News

Camp Season 2017 has Arrived!

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There is a camp for all ages.

Check it out!

All forms and more information are available at the Christian Church in Ohio website.

Grandparent and Me Camp!

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June 2 & 3, 2017

An interactive Camp for Children who are in Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade
AND their *Grandparent

*Child may be accompanied by another related adult (not Mom or Dad) if Grandparent is unavailable 

Co-Directors – Rev. Margot Connor – ogram842@yahoo.com
& Rev. Mary Jo Bray revmjbray@gmail.com

Grandparents Camp began at Camp Christian in 2006.  It is designed to a child’s first experience of being at camp.  It is for children who have completed first and second grade and a grandparent. (or special adult in their life) We include within our time together many traditional camp activities like folk dancing, campfire, and singing camp songs.  Our theme each time is “Stories of Jesus” and we always include crafts, games, drama and rest time (for grandparents!).  It is a fun time for everyone and a wonderful opportunity for grandparents to share their faith.

Grandparents Camp begins Friday evening at 7 PM and ends Saturday at 6 PM.

Camp Christian Cabin

Ribbit Camp!!

promises a full week’s worth of camp adventure for 2nd – 4th graders in a half-week schedule! First time campers who may not be quite ready for a full week away, or campers looking for a shorter camp experience, can join us. The focus of Ribbit Camp is on how God’s love is experienced and shared. Through crafts, games, and storytelling, these youth will discover our God who is with us during the whole year.

July 5th – 8th, 2017 at Camp Christian
Drop Off at 10am, Wednesday, July 5th – Pick Up at 10:30am, Saturday, July 8th
For Children in 2nd grade and also includes 3rd and 4th graders whose parents want a shorter camp experiance for their children.

Otter Camp!!

OTTER CAMP

is held for an entire week and is for 5th graders and those in 3rd and 4th grades ready for a full-week of camp. The theme for Otter Camp is “Kids Can Too! – We Can Do It!”  They will be exploring kids of the bible who do amazing things for God.

June 18th – 24th, 2017 at Camp Christian

For Children in 5th grade and those in 3rd & 4th grades who are ready for a full-week of camp.

CHI RHO CAMP SUMMER 2017

For Youth in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.  Held at Camp Christian.

There are 3 options of dates for families to choose from for the Chi Rho Camps.  It does not matter where you live or what Church you attend.  You may register for whichever one fits best into your summer schedule. The week options for Chi Rho Camp are:

June 12th – 18th July 17th – 23rd July 31st – Aug 6th
CHI RHO CAMPS

     Chi Rho Camp can be the best week of your life. You’ll do more in one week than you ever thought possible.  Experience serious times of worship, Bible Study, prayer, and discussion in our Quest Groups. Enjoy fun times of swimming in our two pools, fishing, games, singing, talent shows, and campfires. Make new friends which may last a lifetime. Grow in your Christian Faith.

Each day Chi Rho Campers gather in Quest Groups during the morning hours (groups of 8-12 campers learning by studying the scripture, crafts and games); in Morning Prayers by Cabin Groups each morning; and in Evening Prayers each evening as a whole camp. The week culminates in an inspirational Consecration Service on Friday evening.

Each week the camps are blessed with outstanding Christian pastors and lay persons as Assistant Directors, Counselors (cabin, table, Quest Group) who engage with the campers in study, prayer, recreation, etc., befriending young people in a way that has an impact on their lives for good. The program is blessed by the time, talent, treasure, and love extended so generously by these devoted volunteers.

CYF CONFERENCE

For Youth in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.  Held at Camp Christian.

There are 3 options of dates for families to choose from for the CYF Conferences.  It does not matter where you live or what Church you attend.  You may register for whichever one fits best into your summer schedule. The week options for CYF Conference are:

June 11th – 17th June 25th – July 1st July 16th – 22nd

(All CYF Conferences will be assigned names by their Conference this summer.

CYF (Christian Youth Fellowship) Conference supports those who have finished grades 9-12.  This camp seeks to give youth what they need spiritually in later life.  Each day begins with an opportunity for individual devotion and reflection we call “Morning Watch” CYF Conference offers two different Bible Studies each day.  This year we will study The Holy Spirit and material we call “Power and Prejudice.”  This time of young adult life can be confusing and this material gives youth the markers they need to see who it is God is calling them to be.  The afternoon are devoted the different “Committees” that work during the week to make it special.  Some committees are Choir, Outreach (DIG), Worship (Vespers) or Consecration, as well as Talent Show, Banquet, etc.  Each evening there is a worship service (Vespers) after supper that is created and led by the High Schoolers themselves.  The end of the week is capped by a Consecration Service.  This service too is created by and led by High School Youth.  However, it does include an opportunity for the youth to make a confession of faith.  Local Congregations are notified when this happens to they can follow up with baptism or confirmation.  These DO NOT happen during camp as we believe this is most appropriate within the community where their faith is being lived out day to day.   Here too, all campers are invited to participate in the Lord’s Supper.  In addition, there is a special time at the end of Consecration on Saturday morning, where youth who feel God is calling them into full time Christian Ministry to step forward and be prayed for by the whole community.  We realize many of these youth are still working to discover just where God is calling them, but want to begin helping them think about the call to ministry.

Advance Ministries Summer  Conference

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July 30th – August 6th at Camp Christian
For all adults ages 19 to 29 (at least 1 year out of high school.)

Registration begins at 3:00pm on July 30th

Camp Closes after Morning Worship on Aug 6th

Advance Ministry is the “what’s next” after high school graduation. But we are not just a summer camp! We also have two retreats, as well as mission trips, a concert and other activities throughout the year. The retreats and weeklong camp (Conference) are held at Camp Christian in Magnetic Springs, Ohio. Each event features keynote speakers, music, Bible studies, group activities, dancing, 3 square meals a day (including chipped beef), and the awesomely friendly and lovable conferees that love going there year after year. For more information about these events, activities, or general questions, please feel free to contact us through the contact page above. Thanks for visiting and God Bless.The Advance Ministry is the young adult ministry for the Christian Church in Ohio, Disciples of Christ. It is a place that  provides young adults, persons ages 19 – 29 & out of High School, a place where they can enjoy a community of Christian friends and share their love, life, and fellowship, and develop a stronger faith in Jesus Christ. Those that are members of a Disciples of Christ congregation in Ohio are probably familiar with the Chi Rho and CYF summer camps.

CWF News, January 2017

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CWF will be sponsoring Blanket Sunday on January 29th during worship. Church World Service has expanded this program to include not only the purchase of blankets, but also the purchase of goats, water containers, school kits, seeds, plants, and etc. All contributions- whether large or small- will be welcome to support this worthwhile program.

On February 12th after church we will have a short CWF General meeting to discuss the upcoming Salad Luncheon. We will also hand out salad donation sheets. This year’s Salad Luncheon is scheduled for March 20th.

Outreach News, January 2017

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The Outreach Team would like to thank everyone who helped our adopted families this holiday season. Turkeys and all the trimmings were provided in November. During Christmas week, we were able to distribute boxes including hams and many other food items. Much thought was given to the beautiful gifts which were donated by our congregation. At this busy time of the year, you gave more than the gifts we wrapped. You sent a message of love and hope to many who were really in need of a blessing. Our hat and mitten tree was fully decorated and will help keep many children warm in the weeks ahead.

Thank you!

Nik’s Nook, January 2017

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I thank members of the congregation for the very generous Christmas gift as well as some of you who also shared your personal gifts. It is always a delight to be working with and serving such a loving congregation.

Starting on Sunday, January 29th and continuing up to the time of Lent, I will be sharing a series of messages regarding our heritage as Disciples of Christ. I have had a fair number of requests regarding this kind of a series; therefore, I am not only delighted to share my personal experience, but the knowledge and gifts of our founding pastors, the Reverend Barton Warren Stone and Thomas and Alexander Campbell.

It helps to give meaning to who we are in this day and time as explore our roots and beginnings. I again want to reaffirm what a pleasure it is to serve as your interim pastor.

With His Love,

Pastor Nik

Special Congregational Meeting, February 5th

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Join Us after Worship for a special Congregational Meeting. Make sure all of your fellow members and church family join us.

Outreach News

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Once again our congregation is showing the true spirit of
Christmas through their generosity and support of Outreach
programs. The Hat and Mitten Tree is being filled with colorful
gloves and hats for school children. Many new toys and clothing
items have been donated for Santa to provide to children in
families we’ve adopted this holiday season. Food items have
overflowed our giving baskets and will grace the dinner tables
of six families on Christmas Day.

Nik’s Nook, December 2016

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We celebrated a Country Christmas in our Fellowship Hall on December 18th with a variety of special music. The stage was adorned with the beautiful poinsettias and the offering and communion were observed in the usual worship format. The service ended with a special rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Those recruited to represent each of the days did a noble job of fulfilling their role. Then all enjoyed a sumptuous carry-in dinner and the fellowship that goes along with it.
Christmas Day will be upon us by the end of this week. To that end, we will have our traditional Candlelight Communion Service on Christmas Eve at 7:00 p.m. Plan to join us for this special time of worship.
On Christmas Day, we will gather for a special time of worship and celebration at 10:30 a.m. I will be sharing with the children and all a retelling of the Christmas story in my own words. Sometimes we forget that long before there were books, computers, e-readers, and the like; the ancient stories were passed from generation to generation by word of mouth. I remember when my grandmother first shared the Christmas story with me. She did not read it. She simply told me the story and later I discovered that the scriptural records in Luke and Matthew matched her story.
I pray that all of you will have a most blessed Christmas.
I again want to reaffirm what a pleasure it is to serve as your interim pastor.
With His Love,
Pastor Nik

Christmas Day Worship 10:30 A.M.

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Join us Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! Worship will be in the Sanctuary at 10:30 A.M. followed by breakfast and fellowship in the fellowship hall.

Search Committee Update

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The search committee wishes to inform our congregation that we continue to make progress toward the selection of a new pastor. The search committee will, within a few weeks, be interviewing an applicant and will be considering that person for the next stage of our search program. We appreciate everyone’s patience. We have a very diverse group of people on the search committee who are representative of our congregation and they will select a pastor who will appeal to all members.

Outreach News, November 2016

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Thanksgiving is fast approaching and many of you have brought in food donations to support Outreach in assisting our adopted families this year. We will be providing turkeys and all the trimmings for five families which include 17 members in their households. Families will be picking up their Thanksgiving boxes this coming Monday, November 21st so there is still time to drop off your donations by this Sunday.

In December, we will continue our holiday giving program by handing out food requests for Christmas. We will also be distributing gift requests for Christmas gifts for the children in each home. All of your support is greatly appreciated! If you would like additional information about any of the Outreach activities, please see Linda Poynter, Judy Andrews (co-chairs) or Janice Kash, Judy Lemmert or Sharon Amburgey.

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)