Transition Team Convenes
The Transition Team held its first meeting last Sunday after worship. Members brought lunch, which helped us get through an approximately two-hour time frame. We began with members sharing a bit about themselves and their hopes and dreams for St. John's. We then moved to a thorough review of a blank Ministry Site Profile, giving the team a better idea of what's asked for in the Profile, so that the work of the team during the coming weeks and months will facilitate its completion.
I invited the Team to join Council for the next Healthy Congregations workshop on Saturday, March 16. Our next meeting after that will be Sunday, April 7, 11:30 am.
Council Workshop a week from Saturday
As mentioned above, our next Healthy Congregations Workshop will be a week from Saturday, March 16, beginning at 9:00 am, concluding by 1:00 pm. Everyone who received the Update is welcome and encouraged to attend. We have also invited the Transition Team and the Endowment Trust Task Force to also attend, as the focus will be on congregational vision and mission.
NWOS Synod eNews for March 5
The lastest issue of NWOS eNews arrived recently. Listed below are items that you can learn more about.
- Faith and Art Immersion
- On Food and Faith: Ministry in the Time of Climate Change
- March Message - Presiding Bishop Eaton
- LMM Annual Meeting
- Homes of Hope
- Monthly Council Devotions
- Job Postings
You can read the the full issue here.
Ash Wednesday
I was impressed with what seemed to be an excellent turnout for Ash Wednesday. To be reminded of my mortality is not something that I can say I "enjoy," however, this service is one of the more meaningful ones of the Church Year. I hope that many will continue their Lenten pilgramage by attennding our midweek series of gatherings. More info below, restated from last week.
Midweek Lenten Worship: “Continuing in the Covenant of Baptism”
We will observe Lent this year with a series of five light suppers in the fellowship hall beginning at 6:00 pm. A brief worship around the tables will follow from 6:30 – 7:00. We will continue a discussion of the confirmation promises that Confirmation youth explored in their recent retreat. Here is our schedule and a list of our themes:
- March 13 Focus: To live among God’s faithful people
- March 20 Focus: To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper
- March 27 Focus: To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
- April 3 Focus: To serve all people, following the example of Jesus
- April 10 Focus: To strive for justice and peace in all the earth
Visits and Updates on people
Visited Sandra W. on Wednesday -- coordinated this with her daughter, who stays with her during the day. Mobility is still a problem for her, which makes any venture outside the house a challenge. Also visited Tom W. at the Providence Crossings in Sandusky. He's staying their while Alohoea gets her strength back staying with her daughter in Huron. I'm hoping to connect with her also, as she is my back yard here. We received a note from Dean and Arlene H.. Arlene wrote this: "Dean finally out of hospital after 3 times, doing better. Will be back in Ohio shortly. Kids want us home." We do, too. Charley Baum home from the hospital and doing better. People to keep in our prayers.
Stewardship Team Meeting
I met with the Linda, Emma K. and Aleta on Thursday. They have been evaluating stewardship materials and programs. We took a look at the stewardship resource page at elca.org/stewardship. Found a booklet resource called "How Much Is Enough?" The resource was written by several different ELCA stewardship leaders, each addressing one of six competencies that are necessary for a well-formed stewardship leader. Those six competencies are as follows:
- Trusts God’s abundance
- Grounds oneself in biblical and theological principles
- Holds a holistic perspective
- Perceives connectednes
- Engages and critiques culture
- Embraces financial health as an expression of faith.
The Team began reviewing these materials, and I also began reading. It looks like an excellent resource, and if you want to take a look, you can find it here.
Education Team Meeting
Education Team also met on Thursday evening, with two "next year 7th grader" families present to continue discussion of possible structure for next year's confirmation program. We had considered and started a conversation with Zion Sandusky to do something jointly with them, but now we are leaning toward keeping our own program at St. John's, and possibly try to plan recreational activities with another congregation or congregations. We also discussed the possibility of adding the 6th graders to the program, as this would match the school structure, with grades 6-8 in middle school. We need to do more conversation with parents and among the committee, but we hope to have some decisions made by mid-May, so we'll know how to proceed into the fall program.
Daylight Savings Time
Don't forget to lose an hour of sleep this Saturday night as we Spring Ahead into Daylight Savings Time.
Two to take First Communion Instruction
I have a fifth and a sixth grader who I will be meeting with on Sunday after worship for Holy Communion instruction. Their parents have requested it, and came at about the same time, so it will work well to instruct two together. Hopefully, both families will be on board to involve the kids in the Confirmation program.
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