Inerim Update for June 26, 2020

Drive-up Communion

As mentioned last week and during announcements on Sunday, I have added a drive-up Holy Communion option for Sundays, 11:00 - 11:30 am. This past Sunday was the first time for this, and I had six cars with a total of 11 communicants. I plan to offer this every Sunday. So here's a summary of our Sunday Schedule

• 8:30 am YouTube livestream begins
• 10:00 In-Person worship with Holy Communion
• 11:00 - 11:30 Drive-up Holy Communion

Another Idea for In-Person Worship Seating

One thing I've noticed about our seating for Sunday morning in-person worship is that we are less spread out than we possibly could be. I have an idea that I'd like to try -- remove the center cords which we stretched across the top of the pews, which will allow worshipers to move to the far side of the pew even if they enter from the center aisle. The plan also includes a bulletin board on an easel by the center entrance doors on the right side which says:

• Welcome to Worship!
• Observe social distancing.
• Seat yourself, following guidelines below. Thank you!
• Choose an unoccupied pew.
• If pew ahead or behind you is occupied, if possible, move to or sit on opposite end of your pew.
• Remember that speaking and singing are discouraged.
• The ushers will dismiss you at the end of the service

Letter to members without email

Kristen and I sent out a letter this week to our members without email. I have discovered a few more emails for our members, so our list of active members without email now stands at 27. There were two messages that I wanted to get out to them: The availability of drive-up communion on Sundays from 11:00 - 11:30 am, and the availability of an opportunity to join the Sunday morning in-person service using their telephone.

To that end, I have established a free 30-day trial of a conferencecalls.com account. This account will enable up to 50 people to join a converence call. So here's how it would work. I begin a phone call at 10:00 am, and conferencecalls.com would then call numbers given them by me, those who have indicated their interest in listening by phone. Those receiving those calls could then listen as long as they like, until the end of the service. I indicated to them in the letter that if interested, they should call the church office.

The letter was mailed on Wednesday, and so far, no one has indicated an interest. It may be that nobody will, but if so, there would be this option. The cost is $25/month for up to 50 users. If we have only a few, a prepaid cents per minute option is also available. The rate is 1.9 cents per minute/per person. If we had five members listening for 40 minutes a week, that would be 200 minutes a week times four weeks equals 800 minutes time 1.9 cents, about $15/month. Any more than 7 and the monthly plan would be cheaper.

Results of Faith and Race survey

You may remember that I provided a link to complete a Faith and Race Check-in. I received nine responses, and I am providing the responses to questions 1-10. Next week I will post the responses* to questions 11-20

• Which best describes how you feel about racial justice in our society today? I believe...
  • 0% We are close to positive change 0 responses
  • 56% We are beginning to move toward positive change 5 responses
  • 33% Nothing is changing 3 responses
  • 11% Things are getting worse 1 response
  • 0% Things are worse than ever before 0 responses
• I want my church to provide guidance on how I can respond to racial justice issues.
  • 22% Agree Strongly 2 responses
  • 33% Agree Somewhat 3 responses
  • 22% Neutral 2 responses
  • 11% Disagree somewhat 1 response
  • 11% Disagree Strongly 1 response
• Thinking about the current national conversation around racial justice, what do you need most from your church leadership?
  • 33% Education on justice related race issues 3 responses
  • 0% Education on civic engagement 0 responses
  • 33% Biblical understanding of justice 3 responses
  • 0% Guidance for mobilizing 0 responses
  • 22% I need my church leaders to care about this as much as I do 2 responses
  • 0% Emotional/mental health support 0 responses
  • 0% This is not an important issue to me 0 responses
  • 11% That is not the church’s role 1 response
• Should my pastor and members of our congregation join in and support current protests and demonstrations?
  • 11% Yes 1 response
  • 44% No 4 responses
  • 44% Not sure 4 responses
• Should my pastor deliver a sermon or series addressing racial justice issues?
  • 56% Yes 5 responses
  • 33% No 3 responses
  • 11% Not sure 1 response
• Should our congregation organize a prayer effort for our community and nation?
  • 56% Yes 5 responses
  • 22% No 2 responses
  • 22% Not sure 2 responses
• Should our congregation invite community leaders to present diverse perspectives and foster dialogue?
  • 33% Yes 3 responses
  • 11% No 1 response
  • 56% Not sure 5 responses
• Should our congregation partner with other churches to create an ongoing community strategy?
  • 22% Yes 2 responses
  • 11% No 1 response
  • 67% Not sure 6 responses
• Should our congregation work toward policy changes that will impact the current concerns?
  • 22% Yes 2 responses
  • 33% No 3 responses
  • 44% Not sure 4 responses
• What do you believe would be the most helpful way primarily white churches could respond to issues of race and justice?
  • 11% Recognize the nation’s history of racism and injustice 1 response
  • 11% Advocate for law enforcement reform 1 response
  • 0% Participate in civic activism and protests 0 responses
  • 0% Reach out to people of color in the community and offer support 0 responses
  • 22% Deliver a Biblical perspective on justice 2 responses
  • 11% All of the above 1 response
  • 0% Other 0 responses
  • 44% No official response 4 responses

Email from Calla Gilson

This week I received an email from Calla Gilson, the Lead Coordinator of the Discipleship Initiative of our Northwestern Ohio Synod. I'll just copy it here for your information.

Hello Pastor Mark,

How are you? I hope that this email finds you well! I don’t believe that we’ve ever had the opportunity to meet. My name is Calla Gilson and I've recently joined the NWOS team as the Lead Coordinator of the Discipleship Initiative. Transitioning to this role in the current season has been a gift as communities have shown great creativity in being the church in this moment.

At the beginning of May, the synod office team opened the Imagining Renewal Microgrant project. These microgrants are intended to offer support and resources to individuals, congregations and organizations with the desire to engage in an original community-based project that uniquely meets a need of their community, encourages social engagement and furthers the gospel. This call for proposals encourages community members to imagine outreach that goes beyond the walls of our churches and into the community. In a time where we are tempted to turn inward, the spirit of our mission calls us to reach out. Details on the full spirit of the grant and the application link can be found by clicking this link.

We opened the application on May 5th and we have very much enjoyed reading the project proposals that have been submitted. In the last five rounds of review, the Advisory Team has awarded over $16,000 to 17 different projects that are seeking to renew their communities. Many more have expressed interest and have informed us that they are currently preparing proposals. Our ultimate goal is to award a total of $35,000. We have a unique funding structure that started with personal gifts from synod staff and synod council members, the allocation of synod and congregational funds, and grew our budget to just over $19,000. We are now approaching individuals and congregations who might be interested in growing this generosity through personal gifts to the Renewal Fund so that we can reach our goal of sharing $35,000 with our communities throughout the summer.

Bishop Daniel suggested that I reach out to see if St. John’s may be interested in coming alongside this project as we continue to raise the next $16,000 of support. I would love to set up a Zoom call sometime this week or early next week to share more stories of the proposals that we have funded, and talk about this great project. Please let me know if you have some time to talk.

Many thanks!
Calla

This week's Zoom meetings

• On Thursday afternoon I met with synod transitional leaders. This meeting is led by Deacon Sherry Krieger.
• Wednesday Night LIve! met for our 6:30 meeting. We are continuing a look at the ELCA Social Statement Ethnicity, Race and Culture, and our usual check-ins and prayer time. You'all are welcome to join the fun, ya know.

50 year anniversary of Women's ordination

"Fifty years ago, on June 29, 1970, the Lutheran Church in America voted to change the word “man” to “person” in its bylaws and opened the door for the ordination of women. The American Lutheran Church achieved the same thing by resolution a few months later. The church was led by the Spirit to change. At the time it was scary for some. Fifty years later, it is now part of our heritage." This intro from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth is a reminder of this significan milestone, which she speaks more about in this web post and the accompanying vide. I encourage you to read the message and view the video, which you can find here.

Some links that may interest you

• Will the ELCA Youth Gathering which is scheduled for next summer in Minneapolis still happen? We have a group of youth from St. John's that have expressed an interest in attending, and even scheduled their first fundraiser for March. Then coronavirus arrived and put everything on hold. This week I received an email from the Gathering office, you can read it here.
• New Beginnings is the newsletter from Dr. Kit Kleinhans, the Dean of Trinity Seminary. You can read the latest issue here.
• Bishop Daniel is still sending (mostly) weekly emails. You can read his most recent message here.

Interim Update for June 19, 2020

Justice Peace Event

As I explained in last week's Update, local church leaders, primarily from the Bellevue Alliance Church, organized a local event to speak to show "that we stand with those who serve, those that are hurting, angry, fearful, etc. We stand to have a voice for justice and peace. Prayerfully seeking God in what our part is in all this, whether to pray, speak out, or stand along our brothers and sisters in Christ believing God will heal this land."

The event was held at Central Park from 3-4 pm today (Friday) and featured a message from Pastor JB Heckock from Bellevue Alliance, Mayor Strecker, and Zach Emly, an elder at Bellevue Alliance, and one of our St. John's Preschool parents. There were about 50 people present for this event, with me and Jan L. from St. John's in attendance. All the speakers spoke effectively and from the heart.

Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine

Last year, voting members of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly of adopted a resolution designating June 17 as a commemoration of the martyrdom of the Emanuel 9 — the nine people shot and killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary of the killings. "May God continue to guide us as we seek repentance and renewal, and racial justice and reconciliation among God’s precious children." ELCA Churchwide observed the occasion with a 90 minute memorial service beginning at noon. You can read more about the ELCA observance here. Consider taking the ELCA Anti-Racism Pledge, as I have done recently. Our Northwestern Ohio Synod observance was held on Tuesday afternoon at 4pm, which I did not participate in as I was doing a Zoom Continuing Education event (see Continuing education paragraph below).

Drive Through Communion

I'd like to try adding something to our weekend worship, and that is drive-through Holy Communion. My plan is to offer this beginning this Sunday from 11:00 until 11:30. I will announce this in my Saturday email, and again on Sunday morning during the YouTube livstream - that those desiring to receive Holy Communion can come to the church between 11 and 11:30. I will instruct them to enter the semicircle driveway from the right side, where I will have set up a station near the Sacristy door. I will distribute the Celebration Cups that we are using at the 10:00 service, say the Words of Institution, invite drive-through worshipers to partake of the elements, and then give a blessing. If there get to be a number of cars, they will line up in the semi-circle, and the parking lot if necessary. I'm not expecting a lot, but the only way to find out is to offer it and see how many come. If it goes well, I'll send out a letter to the 30 or so who don't have email, some of whom may want to come and receive communion this way.

Cool it on the singing

One of the announcements that I forgot to make this past Sunday morning was the reminder that we are not recommending singing and speaking, and that Jan L. will be our designated speaker/singer from her location in the back of balcony using a microphone. The result was that quite a few peopel were singing and speaking the parts they normally have done in pre-pandemic days. I think we need to keep emphasizing this, as many of the recommendations I've been hearing recently have focused on limiting the spread of the virus through the wearing of face coverings and activities which force aerosol into the air.

A recent resource I've found that explains the risks that are still with us is an interview with our Lutheran epidemiological expert. Dr. Michael Osterholm. You can read a summary of a recent interview with him on NPR, or listen to the interview (about 40 minutes) here. Dr. Osterholm downplays the risk of contact spreading, but highlights the more common way for this virus to spread through the air.many of the recommendations I've been hearing recently have focused on limiting the spread of the virus through the wearing of face coverings and activities which force aerosol into the air.

Zoom Continuing Education

In recent week's I've been partaking of some continuing education opportunities via Zoom. Last month I participated in an event called "Festival of Homiletics" sponsored by Luther Seminary in St. Paul. I also participated in a Healthy Congregations May seminar, "Navigating The Rapids - Finding Hope in Changing Times". On Tuesday afternoon of this week, I attended a workshop sponsored the Interim Ministry Network on the Transition Team. This workshop was helpful in providing some good ideas for leading a Transition Team in my next interim ministry assignment.

Council Meeting

Council met Tuesday evening -- no official busines was conducted as we did not have a quorum. I intended to connect the meeting to Zoom, but I left my Zoomable computer behind at home that day, so was unable to make the connection. Our business was limited -- we decided to go ahead with the parking lot sealing and restriping - don't remember the exact about but was in the $5,000 range. Since this was in the congregational budget, it didn't really need Council approval, just the go-ahead for Lenny to put us on the contractors calendar so we get the job done.

Wednesday Night Live!

We had a smaller group for Wendesday Night Live this week, and used the program part of our meeting to listen to Bishop Daniel's message at our synod's observance of the Commemoration of the Emanuel Nine which was held on Tuesday afternoon at 4pm in a Zoom meeting. I recommend that you listen to Bishop Daniel's message -- it begins at about the 6:00 minute mark, and is about 7 minutes long. You can view the YouTube recording of the service here.

Hospital Updates

A couple of hospital updates -- we learned this week that Charley Baum has gone home from the hospital after a long hospital stay following a heart attack. He's still very weak, and will need some cardiac rehab, but the important thing is that he's out of the hospital and on his way to getting his strength back. Also, an update from Cathy O. regarding her brother John who has been battling a stroke and Covid-19, she reports that John is out of ICU, but is still in the Covid unit at Riverside. Our prayers continue!

ELCA Worship News

You can view the June issue of ELCA Worship news here.

Interim Update for June 12, 2020

We have returned!

Sunday marked our return to in-person worship in our sanctuary. There were 29 persons in attendance. Understandably, our YouTube views were down from previous weeks. I thought the return went reasonably well, with everything going according to plan. Many thanks to the Executive Team and others who helped with all the details, before, during and after worship. Registration will not be necessary for future services. Again, use your own best judgment as to whether or not you should attend in-person worship.

Asymptomatic Spread Rare?

The WHO issued a report that asymptomatic spread of the coronavirus was rare. WHO walked that statement back, encouraging all to continue to take this virus very seriously, and that nothing has changed with regard to the advisability of wearing face coverings when out in public. You can read more about this here.

Justice/Peace Initiative in Bellevue

Several weeks ago I received an email from JB Hecock, lead pastor at Bellevue Alliance Church (BAC). The email was an invitation to participate in a peaceful public event during which Bellevue Christians could gather to stand in solidarity with our Black brothers and sisters. Here is how JB put it in his email:

I'm writing to give an opportunity to stand together as a unified body of Christ here in Bellevue. There are several African American pastors in our denomination here in our region (primarily around Cleveland, but also Sandusky, Akron, Canton). They are tired, exhausted- understandably so-and also are imploring all of us white pastors, to stand up with them. They are asking that all of us organize a peaceful event at 3 p.m. on June 19th, otherwise known in the black community as Juneteenth or Freedom Day, when the Emancipation Proclamation finally took effect in all the states in the union (2.5 years after it was signed into law).

JB has been out of town and has turned over the planning to his spouse (assumption), Iris, who is also the office manager at BAC. I received updated info from Iris today with details of this event, which you can view and read here. At the end of this doc is a one paragraph summary of the event:

Agenda of Event: Is that we as believers will be silent no more. That we stand with those who serve, those that are hurting, angry, fearful, etc. We stand to have a voice for justice and peace. Prayerfully seeking God in what our part is in all this, whether to pray, speak out, or stand along our brothers and sisters in Christ believing God will heal this land.

Our Bellevue event will be held at Central Park between 3 and 4 pm, and will include prayer, speakers, lament, silence, and worship/praise. This is a regional event that has been organized by churches in the area coming together under the banner Justice Peace Initiative. You can find complete information on the initiative website here. St. John's Bellevue is listed as a participating congregation only because I told Iris that I would attend, and that was today (Friday). I would welcome anyone else from St. John's to join me next Friday at 3 pm in Central Park (social distancing precautions observed).

Thanks Paul for the peonies!

Paul cut a bouquet of peonies to celebrate our return to the church building for worship. Very beautiful, Paul! Thanks!

Organ pipes arrive

New/replacement organ pipes arrived, and Paul was on hand to help with the heavy haul into the building and up to the balcony. I'm not sure of the exact schedule, but Paul will accompany the two techs from our organ maintenance company to install and tune the pipes.

Why have I never heard of this before?

With various media outlets providing more information about the tragic history of institutional and government sponsored racism in our country, I'm learning more than I want to know. I want to close my eyes (remember that song "Doctor, my eyes..." by Jackson Browne?) and not believe it. Why have I never heard of this before - the systematic demolition of a thriving black business community in Tulsa 99 years ago? If you're interested, you can learn more about it here.

Zoom meetings

I had two Zoom meetings this week -- no meeting with the Bishop on Tuesday, that meeting is now twice a month. I did, however, meet with synod interim and transitional pastors, in fact led that meeting because Deacon Sherry from the synod staff was unavailable. Our meeting mostly reported on returns to in-person worship, parking lot worship, or plans to return to in-person worship later in June or even July.

Wednesday Night Live!

Guessing you know what happened with Wednesday Night Live Zoom meeting because of the email that went out. We'll try again next week, and continue our look at the ELCA Social Statement "Race, Ethnicity and Culture."

Interim Update for June 5, 2020

Ready for Return to In-Person worship? Register!

Online worship will continue indefinitely, but beginning Sunday, you will have an opportunity to worship and receive Holy Communion in person in the church sanctuary. The Executive Team has done an outstanding job of getting everything ready. I still strongly encourage everyone to read the Plan of Return to In-Person Worship document, and then decide if you will come. If you you, you are asked to register, which you can do here. If you plan to come, but haven't registered yet, do so now. It will take less than 30 seconds. Again, the registration form can be found here.

Bishop Eaton will provide Trinity message

Our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, will provide the sermon for our worship on Sunday, both online and our first in-person worship, as we celebrate Holy Trinity Sunday. Bishop Eaton has provided her message in video format, but because of our lack of technical equipment to either stream or show the video for the in-person service, I will be reading a transcript of the sermon. For me, it is a welcome break, and for the congregation, well, you will see that Bishop Eatons sermon is shorter than what I normally offer. I have viewed the sermon and it proclaims faithfully the Trinity in the context of our current situation of Covid-19 and the extrajudicial deaths of black citizens.

Zoom Meeting with Bishop Daniel

Synod congregational leaders met on Tuesday for our weekly Zoom meeting. Bishop Daniel shared six words with us that have helped him manage what he calls is "a troubling time for our nation." Those six words are:

1. Pause
2. Listen
3. Pray
4. Learn
5. Humbly Accompany

Bishop Daniel included the entirety of his Zoom message to us in his weekly email. Your can read that message here.

Worship committee

Worship Committee met Thursday morning. We reviewed the details for the return of in-person worship on Sunday. Some details of our discussion:

• Paul and Chris will rotate on an every-other-week basis as organist. Both will play on July 5
• Pat will be the reader for June
• Jan will be the "designated speaker and singer" for worship, as congregation will be discouraged from speaking and singing so that we limit risk of spreading the coronavirus
• Jan will cover changing paraments. Back to green on June 14 for rest of summer

Education Team

The Education Team met Wednesday evening. The main agenda for the meeting was planning the logistics for an online version of VBS, with music, activities and lessons being videoed remotely, and then Heather will use her vast array of technical and multi-media skills to put them all together into a video that would air every evening. We are looking to this the last week of July. I think this is going to be really good!

Bishop Eaton's Letter

Christ, the cornerstone, has already broken down the wall that divides us. Our Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, reminds us that "This is the day" to stand with those who have been denied the rights and dignity so many of us expect and often take for granted. You can read Bishop Eaton's message here.

Sarah's University statement

My daughter, Sarah, who is a PhD student at Utah State, shared on her Facebook page a Message of Solidarity prepared by the College of Science Graduate Student Council, which declares that it "stands in solidarity with, and support of, the Black community as well as all others affected by systemic injustice." You can read the entirety of the statement (it's not long, three paragraphs) here. My question is this. We have not yet done something like this, and I'm wondering if it's something that we should do. If a student organization at a secular educational institution is willing to take a stand like this, shouldn't we, as a congregation take a similar stand? Here is what our Constitution says in our Statement of Purpose in C4.02.d:

To participate in God's mission, this Congregation as a part of the Church shall: Serve in response to God's love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and the aged, advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing with the poor and powerless, and committing itself to their needs.

Let me know what you think.