Interim Update for August 31, 2018

Order in the Parking Lot!

On Monday the parking lot stripers came and did their thing. You may notice that there are a few less spaces in the lot, because the stripes were drawn for a bit wider parking space. Still should be plenty of spaces. In the weeks leading up to the resurfacing job, we notified (in a nice way) across the street neighbors that their cars would need to be removed because of the resurface job, and that they were no longer welcome to use the lot for their personal vehicles. Imagine my surprise on Tuesday afternoon, when I returned to my car (parked in the far right corner where there's shade, and where the neighbors were parking) to find a note under my windshield informing me that I couldn't park there and would be towed. Will need to get with somebody to let them know that a 2011 navy blue Mustang is an OK vehicle to be in the lot.

Preschool staff and kids ready to go

Preschool staff have been busy getting their rooms ready for the start of school, and there's been a small but steady stream of parents and preschoolers who missed open house, or are dropping off tuition checks pushing the call button at the outside office door. Prayers for everyone for a safe and happy return to school days on Wednesday!

Sunday School staff and kids ready to go

On Tuesday evening, Heather S. led an orientation meeting for Sunday School teachers. We are hoping for a good turnout of kids and an excellent year of Sunday morning learning. Classes are being planned for preschool through high school, and adult class as well (see paragraph below). Sunday school staff will be installed during worship on Rally Day, September 9.

Wireless mics frequency

This information came across my (digital) desktop this week:

New rules now in effect for operating wireless microphones and similar devices will restrict their use in certain bands of the spectrum currently used for television broadcast. As a result, some equipment changes may be needed for local theaters, churches, schools, conference centers, sports stadiums and other users of such devices.

Thanks to the auctioning off of wireless bandwidth by the FCC, this means that there's a chance that our wireless mics that we use for worship will no longer work starting some time in 2020. You can read all about it here.

Reflections on Tanzania Part 2

Last week Bishop Daniel posted reflections on Tanzania Part 1, and this week, it's part 2. You can read this informative and inspiring report here.

Transition to Breeze continues

I spent some time on Thursday with congregational data in Breeze, specifically grade levels of children and youth. Breeze uses a system of tags to help you organize. First, I identified our 3, 4 and 5 year-olds with a date range search, and assigned each age level a separate tag. I then used the Sunday School attendance records that Kathy O. provided, which has Sunday School kids listed by grade level, and assigned all their current school grade, and each grade has a separate tag. One of the neat things about Breeze (which is true of other church management software programs) is that the system will promote everyone in a numbered grade to the next grade on June 15. I then grouped grades 1-3 and 4-6, and gave each of those groups another group tag. This will enable the teacher(s) for those groups to take attendance using either a notebook computer, tablet or smartphone.

We will eventually be sending Council Members, and later the congregation, an invitation to create your own account in Breeze, which will enable you to view and edit your personal info, and to monitor your contributions. We haven't done that yet, as very few email addresses are entered into Breeze. But once that is done, then you can expect an email invitation to create your account.

Pastoral Care update

• Orchard Grove - Bellevue Care Center -- went there Tuesday afternoon to do group communion. Some of our members were present for the group (about six in each place), and those that weren't I visited in their room.
• Both Dean and Arlene were back in worship on Sunday -- Dean still may need surgery on his shoulder. A future visit to a specialist will determine a yes or no on that.
• Visited Don R. at Firelands Hospital Wednesday, who went in for primarily diagnostic procedure. Likely nephrectomy will be needed to control cancer found in kidney. Returns for doctor appointment on September 11. Keep these faithful members in your prayers.

Contributions to the Local Economy

Usually I try to contribute something to the economy of the community where I'm serving as an interim. So far, Wendy's has received some of my business, and gas prices tend to be a few cents lower in Bellevue than in other places, so that's where I've been doing most of my fills. On the trip to Bellevue on Thursday morning, I noticed that my "low tire pressure" light was on, so I took it across the street to Dendinger's, and by early afternoon got the call that it was fixed. Leaky valve stem, and a bit from around the rim. The bane of allow wheels -- even a small bit of corrosion can contribute to a loss of air pressure. There are some implications for church life in this paragraph, I'm sure, and also perhaps even a sermon illustration.

Shaun to Zion Waterville

Shaun traveled to Zion Waterville this week to meet with congregational members familiar with Zion's $2 million plus endowment fund, including the organizational documents adopted by the congregation (similar, I'm sure, to the document from St. Peter that I shared last week. He said it was a very informative meeting, with plenty of tested ways to administer an endowment fund. Shaun will share more of this info with Exec and Council at our next meetings. I have received an offer from Ed McClendon, a member of St. Peter in Norwalk, to come and speak to us about St. Peter's Endowment Fund. Ed is a retired financial and insurance profession who has served for a number of years on the Endowment Committee at St. Peter. He just needs a few days notice of when we need him.

Trinity's New Beginnings

In this edition of "Trinity's New Beginnings," Trinity Seminary Dean Kit Kleinhans's weekly newsletter, she talks about the "greater than" symbol. You, know, the shift/period on your keyboard, and it looks like this: > In math, it looks like this: 4>3. Dean Kleinhans notes that this year's incoming class of first year seminarians is "greater than" last year. 2017 - 7. 2018 - 10. That's still not a big number when we consider the number of vacant parishes, and that can only grow as pastoral colleagues in my generation keep retiring. But Dean Kleinhans is hopeful. A second "greater than" that Kit speaks of relates to "the scope of theological education." Could there be some implications here for our ministry at St. John's? You can read Dean Kit's thoughts here.

Adult Class to begin September 16

Don't forget to plan to attend the adult class beginning Sunday, September 16 at 9:00. The class will be also offered on Thursday mornings at 10:00 am. We will be discussing the content of the book Healthy Congregations Faithful Pastors by David Keck. A paragraph from the outside back cover explains what to expect from this book:

David Keck find that many common difficulties in churches arise from failing to discuss priorities and expectations, and from not effectively working through the problems that emerge when expectations aren't met. This book provides fifty "expectation statements" to help congregants and pastors communicate their mutual expectations. Discussing goals and expectations allows congregations and pastors to support one another and flourish, thus fostering church health and harmony.

Interim Update for August 24, 2018

Visits

Arlene H. was in church Sunday, but without Dean. Arlene said that Dean had fallen and injured his shoulder. I stopped at their house to visit on the way home (right on the way) and brought communion. Other visits have taken place in the office, and on the phone. I made one stop to a member at Rotary Commons, but she did not answer the phone. Another member declined a visit as she wasn't feeling well.

Preschool Open House

We installed our Preschool staff and board members on Sunday, and then from noon until 3 was the open-house/registration/orientation for the coming school year. Kudos and thanks to everyone for all their hard work leading up the first day of school next month, and to the congregational volunteers who helped with the event, including board members Nancy Pickens and Rocky Eskins Also on hand to help were greeters Erica Eskins and Carol Stout, and staffing the refreshment tent were Dale and Karen Wilson, and Minetta Erf.

Parking Lot

Work on the parking lot got started on Thursday instead of Wednesday because of weather. However, Lenny (spoke to him briefly on Thursday) said that they should be able to finish by end of day Friday. I'm not there to know one way or another, and I'm not positive about the readiness of the new surface for Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning parking by those coming for worship.

Implications of sex abuse by priests story

It's always heartbreaking to learn of immoral and illegal behavior by Christians priests, pastors, and others in positions of leadership, trust and responsibility. The firestorm of the grand jury report of sexual abuse by priests in six dioceses in the Catholic Church has abated, but the story isn't going away. I read with interest conservative political commentator Andrew Sullivan's response to the report. He's both gay and Roman Catholic, and you can read his blunt assessment (caution, a few foul words are used) can be read here. The Church Law and Tax website, a subsidiary of Christianity Today magazine, weighs in here with an article entitled "The Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report: How Will Your Church Respond?".

Eastern Conference Pastors Meeting

On Tuesday morning I traveled to Grace Castalia to attend the Eastern Conference Pastors Meeting, my first since 2011 when I was still at St. Peter in Norwalk. Our Eastern Conference includes Norwalk, Huron, Willard, Sandusky, Bellevue, Fremont and Gibsonburg.

The meeting was held in the new entrance at Grace, a $750,000 project completed several years ago, and is almost completely paid for. I have posted some photos of the area, which I have linked here. (I'm hoping this link doesn't require some kind of sign-in.) As you can see, the area has tables chairs, sofas, a kitchenette, and a ramp for access to the worship area. The project also includes a small prayer chapel which is open 24/7 to anyone who needs a quite place to pray.

Of particular interest and inspiration was the posters attached to the ramp railing, one for each year since 2010, listing the ministries that the congregation has accomplished that year. Pastor Katie Suggett has done an excellent job of keeping the congregation focused on outreach and mission.

Pastor Jody Rice, Grace Fremont, our Conference Dean, provided a summary of the meeting, which you can read here. Jan L., note the Festival of Hymns scheduled for October. Have you received info about this event? Our next meeting is November 13 at Faith in Fremont.

Our guest and program was Rev. Jim Dumke, from Genacross, one of our synod's affiliated ministries. Of particular interest to our group was the status of Lutheran Memorial Home on Bardshar Road, which has recently been closed because of decreasing need of beds and an outdated facility. Pr. Phil Gardner, Trinity Venice, expressed frustration that the facility has not been re-purposed, as there are organizations in the are that could acquire the property and serve the community. Pr. Dumke sent an email thank you, intended for everyone in our congregations:

Greetings to all of you, This is just a brief note of thanks for the opportunity to share a bit about the ministry of Genacross Lutheran Services at last Tuesday’s Eastern Conference meeting…even more, I want to thank you for your faithful support; we are, of course, your ministry, as together “…we embrace individuals and families with compassionate care and services throughout life’s journey” (from Genacross’ Mission Statement). Please share with the members of your congregation the importance of the work they are doing with and through Genacross. Blessings, Jim Dumke, Genacross Lutheran Services

Speaking for the Christian Education Network of the ELCA (CEN), Pastor Juli reminded of the "How to Create a Safety Plan for your Church" workshop at Zoar Perrysburg on Saturday, September 22, from 10 - 2. The CEN is one of the ELCA's best kept secrets. I sometimes forget that this is a resource that is available to our ELCA congregations, and I didn't know that Pr. Juli is the president. But I do now! The website for the Network is faithfulteaching.org.

Fall meeting October 23 St. John Oak Harbor

Every year, our bishop meets with pastors and congregations in several locations around the synod for the purpose of conversation and encouragement in the ministry we share. The meeting that will be closest for us to attend will be at St. John's in Oak Harbon on October 23, 7pm.

ELCW Worship News August 2018

The August edition of ELCA Worship News has arrived. You can read it here.

Reflections from Tanzania Part 1

Bishop Daniel, accompanied by several others from our synod, spent several weeks visiting our companion synod, the Dodama Diocese in Tanzania. A first installment of their report can be found here.

LEAD Update

You may remember that in last week's update I said that I'd be contacting the LEAD, the organization that provides leadership resources to ELCA congregations. I had a phone conversation with Beth, one of their staff associates, and we agreed that while St. John's cold benefit from LEAD resources in the future, at this time a formal relationship is not indicated. Beth provided several book resources which I will check into.

Trinity's New Beginning

The latest issue of this informative newsletter from Trinity Lutheran Seminary can be foun here.

Five Simple Ways to Develop Leaders in Your Church

One of the benefits of our Breeze Church Management Software is weekly blog posts written by members of the Breeze team, who are all active in their own congregations. You can read the latest post on leadership development here. You can find other interesting and helpful posts here

St. Peter Endowment Trust Document

I had asked Pastor Ann Marshall from St. Peter in Norwalk to provide a copy of the Continuing Resolution which established and continues to guide the Endowment Trust Fund at St. Peter. She send me the resolution, and I have posted it here. Perhaps this document can be a helpful resource as St. John's develops a plan for receiving and disbursing bequests large and small.

Interim Update for August 17, 2018

Hospital visit

Went to see Ted K. at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon. He went home on Wednesday and continues his recovery there. Keep him, Nessa and the family in your prayers.

Parking lot work to begin

We've heard from the paving contractor that they will begin work on the parking lot beginning this Wednesday (or was it Thursday?) Either way, keep that in mind if you plan to come to church later in the week -- you will need to park on the street. The work should be finished sometime Friday.

Installation of Preschool Staff

St. John's Preschool staff will be installed at the 10 am service on Sunday. An open house for parents will begin at noon. This will be a big year for the school as it is the 40th anniversary year. Stay tuned for more information.

Results of LEAD Readiness Survey

In my August 3 post I wrote this: LEAD, an acronym for Living Every day as Disciples, is an organization that provides resources and coaching for ELCA congregations. Their website puts it this way: Empowering Christian Leaders – Transforming Faith Communities – Influencing the World -- Coaching, Consulting & Resources. I suggested that this may be a possible resource for us as we move forward during this interim time. I provided a link to a "Readiness Survey," which I encouraged you to take. Two members responded to the online survey, so I provided a hard copy version at the Council meeting on Thursday night. The survey had 15 yes or no questions, and here is how you responded (providing number of "yes" responses): 5, 12, 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 7, 9, 6, 5. The average score for those responses is 6.9. Here is what the LEAD website says about the scores:

• 9 – 15 You are ready to begin a LEAD Process now. Need help deciding which LEAD Process to start with? Contact LEAD.
• 6 – 8 Maybe. Contact LEAD to see if there are other first steps that can help prepare you for success in a LEAD Process.
• 0 – 5 Now is not the time. Contact LEAD to discuss other options.

I will contact the LEAD office and share with them our score and see what they say. For more info about LEAD and my contact with them, refer to the first item in the August 3 post which you can find here.

Pr. James Barkenquast visit

This week I was paid a visit in the office by Pr. James Barkenquast, one of our retired synod pastors currently serving Zion Republic. We were going to do a baptism for Cleora Byers' great-grandchild on Saturday, August 4, but the mother changed her plans and requested Zion Republic instead. Pastor Jim wanted more information on the situation so he could best respond pastorally. So we talked about that, and lots more. Pastor Jim is 86 years old, but has the youthful energy of someone much younger. He has an amazing memory, being able to recall exact dates, days of weeks and times of significant events in his life and ministry.

Online Giving activated

When we signed up for Breeze, our new online Church Management System, the monthly fee that we pay for this service includes the provision for online giving. This means that we can put a link on our website or otherwise link to that will direct to the webpage that Breeze provides for anyone, member or non-member to give to St. John's online using a credit card or bank account. As with an offering envelope, members can direct their gift to the General Fund, and a number of other options including Parking Lot, Preschool, Fish and Loaves, etc. Transfers of gifts to the St. John's bank account are made every Monday, in the same way that those who give through Vanco through the Simply Giving program are transferred. Member contributions are automatically posted to their giving statement, that are otherwise entered by Terri manually. Although there is no additional monthly fee for this service, there are transaction fees: 2.9% for credit card gifts, and 1% for bank account transfers (ACH). In addition, a $.25 (25 cents) per transaction fee is also assessed. Givers are credited the full amount of the gift, although the fees are deducted before gifts are transfered to the congregation's account. To view the online giving page, you can go here. I have made the first gift, and indeed, it works!

Endownment Fund advice available

At the Executive Committee meeting this week, we discussed the impending large gift bequest, and the plans for receiving and managing those gifts. There are several resources available locally to help St. John's develop a plan for managing this and other significant gifts. Several local ELCA congregations, including St. Peter in Norwalk and Zion Sandusky have individuals who can provide information and advice. Executive Committee will provide more information as it becomes available.

FLAMe Pastors meeting

On Thursday afternoon I attended the monthly meeting of FLAMe pastors in Sandusky. There seems to be consensus among this group that the FLAMe activities currently being conducted can happen without regular meetings of this organization, as the activities are coordinated and led by participating congregations, who then send out notices inviting others to participate. For more info about FLAMe, you can go here.

Confirmation Leaders meeting

On Tuesday, I met with Heather from Education, and Confirmation leaders Cindy and Kathy. We discussed plans for the upcoming year of confirmation ministry. Some additions to the program this year include a mentor program, pairing our confirmands with members of the congregation for one-on-one meetings through the year, and the opportunity to attend summer camp. An orientation meeting for parents and youth will be held Wednesday, September 5, and the first session for 7th and 8th grade youth will be Wednesday, September 12. The Rite of Confirmation has been tentatively set for May 5, 2019.

Trinity's New Beginnings

The latest issue of this newsletter by Trinity's Dean Dr. Kit Kleinhans can be found here.

Keeping our kids safe

One of the disturbing and tragic stories in the news this past week has been the news of a Pennsylvania grand jury handing down a 1,356-page account of abuse that involved 1,000 kids, 300 priests, and decades of silence and inaction by Roman Catholic bishops. One of the bishops mentioned in the report is Cardinal Donald Wuerl, currently the archbishop of the Washington D.C. archdiocese, who stands accused of moving offending priests to other parishes when he was a bishop in Pittsburgh from 1998 to 2006. I remember Bishop Wuerl well, because he was a prominent figure in Pittsburgh during the years I served a congregation in the South Hills of Pittsburgh from 1988 - 1991. My own bishop at the time, Rev. Donald McCoid, had a close collegial relationship and friendship with Bishop Wuerl. It is a strong reminder that we in positions of leadership in congregations need to do everything we can to keep people safe, especially our kids. In my August 3 blog entry I mentioned that a safety workshop is being planned at Zoar Lutheran on September, which covers screening volunteers who work with children. For more information, see the flyer regarding this event here. Might there be some interest in attending this event? Time is from 10 - 2.

Weekend Worship bulletins

Since Terri is now posting the Saturday and Sunday bulletins in Dropbox, I can share a link to them, and you can get a preview: The Saturday bulletin can be viewed here and the Sunday bulletin here.

Thank You's written, signed and sent

At the end of Council meetings we have begun to write Thank You notes to individuals (or groups) who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. One writes the note, and we all sign. I then address and mail the notes.

Interim Update for August 10, 2018

Road Trip with daughter Sarah

My road trip with Sarah this past week to get her moved to Logan, Utah went well. Here's a day by day summary of our trip:

• Monday -- departed Ohio, Sarah's Honda Fit packed to the gills with her personal belongings, with enough room for the two of us up front. 675 miles. Our first day destination was Sarah's grandmother's house, who lives with her husband out in the country south of Fayette, MO, about 35 miles northwest of Columbia. Sarah's aunt Wilma was also visiting, and this was the first time she and Sarah had seen each other in ten years. So it was a good visit. Martha, Marcy's mom, is 87, and her husband Philip is 95. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, and was in the same class as Jimmy Carter. Following his Naval career, he became a high school math teacher in Boonville, MO. We stayed the night and through the afternoon on Tuesday.
• Tuesday -- left Martha and Philip's house and traveled to Lincoln, NE. This was our shortest travel day, about 300 miles. By this time we had crossed the Missouri River four times.
• Wednesday -- traveled from Lincoln, NE to Laramie, WY. About 500 miles, we arrived in Laramie by late afternoon.
• Thursday -- traveled from Laramie to Salt Lake City, about 400 miles. We went out for lunch in downtown SLC, and then Sarah dropped me off at the airport and finished the last 90 miles of the journey to Logan by herself. I boarded a non-stop flight to Cleveland at 5:30 pm, and was back home by midnight.
• Sarah's area of study will be mathematical ecology (whatever that is!). In addition to her graduate classes, she will be a Teaching Assistant teaching math for math undergrads.

Housing for Sarah - The Lord provided!

Sarah had arranged her permanent housing before she moved -- she'll be sharing an apartment with three other students, but won't be able to move in until August 20. She had booked an AirBnB room for Thursday and Friday, August 9 and 10, but as of last week still had not found housing for August 11-19. Marcy did some web searches and learned that there is an ELCA congregation in Logan (Prince of Peace) with a new interim pastor, Teri, whose first Sunday would be August 5. Teri's email address was on the congregation's website, so I sent her a message this past Saturday, August 4. I introduced myself, told her that my daughter Sarah would be moving to Logan next week, and needed temporary housing from August 11-19. I asked if she would make an announcement in worship (on her first Sunday as interim, no less) about Sarah's need for housing, which she said she would do. Early on Sunday afternoon, Teri emailed to say that she made the announcement but no one spoke to her about it. She said she would put an announcement in the congregations weekly email newsletter. Later in the afternoon I received a text message from Karin, a member of the congregation, who, along with her husband, are empty nesters. They heard the announcement at worship, and offered to provide housing and meals for Sarah for the time that she needs and at no cost. Indeed, the Lord provides!

Lock on the Office Door

Got word from Terri that the lock on the office door was no longer working. She made some calls and got it taken care of. Thanks, Terri!

Death of Ron Borchardt, Zion Sandusky organist

The church office received this letter earlier this week from Pr. Eric Bodenstab, pastor at Zion Lutheran in Sandusky. Ron Borchardt, long time organist at Zion, died suddenly. The obituary for Ron can be found here. Keep and Borchardt and Zion families in your prayers.

"Using Our Knowledge to Serve Our Neighbors"

The latest message from Dr. Kit Kleinhans, Dean of Trinity Seminary in Columbus, can be read here.

Interim Update for August 3, 2018

LEAD readiness survey

LEAD, an acronym for Living Every day as Disciples, is an organization that provides resources and coaching for ELCA congregations. Their website puts it this way: Empowering Christian Leaders – Transforming Faith Communities – Influencing the World -- Coaching, Consulting & Resources

I first became aware of LEAD during my 2015 interim in Minnesota, because the SE Minnesota Synod had partnered with them to bring leadership assistance and support to synod congregations. This may be a helpful organization to partner with for this interim time and beyond. I filled out a form on the LEAD website asking for more information about a process that they offer called "Tune In" and received this response:

Dear Pastor Mark, Thank you for your inquiry about the Tune In Process. Times of transition, as St. John's is currently experiencing, can open up opportunities for reflection and new direction. Congregations in the Gulf Coast Synod often use this time to go through a modified version of the Tune In Process as they develop their Ministry Site Profiles. But, as I'm sure you can imagine, this process will not be right for all congregations during a stressful period. You and your staff, council, or other ministry team leaders may want to take (a) brief quiz designed to help you think about whether now is a good time to enter into a LEAD Process.

So my thought is this: Let's each take the quiz, which you can find here. It's 15 yes or no questions, and your score will be the total of your "yes" answers. When you finish the quiz, email me your score. I will create an average score and report back to you the results. This in no way obligates us to anything -- it will only help to determine if this is a possibility. If you want to learn more about LEAD, you can go to their website at WaytoLead.org.

Special Meeting Regarding Parking Lot

Don't forget the special meeting this Sunday, August 5, immediately following worship, to vote on a proposal and funding for repair of the church parking lot. I met with Ken on Thursday afternoon to discuss the specifics of the meeting, and together we drew up a resolution and ballot which presents the bid from the contractor, and our proposal for which congregational funds will be used to cover the cost. The proposal is to accept the bid from Precision Paving in Milan for overlay, patching and striping for a total bid of $47,450, and to fund the project using the Parking lot fund, and Undesignated Memorial Funds. Shaun will be checking the exact totals we have in each, and these are the numbers that will appear in the resolution that will be presented to the congregation at the meeting. A draft of the resolution and ballot can be viewed here. As I said, the numbers in the two funds we will be using will be ascertained by Shaun and entered by him in the final copy of the resolution.

One additional bid was submitted for a second sealer coat and striping for next year for about $4,700. We chose not include this cost in the resolution, as there will be at least two more congregational meetings before the time that this work would be done, and the congregation can decide at either of those meetings whether to proceed with the next phase of this project.

It should further be noted that the St. John's Constitution disallows absentee voting, or voting by proxy. Only those voting members present at the meeting can vote.

Special meeting of Council before Congregational Meeting

There will be a special meeting of Council at 9:45am on Sunday, August 5, at which time you will be briefed on the proposal that will be voted on at the Special Meeting following worship.

Phone System

I have been informed that the recorded voice on the phone that plays when no one is present to answer the phone is that of Pastor Julie. Of course this is an indication that the recorded message needs to be updated. Terri has a box full of manuals and CD's that supposedly relate to the operation of the phone system. I have not net delved into that collection of documents and paraphernalia to determine how the recorded message can be updated. I have been told that this system is very old and is no longer supported by the manufacturer. Also, I have noted that I have a message on the phone in my office, and have used the password provided for me on a slip of paper, which does not work. Other than that, the phones work fine.

Computer system

In addition to the phone system, the computer system at St. John's is out of date,. My computer uses Windows 8, and Terri's computer is still using Windows 7, when the current standard is Windows 10. A network connection between Terri's computer and the pastor's office computer is present, however it requires a username and password, for which I have not yet found a working combination of the two.

Pastor Scott to cover while I'm out of state

Just a reminder that I'm taking three vacation days next week to accompany daughter Sarah on her move to Logan, Utah, where she will begin a PhD program at Utah State University in mathematical ecology. We will leave early on Monday morning, August 6, and I will fly back to Ohio from Salt Lake City on Thursday afternoon, arriving late Thursday evening. Pastor Scott will cover for me if there are any emergencies. His phone number is in the email that directed you to this update.

Synod eNews

The August edition of synod eNews can be seen here. One of the items is in regard to a Safety Plan: "The Christian Education Network of the ELCA presents 'How to Create a safety Plan for Your Church' at Zoar Lutheran Church, Perrysburg, OH,Sep 22, 2018 10:00 AM." Topics include:

• Transportation Issues for all ages, including seniors
• Training and Drills
• Active Shooter Lock-down
• Screening Volunteers Who Work with Children For more information, see the flyer regarding this event here.

Visits at the Willows

On Thursday I visited St. John's members who reside at the Willows, so it was good to meet those folks. Pr. Katie Suggitt will be leading monthly worship there, with Jan LaBonte providing accompaniment. I will fill in for Pr. Katie in September, as she is unavailable at that time. I also stopped to visit someone who had indicated on her connection card that she didn't know if she was a member or not, thinking that her husband had transferred their membership years ago from Zion, Republic. No transfer documents could be found in our office, so I simply encouraged this person to keep on attending, and that we would consider her a member. This may take a vote by council -- I will have to check the Constitution on this.

Searching the Blog

One of the advantages of doing these interim updates in a blog format is that it provides not only a single collection point for these updates, but also one that can be searched. In the upper left corner of the blog page, there is a search box. Simply enter the word that you're looking for, and all the blog entries which contain that term will be displayed in the current page. Then you can use Ctrl F to find the exact place(s) on the page where that word is found.

Committee Meetings

I attended Stewardship and Education Committee meetings Thursday evening. Both committees are continuing their planning for fall activities. Stewardship reviewed further the Time and Talent Sheets, and in Education Sunday School and Confirmation were the primary items on the agenda.

Continuing Transition to Breeze

Terri and I are learning a bit more each day about Breeze. One of the next steps is to create User Accounts, which means that you will be able to log in to Breeze to view and edit your own information, and to view your contribution record. Want to be sure that your contribution has been received and assigned to the fund of your choice? Now you can do that. Once Terri finishes transferring all current contributions from Revelations to Breeze, I will have Breeze send you an email, which will invite you to create your personal account.