Department of Church and Authorized Ministry
As outlined in the Oversight of Ministries Authorized by the United Church of Christ, Section 8 of 10*, of the United Church of Christ Manual on the Ministry, the Department for Church and Authorized Ministry (DCAM) is responsible for administering ecclesiastical standing within the Association; carrying out oversight and disciplinary functions; clergy leadership development and continuing education; nurturing the relationship between clergy and congregations; and nurturing the relationship of clergy and congregations with the United Church of Christ.
The Department of Church and Authorized Ministry (DCAM) members are nominated and elected from the 38 congregations of the Central South East Ohio Association (CSEOA) at each annual meeting of the Association.
The elected members will serve three years so that approximately one-third of the Department is elected annually. DCAM members may be elected for a second term.
DCAM membership is as follows:
- Nine elected members.
- Ministers and laypersons.
- One member appointed by the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ).
- Co-opt members for one year terms (ex-officio)
- CSEOA Association Ministers (ex-officio).
DCAM has oversight of the following four proceedings:
- Periodic Support
- Situational Support Consultation
- Information Review
- Fitness review
In cooperation with the Department of Preparation for Authorized Ministry (DPAM), the Department of Church and Authorized Ministry (DCAM) will connect with the Church and Ministry groups of the Ohio Conference and the United Church of Christ.
Department of Church and Preparation for Authorized Ministry
Do you sense God’s call to authorized ministry? DPAM is composed of 12 clergy and lay members elected by the CSEOA to engage persons in a process of discernment listening and preparing for God’s call to authorized ministry. The UCC recognizes 3 forms of authorized ministry: Ordained, Commissioned, and Licensed. Each Member in Discernment (MID) comes recommended by their congregation. The In Discernment Manual, rev 7, Oct 2013 (here or see resources) describes the MID process which is a minimum of two years.
As of January 12, 2017 there are 20 Members in Discernment from 11 congregations: Columbus: Advent UCC, First Congregational, First Community, Move, North Congregational UCC, St Johns; Belpre, Radnor Congregational, Westerville Community UCC, and Zion Delaware.
Members of the Department of Preparation for Authorized Ministry:
Class of 2018
Rev. Nancy Livingston, First Congregational Columbus
Rev. Marilyn Marshall Goetz, Westerville Community UCC
Ms. Jackie Dean, First Congregational Church, Columbus
Ms. Barb Anderson, Dublin Community UCC, Dublin
Class of 2019
Ms. Jo Anne Nay, North Congregational UCC, Columbus
Ms. Judith Kuck, Dublin Community UCC, Dublin
Ms. Jan Anible, Zion UCC, Delaware
Rev. Jay Groat, Westerville Community UCC, Westerville
Class of 2020
Rev. David Long-Higgins, David’s UCC, Canal WInchester
Rev. Scott Schieber, Highwater Congregational UCC, Newark
Rev. Kay Albright, Bridges of Grace UCC, Charleston, WV
Rev. Whitney Bruno, St. Michael’s UCC, Baltimore
Members of the Department for Church and Authorized Ministry:
Class of 2018
Ms. Chana Dixon, First Congregational UCC, Huntington, WV
Ms. MK O’Haver, Bridges of Grace UCC, Charleston, WV
Class of 2019
Ms. Lisa Zurbiggin, David’s UCC, Canal Winchester
Rev. Eric Williams, North Congregational UCC, Columbus
Class of 2020
Ms. Janet Marbly, Esq, Advent UCC, Columbus
Rev. Mindy Quellhorst, Grace UCC, Lancaster
