Interim Update for April 26, 2019

Holy Week and Easter

Thanks to everyone who helped make our Lenten, Holy Week and Easter services and activities a memorable and spiritual experience. Our attendance on Sunday was about 175, and we had about 75 for breakfast. The cakes, sausage and bacon hit the spot.

Visitation

I went to Willows on Sunday afternoon and visited our folks there. Learned that Marabelle S. has moved to a care center in Fremont -- the Willows staff mentioned the name, but now it escapes me. Tuesday was my day to visit Orchard Grove and Bellevue Care. Done there, I headed to Perrysburg to visit Tonya H. before her procedure at UTMC on Wednesday. As I reported at Council, medical folks couldn't do what they hoped, and will try again in about 30 days. She'll do a few more rehab days at St. Clare, and then head back home to Bellevue.

Work Day!!

Some of you may read this on Saturday morning, and if you do, and if you're available, come and join us for work day! Many projects have been planned, so don't worry, we'll find something for you to do or a project to tackle. Donuts will be served in the morning, and the Mike will have the meats grilling by lunch time.

Preschool celebration, and Confirmation

We should be able to maintain good attendance for the next two Sundays -- there will be a big crowd on Sunday for the preschool celebration. Preschool kids will sing early in the service, and then we'll invite the other kids up and I'll do the children's message. Then on May 5, five of our 8th graders will affirm their baptismal faith in the Rite of Confirmation. They had one final session with their mentors on Wednesday night, and next Wednesday will be rehearsal. corsages/boutonnieres have been ordered, as has a decorated sheet cake for the reception in the narthex/lobby/chapel afterward. Our confirmands are Lindsay, Emma, Dakota, Rose and Judd. These are some amazing young people! I will miss seeing them on Wednesday nights, but it sounds like they will be regulars in Rocky's high school class on Sunday morning in the fall.

Camp Planning

We are hoping to bring some of our confirmation youth to camp from June 4-7 at Camp Luther on Lake Erie near Conneaut. Registration forms have been sent to eligible families. The cost for the camp is $150 per camper, with families paying $75, and the congregation covering the balance for the campers and for adult leaders. I have participated with a group of pastors for a number of years in leading this camp. If you want to know more about this camp, you can read the brochure and registration form that has been sent to families here. On Thursday I attended a planning meeting in Findlay. We will need one more meeting to wrap up the details of who will lead which sessions and activities.

Evening of Historical Reflection

The first of several events which will seek input from the congregation that will be utilized by the Transition Team to complete the Ministry Site Profile will be held Wednesday evening, May 15, from 7-9 pm. This will be an Evening of Historical Reflection. We will recall and record significant events from the congregation's history, and then challenge those present to respond to the question "What does this mean for us as we look to the future?" Halfway through the event we'll break for a make-you-own ice cream sundae snack. You can read the insert that first appeared in Easter Sunday's bulletin here. Put this date on your calendar and plan to attend!

Some links for you to check out

• ELCA Spring issue of StewardNet, a Stewardship newsletter.
• April issue of Seeds Monthly, a resource for congregational leaders. Kristen, note the "bulletin blurbs" at the end -- could use as fillers for bulletin and newsletter.
• April issue of ELCA Worship News
• April 25 Issue of NWOS eNews
• Bishop Daniel's April 18 message
• Bishop Daniel's April 22 message

Update for April 19, 2019

Workshop with Pastor Rob

Pastor Rob joined us for the third time to continue our discussion of our vision and mission on Saturday, April 13. We had to meet in the lounge again, as the funeral lunch for the Ray Beier family was being served in the Fellowship Hall. Thanks, team, for coming through again for our grieving family. I was a bit late for this workshop because of the funeral and lunch. Others were helping with the funeral lunch, so our numbers for this workshop were down a bit from our first two.

Rob presented the results of the survey that he distributed at the last workshop, and the group discussed. I have scanned that report, and you can view the analysis here. The original is in color, but you figure it out, as the graph bars are in the same order as the key at the top of the graph.

In the next part of the workshop, Rob asked the question: Why do we do what we do? What are our values? "What values do we want our 18-year-old members to live when they graduate from high school?" The group identified regular worship attendance as a value, with the following sub-notes:

• Spiritual renewal - forgiveness of sins
• Respect/Honor God
• Community/ Social -- strength through human connection
• Transcendence -- contact/connection with God, humility

Additional discussion focused on the question "What are our strengths? What resources are available to us? Congregations should consider their capacity to mourn and offer grace.

Palm Sunday and the Three Days

The Streetsweeper expressed his thanks the opportunity to tell his story on Palm Sunday. Our Maundy Thursday service went well -- attendance was about 35. Hoping for a bit bigger group tonight for Good Friday, but the rain may discourage a few. Plans are good for Sunday -- breakfast at 8:30. This will be a hot breakfast, pancakes and sausage. So hope you can all make it to celebrate our Lord's resurrection!

Chapel Time for Preschool

On Wednesday 9:30 am and Thursday 9:30 am, 1:00 pm I led chapel for the preschool. These sessions are held in the chapel, with two or three classes attending each session. For this chapel time I focused on both Good Friday and Easter. Good Friday can be scary for the kids, but The Spark children's Bible does a good job of telling the story. And the kids seem to know pretty well that Good Friday sadness transforms into Easter joy with the resurrection.

Affirmation of Ordination Vows

Every Tuesday of Holy Week, the synod sponsors a special service for pastoral leaders at which we receive laying on of hand and prayers, and we renew our ordination or consecration vows. We also receive a small vial of olive oil that we can use in our pastoral care ministry. This year's service was held at St. John's in Tiffin, and was followed by a tasty luncheon. I was able to connect with Pastors Jim and Ken, who I will be working with to lead four days of camp at Camp Luther for our confirmation youth June 4-7. I will be attending a planning meeting this week on Thursday morning to help complete the planning for this camp.

Update on people

Tonya H. is still gaining strength at St. Clare Commons in Perrysburg, and is scheduled for her procedure at UTMC on Tuesday morning this coming week. Dean and Arlene were back in worship on Palm Sunday, so it was good to see them. Stuart and Diane are working their way back to Ohio, if they are not here already. Keep these folks in your prayers.

Interim Update for April 12, 2019

Transition Team Meeting

The Transition Team met on Sunday after worship. We watched the video "When Anxiety Strikes" featuring Dr. Pete Steinke -- this is the video we watched at our Council workshop last fall. We have schedued an Evening of Historical Reflection for Wendesday, May 15, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. This event will review the history of the congregation, and we will ask the important question "What does this mean for us as we look to the future?" For all you ice cream lovers out there, his event will include an ice cream social.

Healthy Congregations Workshop Saturday

A reminder that Pastor Rob will continue his work with us with regard to vision and mission at our next workshop, tomorrow, Saturday, April 13. The time is 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Because of the funeral lunch in the Fellowship Hall, we will need to meet again in the Lounge. As a reminder of what we discussed at the last workshop, I have transcribed the responses that Pr. Rob wrote on the giant Post-It notes, which you can read here. I will be coming a bit late to the workshop, as I will be conducting the funeral for Ray Beier beginning at 10:00 am at Auxter Funeral Home.

Death of and funeral for Ray Beier

Received word Monday of the death of Ray Beier, as the result of being thrown from his three-wheeler ATV. He died at the scene. Many will remember Ray and Marlene as regular attenders at St. John's, sitting a pew or two in front of Dean and Arlene. Marlene preceded Ray in death in 2014. Visitation will be today (Friday) from 3-7 pm at Auxter Funeral home in Bellevue, and the funeral will be at 10:00 am tomorrow (Saturday), also at the funeral home. Burial will be at Bellevue City Cemetery, and a luncheon will follow at the St. John's Fellowship Hall. The obituary for Ray can be seen here.

Lent Series Concludes

We held our fifth and final midweek supper and worship on Wednesday evening. Many thanks to Jan L. for some most excellent chicken noodle soup, and to our dessert person as well. Mini-cheesecakes, yum! The final promise in the Affirmation of Baptism service is "To strive for justice and peace in all the earth." Here are all the messages, linked:

• March 13 To live among God's faithful people
• March 20 To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper
• March 27 To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
• April 3 To serve all people, following the example of Jesus
• April 10 To strive for justice and peace in all the earth

Schedule for Holy Week

• Palm Sunday (and Saturday) -- we will do the Procession with Palms - after announcements the congregation will be invited to move to the narthex where the service will begin -- we will enter the sanctuary singing "All Glory Laud and Honor." "The Streetsweeper of Jerusalem" will bring the message, reporting on his perspective of that first Palm Sunday.
• Maundy Thursday - 7:00 pm. Individual pronouncement of forgiveness will be a feature of this service
• Good Friday - 7:00 pm. This service will feature a Reader's Theater reading of John's passion, a sermon, the Bidding Prayer, and the Solemn Reproaches at the end.
• Easter Sunday - Continental breakfast at 8:30 am, festival worship at 10 am

People Update

Tonya has been gaining her strength at St. Clare Assisted Living in Perrysburg. Hopefully, she will be ready on Tuesday for the procedure she originally went to UTMC for. So she's doing much better, but still needs our prayers. Spoke with Dean on the phone -- they are hoping to get to church -- if not will stop at the house and visit. Emma K. has been giving us updates on Stuart M. in Florida. He still is not able to speak clearly. His family is planning to help bring him back to Ohio soon. Alohoea is now home, and is hoping Tom will be able to join her there soon.

Virtual Interim Pastors meeting

Once a month I have an online meeting using Zoom with other interim pastors around the US. This is through an organization called the Interim Ministry Network. Last June I attended this organization's Annual Conference. The April meeting was held today from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Similar in purpose to our synod interim pastors meeting, we meet to offer each other support, ideas, problem solving and prayers.

Bishop Daniel's weekly message

You can read it here.

Interim Update for April 5, 2019

Out with the old, in with the new

The navy blue (official Ford color: Kona Blue) Mustang in the parking lot will no longer be an indication of my presence at the church. After eight years and 148,00 miles, we have parted ways. It served me well -- it had plenty of head and leg room, had good power (305 hp), delivered good gas mileage (up to 34 mpg on the highway), and, well, it was a Mustang. In its place, look for a "Silk Blue Metallic" VW Golf. It has some amazing tech, including auto slow down on cruise control, lane assist (let's you know if you veer out of your lane) and auto high beam dimmer.

Seminaries to Graduate Pastors this Spring

I received this information in one of my emails, with relevance for congregations in the call process:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will graduate 108 pastors from its seminaries this Spring. The most recent report from the ELCA’s bishops indicates that there are 258 first call vacancies in the church, which means 150 will go unfilled. ELCA Region 6, of which the Northwestern Ohio Synod is a part, has need for 22 first call candidates and received 5. The Northwestern Ohio Synod received one pastoral candidate from the group. In this synod, at least 13 parishes are actively seeking a pastor (first call or otherwise), with others somewhere in a study process. Pray for those souls whom the Holy Spirit is stirring to follow God’s call. Do you know someone? Personally encourage them.

Update on our people/prayer list

Dean and Arlene are home. Haven't talked to them yet -- I was told that they hope to be in worship on Sunday. If not, will definitely stop in to check up on them. Stuart is continuing his recovery in Florida -- I have been told that speech has not returned, and swallowing is still a challenge. Sharon K. continues with her outpatient rehab several times a week, and is improving slowly but surely. I visited Tonya H. on Friday evening -- she is off the ventilator and has begun sitting on the side of the bed. Immediate future on where she will go next still being determined. Alohoea is doing much better -- still at Willows rehab, Tom still at assisted living at Providence Commons in Sandusky.

Church by the Numbers

"The number one reason for the decline in church attendance is that members attend with less frequency than they did just a few years ago." That's one of several observation on church attendance and vitality mentioned by Pr. Clint Schnekloth, an ELCA pastor in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Yes, there are Lutherans in Arkansas!) To read all of Pr. Clint's thoughts on this subject, you can go here.

Next Healthy Congregations Workshop next Saturday

Don't forget that Pastor Rob will be back next Saturday to lead us in our conversation and work regarding our vision and mission at St. John's. Also remember that our time is a bit different from previous workshops -- we will met from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Palm tree planting party

Palm Sunday is a week from Sunday, and we need to plant some palm trees. Actually, we just to move the artificial ones from the basement storeroom to their assigned spots in the front of the sanctuary. The Worship and Music team is asking for assistance in this task, and have suggested 9:30 am next Saturday. That should be plenty of time before the Healthy Congregations workshop at 10:30.

Fundraiser for Kennedy wraps up

The fundraiser to assist Kennedy Black with her expenses to attend a mission trip to Uganda this summer has wrapped up. Bidding ended Thursday afternoon, and many picked up their treasures. I outbid Paul W. for the quart of Wilson maple syrup donated by Hannah M. If you got outbid, you can still contribute to Kennedy's cause -- just give Terri a call, or you can also leave a gift with Kristen in the church office.

Heavy trike traffik

St. John's Preschool kids pedaled their way through the halls, around obstacles, and past railroad tracks, all the while learning good triking skills as they raised money for St. Judes hospital. It's called a Trikeathon, and has long been a regular event at many preschools. St. Peter in Norwalk also did it every year. The preschool has a acquired a number of new bright yellow trikes that they will be able to use every year for this excellent activity and fundraiser.

Lent Series Continues - return to Fellowship Hall

We held our fourth midweek supper and worship on Wednesday evening. Many thanks to Minetta for some heavenly potato with ham and cheese soup, and Nancy and others who brought desserts. Our theme this year is "Continuing in the Covenant of Baptism," and focuses on the promises we make in the Affirmation of Baptism service. I have listed the themes below, and for the dates already concluded, linked my message for that service. Time is 6:00 for supper and service at 6:30. Done by 7:00 pm. Plan to come!

• March 13 To live among God's faithful people
• March 20 To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper
• March 27 To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed
• April 3 To serve all people, following the example of Jesus
• April 10 To strive for justice and peace in all the earth

Adult Bible Study continues

In our Sunday morning 9am and Thursday morning 10am gatherings we are getting into Bishop Daniel's study on the Sermon on the Mount. You are welcome and encouraged to join us!

First Thursday (and Wednesday) Committee Meetings

First Thursday of the month is a busy day, as three committees meet. Here's brief summary of our discussion/action items:

• Worship and Music
  • Palm Sunday (and Saturday) -- we will do the Procession with Palms - after announcements the congregation will be invited to move to the narthex where the service will begin -- we will enter the sanctuary singing "All Glory Laud and Honor." "The Streetsweeper of Jerusalem" will bring the message, reporting on his perspective of that first Palm Sunday.
  • Maundy Thursday - 7:00 pm. Individual pronouncement of forgiveness will be a feature of this service
  • Good Friday - 7:00 pm. This service will feature a Reader's Theater reading of John's passion, a sermon, the Bidding Prayer, and the Solemn Reproaches at the end.
  • Easter Sunday - Continental breakfast at 8:30 am, festival worship at 10 am
• Stewardship
  • Continued discussion of theme resource "How Much is Enough"
  • Developed a month-by-month plan for the team's stewardship activities through the year
• Education and Youth
  • Reviewed plans for VBS, June 24-28
  • Discussion of Confirmation program plans for 2019-2020. Planned to invite parents of next year's sixth, seventh and eighth graders to a meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 6:30 pm to discuss options, including expanding the program to include 6th graders.
  • The Birthday Bags prepared last summer during VBS have been very popular at Fish and Loaves. This involves supplies (cake mix, frosting, candles) to make a birthday party cake. We will do another appeal for supplies to make more bags. Stay tuned for more details.
  • Sunday School kids will present "The Third Tree" of their "Three Trees" series on Palm Sunday (guess what the third tree was used for!). Also, last Sunday for Sunday School will be May 19. Sunday School kids will assist in leading worship that day.
  • Confirmation is May 5. We need to find someone to make cake and to be "official" photographer
• Evangelism
  • Met with Carol and Vickie at 5pm on Wednesday -- main area of discussion was what to do about Connection Cards. Possibility of returning to pew pads? Will bring it up for discussion at next Council meeting (April 25).

Bishop Daniel's weekly message

You can read it here.

Latest issue of NWOS eNews

You can read it here.