Eastern Ohio Association of the United Church of Christ

Staff Listing

	Rev. Carol Barth Interim Association Minister Carolb [at] eoaucc [dot] org Carol has served for 9 years as the Associate Conference Minister at the Indiana-Kentucky Conference and is a graduate of both Eden Seminary and Elmhurst College. Prior to being on the Association staff, she also served 2 local congregations for combined 22 years. Carol is a native of Wisconsin.

James Ferguson
Communications and Administrative Support
JamesF [at] eoaucc [dot] org

James received a Bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute and has spent years providing administrative and technical support for non-profit and ministry organizations.

James is the General Editor of the Synergy newsletter and e-Pistle email. He administers this website and performs many other administrative duties.

Machelle Miller
Office Manager and Placement Coordinator
MachelleM [at] eoaucc [dot] org

Machelle is the Office Manager for the EOA/WRA Support Center. She provides support for both association’s Council and Department of Ministry; is placement coordinator for the Search and Call process; editor of the Eastern Energy page in the monthly Synergy newsletter; and provides administrative support for the Partner’s In Ministry Program.

Prior to joining the EOA/WRA staff, Machelle provided office management and administrative support for St. John’s UCC in Dover for 12 years. She lives in Dover, and has been married to Jed Miller since 1982. They have one adult daughter, Meghan.

Margaret Mills
Association Staff
mmills [at] wraucc [dot] org

Ms. Margaret Mills signed on to assist EOA, although she spends 3/4 time as the Interim Associate Association Minister for the Western Reserve Association.

Margaret helps both associations network effectively by leading and working with numerous youth programs, stewardship events, and other workshops. This is valuable, as smaller events that may not receive the desired response from one association, have a greater chance for success when they are made available to both associations.

Margaret graduated from Defiance College with a degree in Christian Education and Music. She served 10 years at Old South Church in Kirtland, Ohio as their full-time director of Christian Education where she learned to love youth ministry. After the birth of her son, Zak, she gave up full-time hours and served as a part-time Christian Education Associate for Western Reserve. During those part-time years, Margaret has served churches in Euclid, Lakewood, and Lorain.

The two main areas of focus for Margaret has been Youth and Christian Education, as well as Stewardship. Margaret is working with the EOA Stewardship Associates and has developed a program and promoted the "Inspiring Generosity" resources. She also works with our Partners in Education to help resource local churches.

Margaret is a welcome addition to the EOA staff. She brings us a wealth of experience, positive spirit, and creativity.

Rev. Richard Plant
Associate Association Minister
richp [at] eoaucc [dot] org

Throughout his ministry, our EOA Associate Association Minister, Rev. Richard Plant, has been affirmed for his warmth, compassion, and his desire to help people grow personally and spiritually. He has also been affirmed for the depth of his faith and a leadership presence that calls forth the gifts of others.

Rich previously served as the Pastor for Parish Life at St. John's, Dover for two years and for 12 years prior to that, he served as the Associate Minister at Trinity UCC in Canton. In the past Rich served a suburban church in New Jersey, a rural three point charge in Maryland, and an urban church in New York City. All of these experiences have helped him to understand the variety of church dynamics he works with in EOA. Rich has never served a church that has declined in membership or worship attendance while he was called as a pastor there.

Rev. Plant has a Masters degree in Counseling and Human Development from Walsh University, which enhances his ministry. He also has specialized training in working with the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and has used it in leading numerous workshops for church and professional groups. Rich is also on the board of Midwest Ministry Development, an organization that does psychological assessments, and career evaluation and counseling for church professionals.

Rich's family is his greatest joy. He has been married to Mina since 1973 and they have a married daughter, Missy who with her husband Josh, have blessed Mina and Rich with a grandson, Garrett, who is just over a year old. Their whole family belongs to New Vision UCC in Canton, a new church start, where Rich serves on the Church Council as Secretary.