Interim Update for January 31, 2020

Sunday School Teacher meeting

Sunday School Teachers and Education Team met Sunday after worship to discuss possible changes to Sunday School. Some of the takeaways of that meeting

• decision to change the starting time of Sunday School from 8:45 to 9:00 am in the chapel
• discussed contingency plans for combining classes when attendance is low
• ideas for service projects that can be done on a periodic basis that involve both kids, parents and other adults
• consensus that lacking new people from St. John's stepping up, and without reliable cooperation from leadership and volunteers from ICC/S, we would not do VBS this year
• conversation and planning regarding sending youth to National Youth Gathering. Support from Mission Endowment fund will be proposed to annual meeting

Thanks to the Team and the Teachers who work hard to their best for St. John's kids.

Plan for worship next weekend

Heather and I met with high school youth last Sunday, and received some indication of their participation. Rocky already has high school youth signed up for ushering. Still waiting to determine if others will participate in some way. Plan is to replace Holy Communion service with healing service. Heather will lead both services (Saturday and Sunday), and bring the message. Heather and I will finalize plans on Sunday.

First email Newsletter sent

I spent some time this week learning the ins and out of the Mailchimp editor, which is used to enter content into a mass email. It has a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier to use. First task: Copy the content of the February Newsletter which Kristen created in Microsoft Word and printed hard copies of (available in info rack by elevator and on counter in front lobby) into the Mailchimp editor . After my learning I briefed Kristen on it, so she'll take the reins going forward. The first send of the email went out yesterday afternoon, and a second send for those who hadn't opened it at about 2:30 today (Friday).

You will notice that the newsletter content is immediately available in your email (no need to link to a pdf which is hard to read on a smartphone) and formats to the size of your device. So you should be able to read newsletter content on your phone, tablet, iPad, or computer. You'll also notice that at the beginning there is a "Table of Contents," so that you can tap or click on an item to go directly to that content. You'll also notice that the calendar in the email version is at the end, and is a button, which if tapped or clicked will bring you to a Google online version of the calendar.

If you'd rather not search your inbox for the email (which indicates it's from St. John's Lutheran Church) and contains the February newsletter), you can also find it here.

Update on building projects

The flooring in the church office was installed this week, and the chief challenge there was moving the office furniture around. But we got it done. This project is almost complete, with only a bit of baseboard yet to be installed at the far end of the preschool hallway. It looks real nice -- be sure you go that direction and take a look if you haven't already. Hartland continues its installation of the AC, and not sure when that will be ready for the electric. We did receive another bid for the electric, which was quite a bit less than the original bid.

Visits this week

Brought group Holy Communion to Orchard Grove and Bellevue Care on Tuesday, and made visits at Willows on Thursday, also bringing Holy Communion

Confirmation youth finish 10 Commandments Unit

In our Wednesday confirmation sessions, We have completed our look at the Ten Commandments. Our topic at this week's session was Luther's question at the end of the Ten Commandments and their meanings. He asks:

What does God say about all these commandments?

He says, "I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."

What does this mean for us?

God warns that he will punish all who break these commandments. Therefore we are to fear his wrath and not disobey him. But he promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore we are to love and trust him, and gladly do what he commands.

Our next unit will be on the Lord's Prayer, which we will begin at the February 19 session.

Pastor Scott receives new call

I received word this past week from Pastor Scott Mauch, that he has received and accepted a new call. He has kept it quiet, and kept us pastors informed as the process unfolded. Once the decision was made, it was time to let everyone know. Here is the text of his message:

The journey of call is complete and the task of moving well has begun. The congregation has voted 116-1 to call me to Augustana Lutheran Church in Hobart, IN. This is the church I was ordained in 16 years ago and is the church where I experienced grace for the first time in my life. When we joined Augustana in 1993 after moving to Hobart I had not been in church except for Christmas and Easter for 13 years. I had never opened a Bible or thought in any way about a robust life of faith before being a part of that church. It was a video done by Bishop Chilstrom about grace that changed the way I saw God and how I believed God saw me. Sherry and I are very excited about going home to be near our family and lifelong friends to complete this ministry that God called us to.

I cannot thank you enough for you prayers.

Peace,

Pastor Scott LIFT Parish Fremont, OH

It was a privilege to get to know Scott. He was very helpful in sharing information about St. John's when I first arrived, and I know that his ministry among you was appreciated as he served as vice-pastor. Blessings, success and prayers to Pr. Scott and his family as they make this transition, and also to the LIFT Parish as they, also will need to address the ministry needs that Pr. Scott fulfilled in his call there.

Links for you

• StewardNet -- Information and inspiration for our lives as Christian Stewards from the ELCA Stewardship Program.
• NWOS Staffing Announcement -- Mary Boals retiring as Synod accountant. Mary will continue her work as a Call Process Facilitator. Call Committee members know Mary as she was assigned to St. John's as its facilitator in wake of Pr. Katie Suggitt stepping down from that position.

Youth Gathering Meeting

This was in last week's post, but repeating it here: A meeting of parents and youth in grades 7-12 has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 pm to provide information and guage interest regarding attending the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering, June 29-July 3, 2021 in Minneapolis. This video provides a good description of what happens at a gathering. You can also find more information on the official ELCA Youth Gathering website, which you can find here. Registration begins in September of this year, so if there is interest in attending, commitments and plans for fundraisers should begin soon.

Interim Update for January 24, 2020

Susan Hopkins Funeral

I received a request to do a non-member funeral this week for Susan Hopkins. Susan was the former sister-in-law of Diane Mattlage, whose first husband was a brother of Susan's husband, Arthur, who survives. The funeral was held on Wednesday at Foos and Foos. You can read the obituary here.

Youth Gathering Meeting

A meeting of parents and youth in grades 7-12 has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 pm to provide information and guage interest regarding attending the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering, June 29-July 3, 2021 in Minneapolis. This video provides a good description of what happens at a gathering. You can also find more information on the official ELCA Youth Gathering website, which you can find here. Registration begins in September of this year, so if there is interest in attending, commitments and plans for fundraisers should begin soon.

Plan for February 8-9

The service for February 8-9 will be led by St. John's members -- Heather is taking the lead and will recruit youth to assist. A healing service (come forward for healing prayer and oil) will replace Holy Communion.

Adult Bible Study update

Our adult Bible study using the video course See Through the Scriptures (STS) with Dr. Harry Wendt has been progressing slowly but surely. The Sunday morning class has decided to go on hiatus until spring, as some of the regular attenders have been unavailable. We have a few more sessions to go with STS, after which we will begin Bishop Daniel's new study on Acts.

Family Fun Night

A Family Fun Night has been planned for Sunday, February 16, from 4-7 at The Main Event family entertainment center in Avon. Bowling, shuffleboard, high ropes, plenty of fun for everyone. A goldenrod flyer is available in the narthex with more information. Get registrations to Heather by February 2.

Links to some good stuff

• NWOS eNews January 24 This issue includes the promo info that Paul sent to Synod regarding the Richard Hills Organ Concert. Also, info regarding the 2020 Synod Assembly, June 12-13 at BGSU. St. John's will be eligible to send four voting members, two of whom should be 30 years or younger.
• Seeds Monthly A resource for leaders of ELCA congregations and synods. Interesting articles on white privilge, and Bishop Eaton's letter on the United Methodist Church.
• NWOS Staffing Announcement Sarah Schaff has been selected to be the next Director for Community Engagement. The announcement will tell you more about what this means.
• Year of MIssion Bible Study Bishop Daniel's weekly message, in which he introduces the Bible Study for 2020 from the Book of Acts.

Interim Update for January 17, 2020

Kristen back after a few days off

Kristen has been under the weather this week, and was unable to come in on Tuesday and Wednesday. She returned on Thursday, and obviously has some catching up to do. I worked on the Sunday bulletin -- whew, it's not easy! Hope you get back to 100% soon Kristen!

Tricycles roll at St. John's

For the past fifteen years, St. John's has participated in the St. Jude's Trike-A-Thon, a fun, service learning program for daycares and preschools that teaches trike and riding toy safety while helping the children of St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Preschool staff (and family helpers) lay out the Trike-A-Thon course in the hall ways and several of the preschool rooms. Staff and parent volunteers help guide preschoolers through the course on the preschool trikes. The event also generates funds and awareness for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, as preschool families pledge monetary gifts so that families with a child who is a patient at St. Jude's never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. This year's event at St. John's generated gifts totaling $4,438. That's amazing!

AC install update

The work of installing AC in the sanctuary continues. It's a big job, and I'm not sure how much longer it will take, but the first few units have been installed. There will will be 8 units in the main part of the sanctuary, one in the balcony, and one in the narthex.

Visits

On Tuesday I visited Sam D. The first Christmas without Bev was hard, but he's getting along. With Faith across the street and the other daughters also in town, they are able to visit and help him along. On Thursday, on the way back from Findlay, I stopped to visit Cleora. She's doing well, although still very much misses her own home.

Pulpit Supply Search for February 8-9 Continues

Pulpit supply will be needed for the weekend of February 8-9, as I will be flying to Colorado on Sunday morning for my continuing education event. I have contacted some pastors who live in the area, as well as Pr. Jim Dumke, our connection to Genacross (formerly Lutheran Homes Society). He would like to come sometime to speak about the ministry at Genacross. He says he's never been to St. John's before, but, like others I've called, is unavailable that weekend. Might we possibly do this in house if we can't find an ordained person close?

Eastern Conference Pastors

St. John's hosted the quarterly meeting of the Eastern Conference Pastors on Tuesday morning. The main event for that meeting was provided by Pastor Scott (remember him?), who explained the process the the LIFT congregations have been engaged in recently in packing nutritional grain based meals through an organization called Alliance for Better Nutrition. The LIFT congregations have set an ambitious goal of packing 250,000 meals during the coming year. Perhaps this is something we could do as a Fifth Sunday Service Project. You can read more about this amazing ministry at LIFT here.

Interim Pastors

This was a week of pastor meetings, as the (mostly) monthly meeting of the Synod Interim Pastors was Thursday at Synod Office. We were down in numbers (6) for this meeting, but the number of congregations in the synod currently in transition continues to remain high at 30.

Installation at Faith Lutheran

One of our Eastern Conference congregations no longer in the call process is Faith in Fremont, who, on Thursday evening, installed their newly called pastor, Tim Miller. Continuing in the call process are Zion Gibsonburg and Trinity (Venice) Sandusky.

End of the Year Reporting

There are two end of the year reports that need to be completed -- my annual Report of Rostered Ministry (only I can do that) by March 31, and the Congregational Parochial report, which Kristen, Shaun and I will all need to collaborate on. That's due February 28.

Church Picture Directory

I haven't spent too much time recently on our new Church Picture Directory. The picture part is pretty much done, with a bit of work yet to do to create/collect photos of church staff, maybe one for Council?? The biggest part is reviewing and editing the membership list. Will need some help on this, and hopefully we can have some volunteers to meet and decide which names should appear in the directory.

Newsletter -- Online and Hardcopy

I'm still doing some experimenting with the email version of the newsletter. I was hoping to put a link to an online church calendar, but have realized that many email clients don't support that kind of feature. Learning a little bit each time I work on this, so hope we can have a better email newsletter experience than we did in January. Hardcopy of the newsletter are available in the lobbies and can be picked up there.

Interim Update for January 10

Christmas decorations taken down

The St. John's Christmas Forest, along with all the other Christmas decorations came down Sunday after worship, and were returned to their hiding places in the St. John's Catacombs. Thanks to the large group of lumberjacks that stayed to help.

Newsletter Formatting

We've published our first online newsletter, the January issue, and I'm thinking we might try something a bit different going forward. Our first issue was published as a pdf hosted on the congregation's Google Drive. Files saved here (in the cloud) can be accessed with a web link, which is how we shared the January issue. Based on feedback, there were a few problems: Some email clients (like mine, which is GMail, automatically display web addresses as clickable links. Others don't, and some had to copy and paste the URL (web address) into their browser. They could have scrolled to the bottom of the email, as the pdf was available there as an attachment.

Another problem: the pdf can be a difficult if not impossible format to read on a smaller device, such as a phone or tablet. Solution: send the email in HTML (website) format, and the printed text will automatically format to the size of the screen, including graphics and photos.

Mailchimp, our mass email program, has this capability, but it will require copying and pasting the newsletter content into the Mailchimp email creation software. I did a test of this method using the January content, and it seems to work reasonable well. So we'll plan to try sending out the February issue using this format. We will continue to publish it it Word (printed hard copies for narthex pick-up and mailing to shutins ) and PDF (viewable/downloadable from the web)

Balcony piano repair

I received this message from Jan L. regarding the balcony piano (Jan copied some of you already to this message):

I spoke with Larry Bailey, the piano tuner, this morning after he was at the church. There are several items with the balcony piano which need to be addressed as soon as possible. Because of the dryness/heat in the balcony, some of the ribs in the soundboard are pulling loose. These will need to be reglued/repaired. To keep this from getting worse, a humidifier needs to be installed inside the piano (like the one in the chapel piano). He also suggests that the back of the piano be enclosed with plastic to keep the moisture from the humidifier from being sucked out by the fan in the balcony before it has a chance to be absorbed inside the piano. If this is not taken care of, the sound board will crack and it will become impossible to tune to piano.

Cost:
Humidifier (including installation): $535
Repair of sound board $75
Putting plastic on back of piano $50
Total $660

He advises that this be done as soon as possible. As most of you know, Larry has maintained the church pianos for a number of years. Marlene and I have also used his services on our personal pianos for quite some time. I have no reason to question his assessment of the situation. He needs to be contacted when this has been approved.

Elevator Inspector visited

St. John's was paid a visit by the elevator inspector, and he gave the hoist a thumbs up with one exception: One or more light bulbs or tubes in the elevator car appear to be burned out and will need replaced.

AC installation underway

Workers from Hartland, the contractor for installing the new AC in the sanctuary, have been busy working. Completed so far -- the mounting brakets/plates for the inside units. Currently the crew is working on drilling about 4" holes through the wall to the outside by each unit, which will provide access to the condensing units, which will be on the outside. This appears to be a tedious and slow moving task, as the cup shaped bit has to be pulled out often to dump the removed stone/concrete. I'm not sure how much longer the installation will take, but will give you updates as the work continues.

Water at end of preschool hallway

Preschool staff has noted that water is making its way in through the double doors at the far end of the preschool hallway facing Southwest Street. The rubber back doormat has been rolled up so that the floor can dry thoroughly, which will be necessary for the new flooring installation.

Confirmation back in session

Our confirmation sessions resumed this week, and we covered the 9th and 10th commandments:

Ninth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not desire to get our neighbor's possessions by scheming, or by pretending to have a right to them, but always help him keep what is his.

Tenth Commandment

You shall not covet your neighbors wife, or manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is your neighbor's.
What does this mean for us?
We are to fear and love God so that we do not tempt or coax away from our neighbor his wife or his workers, but encourage them to remain loyal.

Stewardship Committee work session

Aleta, Emma K. and Linda were busy this week doing thank you's for those who completed plan for giving cards. Kristen printed end of year giving statements, and both will be available in the narthex this weekend and beyond. Also available to pick up are offering envelopes with pages of labels for each giving unit.

Worship Committee meeting

Worship Committee met Thursday morning -- lots to begin planning for, including Ash Wednesday and Lent.

• Would like to do Wednesday evening suppers again, with worship around the table in Fellowship Hall. One service on Ash Wednesday at 7pm on February 26th. Five midweek supper/worships on following Wednesday evenings.
• Welcomed Lois T. as new Committee member. Lois and Jan are the primary helpers for Saturday worship. Want to get more Saturday worshipers involved as helpers for reading, ushering, a communion.
• Paul reported encouraging progress on May 17 Organ Concert with Richard Hills. He's getting positive indications of financial support from local businesses and community entities.
• Lois noted that the light outside the sacristy door is burned out -- very dark leaving the church from that location after Saturday worship.
• Committee agreed that substitute organists should continue with $75 per service compensation. Also agreed that $75 should be paid for any funeral service for which family does not have adequate financial resources.
• Some discussion held on 5th Sunday Outreach: Next one is March, then May, August and November. Ideas needed! And someone to take the lead!

Education Team met Wednesday

Education team met during confirmation, and I joined them at 8pm after youth left. One of the topics discussed was 2021 National Youth Gathering -- registration opens in September of this year, so it's not to early to start getting both you and adult leaders on board and some fundraisers planned. Every youth in grade 7 will be eligible to attend.

Has the United Methodist Church split?

"Last week, in a flurry of misleading headlines, many of us read that the United Methodist Church had split. This is not, in fact, what happened." So begins a statement by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. You can read the entirety of Bishop Eaton's statement here.

Continuing Ed at Winter Park in February

Just a reminder that I'll be doing a week of continuing ed at Winter Park February 9 - 14. Will need to find pulpit supply for leading worship on the 9th. I was encouraged to read this report.promn

On my schedule next week

• Wednesday - Confirmation 6:30 pm
• Thursday - Adult Bible study 10:00 am, Synod interim pastors, 1pm at Synod office

Interim Update for January 3, 2020

Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a happy and memorable transition to the decade of the 20's. A Facebook post suggested that one refrain from abbreviating the year as "20" when signing important documents. Someone could easily add whatever date they want to the number 20, and thus alter the document. Hadn't thought of that, but, makes sense.

Wedding this weekend

Will preside for the wedding of Missie Lowrey (daughter of Tom and Alohoea) and Donnie Huntley on Saturday afternoon in Sandusky at 3pm. Rehearsal was this afternoon at 5. Tom will escort Missie down the aisle.

First online newsletter delivered

The first online newsletter was delivered via email. Hope you received it OK. Had one report that the URL link didn't work. Most email clients will display a URL address as a clickable link, but if you receive email with a plain text client, you would need to copy and paste the link into your browser. Let us know if you have any problems with opening or viewing the newsletter. We are starting out publishing it as a pdf file which can either be read online, or downloaded to your computer or device and read offline. One concern I have is for those whose only internet connection is with a smartphone or tablet. Viewing an 8.5/11" pdf on such a device could be very challenging. Anyway, let us know your experience, so we can tweak our presentation and/or delivery to better serve the reader. We are using Mailchimp, a mass email delivery website, which tracks how many open emails that are sent. We have 104 email addresses in our audience, and as of Friday afternoon, 51 have opened the email with the link to the January newsletter.

Stewardship Team busy

The Stewardship Team has been busy this week completing the analysis of November's stewardship campaign. An initial report is that numbers are very close to last year's campaign. They have also been working, along with Kristen, to implement the new system of offering envelopes. They spent some time applying "generic" labels to envelopes for the pew racks. I you haven't picked up your packet of envelopes, but sure to do so soon - you will need a packet of envelopes (secured with a rubber band) and 2 sheets of labels with your name on them. The labels have been organized alphabetically in a box, and both can be picked up from the table near the double doors leading inot the sanctuary. Thanks Stewardship Team for all your hard work -- well done!

Shaun very busy

Shaun has been working overtime on end of year finances and reports. My part is simple -- submitting my monthly report of reimbursable expenses (mileage, continuing education, professional expenses) Thanks, Shaun, for all you do!

Chase gets a look at organ

Received word from Paul that he had met Chase Castle at the church to show him the organ and give him a chance to play. Paul reports that Chase, a Norwalk native, a BW grad, and a PhD in Musicology candidate at Penn State, was very impressed with the St. John's instrument. "I never knew this was over her. What a hidden gem!" Chase said. Paul invited him to come over and play any time.

Some clickable links

• Presiding Bishop Eaton responds to recent anti-Semitic attacks
• Bishop Daniel's weekly message - Welcome to the Year of Mission