Misconduct In Congregations Workshop
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I attended a workshop that addressed the issue of misconduct in congregations. The theme of the workshop was "Moving from Hurt to Wholeness," and was held at St. Stephen Lutheran in Stow. One of the presenters was Bishop Lohrmann, who spoke from eighteen years experience as Bishop in our synod, where he had to ask many pastors to resign from their congregations and from the clergy roster because, in most cases, the leader had engaged in sexual misconduct or marital infidelity.
Sponsored by the organization that I received my training in Interim MInistry from, the National Association of Lutheran Internet Pastors, the workshop attracted 27 pastors from about a dozen different states. A Martin Luther quote from one of the handouts is worth repeating:
This life therefore is
not righteousness, but growth in righteousness,
not health, but healing,
not being but becoming
not rest but exercise.
We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing to it,
the process is not yet finished, but its going on,
this is not the end, but it is the road.
All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified
August Survey results are in
The online survey that we conducted this month is now closed and the results are in. This survey asks three questions that are on the Ministry Site Profile with regard to TASKS that your new pastor will need to address, and GIFTS he or she will need to bring to St. John's. This survey also gave an opportunity for those who did not attend a small group meeting to offer their responses. A total of 45 persons responded to the survey. You can review the results here.
Confirmation Youth and Parents Meet
The orientation for our 2019-2020 confirmation program was held on Wednesday evening, with eight families in attendance. Sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Mentor sessions will be held during Advent and Lent. We will need congregation members to serve as mentors. Let me know if you'd be willing to help out.
Hospital update
Visited Beverly D. at Bellevue Hospital and she is now under hospice care. Daughter Faith requests prayer for her parents. Also, keep Ellen D. in your prayers, also. She has spent a couple days at Promedica in Toledo, but should be returning home soon.
Call Committee Selection begins
Council began the process of selecting the Call Committee at the Thursday night meeting. A Committee of five adults and one youth was settled on. Suggestions from both Council and Congregation were considered, and nineteen candidates were divided into six age and gender groups. Members of Council will rank their preferences in each group, and will determine who is called first for each group. If that person declines, the second person on the list will be called, etc., until all the positions have been filled. Council will approve members of the Call Committee at the September meeting. Continue to surround this process with your prayers.
ELCA Churchwide Assembly Sanctuary Vote
I mentioned this at Council on Thursday night, but I'm simply going to refer you to the following links. I encourage you to read the information that is available on these pages.
- Sanctuary Church Body: What does this mean for us today?
- Sanctuary Church Body: Resources
- Churchwide Assembly Summary
Busy Day on Sunday
This Sunday will be a big day because we will install our Preschool Staff and Board, and we will baptize Jackson Richard Sieger, grandson of Rick and Aleta. Also, the Preschool will hold an open house beginning at noon.
Transition Team Meets Sunday
All the meetings and surveys have been completed, and now it's time to let the Transition Team put it all together in the Ministry Site Profile. The team will be meeting after worship on Sunday, and it will be full steam ahead.
Council Members Express Interest in Diakonia Program
I have posted in previous Updates about the Diakonia Program of adult Christian Education for the Eastern and North Central Conferences at Grace Lutheran in Fremont. Six five-week courses will be held Thursday evenings from September through May. Council voted to provide financial support to anyone who requests it. Here are the links I promised at Council on Thursday night:
Council Changes Meeting Night to Tuesday
In order to accomodate Council Members who plan to enroll in the Diakonia program, which meets weekly on Thursday evenings, Council has changed its meeting day to Tuesday, beginning with the September meeting on Tuesday the 17th.
thank you for these updates they are so helpful and informational :)
ReplyDelete