October is a month of wonderful opportunities at

St. John United Church of Christ!

Adult Education will begin on October 7 at 9:00 A.M. with a two-part series on Disabilities Awareness.  This will be led by Amy Thines of the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission and me.  This is leading up to Access Sunday and Disability Awareness Week October 14-20. 
During worship on October 7, we will celebrate World Communion Sunday, receive the Neighbors In Need Mission offering and hear from former member and longtime friend of the congregation, guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson.  Dr. Carlson is part of the Defiance College Homecoming celebration.  On that day we will also be celebrating in worship, the     thirtieth anniversary of ordination for the Rev. David Plant and the Rev. Dr. Marian Plant.

After worship, there will be a group going out to lunch with Dr. Carlson, "Dutch treat" at the Kettenring Country Club.  (See the Rev. Gerry Mallott to be a part of this group.)

That afternoon is the annual CROP Walk for Defiance at 1:15 P.M.  Those who walk and those supporting them help alleviate hunger in the world with a portion of those monies staying here in Defiance.  (See Randi Lydum for more information.)

In the evening of October 7, we open our church doors for the annual meeting of NAMI.  NAMI is the National Association of Mental Illness.  I admire the work of NAMI because this  wonderful organization is taking mental illness out of the shadows into the light of professional care and community support.

Worship on October 21 will include support for our team going to Back Bay Mission.  After worship there will be a BBQ chicken dinner to go or to be shared in the Fellowship Hall where we can learn more about the Back Bay Mission-Mission Trip scheduled for November 24 -December 1.

Worship on October 28 will be UCC Higher Education Sunday and our regular Sunday for Holy Communion.

This is just what is happening on Sundays in October at our beloved church.  This doesn't  include the other regular activities of the church through the week: exercise, Men's Breakfast, Women's Guild, Choir, Confirmation, Church School, boards, committees, Consistory, Dive Deep and the new church initiative called Blacksoil Commons.  This doesn't include hosting other groups like Defiance Genealogy, Retired Teachers' Luncheon, DASH and Defiance College events, plus a wedding and perhaps unforseen events such as hosting a funeral and    funeral meal.  No wonder We Love Our Church!  We are seeking to make a place for everyone.

Your partner in ministry,

Bill

The Rev. Dr. William R. Nirote