Interim Update for September 27, 2019

Transition Team passes the baton

On Sunday after worship, the Transition Team met to put the finishing touches on the Ministry Site Profile. This team has served St. John's well, hosting several congregational events and surveys to solicit your input for completing this document, ensuring that, as much as possible, it reflects a broad base of thought and opinion regarding St. John's regarding its mission, goals, energy, and the gifts needed by your next pastor. Thanks and kudos to Paul, the "Mikes," (T&B), Dale, Tonya and Sue. Over the months the Team met they were challenged with some health issues, and the death of a family member. We will be recognizing them at the Sunday service this weekend.

Call Committee Installation and orientation

The Transition Team will hand off the Ministry Site Profile to the Call Committee, who will be commissioned, also at the Sunday service this weekend. Mary Boals, from the synod office, will be present for worship, and will orient the Call Committee to the call process in a meeting following worship. This task is usually assumed by the Call Process Facilitator for our Conference, which for the last several years has been Pastor Katie Suggitt from Grace Castalia. Pr. Katie has stepped down from that post, so Mary is stepping up to help. Mary is the Synod Treasurer, but does of these Call Process functions on a volunteer basis. Be sure to give Mary a warm greeting when you see her. You can view her picture on the Synod website at the bottom of the staff page, which you can view here.

You can't ride in my little red wagon

Our first 5th Sunday Mission/Outreach event ready to go. During the Children's message, I'll tell the kids about our project, which is receiving a special offering to buy one of our preschool kids an iPad, which will assist this child with special needs with some apps that will supplement his learning. Then the children will help move some little red wagons down the aisles, allowing congregation members to toss in coins (and quieter money, also!) which will help fund this project. Refreshments will be served in the lobby/chapel after the worship to add to the festivities of the day. Need to empty out your loose change bowl at home? This is a good opportunity!

FLAMe flaming out

FLAMe, Firelands Lutherans Active in Mission, has been a cooperative ministry of ELCA congregations in the Sandusky area. Formerly SALM, Sandusky Area Lutherans in Mission, this ministry was expanded several years ago to include more congregations in Norwalk and Bellevue. There is a core of lay leaders who have many good ideas, but there just doesn't seem to be enough support to keep this organization going. There is an activity on Sunday in Sandusky, assembling personal items for youth in foster care, but not sure if there will be further activities. We have sometimes publicized their events, but I'm not sure if anyone of St. John's has participated. I know I haven't, other than attend the monthly FLAMe pastors meeting.

Update on Marabelle

Visited Marabelle at the care center in Fremont on Saturday and again on Wednesday. She was a bit more alert on Wednesday than on previous visits, and she was able to sing a hymn verse with me, and pray the Lord's Prayer with me. But she is still very weak. Keep her and her family in your prayers.

Carol H. at UTMC

You may have heard that Carol H. fell at the drug store, and broke a bone in her shoulder and her hip, both on the right side. She was taken to UTMC on Wednesday, and I vistited on Thursday afternoon. She was supposed to have had surgery on Thursday, but when I arrived at about 3:30 she was still waiting, so don't know if they still got her in on Thursday or if she had to wait until the next day. She is just very uncomfortable, but still in good spirits. She said go ahead and let everyone know, so we can do that and help keep the prayers coming her way.

Other visits

Tuesday was Orchard Grove and Bellevue Care day. First time without Vera -- they are already missing her there. Becky had gathered about twelve residents at BC for the communion service there. On Thursday, I visited Same D. at his house -- Faith met me there for that visit. He's doing OK -- has been going to a few football games.

Confirmation Class -- Second Commandment

Our Catechism lesson on Wednesday night was on the Second Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in van. What does this mean? We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name to curse, swear, lie or deceive, but to call on him in prayer praise and thanksgiving. You can view a PowerPoint of our lesson here.

Doo Wah Diddy Diddy!

Remember that song? I've been hearing it on a regular basis in the halls recently, as the teachers and kids sing the song as they move through the hallway. You can listen to the song as it was sung when it was a hit in 1964, sung by Manfred Mann and his band here.

Solomon pastor and family lose everything in fire

Pastor Alan Brown was installed as the new pastor at Solomon Lutheran in Woodville this past July. Recently, a fire destroyed his family's home. Thankfully, the family escaped uninjured, but the house and all of their personal belongings were a total loss. More information about the family and their needs can be found here.

Sympathy to family of Tom McConnell

We extend our sympathy to the family of Tom McConnell. You can read the obituary here.

Seeds Monthly

The latest issue of Seeds Monthly, a resource for ELCA congregations, can be found here.

Bishop Daniel's weekly message

You can read it here.

Interim Update for September 20, 2019

Pastors retreat on Monday

On Monday of this week, I attended a day retreat with the pastors group that I have been participating with for the past 15 years. We meet twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, and mostly have done Monday and Tuesday retrats at Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center in Fremont. However, the last two retreats were held and Pastor Henry and Becky's house west of Fremont, and with the retreat this week we moved to a one day format. With so many of our group now retired, our focus has been a little different, but still it's good to gather for prayer, fellowship, worship, and good eats. Thanks, Becky, the food at your house is fantastic!

Transition Team almost ready to pass the baton

The Transition Team has the Ministry Site Profile almost completed -- much progress was made at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, at which a few more assignments were made, and we hope to get it wrapped up at our next meeting, which is Sunday after worship. Call Committee members were announced at the Tuesday night Council meeting, and approved by the council. Call Committee members are Dennis Bauer, Richelle Lovins, Lisa Gittenger, Sherri Doster, James Mapus, and youth member Jake Doster. At a Sunday service in the near future (date not determined yet), I'd like to install the Call Committee, and recognize the hard work the Transition team has done. I'll also meet with the Call Committee to review the Ministry Site Profile. The new Call Process Facilitator (don't know who this is yet) will orient the Call Committee to its tasks, and the protocols that are important to carry out their duties in a well ordered way.

AAMPARO: What's that?

You may or may not have heard that word. It's actually an acronym that means Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities. AMMPARO was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. This program works with companion churches in the region, including companion synod relationships, and existing ministries in the U.S., and is one of the ways that the ELCA has worked to bring hope and healing to people in need. You can view a video about AAMPARO here.

Statement on Racism and White Supremacy

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has issued a statement on Racism and White Supremacy. You can read the statement here.

Picture Directory Signups Begin This Weekend

Doug and Cindy Klein will be the photographers for the congregation's new picture directory. This directory will be done a bit differently than in the past, which have been produced by professional Church Picture Directory companies. Doug and Cindy will be available over two weekends between October 19th and October 27th to photograph congregation families. No purchase is necessary, although photos will be available for purchase with pre-Christmas delivery guaranteed. Also, every family who sits for a portrait will receive a complimentary 8x10.

Printed directories will be available, although entirely at the congregation's cost, either as congregational or individual family expense. This directory will also be available online, although it should be noted that it will be password protected. Doug has suggested that we use on online service called Instant Church Directory. Congregations subscribe to the service for $95 per year, and the website provides on online directory (password protected as mentioned above), as well as the ability to generate a pdf directory that can be printed, and mobile apps for access on your iPad, tablet, iPhone, or Android. You can view the website and what it offers here.

Cindy will begin signups this Sunday, both before and after worship. At the Council meeting Tuesday night, Pat Olsen volunteered to assist Cindy with the signup process. Thanks, Pat!

An Organ Concert during Christmas Break?

In July, Paul took a very nice photo of the St. John's organ from downstairs front of the church, and Kristen posted it on the St. John's Bellevue Facebook page, where it received many likes and positive comments. I also posted the photo on my Facebook timeline, along with a picture of the front of the sanctuary from the back. I received over a hundred likes, loves, and many, many comments on the beauty of the St. John's worship space.

One Facebook friend who took particular notice of that post was Chase Castle. Chase is from Norwalk, and is the son of Chris Castle, one of the owners of Castle Music in Norwalk. I got to know Chase after he started playing organ part-time at St. Peter in Norwalk during his high school years. During my 2014 interim at St. Paul's North Robinson, I contracted with Chase and his dad Chris to provide a music concert for the congregation's annual August picnic.

Chase graduated from Norwalk High in 2015, and then attended Baldwin Wallace, from which he graduated this past spring with a Bachelor of Music degree in Keyboard Performance and Music History & Literature. This fall he started a Ph.D. in Music at the University of Pennsylvania, and his primary instrument of choice and study is organ.

Chase indicated that he would be interested in playing a concert at St. John's on our instrument, and that he would be available during his Christmas break between Christmas and January 8, during which time he is booking concerts in the area. My thought was do a Sunday afternoon concert on either December 29 or January 5. His usual fee is $400, although he says he's "flexible." He listed Bach, Mendelssohn, and Hindemith as composers whose music he would play. You can learn more about Chase, as well as listen to some organ concert excerpts on his website, which you can view here.

Synod Interim Pastors Meeting

On Thursday I attended the monthly meeting of our synod's interim pastors at the synod office. This after taking July and August off. We had eleven in attendance, and good discussion, as we share the joys and challenges of being pastors in congregations in transition. Something new this month -- we now have the option of attending via Zoom (online meeting program), and had one attendee join the meeting in that way.

Visit to Marabelle

I learned that Marabelle S. is now in hospice care at Countryside Care Center in Fremont. I met two family members there on Wednesday, and did a service of commendation for Marabelle. Roger and Ann Paul have been regular visitors of Marabelle, bringing prayers and Holy Communion. Keep her and her family in your prayers. Lord, now let your servant go in peace...

First learning session for Catechism

Our first Confirmation learning session was held this week, during which we learned about the First Commandment. This lessons begins with the prologue to the Ten Commandments in which God declares "I am the Lord your God." So we spent some time talking about the relationship God has created with us through our baptism, and then given us the Commandments, which not only structure life for us and help to keep us safe, but also drive us to the promise and remind us of our need of a savior. I use PowerPoint to present the lessons, and if you want to view this week's Presentation, just clik here, and then click on "Present" at the top of the page. Space bar or down arrow will advance the frames.

Come and "See Through the Scriptures"

Our first "See Through the Scriptures" session was on Sunday at 9 and Thursday at 6. Because of the time limitation, we will likely need two of our sessions to get through a session of the course that was meant for about 90 minutes. It's not to late to join us. This is very good Bible learning material.

Interim Update for September 13, 2019

Adult Bible Class "See Through the Scriptures" Begins Sunday

Beginning this Sunday, September 15, 9am, our adult class will begin the Crossways course "See Through the Scriptures." Dr. Harry Wendt, the author of all the Crossways Bible Courses, will lead us through an eight session overview of the Bible's message, using full color illustrations. As the sessions are designed to be 90 minutes in length, we will likely cover about a half a lesson for each time that we meet. The class will also be offered on Thursday morning, 10 am.

Transition Team MSP Progress

The Transition Team met on Tuesday afternoon to continue their assigned task of completing the Ministry Site Profile. We made some very good progress, with individual members doing "homework" of assigned areas, and then sharing with the Team for discussion and editing. We will meet again next Tuesday at 4pm, and there is the possibility that we will have a completed Profile for Council to review and approve.

First Confirmation session held Wednesday evening

The first Confirmation session of the 2019-2020 program year was held Wednesday evening. Our sessions run from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. We had a total of 9 youth in attendance -- 1 8th grader, 6 7th graders, and 2 6th graders. Sherri Doster was the second adult in attendance -- we have a sign-up sheet for at least one parent to be present with me and the class for class sessions. Thanks Sherri! We did not do a "lesson," as this will begin in earnest next session. This session was devoted to "get to know each other" activities, a group game of Pit (card based trading game), and a pizza snack. Next week we'll begin our study of the Ten Commandments with a look at the First Commandment.

Will the ELCA Will be Gone in 30 Years?

This sobering question is asked by a blog entitled "faith+lead" hosted by Luther Seminary (one of our ELCA seminaries in St. Paul, my alma mater). The reasons? The author suggests three:

1. We live in a culture that makes it hard for people to imagine and be led by God.
2. We aren’t clear about what’s distinctive about being Christian.
3. For these reasons, church isn’t helping many people make meaning of their lives.

The author then offers six suggestions of what we can do about this. You can read the blog post, along with the six suggestions here.

First session of Diakonia in the books

"In the books" describes well the experience of our Diakonia participants. They are diving into the New Testament books of Mark and Matthew, and their textbook (it's big and it's heavy) written by Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Powell, long time former New Testament professor at Trinity Seminary in Columbus. The class leader is Pr. Jim Lehmann, St. John Port Clinton. Of the the twelve who registered for the program, five are from St. John's Bellevue, so that's an excellent representation. One thing that the participants have learned quickly is that the expenses are a bit more than what was expected. Dr. Powell's textbook retails for $40 from Amazon. Some have ordered the book, and at least one got a library copy to use. I think we should discuss at Council if a bit more financial aid can be made available for our participants to help cover the cost of books.

Transfer Brittany Weller

I have received a letter of transfer to St. John's for Brittany Weller from Fireside United Church of Christ. Brittany is the fiance of Nick Erf. Nick and Brittany plan to marry in 2020. We will approve the letter of transfer at the Council Meeting, and then notify her and her pastor that the transfer has been completed.

CCLI License

CCLI is the church music licensing service that many congregations use to reproduce and project copyrighted songs during worship and other congregational activities. St. John's has an existing account, although it has not been active since 2005, the customer service rep told me. Now that confirmation sessions have resumed, I'll be projecting copyrighted songs for the youth to sing. Of course we could also legally reproduce any covered songs for any of our worship services. The cost for a year's license is $133, and is based on average weekly worship attendance.

Marlene update

Marlene came home from the hospital on Tuesday, and I stopped to visit on Thursday. She is getting daily intravenous antibiotics to treat an infection, which will last at least 30 days. Jan and Paul are covering for her again for this Sunday. Of course she's eager to get back to the bench, but we'll cover for her for as long as she needs. Keep her in your prayers -- We love you Marlene!!

Hallway flooring and AC estimates

A representative from York carpet came this week to measure the hallways for new flooring. Now that the preschool rooms all have new flooring, it only makes sense to expand the upgrade to the hallways. Lenny will bring estimates for council to consider. Also to consider is the proposal from Hartland for AC units for the sanctuary, balcony and narthex.

Willows visits

Went to Willows on Thursday and visited most of our members who are there. There's a couple that I didn't get to, but hope to visit them, also, soon.

Interim Update for September 6, 2019

Adult Bible Class "See Through the Scriptures" Begins Sunday

Beginning this Sunday, September 15, 9am, our adult class will begin the Crossways course "See Through the Scriptures." Dr. Harry Wendt, the author of all the Crossways Bible Courses, will lead us through an eight session overview of the Bible's message, using full color illustrations. As the sessions are designed to be 90 minutes in length, we will likely cover about a half a lesson for each time that we meet. The class will also be offered on Thursday morning, 10 am.

St. John's Christian Preschool 2019-2020 up and running

The pitter patter of little feet could be heard, along with some crying and tears, but enough about the parents. This is about the kids. The new preschool year got going on Wednesday. Linda and her team of teachers, support staff and board members have spent hours and hours getting ready for this new year, not the least of which has been the remodeling project -- new paint and flooring. Looking forward to another excellent year of showing our love for God's children.

2019 Rally Day Ready to Go

The Education Team has planned a series of activities to help us celebrate Rally Day this Sunday, September 8, starting at 8:45 in the fellowship hall with grades K-12. Kids will be making cards for our shut ins that will accompany our care packages that they will be taking to them at a later date. The kids will get a chance to meet their teachers and sing songs with Yours Truly. There will also be a scavenger hunt right after church with a potluck, so we hope you will stay and enjoy the fellowship. Meat and beverage will be provided -- bring a dish to share, and see you there!

Gerhard Forde on Law and Gospel

I have hardlyl, if ever, linked to theological stuff in this blog, but after find the page linked below, this week I'm making an exception. Dr. Gerhard Forde (1925-2005) was a professor for many years at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I never had him as a professor, but have read some of his books. He was widely respected as a professor and teacher of the Lutheran understanding of the Christian faith. One of the key teachings of Lutheranism is the distinction between law and gospel, which Forde wrote much about throughout his distinguished career. You can read some of his most important thoughts about this fundamental Lutheran distinction here.

ELCA Synod Staff Visits Southern Border

Staff of the ELCA Northern Texas Northern Louisiana (NTNL) Synod recently visited McAllen and Brownsville, Texas, to visit with asylum seekers and to listen to their stories. A member of the delegation was Pr. Kris Totzke, who is an Assistant to the Bishop, and she writes of her experience here. Pastor Kris was my predecessor as associate at St. Peter in Norwalk, and before she went to seminary she was the program director at Imago Dei Village camp near Green Bay, Wisconsin during the time Marcy was the site director.

Marlene B. Update

Marlene B. was scheduled for Thursday for a procedure at Toledo Promedica, but was bumped to Friday. She'll be in overnight, with Jan and Paul filling in for her this Sunday. With none of the Saturday musicians available this weekend, Yours Truly will be the musician for the Saturday service, which means that I will play downloaded MP3 organ files as accompaniment for the chosen hymns .

Flat Panel TV Screen for Narthex Announcements

One of the things that some of us have talked about is a flat panel TV screen that we can mount on the wall in the narthex (or other suitable area) on which we can display announcements regarding upcoming events, or report significant events, in much the same way that we do in print form in the weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters. With a new program year beginning, it seemed like a good time to move on this, so taking advantage of Labor Day sales, a 50" LED TV screen has been purchased and donated. A mounting bracket was also purchased for $149, and this will be a congregation expense. We are hoping for volunteer installation. (Property team, you guys are very good at this!) An Android box to receive a wireless signal has also been donated. Kristen will be able to update the Announcements weekly from her computer and send them to the screen.

Diakonia Update

On Thursday evening, the newly formed Diakonia program for Eastern and North Central Conferences had their initial meeting at the program location, St. John's in Fremont. The first class, led by Pr. Jim Lehman, St. John's Port Clinton, will focus on an introduction to the New Testament, and last for five weeks. The program offers six classes per year over two years, for a told of 12 classes. Other pastors leading classes in the program are Pr. Scott Mauch and Pr. Chris Young, no strangers to St. John's. There are currently nine persons registered, and five of them are from St. John's Bellevue. The initial meeting on Thursday evening was a get-to-know-you session, with all the class leaders in attendance.

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR)

You can read about how LDR is responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian, and what we can do, here.

Bishop Daniel's weekly message

You can read it here.

Demographics for Ministry Site Profile

One of the series of questions asked on the Ministry Site Profile (MSP), the call process document that is being completed by the Transition Team, involves the demographics of the congregation with regard to gender and age. Using the two statuses of "Active" and "Friend," ("Friend" accounts for spouses of members who are not officially members, but in many cases attend regularly, and also those who attend regularly or occasionally who are not officially members). Here is what I found

• Active status: 405; Friend status: 69; Total: 474
• Male: 45%
• Female: 55%
• Age 19 years or younger: 21%
• Ages 20-34: 15%
• Ages 35-49: 11%
• Ages 50-65: 16%
• Age 65 and over: 37%