Many
Hearts…One Spirit
April 7-10, 2005 – Airport Howard Johnson Motel, St.
Louis, Missouri
The
18th Annual Meeting of the UCC Office Support Staff Network was a
combined effort with leadership coming from Missouri Mid-south Conference,
Indiana-Kentucky Conference and Illinois-South Conference.
It was coordinated by Sandy Roland, of the Missouri Mid-south Conference
with gracious and contributing help from local churches, businesses and clergy.
Music
by “Faith’s Journey” filled the Hospitality Suite on Thursday evening to
open the events of the weekend. We
got under way formally on Friday with “Focus and Praise” led by the Rev.
Sheldon Culver. The Keynote presentation by the Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
brought the weekend to a close on Saturday evening. Dr.
Dorhauer helped us imagine ways in which our work can reflect our vision of
becoming a multi-racial, multicultural church.
Sandwiched in between these two inspiring highlights were a myriad of
experiences from fellowship to peer group discussions to a variety of continuing
educational opportunities. Of course, we also conducted the business of UCCOSSN
on Saturday morning and enjoyed worship on Sunday morning at the Immanuel UCC in
Ferguson, Missouri.
Office
support staff from around the country who attend these events, come to be filled
with new ideas, to be renewed and refreshed, and to gain additional professional
skills. They never go away from the
table hungry. Workshops were
numerous and offered something for everyone:
v
Spiritual Gifts led by Rev.
James Caughlan
v
Your Website: Is It Doing What It is Supposed to Do?
By Mike Miller
v
Conflict in the Church: Challenge or Opportunity?
led by Rev. Sheldon Culver
v
What is Your Technology Doing for You Today?
Led by Mike Miller
v
Exploring “Safe Church” Issues
led by Dough Dischinger
v
Back to Basics: Ergonomics
led by Logan Chiropractic College
v
Newsletter Time Again! Need Some Suggestions?
Led by Cheryl Tibbetts
v
Employee Benefits led by
Rev. Robert McGrath
v
Spirituality of Art led by
Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer
Saturday morning the business meeting saw the
election of new officers. Thanks
were also expired to Pat Pierce of Rhode Island as she handed over the duties of
Historian to Susan Furness of Connecticut and to Sue Gibson of New York as she
passed Communication’s Coordinator responsibilities to Kimberlee Bublik of
Cleveland after serving in that capacity since 2000. Sue initiated both the UCCOSSN Website and the UCCOSSN Yahoo
Group List.
Saturday afternoon folks were given a chance to
explore St. Louis. Returning
from an enjoyable afternoon, we gathered for a delicious banquet where we had a
chance to share all our adventures among the sounds and sights of beautiful St.
Louis. Enjoy some of the
experiences shared by all through the pictures below and join us at the Church
House in Cleveland, Ohio next year April
20-23, 2006.
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