The Future of Our Church
On August 19, fourteen congregational members met to discuss the future of our church. Rev. Carl Robinson, SONKA Association Minister, was also in attendance. He shared the steps that should be taken in calling a new pastor. After bidding goodbye to the departing pastor, the next steps are to reflect on where we want to go and to hire an interim pastor. We are ahead of the game since Rev. Alecia Schroedel-Deuble, a trained interim pastor, has agreed to serve as an interim pastor for us for the next two years. We have also been reflecting during the past several years on who we are and where we want to go next.
Open discussion followed with people sharing ideas and concerns. Some of those thoughts were:
1. We should focus on what is central to our faith.
2. Scale back on the number of projects and do fewer well.
3. Ideally we could have more people with smaller tasks.
4. Young people, while energetic, have many other responsibilities and interests; so we can’t rely on just bringing in young people.
5. Consider combining with other UCC churches such as West Milton, Polk Grove, or Pleasant Hill.
6. Visit other churches to find a good fit.
7. Partner with other groups or churches.
8. Determine what to do with the park and farm land that is both financially and spiritually responsible.
9. Investigate sale of property if necessary.
10. Continue as we are with future meetings to discuss what we have learned from conversations with other members, our own prayerful thoughts, and responses to changing possibilities.
The next congregational meeting will be Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend with their thoughts and ideas.
Online Worship Has Become an Important Part of Our Ministry Here at Nashville
Facebook live worship services were begun in response to the shutdown in the early days of the COVID pandemic; and they have continued for the 18 months since then, even after we resumed in-person worship. Although it may be disheartening to see how few people gather in person for Sunday morning worship, we have double that number if we include the number of online worshipers who join us! On a typical Sunday morning, between 12 and 18 people join us on Facebook live; and this does not include the people who watch the recording of our worship during the week! On a recent Sunday, for example, we included not only folks who are recovering at home from an illness, but others from Indiana, Cincinnati, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Congregational members who are on vacation frequently join us, too. We can give thanks for the technology that allows us to worship together even when we are physically separated!
Mission News
Our local FISH organization is in need of another trustee. Here is what that position entails: Attend quarterly Trustees meeting, remotely change FISH answering system for a month on a rotational schedule with other trustees, be willing to take calls from FISH phone volunteers to assist those in need of financial help for utilities, rent, furniture, prescriptions etc., and occasionally help stock food pantry when needed. Having a computer (desk top or lap) and some experience is necessary because they use an Excel spreadsheet to verify clients’ eligibility for assistance. If you are interested in helping in this way, contact Janie Warner at 937-698-4547 or Sandy in our church office.
COVID cases are again rising in Ohio
Our Heartland Association has sent all churches and clergy a pastoral letter advising us of our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable in our society. If COVID cases continue to rise, the council may decide to return to all-virtual Sunday worship services. We all hope that will not be necessary; but if it is, please understand that we are doing it for the protection of everyone. In the meantime, if you are not vaccinated, consider worshipping virtually from home; and if you live with someone who is extremely susceptible to the virus, consider worshipping virtually from home or remain masked during the duration of the worship service. The Facebook worship is certainly not like worshipping in our sanctuary, but it may be a safer and better choice for you and your family. Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us healthy!
On August 19, fourteen congregational members met to discuss the future of our church. Rev. Carl Robinson, SONKA Association Minister, was also in attendance. He shared the steps that should be taken in calling a new pastor. After bidding goodbye to the departing pastor, the next steps are to reflect on where we want to go and to hire an interim pastor. We are ahead of the game since Rev. Alecia Schroedel-Deuble, a trained interim pastor, has agreed to serve as an interim pastor for us for the next two years. We have also been reflecting during the past several years on who we are and where we want to go next.
Open discussion followed with people sharing ideas and concerns. Some of those thoughts were:
1. We should focus on what is central to our faith.
2. Scale back on the number of projects and do fewer well.
3. Ideally we could have more people with smaller tasks.
4. Young people, while energetic, have many other responsibilities and interests; so we can’t rely on just bringing in young people.
5. Consider combining with other UCC churches such as West Milton, Polk Grove, or Pleasant Hill.
6. Visit other churches to find a good fit.
7. Partner with other groups or churches.
8. Determine what to do with the park and farm land that is both financially and spiritually responsible.
9. Investigate sale of property if necessary.
10. Continue as we are with future meetings to discuss what we have learned from conversations with other members, our own prayerful thoughts, and responses to changing possibilities.
The next congregational meeting will be Thursday, October 14 at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited to attend with their thoughts and ideas.
Online Worship Has Become an Important Part of Our Ministry Here at Nashville
Facebook live worship services were begun in response to the shutdown in the early days of the COVID pandemic; and they have continued for the 18 months since then, even after we resumed in-person worship. Although it may be disheartening to see how few people gather in person for Sunday morning worship, we have double that number if we include the number of online worshipers who join us! On a typical Sunday morning, between 12 and 18 people join us on Facebook live; and this does not include the people who watch the recording of our worship during the week! On a recent Sunday, for example, we included not only folks who are recovering at home from an illness, but others from Indiana, Cincinnati, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Congregational members who are on vacation frequently join us, too. We can give thanks for the technology that allows us to worship together even when we are physically separated!
Mission News
- Donations for the victims of Hurricane Ida can be made to the national setting of the UCC, who will make sure that they are used for that purpose. If you wish to donate to this cause, make your check out to Nashville UCC and indicate that it is for Hurricane Ida Relief.
- The disaster clean-up buckets that we assembled before COVID hit will be put to good use soon! They will be inspected and delivered to a local drop-off point in mid-September. It is very probable that they will be used in the clean-up from Hurricane Ida. You can be proud that you have helped with the recovery from that storm in such an important way!
- A new Emergency Needs Fund has been established by SONKA to assist struggling and needy persons. In the past, there has been no such fund from which the Association could assist our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. There were funds for lots of other causes, but nothing that allowed the Association to provide emergency assistance to families or persons who are in dire need. Three families are now in need of this kind of help to avoid eviction. One is in an urban setting apartment, one in a rural setting house, and the third is in a run-down former business loft. Each has been able to raise about half of what they need. That leaves around $2,400 among the three. If each church in SONKA could donate just $33.00 to the Emergency Needs Fund, the financial needs of these families would be covered. I invite you to help these families by making a small donation. If you choose to help, please write your check to Nashville UCC and indicate that it should be passed on to the Emergency Relief Fund at SONKA. I hope this Emergency Needs Fund will become part of/ our regular giving to SONKA so that we might continue to help our most vulnerable friends and neighbors.
Our local FISH organization is in need of another trustee. Here is what that position entails: Attend quarterly Trustees meeting, remotely change FISH answering system for a month on a rotational schedule with other trustees, be willing to take calls from FISH phone volunteers to assist those in need of financial help for utilities, rent, furniture, prescriptions etc., and occasionally help stock food pantry when needed. Having a computer (desk top or lap) and some experience is necessary because they use an Excel spreadsheet to verify clients’ eligibility for assistance. If you are interested in helping in this way, contact Janie Warner at 937-698-4547 or Sandy in our church office.
COVID cases are again rising in Ohio
Our Heartland Association has sent all churches and clergy a pastoral letter advising us of our responsibility to care for the most vulnerable in our society. If COVID cases continue to rise, the council may decide to return to all-virtual Sunday worship services. We all hope that will not be necessary; but if it is, please understand that we are doing it for the protection of everyone. In the meantime, if you are not vaccinated, consider worshipping virtually from home; and if you live with someone who is extremely susceptible to the virus, consider worshipping virtually from home or remain masked during the duration of the worship service. The Facebook worship is certainly not like worshipping in our sanctuary, but it may be a safer and better choice for you and your family. Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us healthy!
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