Healthy Congregations Workshop ready to Go
Yesterday I had a phone conversation with Pr. Rob Johnson from Holy Trinity in Toledo. He had a few more questions about St. John's, so that he can tailor the workshop to our particular situation. He will be leading Healthy Congregations Workshop 1, a description of which I shared last week, but will again here:
An introduction to thinking of your congregation as an "emotional field" that can be driven by the wind of anxiety rather than reflective faith and devotion to Jesus, with a focus on strengths, and mission mindedness.
I had asked for RSVP's and some of you replied, but all who receive the Update are welcome and encouraged to attend. We'll get going by 9am, and should be done no later than 1. I'll plan to stop and pick up some bakery goodies, and make a pot of coffee. We will be meeting in the lounge -- that will be the warmest place for us. Hope to see many of you in the morning!
Boiler report
It's been an interesting and challenging time for us at St. John's with only one of three boilers operating as the coldest weather in these parts in decades moved in Tuesday. Sunday School and adult class were canceled last Sunday, and, on recent days when schools have not been closed because of the cold (which automatically closes us at St. John's), the preschool only held school for classes in our warmer rooms. Worship last weekend was held both Saturday and Sunday, although temps in the sanctuary hung little more than 60 degrees. On Sunday there was a better than otherwise expected turnout because of the baptism of Ella Burkhart, with many family members in attendance.
The parts for the second boiler arrived this past week, and were installed and the boiler operating by noon on Wednesday. With the building being so cold, and the near-zero temps hanging around through much of the day Thurusday, there was some warming in the building - the sanctuary is back to 60 degrees, and we expect that to improve with more time. The hallways, and upstairs areas were still very chilly late Thursday afternoon.
With regard to the third boiler, this needed either repaired or replaced, and the company that did the repairs to #2 on Wednesday gave us a verbal quote to repair or replace. We checked with a local contractor who quoted us a price at a much lower cost, and could install a new unit early next week. Thanks to Mike, Lenny and Ron who have been doing lots to get this situation under control. The warmer temps expected for this weekend will be a blessing, also.
Emergency Management Service request
On Monday I received a phone call for Erie County Emergency Management Services. They were looking for churches that would open their doors as shelters as the polar vortex approached. I told the person on the the phone that we were having heating problems in the church. I didn't mention the preschool, because they weren't going to be in the building, but in other situations that, too, would be a factor. I told her no, we couldn't help in that way. I asked her if she had received any positive response from the churches, and she said no. No church has offered to be a shelter, or returned her call from those she left messages with.
Perhaps something to think about. St. Peter in Norwalk has been an officially designated shelter for decades. There are cots stored under the steps going down to the fellowship hall. There were one or two occasions that I remember when it was utilized as a shelter. I don't remember the circumstances -- might have been either a flood or power outage. And Red Cross volunteers staffed the situation, so it didn't require congregational volunteers. I was a little surprised that I was receiving a call from EMS, that such plans had not been in place earlier, instead a day or two before the cold moved in.
Administration Matters
Administration Matters is a bimonthly e-newsletter for ELCA congregational and synodical leaders. It addresses common, practical issues including finance, governance, risk management, tax, legal concerns and topics of interest about day to day operations and management in church settings. You can read the current issue here.
Who will replace Pastor Mark?
As I head off to continuing education at Winter Park, Colorado on Sunday morning, February 10, just a reminder of who my replacements will be. Pr. Richard Weaver will be our supply pastor for both Saturday and Sunday. In the event of a pastoral emerency, Pastor Scott has agreed to cover. You can reach him at
- 765.343.2275 cell
- 567.201.2271 home
Just a reminder that I will return home late Friday night, February 15.
Report Report Report
This past week I have been gathering info and preparing three separate reports:
- The ELCA Congregational Report -- this is an annual statistical report that is sent to ELCA Churchwide Office of the Secretary, and asks for changes in baptized and confirmed membership, numbers of members removed through death and transfer, number of active members, among other things. There are financial figures that are requested, including total income and expense, amounts for mission support and benevolence. Shaun will complete this portion of the report. It is due every year on February 15. A worksheet is provided which we will complete, and Kristen will go online to enter and submit the information.
- Every year, rostered leaders (pastors, deacons) are required to submit a report of their ministries to our synodical bishops. This includes updated contact info, what we feel have been the three (3) most significant developments, events or accomplishments in your personal and professional life, what resources we may need to help us. The form also asks us to list our continuing education and significant learnings thereof. Also info on our compensation agreements. This has normally been due also on February 15, but I see that the new deadline is March 31. Anyway, it's done.
- Pastor's report for Annual Meeting -- I have prepared a written message, and a parochial report, listing all pastoral acts, and have reported on attendance. Although this will be printed in the annual report books that will be available beginning February 17, you can get a sneak-peak here.
Rescheduled Rescheduled Rescheduled
These three words identify what has happened to our next meeting of our confirmation youth with their mentors. There has been no school on the last three Wednesdays, which then has also cancelled Confirmation. A mentoring session was scheduled for the first weather day, and then rescheduled for the second and third times with the subsequent class cancellations. We're one for this coming Wednesday evening at from 6:30 - 7:00 pm after which Cindy and I will try to get caught up at least at bit on our lessons. We are in the middle of a unit on Holy Baptism.
Bible Survey Course will resume on Sunday
The Bible overview course that started last month will continue on Sunday. We're using a video course from Dr. Harry Wendt and the Crossways organization called "The Bible for Busy People." Dr. Wendt gets our toes wet with a quick over view of the Bible message -- for the next two sessions he'll give a more detailed explanation of a "Biblical Timeline," getting us up to our knees, and his hope that we will be inspired to jump into Bible study up to our necks with more in depth and detail study of the Scriptures, become "biblical bloodhounds," as Dr. Wendt likes to say.
Bishop Daniel's latest message
"By now, you may be getting a bit bogged down in your Daily Bible Reading by all of the instructions and details. In the last half of Exodus, we move from the narrative of God and God’s people, to a bunch of commands, ordinances, and regulations." You can read the rest of Bp. Daniel's message here.
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