Keeping the Lines Open
April 16-18, 2004 – UCC Church House, Cleveland, Ohio

The 2004 UCC Office Support Staff Network’s 17^th  Annual Meeting was planned by a team consisting of support staff from the Ohio Conference, the national UCC offices and local churches in the Cleveland area. Kimberlee Nagy-Bublik, Administrative Staff to the Worship and Education Ministry Team of Local Church Ministries, coordinated the planning.  The scripture chosen to support the theme was Galatians 6:4-6, “All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride.  For all must carry their own loads.  Those who are taught the word must share good things with their teacher”

The Keynote speaker for the event was The Rev. Jose A. Malayang, Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ.  We also heard a reflective presentation on Friday evening which encouraged all to come and hear the good news of God’s gracious love for the world and all its peoples in the form of contemporary songs and videos by Clint McCann, Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Theological Seminary .

A pre-conference workshop for Conference and Association staff on Becoming Familiar with the New Online Profile System was led by the Profiles office of the PLL Ministry Team Thursday morning.  During the weekend continuing education workshops offered many opportunities for job skill enhancement and spiritual renewal:

Ø      Make Your Work Easier, Quicker, More Attractive and Fun  led by Anita Redding

Ø      Managing Interpersonal Stress led by Christy Trudo

Ø      UCC 101 led by Kate Huey

Ø      Coping with Change led by the Rev. Jim Cunningham

Ø      Design on the Fly: Building a Better Newsletter led by Randy Varcho

Ø      Local Churches: Making Your Church’s Website Inviting led by Susan Bresnahan

Ø      Association & Conference Offices – Making Your Website Inviting led Bradley Jaggar

Ø      Time with God led by Carolyn Landers Pettigrew

Ø      Building Effective Teams in the Workplace by Minnie Taylor

Ø      Office Ergonomics and Preventing Cumulative Trauma Injuries led by Marissa Oplanic

The annual Business meeting was held on Saturday morning. A new feature added this year was “Sabbath Opportunities” on Saturday afternoon which included 1) A 5 Minute Rearview Mirror Makeover; 2) Stamping; 3) a Tour of Cleveland on Lolly the Trolley and most refreshing for all who participated 4) a 15 Minute Chair Massage.  Free time from 2:00 pm til 7:00 pm gave us an opportunity to explore the attractions of Cleveland.  Those who opted to do so ended the evening together with a dinner gathering at the Pickwick and after dinner laughs at the “Folic” a comedy club.