio - April 29, 2017

THEME: “MAKE GLAD!” “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” Psalm 46:4

8:00 am Registration & Breakfast 9:00 am Call to Order Welcome Opening Worship (offering is for El Salvador Partnership) Rev. Daniel L. Busch, Association Minister Rev. Becky Erb Strang, St. Paul UCC, New Bremen, Sr. Pastor 9:45 am Introductions New to the Association and Members in Discernment Special Guests

Greetings and Comments from Interim Ohio Conference Minister Rev. John Gantt Institutional Representative – Disaster

Greetings from El Sinodo Luterana Salvadoreño, Bishop Gomez Signing of the Renewal of Partnership with El Sinodo Luterana Salvadoreño

Nominations and Election

10:45 am Keynote Address – Rev. Dr. Mary Schaller Blaufuss Team Leader, Global Sharing of Resources and Executive for Volunteer Ministries, UCC

“You are Here: Ministries of God’s Abundance in a Complex World” The UCC’s ministries in disaster, refugees and sustainable development (agriculture, health, education and community strengthening) enable us to walk with people in some of the most difficult crises of their lives. We are not alone. Together, we meet immediate needs, help organize for long-term response and address root causes of complex problems by empowering people. These ministries made possible by the UCC’s One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, Designated Emergency Funding and Endowment enable us to be there to experience God’s steadfast love that brings healing and wholeness in the world.

11:45 am Lunch

12:45 pm Forums 1:45 pm Forums (repeated)

2:45 pm Institutional Representative – Defiance College Lay School Video Excellence in Ministry Presentation

Financial Report Recognition – Anniversaries, OCWM Awards

3:45 pm Closing Celebration, Announcements, Amenities, Leadership Installation

4:00 pm Adjournment

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Forums 12:45 pm & 1:45 pm

Church in the 21st Century: Entrepreneurial Leaders Needed Rev. Dr. Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Team Leader, Global Sharing of Resources and Executive for Volunteer Ministries, United Church of Christ Exploring leadership development through the UCC’s Young Adult Service Communities and Summer Communities of Service. Based in a mentoring model of leadership development that emphasizes an action-reflection-action-reflection spiral, young adults experience vital settings of the church. The experience includes a year or a summer of intentional community with other participants, internships in community service or advocacy, congregational service. Participants explore meaning and purpose and practice skills of navigating boundaries that often separate congregational life and work in the world. This forum will help us reflect on church vitality, patterns of leadership, and young adults in our lives.

GOINGS ON and WHAT’S COMING UP in Ohio Conference Ministries Rev. John Gantt, Interim Conference Minister & Rev. Sam Buehrer, Treasurer of the Ohio Conference BOD Discussions regarding our campsites, OCWM, all-Ohio Visioning Team, and related concerns.

Narrative Lectionary Rev. James Brehler, pastor at The St. John UCC, Defiance The Narrative Lectionary can be a good alternative to the Revised Common Lectionary. Following a four-year cycle of readings focusing on each of the four gospel readings, the Narrative Lectionary texts begin in September and follow the sweep of the Biblical story from Creation through the early Christian church. This workshop will cover a basic introduction to the Narrative Lectionary, point to resources available, and suggest ways RCL resources can be cross-referenced to the Narrative Lectionary. If you are looking for way to freshen your approach in worship and study, this is the workshop for you!

Opiate Awareness Nate Kehlmeier, Community Liaison at the Shores Treatment and Recovery Nate Kehlmeier has personal and professional experience with substance abuse and addiction. He will bring us into a greater awareness of this epidemic all around us. Come hear his story and learn about the depth of this crisis. 90% of those he has worked with in the last 6 years are middle and upper middle class 18-26 year olds. Opiates are killing 8 people a day. Ohio is #1 in the country for overdoses, Lucas County is #1 in Ohio and 43605 is #1 in Lucas County. However, the city is not the only place plagued. Our rural towns and villages are seeing a rise in opiate addiction. Nate will give us an awareness, share how vulnerable are our children, and share with us how to respond.

El Salvador Mission Bishop Medardo Gomez & Rev. Abelina Gomez and John & Joyce Gilberg El Salvador: A beautiful country and the smallest in Central America that is named after our Savior. The country has been struggling for many years with all kinds of problems. Our NWOA Covenant – Partnership with the Lutheran Church of El Salvador is a wonderful expression of solidarity between our UCC Churches of Northwest Ohio and the Iglesia Luterna Salvadorena. Jesus tells us, “When you do it unto the least of our brothers and sisters, you have done it unto me”. Serving God has no borders. Come, hear, and learn about this vital mission south of our border.

A Year Round Stewardship Program Rev. David Plant, Memorial UCC, Toledo Pastor "If Jesus' spent 33% of his time talking about money, we can do better than a 30 day stewardship campaign in the fall. Let's talk seriously about giving, budgeting, estate planning, planning a year round effort, e-giving and more."

Emotionally Healthy Leadership Rev. Jon Komperda, pastor at Point Place UCC, Toledo Burnout. Weak Leadership. Moral and spiritual failure. Hostile and fruitless meetings. Pete and Geri Scazzero have penned a number of books to address these issues, all too common in our churches, including The Emotionally Healthy Leader. Stop by for a quick overview of how we can cultivate a more emotionally healthy approach to leadership and resources to integrate them into your church.

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DIRECTORY OF OFFICERS AND STAFF

OFFICERS Rev. David Voll ….……..…..……….………..... Moderator

Mrs. Betty Rettig.………..…………..… Vice Moderator Pastor Tom Kagy………….………..………...…. Secretary Mrs. Mary Powell………………………….…..… Treasurer Rev. David Plant ...….…….……………. Past Moderator

STAFF

Rev. Daniel L. Busch…………………….…………………. Association Minister Mrs. Joan Davidson…………...Office Manager/Placement Coordinator Ms. Carolyn Pennington………..………………...Bookkeeper/Receptionist

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Rev. Dave Voll - MODERATOR Rev. Dave Voll has served as Senior Pastor at St. Paul UCC in Oak Harbor since June, 2006. Previously he served pastorates in UCC churches in the Northwest Ohio Association, the Wisconsin Conference, and the Illinois Conference. In the latter, he served on the Conference Outdoor Ministry Committee and the Chicago Metropolitan Association Camp Committee. In NWOA he has served on the Church and Congregational Life Team, as a Program District Dean, on the Lakeshore Region Coordinating Team, and nearly three terms on the Church and Ministry Team.

Mrs. Betty Rettig - VICE MODERATOR

Betty Rettig has served in various capacities at St. John’s UCC near Holgate since joining in 1972 including VBS teacher, member of Worship and Music, Audit, Nominating and Stewardship and Mission Teams, Elder and member of Consistory. While serving as Consistory President, the Pastor began considering a new call and Betty became familiar with the NWOA office and the resources that they offer for a church in transition. Since then, she served on the Church and Ministry Team. Professionally, Betty is a Registered Nurse, retiring after almost 40 years. Currently she works part-time in a private counseling practice in Defiance and as the Administrative Assistant at St. John's UCC, Holgate. Betty and her husband Bob live near Napoleon, Ohio. They have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION A - SALMON PAGES Basic Meeting Information

Worship Bulletins (white) SECTION B - BLUE PAGES Officer and Staff Reports SECTION C - PINK PAGES Financial Reports

OCWM in NWOA SECTION D – IVORY PAGES Ordination Candidates SECTION E – GOLDENROD PAGES NWOA Organizational Chart

NWOA Role and Mission NWOA Vision

Team Reports SECTION F – LAVENDER PAGES

Directory

SECTION G- WHITE PAGES Ohio Conference

Outdoor Ministry SECTION H– GREEN PAGES Institutional Partners in Ministry SECTION I – BUFF PAGES Nominations

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A BRIEF HISTORY St. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW BREMEN

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church now St. Paul United Church of Christ, New Bremen, Ohio was founded in the year 1833 when a group of German immigrants came north along the route of the Miami Erie Canal from Cincinnati. The village of New Bremen and the church were founded at the same time. The church continued to grow and became the center for religious and social life of New Bremen in these early years. The first church was a wood structure and in 1891, a brick structure was dedicated. Total cost was a little over $19,500. On January 1, 1897 after the New Year’s Eve services, a devastating fire gutted the entire building. The tower and walls were the only things left standing. Less than a year later on December 5, 1897 the church had been rebuilt at a cost of $10,554. On several occasions, the church has been redecorated and that project is again planned for the near future. In 1952, the educational building was completed and dedicated. Sons and daughters of the church who have entered the Christian ministry since the 1950’s are, Rev. Dr. Eugene Hegemier, Ralph Casebolt, Rev. Dr. Ralph Quellhorst, Rev. James T. Egbert, Rev. John W. Tostrick, Rev. Dr. Mark Houshower, Rev. Linda Marshall, Rev. Joyce Dicke Schroer, Rev. John E. Wierwille and Rev. Tedd Wittenbrink. Esther Quellhorst Kuck graduated in 1929 with a degree in Christian Education. She served several churches in past years and is a member of First United Church of Christ, New Knoxville and resided in New Bremen. Ministers who have served St. Paul since the 1950s are Rev. Dr. Emil Bassler, Rev. Dr. Roger Perl, Rev. Thomas Ward, Rev. Larry K. May, Rev. Carolyn Mann, Rev. Dr. Wade Schemmel, Rev. Jeffrey R. Gerber, Rev. Dr. Jeanne Spoor, Rev. Dr. Rick Weir and Rev. John W. Tostrick. The Rev. Becky Erb Strang has served as Senior Pastor since August 2009. We are currently searching for an Associate Pastor. The St. Paul Congregation started as a group of immigrants from Germany and has grown through the years as a church home for persons of different denominational backgrounds and ancestral nationalities. This diversity blends persons together as a faithful, caring and worshiping family. St. Paul Church is a constant witness of faithfulness by sharing its time, talents and money through local, regional and world missions through OCWM and other giving. Thanks be to God.

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MODERATORS OF THE NORTHWEST OHIO ASSOCIATION

On Sunday, October 25, 1963 ministers and delegates representing congregations seeking membership in the Northwest Ohio Association met at Trinity United Church of Christ, Tiffin, and gave birth to this covenant fellowship. First United Church of Christ, Lima was the site of the First Annual Meeting, May 6 and 7, 1964. Since then the following persons, clergy and laity, have been elected to assume the duties of moderator:

1963-64 * Rev. Paul Rohrbaugh, St. John's UCC, Genoa, MB 1964-65 * Rev. Paul Rohrbaugh, St. John's UCC, Genoa, MB 1965-66 * Mr. Charles McKenny, Pilgrim Church of the UCC, Toledo, MB 1966-67 * Rev. Robert Boardman, First Congregational UCC, Sandusky, F 1967-68 * Mr. Oscar J. Weiker, Trinity UCC, Upper Sandusky, H 1968-69 * Rev. Richard P. Vitz, First UCC, Lima, ME 1969-70 Mr. R. Clark Hunter, Ripley Congregational UCC, Greenwich, F 1970-71 Rev. Larry K. May, St. Paul's UCC, Bellevue, F 1971-72 Mr. Randall Buchman, The St. John UCC, Defiance, D 1972-73 * Rev. William Tuck, Trinity UCC, Tiffin, H 1973-74 Mr. Jay Elshoff, First UCC, New Knoxville, ME 1974-75 * Rev. Robert Haskins, Mayflower UCC, Mansfield, TH 1975-76 Mrs. Anne Kear, Trinity UCC, Upper Sandusky, H 1976-77 * Rev. Reuben Bebler, St. John's UCC, Holgate, D 1977-78 * Mr. Philip Maurer, St. Paul's UCC, St. Marys, ME 1978-79 Rev. Robert Snyder, Park Congregational UCC, Toledo, MB 1979-80 * Mrs. Jean Winegardner, West Elm UCC, Lima, ME 1980-81 * Rev. Robert Peeples, First UCC, Shelby, TH 1981-82 Mr. John Schaeffer, St. John's UCC, Milan, F 1982-83 Rev. John Miller, First UCC, Galion, TH 1983-84 * Mr. William C. Bradish, Pilgrim Church of the UCC, Toledo, MB 1984-85 * Rev. Harold W. Thiedt, St. Paul UCC, Wapakoneta, ME 1985-86 Mrs. Elnor Telljohann, Faith Community UCC, Toledo, MB 1986-87 Rev. Barbara Laucks, Emanuel UCC, Upper Sandusky, H 1987-88 Mr. David Deever, St. John's UCC, Kenton, H 1988-89 Rev. Alfred W. Schroeder, The St. John UCC, Defiance, D 1989-90 Mr. James L. Henry, St. John's UCC, Mansfield, TH 1990-91 Rev. Patricia H. Lawrence, Republic UCC, Republic, H 1991-92 * Mr. William O. Fahrenbruck, Trinity UCC, Tiffin, H 1992-93 * Rev. Gary R. Hodges, St. John's UCC, Archbold, D 1993-94 * Ms. Coral Schmidt, Salem UCC, Toledo, MB 1994-95 Rev. Frank Isaacs, St. Paul's UCC, Bellevue, F 1995-96 Mr. Garland John Gates, First UCC, Shelby, TH 1996-97 * Rev. Howard H. Hershberger, UCC, Spencerville, ME 1997-98 Ms. Judy Shumaker, Calvin UCC, Toledo, MB 1998-99 Rev. Barry Bordenkircher, Community UCC, Fort Seneca, H 1999-2000 *Mr. Ted Lovejoy, St. John's UCC, Archbold, D

2000-01 Rev. Sam Buehrer, First UCC, Galion, TH 2001-02 Mrs. Donna L. Overholt, Trinity UCC, Tiffin, H 2002-03 Rev. Rob Patton, St. Stephen's UCC, Sandusky, F 2003-05 Mr. Dale Schmidt, St. Paul’s UCC, St. Marys, Auglaize Valley Region 2005-07 * Rev. Dr. William Chidester, Sylvania UCC, Sylvania, Lakeshore Region 2007-09 Mrs. Mary Powell, St. John’s UCC, Tiffin, Sandusky Valley Region 2009-11 Rev. David Plant, The St. John UCC, Defiance, Auglaize Valley Region 2011-13 Mrs. Susan Bishop, Zion (Fireside) UCC, Bellevue, Lakeshore Region 2013-15 Rev. Robin LaBolt – Sycamore UCC, Sycamore, Sandusky Valley Region 2015-17 Rev. David Voll – St. Paul UCC, Oak Harbor, Lakeshore Region Key - The initials designate the Program Districts: MB - Maumee Bay; D - Defiance; H - Heidelberg; ME - Miami Erie; F - Firelands; TH - Templed Hills * Deceased

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RULES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES

Fifty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Northwest Ohio Association The rules and operating procedures for this Annual Meeting are intended to increase the meeting's effectiveness and simplicity, and to decrease confusion and uncertainty. The meeting itself is the total responsibility of all the delegates. Delegates (and visitors with voice) should speak only on the subject at hand, remaining aware that there are others who may wish to speak and limiting the number of times he/she speaks and the length of each speech. The Annual Meeting Planners and the Association Cabinet suggest the following operating procedures: 1. All proceedings, unless otherwise provided for, are governed by Roberts Rules of Order,

as Amended. 2. Every member in good standing of a United Church of Christ has the privilege of the

floor, but only official delegates and those granted voice and vote by this Association may make motions or vote. During debate the Moderator shall attempt to alternate between "pro" and "con" speakers.

3. Every motion, except a very simple one, must be submitted in writing to the secretary at the time it is made. 4. Speakers addressing the meeting shall be limited to five minutes on a first speech and

three minutes if they wish to speak a second time to the same matter of business. 5. The bar of the house shall be defined as the pews in the main sanctuary of the church.

Only official delegates within the bar of the house shall be eligible to vote.

DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE

NORTHWEST OHIO ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS Copies of the Northwest Ohio Association Constitution and Bylaws are on the secretary's table in the sanctuary. You may desire to refer to this document during the business session.

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HOW TO REPORT ON AN ANNUAL MEETING

Delegates to the 54th Annual Meeting of the Northwest Ohio Association are representatives of a local church. Delegates are often requested to make a verbal report to the official board or during a Sunday morning worship service. Other delegates are asked to make a written report for their parish newsletter. Regardless - the question remains - how can I make a responsible and effective report? The following guidelines are prepared to help you make your report back home. 1. Basic Resources and Tools for Reporting

A. The Program Book - The agenda is a good summary of the meeting. Make notes in your book throughout the meeting.

B. Your Personality - When you write or tell the story, be personal - blend

the factual report with feelings and humor. 2. Your Report - Telling the Story

A. Outline the story you wish to tell. It might fall into several categories: a) Factual Report of:

*The Theme – “Make Glad” * Reports of officers, staff and teams/committees * Key actions taken * Speakers * Elections * Association Mission Spending Plan (Budget)

b) Your Impressions and Feelings about:

* Overall impressions of meeting * Inspiration * Challenge * Disappointment * Thrills

c) Application of the Meeting to Your Church:

* Anyone from your church on the program or elected * Actions that touch your church * Budget implications for your church * New ideas or programs to share

d) Invitation and Challenge:

* For others to review the program book * For others to be a delegate next year * For others to become involved.

B. Write your story out. Be brief - you can tell a lot in five minutes. Have fun!

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“Make Glad!” Opening Worship

Word and Renewal of Baptismal Vows

GATHERING MUSIC

*GATHERING TOGETHER WITH GOD (responsively) (from GMP Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer) “We all bear responsibility for living out our shared mission.

We will not achieve our full potential—nor maintain our full capacity for health, vitality, and relevance—without a clear sense of missional purpose and calling.

This effort to identify that was a critical step in the direction of our future health and vitality-

but it will only matter if we can all find common cause in this and commit fully, with passion, and without reserve to its undertaking.”

The UCC purpose statement comes from the Gospel of Matthew: To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.

Mission Statement: United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.

And the vision: United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.

*PRAYER OF UNITY (unison) (adapted from hymn “Renew Your Church”)

“Renew your church, our ministries restore: both to serve and adore…Teach us your word, reveal its truth divine, on our path, let it shine…Teach us to pray, for you are ever near, your still voice, let us hear. Teach us to love, with strength of heart and mind, each and all, humankind…” Ever-present God, Still-speaking God and Loving God, we gather today as people of ministries and mission, united in Christ and filled with Your Holy Spirit. You call us into ministries and missions where “there is a river whose streams MAKE GLAD the city of God.” Unite us to be “the holy habitation of the Most High.” In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen.

*HYMN “Sing a New Church” #577 SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY – Psalm 46: 4

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the Holy habitation of the Most High.

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REFLECTION – “Make Glad!”

PRAYERS TO THE LIVING GOD

THE LORD’S PRAYER (all singing) #742

CHORAL ANTHEM

THE SHARING OF OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES Offering is for the Building Project of Resurrection Church, El Salvador Comments by John and Joyce Gilberg, Music led by Rev. Frank Isaacs

*DEDICATORY PRAYER (unison) (from the UCC Book of Worship, pp. 551-552)

What we have we bring: our good intentions, our unknown motives, our uncertainties about life, our grasp of truth, our time, our uneasiness with what is. We off this in the midst of what remains unspoken and affirm that it is received. We dedicate its use for our brothers and sisters in El Salvador for the building project of Resurrection Church. In love we have given it, in love we receive it and in love we share it in Christ’s name. Amen.

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS

Friends in Christ, we are all received into the church through the sacrament of baptism. We have found nurture and support in the midst of the family of Christ. Through prayer and study, we have been led by the Holy Spirit to reaffirm our baptism and to claim our presence in this covenantal relationship with Christ and the members of the church. We are here for service to Jesus Christ, using the gifts which the Holy Spirit bestows. Let us renew our baptismal covenant.

The Preparation Do you renounce sin and the power of evil in your life and the world?

I renounce them. Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior? Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. So you, by the grace of God, promise to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in Christ’s way, to show love, to practice justice, to resist evil, and to witness to the living Christ? I promise, with the help of God. Do you promise to devote yourself to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayer, to celebrate Christ’s presence and to further Christ’s mission in the world?

I promise, with the help of God. Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

I will, with God’s help.

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Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? I will, with God’s help.

Affirmation in the Triune God Let us unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God. Do you believe in God? I believe in God. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? I believe in Jesus Christ. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit. Let us say again what we believe. (adapted from Romans 8)

We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and we know that in everything God works for good with those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. We are sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Act of “Coming to the Water”

You are invited to “touch” the baptismal water as a renewal of your baptism. Please take a stone from the water and carry with you as a reminder that you have been baptized into the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer (unison)

Lord Jesus, for You I live, for You I suffer, for You I die! Lord Jesus, Yours will I be in life and death! Grant me, O Lord, eternal salvation! Almighty God, who in baptism received us Your servants into the church, forgave our sins, and promised us eternal life, increase in us the gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Grant love for others, joy in serving You, peace in disagreement, patience in suffering, kindness toward all people, goodness in evil times, faithfulness in temptation, gentleness in the face of opposition, self-control in all things. Thereby strengthen us for our ministry in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

*HYMN “Borning Cry” #680 *COMMISSION AND BENEDICTION *MUSIC OF PRAISE

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CLOSING WORSHIP -- Installation of NWOA Officers and Teams

INSTALLATION OF NWOA OFFICERS AND TEAMS

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from Jesus Christ, the head of the church in heaven and on earth To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

Affirmation of ministry is the act whereby the United Church of Christ recognizes the diverse gifs of its members and celebrates the particular ministry of each person in the life of the church or in various settings in the life of the world. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.

There are different ways of serving, but the same God is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to each of us for our particular service. The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

Christ is like a single body, which has many parts. It is one body, even though it is made up of different parts.

If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness. All of us are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it.

PRESENTATION

These persons have been called by God, nominated and elected by Northwest Ohio Association, to serve among us. They have accepted their call and are before us in witness to their willingness to serve.

COVENANT

Sisters and brothers in Christ, it is an honor to be entrusted with responsibility for particular service in the ministries of the Church of Jesus Christ through Northwest Ohio Association, whether gathered or scattered. Having prayerfully considered the duties and responsibilities of your ministry, are you prepared to serve with the help of God in Christ’s name and for the glory of God? Response: I am. Do you promise to exercise your ministry diligently and faithfully, showing forth the love of Christ? Response: I do, relying on God’s grace. Members of this “community of communities” of faith, you have heard the promise of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have answered God’s call to service. Let us affirm our intention to live in covenant with them. Will those who are able rise and witness to the commitment we now make?

We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ. We promise to love you, honor your leadership, and assist you that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Eternal God, You have called these persons to serve You in Northwest Ohio Association and in the world, which You have entrusted to our care and keeping. Send Your Holy Spirit on them that they may serve among us with honor and faithfulness. Help them to be diligent in their duties that Your Church may prosper in the mission You place before it. May their example prove worthy for all of us to follow, as we are united in Christ’s ministry, to the glory of Your name. AMEN.

DECLARATION

In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the people of Northwest Ohio Association of the Ohio Conference of the United Church of Christ, I rejoice to announce: You are installed in your respective positions.

Thanks be to God.

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