Interim Update for May 8, 2020

Executive Team plans "The Plan"

The Executive Team had their first meeting on Sunday after worship to "Plan The Plan." The Plan, of course, is the plan to make all the decisions and how to carry them out so that the congregation can most safely open the church building for a resumption of on-site worship beginning Sunday, June 7. We have been given a multi-page document that was created by a synod team to outline all the details that need to be addressed. Issues regarding the worship service itself were referred to the Worship Committee. Other details regarding sanitizing the building after use, and even contacting our insurance agent to determine any liability issues that need to be addressed were discussed. The Team will be meeting every Sunday at 11am to complete the plan for The Plan.

Worship Commmittee

The worship commmittee met Thursday, and the main item on our agenda was our plans for the return of on-site worship at the church beginning Sunday, June 7. There was and still is lots to plan for and decide, and the Committee will be meeting again on May 21 to finalize the plans. Thanks to Cathy, who took very good notes from the meeting, and summarized them into a Word document, which you can view/download here.

Bishop's Zoom meeting - Renewal Microgrants

The main focus of this week's Zoom with Bishop Daniel was Renewal Microgrants. This is a new program that has been funded by contributions from Synod Staff and Council. Also, Synod resources have been dedicated by Synod Council, and congregations and individual donors have also joined in funding these grants.

The grants are "microgrants" because they are limited to a maximum of $1,500. "They are intended to offer support and resources to individuals, congregations and organizations with the desire to engage in an original community-based project thatuniquely meets a need of their community, encourages social engagement and furthers the gospel."

There are four "Categories of Care" that are suggested by the program information:

• Food Insecurity and Poverty
• Mental Health
• Youth and Families
• Community Endurance

These categories are described more fully in the Microgrant Information pdf. You can read all the pertinent information about this innovative and visionary program here.

Returning to Church Survey

In my Wednesday email I asked readers to complete a new survey about how you feel about returning to our church building for worship and other activities, noting that he Executive Team is making plans for this to happen beginning the first Sunday in June, so your input now would be very helpful.) This survey is 14 questions, and will take 2-5 minutes to complete. If you've completed it, excellent! and thank you. If not, why not do it now? It will take only 3-5 minutes to complete. Text UFFU to 90888 to start the assessment on your smartphone, or click/tap here to begin. Thanks much!!

Wednesday Night Live!

We had another good Wednesday Night Live! meeting on Zoom Wednesday night at 6:30. We checked-in with each other, and then took a closer look at the 6th and 7th Petitions of the Lord's Prayer:

And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
God tempts no one to sin, but we ask in this prayer that God would watch over us and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief, despair, and other great and shameful sins. And we pray that even though we are so tempted we may still win the final victory.

But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
We ask in this inclusive prayer that our heavenly Father would save us from every evil to body and soul, and at our last hour would mercifully take us from the troubles of this world to himself in heaven.

We'll conclude our discussion of the Lord's Prayer next week. We'd love to have you join us!

IMN Support Group Zoom

I have mentioned several times about my Interim Ministry Netword (IMN) Zoom Support Group. We met again today, with six of us in attendance. Several denominations are represented in this group, and we all share the same challenges, both in terms of interim ministry and leading in the midst of a pandemic. It was good to connect with them again.

Preschool Update

St. John's Preschool staff met today in the Fellowship Hall to review plans for wrapping up the school year, looking to the fall school year, and receive info on future financial support. Staff is planning an end of the year Parking Lot Parade similar to the one held last month, which was a huge success.

Preschool staff have been compensated fully through today, partially through a grant from the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance. This program provides up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, up to $1,000 per employee. St. John's Preschool applied for this program, and received a loan of $9,000, which does not have to be repaid. These funds will offset the tuition reimbursements of $8,291 made to families with children enrolled in the school when school was closed on March 13 due to the coronavirus. For the remaining 5 pay periods, teaching staff will receive 75% of compensation.

Looking to the fall, there is much that is still up in the air, and significant adjustments may need to be made to respond to the conditions on the ground and the State of Ohio's response to those conditions.

We are blessed to have a talented and dedicated team who will ensure that this ministry of St. John's stays strong and viable.

Dr. Osterholm Video

Not sure if you have heard of Dr. Michael Osterholm, but he is the director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, and has been a regular contributor on various national news outlets as an expert commentator on the coronavirus and Covidd-19 pandemic. Interestingly enough, he is also a Lutheran, and active member of Edina Lutheran Church (suburb of Minneapolis), and ELCA congregation. Recently, he was invited to speak to a Zoom gathering of pastors in the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod, in the same way that Bishop Daniel has gathered NWOS pastors for weekly meetings. Dr. Osterholm was invited to speak about the coronavirus, and how congregations can best return to their church buildings for worship safely. The video is about 40 minutes, but if you have the time, it's worth the watch. You can find it here.